Ok...Back on track and Let the Good Times Continue...

I know I just posted something but I still have a few weeks to catch everybody up on.
In between James & Greg going home and our next visitors joining us, I had a chance to go back to the States for a few days. I had a great time seeing and visiting with our friends in Richmond & New York. A special thanks to Tabitha (and the kids) for her hospitality and friendship. Another special thanks to Sam (from the Daily Grind & the Daily Java) for the best Coffee in the world - and for sending me back to Italy with some. If you get a chance you need to stop by the Daily Grind in the West End and try his new 'to-go' French Press coffee! It is an amazing idea - a definite must try!
It was equally wonderful seeing my Mom & Dad and James & Greg - My Love and Thanks always to them!!

Now back to Roma...
I must say I found the small gardening section of the last post interesting. I just got back in from watering my garden before I started this and, well it will be better to just show you... This is what a month of Italian weather can do for a garden...

My seedlings 1 month of growth

My 'seedlings' 2 months of growth

My Marigolds
I just got my first flower today!

It is just wonderful how my plants are growing. We already have 30-40 blossoms on our Tomatoes and even 5-6 actual baby Tomatoes. My herbs are doing well and we have already used some of the Basil growing in salads and some pasta dishes.
We are hoping for a 'bumper' crop for creating some wonderful Caprese Salads and some homemade sauce... Yum!


Well, besides life on the terrace we just finished with a two week visit from Maya and Angi (two friends from Richmond). In total it was a wonderful time had by all.

Here are the four of us at
La Cambusa in Positano

I was amazed at all the touring and sightseeing we did in only 2 weeks. Here is just a summarized list of the places and things we did: the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, San Clemente, the Pantheon, Capri, Positano, the Blue Grotto, Firenze (Florence), the David (real and fake), the Uffizi, Herculaneum, Sestri Levante, Monterosso (one of the towns part of Cinque Terra), a Private Boat tour in the Mediterranean, and so much more! It is wonderful going back to things I have seen before and even more wonderful seeing new sights and places. Many photos and videos of our experiences together are on my Facebook page (also on Angi and Maya's).

Angi & Maya at the Colosseum

Angi & Maya at
St. Peters

Maya mailing postcards
at the Vatican

Tom, Angi & Maya
on the boat to the Blue Grotto

Venus de Milo
at the Uffizi

You can take
Virginia out of the girl...

Inside the Blue Grotto

Having Lunch in
Portofino
(thanks Angi & Maya)

During our travels we had many laughs, many long sunny days, many great meals, and many bottles of wine!

Thanks to Maya, Angi, and my love Tom for a great two weeks!

As with many of our trips we always seem to run into someone getting married in Italy. This visit was no exception. Here is another of my favorite 'small car' photos dedicated to friends Ron & Dennis! May they have a long and happy life together...

Congratulations Ron & Dennis - May 6, 2011

Lastly, I would like to leave you with a fun video of the inside of the Blue Grotto - it is truly a sight to see! Nature at it's best and most beautiful!

          

Ciao for now! With love to all our friends and family...

Be of Good Health and Live Life!

Ron

The Best of Times and more...

Sorry for neglecting the Blog...

Life has been busy and time has not been my friend!
I endeavor to be better at posting things and keeping in contact!
Here is where I left off (started typing this 3 weeks ago)...

Last time I updated the blog I ran out of space so I want to take up where I stopped and finish off James and Greg's visit.

I did receive a question between my last update and now - I was asked if James just posed with the dessert or actually took a bite? <Drum Roll> James actually ate the cake, just a bite but it counts (check the last posting for the picture).

Now back to the festivities. On our way back from the Positano and the Amalfi Coast we decided to stop at Pompeii. At first I thought it would be slightly boring but it turned out to be a wonderful experience. What has been uncovered showing their way of life and then the sudden destruction was truly amazing to see.

...take the last train

to Clarksville...

Here are a few photos of us playing house and wondering Pompeii...

Tom, James & Greg

at Athena's Temple

Unfortunately, the next day James and Greg headed home.

We truly wish they could have stayed longer but we know they will return and we will have more adventures. We miss them already!

Life quickly got back to 'normal' here in Rome. 

We are guest free for a few weeks then Angi & Maya join us for their stay at the BRS Europe.

Since we were on our own I wanted to pick up supplies to get my garden going and I asked Tom if I could take the car for a spin outside of the crazy city. So, on Saturday we took a trip up to the local Home Depot type store called Leroy Merlin. We loaded six large planters and over a hundred pounds of soil into the car and headed home. The garden is started and so far doing ok. I have a few varieties of tomatoes, some basil, thyme, rosemary and assorted peppers growing. I am hoping for a nice harvest! I have also planted a whole bunch of Marigolds for some nice floral color. The terrace is coming along real nicely. We have a wonderful Teak dining table/chairs and purchased a faux wicker seating set with cushions. It is turning into a great place to watch the sunsets over the Ville Borghese and have a peaceful cocktail!  Life if good! 

So then came Sunday and my chance to drive a stick-shift car. Tom started by driving us out of the city so I would not die or kill someone. We got on the highway and started heading north. I figured we would pull off at an exit and then switch - sounds sensible - but after driving for about 30-45 minutes we realized that there were no exits. Just another 'Italian Oddity'.  Finally we found a Service Area, Tom pulled in and we switched! I was amazed how driving a stick actually came back to me very quickly. Considering it has been about 30 years since my last attempt at doing this (with my brother Mike in his Subaru Wagon), I Did Good! After driving another 30 minutes we finally found an exit so I pulled off the highway. Go figure it was an exit for a small town and an Outlet Mall (Bingo!). So we stopped, shopped, and ate! After a relaxing stroll around the mall we headed out for the drive home.
I have to say I am proud of myself driving the whole way. Tom and I were going to switch before we got back to the city but I ended up dring the entire way home. I made it to the garage - then I turned the helm back over to Captain Tom to navigate the 45-60 degree angle in the garage.

I will leave everybody there for right now and will be starting a new blog of recent activities.
From Roma with Love to all our friends and family!
Ciao