The Forests of April

"The forests of April awaken from sleep

And the flowers unfurl through the snow

And the wind rushes hard

And the river runs deep

it tells you what you already know. . ."

- "Evermore" by Sandra Boyon, sung by Allison Krauss

The forest behind our house is awakening from its long winter slumber. Green shoots are racing out of branches, trunks, and the bare ground everywhere. I will never tire of admiring the miracle of Spring. We have lots of daffodils in the backyard, too- my daddy's favorite flower. Unfortunately, the tulips didn't do well this year- only a few. Mommy's favorite flower, the peony is on its way up in the front yard- I am looking forward to smelling that one!

The river is also running deep. We had a bunch of rain last week and the river rose back up to spill into the park again. At least the ducks swimming across the baseball field look happy!

Our doggies are very happy to have winter over. Skye likes to sit outside on the deck or the grass and soak up the sun. I still have to stay out of the sun, but mommy says I can wear sunscreen now and we'll try it soon.

More coming later- my tooth hurts too much right now!

ITALY! Part 7: The Long Road Home

We had a wonderful vacation in Italy, but eventually all good things must come to an end. On Friday we bid goodbye to all the family, gathering in Grandad and Boppy's villa for one last brunch and set of photos. The rest of the family was headed to Siena on Friday and then to the airport in Florence the next day. We were headed for Rome for a night before flying home the next morning.

On the way to Rome, we stopped in the really cool hill town of Montepulchiano. It is a little larger than other hill towns, but still very easy to walk around in an afternoon. We hiked up the twisted, windy streets to the piazza at the summit, where we had our requisite cappuccino's. We met a nice white dog up there, who was a puppy terrier- he reminded me of Skye and I wanted to pet him, but I got scared when he got closer, because I didn't really know him.

As we walked around, mommy stopped in a shop to look at leather handbags. That was perfect becuase daddy and I took the time to get a gelato. I have had tastes of Gelato all week and I love it! At first I was taken aback by the cold temperature of the stuff, but as it melted in my mouth I was entranced by the delicious creamy flavor. By the time we had our gelato in Montepulchiano, I was a true connoisseur of the stuff and happily licked clean bite after bite daddy offered me. I will be sure to ask daddy to get me some when we get home. There is a spectacular Gelateria on the main square in downtown Iowa Cty- YUM!

We got to Rome, had dinner a little cafe in a shopping mall- they were really nice to us there. Then we checked into the airport Hilton for our last night in Italy. We were on time the next morning, but our flight was held taking off due to weather in Madrid- where we were going to connect to out flight back home. We got into Madird too late- we had missed our connection and were re-booked on the next flight to Chicago- a day later.

We were all really frustrated about being stuck in Madrid. We wanted to get home, we didn't

have all of belongings because some was checked through to Chicago, and the taxis wouldn't take us to the airport hotel- it was too close and they wanted bigger fares. But we finally made it on a shuttl bus, got a really nice suite, and even had a crib and room service! Then we found out that the other family members also had trouble getting home. Due to high winds in Florence, they missed their connction in Frankfurt and got one bonus night in Germany!

After a long rest and some yummy Iberian cuisine, we were ready for the last leg in the long journey (the brunch at the hotel was one of the best breakfasts we had all week!) The Airport in Madrid is beautiful- daddy was taken with the modern architecture of the place (in fact, the design won the prestigious Sterling Award for architecture). We shopped in the Duty Free, enjoyed the spacious VIP lounge, and then setteled into our seats for the 9 hour flight. As I slept, mommy and daddy watched Juno and National Treasure (daddy also caught Darjling Limited, but wasn't overly impressed). I was able to maintain my composure most of the trip, especially when thy were serving delicious fruit and bread to snack on!

Hours later, we finally made it home. We were so happy to see Skye ad Denali again- they licked my hands as I giggled away. I slept very well the first night home- it really helps to be in your own bed for once!

I will post some more updates from home this week: The April Forests Awakening from Sleep, saying "Uh Oh", and, finally, my first tooth!

ITALY! Part 6: Time With Family

A very civilized view from our picnic blankets

Aunt Joyce helps Uncle Kurt get spiffy!

Uncle Steve and Aunt Beth are really great- I look forward to meeting up with them in Chicago next year!

Uncle Kevin and Aunt Kendall are so beautiful!

Barbara: The ultimate dosan- even pointing out the sunset!

I love cooking! Thanks for the cool wisk, mommy!

The men drank chianti- a lot of chianti

My cousins Laura and Harper are fun!

Do you like my party hat?

ITALY! Part 5: Florence

Today we took a field trip to Florence. I was so excited about seeing the birthplace of the renaissance, that I woke up extra early so we could get a good start on the day. After a short drive to town, followed by daddy getting lost in the suburbs of Florence, we arrived.
We parked near the train station and immediatley headed to a cafe near the church Santa Maria Novella for breakfast. It was the same cafe where mommy and daddy shared a limonata on the honeymoon 11 years ago. After enjoying the wonderful frescos of Maria Novella, we headed for the Duomo and the Bapistry with its bas relief doors by Gliberti. Daddy and mommy were completely enraptured by the bapistry doors- the detail, the passion, the depth, etc. I just kept staring up at the incredible green and white zebra stripes of the towering duomo- even pointed at it as we strolled around the outside.

From there, we walked across town, wading through uncomfortable hordes of tourists from the US, UK, Germany, China, and elsewhere. The tiny streets of Florence felt claustraphobic and stiffiling with all those tourists. It was first time on this trip that we felt crowded. It was a stark contrast from the simple peaceful Tuscan countryside.

We escaped the hordes across the Arno up the hill to San Mira Monte. I fell alseep on the long hike up the hill, leaving mommy and daddy to huffing and puffing the stroller up the steep hill. But the view at the top was worth the trouble. A gorgeous panoramic vista of Florence, dominated by the duomo rising from the center of the terra-cotta maze. From here, the plague of tourists could only be imagined. We took some photos, duplicating an image mommy and daddy created on their honeymoon 11 years before.

Finally, we met up for lunch with Uncles Kurt, Steve, and Kevin and Aunts Joyce, Beth, and Kendall. Daddy fed me wonderful cheesy pasta and mommy gave me tasty peaches. What a great day. I slept all th way home . . .

ITALY! Part 4: A Drive Through the Tuscan Countryside

We have been focusing on day trips with just myself, mommy, and daddy. But we wanted to spend some time with the rest of the family and try a day trip with the whole clan. After a leisurely lunch in Greve again, we set out in three cars to tour some of the local hilltop towns. Nearest to our villa are the the villages of Radda in Chianti and Valpaia.

Radda is a beautiful little town right out of a movie with tiny cobblestone streets, tiny twisted alleys, and absolutely stunning views. We walked around for a while with my Uncles Kurt, Chris, and Steve and my aunts Joyce, Chloe, and Beth. Boppy and Grandad were there too, of course. Daddy was snapping away with camera, unable to get enough of the scenery.

We went from there to Valpaia, a little "factory" town on the next mountain over from Radda. Everyone who lives in this tiny village works for the local winery. Unlike most of the touristy destinations we had been visiting, Valpaia had only two stores: a wine tasting "enoteca" and a little cafe. We all sat down in the sun together to enjoy our requisite afternoon cappuccino at the outdoor cafe, served quickly by a delightful and funny elderly woman. Everyone agreed that it was one of the best single moments of the trip- all 15 together and we were the only non-locals in sight.

That evening, a local chef came over to the villa and taught a cooking lession. Mommy learned how to roll gnocchi and daddy took notes on making pannecotta. We've been home in Iowa 4 days now and still no sign of Tuscan cooking- Get on it, Parents!

ITALY! Part 3: Hanging out in Greve

The villa where we are staying is called "La Rota", which is Italian for the huge stone wheel that is used to crush olives into olive oil. It is a beautiful stone structure built in the 18th century and set among fields of grapes and olives. The view out of bedroom window is breathtaking. Every morning, when I am fussy from waking up, mommy or daddy sit me in the window and we watch the trees and birds outside. Feeling the cool wind on my skin instantly calms me down.

Today we recovered from the previous day's adventure and just slept in, then looked around the nearest big town, Greve. The villa is in a tiny hilltop village called Panzano (don't bother checking the map- it's not on most), but Greve is about 10 minutes away and has all the shopping and food anyone would need. We looked around the main square and found a really cool toy giraffe and a awesome rattle. Of course I insisted on playing my new gorgeous musical instrument all through lunch! For lunch, daddy let me try something called Risotto. It is kind of like rice, but much tastier. One bite and I was hooked- I tried to grab the forl away from him so I could shovel the wonderful stuff in faster!

While we were in Greve, we also visited an artist's shop called Gallery Civette. We learned that this is the Italian word for my favorite animal: the owl! We bought a nice watercolor of an owl fo my room and mommy and daddy got paiting souvineers of their trip.

In the evening, we all got dressed up in our special outfiits and took Christmas card photos of the whole family. That part wasn't as fun becuase I was really tired. But you can only do so much in one day in Tuscany!

ITALY! Part 2: Siena and San Gimignano

We just got home and we are really tired. We couldn't update the blog in real time because we did not have consistent internet access. I will fill in details this week as often as possible.

On our first full day in Italy, we took a road trip to Siena and San Gimignano. Siena is a really cool city that is built on many hills so we were constantly going up and down. We got to see the Plazzio Campo were they hold the annual Palio horse race. We also saw Siena's beautiful Duomo and its church to its Patron Saint Catherine (they even have her head in a jar there!)

Then we drove through the Tuscan Countryside to the hilltop mideveal town of San Gimignano. It is a nearly perfectly preserved step back in time, except for all the tourist shops. We had a quick walk along the ramparts and had our requiste cappuccinos. Then, back to the villa for a wonderful dinner and a long sleep!

ITALY! Part 1: One Turkey of a Layover

We are off for a week in Italy! Check back in to the Wisdom of Spring for updates on my adventures in Tuscany!

Our journey here was a long one. We left Chicago at 5pm and finally got to the Villa at 10pm the next day. UGH! But I handled it remarkably well. Curiously, our route was not direct- since mommy and daddy used frequent flier miles to get there, we were stuck with flying Turkish Airlines (an American Airlines affiliate) through Istanbul. Considering all the maintenance problems American is having this week, it was a good thing we're flying some obscure alternative carrier.

As it turns out, the nice people at Turkish Airlines make delightful hosts! They were so nice to me, always smiling, laughing, cooing, and making a fuss. I loved it! And they brought me extra bread and blankets and anything we needed. They even provided a small bassinet for me to sleep in during the trip. It totally rocked. Daddy really liked the trip: the airline had individual movie screens that played movies, TV, music, and even a camera image from the nose of the plane! It had a interactive map that allowed us to follow our journey and know what we were flying over at all times. Mommy enjoyed the seats- they reclined fully so she could sleep almost flat. When we emerged in Istanbul, we were in a pretty good mood.

We had a 3 hour layover in Istanbul, and the nice folks from Turkish airlines let us use their executive lounge. They had a espresso machine, sandwiches, OJ, adult drinks. They had nice bathrooms, a changing room decorated like a nursery, and a mini-Turkish bath for showers. They even had a children's room with toys and room for me to crawl around and wreck havoc. It was great! I was bummed we had to get back on the plane.

But we did, and we made it to Rome to find our rental car waiting. And, four hours later, pulled into the villa exhausted, dirty, and smelly. But we found Grandad and Bobby waiting for us, so we forgot all about out long journey and played with the family before collapsing in bed. We didn't wake up until noon the next day, which was just fine with mommy and daddy.

Walking! (Sort of)

Yesterday we visited Mimi's farm for a very windy but fairly warm picnic on the first real day of Spring. It was the first time this year that the temperature was above 60 degrees with sun. You can tell that the plants noticed, because the grass is suddenly greener and the bulbs are poking out of the soil.

We first all met out at the lake at a house for sale that mommy and daddy are interested in. I don't know why we keep looking at homes- I like my room just fine. But they are looking for a neighborhood with places for me to play outside, so I guess that's OK. We met up with Auntee Lynn (our realtor who I am getting to know pretty well now), GranMimi, and Unca Mike in from Pennsylvannia! The house was real small, but the yard was really cool: a deep forest, a broad lawn, lots of herbs growing in landscaped gardens, deer, cool standing stones, and even a fenced veggie garden. We're not sure about this one, but we've been talking.

Then we went to the farm and had our picnic. Unca Mike held me up so I could walk a little- my expression shows the extreme determination involved! I also played with the doggies and the goats. Best of all, I wasn't scared of the goats this time! Bella (one of the older females) gave me a little lick and I giggled. I was happy to pet her nose as well as Chevre (the patriarch of the flock). It was very cool. Now I really look forward to going back!

My Sisters

I have a very close relationship with my doggy sisters. They are always very attentive to me, and kiss my cheeks, and keep me safe. So I make sure they know I appreciate them by dropping food from my highchair or giggling hysterically everyt time they walk in the room.

But relationship between siblings are never wihtout spats. Since I don't understand canine communication cues, I don't know when Skye (who can get grumpy) doesn't want to play. I crawled up to her this morning to pat her and get her to start running around (which I love), but she growled. I had no idea what this meant so I patted her again. She growled louder. By this time daddy was pulling me away, but not before I patted her one more time. She lost her temper and snapped at me, which was not OK with daddy. Skye was sent to her kennel immediately after a sharp rebuke. I wasn't hurt or scared, and I felt bad that my sister got punished just becuase I wanted to play.

Skye and Denali were on their best behavior the rest of the day and even caught a pesky ground squirrel. Daddy was so pleased that he forgave Skye, gave her a nice bath, and provided lots of treats. I even dropped a few myself!

I love my sisters- they're awesome