Enjoying the boardwalk after an afternoon thunderstorm. Preparing to play wiffle ball on the beach.
No comments on On the Boardwalk
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We took advantage of the warm weather and decided to work from a cabana by the pool today. I’d recommend it – a very relaxing way to work.
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While on our morning walk, we ducked into the cable car museum. It’s fascinating to see the inner workings of San Francisco’s cable cars.
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I joined my parents and we visited our dear friends Vicky and Phil in Pontlevoy, France, for several days. We enjoyed great company, chateaus, gardens, and delicious food. One afternoon we visited Chaumont-sur-Loire for the exhibition “Jardins des Delices, des Delires.” In English, it translates to Gardens of Delight, gardens delusions. I still refer to it in French. It just sounds so much more exotic.
Antique cars coming to the Festival des Delices, des Delires
Roses as we entered
Visite – this way, please
Beautiful blue butterflies
Can you see the smiling face? Somewhat Picasso-esque.
Chaumont-sur-Loire
French gnomes
Poppies, beautiful poppies!
See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. So not happening with this group.
Me
You
Joy -
We had a quick stopover in Milan, highlighted by unexpectedly ending up at the finish line of the Giro d’Italia. We discovered that bike races are very fun.
Prayers inside the Duomo
The Giro d’Italia
Frontal view of the Duomo
The toughest race in word’s most beautiful place
Crowds at the finish line
Butternut squash deliciousness -
It rained almost constantly for our two days in Firenze. The hour or so of sun we received was while we were at the top of the Duomo. Are we lucky or what?
Lunch in Florence – trio of soups
The Magnificant Duomo
Duomo from the side
Rear view of the Duomo
Duomo – Looking down from the top (inside)
Duomo – Looking down from the top (inside) again
City view from the top of the Duomo
Looking straight down. Vertigo!
More vertigo!
So many Vespas
Looking up at the Duomo
A restaurant where we took refuge from the rain
Outside the Ufezzi
Ponte Vecchio
Overlooking the Arno
Lovers’ Locks
The Arno and Ponte Vecchio
The view from our villa
The Duomo, Day 2
Doors of the Duomo
Duomo
One last glance at the Duomo before moving on
Do Not Enter – Such a Heavy Burden
Another beautiful plaza
Lunch of fabulous salads and bruchetta before Piazzale Michelangelo
View from Piazza Michelangelo
Another View from Piazza Michelangelo
Fabulous band from Spain
Danielle drinking coffee with the men before leaving Firenze -
We rented a car for two days. One day we explored north of Sienna, the other south. I’ve never loved driving so much.
Lori and the Smart Car
Beautiful fields
Danielle and Smart Smart
Looking down from the roof of town hall in Montepulciano
Looking down from the roof of town hall in Montepulciano onto the Town Square
Flowers and alleys in Montepulciano
This might be the only picture of Danielle and me together on the trip
Danielle showcasing our new apartment (a gal can dream, right?)
Lovely apartments
Spices
Wines
Alleys
Danielle in action
Cheese
More cheese
And more cheese
Talking on a Sunday afternoon
Art in San Gimignano -
Siena was my favorite city in Italy. Large enough to always have something to explore, yet not too large to be overwhelming.
First Night’s Dinner – Anitpasti, Salad, Bruschetta – Delicious!
Post Dinner House-Made Amaretto
The Piazza at Night
Alleys of Sienna
The View from our Backyard
The Duomo. Tim Burton must have gotten inspiration from this.
Front view of the Duomo
Dome in the Duomo
Inside view of the Duomo
Above the Duomo
Angels on the Edge
Inside the Library at the Duomo
A Most Beautiful Floor
Choir Books
Columns and Domes
More Duomo
Mosaic Floor
View from the top
Looking down at Sienna
Lunch on the Piazza in the sun
Gelato!
I Scream! You Scream! We all scream for gelato!
Streets of Sienna
Duomo from afar
Danielle
Even the street art is religious
Wine and crisps on our back patio. Overlooking Tuscany.
Fava beans and pecorino
Fresh ingredients
Ready to make dessert
Meat on meat
Preparing the turkey
Rolling the turkey
Making pasta. Flour and egg. That’s it.
Stuffed artichokes
Ready for the oven
Danielle kneading the pasta dough
Cutting the pasta
Shaking the pasta free
Fresh pici
The finished product. Yum.
Stuffed turkey breast and asparagus
Dessert of sweet salami
Gelato. Of course. -
Finally posting pictures from an incredible two weeks in Italy…
My first, though not last, Italian sweet. Thank you, Sara!
Ruins near the Pantheon
Dome in the Pantheon
Trevi Fountain
So many people wanting to throw coins!
The Spanish Steps
Pallazo Venezia – Somehow I ended up here everyday…
Random ruins
Ceiling in the Vatican – before the famous Sistine Chapel
At the Vatican
Still At the Vatican
Mosaics at the Vatican
Vatican Ceiling
The Ceilings Really Were Beautiful
Detailed painting in the Vatican
Matisse in the Vatican
I was hoping the Pope would wave. He didn’t.
Inside St Peter’s
Dome of St Peter’s
Closeup of Dome of St Peter’s
Mosaics in St Peter’s
Observing a service from the top of St Peter’s
Outside the dome of St Peter’s
Looking back at the Vatican
The Colosseum
The Colosseum 2
Arch of Constantine from the Colosseum
More of the Colosseum
Outside the Colosseum
Looking up at the Colosseum
Julius Caesar
Arch Inside the Forum
Looking over the Forum
Trevi Fountain, Again
Pallazo Venezia at Night
Piazza Novana at Night
The Best Tiramisu. Ever.
Throwing one last coin into Trevi Fountain -
Savoring the afternoon sun on the deck in Guerneville.
LoriLoo 