2019 Year End Update and A Little Road Trip

My apologies for the long time between posts.  I had all good intentions of doing a Christmas post but that never materialized.  My holidays were saddened by the passing of my little buddy, my dog Oscar.  Many of you that know me are already aware of this.  For those that don't know me as well, I had Oscar (a pug dog) from the age of 4 years when I adopted him from a family that could no longer keep him.  He was a trooper making the move to Italy with me at the age of 13.  But more medical issues made me realize it was time for him to move on.  I did not want him to suffer more as he was having quite a bit of difficulty walking, eating, and just having a fun, active life.  So Christmas Eve I put him down.  He is now at peace and free!!  But my heart is still heavy and I miss him so.  

So needless to say the holidays were a bit somber for me.  I decided to take a brief road trip. I traveled to two other regions of Italy. Basilicata and Puglia specifically to visit Matera and Alberobello.  Both of these cities are UNESCO World Heritage sites so were on my "to visit" list.  Italy and China are tied with 55 sites each.  These sites did not disappoint.  I was also able to see a live precepe in Matera and both cities were still celebrating Christmas so all decorated with lights.

Matera is about a 4 hour drive from me.  I stopped in Potenza as a rest stop and a bite to eat and to see this city.  While there, the weather turned and started to sleet and snow.  But I was higher up in the mountains so I had to accept it, although I had visions of being back in snowy Minnesota. 

I visited and stayed in "the Sassi" which is the famous part of Matera.  This city is famous for its cave dwellings that are built into the rock/hillsides.  Some historians say it was inhabited around 7000 B.C. and could have been the first inhabitants of Italy.  You can still see the uninhabited Palaeolithic caves across the "Gravina di Matera River" (which is more like a stream today - but you can see it in the pictures).

While there I was able to see the live precepe.  And as I have become accustomed, each live precepe really is different and unique.  There were 8 stations or presentations. Each one was set in a different location within the Sassi.  They were theatrical representations of the timeline to the birth of Jesus.  Each one was different and unique - some included dancing, but all were theatrically lite and were mini plays.  Just amazing!!!  Unfortunately pictures were not easy to take and I wanted to be present in the moment.  You will just have to travel there yourself to see it.  I was able to take pictures of a precepe made from sand.  

After a few days in Matera I moved on to Alberobello, again, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Alberobello is famous for the Trulli which are whitewashed stone huts with pointed (conical) roofs.  This city is much younger than Matera and dates back to the 1600's.

On my way home I took a different route and traveled south along the southern coast (the bottom of the foot of the boot.   My first stop was at Marina di Ginosa, a city on the Ionian sea. Every New Year's Eve I have a walk on the beach.  This year would not be any different.  

After my beach time I traveled to Tursi which includes the ancient burgh (village) of Rabatana which is almost completely abandoned.  I wanted to see some old frescos in a church that were famous. Unfortunately the church was closed.  But touring the abandoned city was a treat.  There is also an abandoned Monastery, "Convento di San Francesco d'Assisi of the Order of Observant Friars".  It dates to the 1400's but there is some history that says it was built in 1337.  Either way it is old!  It was a seminary of Liberal Arts.  This is in total disrepair BUT inside were remnants of some old frescos.  What a find but also very sad that this bit of history is not being taken care of.  Finding it took some time and then it was necessary to hike into the woods a bit.  But well worth the adventure. 

It was then time to continue on my journey home in enough time to spend New Years Eve with  family and bring in the new year!  

I will continue to blog this year but most likely only for my travel adventures or any new FIRSTS I might still encounter.   The exam for my Italian Drivers License is on the horizon.  That will be another FIRST and hopefully only time I will experience that! Till then.......

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

In Memory of Oscar

6/25/2004 - 12/24/2019

A Year in My Life - Kitchen Project - The Finale!

Week 7 Update and Conclusion

Finalmente!!!  Hallelujah!  It's done! I spent Monday and Tuesday cleaning out the new cabinets and drawers and putting in the shelf liner.  Wednesday couldn't come fast enough.  I  also loaded up those cabinets that would be not affected on Wednesday and did not need any adjustments.   Wednesday morning finally arrived. I loaded up the car with everything from the apartment and Oscar and I took off for Acquavella!!  HOME!

While waiting for the workers I walked outside and who was there to greet us?  LuLu, the neighbour dog.  I had left the back gate open and he came in to greet us and take a rest in the sun!  He too, is glad we are back!

LuLu - protecting our house

The workers finally arrived and the completion of the kitchen began.  They finished their work in a few hours.  Then the electrician and plumber arrived to complete the cook top installation and to make some final last adjustments.  Some were a bit more challenging than others but I was not deterred.  They clearly understood everything MUST be done today.  One more day was not acceptable.  They did not disappoint.  By 7:30 that evening I was wishing everyone a "buona serata" as they walked out the door.  The celebration began for Oscar and me!!

And now the final set of photos!!

Thank goodness the new piece of 

counter top was correct!

Many have asked where the refrigerator is

It is hidden on this wall - tough to see

but it is at the far right

The three stools should arrive this week

The furniture store just needs to deliver them

First things first - Coffee!!

And for my first meal I made a Ragù

It was delicious!

So this blog sequence comes to a close.  Thanks to those that followed along and took the time to comment through emails.  I will continue blogging monthly going forward.  

For those in the states have a blessed Thanksgiving!  This year I have alot to be grateful for and will so enjoy cooking Thanksgiving dinner in my new beautiful kitchen.

A Year in My Life - Kitchen Project - Part 7 - Oh so close!

Week 6 Update:

Appliances were delivered on Saturday as planned.  All was go for start on Monday for the furniture/cabinet delivery and installation.  Everything arrived on time and the work commenced.  I was amazed at how quickly everyone was working and the quality of the work. However, late in the day as the counters were being installed a major OOPS was discovered.

One piece of counter had been cut wrong.  At first I thought it was no problem.  I could live for a week or so without a small piece of counter top.  But on further inspection we realised this section butt up to the next section in a unique way as the next section held the cooktop.  So........2 pieces needed to be remanufactured.  And what did that mean?  I could not move back in as I would have no way to cook.  And by the end of the day there were other small items that still needed to be handled.  Tuesday was another day of work - installing trim and making some adjustments.  But in the end the project is now delayed for completion until this coming Wednesday.  I would spend the rest of the week cleaning out the newly installed cabinets, installing shelf and drawer liner and figuring out where in the world I would put everything - a wonderful problem to have.   I also took time to clean the refrigerator, vented hood and the oven. 

The lights were installed on Tuesday as well.  Now the challenge is finding the right light bulbs to use as the color of the lights changes dramatically depending on the brightness of the bulb.  

Some photos of the installation.  You will have to wait one more week for the final, final photos.  Plans are to move back in on Wednesday as the final pieces to the puzzle will be complete.

The truck arrives on time - a great start!

Unpacking of each piece was done by

Antonio and I while the installers began 

their installation

Lots of boxes

The two installers were a great team

and at times Antonio assisted

Installing the vented hood

This area will house the oven and

the refrigerator 

I love the LED light under the counter

That was a surprise and a gift 

as I didn't order it

Ready for the counters to be installed

First counter installed and then it's lunch time

Panini and beer?  Yes they drink beer for lunch

with no problem

Enjoying the sunshine and a little break

after our lunch

And we discover the counter is too 

short - first big oops of the day.

The counter for the bar

being put in place

Ensuring the counter is seated in

the wall properly

Precision and lots of help

It has to be set quickly and accurately

as the cement underneath sets quickly

The counter is "inserted" into the wall 

for stability.  This allows us to

not have braces or support underneath

I will love doing dishes in this sink

And a nice big faucet to clean

all those dishes - I didn't buy a dishwasher

Here we go - the lights are being hung

It takes two!

All even and ready to be turned on

Oh my - not liking the brilliant colours

Found a smaller bulb that shows off the color 

of the light much better but now I have to find

more of them.  

And now the wait continues.  Just a few more days and the final adjustments will be made, the counters installed and the stove top put in place.  Stay tuned...... but I am so pleased!

Buona settimana!!