Out walking the streets today, I happened upon many interesting views.  I share them here in no particular order.

 

 

In the historic center I walked by this fascinating palazzo.  I love the sculpture on the facade.  Very unusual.

 

 

Walked by this coffee shop (called a bar here), and made note of the fact that they have fresh, hot donuts everyday at 17:00, or 5 p.m.  Odd time to have hot donuts, it seems to me!  See the sign that says “Bomboloni” in the lower left.  That’s the clue!

 

 

I’m tasting all the unusual soda flavors that Italians love.  Every supermarket I enter has an interesting array.  This was today’s foraging.  So far, I like the Freeda Lemon Soda the best.

 

The street artists are always at work.  These two are not your average theme!

1.  Santa Claus, American Style

 

2. Italian saint, but with Santa’s hat.

Hope your day was merry and bright as well!  Buon natale!

 

 

 

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!

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!