Rainy days.

These past few weeks have been very rough, weather-wise. Rain, rain and more rain on its way. We are tired, we are worried. This huge amount of water, accompanied by strong winds has already caused some damages and the worst part of it is that this rainy season has only just begun. There have been landslides, the roads are a mess, some impressive waterfalls have appeared on the hills. We have been having second degree warning for the past few days now. It's all a bit scary. 

The schools remain closed, so we stay at home, trying to organize our daily activities. It is not always easy. With a two year old toddler who doesn't stay still for a second and an active first-grader who gets bored very easily. a whole day indoors can be pretty challenging for one busy mama. But we're doing fine and, frankly, I'm possibly the only mom around here to be happy that the schools are closed. It's somehow sweet to be with my kids at home, even if at some point my patience is pushed to its boundaries. 

This rainy weather made me feel like baking today. I just needed something comforting for the kids, for us, so I decided to try out a new recipe: Lime Poppy Seed Scones. They turned out delicious! They are exactly what I crave on a day like today.

The recipe comes from "Bake Knit Sew" book by Evin Bail O'Keeffe, a fellow, talented blogger whose blog I've been admiring for years. The book has been published recently and Evin is currently having a blog-tour. I'm honored to be a part of it- I will be writing about her beautiful book soon, hosting a giveaway too, so stay tuned :-)

:: october ::

These past few weeks have been pretty challenging for me. As we are getting closer to our moving date, I'm trying hard to go on with daily life and don't go insane. Most of our stuff is already in Italy but there are still bits and pieces to pack and at the moment we all are trying to live in this mess that surrounds us. Having two sick kids at home is not helping either but there surely is a funny side of it too: Baby F. (who's not really a baby anymore- 11 months old today; I mean eleven! Boy, time flies fast, doesn't it?) is helping me to pack boxes by getting inside them every chance he has :-) He's an adventurous boy; started crawling at the wee age of 5 months, now he's almost walking but what he loves the most is climbing wherever possible (or not- he tries nonetheless).

I've been stressing and worrying a lot about our move ("what if old issues return?") but I know that in the end everything will be fine. I feel like I've grown up and matured a lot since we left Italy almost 4 years ago and I'm really ready (and happy) to go back and start from square one.

And just to add some balance and peace to my hectic days, I'm knitting a lovely October project with the yarn that feels like heaven.

Pregnancy update.

The fall this year is beautiful. The time of waiting filled with excitement and anticipation.

I cannot believe that in less than two weeks Baby F. might be with us. It seems like this pregnancy has passed so fast, way too fast. On one side I'm extremely happy, waiting with excitement for the big day but at the same time I'm a bit sad that so soon my bump will be gone. And I really love this bump. I love feeling this baby moving inside me. I tickle his foot, I gently pat his bottom (at this stage it's really easy to guess what is what). G. comes spontaneously to hug my bump. She places gentle kisses on it. I will miss these beautiful moments. I can't wait to see her being a big sister.  This pregnancy has been so generous for me and I've been enjoying it so much. No pains, no problems I had when pregnant with G. I remember that towards the end of my first pregnancy I felt so exhausted, heavy and tired that I really prayed for her quick arrival (and she arrived one week after the due date, I was really powerless by then). But this time, I feel so much different. I didn't even put on weight that much. There is this huge bump and then there is me, still wearing my maternity clothes that I bought 4-5 months ago. I feel strong and full of energy and ready to welcome Baby F. We all are.

I have my worse days, of course. Last week I went down with terrible cold and couldn't stop coughing. If the baby had decided to arrive last week, I wouldn't have been able to push him out to this world on my own. Since natural and drug free labour is the only option I consider, I'm really glad I've regained my strength and energy.

Everything is ready. All clothes are washed, ironed and put away. The bed cot is set up, the hospital bags are packed, all important phone numbers are in hand. I finished writing my birth plan this morning and the only thing that needs to be done is CD with music for the labour (I'm still choosing the songs- any ideas?). And I still need to wash the cloth nappies but I'm waiting for the delivery of some new ones.

All is good. And full of love.

Corner View: Leaf.

We've been having the most gorgeous autumn weather for the past couple of days. Blue sky, golden sun, fresh crisp air and beautifully coloured leaves. October, I love you.

For more CVs, please visit lovely Francesca.

Happy Wednesday!

Scottish autumn.

It is simply beautiful. Warm and sunny and colourful. Some days start with thick fog and clear up just after few hours, showing off the beauty of this season. These photos are the proof. I took them in the beginning of November, during our trip to Lanark. It's our first autumn in Scotland and I love it. I admit, I anticipated cold and dark and rainy time and instead I'm enjoying these golden days filled with sun and crisp autumn air.

Corner View: Autumn

 Thank you so much for all your birthday wishes :)

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Here are some random photos of autumn, in all its stages. From the first colors of late September, through rich colors of golden October to naked trees and foggy days of November. I enjoy them all.

For more Autumn corner views, please visit Theresa.

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It's hard to believe how fast time flies by. The golden October is almost finished, days are getting dangerously shorter and the world around seems a bit gloomier but for some reason I do like this time of year.

I'm planning on craving pumpkins this afternoon; I'm working this weekend which means that I will miss the whole "trick or treat" thing. Maybe next year, if we are still here.

Happy Haloween Weekend!

September.

Good news: G. is doing much better! She's been eating like she has never seen food before which makes us happy, she sleeps better and her digestive system seems to be recovering. I feel like a big heavy stone fell down from my heart. I can't stop looking at G.'s face: she looks happpy again, rested and without those horrible dark circles she had last week under her eyes. Let's hope it can only get better now.

We're having sunny September here; entering fall season seems to be smooth and enjoyable (from the weather point of view, I mean). I like September, the month on the border of summer and autumn, still warm but not hot, already cool but yet not too cold. Here are some photos I've taken during our walks to the park. I might be monotonous for a while and bore you with countless images of nature around us but I can't help myself. The sun is shining, my girl is happily running, the green's turning red and I like where I am. Life is good.

Happy Fall Everyone!

After the rain (or: before the rain)

It's been raining on and off today. We managed to get out for a short walk in the park. After the rain the air was fresh and it smelt like autumn. Can you believe the summer is almost over? I can't. I feel like I haven't had enough sunny weather yet. And these heavy clouds promise more rain...