Fashion Show

I attended the Arizona Nurses Association biannual convention this week.

I modeled this sweater in the dinner fashion show,

presented a poster,

and had a table with our cookbook.

Lois happened to fly into town Saturday afternoon and was able to secure a crew car.  Since the debate was raging on facebook about which Pumpkin Pie recipe was better, she was able to participate in the taste testing.  Conclusion - they are both good in different ways!

Lois enjoying the photo book of our trip

Pumpkin Pie custards - a way to taste test the pie without the added calories of the crust

Kids - Aren't They Cute?

While I was in Baltimore this week, Whitney slipped this note into my backpack.  Sweet!



Week in Baltimore

I was in Baltimore for the Magnet Recognition Program's annual conference.  It gave me the opportunity to see Urbane, Karen, Whitney and Amanda.  Urbane collected me at the airport, took me back to the house for a bite of GREAT chocolate cake, and then Urbane, Karen, Whitney and I headed to the Raven's stadium for the Sunday night prime time football game.

They bundled me in a hat, scarf, gloves and a down coat.  It was chilly being in the 40's, but I was toasty.

Half Time

The conference was at the convention center and I spent the rest of the week learning/reviewing and connecting with friends from around the country.  Here I am with Jennifer (Evan's mother) at the welcome reception at the Raven's Stadium.

The field during the welcome party - very different than at Sunday's game

They had various stations set up with a different decade theme for music and food.  This is the 40's where we sampled macaroni and cheese.

Melanie and Bob

This evening we attended a lovely outdoor wedding of Melanie and Bob.  For a high of 106 today, the evening was pleasant, and the bride beautiful.

BBQ in the Country

This weekend we were invited to a BBQ at the country home of Jinger, the Realtor who found us our cabin four years ago.

Triple Layer Carrot Pineapple Cake ready to go along for dessert

This turkey was kept company by other turkeys and chickens

The metal horse gave us no trouble

The lily pond was active with Koi and other water critters

It was a beautiful evening following a few sprinkles, including a beautiful sunset



Evan Is in Town

The little guy that we babysat for is back in town, visiting for the weekend.  It's hard to believe he will be 2 in about 3 weeks.

Appetizers awaiting guests

Dessert - Chocolate Bundt Cake and Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Evan and Julie playing with the bowling pins Kathy brought for him

Evan enjoying his chocolate cake - he thoroughly enjoyed it!



Letters and Wishes from Emma and Rachel

When we returned from our trip, we had these waiting for us:



Rome, Italy

September 5, 2011

Disembarkation from the ship went smoothly. In fact, it went so well we had to wait for our taxi into Rome. After checking into the Residenza Cellini at Via Modena n.5, we headed to the Vatican. The Sistine Chapel was quite impressive. Can you imagine painting a ceiling looking up the whole time?

The amount of art that is in residence is amazing!  It is interesting to think about where it all came from as the Catholics took the spoils from the land after winning wars.

For dinner we went to Janne Taubmann’s recommendation - Spiritno Di Vino. It is one of the oldest buildings in Rome that is currently in use. Each step into the wine cellar in the basement takes you back 75 years. The food was fantastic and the owners charming.

Our hotel

I thought perhaps the mornings of Nutella with breakfast were over, but no!  They had it available with our breakfast here as well.

We were on the 5th floor and had a nice balcony area for relaxing and connection to WiFi

Sistine Chapel

The steps leading to the wine cellar at Spirito Di Vino

We were told by the owner it is the oldest building in Rome in active use

The wine cellar

September 6, 2011

On our last day of being a tourist, there was a transit strike that shut down the trains and buses. We didn’t realize it early in the day, but as we made it to the Coliseum, we found out that the ancient attractions were also closed because of the strike. We got our walk in as we hit the highlights: the Coliseum, Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain - of course there were plenty of other places along the way!

Kendall at the Coliseum

What's the best plan with attractions closed and buses not running?

The Pantheon

Inside the Pantheon

Dinner - how could we leave Italy without having Spaghetti?

Tasty!

We tossed our coins in the fountain to ensure returning some day

 

One final time in an outdoor cafe sipping cappuccino and enjoying a dessert

Messina, Italy

Tour guide Mario took us to the great scenic overlook areas and quaint shopping squares in the old town.  We were able to see Mt. Etna through the haze and discern the smoke rising from the top.  The old clock tower chiming noon was a site to see with all the movements depicting scenes from the town’s history.   The chiming took 12 minutes and included a lion roaring, a rooster crowing 3 times, the church rising from the ruins and Jesus blessing the crowd. 

It was a lot to cover in 5 hours! 

European cities gave us a new appreciation of an 'old house'

Picturesque streets

There are plants and flowers on many balconies and patios

Love this scene!

One of the churches in town close to the port

Mt. Etna was puffing some white smoke, but it is difficult to see through the haze

The famous clock tower, the third largest in the world

Santorini, Greece

Santorini is the beautiful Greek isle with the famous white buildings and blue roofs.  The views are spectacular!  We rented a car and toured around the island, spent time shopping and ate lunch in a local restaurant on the black sand beach.  I could have spent days here with a camera and not capture the beauty.

The only way to get from the port was to take a cable car.  The views were spectacular!

Jenell, Doug, me, Kendall

The famous blue and white hues with a soft yellow

There are many churches and bells in the villages

The water and the sky were the same blue as the painted roofs

A view from the window in a nautical museum we visited