Buono Sera! I had the opportunity to travel to Italy this past November. I went for two reasons: the first was to pick olives in Tuscany.

My interest was piqued after reading in Gourmet magazine about an organic olive and grape farm in the heart of Tuscany where you could actually volunteer to harvest olives or grapes. I had fallen in love with the Italian countryside a few years earlier during a whirlwind tour by car, and had vowed to return under more relaxed conditions to truly explore this beautiful place. So I signed up and waited until there was an opening, which happened this past November. Here is a little of what I saw and experienced.

Well actually, this is all for tonight because I just noticed the time! I will get back to posting some more, maybe tomorrow.

In April this year, my friend Patti, and I went to Washington DC to see the cherry blossoms in bloom.

We were able to catch it on the best day and it is an awesome sight.

It was kinda cold and cloudy but still beautiful.

Back in 1947, after WW11, the Japanese sent 2,000 cherry blossom trees to the United States as a peace treaty/offering. They were planted along the Patomac river and the Jefferson Memorial.

Sixty years later, they are huge and when in bloom, create a blanket of light pink across the entire mile of path that goes along the waterfront. When you walk along the path, you are enveloped in a sea of pink "popcorn." So pretty!

My first entry!

Here we go! Entering the new world of blogging :)

Here's a picture of the house I grew up in in Capetown, South Africa. Went there on a trip with Austin in 2001 and drove by the old house.

55 4th Ave, Crawford