New School Projects

Yesterday we concluded our discussion on bugs and insects. In the past few weeks we have learned about bees, butterflies & caterpillars, spiders, ladybugs and many of their family members. It was a gorgeous day so instead of hanging out inside, we cherished the day and surprised the kids with a little adventurous nature walk and set out to catch, what else, but bugs!

We buddied them up, gave them each a jar and set the perimeter. They managed to snag up a dragon fly, bee, a lady bug and some other crawly critters and then after we all got to look at them, we set them free again. Obviously.

When we got back to school we read this adorable book called "The Very Ugly Bug"(http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1589250486/ref=redir_mdp_mobile) which inspired us for our crafts. So we sat outside and half the class did phonic exercise and half came with me and then we swapped.

Oh! And the icing on the cake of our wrap up discussion was when we got back from our walk a spiders egg sac hatched and there were hundreds of baby spiders on a web. So cool to see! They kids were all so excited and gentile with them. It was excellent.

Here is how we made our Ugly Bugs:

Supplies:
Popsicle sticks
Pipe cleaners
Construction paper
Gems
Aluminum foil
Googley eyes
School glue
Markers (optional)

1. You can certainly color the body of your bug if you want, but we just got down to business. If you are going to do it, do it first.

2. Take your pipe cleaners and cut them into three pieces. They can be uneven, different colors, whatever! Mix it up and get crazy...the sillier the better! And wrap them around the pipe cleaner and twist underneath to hold. You can also do this step later if you want your bug to have a fuzzy look on top.

3. Cut out circles or any shape you want (we chose circles) and decorate.

4. Glue the decorated shapes onto the body. Add the pipe cleaner legs of you haven't already.

5. Some of us chose to add wings. Aluminum foil is perfect for this. Remember they dont need to be even to look great!

6. Add some googled eyes and let dry.

Finishing Touches

Here are some last but not least little tidbits that just made the weekend great. A bottle of wine with a Van Gogh label from 1982...probably delicious and I wish I had stolen it. A perfect portion of ice cream, just a nibble that every woman should have in her freezer to satisfy those late night cravings without feeling guilty or going postal. Here, they call them Dai-Dai. Another view of the amazing steak and mushroom dinner because I will never get sick of seeing this gorgeous meat. Another replica of Michaelangelo's statue, this one of David and Goliath. What bruits, eh?! And finally a two knuckleheads happily enjoying their much needed long weekend! Oh, ad a chicken.

Sunday in Tuscany

We slept off our Saturday and woke up to set out on an educational adventure. On today's lesson plan: oil. Olive oil. Our former EF tour guide arranged for us to meet up with a group of college students taking part in the Slow Food tour (read more about the Slow Food movement if you have time...it's fantastic!) and see the olive press factory. It was really interesting to see the process and hear the passion behind the craft. These people know olive oil and take it very seriously. We saw the orchard where the olives grow and sampled some of the goods, obviously. They have started making infused oils with garlic, chili peppers, rosemary, basil, lemon and truffles which are famously indigenous to this region.

After making our purchases we opted to drop them back off and not sit in the hot sun in the car. When we got home it was a little dose of the 'real life' watching our friend's brother and his girlfriend shucking peas for dinner. No cans here people. No way.

After a light appero cocktail with the family we all pile in and head over to a local vineyard where there is an open tasting taking place. Nice. They hand us a little bag that you wear around your neck to carry your wine glass so you can simultaneously eat. This people, is amazing and may become the new weekend trend. Absolutely fantastic and the wine, delish.

No lunch necessary today because waiting at Casa de Sessetti is fresh salami, prosciutto, tomatoes, marinated artichokes, cantaloupe and fresh Tuscan bread. A few sips of wine and good hearty laughs to push it all down was perfect before a much needed three hour nap.....

Ciao, Tuscany! Here We Come!

Friday afternoon after weeks of waiting, a long weekend began and so did a culinary journey I won't soon forget. (...because I will be reminded when I look into the mirror!) Everyone said that we were crazy to drive down to Italy on a Friday evening of a holiday weekend, but you know what? Clear roads out of Luzern, a break through the Gotthard Tunnel and express into Milan for the evening. From Luzern to Tuscany is approximately 6h direct so we decided to make a pit stop in Milan for the evening get some good rest and start fresh full on in the morning.

Once we managed to find the entrance to this poorly signed hotel, we checked in and headed to this cozy little locals restaurant for some highly talked about pizza. I know, you think, Italy, pizza, how obvious. But no. This was not just pizza, it was perfect (for me). Some of the other taste testers believed theirs was too hard, or too thick, but my porcini mushroom pizza was perfecto! We managed to get through our pizzas but none of us could finish after already starting with a plate of grilled cheese and veggies. However, all rubbing our bellies and perfectly happy, then manage to find room for dessert...as you do when out dining with locals in an Italian restaurant. We went for the marscipone with coffee cake volcano of rich flavorful explosion of goodness. Ughhhh. Coma.

Wake up the next morning and set out for our 3.5 hour drive to Tuscany. Not having had quite enough sleep I manage to pass out for a good two hours of it but wake up to bliss. Italian countryside is gorgeous and green and unfortunately that day slightly overcast. But as we said, the food and wine still shine without the sun. We met up with our friend' brother and girlfriend whom both speak little to no English and us who speak little to no Italian and head out for some flavors of de Mare.

It's always nice to know where your food comes from and this gorgeous lunch setting was no exception, as we were literally on the water. This restaurant has been run within the same family for three generations now and is serving up the finest freshest ingredients right out of the water. We opted to share a lightly battered fried plate of octopus, crayfish and shrimp as well as a raw plate of oysters, squid, shrimp and prawns. Unbelievable. There was one little fish pictured below that was rather interesting however. It is not uncommon to eat every part of every animal in Italy, and if you know me you know that I don't eat anything with eyeballs. I took this as a challenge and down the hatch....not my cup of tea but the prosecco helped get it down...

We finished our slow sea salty meal with a liquid desert consisting of lemon sorbet vodka called a sgroppino. If you come to Italy, you need to try one and even if you don't, make one, it is light fresh and fabulous!

We walked off our lunch and then headed off to the local village of San Miniato. On our way we had to stop at a little farm stand to sample some cherries and then get a sneak peak behind the butcher counter to sample some Tuscan prosciutto. I didn't have my phone with me but the cured pig legs hanging all over the place was quite a sight.

More food and no sign of slowing down, but this is going to have to be bubbled in increments....

Tuscany Cnt'd

After our seafood stuffed lunch and afternoon snacks we cruise over to la Casa Sassetti where we will be parked for the duration of our stay.

After a little rest and a nice long shower we got dressed and headed to the restaurant where my mouth watering, thought consuming, belly craving, highly talked about dinner was waiting. I know what you're thinking, how can she be hungry after inhaling so much for lunch and all of this afternoon snack...but still, nothing compares to a florentine steak! So we drive into Florence which is approximately 20 minutes and find ourselves at this family run restaurant with prime seating in the garden.

There was no question that steak was on the menu all around, but what they brought out to show us was unbelievable. Fred Flintstone couldn't have been happier. These steaks were 3 inches thick and fed three people each. We were going to get three but two turned out to be more than plenty. One of the things that made this culinary feast doable this weekend is that contrary to expectations, there are very few carbs served with (Tuscan) meals. Unless you go for the pasta or lasagna or whatever, side dishes are typically veggies. We went with a grilled portobello which was the perfect accompaniment to this heavenly steak.

After the last slice was gone and we sat back in our chairs with 6 happy faces, a taste of lemoncello, a coffee and off to Michelangelo Square (not the real David pictured here of course, but still to scale and massive) to the gelato festival. Fortunately by the time we got there it was too late and we were spared, but that didn't mean after walking around the city we weren't bound to walk into a gelateria to get a small single cup as opposed to 5 small samples.

Of course when it comes to gelato everyone has their own favorites and explores new tastes. It was recommended to try a few new flavors so I sampled the rose flavor and K got a Gorgonzola. Neither one were for me. Instead I went with classic mint and dark chocolate which was a winning combination and essentially the end of me for the night. Filled to the brim and toppling over. Kaput.

We walked some more and by this time it was getting pretty late. We got a sneak peak of Piaza Santa Croce, and the Church of the Greats where a few historic names are buried, such as Raphael and Galileo. Pretty powerful stuff. It's interesting knowing who and what is inside and then seeing how it has become a social late night hangout spot for young people. We were too old....

We also visited and rubbed the snout of the boar which is supposed to be god luck. Then you put a coin in his mouth and the water takes your coin and wish. Of course mine was the only coin that didn't actually get into the well, but this is no longer a surprise that this would happen but I hope everyone else gets their wish.

It was time to call it a night, but not before we glanced at the precession honoring the death of a family of 5 whom were killed by a Maffia car bomb 20 years ago. The Maffia set off three bombs all at the same time in three cities, Florence, Rome and Milan to prove their power to the government. Really sad but really interesting to hear how the Maffia has developed. Scary really. But I don't want to write about it here because I don't want to become a target...

More School Art Projects

Here are some of the pictures from our forest. There is also one of my favorite drawn gifts given to me by one of my Swedish girls that is too cute for words.

Quick story. She asked me what she should draw, like give her suggestions. I listed off some things, she chose a bunny. Awesome. She goes and finds one of the biggest pieces of paper in the school supply closet and draws me this. I asked if she wanted to add anything and she was happy with it and thought it looked finished. I couldn't have agreed with her more. Se is 5.

It's Never Easy...

Today I offered to drive to the airport to drop off the car so K could get home faster. He has a big suitcase, golf clubs and is coming in late. So I suggested I leave the car at the airport and take the train home myself. I am 2/3 the way to the airport and didn't have plans until later so it would really be no trouble. So that's what I did.

Obviously with a hiccup along the way of the plan....

So I am still learning my way around kanton Zurich. I haven't spent too much time there admittedly aside from going to and from the airport and a few speckled days sprinkled in between. I do know that where I work is closer to Zurich because I can see it driving in, but obviously that's not where the airport is.

Apparently I work about an hour from the airport with traffic which is the same amount of time it takes me to get home from work without traffic. On top of my drive which I anticipated to take 25 minutes tops I still had an hour ride on the train, assuming I caught the right one, lasted an hour.

So I get to the airport, park, briskly brush by the stressed out airport travelers as I am merely a commuter and catch the first train. Then I see if I get in within the next six minutes I can catch the next train to Luzern which gets in 15 minutes sooner.

I know which platform I need to be on and that it's tricky to find. I know the clock is ticking. I get out and BOLT to the end of the platform and see the sign pointing where I need to go, but I just came from that direction so it couldn't be there....tick tock...sweating..."ensthuldigung, woher ist Platform dreiundfünfzig??" Down that way 200m left and then another 50m. Danke! Zooooom....

I haul ass back in the direction from which I just came, see the old man I was sitting next to still sitting in his seat on the train and see the sign goin the complete opposite way directi me towards platform 53.

One minute.

Of course there are 4 cars on this train for first class passengers. I carry a second class ticket. So as I lob myself onto the first 2nd class car I see, we pull out of the station.

So here I am, writing this post, sweating balls and happy that all went to plan...well, part one, K still needs to find the car....

Unbelievable. I am writing this fucking post and two guys, one Swiss one American...correction, American with Swedish wife apparently, is discussing this PRECISE situation and saying that by car it's impossible to get to Zurich by car from pfaffikon in 25 minutes but by train it's only 23 minutes. Now how tight the connection is between two and if you don't know where the platform is or you bump into someone you risk missing the train altogether. Hahahhahahahhahahahahahahahahahaha. Stalkers.

Lady Bug Art

Recipe for Ladybird/bug arts and crafts for kids...super easy and cute!

Supplies:
Egg carton (cut into shells of two)
Red/black construction paper
Black paint
Glue stick
Red or black pipe cleaners
Shimmery paper or plastic wrapping
Googley eyes (optional)

1. After cutting your egg carton into sections, let kids paint with black child safe acrylic paint. Let dry. This could be a good opportunity to cook a five course meal or go on a long bike ride because depending on how thick they make the paint, it could take seemingly ever to dry.

2. But before you pump up your tires, cut a heart shape to fit the size of the body of your bug. Then cut in half up the middle. Depending on the age of your artist, they can take this task on themselves, just be sure to remind them ladybugs are loved and should not be given jagged edged wings so to go slowly or give up until they are familiar with sheers. Please.

3. Ladybugs are easily recognized for their unique black spots. We add them here. You can either give them the pleasure of cutting some circles, assuming they are intelligent enough to know that shape is, or use a circular stamp cutter or hole punch which is equally fun and perfectly honest. Then decorate your wings...I'm sorry, shields.

4. Any ladybug book reader knows that their wings are actually under the red and black spotted shields we mistake for their wings, so why don't we go ahead and add some shimmery paper or we used the silky wrapping film for glassware which was perfect!

5. Now we step up to the 5th grade level. Bringing our craft together. Have an adult, or if you're the adult, ask someone handy to poke three holes in the now dried carton. Two for the antennas and one for the wing hinge clip thingy. It should be pretty straight forward, but in the event of stick figureesque readers, make a damn equilateral triangle.

6. Slide your two red shields which also have holes at the top, followed by your wings onto what is really called a butterfly clip. I didn't want to confuse anyone with this technical stationary terminology that I have sadly acquired. But do that and insert into the cut that is not intended for the antenna. Still with me? Good, please proceed.

7. Antennas. They are realistically black or brown I think, but certainly not red as ours are here. Go crazy. Red, yellow, green, blue. So find a (clean) pipe cleaner, cut it to a realistic child size and feed through the bottom of the shell so the antennas are sticking up and adorable. Aren't they though? It's coming together.

8. Finally, add some Googley eyes. It really brings personality and character to these crafts and unfortunately not pictured here. But only because we have been making butterflies and caterpillars and fish and Martha Stewart only knows what ever the heck else...so we were out.

But finally. Love and educate your child about these little lovelies and other insects as well. This craft could also work for bees, butterflies and anything else with wings and legs.

Have fun, get messy and make art!

XO

Art Projects...and School!

Every week for the rest of the summer my growing little worm inspecting munchkins are going to be given a project. They are small still so they mustn't be too intense but they need to start being fed more creativity and parents can ease into throwing out he crappy projects and keeping the "better ones".

I have decided that for the summer we are going to use the woods, or Wald as our theme/backdrop...at lease until I decide to get rid of it all spontaneously one day at the impulsive thought of water and start doing water animals and creatures. But, in the meantime, here are my bits, and the kids' work will be displayed by the end of the week, so stay tuned!

Obviously

I rarely chew gum. It's just not something I do or think about. Do I like gum? Sure. Am I a "need to have gum in my bag in case of emergency" kind of girl? No, I brush and try to floss regularly. But today, today I saw it in this new pill box container, grabbed one of my all time favorite gum chewing flavors and headed for the counter.

I think that a part of my lack of interest in gum is the fact that in the states, there are simply (like everything else) too many choices. There are 20 different brands of gum that offer 42 different flavors which then come in different sizes and packaging. It's out of control. By the time you see and read all of the flavors, assuming you aren't the twit that grabs the kind by the register just so they can move it or introduce a new obnoxious flavor, you don't even realize that you wanted or needed any gum because you are just flabbergasted by the selection in the first place!

Not here.

So, being the classic and simple girl that I am, I hadn't considered or gone in for gum, but upon spotting Mentos Sweet Mint gum, I was sold.

I buy the gum, get in the car and forget that I bought it until I reach my new destination. Then I tried opening it....

Just my fricken luck. It's one of those packages that you need to release a little plastic bit which goes around the bottle so you can flip the top. I did and of course it snapped. Obviously. So I tried to get another piece, snap, snap snap alllllll the way around the damn container. Granted its not very big but do you have any idea and frustrating to go through this supposedly smooth motion 12 times?! Yes, hilariously humbling motor skills I possess. Clearly.

So I open it. I enjoy the gum and am happy to have gotten inside. As I close it, the top doesn't align with the bottle and whoosh, half the bottle goes flying. Fantastic. Right under or on the side of the seat, you know, the most ridiculously annoying fucking part of any automobile. The part between the seat and the middle console so favorably divided by the seat belt buckle, otherwise known as the part that you can never stick your hand easily and happen to loose everything spot. Yeah, in case of emergency, gum in interior hell hole. Literally.

I think I should stick with straight up sticks of gum. Having been out of he gum scene this long, clearly it's way too advanced.