middletown trip

our spring trip to maryland was probably one of the most-needed trips i've ever taken. i truly relaxed and came back totally refreshed. how often can you say that? both bbb and jake were very well-behaved. we spent 90% of the time outside, didn't eat out at all, and hiked all over the place. it was great to watch bbb enjoying himself and exploring the great outdoors.

i did get to hike my first couple (tiny) sections of the AT. headed south at Gathland State Park. Beautiful and peaceful in the rain.

The light was great all weekend- a perfect opportunity to take beautiful pictures:

alaska

i still can't believe we are here. it was an incredibly long day of travel (with a seven hour layover in minneapolis). we got to our hotel in anchorage at about 1:30 in the morning. i , for one, was cranky.

but today we definitely hit the ground running. nice breakfast in the hotel followed by walking around downtown. we went to the anchorage visitor center and got some very good advice. from there we took the city bus to the south side of the city. the native arts show is being held in the diamond center mall.

i learned something about myself. now, i'm far from a peta person. i not even close to a vegan. i wear sheepskin boots. but something about all that seal skin and otter fur makes me want to cry. i just can't do it.

the bus ride to and from was full of color. one lady said to a fellow passenger "you- you psychotic. you know. that means you follow your MIND." uh, ok crazy bus lady.

back in town we walked some more and shopped for souvenirs.

luckily, bbb doesn't miss us much.

waiting for the pictures to load!

wilco weekend or the 30,000 calorie tour of columbus

our wilco weekend was great! i'll start with the show. you know, columbus day in columbus? wilco was wilco. not the raucous wilco of so many years ago, but the tight, rhythmic, love-inspiring wilco of today. we had great seats in the wexner center and were fortunately seated next to non-annoying concert goers. i realized during that show the "the late greats" has become one of my most favorite wilco songs.

i will say that we made the absolute most of columbus. this is a town that we've driven through numerous times but never really visited. our first stop on sunday afternoon was german village.

we took this nice walk and visited several bakeries. the best one? this one. we sampled four different macarons and tried this gorgeous pistachio feullitine.

that evening we visited martini, an italian restaurant in short north. we started out with beef carpaccio. i had veal and spinach ravioli. mmm had gnocchi with beef and wild boar. not too shabby!

the next morning we explored the north market. i gawked over the pastries at mozart's north market bakery. the marzipan peach was other-wordly and i hope to recreate it some day.

we explored columbus a bit more before heading to the OSU campus to prepare ourselves for the show. other than my almost losing my purse, we had a great time there as well. a few observations: OSU students don't appear to drink much (as evidenced by the lack of watering holes). they run excessively. and they apparently have an inexplicable love of gyros. who knew?

via chicago

we enjoyed a whirlwind tour of the midwest over the extended weekend. mmm, bbb and myself loaded up the family truckster and collected j and s for some quality time in kokomo. i must confess- i was in bed by 8:15 the first night.

saturday our troupe headed to chicago. the field museum could have been wonderful. could have been if we had not decided to take a cranky, napless two-year-old along for the ride. ice cream afterwords helped ease all our nerves.

husband and i rolled the dice and let the big boys tend to the creature while we enjoyed a few drinks in the hotel lobby. we really got bold and walked a block away to get pf chang's takeout. we got back to the hotel room and while it looked like keith richards had been in charge, none of the boys were any worse for the wear.

the next day was wonderful. we visited mmm's brother and his family (after a massive breakfast) and then spent a few hours at the lincoln park zoo. ok. here it is. the highlight of my trip. i got to see a POLAR BEAR up close. through glass, but up close. he just kept swimming back to us, smiling and showing off. he was magnificent.

headed back to kokomo for swimming and downtime at the hotel.

it was a lovely extended weekend and i hate that it had to end so soon. all of the boys were well behaved and it felt so good to be all together.

colorado

we are having a fun and relaxing time with grandma in colorado. flying out with b was a bit of a challenge. he had to use the facilities about 5 times and kicked the seat in from of him for 2 hours straight. but other than that it was a smooth trip.

we have been visiting locals parks and elitch gardens.

i am eating way too much and not getting enough exercise. i think i finally have the motivation i need to kick myself into healthy living mode when i get back home.

i am, however, completely relaxed. what a nice feeling.

more fun at elitch gardens today and possibly the reservoir tomorrow.

weekend recap

still trying to catch up from our trip to see thomas the tank engine on the cuyahoga valley scenic railroad. b had a blast and i did too. it was a perfect weekend.

b was very well-behaved the entire time. i don't know what got into him. the thomas festivities were low-key and age appropriate. after our island of sodor adventure we went back to the hotel and swam. we ate dinner in the room and after that we were all pretty much exhausted.

sunday morning we woke, ate and swam again. then we headed to crown pointe ecology center outside of cuyahoga falls. they were having their annual organic plant sale. incredible. i've never seen so many varieties of tomatoes and peppers. lots of heirlooms and heirloom squash and eggplant as well. i got a patty pan squash, some herbs, and some different eggplant and tomato plants.

we headed back east and stopped at kent so b could see where daddy went to school. we ate lunch at mike's place- quirky and yummy with an overwhelming menu.

b loved his adventure. he's still talking about it and i'm so glad we went. i will cherish this memory for the rest of my life!

last night

it's all a blur at this point!  so much music, so many movies, it's all kind of running together.  

let's see.  yesterday we went to the scotland party and the scotland show case.  fun.  loud.  mmm saw ben harper.  i declined.  why did i decline?  because i hate ben harper ALMOST as much as i hate jack johnson.  they make me want to beat people with sticks.  ugh.  so while husband went to see ben harper i sat like a nerd and read a book in the sun.

saw a lovely movie tonight, 500 days of summer.  great soundtrack, good acting, beautiful to look at.  nice change of pace from all the shoving and pushing of the shows we've been seeing.

last night. ready to go home but i know i'll miss this place as soon as i get there.  can't wait to see b and all his new tricks.  

overload

sitting here trying to remember everything we've seen and done in the last 24 hours.  it's been a lot!

first, i spent more time at the pool yesterday and i'm incredibly sunburned.  i look stupid.  bright red and stripey.  dorky, if you will.

we saw a lovely group, the abilene dots at the daystage and later we saw justin townes earle there.  he writes and sings such beautiful and sad ballads.  off then to different parties then the von bondies.  a good rock show and i had forgotten that they sing the rescue me theme song.

richard swift and bishop allen at the mowhaw patio.  very very very disappointed by the bishop allen show.  sound was bad but they really don't seem to be the best live performers.  a nice place to see a show, though.  after that we went to stubbs and saw the meat puppets and gomez. gomez is probably the best show i've seen so far.  i think.  it's all starting to run together!

oh, and in the hotel lobby this group, mumford and sons.  lots of nice harmony and sort of a celtic folk sound.  will have to check them out.

so, today.  no clue.  not plan or path or idea.  i guess we'll just take this day as it comes.  

music!

sxsw music started today.  wowza.  i'm exhausted but in the very best way.

watched for the love of flims at the alamo at noon then headed directly to the belfast/nashville sister cities party.  just as good as last year.  lots of singer/songwriters and loads of barbecue.  i indulged myself with brisket, potato salad and cookies.  left there and headed to the canada party. saw the arkells play and they were very very good.  must remember to check them out.

a few other random parties then we headed across town (on foot) to lambert's to see hey negrita. i love them so much and matthew ord is just a beautiful guitar player.  a nice smallish crowd.  i could have danced to their music all night but that's not the point of showcases.  we marched onward.

had to rev myself up with coffee before we headed to the radio room patio to see KEVIN DEVINE AND THE GODDAM BAND!  very different to see him play with a band but still good. listened to what laura says before that.  they were crazy and loud but entertaining.   

still sunburned and i think i got even more sun today.  itchy.

going to pass out now

day off

taking a bit of a day off today.  the next four days will be fairly fast paced so i thought it best to rest as much as possible today.  slept in, walked around, found some lunch then went to the pool. excellent.

watched the yes men fix the world and slammin' salmon yesterday.  slammin' salmon was stupid.  i laughed a bit but i had no idea what i was getting into with that one.  still, it allowed us to see the alamo drafthouse on south lamar which we had not been to before.

eating way too much and i have a stomach ache because of it.  

movies so far

i've seen seven so far.  i think.

all different and interesting and some, of course, better than others.  

i love you, man; splinterheads; true adolescents; breaking upwards; the way we get by; artois the goat; and modern love is automatic.  

i think, at this point, breaking upwards, the way we get by, and modern love is  automatic are my favorites.  and i imagine that my favorite three are in mmm's bottom three!

sun finally shining and warmer weather.  went to a several parties today and had lots of good conversation.  tomorrow morning i'm going to relax while mmm goes to panels and movies. walk around town with my camera or even go for a swim.

i can't stop saying it.  i love this town!

austin!

i love this town!  it's 40 degrees and rainy and i still love this town.

had a completely easy day of travel yesterday.  arrived at our hotel around five.  checked in then crossed the street and got our books and badges for sxsw.  went directly to the premier of "of i love you, man".  stood in the rain for almost an hour but well worth it.  laughed and laughed. so nice to be watching a film with hundreds of other people just as into it as you are.  laughing, clapping and shouting.  always interesting to see stars in person as well.

skipped out on the second film to watch the end of wvu/syracuse.  not going to comment on the game itself.  watched it at logan's on 6th.  grabbed street pizza on the way back to the hotel. pizza guy said the guys standing/sitting next to us were shooting up heroin earlier.  eeks!  

we are on the 24th floor of this hotel and can see all of 6th street, the capital, U of T and into the hills.  awesome view.  

mmm and i still struggling with colds.  the damp and chill don't help.  tomorrow should be warm, dry and sunny though.

panels this afternoon, then films again tonight.  it's a rough life.  

procrastinator

hoping against hope that i will wake up tomorrow and miraculously feel better.  no more tummy ache and no more allergies.  my current state has me wanting nothing more than to lie under covers while my clothes pack themselves.

actually, my clothes are all packed.  i just need to focus on toiletries and electronics.  and a minimal amount of reading material.  really, nothing at all.  i'm just cold and sick and tired and i can't wait to sleep, wake up and board our plane!

b is at gram's, not quite grasping what "mommy and daddy are going to texas" means.

rowan is at toby's.  don't really know what he's thinking.  cause, you know, he's a rabbit.  

bakewell slice

while in scotland i discovered the most amazing dessert.  it's called a bakewell slice and i had never heard of it before.  it's so simple and delicious, i can't understand why we do not bake and consume it here.  if i'm wrong, if i've just missed something while eating my way through this delicious country, please set me straight.

at any rate, i first encountered a bakewell slice here.  it was perfect.  homey, yet still a bit sophisticated because of the almondy raspberry yuminess.  crunchy short bread topped by an airy almond-based crumb.  i can't say enough good things about this cake.

the top picture above is my first sample of the bakewell slice.  the second picture is my first attempt at baking one.  

i scoured the internet to find a recipe.  there were several that popped up so i just randomly chose one as they appeared to be basically the same.  keep in mind that you can use any jam you like.  i have had apricot as well as raspberry and blackberry.  man, i really do love this stuff.  i'm going to go eat a slice now.  if only i had a nice latte to go with....

waiting game

at the airport hilton in rome waiting waiting waiting til tomorrow.  i can't wait to be home!  i have this dreadful feeling that there will be some terrible confusion and something will prevent us from being able to get home!

i am always like this.  my generalized anxiety disorder flaring up.  should follow tew's advice and have xanax on hand for times like this.

this will be one of those nights.  one of those nights where you can't sleep because you're just waiting and because you're afraid you will oversleep and miss your plane.

enough of this very uninteresting drivel.  if all goes well, in something like 34 hours i will be home!!!

villa dei quintili

today we roamed around the ruins of the villa dei quintili.  the quintili brothers were roman consuls in 151 AD.  they had the most lavish palaces outside of rome, set on the appian way.  from this site you can also view partial remains of the roman aqueduct.  

there is nothing particularly striking about the site except for it's age.  it's surrounded by modern rundown buildings, though you can see all the way to st. peter's basilica on a clear day.  you can also view several hilltowns in the distance.  what the place really reminds me of is garden of the gods in colorado springs.  going with that comparison, garden of the gods is much more moving to me because it comes from nature.  it's accidental.  

i have not found italy to be very inspiring.  partially, i imagine, because i have not felt well for most of my time here, but also because it just doesn't speak to me.  i thought it would.  i thought i'd stand in awe of the colosseum or be moved to tears by the renaissance art.  but nah, not so much!

food's good though, and going to the market every day is fun.

anxious, so very anxious, to get home to mmm and b.  will never leave either of them for this long ever again.  

walking routes

this morning.

this afternoon.

yesterday.

at least this is what i can remember!

caravaggio and cappuccino

today was another loooong day, but i think that's just how it goes when you're in a city of this size.  way too much to see and do.  honestly, i think i forget over half of what we saw today.  all of the layers from ancient to renaissance, from imperial times to mussolini.  a lot of history and a lot of ego fill this place.  oh, and, yeah, a lot of churches as well.

visited two beautiful and very different churches today. the first was st. cecilia in our own neighborhood.  the second was st. luis dei francesi, which is the seat of the french catholic church in rome.  this church is ornate and beautiful, but most importantly houses three panels featuring st. matthew by caravaggio, who i love.  

we had a lovely lunch in piazza navona, relaxing and listening to the street musicians, water fountains, and happy people walking all around.  much sunnier today, so that was nice.

tomorrow, we move on....

hoarding

that's the word stuck in my mind after visiting the vatican.  so much excess.  so much pillaging, really.  while i found looking at the antiquities collections fascinating and most of the frescoes impressive, i have to say i left the vatican feeling mostly disgusted by the ornate display of power and fury.

the "pricelessness" of those collections is as hard to imagine as the size of our national debt.  and it all just sits there.  i do realize that at least in this way these magnificent works have been preserved.  so i guess that's one good thing to come of it all.

after the FOUR HOUR vatican tour we had a decent lunch then walked back to our place in the cold rain.

two coins in a fountain

first, i have to say i just heard three things in succession outside my window.  well, four.  the first was birds screeching.  the second was a gun shot.  the third was more screeching, and the fourth a siren.  i'm just saying.  coincidence?  i think not.

but on with the post.  we are in rome!  roma! the eternal city, right?  it's surreal.  utterly surreal.  it's huge, first off.  and there's a whole lot of ugly and a whole lot of dirt and grime and grit and all the things that go along with a big city.  but then there's the other stuff.  the good stuff.

we are staying in a bed and breakfast in trastevere which is a medieval section of rome that is fairly untouched. cobblestone streets and large, tall and winding houses that belonged to merchants or business people or something like that.  we are in one such house.  it's beautiful, but so different.  marble, wood, tapestries.  not like the comfy cozy places in scotland.  

i think i am more affected than my mother.  she's been so many different places, exotic places. but to me it's just gorgeous and like a fairy tale.

our incredibly rude taxi driver dropped us off in the middle of nowhere and we ended up having to call the b&b for directions.  our hostess came out into the piazza to meet us, which was very nice.  she was sweet and accomodating and made us feel right at home.  we dropped our bags and headed across the street to a small and bustling pizzeria.  i swear to you, the owner reminded me of my great aunt katie. short, fat, ginormous bosoms, tank top, no bra.  yup.  that was her!  cheerful waiter who humored my terrible italian.

that's the other thing.  every time i try to speak italian it comes out french. studied it for eight years, majored in it, guess i should expect no less.  perhaps one can only be fluent in one romance language at a time.  frustrating though.

don't want to fall asleep.  i like listening to the rain hit the tile roofs, the young couples walking on the cobblestones, the mopeds winding up our street.  nice warm change of pace from chilly scotland.

tomorrow a private tour of raphael's rooms at the vatican.  should be inspiring.

miss b and mmm so much i could cry.  don't think i will ever leave them again after this.