Home Made Kombucha

 Now on deck Mike is making Kombucha with the kit he received for Father’s Day. Thanks to grands Sofia,Rocco and Michael.

 

Sunflowers Remind Me of My Grandma Jingu

 I did bring my phone on this mornings walk. Here’s those big sunflowers that reminded me of my grandma Jingu.

 

Grandma was an Issei (first generation in this country) she lived with us and I shared a bedroom with her. We were lucky because it was rather unusual for an Issei to speak English as well as she but she arrived as a young adult to America and she learned to read and write English quickly out of necessity. As a young child I would ask grandma to read to me. Often I chose the book about an old woman that grew tall sunflowers. I never tired of that book and if grandma got tired of telling me that story she never showed it. So today among the many things I'm thankful for is that my grandma was so patient with a young me that wanted to be read to. Maybe tomorrow I'll go back and take a picture of those tall sunflowers. Thank you Grandma, you are forever alive and well in my memories.

 

Palazzo Pitti

 The kids are visiting Palazzo Pitti today. Sofia liked Queen Marguerita’s room best

 

 

 while Aria said “I’ve always loved Napoleon’s bathroom.”

 

 

 

Boboli Gardens

 

Easy Dish With Garden Tomatoes

 This may not be everyone’s cup of tea (or tomatoes) but an easy summer meal with surplus garden tomatoes and basil. A cold platter of marinated uncooked tomatoes, chopped basil and fresh garlic in olive oil and wine vinegar, salt and pepper over cooked pasta. We liked it.

 

A Beautiful "Two Geishas" Puzzle

 

 Day 5 Mike “Mr. Donut Island” came home early today and really helped me with the challenging middle of this puzzle. We just finished! Phew!

 

 

The Phoenix Crown

 

 

 I spent the day reading a book that I could not put down “The Phoenix Crown”. It is co authored by Kate Quinn and my slow travel friend Janie Chang.  I have loved following Janie since 2013 when we were both active members of a travel online group called “Slowtravel”. I joined in 2008 and participated in daily chats about travel and subsequent get togethers where I met great travelers who have since become wonderful friends from all over the country and worldwide. Janie was one whom we cheered on when her first novel had been accepted for publication. She lives in Canada and in 2014 toured to promote that first novel “Three Souls”. When I heard she was going to speak at Vroman’s book store in Pasadena I had to go to finally meet her. It was a very rainy night but I made the trip and had a wonderful time finally meeting her in person. Since then I’ve followed her growth as a writer and have anxiously awaited each subsequent novel. Each book has taken me on wonderful journeys. I’ve marveled at the depth of research Janie does to write in this genre of historical novels. I’ll provide a link below to read more about her background and upcoming new novel “The Fourth Princess”. This book I read today took place during the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906 and was was spellbinding. I decided to read it because I listened to an interview about how the two authors decided to team up to write this book. The idea of two people writing was intriguing and the final outcome was a winning novel. I highly recommend any Janie Chang book. Warmest congratulations to Janie! You are the writer that you were born to be! Ps her book covers are so beautiful! Pss “ Porcelain Moon” I loved the title and the story.

 https://janiechang.com/

 

 

Happy Birthday Vicente

 

 Today is my dear brother in law Vicente's  birthday. He and my sister Jocelyn have been in Brazil for the past 3 weeks. Today they are on a flight to Buenas Aires for the next week. Tonight they will be having a birthday dinner with friends that live there.

 Happy Birthday Vicente!

Have Yourself A Good Week

 

An Impromptu Spa Hour

 

 

About my fun and funny unplanned adventure today.  I was texting in the early morning with my friend Sherri.  We were chatting about the chores she and I had on our to do lists. I had a light bulb flash of a fun idea. I said “I just bought some of those face masks that you have to wear for 40 minutes. Would you be able to meet up just for an hour to do that together?” I thought I could spare an hour away from my chores. Sherri responded “Yayyy! You bring the masks and I’ll chill the Prosecco!” Done done and done! We met up for a brief but very fun spa adventure.

 

 

 

 We laughed so hard putting on those slippery masks and trying to figure out how we could sit back and drink and not have the masks fall off our faces.

 

Glasses helped

 

and of course these glasses helped too!

 

 The music filled the air as did our laughter. 

 

 

Lesson remembered: Carpe diem! 

 

Remember to make time for some fun even if it’s just an hour out of your day!