Gennaio 2012
L  I  N  K  S
Ciao

Back from Germany for work,
was so nice to see Avalon,
Conny and Sin.

It was crazy warm this weekend
- we went for a hike and it was
close to 20 degrees. Sub zero
in the mornings.

Vacay house next weekend.

Avalon's last week of school.
He starts his internship in
March.

23 gennaio 2012
Gressoney, Italia
3 gennaio
What a gorgeous day! We were
joined by Lin & Torsten and half of
Italy. I was thinking most people
were working, but I think they called
in sick and came to Monte Rosa to
ski. This is probably more like the
1st day of skiing for folks because it
has been so damn warm - so
everyone showed up in force. After
spending a lot of time in lines we did
have some really lovely sun and not
quite enough snow. Remember we
are pretty spoiled as we don't
usually have to wait in lines plus the
abundance of rookie snow boarders
was a bit of a buzz kill.

I was pretty proud of myself because
in the ticket line - an old woman tried
to cut and actually did. Let me
remind you what an aggressive
beast I turn into when in crowded
line situations (too much male
hormone, my dad is Omar and I lived
in DE) Usually I am the first person
looking for a fight (Stephanie is
always reminding me that I need to
ZIP it. My mouth will get me killed or
at a minimum punched) and anyway
I feel it is my duty  to point out THE
END OF THE LINE IS THERE and ps
that is maleducato (I don't care how
old a person is, milking their
seniorness to cut the line - plus she
was obviously sassy and spry so
could wait with the rest of us - not an
excuse for BAD behavior) but I didn't
say anything - and aforementioned
old bag was redirected by someone
else. HA!

Above right: Lin & Joe - what a view!
Me and that rifugio that we are
always saying we need to visit in the
summer
Me and my soup - it was good. (Joe
had the camera) In between I was
captivating Lin and Torsten with how
much I love watching The Dog
Whisperer dubbed in Italian but don't
think Baci is neurotic enough to merit
a visit from Cesar.
Sun, sun, sun
My handsome Joe
Serole, Italia

Wowzers we got a TON of
snow!! Serole is my absolute
favorite place wihen it snows.  
I am in heaven up there.
Anyway, we planned on going
to the vacay house this
weekend, we arrived Friday
night and Saturday we ran
down to Cortemilia to gather in
some last minute supplies, on
the drive home the snow
started - and it snowed and
snowed and snowed - yahoo.
While we were waiting to have  
enough snow to sled - we had
coffee with Tiziana & Paolo, I
made Brallo Biscotti, we ate
local cheese, drank some
great wine and we watched 3
Italian movies in a row. If you
feel up for some great foreign
films:
Happy Family (TOTAL rip off
of The Royal Tenanbaums,
but still outstanding - filmed in
Milano and even a part in Av's
favorite cemetary)
Mine Vaganti (quirky family
drama, funny, sad and filmed
in Lecce - gorgeous)
Tre Metri Sopra il Cielo (this is
way old, but I love it, it is one
of my girl movie Riccardo
Scamarcio favorites,  sort of
like Reckless Italian style).

We sledded last night - it was
fun and fast and then again
this morning, but there was so
much damn snow it was sort of
difficult...but still fun. Baci
loves the snow and it was up
to his belly - so he just would
hop along and then flounder
over and lay there like a
beached seal. Poor fatty.
Andrea, the neighbor kid
came sledding this morning,
he had fun until he crashed,
ass over tea kettle as we
Fletcher's say  - he had a
wobbly which was a good
excuse to call it a day.

Next weekend skiing
somewhere. I vote South to
Limone (?), but I think Joe
wants to go North. Vediamo.

Ski Vacay to the Dolomites
later in February - Av and
Susi come to Baci sit and
Zaven will keep an eye on
them, keeping an eye on Baci
- and Joe and I get a fun
romantic ski vacay!

29 gennaio 2012