Lemoncello

One of Chris' co-workers gave him a bottle of her homemade lemoncello for Christmas. It was so good he decided we needed to learn how to make it.  We hosted some of the CYP staff last Saturday morning for our first lemoncello lesson.

Friday after school, Emma and Camden were tasked with picking lemons.

 Back at it early Saturday morning.

 Dad's up in the tree and we're catching the lemons he throws to us!

 #1: clean all the lemons and oranges

#2: start peeling

 Chatting and peeling

Chatting and peeling

 #3: eat a few oranges

 Herky's #1-5 bask in the sunshine on top of all our visitors' cars...

Emma adds a few lemon peels...

 Camden adds a few lemon peels...

#4: add the alcohol

 #5: seal the top and wait a few weeks...

(then we'll add some sugar water and enjoy!)

This is what we call staff development! :)

Waiting for the White Smoke...

When history is playing out a few hours away from where you live, you want to be a part of it.  Chris decided on Wednesday morning (first full day of the Papal Conclave), that he was going to Rome. He packed a backpack and loaded up his rain gear.  We weren't sure when we'd see him again, and he was hopeful at least one hostel in Rome still had a room if the conclave went on for a few days.  

As fate would have it, this was the day to be in St. Peter's Square.

He made it to the Vatican City shortly after noon, missing the morning votes' black smoke.

The most famous chimney in the world!

 Chris' front row spot for the next 7 (wet and cold) hours.

 WHITE SMOKE!!!!!!!

 Waiting to see who is our new Pope...

 Now that's an impressive crowd!

 Pope Francis

 Chris found out that this was the Cardinal from Argentina from some English speaking journalists, but he did not know that Cardinal Bergoglio had chosen the name Francis until he was on the train back home.  Grandpa Francis Friedl would be so proud to know that his grandson was there!

Host Family

One of the great opportunities we have living here in Naples is hosting seminarians and deacons from the Pontifical North American College

Each year, some of the 3rd and 4th year students come down to our parish. We had a wonderful time hosting Deacon Matt & Seminarian John last year, and Deacon Mike & Seminarian Mark this year.  I am bummed that I don't have pictures with all our guests, but I finally got some pictures when Mark stayed with us 2 weekends earlier this month.  We have a special connection with Mark because he's from the Archdiocese of Dubuque and grew up in Marion.

Here's Emma teaching Mark about her favorite band,  One Direction.

 Chris has found a kindred spirit here in Italy - Mark loves the Iowa Hawkeyes as much as he does! They got to watch the Hawks play basketball both weekends.

When Mark came back for his second stay, we put him to work making gyoza :)

My 2 Favorite Kiddos

Here are a few pictures of my favorite boy and girl from this week...

Big sister reading a story

 Wishing it was already warm enough to swim

 Working on an invention in the yard

Read Across America Week

Naples Elementary School LOVES Dr. Seuss. I've celebrated Read Across America Week in many schools, but no one holds a candle to NES!  We had dress up days all week.  I grabbed the camera a few mornings on our way out the door.

Emma on Crazy Sock Day

In honor of the Grinch, Thursday was Holiday Day

 Friday was pajama day.  Orion let Emma borrow her hedgehog hat and I couldn't resist this picture of her before school.

 Emma's AMAZING teachers organized a Readers' Cafe.  Chris and I had reservations at 9:00. Here is our server, Emma, reading her menu of books. 

 Emma reading I Can Read With My Eyes Shut

 Many guests readers from the community came in on Friday. My class had the honor of hosting Captain Gray reading The Cat In The Hat.

 After lunch, my class went to to the Readers' Cafe. Emma was now a hostess. Here she is marking off our reservation.

 Figuring out the seating arrangement with her teacher, Mrs. Sharp.

After school we threw a BIG birthday bash in honor of Dr. Seuss.  I was on Book Walk duty again this year.  Here's Camden enjoying the game.

 After a few rounds of playing, Camden became my lovely music assistant.

 Emma spent most of the party doing Zumba ;)

 Oobleck photo booth

 Emma and Camden LOVED playing in the Oobleck!

 An after party picture (Camden is hiding behind us-little stinker).

Women's Retreat to Assisi

Last weekend I enjoyed a wonderful trip to Assisi with the Catholic Women of the Chapel. The Franciscan Sisters of Rome, who come down to our parish once a month, set up this retreat with their Sisters in Assisi.  I couldn't have asked for a better way to learn about Saint Francis and Saint Clare!

We stayed at a quaint hotel in lower Assisi.  This is the view from my "penthouse" balcony.

 The Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi

 On Saturday morning, we had Mass in this beautiful chapel connected to the basilica.

Statue of Saint Francis with a live bird in his basket.

 Cafe' Happy Hour with some of the Sisters and Father Dennis.

 Sunday morning we traveled up to the mountain near Assisi where Saint Francis spent a lot of time. This church has been built into the side of the mountain.

A photo op with 3 wonderful women: Sister Judith, Nicole, and Sister Rafaella.

 The whole group

 Mass on Sunday morning was held in this quaint chapel in the crypt of the church on the mountain.

 After watching Pope Benedict's final Angeles on TV, we visited the Basilica di Santa Chiara before heading home.