Orange tree, full of oranges, in center of courtyard.  Lovely way to celebrate the day.

Buon natale a tutti al mondo!  The bells are ringing all day long in Florence!

Just for fun, here is a cool poster of a panetonni competition in Rome, to select the best artisanal panetonni.  I’m not a fan of the panetonni I’ve had from the usual sources around Italy, so maybe these artisanal types would be fun to try?  Chi sa?

So many gorgeous options for little girls!

TAF stores, great linens for the home and, across the street, a fabulous kid’s clothing store

To go by foot. How I go from A to B.  My new means of transportation.  For my self, my purchases, my books, my everything.  It takes some getting used to.

Whereas, camminare signifies the activity of walking.  Not transporting.

Got it?  I am trying to get it!

My sweet 6 month old son, molti anni fa!

In a beautiful, historical medieval and Renaissance town like Florence, how do you inject the new in harmony with the old?

Some architects, interior designers, and artists have found ways.  For example, I really admire these two interpretations of an age-old Florentine theme.  I’d be thrilled to have either of them in a Florentine home!

The Florence Hello Kitty Patisserie just opened!  Here it is!

M and A are mad about Hello Kitty, and I am mad about M and A and their older sister, H (she’s 8 and 11/12ths)!