Montalto Castle...

Here are some fun pics of what we call the castle in Montalto...centro storico...in this castle the 'streets' are big enough for cars to go through! I posted pics for the entrance of the castle here...



Some inside sites...

Here is a church we found inside...

I am off to plant my flowers (2) and tomato plants in my front gardens! Here's to having hobbies that came to Italy with me! Now if I could have just managed to pack my craft stuff...

Some Outside Views...

I thought I might post some fun pics of outside things around our house. This is the first rose to bloom...it is about 7 inches across...what a fun thing to wake up to this morning!

We also have some Calla Lilies...

And we are just waiting for this lemon to ripen! Tobin picked several lemons that were ripe and he has already had his first fresh lemonade from our tree...he is sure spoiled already...

And of course, the ever present laundry...notice my laundry 'basket' that I just bought today. I had been hanging the laundry without one and boy are my arms tired! I saw it at a store and made a bee-line for it...Loving the blue...

Again, have a wonderful Wednesday!

Our House...

So here are some pictures of our lovely abode...or casa as the case may be. One thing of note, in the towns that we have been, in each and every yard/house has a very elaborate fence and gate. They are fascinating...they are no two alike and I can't seem to figure out if they are for security or for design. They can be constructed out of just about anything, but most have some combination of brick/rock and iron. Here is a look at the front of our house with our gate and fence...


Just inside the gate is my lovely gardens that are just waiting for plants. Our landlady mentioned that the local market (tomorrow) sells cheap plants (just in case they die, she said). I can't wait to get my hands in the dirt. The plants in the foreground are rose bushes...looks like I have a pink, red and white one so far...

This is our entryway...

The kitchen...notice the fish on the tiles!

The dining room or eat in kitchen (we have a second eating area with a more elaborate table and chairs)...

This is what we are calling the living room (this is also where the nicer dining table is) because of these comfy chairs and the tv. This is also where all of my fabulous blogs are coming from! Notice on the windows...ALL windows here have these shutter/sun shade things...I really like them! They keep it really cool in the house all day long. The windows also all have iron work on the outside...again, is this for security or just for looks??? We have seriously lucked out with this house...it has screens on the windows! Boy, God sure does provide! I was bitten by some bug last week on the ear and I, again, had a crazy allergic reaction...my ear swelled up and got red and icthy...I was even losing some hearing! Thankfully, Tobin was able to go to the Farmacia (pharmacy) and get something with anti-histamine...it worked great...maybe I will bring some home with me! Anyway, I am super thankful for bug screens!

This is our master bedroom...Don't you just LOVE our new sheets???? The house came furnished except for bedding and towels...so these beauties are all ours! They will fit in a suitcase! Also notice my pile of clean, line dried, and folded clothing! Go me...

We have a second bedroom where the kids were all sleeping when I took all these pics. I might be able to give you a video tour at some point... I hope that you enjoyed your virtual tour...if anyone is in the neighborhood, feel free to stop by!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Ciao a tutti!

Castle at Capalbio...

The second part of our day, we visited the hill town of Capalbio. It is literally a town on the tippy top of this mountain/hill. The road up to it is quite crazy...S turns have a new meaning to us now! Some of the roads would quite simply be illegal in the States! Boy, were they fun to drive on...the kids thought it was the best part of the day. Tobin and I have decided that one hasn't experienced an opportunity corner unless you have been driving in Italy!

Most, if not all, towns in Italy have a Centro Storico...old town or Castle or whatever you would like to call it. This one had intact castle walls and everything...no cars were allowed (or maybe fit) inside, though people lived here and there were places to eat and several shops were present inside. It was alot of fun to walk the 'streets' and walkways, go through the tunnels and under the arches, and not to mention, it had a wonderful view of the Tuscan country-side.

Three of the cutest kids ever...


The castle from the outside...

Example of the 'streets' inside the castle...

The castle walls...

It seems in Italy, that the natives love their flowers, no matter how cramped or urban-like their living...

Well, that is the extent of our Saturday adventure! Hoped you enjoyed it as much as we did!

Ciao a tutti!

Exploring...

On Saturday, we went exploring! It was a pretty fun day! A bit overcast, but it never really rained...perfect for sightseeing though it was pretty humid by the water.

If you are somewhat familiar with a map of Italy, or where Montalto is...go here for map, you might have to zoom out once or twice...just to the north of us there is an island that is connected to the mainland by 3 ithmus' (I know that really doesn't make it an island, but you understand what I am talking about...well you would if you checked out the map ;). The town of Orbetello is actually on the ithmus with the lagoon on each side. It is pretty cool! I was there earlier in the week but it had been raining and I totally missed the water!

We drove through Orbetello to the Comune di Argentario (that would be the island that isn't really an island because it is actually connected to the mainland...I know that is redundant but I think it is really cool). To the south is a port town...Porto Ercole...it is a neat small town on the Sea! What a great picture I took of it! The building literally look like they are clinging to the mountains!


And just to prove that we were there and it isn't just a postcard or something...

We tried to drive around the island but on the backside it just goes to a dirt road (which us Montanans are NOT afraid of, but it had rained and we have the tiniest car with NO clearance what so ever) we just didn't make it...so we back-tracked and headed to Porto Sto Stefano...quite a bigger town with tons of stuff going on! Again, it is just clinging to the mountains, so there are many stairways leading to streets on different levels...

A nice pic of the town/harbor...

We parked our car and walked around for a bit. Another thing that the italians do well is paid parking...no parking meters all over the place...they have one ticket (biglietti) things you put your money into and get a ticket for your dash...pretty convienent, even for those of us who don't speak italian. We even found doughnuts! One has to find a bakery (forno) in every small town, you know! Now these italians know how to do a boardwalk...marble mosaic sidewalks lined with palm trees!

So that was the beginning of our adventure on Saturday. I will hopefully post more tomorrow on the second half of the day!

Marina di Pescia...

I had more time...and I couldn't resist...so here is the Marina di Pescia in the rain. Notice the black sand beach and the Mediteranean Sea!

This and that...

I decided to dedicate a post to the little things that have been happening. A little of this and a little of that. First and the most humorous, is that we have no tub...normally not such a problem, but with kids and a shower the size of a phone booth (literally!), where does one wash children? Well, Gwen got a bath in the sink in the bathroom...isn't she cute! At least she was happy and clean in the end...the floor wasn't so clean!

Next, we had to do laundry this week...as you can imagine 5 people generate quite the pile of clothing. At this point we have only found one laundromat...just one and it only has 2 washers and 2 dryers! If you look closely...the cost of one load of laundry to wash is 4 Euros! And that doesn't include the cost of drying the clothes! So we didn't do too much...

I thought you might enjoy a pic of the money here...it is hard to get used to 1 euro and 2 euro coins...I am so used to paper ones! I totally forget to check my pockets for them. The coins are also very heavy...it seems that a handful of 50 cent coins weighs about a pound! It also seems that they really like you to have exact change...it helps to be a foreigner, they are just happy to get enough money from me!

The paper money is very colorful and different sizes. It is kind of fun to look in your wallet and see bills that look kind of like monopoly money!

Another funny thing (or at least I choose to look at it as funny at this point) is the weather. First, remember we are from Montana and when we left we were still using the fireplace and it was snowing. So here, when the sun is out, it is very pleasant. We don't even need a jacket. Well, of course we draw stares as we are not from around here, speak english and we have red hair...but I think they think we are crazy because we don't wear coats. EVERYONE is wearing jackets, and we are not talking spring coats...down vests, sweaters, and I even saw someone wearing a scarf! It is about 65 degrees! This tends to concern me very much! How hot does it get here????? If people are wearing these kind of coats in this weather!!! Yikes!

The other thing is the humidity...today especially in the rain...where is my snorkel?? In our house in MT, when the fire is going, it is about 10% humidity. I don't know what it is around here...but I am certainly not used to it! When you go to bed, the sheets feel wet...the condensation in the frig makes everything wet. Now I am not complaining (at least not yet) just reporting the differences ;)

Well, there you are...all caught up! Now off to have fun adventures this weekend...I actually have things to write about! What fun!
Ciao a tutti!

Visit to Pescia Romana...

Today we woke up to the pitter patter of rain...so we broke out the raincoats! It is a first for the 2 little kids to actually have to wear raincoats! Gwen's is rather large, but at least there was no way she was going to get wet! Thanks NJ Grandma! Clayton was beside himself because it was his favorite Lightning McQueen!


So we were off exploring today...afterall what is better on a rainy day in a 2 bedroom hotel room! We went down to the Marina di Pesca first...not a whole lot to see. I think this is where the locals go to the beach. Real low key...just a place to go to the beach. I don't even think one has to pay to get on the beach.

Then we went up to Orbetello...food shopping of course! New grocery stores are all of a sudden my favorite places to go...you never know when you will suddenly find something different and useful. I found all the ingredients for making my brownie recipe...Tobin will be so pleased! Maybe I will surprise him...well, maybe once I have an oven!

On the way back, we stopped in Pescia Romana for some treats at my new favorite bakery (il forno). Here is the fun Piazza in Pescia (again that is said pesha).

Another of the piazza...

My favorite bakery...pane=bread, dolci=desserts, forno=bakery, pizza=pizza ;)

I let the kids pick one cookie when we go...we certainly have to try them all! Then we can know which bakery and treat is the best! A favorite flavor here is apricot...this certainly pleases Tobin and he really can't wait for the real apricots here...so they have apricot filling in all sorts of things, cookies, crossants, etc...

So that was our fun morning in Pescia Romana! Stay tuned...I am working on a second post for today!
Ciao a tutti!

Sights in Tarquinia...

Last weekend we went to the bustling metropolis of Tarquinia...well, maybe compared to Montalto! Here is a picture of the old town (Centro Storico) castle walls. I think this was my favorite part thus far. It is just like you would imagine old italy to be. Buildings so close together that the tiny car you are driving barely fits through! It was quite the riot!

Some fun arches we found around the outside of the walls...

Seriously old school fountain...

A second story balcony in the old town...notice the shutters again, instead of screens!

Today was really low key...we didn't go anywhere! It was in some ways nice to just be...I read yet another Sherlock Holmes book. But in other ways it was hard...all day long with the kids and not having my usual things to keep them busy! There is also not a soul here! I am not used to being idle...it is not so good for me! And you think I would relish not having to clean my house! Hopefully, this weekend we can move into Montalto and we can begin a routine...heck, the park is only blocks away (not to mention the garden store is around the corner)...

On another note...I have this crazy rash on my hands...apparently I am allergic to the handsoap I bought. I would be able to figure out what it was I was allergic to...but it is all in Italian! Oh, well, I just hope the second bottle is better! At least it is a different color!

Kelly, Pat & Darin are all on their way back from Munich today. They should be here pretty soon. I am excited to at least hear about their trip (I got dibs that they didn't take a single picture...in fact I'll bet that they didn't even bring their camera;)...

Have a wonderful day!
Ciao!

Our Home Away from Home...

Well, at least for a week! Here is our agriturismo...or country B&B without the breakfast...

We have a lovely patio and table, lawn chairs to relax in...notice that the door and windows have shutters but do not have any screens! At this point that is no problem because when the sun goes down...it gets chilly enough to close all the windows. But the mosquitos are about the size of small birds, what DOES one do in the summer???? Seems that this is what all Italians do in this area (or maybe the whole country)...even in the middle of town.

Here is our view from our patio...yes, those are really olive trees! The kids even have a yard to run around in and play (not to mention the playground in the back).

Here is Gwen...our little bit grouchy almost 2-year-old...she has definitely been showing her 2ness lately. I guess all of that travel, time changes, and no routine yet are getting the best of her! Hopefully, once we are settled and get into some kind of schedule of regular naps again, she will be more agreeable, as for now...we just love her a bit more and hope for smiles soon!

Life has been pretty crazy for us for about 2 weeks. Today, we are home all afternoon...boy, it is really quite right now! Kelly & Pat are currently driving up to Munich, Germany (they were thinking of flying but that darned volcano has seriously reeked havoc with the air travel in Europe...still) to go to a machine conference in Balma, Germany (that would be construction machinery...a worldwide conference) and Tobin's Uncle Darin is with them as well. All that to say, it is pretty quiet here...at least I will be able to read that book I have been meaning to!

Well, I hope that you have a lovely Tuesday!
Ciao!

Sites from Montalto di Castro...

I know that I am a bit behind but I am working on it! So much to do and so little time! Things do tend to take a bit longer to do here. Take food shopping for instance, everyone here only goes shopping for one day, so items tend to be smaller in quantity. Not to mention that it is all in Italian! But for most things...it is pretty easy to figure out what it is...talking to someone about it is another story altogether!

Anyway, sights of Montalto di Castro...here is a fun arch that one actually drives through with a car! Some of the roads are VERY tiny...good thing that the cars are small!

A fun fountain that we found...

The castle in Montalto...it is actually appartments...can you believe that you could actually live here...

And the kids at the Mediteranean Sea...we went down to the Marina di Montalto...the beaches have black volcanic sand...pretty cool (well maybe not when it is hot!)...wasn't expecting that!

So, this is the beginning of our first actual week here. Tobin was off to work this morning at 7:30, which is kind of nice...he usually went to work at 6 to 6:30, so I didn't always see him in the morning. A nice perk, if you will. We will usually have a vehicle to share between me and Pat. Kind of hard not being able to come and go when I want, but nice to have a companion to speak english with! Once we are in Montalto it should be a bit easier since we will be within walking distance to things (food store, shops, parks, etc).

We did get to visit both residences that we will be renting. Talk about nice places! Based on seeing things on the internet we are in palaces! Furnished and everything. The one we saw today has 2 bedrooms and 3 beds...even has a tub and much larger shower than we have now (again think phone booth with the folding doors)...kitchen with tons of cooking things, fenced yard, tv, a lemon tree (kind of excited about that...I have never lived somewhere that could grow such a thing), and small gardens in the front yard that I can plant with some fun things (I am imagining all sorts of things that don't normally grow in MT...). It has a washing machine (no one uses dryers in Itlay...you can always see clothing hanging from balconies and clothes lines) and a very long clothes line (something one needs with 5 persons dirtying clothes).

So hopefully that is a pretty good update for now...look forward to posts on food shopping, driving, and hopefully exciting trips and adventures...a train ride might be in my near future!
Ciao a tutti!