Dolcetto o Scherzetto.....

We got a little more into the Halloween spirit this year. A piece of hard sticky candy will make Luca's day so getting him excited about Halloween was easy. And Ella's at the perfect age to accept anything that you put on her or attach to her. Luca wasn't so thrilled about his costume, but as soon as I said he wouldn't get any candy without his Legoman box on, he was convinced.

Pumpkin cookies were our treat, and we got 6 legit trick or treaters that actually came to the door.

Luca the Lego Warrior and Matilde the Witch

our 3 Jack-o-Lanterns, the 4th rotted before we could carve it. :(

Time to Trick or Treat. Presenting Lady Ella Bug, SuperWilliam, Alexander Spiderman, and Legoman Luca

first stop, the pet shop

mobbing the bakery

Lady Ellabug, down one polkadot.

Asking for it

Ella bug was asking for it. Mark and I almost intervened, but it was kind of cute. You could guess how this little game was going to end as soon as it started. Warning: content may be to explicit for grandparents.

Tutto Zucche

Our party time without Daddy ended Sunday morning, yeah! But here's a few photos from the last days of single motherhood:

The buses arrive from Luca's field trip to a farm near the mountains.

Luca shows off his "Mela in Camicia", an apple baked inside a bun with apple marmalade. Yummers. The kids picked the apples, and helped make the marmalade.

We found the italian equivalent of a pumpkin patch, Tutto Zucche. Alessandro has studied the biodiversity of squash, and exhibits and sells over 500 different types of them in his villa.

uh, oh, where did Ella go?

Back at home, it's time to harvest the pomegranates.

our home exhibit of squash, both edible and non. Next step, carving!

Bath time with Bugoo

Fiera di Rapule

Since Mark's been out of town, the kids and I have been on some adventures. Fiera di Rapule was an ambitious one. Before we even got to the fiera, Ella threw up her lunch all over herself and her carseat, for the 2nd time this week. After exhausting nearly a whole pack of wet wipes, we were back on the road. The Fiera di Rapule is always the third weekend of October, and it's wine's answer to Octoberfest. It happens in the medieval town of Calosso, perfectly nestled at the top of a hill in Langhe wine country. The town's ancient crotin (wine cellars) have been renovated one by one, and the annual fair opens them up to the public and it makes for a tasty itinerary as you hop from one crotin, to the next. There are several different types of local pastas to dry, deep friend dough stuffed with various cheeses, raw minced meat, fondue, various desserts to try, and of course wine around every corner. The wine glass I picked up in the first tent cost 4 euro, but every glass of wine I had cost only 1 euro. I had to keep reminding myself that I had 2 kids under 4 to worry about, but I definitely deserved the two glasses that I did have. 

What's in it for the kids? There are sword fights, improv singing and bands scattered throughout town, chestnut roasters, and firepits marking the entrance to every cantina. Molto suggestivo. Too bad at 7:30pm, when our friends showed up, all of the italians showed up, so it was time to head home. I think at one point I had Luca and his tennis racket dangling off one side of the carriage, while Ella was bawling and trying to get out of her straps. It will be better next time with Daddy.

 Ella holding our 20 euros worth of "Crotin." The only form of money they accept at the fair.

Driving with glass in hand (Poppie taught me this) while Luca picks out another bon bon to share with his sister. 

Fried dough, stuffed with mozzarella. 

Campioni di Pecetto!

There can only be one champion. And historically our neighborhood (Borgo della Torre) had never been it since the beginning of the Palio which started in 1979. Our friend Roby signed me up to take part in the games, knowing that I liked a little competition. After two trial runs on the box car, I was the chosen driver for our borgo. I was to be push from the top of the hill, just up from Sibilla, drive around the block, back up past Luca's school and then one steep curve into the main piazza. In the end, it's less how about how fast you can drive, and more about not hitting bales of hay, not launching your pusher when you hit a speed bump, and having the strongest boys in Pecetto push you up a long hill. 

Our Blue and White for all to see.

The Car, the prizes, and the 5 roped of areas for each Borgo.

Ready for battle. Scarf was removed before the race, we've learned from past experiences.

Off to the races.

Taking our serious walk of the course.

Blowing past Sibilla at 20 Km

Zigzagging through the Library parking lot.

End result, a Formula One style celebration!

Nonnie Bee & Poppie in P-town

Eight days of full on eating and drinking with Nonnie Bee & Poppie, the Leslies, and Hollands was marvelous. Here are some of my favorite moments, some captions courtesy of Betsy Font:

Time to fill up the wine bottles, the Leslies are coming!

 The Leslies and Nonni take their positions with glass in hand, while the bimbi enjoy a fall afternoon.

Time for the 5 minute Pecetto tour (This was our hello to Noah)

The classic dinner at Sibilla, Pat takes on the Torta alla Enza

with the Mole

Italian Open and our favorite sponsor

A happy ending for Ella who went flying down a ramp in her stroller (thanks to a push from her brother), crash landed against a dolley. She got a "small" bag of ice for one of the Eataly workers.

Cheese!! Our favorite festival, never fails to impress

Yummy Cheese pizza.

Dad who wasn't feeling well, relaxed in his favorite spot.

Surprise, the Holland girls sweep in for a visit!

Piera, la Principessa di Pecetto shows off a bottle of Barons

Boat ride on Lago d'Orta

A saucy Arrivederci from Ella bug! We love you!!

Picnic in the Dining Room and Sword Fights

As we were about to sit down to dinner, Luca decided to prepare his own spread. He put his blanket down in the corner and got busy. After 10 minutes or so, he said, "Mamma, come. Dinner's ready. Sit down." I did as I was told. On our Lego table, he had a knife (saw), a fork (spatula), silver bowl hiding the delicious contents beneath, and some sausage on the side (nuts and bolts). Who wouldn't want to dine with this handsome boy?

Here he reveals what's beneath, sausage and pancakes! Ella invites herself to the party.

Daddy left yesterday for China, and he will be missed for the next two weeks, no more sword fighting in the kitchen! 

Eric and Lizzy will go on

For a look back at a weekend of wedding and party bliss, please see photo album below. Photos courtesy of Amy, Betsy, and Carina the photographer.....

Lizzy and Eric album