A glass or a bottle?

First off, I just want to say thank you for the encouraging comments left on my blog. They really do inspire me and make me feel like I can lift myself out of my slumpage!

As part of my ongoing effort to lift my spirits, I went on an adventure last weekend...

My Italian friend Lucia invited me to the Villa Sceriman - my first Italian winery! Villa Sceriman is this really picturesque villa out in the town of Vo (about 40 minutes away). It's an old place. Historical records first mention it in 1447.

They have a large tasting area with requisite kegs for tables and several beautiful rustic rooms with large fireplaces and old oak tables and benches. It seems like a perfect place for a get together and Lucia tells me that she has had several large parties out there.


Lucia treated me to some cold cut salami, peppers, green olives and a couple of hunks of white bread. We also grabbed "a taste" of some Sceriman Cabernet Sauvignon. It was all very tasty. We sat at one of the old tables and enjoyed the atmosphere, food and wine.


Afterwards, we got up for some wine tasting. We sauntered to the bar and Lucia pulled out this sheet and a pen...

The first thing I say is "Jeez Lucia, the wine is so cheap here... a glass for 3.95 euro? That's crazy!!!!

and Lucia tells me that that's the prices for a bottle.

Dang!

My interest is perked, my palate is ready as the tasting got underway. I sampled all the reds (with bread cubes as in betweeners) and tried a few whites.

I wasn't crazy about the whites.

I loved the Prosecco which is fizzy and like champagne. Who doesn't love fizzy?



So for 26 euro I made out like a bandit... the three bottles below, 1 cabernet and, my favorite a white vino frizzante (which we drank before I took the picture - oopsie) PLUS the very cute wine pitcher for 7 euro. SWEET!

Looking Forward

My nutty daughter is coming home for a visit in a week!

I can't wait!

And she's bringing three Norwegian friends!

I better buy some rye crisp, sardines and decent bread!

I like exclamation points today!

Overcoming Inertia

I don't know what my deal is. I think I've been in a funk and it isn't just about losing Barney. It's everything... it's the move nine months ago, Carol leaving home, job changes for Thom and I.

I just don't roll with the changes like I used to.

I thought when I went home to the states for Christmas it would snap me out of it.

It didn't. In fact it made me realize that my kids are all becoming adults and don't really need me in their business constantly.

I'll have to redefine my purpose there.

Over the past months, I have pondered what to blog about and just can't think of a thing. Usually I have constant white-noise of inner talk, worries and funny stuff that I just can't wait to write down or capture it in a photo. Not lately.

It takes a monumental amount of effort for me to even come up with a Wordless Wednesday photo.

This is embarrassing to admit but my life, in Italy no less, is boring. I live where people save their whole lives to visit for two or three weeks and I'm not taking full advantage of it.

The weekends have whizzed by here and I don't have much more to show for it than clean laundry and food for the week. I get up in the morning and by the time I'm ready to go out and do something it's reposo (Italian afternoon break) and everything has shut down until dinnertime. I end up back on the couch.

My job is boring, I watch too much TV, read too many books and wander aimlessly around my house.

My garage is a mess, I haven't done my taxes, need to go to the dentist and I still have my autumn decorations lying in a heap to get put up in the storage area, I've gained 12 pounds in the past year.

So there it is.

I am hereby turning over a new leaf and you are my witnesses.

I will get out more.
I will start exercising.
I will unplug (a little bit - I'm not going to lie).
I will lose those 12 pounds.
I will focus myself on the present.
I will get over my mid-life slump.

I will enjoy my life.

My incredibly fabulous and lucky life.