Italy: Day 3

Onto Day 3. We were able to sleep in a bit and have a leisurely breakfast. On that note, I need to pause and say that this is the best breakfast I have EVER had.



Cheese, mushrooms, tomatoes, ham... seriously? I only wish that my life back here allowed me to walk 5 miles a day like we did in Rome so I could eat this way every morning.

Anyway, we finished up and headed over to the Spanish Steps (only about a 20 minute walk from our hotel). We stopped to watch a group of people who we can only assume were raising awareness of the Kyoto Treaty. They were dressed up like a heard of penguins and parading all over the steps.






Matt modeling Beau on the Spanish Steps

After ducking into a cafe for a Cappuchino (which we are now both addicted to), we headed back to Barberini Square to share some pizza, panini, and a bottle of wine for lunch. We scored a great table in front of the cafe/bar and met some fellow travelers from both Australia and Ireland. We also watched a crazy dude run around the square and try to scare people.

Around 2pm we headed onto our "Crypts and Catacombs" tour. The Catacombs of St. Callixtus, Catacombe di San Callisto were outside the city walls, and were fairly interesting. We then headed to the Basilica of San Clemente, which was a 12th century church built on top of a 4th century church, which was built on top of a common-living area from the 1st century.



Matt and I both agreed the common area was the most interesting - there is still running water leading into the ruins of old homes that no one knows the source of. All the floor tiles and walls of the homes were original!

The final stop of the tour was the Cappuchin Crypt. I'm not even going to explain to you what the inside of the Crypt was like. Just click here. Story of these guys here.

That evening we ventured to dinner at a place near our hotel that I read about in a magazine, Otte e Mezzo. The service and wine was fantastic, but we were just a bit disappointed in the food. Don't get me wrong that is a relative term, because I still think it was a great meal. Just a bit pricey and smaller portions compared to other meals we had consumed.

This was also an adventure because this was the one place we had been where they spoke pretty limited English. Our waiter tried pretty hard, but I think I ordered something I didn't intend to ;)

Beau - Just In Time To Catch Our Plane!

Details later - we're out the door to SF in 1 hour!

Proof: My Thumb is Black

Not only do I manage to kill almost everything I plant in my backyard, now I have proof that when I DO nurture something into growth, I can still screw it up.


I don't think Paperwhites are supposed to do that.

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Also: Sneak peak of a finished Beau... only 48 hours to spare!

An Almost-Beau

It's almost time for a seaming party!

Beau Progress

At least we know it will fit. Sorry for the crappy photo, it was nighttime and I was using my iPhone. Waddayah want from me?



I'm 1/3 of the way through the second sleeve. Serious knitting will be going on in the next 48 hours.

The Flag Re-Emerges

Nothing overly exciting going on around here lately. We're on a countdown to our Italy trip and trying to finish up all those little last minute things we need to do and no, we haven't even THOUGHT about packing yet. Except for my knitting because come on, we all know that's the only thing that is going to keep me sane on the looong plane rides, right? I'm taking all the yarn and such for Laurent on the plane, a skein of Noro Sock for a pair of basic toe-ups while we are making our way around the country, and 2 random skeins for some slouchy hats, which are special requests from some friends.

Speaking of the trip, I was home alone last night and managed to finish up the front of Beau, despite having to rip back and re-knit the entire yoke (I added 14 extra rows. Whoops).


This was dinner last night. Yummy homemade Tabbouleh and boxed wine. And a manic dog in the background who was staring at the ball she rolled up right against my foot.

Only one sleeve to go, but it needs to be done no later than Sunday. No pressure.

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The only other interesting photo I have to post is this one of my husband from Saturday night.



He broke out the flag again for the UFC fight; Karo Parisyan, to be specific. If there's one thing to be said about the Armos, they are very loyal people. I personally think he won the fight because he's a great athlete, but hubby claims it was because he was wearing the flag.

Anniversary Weekend

My weekend, in photos.

Saturday was OMG-Amazing! weather around here, so we had a doggie playdate with my sister.



Typical that my sisters dog, Dean, is sitting there being handsome and Katy is a spaz attack x 1000.

We also went out to a fancy-schmancy dinner for our anniversary. To a place that had this appetizer that was basically shrimp drowning in melted brie. Um, the chef must have been poking around in my subconcious to come up with that one. So, so good. Too bad that Weight Watchers Online didn't have a point value assigned to:

Shellfish, cooked, swimming in cheese

Let's just pretend it didn't exist.

Sunday the DH had to head down to SoCal for a few days for a work conference. I was subsequently left along on our actual anniversary, but I took advantage and went to bed that night at like 830pm. The girls proceeded to fight over his side of the bed.



Katy was the first one there and the first to fall asleep, but Viva made her way to the little space between the pillow and the end of the bed and proceeded to send death eyes her way for at least an hour.

Monday was the actual anniversary and these lovlies made it my way.



I heart me some white roses.

Oh yeah and knitting. I almost finished that massive back piece of Beau. I'd show you a photo, but it's just a big blur. Want to see it anyway? Oh ok.

The Back Begins

I have a weird way of knitting sweaters. I always knit a sleeve first, then the back, then the front, and then the final sleeve. Sometimes, I'll even knit collars/bands before the final sleeve (when I plan on blocking in one piece). My reasoning is to do the first sleeve as a swatch, then go on to the biggest pieces, and then once those are finished all that is left is the 2nd sleeve, the smallest part. If anything now it's become ritual.

My least favorite part of sweater knitting is a man-sized back piece. Which is what I started for Beau last night:



Sigh. It's going to be a long road.

Let's Go Back to Sunday

Yesterday really was the definition of a perfect day. The tone was lazy, the weather was fantastic, and yummy food and libations were consumed.



I took this photo at one of the little parks in our complex while we were letting Katy run around like a wild woman. This was right after we slept in until 10:30, did a little shopping and got some Gyros for lunch.

Later in the day we decided we wanted to have a little happy hour/dinner party. I made some Lemon-Baked Shrimp, got a nice wedge of blue cheese, toasted some bread, and made some Sour Cherry Screwdrivers. Matt got out some cigars and built a nice little fire in the firepit... and we chilled out listening to Classic Rock while munching away. I started knitting the sleeve of Beau.



The goal is to finish this before we leave for Italy in February so he can bring it with him. This gives me about 1 month total from start to finish. I think I can, I think I can!

I Don't Remember Alpaca Itching Like This

Writing from work today because I am waiting for my computer to copy about 15 memory sticks. Fun.

Wearing the Minimalist Cardigan to work today, and I am ready to scratch my arms off. I do not remember Alpaca being this itchy.

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In unrelated news, I've finally worked out the details for my DH's next sweater. I am going to be knitting him Beau from Rowan Vintage Knits. I even splurged and bought him the nice yarn for it (Rowan Scottish Tweed in Navy).


The goal is to have it done in time for our Italy trip in mid-February. I should be getting the yarn by the end of the week, so I'll probably cast that on this weekend.

And of course, I couldn't resist this bargain when I found it. I picked up 12 balls in Antique for Laurent from the same book.



I am leaving the flowers and the belt off. This project will probably come with me on the plane for loooong flight to Europe.

Anyhow... that's it for now. I almost forgot about the itching for a minute but it's back now. Must remember to wear long sleeves under this thing from now on....