Mother's and Other Mother's Day

The calendar annually dictates that the second Sunday in May be set aside to celebrate Mothers. But I hold a strong conviction that you should not need a calendar to tell you when and where to express love to your mother.

As a young mother with four little people under my feet and various extended family requirements to attend...I didn't love Mother's Day. Admittedly...it's true!

As an older, wiser mother of four almost adult children (I'll let my kids decide who and who is not adult at this point) I have adopted a different view of Mother's Day.

I am unequivocally grateful to be a mother, but I am also abundantly thankful for all the "other" Mothers in my children's lives.

Such as the amazingly artistic woman with no children of her own who taught all three of my girls voice and piano. The weekly lessons both musical and non-musical helped define my daughters as they grew from teenagers into young confident women.

This sweet teacher gave each of them something I never could have on my own.

From neighbors to close friends, special aunts to grandmothers...all have a piece of my heart for loving and shaping my children as they journeyed into adulthood.

So while Mother's Day is still a bit of running around to this place and another...

I am spoiled with a delicious meal orchestrated by my thoughtful husband,

pampered with sweet gifts,

and am the recipient of treasured notes of love.

It is also important to me today that I express a thousand thanks you's across this small world. Blessings to all the women who have helped and continue to help me mother my children and another thousand thank you's to all those assisting my daughter in the same motherhood adventure with my grandchildren.

And to these two little people Henry and Olivia...thank you for playing along while Nana took photos of you in this little spot of heaven. Happy Mother's Day!

Tivoli...Ancient Hot Spot

Likely you may not have heard of the medieval hill town of Tivoli just a few miles East of Rome.

But in ancient times, anyone who was anyone had a villa in Tivoli.

Falling into obscurity during the period of the Renaissance, eventually popes and cardinals came back to the city and built villas impressive enough to rival the original inhabitants of Tivoli.

Villa d-Este is a masterpiece of Italian Gardens built in the 1550's.

Alexander VI was pope and his grandson Ippolito built this beautiful palace at Tivoli.

I waited forever for this hallway to be clear of people to take this shot.

Ippolito later became a cardinal and Villa d'Este was his claim to fame.

 It is a large residential estate

with hundreds of Baroque fountains all gravity-powered.

Completely restored, the fountains still function using natural hydraulics.

The engineering prowess of ancient Romans using stone and water to build fanciful fountains

are clearly something to be marveled at...even today.

 As is the prowess of these camera toting queens.

"Photobomb" became a common expression passed among us during our trip to Italy. You know...you have the perfect shot set up and then suddenly someone steps into your photo. Most times we were photobombed by strangers...

but sometimes we photobombed each other!

Nearly every day we had to do a "shoe shot!" Usually making a scene...we never minded where we stopped to take the photo.

Our beautiful hosts Franco and Helena. I fell in love with the love they share for each other. I asked Helena if Franco was sick of us yet...remember he doesn't speak English. She said "Of course not...because he is happy when I am happy. And having you all here in Rome makes me happy!" Awwww...Italy I adore these two!


The fountains truly were marvelous and I stood in awe as I watched the mechanics of the Organ Fountain behind me and the Neptune Fountain below me.

Later after descending into the gardens we were completely awestruck after turning around to view the magnificence of the Neptune Fountain.

Pretty enough location for a photo I'd say! We convinced Franco to take this one of us using Helena's camera...he's quite the professional.

 Also...falling down here is not allowed.

Nicole carried these two little guys all over Paris last February and now Italy...photographing them and sometimes posting to Instagram. It became a fun game to play.

At the top of the stairs you'll notice Franco...patiently waiting for us. Can you imagine the patience it must have taken...chauffeuring and tagging along with five women photographers.

 Stopping to take stone hand photos might have really pushed the ordinary man beyond his limit!

 But how can we help ourselves...


with beauty waiting to be photographed in every direction.

With narrow winding streets, and views of the countryside all the way into Rome, Tivoli is quite the charming and vibrant town.


The village was friendly and welcoming in every way.

The big surprise of the day had to be our lunch stop...which Helena kept secret. The restaurant Antiche Terme di Diana was one of the most unique places I've ever had a meal. 

The owner discovered the space years ago after feeling a slight breeze coming from a small hole in the wall. After careful excavation...it was determined to be ancient Roman baths...thousands of years old. Respecting the values of the past, the space was slowly renovated and transitioned into today's restaurant room by room.

Famous for their egg pasta...the food was luscious. Being in the restaurant felt like stepping back in time. Truly an unforgettable meal.

A quick drive out of the mountains and we found ourselves at the monthly flea market held in Rome near the bridge Ponte Milvio.

Anyone need a camera?

Treasures of all kinds may be found here...including photobombers in our mirror shot!

Who could pass this prize up?

OK...I could take some of this home.

How do you end the perfect day of ancient ruins, fountains, pasta, friendship and photography? With Italian gelato of course!

Roman Nights

There were so many memorable moments from my trip to Italy. Each day was a completely new adventure. And some times...so was the night!

To say that the food was incredible in Italy would completely understate the fact. Most of the time, we never even saw menus. On this particular evening, our hosts took us to their favorite seafood restaurant in Rome and ordered up the best seafood I have ever eaten.

We indulged in mussels, clams, escargot, anchovies...

and these little guys!

This may have been the moment when we got the giggles, as those eyes belong to one of the little guys we were eating. In case you are wondering we did not eat the eyes, we were having too much fun playing with them instead. Italian restaurants serve Antipasti, First Course, Second Course, and then the Main Dish! If you can still breathe then you might order desert.


After three fabulous hours of heavenly eating we waddled out from the restaurant. Even though it was after midnight, our Italian host Franco decided we simply must see Rome at night under the glory of lights.

Magnifico...the Spanish steps.

Traffic never slows down in Rome...even into the wee hours of the morning.

St Peter's Basilica at night...

was breathtaking! And we had it all to ourselves.

Following miles of wild Franco driving, a few missed red lights, some choice Italian expressions aimed at other drivers, a very patient teenage boy, and a car FULL of giggling women...

we finished up the delightful evening with a stop at Punjabi Bakery...open all night! Otherwise known as Punjabi Heaven!

Because clearly we had not eaten enough that night already.

Raja the Punjabi tiger says "What happens in Rome stays in Rome!" Another pastry please...