Day Trip

Wednesday we took a day trip to the city of Cremona.  Although the weather made for a cold excursion, it was still good to get out and explore a new city.  It was a 2 1/2 hour drive from our home, so we got an early start to our day to ensure we could see some of the city before things shut down for the afternoon.  It was a quite morning throughout the city, maybe because of the cold temps or maybe because people were still in ferie (vacation).  January 6, is a holiday (Epiphany) so schools and businesses will be back to their normal schedules come Monday.

Cremona is most famous for its musical history and traditions, and home of some of the earliest and world renowned violin makers such as, Giuseppe Guarneri and Antonio Stradivari.  Interesting how Stradivari's Latinized surname, Stradivarius, is better known to us all.  After we ate lunch and warmed up in a pizzeria, we headed over to the Museo Stradivariano in the Cremona Civic Museum to spend our afternoon.  I am not a musician, but the history and uniqueness of the pieces could still be greatly admired and appreciated.  Stradivari made 1200 stringed instruments in his lifetime and only 600 are known to still exist today.  Two of them were on display in the musuem.  Most of the stringed instruments dated back to the 16th century.  You can follow the link above on Cremona to read more of it's unique history and its role in music history.  My dear husband could probably tell you more in this area as he studied music in college and was beyond thrilled to be so close to a Stradivarius.    

The cobbled stoned streets throughout the city center where unique and beautiful, although a little rough on the feet to walk upon.  Of course there are always unique churches and cathedrals to admire, as is typical in Italy.  Most of them were closed so we weren't able to peak inside.  There were violin maker shops located all around town, although all were closed when we passed by.  It was an all around fun time as a family, with only mild complaining about cold hands.  Here are some pictures from our outing.

Didn't catch the name of this church.  However, you can see the stone

work on the streets that I was talking about.

Palazzo (Palace) where Garabaldi stayed 

Pinecones for suveniers and they couldn't have been happier.

Here General Garibaldi was photographed on his horse on April 8, 1862

Clock tower view from inside a courtyard.

The Torrazzo, the second highest brickwork bell tower in Europe.

The Cathedral of Cremona

Surprisingly in a photgraphic mood despite the cold

From the workshop of Stradivari, you can see the process and templates

from which he created his instruments

Tools and notes of Stradivari

Antonio Stadivari

Cremona 1720, "Bavarian"

These precious faces saw seven precious violins on display in the museum: 

two Antonio Stradivaris, one Nicolò Amati, two Giuseppe Guarneri,

one Ferdinando Gagliano and one Giovanni Battista Guadagnini.

Home and workshop of Stradivari

Love, love, love these kids!

Happy New Year!

Welcome to a new year!  An unknown future awaits us all but, we are most grateful that everything both in upcoming trials and joys is KNOWN to our GREAT GOD!  He goes before us in 2011 and we humbly and joyfully follow His leading.  We are so thankful for this past year and for the countless blessings we have received through His grace, love and mercy.  My mom said it well, in a new year prayer..."May our hearts and minds be drawn closer to the Kingdom and our hands be active to make it count for Him."  Oh, that we might know and love our Savior with all our heart, mind and strength more and more with each new breath he gives us this coming year!  And that He would give us the vision to not miss opportunities He places before us to share and demonstrate His great love with those around us!


We concluded 2010 with a small and intimate party here in our home.  Three church families and Catherine were able to join us in ringing in the new year.  Everyone came over close to 9pm and we had some food, fellowship, fun and fireworks.  The kids were thrilled to be able to stay up until midnight and did quite well in doing so.  At 10:30, Emma pointed at the clock and said "Mamma, LOOOOK what time it is!!"  She was rather confused come 12:30am when she went to bed and insisted that her clock needed to be reset because it was the wrong time.  


We played a game of Taboo and the 3 Americans got their mental work out for the day trying to play the word game in our second language.  We had some good laughs at least.

Pierluigi, Cristina & Nathan

Eliana & Tony

We are going to miss the presense of this dear godly couple who have been with us for the past 2 years.  They will return to their home in Southern Italy the end of February and will return upon the sale of their home there.  We pray for a quick sale!  Tony's life was saved by God's miraculous power a year ago when he received a liver transplant.  Their daughter's family also attends our church, but their need to be in Torino is also because of Tony's continued need of quality medical care that is not available in the south.   

Giulia and Lino

Between these building magnets and dot-to-dot puzzles from Papa & Nano, the kids were entertained

Rudolfo, son of Giulia and Lino

At midnight we headed outside to join the neighborhood in setting off fireworks and sparklers.  Ours were definitely less impressive than the ones being shot up into the sky, which are legal here by the way.  It was quite loud with great pops and bangs and flashes of light, but all was quite by 1am.  The kids enjoyed the firework celebrations for sure.  

Lighting of sparklers

Happy New Year!

No bells or whistles, but fun just the same

We instructed and requested of the kids to PLEASE sleep in at least until 9:00am.  They did just that only waking about 8:50.  Samuel was most surprised when I walked in to the boys' room to tell them they could get up.  He said, "but Mamma it is not 9:00 yet, and I was trying to keep Luca quiet."  Bless that dear boy!  I assured him it was okay to get up since I was ready to get some coffee anyway.

Just chilling today with nothing on the agenda.  Lots of left overs to munch on with reading, crocheting and maybe a nap to fill my day.  Missing the traditional Rose Parade and bowl games, but life goes on.  Happy New Year, dear ones, and God bless you richly in 2011!