The Stolen Sunflower

Just found some  summer shots of my 41st birthday and the very sneakly stolen sunflower.  The girl soooo wanted one and I charged into the field grabbed one and drove away fast like a bank robber.  Very naughty I know but it made the girl truly happy, the boy however was very unimpressed!  The sunflowers are all gone now but Autumn brings its own colours and I cant wait.

Gingerbread house & La Befana

This year the girl has asked for a Gingerbread house for her birthday which is turning out to be Befana's Casa as the witchy Tabitha's birthday falls on the time when Befana visits the houses of children in Tuscany, so we will have to see if it turns out to be full of sweets or coal!  Traditionally children put their boots outside and Befana leaves sweet treats or coal depending on how good the chidlren have been.  Will post a picture if the house reaches completion! 

Smiling Sunflowers

Birthday pics of San Galgano - such a lovely day x

San Galgano Abbey

Church roof

Birthday girl

TT in angel light from church window

fresco

happy sunflower

sloes ready for gin

hide and seek

cheeky chap

Always smiling

Abbey window

Peace and Tranquillity

The Waiting Man

Wide View (my bum)

Chiesa on hill

The waiting staff at my meal

Days of sunshine

Thankfully we are still enjoying lovely hot days here in Tuscany but there is a cooler breeze which is lovely and has a touch of autumn about it.  The last few days have been long and tiring, mostly because I have a virus and feel lousy, a mouth full of ulcers and I don't really even have the energy to cook or blog, two things I love to do.

We have fitted in some fun adventures though including the natural wind chimes now hanging in the pine tree and outside my office window.  I loved making these though archie was less than enthusiastic about this project.  We have finally put up a wispy canopy over Tabby's bed to stop the 'zanzara' (Mosquitios) as they adore Tabitha especially at night.  We are more or less ready for the start of school with new shiny pens and shoes (well new to my 2).  One pair are vintage kickers proudly worn by my cousin Carla 16 years ago which I think are just fab - photos to follow.

Baking and griping.  I have been making some lovely treats which I can't eat as I don't do gluten but the kids seem to love.  This weekend has seen rounds of dough and sweet things in and out of the oven including.

Sesame bread rolls
Ciabatta
Pear Crumble
Mrs Twits eye-ball cakes  http://www.roalddahlday.info/
Scones

We are preparing for the autumn and family visiting soon.  I hope to revamp some old sweaters and fleeces into winter pinafores for Tabitha 'any ideas welcome'?  Also we have Archie's birthday looming and plans for a Trophy shape cake -agghhh.  nb. Weston super Mare Museum was fantastic, full of lovely retro/vintage goodies in the shop and lots of fun stuff for the children, a great day out for a rainy day.