Sunflowers, Roses and Butterflies

I have neglected to mention the warm and welcoming gifts from special friends—gifts that gave a little extra beauty to the songs our hearts were playing. I really would like to say thank you to them in a way that the world hears and so…….

I am so happy that you are again here with us! I hope that next time you're coming will be forever!! Bentoranati! Un Abbraccio, Sara


Bentoranati a casa!! Welcome "Home" !!! Valentina

Nicoletta and Alessadro.

Alessandro gave Casey a silver nomination charm bracelet with his name bracketed by the Italian flag. I hope that he will treasure this gift and never lose it. Often children simply don’t understand how very special some things are until too late. Of course, I tell him but then...I tell him many things that seem to not find their way into his ears or memory bank. After all, he's a child with other things to think about.

Of course we came laden with gifts also. And, as others know, it is hard to be creative in gift giving when trying to offer something special from home.

• First, it must not be a tacky souvenir that becomes a burden to the recipient.
• Second, it really should not have a “made in China” tag or stamp on it.
• Third, it can’t be too bulky to pack.
• Fourth, it should be specific to the person—not some generic, one size fits all gift.
• Fifth, it should somehow relate to where you are from or someplace you have been.
• Sixth, it is nice if it can be something not available in the place you are going.
• Seventh, and maybe most importantly, it should provide a good memory of a friend who treasures their relationship.
• Eighth, I would welcome any comments with more ideas of shoulds and should nots.

So we brought spices, meat rubs and special mustards from Napa Valley--wine country--so appropriate here, pretty dish towels from Napa for everyday use and thoughts of us, Ghirardelli chocolates for our chocolate lovers, macademia nuts from Hawaii, notecards made from photos I have taken in our travels and dolls and books for Camilla. It seemed like Christmas around here for awhile.

And butterflies? What about them? Well, yesterday while Casey went to Siena with Camilla, Ken and I drove to delightful Florence--this time with a mission. We ordered our new ceramic table from Giotti Ceramiche. It is being specially made to match the one we splurged on last year--that one is rectangular, this new one is round. It was fun to see Paolo and Daniela again--they seem to be friends although we really are just customers--albeit, profitable ones. Butterflies? The tables are enlivened by and graced by butterflies and lady bugs and bees and dragonflies--a whimsical garden touch.


Our days are passing; we use them to revisit memories and to make new ones, carrying them home to San Diego for times of reverie and quiet contemplation.