Shopping in Nove

I went shopping today with a friend. We went to Nove which is about a 30 minute drive from my house. I was able to go in and buy some of the dishes that James and I liked when we first visited Nove. The ceramic store we shopped in is called the VBC. The collection I purchased is actually sold in the states as the Lenox brand.

I spent a total of 90€ which is about $135. In the US I would spend around $275 for these items. (Of course, you know me, I wouldn't actually spend that amount of money for 4 dinner plates(6€ or $20 each) , 4 soup bowls (3.50€ or $14.99 each), 4 individual square pasta bowls (6€ or $23.99 each), 1 large square pasta bowl(9€) 1 large serving tray (9€) and one divided 3 compartment serving tray (9€)) On the last three items I couldn't find an equivalent dollar amount however, I am sure they would be over $25 each. Definitely wouldn't pay that but I didn't mind the more than 1/2 price discount for some beautiful dishes.

I have the dishes washed and made room for them in the Polish Pottery cabinet - though now I guess it needs to be called international cabinet since it has Polish Pottery, French ceramics, Japanese porcelain, Texas ceramics, German ceramics and now Italian ceramics. However, the largest portion of the the dishes are Polish in origin. Just wanted to share my latest purchase.

Oh and the Festa Italia is this weekend. A big bazaar on base where many vendors from all over Italy and perhaps Europe come and let us see what they have to offer. Can't wait! May have more purchases to post soon.

Budding Artist?

Caleb and his rendition of a hare.

trying to get a close up here so you can see the detail he put into (not much luck though).

Caleb has been studying the Renaissance in his history class. For one of their assignments they were to sketch a representation of what was occurring at that time. They were allowed to copy an existing piece of artwork or choose their own subject for the sketch as long as it was something that happened during that time period. The hare that Caleb chose was a representation of the secular still life artwork being done during the northern Renaissance. They had to choose between the Italian religious artwork or the northern secular artwork. The sketch Caleb chose to do was based on a painting by german artist Albrecht Dϋrer.

His teacher and many of the students were impressed with the quality of his sketch. So were James and I when we saw it. Especially since getting him to draw anything for us has been like pulling teeth. The last time I remember him really drawing something was in 5th grade and he had to draw a scene from a book he had recently read. His drawing was so small and indecipherable that the teacher had to send him home with a note requesting him to draw it again and much larger. He was disgusted with the whole process.

However, on this project he did a fabulous job. The photo doesn't do it justice - especially the detail that he put into his sketch. it is quite fabulous and we are so proud of him for his effort.

A New Endeavor...

So today I decided to start a new blog. One that is dedicated solely to me and my "art". Whether it is paper in nature or my experimenting in the kitchen. I wanted one place for all that creativity to go.

So today I started The Crafty Cappuccino. Before you give me grief on the name I chose just let me explain that I am not creative when it comes to words. But I do so love having a cup of coffee, a latte, a cappuccino when I am sitting around trying to create. So I combined two of my passions for the name of my new blog.

I already posted several things there today...from bread that I was baking, cake that I was making and cards that I created. Go check it out and let me know what you think.

Unexpected guest

While making a cake today I was interrupted several times by an odd sound. It was a crackling almost electrical in nature sound. It spooked me enough that I finally stopped what I was doing to check it out. And that is when I saw this little guy.





Isn't he gorgeous? If you look closely though you can see that the nails on his little claws are way overgrown. He has not been cared for very well if he was a pet. I have never seen a bird in the wild with claws so overgrown so I am pretty sure he was an escaped pet. Now today was market day and they do sometimes sell pretty little birds like this one there. We are only a few blocks away from the market area so maybe he is just an escapee?

AIM Students come to town

Tracie, Brandon and Evan came from Prato to Vicenza to spend the weekend with us. We had a great time. On Friday night we went to the Octoberfest Celebration on base. (However, we left early due to the swarming mosquitoes that just wouldn't leave us alone). Saturday morning we got up early and headed to the base again. This time for breakfast at Burger King and Jared's soccer game. side note: The AIM students have been away from the states for almost 6 months and they really enjoyed this taste of Americana - same reason why we ate at the Taco Bell in the food court for lunch.
starting at the far left is Evan, then Brandon, Tracie and finally my sweet James before the soccer game


Jared's team after their big win. Jared is on the far left. This was an exciting game. We were behind 3 to 1 at half time. In the last few minutes of the game we came back to win 5 to 3. It was so awesome. James was absolutely hoarse from his yelling. Jared's team is the Red Bulls however, the kids voted unanimously to be the Grim Reapers. The female coach vetoed that and decided on the Red Bulls. During the game, James was yelling, "GO, GRIM REAPERS. COME ON BLACK DEATH!" He was so funny. Tracie, Evan and Brandon enjoyed the game as well.

After the game we headed for our lunch at the food court. We hung around the base, went to the commissary, and the library before going to the movies. We saw Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Very cute movie. We really enjoyed that.
Evan and Caleb making weird faces while we wait for the movie to start. Tracie and me eating our popcorn before the movie starts.

For the afternoon the boys played WII games while Tracie and I crafted up in my room. Tracie has a lot of natural talent. She made a wonderful card and we had a fun time.

On Sunday afternoon after church we came back to the house and made Cute Colorful Cupcakes for our dessert for the evening BBQ we had planned.




Titus & Angie and girls came along with Francesco & Lorenza and their daughters and Reynaldo (members of the Vicenza church) and from the Padova church we had Jeremy & Rebecca as well as Jeff and Tia and their kiddos. We really had a great time visiting.

playing in the yard during the BBQ

Jeff, Jeremy and baby Davis (one month old)

Me, Tracie, Rebecca and Tia at the end of the night.