year end meme

What's the end of a year without a little reflection on what's happened, where we've been, and what we've done?

Well over at Sundry Mourning, there's a little tradition of the Year End meme, first copied from Gwen's Petty, Judgmental, Evil Thoughts back in 2004.

I filled it out last year, which you can find here, and now it's time to look back on 2007.

Feel free to play along and let me know where to find you!

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? Raised puppies from birth, dyed my hair, made Christmas cookies on a wide scale, used a cookie press, slept in a bed & breakfast (Hi Cherrye!), made money from my blog, became a professional blogger, sent out Italian Christmas cards, made hummus, made bagels, acted as an interpreter, wrote 25,0o0 words in a month.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Don't make 'em; can't break 'em. I might make some this year, though, just to mix things up. We'll see.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No family or close friends, but some blog friends--and a whole lot of expats in Italy are preggers now, quite a few due any day!

4. Did anyone close to you die? My great-aunt's daughter Jeanie as I wrote about here and my mom's friend Kitty who was like a grandmother to me and who I wrote about here.

5. What countries did you visit? Just Italia.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? More writing gigs as always, and a book contract wouldn't suck either. Ooh, and a real vacation.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? October 20 birth of the puppies. I think that's all.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Probably the development of this blog and its amazing community. I'm also pretty proud of losing more weight and maintaining it--aah, and finding a pair of pants in Italy that fit me and that I like! Woohoo!

9. What was your biggest failure? It's not really my personal failure, but I had hoped to be in the new house by now.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Only recently with a nasty stomach virus followed up by a sinus infection. Love being sick over the holidays!

11. What was the best thing you bought? My ADSL contract with Telecom (although it *does* have its issues).

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? I said my doggie Luna last year, and I'm going with her again but for different reasons. This year she accepted a new dog in the house followed by six puppies--all in stride. She's such a trooper.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Going with the Bush administration again on this one. Can't wait to have a new administration to be appalled and depressed by.

14. Where did most of your money go? Internet and phone bills (but so worth it), just like last year.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? The camera from Salena--I'm *still* really, really, really excited about that.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007? Geez probably the theme songs from Gilmore Girls, The O.C., and Veronica Mars since they've served as my background noise most of the year.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer? Hmm, I'd say happier, a few pounds lighter, and there's money in the bank--I'm richer (although "rich" is a strong word).

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Yoga and fiction writing.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Anything other than fiction writing.

20. How did you spend Christmas? With P and his parents for the first half and then cradling my throbbing face for the second half. Fun times.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007? Have you seen the puppies?

22. What was your favorite TV program? Lost!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I don't hate the players, just the game sometimes.

24. What was the best book you read? Ooh, tough one. Eat Pray Love sticks out.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Adriano Celentano although it's not so much a discovery as a more intense dedication. Love that voice.

26. What did you want and get? An expansion of my writing career.

27. What did you want and not get? To be in the new house by Christmas.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? Haven't seen anything new in a long time. Favorite new-to-me film? Pirates of the Caribbean. Just when I thought I couldn't love Johnny Depp more.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 31 and honestly, I don't remember what happened--a sure sign of getting old as it was only two months ago.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Same answer as last year: if someone in my family or close circle of friends from home would have visited or if I would’ve been able to go home.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Comfortable is key.

32. What kept you sane? The Internet, fellow expats, blogs, emails, phone calls, and my writing.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I've enjoyed Milo Ventimiglia despite the fact that P won't let me watch Heroes. Have to get my Milo fix via GG.

34. What political issue stirred you the most? The concept of universal health care versus how it's carried out in certain (ahem) countries.

35. Who did you miss? My family and my girlfriends from home more than ever.

36. Who was the best new person you met? Lots of online buddies, of course, but in person, one of my students who has become a friend.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. A positive attitude positively makes a positive difference.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. With the risk of getting (a lot) sappy, it's hard to put into words how much this past year of my life has been enriched by all of you who take the time to read, comment, write, and share your lives through these Internets. And so, from Natalie Merchant:

You've been so kind and generous
I don't know how you keep on giving
For your kindness I'm in debt to you
For your selflessness my admiration
For everything you've done you know I'm bound
I'm bound to thank you for it.

And how was your year?

12 christmas memories: part V

And now the last installment of my 12 Christmas Memories meme:

10. Best Christmas Present Ever

I know it might seem strange for me to name an afghan as my best Christmas present ever, but it was (and I know Shannon understands). I really wish I had it here with me (it's in storage in the US) so I could take a photo for you. And better yet, curl up with it.

I was around 10 years old when my mom started promising afghans, crocheted by her, for my brother and me. I'd occasionally see her working on the little squares that were to make up mine throughout the year--different shades of pink, flowers, typical girly stuff. As Christmas drew closer and her time was taken up by cookies though, she made it pretty clear that they wouldn't be done for the holidays.

But then while unwrapping gifts, I got to a big old clumsy box that I assumed was a coat. As I lifted the lid, what to my wondering eyes should appear?

My very own pink-and-white flowered afghan.

Even at that young age, I had some idea of just how much work went into every single square that made up that thing, and I just felt so special and loved that my mom would surrender sleep and other more enjoyable activities (which she surely did) to stitch and stitch and stitch just to make it all happen for Christmas.

A warm fuzzy wrapped up in a warm fuzzy, if you will.

Must get that afghan here. Love it love it love it so.

11. Falling Asleep on Pap's Presents

OK, this one isn't a memory so much as a really cute photo that unfortunately I don't have with me to scan for you.

When I was just a wee lass I suppose I became overwhelmed with the Christmas goings-on quite easily and so I stopped to rest just a moment.

Right on top of all my grandfather's presents.

I was out for a few hours, apparently, and he just had to wait to see what Santa brought him.

What a trooper, eh?

It's a really cute picture, I promise.

12. My First Christmas with P

Nothing too spectacular happened, but 2005 was our first holiday season together and that alone made it magical.

On Christmas Eve, we went out for pizza of all things, which I actually thought was a fun tradition to start--only then the restaurant wasn't open the following year. So now I'll always remember that first Christmas Eve all that much more.

It was rather romantic actually as the fireplace was going and we were the only ones in the place besides the owners and their family who joined us after a while. Then we went around visiting some friends in the village but were home by midnight; and despite growing up opening gifts on Christmas day, I just couldn't wait any longer for P to open his, so at my insistence we did gifts around 1 a.m.

He had never gotten a stocking before! Can you believe it? So I was sure to stuff it with all kinds of exciting things like shaving cream and razors.

And I wrapped every single thing individually. Hah!

Then Christmas Day we spent with P's sister and her family (they have two children) and P's parents--always wonderful to see children enjoying Christmas, isn't it?

Like I said, nothing too special for that first Christmas...other than the company of course. And that's really what it's all about for me. Those warm, cozy feelings of love that stick with you for a lifetime as my dear friend Wanderlust Scarlett so kindly reminded me by tagging me with this meme.

Honestly, I can't tell you how much writing this and taking photos around my house has helped me get into the holiday spirit. It's been so wonderful to remember all of the great holiday seasons I've been lucky to have and makes being away from home at this time of year just a little easier.

So thank you, thank you, thank you Wanderlust Scarlett and I wish the happiest of holiday seasons to you all!

12 christmas memories: part IV

For Part IV of My 12 Favorite Christmas Memories as inspired by Wanderlust Scarlett's meme, I'm going to stick with the childhood theme. If you haven't yet, you should also check out Parts I, II, and III.

Now here are three more that come from my earlier years, and since we just talked about cookies, let's stay there for a moment.

7. Jeanie & Joe eating all the kolaches

Jeanie was my great-aunt's daughter and Joe was her husband. That might sound rather extended to you, but since my Aunt Babe lived about 30 seconds away from her sister (my grandmother), our families were always quite close, especially around the holidays--and my Aunt Babe remains one of my most favorite people in the world. She knows everything!

And what are kolaches? My mom's version looks something like this:


Walnut goodness wrapped in cream cheese dough and sprinkled with powdered sugar. I made these this year, but I had to improvise because I couldn't find a square ravioli cutter like she uses. In Italy! I couldn't find the ravioli cutter I needed! Harumph!

So I used a round one, which makes smaller ravioli and that made rolling these babies a lot more challenging. They're still delicious though, and that's what matters, right?

Well kolaches were probably the most sought after cookie at my grandmother's house (she also made them) during the holidays--so much so that my mom used to make a tray just for my grandfather to keep *in his bedroom*. Yes, this grandfather.

Anyway, Jeanie and Joe lived a couple hours away from us, so they came in for the holidays right as they were beginning, which left their visiting time to a minimum. And so, they'd come over, often individually, on Christmas morning, which as you can imagine, was always quite hectic as anywhere from 5 to 15 people would be eating dinner there at noon.

My grandmother always played the perfect hostess, though, despite having a million other things to do--she truly loved their visits.

But after a while she noticed that there would always be a huge dent made in the cookie tray in the area of the kolaches after Joe left--and let's be honest, it was mainly Joe who was the culprit. So my grandmother would purposely take most of the kolaches off the tray (she'd leave him a few of course), often literally as he was coming up the walkway.

"Joe's coming! Grab the kolaches!" *was* shouted.

Jeanie was mostly innocent in the Great Kolache Fiasco but she's thrown in this memory because her Christmas morning visits were always such a huge part of the holidays, and also because she recently passed away.

Jeanie was just 62 years old, and her husband Joe passed away last year after a long debilitating illness which included a heart transplant. Their children are around my age, and I think of them more often than ever.

And now with the holidays, wonderful memories of their parents have really come rushing back to me, and I hope they do for them as well.

8. I'm Mary!

OK, let's lighten things up with a fun memory from about fourth grade--when I was chosen to play Mary in the church play of the Nativity Scene.


I was never the one chosen for things like that, and to be honest, I thought one of my best friends who eventually became the angel would be Mary, but nope. I was Mary! Everyone was so proud!

I think we picked names out of a hat or something, so it really was no big feat to have won the non-speaking role. But whatever. I was Mary! I wrapped the Baby Jesus in swaddling clothes!

And I do have a photo of it somewhere, just not here. Sorry. Maybe next year.

Also, attached to this memory? I was also the one who got to put the Baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas morning in our nativity scene at home. Woohoo! The benefits of being the youngest in the house!

9. Caroling with Friends

They don't really do the caroling thing around here (not that I've seen/heard anyway), but I do have a fond memory of caroling when I was probably about 12 years old.

A group of girlfriends, probably about 10 of us, went around one evening and sang and sang and sang--and if anyone wonders why I know the words to just about any Christmas song, this is probably why. Seriously, try me.

One blustery December night, instead of going home after school, we all went to the house that would serve as Caroling Central. We got all bundled up (it was *freezing*!), and then walked around town, avoiding slushy puddles and snow piles, stopping at random houses, especially near those that were all lit up, assuming they'd certainly appreciate the effort.

We got invited into so many homes, drank far too much hot cocoa, and even made some cash--which we spent later that night on pizza if I recall correctly. Guess we could've donated the money, but hey, we were 12. And hungry.

Ah, and of course there was a huge slumber party afterwards.

I had almost forgotten about this memory until Wanderlust Scarlett and I got "talking" via email. I'm so happy that she reminded me! I don't have contact with most of those girls anymore, but some of them are still my best friends--and you know who you are--and I'm certainly thinking of you this Christmas.

Ah, small town America in the late 1980s.

Come back tomorrow for the final installment of My 12 Favorite Christmas Memories!

what's cooking wednesday:thumbprint cookies

Or, "12 Christmas Memories: Part III"

(If you haven't yet, do check out Part I and II.)

6. Cookies!

I simply couldn't do a series on my Christmas memories without cookies.

My grandmother always made cookies for the holidays, but my mom? She goes crazy. In addition to making them for the family, she's now started selling trays of homemade cookies and candy--and she's doing so well that I just may have to go to America to help her next year. Go Mom!

And so, making cookies is definitely one of my fondest Christmas memories. From the time I could walk, I was around the kitchen helping make cookies--although for a while there I didn't do much other than steal chocolate chips off the table, earning me the nickname "Cookie Monster" from my mom's friend, her baking partner for many years.

But eventually I worked my way up to working with sprinkles and candied cherries. You know, the Big Time.

My mom made it fun not only for me but also for the friends I was allowed to invite over to help decorate the cut-out cookies--there were far too many stockings and Santas and snowmen and bells and wreaths for just one or two people to decorate.

So at my mom's house, we'd have decorating slumber parties every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Just the other day, in fact, one of my best friends and regular participants in the bake-a-thons left a comment here on the blog longing for the days of such innocent fun.

And I'm so with her on that.

(I'm the one without a blurred face; maybe 12-13 years old here? Not sure.)

And yes, in case you're wondering, my niece is fully prepared to keep this tradition going. Just the other day my mom said that she's getting to the age where she can have some friends over to help decorate (she already helps my mom with the cut-outs).

So next year, 9-year-olds at Nana's!

Before this year, I have never done the Christmas cookie thing by myself--why would I when my mom had it covered? But now that I've been here for a few years and have really missed those tastes of home, I decided that this year I'd make some of my mom's recipes and give out trays to Italian family, friends, and neighbors.

I highly doubt any of them have ever even seen the cookies I made, so it'll be an interesting experience for all of us.

Yesterday I finished up the last of six types that I made this year, and I've already decided that next year I'll try my hand at even more. My mom had sent me some things like chocolate chips and brown sugar, but since I decided on Operazione Biscotti at the last minute, some cookies just weren't going to happen this year for lack of the proper ingredients and tools.

But look out Christmas 2008!

I'm not going to share all the recipes with you now, or even the photos just yet, but I will let you in on what has to be one of the easiest and tastiest cookies ever for this week's What's Cooking Wednesday. In fact, this is a great one to make with kids because they get to play around in the dough as much as they want and they really can't ruin it.

"Unless their hands are dirty," adds my mom.

The words of wisdom never end I tell you.

These classics will also be my entry in Food Blogga's Eat Christmas Cookies event. Go check out all the great cookies over there--just beware you'll probably leave hungry.

Thumbprint Cookies*


2 c flour
3/4 c confectioner's sugar
1 c butter
1 tsp vanilla

Jelly of your choice (I used apricot and strawberry)

Combine flour and sugar and then cut in butter until well distributed. Sprinkle with vanilla and mix dough with hands until smooth.

Shape into 1 inch balls and place about 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheet.

Indent centers with lightly floured finger (or thumb!) and fill with jelly.

Bake in preheated 325°F (163°C) oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove to rack to cool.

Easy peasy and tasty too!

*I should note that the original recipe calls for a cup of chopped nuts--I just don't like them in this, so I don't put them in. If you want to, put 1/2 of them in with the flour and sugar in the beginning, and then, after you make the dough into balls, roll them in the remaining nuts. Thanks Christina for reminding me to include this!

Buon appetito!

12 christmas memories: part II

Yesterday the first installment of my 12 Christmas Memories meme revolved a lot around my grandmother. Yes, that wonderful lady was always a big part of what made Christmas so special, and here are some more family memories.

3. Christmas Lights with Pap Pap

You may remember my grandfather from this post. There I mentioned he was curmudgeonly, but if there was one thing that melted his heart in addition to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, it was Christmas.

Lights in particular.

I don’t really know when it became tradition, but for as long as I can remember, every year around the big day, an hour or so after dinner to make sure everyone had their lights on but weren’t in bed yet, my Pap Pap and I would drive around the area admiring all the displays--and yes, I do mean DISPLAYS of lighted trees, reindeer, Santas, bear, snowmen, candy canes, wishing wells, you name it and someone within a 20-mile radius had it on the lawn or hanging off the house.

We never did the outside of our house quite so Griswoldesque (no complaints from me on that one!) but I always appreciated the time and effort that others put into it.

And that was something I shared with my Pap Pap, every year in fact.

4. Christmas Eve Footsteps

Remember yesterday when I talked about the Christmas Eve tradition in which everyone came to my grandparents' house after church?

Well 1998 was our first holiday season without my grandfather who had passed away that June, and it was business as usual at the house on Christmas Eve. My brother and I were seated side by side at the table, eating more than necessary I’m sure.

Suddenly, simultaneously, he and I turned our heads toward the back door to our right, expecting someone to come in. We had obviously both heard a noise outside, but didn’t say anything--I figured it was the wind, and I’m sure he did as well--and just went back to eating and talking.

A few minutes later, our heads did the same thing toward the door, and when no one came in, my brother looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

“Did you hear that?”

I sure did.

Nearly together we blurted out that we had heard twice, minutes apart, the unmistakable sound of someone stomping snow off of their shoes on our wooden back porch, preparing to come into the house. Something that was pretty connected to our grandfather in both our minds; he certainly never entered the house quietly in the winter.

Only that night, there was no one there.

No one that we could see anyway.

5. Dad’s Family Movie Light

Last year for Christmas, my brother and his wife got our old family movies transferred to DVD. Honestly it’s rather strange to me that my family even has these because it’s just so out of character--hard to explain why but it's in the "We're *so* not The Waltons" category. Trust me. It’s odd.

Anyway, from 1970 to 1980, our family is documented. I had never seen any of the movies before they were on DVD, and watching them for the first time was so emotional for so many reasons that I’ll probably write more about that at some point. But right now, sticking on-topic, the point is that one of my favorite Christmas memories has to do with my dad's documenting those family moments.

Every time he wanted to take video, he also had to set up a huge, blinding spotlight alongside the camera for adequate lighting. And so, my every early childhood memory of a major event involves squinting into the exaggerated beam, feeling its heat envelop me, and fighting the urge to just look away, pout, and throw a tantrum. I used to be big on those.

And, lest you doubt it, Christmases were *the* main event of our family movies.

Every year up until I was probably five or six years old, I'd put on my (new) pajamas and get ready for my close-up. We made a literal production of hanging our stockings and putting out cookies and milk for Santa --and some pretty cute video emerged if I do say so myself.

And then Christmas morning? Rubbing the sleepies out of my eyes while plodding down the stairs, one hand on the railing to balance me?

LIGHT!!!!!!!!!!

And of course filming continued throughout gift opening, catching each and every ooh and aah face (no sound you know) along the way.

And that light was *always* on.

But now looking back, the shocking brightness doesn't seem nearly so bad--the extremes always do fade with memory, don't they? In fact after watching those movies, I kind of wish that light could make a comeback just for one more Christmas.

I'd even buy new pajamas for it.


P.S. Thanks so much to all who voted for me in Write from Karen's Photo Contest: Holiday Cheer!

My photo didn't win, but a fabulous, kitty-themed photo did--check it out at My Life as Mama Jodi. Congratulations Jodi!

12 christmas memories: part I

Christmas celebrators, we're in the home stretch! Are you ready?

First, could you please go here and vote for me (for this photo) in Write From Karen's Photo Contest? I'm running way behind peeps...aiuto!

You can vote here up until 8 pm Central tonight!

Now to keep you in the spirit, I'll be writing about my favorite Christmas memories all this week. I am obligated inspired to do this by Ms Wanderlust Scarlett, who has tagged me to write about 12 Christmas anythings--that is, I could've written about my favorite Christmas carols, presents, traditions, etc.

But I chose my 12 favorite Christmas memories, and I'm going to do it in installments because I want to write more than just a line for each one. I hope you understand.

I'm also going to use this opportunity to share some Christmas photos throughout this week-long meme. I hope you enjoy it!

By the way, yesterday Katerina of Olio di Oliva e Sogni di Vino tagged me with the same task, so do check out her meme as well.

I'm supposed to tag 12 people to do this, but I'm only specifically tagging the lovely Cheeky because I know she's dying to do this one. For the rest of you, I know it's a busy time so just feel free to participate if you like. If you do, please link to me and Wanderlust Scarlett, creatress of the meme, so we can find your list.

Here we go!

1. Decorating the Staircase

I grew up in a house that virtually exploded with red, green, and gold at Christmastime and I loved it. I loved every minute that those lights twinkled around me and enveloped me in winter warmth--and I always felt a bit deflated once they had to come down after the Epiphany. Every corner was Christmas in my house growing up--even in the bathroom.

I don't know about you, but in my experience, a normally cozy house becomes extraordinarily welcoming and warm with Christmas decorations.

Plus I just *love* sleeping by the lights of the Christmas tree.

*sigh*

I always helped my grandmother put up the decorations sometime after Thanksgiving; in case you don't know, I lived with my grandmother, so when I talk about my grandmother's house, that's my house too.

Decorating was always a big production since everything had to be brought up from the basement, every day knick knacks had to be packed away carefully, lights had to be tested.

We're talking all day, Christmas music blaring fun.

And although every year was special, I'll never forget the first time I was entrusted with the staircase railing. From the first to second floor of my childhood home, there are about 15 steps with a railing that runs up the side--and it's located right in the middle of the house in the hallway.

Other than the tree, and even more than the faux fireplace, *this* was the focal point of the Christmas-themed house.

Holly garland, small white lights, old wooden ornaments that I had painted as a young child, other old-fashioned wooden ornaments that lost more arms and legs with each passing year no matter how carefully they were wrapped, stained glass ornaments I had made as an older child, and some of the funniest looking elves I've ever seen--plastic faces, cloth bodies, knees scrunched to chest--covered the railing for a good long month.

Slight digression: the first year I was in Italy I saw a box of ornaments similar to the old-fashioned wooden ones I always used on the staircase. I couldn't believe it, but they were kind of steep in price, so I let them sit. Then they were still there the next year, just that one box of ornaments that made me think of home every time I saw it.

And I found it in the same spot the following year as well.

Well this year I finally bought them because I now understand that they were waiting for me. I'm so glad they've been patient.

Here's the snowman that to my eye is identical to the one I remember from the staircase ornaments:


I just loved decorating that staircase, and my grandmother knew it because even when I was in college and she had all the other decorations up by the time I got home for break, she left the staircase bare for me.

Rolling out that garland, wrapping lights around it, and then positioning the ornaments just so--definitely one of my fondest Christmas memories. I simply adored how that decorated staircase lit up the heart of the house with a warm glow throughout the holiday season, and I loved that I was responsible for it.

2. The Christmas Eve Routine

Around 4 pm, we'd have dinner--something to hold us over until after Mass, which was usually around 7 pm. It was always fish of some sort as we weren't allowed to have meat until after we went to Mass. Yes, those were our household rules.

But before we went off to church, there were lots of preparations for after church. This is because after early Mass, much of the extended family and friends came to my grandmother's house for a few hours. There was always ham, potato salad, pickled eggs, deviled eggs, and many trays full of cheese, olives, pickles. Ah, and also suppresata and ringed bologna.

And raisin bread. And various nuts. And fruit. And chocolates.

And the trays of homemade cookies, of course.

And I'm sure I'm forgetting some of the foods; Christmas Eve was a feast second only to Thanksgiving in our house, and a lot of people had to eat standing up because the kitchen was always spilling over with well-wishers.

For those wondering about the lack of typical Italian food, don't worry. It came the next day in the form of homemade ravioli, spaghetti, rigatoni, meatballs, and more.

In conjunction with this memory, perhaps a 2(a), is my memory of the first Christmas without my grandmother in 2001. She had passed away less than two months before, and it was so hard even being in that house without her, let alone at the holidays, which were without a doubt her favorite time of the year.

My dad absolutely wanted to keep that Christmas Eve tradition alive and so before church, I ran around getting together all the trays and plates and cups and everything that we'd need because, of course, other than my grandmother, I was the only one who knew where everything was and how everything was supposed to go.

I do miss those Christmas Eves, but I also know they don't really exist anymore without my grandparents there.

But oh what memories I'm so lucky to have.

letting go

And so the process of letting go of the puppies has begun.

As of Tuesday night, I was going to post "And then there were five":

Tuesday evening, a lovely young couple from the village took home this little guy:

Yes, that's my lap he's on there.

No word on a name yet, but I know he'll be happy because they are both big dog lovers--the girl actually called me to ask if she could come and get their puppy sooner than planned because she was exploding with excitement, having prepared his bed and toys already.

Then last night, I delivered one of my very favorite little ones to Rosa, an extremely caring woman who lives next door to P's house, the one we'll be moving into at some point--which means it's only a matter of time before I see Lila (pronounced LEE-la) every single day when I go out on the balcony:


Lila is extremely shy at first, but quite playful when she gets comfortable; I sent her off with a stuffed gingerbread toy because she loved carrying it around even though it was bigger than her.

I didn't want to give this puppy to a family with kids who would drive her crazy, so when Rosa stopped me and asked me if we still had puppies the other day (as a matter of fact, there was still one remaining who wasn't spoken for), I was over the moon happy to say yes--and I knew immediately which one she should have.

As I sat with Rosa last night as Lila got used to her, she told me how she raised her last dog from a puppy with a bottle--for two years. A little spoiling is never a bad thing, right?

It was funny, actually, because when I got home, P told me essentially all the same stories that Rosa had told me about her love of animals, how she adored her dog, etc. I hadn't realized before just how close to his neighbors P had been at one point. Very cute.

I'm so happy that these two have gone to wonderful homes, and I can't wait to run into them in the village.

So who will be next? This cutie perhaps?

No, letting them go isn't easy for me. Yes, tears have been shed.

And I'm afraid more are on the way with four puppies still left....

Claiming Italian Citizenship "Jure Sanguinis":How I Became Legal in Italy

A while back when I asked you for questions to help me fill out a meme, Robin of My Melange asked if I’m legal here in Italy, whether I have always been, and what that process has been like for me.

Excellent question!

First let me say that I *am* legal. I have dual American/Italian citizenship in fact, and yes, I will explain.

For those who don’t know, an American citizen can stay in Italy legally for up to three months without any kind of visa or stay permit--although do check for most recent regulations if you’re planning on coming as they change often.

Your local Italian consulate or embassy is the best bet for this information. Generally, though, if you're just coming on vacation, you don't have anything to worry about. Citizens of other countries should check laws specific to them as rules differ greatly depending on home country.

I am lucky to have qualified for Italian citizenship through my family’s Italian bloodline, which is known as jure sanguinis or jus sanguinis, i.e., the law of the blood.

There are many complicated, sometimes counterintuitive rules to determine whether you qualify, which you can read more about here, but essentially, you must trace an unbroken line (no renouncement or loss of Italian citizenship) back to the last ancestor who was registered as a citizen in Italy, often the last ancestor who lived here.

For me, it was my great-grandfather, and it wasn’t an easy process for me to gather all the required documents, including marriage, birth, and death certificates for everyone in the line of Italian heritage (my great-grandfather, grandmother, father, me).

My biggest hurdle was that my great-grandfather had changed his last name without even telling anyone, so it took some digging to first find the correct last name before I could gather documents. Needless to say, my great-aunt was surprised to find out her real last name after nearly 80 years of the changed version. Ellis Island's passenger records search was an invaluable resource to me during this part of the process.

And, on the extremely bright side, because my great-grandfather had lost his alien registration card around the time of World War II, I got to see a photo of him for the first time from the government's records when I requested records to confirm that he had never become a US citizen; there was also a photocopy of the original letter requesting the new card in my great-aunt's handwriting in the file, which was pretty cool to see as well.

After that, getting everything in order wasn’t too difficult--just a lot of writing and phoning to Vital Records departments across a couple of states and communicating with one comune in Italy, which doesn't happen to be the one I live in.

One of the rules you need to watch out for in determining eligibility is the fact that women couldn't pass on Italian citizenship until January 1, 1948, which means that I couldn't go through my great-grandmother, who was born in 1898 about ten minutes from where I live. Oh no. Instead I had to go through her husband, my great-grandfather, who came from a small village in Campania, several hours north of here.

Luck was on my side, though, when my father was born just three months after the 1948 date--had he been born in 1947, I wouldn't have been eligible for Italian citizenship at all as my grandmother is the only Italian line I could follow. Indeed, my aunt, who was born five years before my dad, is *not* eligible for Italian citizenship and neither are her children.

See what I mean about complicated rules?

After much paperwork gathering, I was finally ready to apply to have my citizenship recognized in April of 2004 in Philadelphia, which I did with my dad (at the time, they told me that he had to apply too but the consulates seem to have changed that requirement), and then I came back to Italy. I had already been here for a six-month stint before that and had only gone back to America to finalize things to stay here more permanently.

So after I was back in the Bel Paese beyond three months, technically, I was illegal here, but I always figured that if I happened to get stopped by the carabinieri, I could talk my way around things without much difficulty. This did, in fact, happen, after I had been here already for two years--not that I'm encouraging anyone else to follow my footsteps! I'm just reporting events as they happened.

Note that had all of this been taking place now, though, there are provisions in place for someone like me to be here legally until the process is finished; now you can get a special stay permit while waiting for the recognition of Italian citizenship jure sanguinis (permesso di soggiorno in attesa di cittadinanza).

As far as I know, for this permit to apply, though, you must apply in Italy, but an even further upside to applying in Italy is that you will most likely cut out a lot of the wait often encountered in US consulates, which can be several years long (my father's wait was only one year and mine was just two, but many more applications have been filed since 2004). Whether you can legally work or not with this permit, though, seems to vary, so that's definitely something you want to check on.

If you are interested in coming to Italy to apply for recognition of Italian citizenship jure sanguinis, I highly suggest looking for more information on the Expats in Italy forum as several members have gone through this and are always willing to answer questions.

So my Italian citizenship was finalized in September 2006, and now I have dual American and Italian citizenship, which means I can vote in Italian and European Union elections, live, work, and travel freely in the EU, and enjoy all of the responsibilities and privileges of any Italian citizen without losing my American citizenship--including a pension from each country when I retire assuming I pay into each system (and I do) and that either of them have any money left when that time comes (boh).

If you're wondering about the United States' position on dual citizenship, read about it here. Again, if you're not American, please investigate your country's policy on dual citizenship before pursuing anything.

A lot of people ask about the negatives of dual American/Italian citizenship; the only potential downside I've found is that one *could* be denied security clearance if desiring to work for one government or the other; this would be on a case-by-case determination.

And that's how I became legal in Italy and had my Italian citizenship jure sanguinis recognized.

For me, pursuing dual American/Italian citizenship has been one of the best decisions I've ever made, and if I can help anyone along in this process, I'm more than willing. So if you have questions on your particular situation, please feel free to email me (address in sidebar).

Viva l'Italia--e l'America!

a day of celebrations

Oh December 4, how quickly you came upon me once again!

Just one year ago at this time I was fiddling with something I learned was called a template, trying desperately to link to some of the blogs that had inspired me to jump into the big bad blogosphere, and figuring out what I could possibly write about.

And here we are, one year later.

It's Bleeding Espresso's 1 year blogiversary!

And it's also P's 29th birthday!

Woohoo!

Perhaps you were expecting balloons and a fun contest, but I have even bigger plans in store to be unveiled soon. You'll just have to keep reading. And I know where you can start.

Although a lot of bloggers don't care much for their early posts, I'm actually going to encourage you to go back to December 2006 and have a look at what was going on around here. I remember writing those early posts every day with such excitement and enthusiasm.

Every now and again, it's good to remind ourselves of the beginning of any experience, isn't it? To bring us back to what it *used* to feel like, whether it was nervousness, excitement, anxiety, or just plain fun?

In the case of Bleeding Espresso, from Italian wedding soup to owls to what I miss from the United States to childhood Christmas memories to Calabrian stuffed lasagna to Paris Hilton (now you *know* you're curious), there was a lot happening during our first month in the blogosphere, and I hope you'll have a look.

Feel free to load up the entire month and start from the bottom. Comments always welcome!

Oh, and of course I've made espresso.

Cappuccino if you prefer.

What's that? You don't drink cappuccino either?

Hmm... well what if I told you this:

Now if that doesn't convince you, I don't know what will.

*EDITED TO ADD: As I'm getting some comments on this post, it occurred to me that I should've written something else:

I'd really love to hear about your favorite posts, what you like to read here, what you'd like to see more of, etc. You all make this blogging adventure so fulfilling and fun, and your input is always appreciated.

And thank you, thank you, thank you for continuing to read and comment!

So please let me know what you think, and if you've already commented and are seeing this through a feedreader, don't be shy. Come back and tell me!

Tanti auguri Bleeding Espresso and P!

P.S. Be sure to stop by Ilva's Lucullian Delights for today's Dolce Italiano recipe--a cake that's *almost* too pretty to eat, Cassata alla Siciliana--and comment for a chance to win a personalized, signed copy of Dolce Italiano by Gina DePalma. See full contest rules here.

mio amore and me

Lately I've gotten a few requests for photos of P from friends and family, so I figured it was time to post another. You can also see another photo of him in my post Amore Mio in case you missed it.

Now here's the thing. I'm not very good at the holding out the camera in front of us and getting a good photo thing, so nine times out of ten P loses part of his head. And he didn't help things this time either as he thought the photo was already taken and turned his head before the click.

But I still kind of like it anyway.

This was taken last Saturday at the Feast of Santa Caterina di Alessandria. Why yes, I do have more photos. Stay tuned!

Today I'm thankful for:

P.

Punto e basta.

Happy Love Thursday everyone!

P.S. Remember to check out the posts in the Dolce Italiano Contest and comment to enter the drawing to win a personalized, signed copy of Dolce Italiano by Gina DePalma:

Mosaic Biscotti, Sara's Ms Adventures in Italy
Chocolate Kisses, Ilva's Lucullian Delights
Ricotta Pound Cake, Here!
Chestnut Brownies, Shelley's At Home in Rome

And tomorrow head over to Jenn's The Leftover Queen to see what she has baking!

5 post meme(nothing like a one-trick pony)

I was tagged by new blogging buddy Goofy Andie (that's the name of her blog, I swear!) to do the following:

1. Post 5 links to 5 of your previously written posts. The posts have to relate to the 5 key words given below (family, friend, yourself, your love, anything you like).
2. Tag 5 other friends to do this meme. Try to tag at least 2 new acquaintances (if not, your current blog buddies will do) so that you get to know them each a little bit better.
3. Don’t forget to read the archived post and leave comments.

I like this meme because it gives me a chance to point out posts that new readers may have missed. I do keep a list of posts that new visitors can read to get to know me better--they're in my sidebar under "Just arrived? Check out some of my favorite posts"--but here are five more, per the meme:

FAMILY:

Big Gifts from Little Ones

This one is from May of this year and talks a bit about my niece and nephew back in the States and all the fun stuff they send me. Check out the label "family" for more family posts.

FRIEND:

Calabrian Women's Summit 2007

First published in March 2007, this post recounts my first meeting with fellow expat blogger in Calabria, Cherrye of My Bella Vita, and Dawn, who we're still hoping finds time to write up one of these blog things. We had an awesome time and recreated the magic in August before Cherrye left us to get married in Texas. I know some of you, like me, are missing Cherrye lately, but she'll be back soon to tell us all about it, I'm sure.

The label "friends" will take you to more friends posts.

YOURSELF:

Sunday Scribblings: Chronicles

I've written many, many posts about me and other than searching the "me me me" label, you can also find a lot of those on my sidebar.

But now I'm going to point you to one that says a little something different about me than any of the memes or lists I've done over the past 11 1/2 months. You might have missed this one as it was first published way back in January, less than two months into my blogging adventure. I hope you enjoy it.

YOUR LOVE:

Helping Hands

Another May post about how P surprises me every now and again. There are lots of P and love posts under the "love" label.

ANYTHING YOU LIKE :

Seeds of Truth

This last one was hard! I didn't know which direction I should go in, but I finally decided on a snippet of my fiction writing since it's a part of me that gets ignored early and often around here.

This May post was my first entry in a fiction writing contest, and I even ended up with a prize; check out other writing related posts under the "writing" label.

Now I'm going to tag 5 bloggers who are all doing NaBloPoMo, some of whom I knew previously and some I've just met. Show us what to read please!

Alyndabear
Candid Karina
Gill
Jill Althouse Wood
Miss Eliza

Today I'm thankful for:

Believe it or not, NaBloPoMo. I've realized through this experience that it's not as difficult as I thought to post something every day--except for internet issues (fixed as of now...yeah!). Getting into the habit of writing, taking more photos, being more creative about posts--these are all good things, and I have NaBloPoMo to thank.

But even more than that, I'm so thankful to have met even more wonderful bloggers through the experience. One can never have too many blogging friends, I say.