My son's wonderful Rugby Blog

Rugby Geeks: Last Weekends Six Nations 2012: Rugby Anybody? On Saturday I went to a very snowy Rome to watch Italy play England in the 2012 Six Nations. Italy played well to finish ...

New Year High Hopes

Under the weather in so many ways yet still life goes on.  Still recovering from endless birthday celebrations, back to schoolness, snuffles, work projects etc.  And yet life is good.... raised beds built, tomotos, peppers, auberines, chicory all in.  Herb spiral looking bright and healthy, tulips peeking through the mulch as are daffodils, crocus, iris, lilies etc.  Hardwood cuttings thriving and seeds in pots sprouting.

Travel plans to France made,,,,,, family road trip from Italy to West of France 1300km each way stopping in Aix en Provence, yeepee, to see lovely people.

Doggie adoption in full swing, Mummy Boxer and one of her sons will be coming to live with us in Feb/March, house has been too empty since the old boy went.

Kids happy and at ease with their ages 7 and 11 suit them well.  TT has tunnel like gap having lost both top teeth within a week (one on her birthday whilst on the loo!)  The boy is growing strong and fit and always so easy to be with.  The girl pushing her creative side, glued her collection of small handbags together to make one large bag using strong glue! (oops must be better parents).

Vegi/Vegan/Raw/Organic/healthy/wholesome recipes going down well of course the odd steak, ragu and bacon dish slip in to please the rest of the family.  Cannot wait for spring to truly arrive, living in a limbo waiting for the winter to come with force here in Tuscany.

school recylcing project - well done the boy

watching the rugby

the men in my life

gingerbreadtastic

Lovely lovely girl

take me home now please

little bear x

what gap?

the boy and one of his rugby heros Bryan Young

Here are some shots of our lives this month x

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! 

Winter in Tuscany

Skating, Baking, Gardening, Writing, Painting, Walking, Scooting and more....

Bye bye old boy

Well, this year has been filled with ups and downs.  My stress levels have been tested to the fore and yet still all is well.  I am finally able to give myself time to blog again after months of long days working on many wild and wonderful and sometimes nightmarish projects.  There are so many good things in my life right now and when I next write something here I will make a note of the most heartwarming.  But for now just a simple note to say thankyou to our old boy Leo for 14 years of toothiness, bad breath, fur covered floors, stolen food and general doggy love.  This will be our first dogless Christmas in nearly 20 years as before Leo there was Blue Boy and the house is so strange and still now.  No more slippy paws on the terracotta floor, no more doors being opened by goofy jaws and no more wide eyed pleading looks when packets are opened.  So for now I will simply slowly adjust to this new way of life, but how we miss him.  Goodbye old chap x

These Days

Never seem to have the time or desire to blog these days, too much work, not enough family time.  However have kicked myself up the bum and am making moves to re-align myself.  Today is a glorious Sunday, bright skies, red and yellow leaves fluttering past my office door. 

Woke at dawn and plodded out into the garden with Herbal Tea in my Mother Christmas dressing gown (thanks Kate).  Looked at the view and could hardly take it in for all its beauty, quickly got into a busy mode and cleaned my office, made pate for supper tonight and tidied up.  Went and bought Foccacia and Sciacata to go with pate (carrots and apples for me the saddo gluten free one).  Now off to lunch with friends, I hope to re-visit my blog when time allows. 

Mad world

Last of the september sun - before the boy's haircut

The last few months have been crazy busy, here and there, near and far, calm and nutty.  Today Autumn is finally here for certain, went to the market for fresh veg, everyone wearing puffy coats and hats - me not wearing these and nose was numb.  Cured by machiato (excuse my spelling).  The girl is watching Rio dvd I am mid muffin making, office cleaning, filing, garden designing, loft rummaging and cleaning.  Off to wardrobe sort now and uncover the winter clothes, leg-warmers at the ready!  Cosying up with family this weekend as no other mad comittments, Chicken casserole for supper and chocolate and banana muffins for the kids midnight munchines. x