ITALY THROUGH THE EYES OF AN ARTIST

Well, actually through the eyes of TWO artists: our friends Bob and Rosemary! We first met Bob and Ro when they lived in Italy for two years (you can still read about their time in Italy by clicking on the link to their blog: "Live Cheap & Make Art Italy" over in the right hand column). Since settling in Delaware they've continued to paint and take photographs, and regularly blog about their U.S. adventures on their current blog, also linked to in the right hand column. (Live Cheap & Make Art USA)

Now, after much time and effort, Bob and Rosemary finally have their own website where you can view and purchase some of their amazing artwork. The new site is called, not surprisingly, Live Cheap & Make Art Studios. Rosemary's incredible watercolors will remind you of that cute little hilltown, beautiful piazza or field of wildflowers you remember from your last trip to Italy, or maybe Bob's very personal photographs will be the inspiration for your next trip to the boot. Stop by their site and see which one of their pieces speaks to YOU!

THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT LIFE IN THE U.S.

Okay, so here's a list of things I'm enjoying while I'm in the states:

• A forced air furnace - nice warm even heat, even in the corners
• wall to wall carpet - especially nice in the winter
• less humidity - although the Ohio River Valley can be miserbly humid in the summer, in the winter it's nice and dry, as opposed to Umbria, where it's wet and damp from now til June.
• SALES! Yes, sales are a part of the season, and a part of the recent economic panic, but still, sales in the states are a way of life, and if you want ot pay full price for something you've really got to work at it - or just be unlucky.
• Driving - and in my very own car! Freedom!
• the daily newspaper and the coupons in the paper
• magazines and books, and huge bookstores...all in English!
• Ethnic food - Mexican and Oriental, and of course good ole American hamburgers and fries!

That's just a short list, and I'll add more things - and I'll also publish a list of the things we're missing from Italy!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here's hoping 2009 brings peace, love, and prosperity to us all!

My Birthday Bouquet

My Birthday Bouquet, originally uploaded by artnbarb.

These are the gorgeous flowers Art gave me for my birthday! I love fresh flowers....and I love Art!

QUICK UPDATE FROM THE STATES

Art's recovering nicely from his surgery. There's still some swelling around the incision, but I don't think he's applied ice as often as he should. He's walking around and has even been out of the house twice - once for the dentist and once for a post-op follow-up with our family doctor. He's doing his exercises and now just needs to rebuild his stamina. I think within the next two weeks we'll see a dramatic change.

We celebrated Christmas Eve at my sister's house with a big, loud gift exchange, then went to my daughter's for a Christmas Day brunch. I hope I'm not hurning anyone's feelings when I say that the new pictures of the grandgirls were my favorite gifts!

Sunday is my birthday and my sister and I will follow our tradtion of lunch and a movie - and how lucky are we that Brad (Pitt) has a new movie out, and the buzz is really positive.

The new car we bought is running great, and we're hoping to get a few minor things fixed before we head back to Italy - nothing serious, we just need to get the front end aligned, tires rotated and maybe one rust spot fixed if we can figure out the logistics. I'm guessing this is a busy time of year for body shops, but since we haven't had too much ice or snow, maybe we'll get lucky.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

CHRISTMAS EVE

Clear the chimney and don't forget to put out the cookies and milk!