A FISHY STORY

So, Fratello Galle, in my ward, asked me if I liked fish. I answered that I loved fish. He said that he just went fishing, caught a lot of trout and would I like some. I said yes again, I would love some. He brought me the whole fish! Three large fish in fact.

When I brought them home I got the bread knife, the only knife I thought would do the job properly, and began to cut. First, the head came off. As soon as I did that, blood and guts poured out. Yuk! Then I cut the tail off. I proceeded to cut it in half length wise. The hardest thing was removing the scales. I then grilled it and it was so delicious! But, I probably will never do that again. Not with a bread knife anyway.

JANUARY TRANSFERS

Anziano Perry, former AP, spent his last transfer in Palermo, Wonderful missionary.

Anziano Gemmel from New Zealand, quite the character

Anziano Perry, Assistant to the President. Worked lots with him

Anziani, Sorgiacomo, Zito and Garcia. Our Italian Missionaries.

Another with Anziano Zito

Anziano Zito, from Italy. Wonderful, helpful missionary. Lived one floor below us

Anziano Nessun, from Treamonton, Utah. Knew Hyrum. New missionary coming in.

Anziano Sorgiacomo, from Italy. Was the office Elder who trained me.

January transfers were hectic as 26 missionaries left and 21 came in. I'm at the point now that I know these young people well,so, it's sad to see them leave. So thankful to have the opportunity to have worked with them and and got to know a little about their lives.
It's fun, as soon as they got home they requested me on Face Book. A few are engaged to be married already. Yikes!










singing the Mission Hymn, with gusto.

ANOTHER OPERA

 

Anne Shinney, some young aduls, Ruth and Michael Stevens

Some of the young adults from the Rome area wards, work for an opera company, that hold concerts in St. Paul Inside the Walls. It's an Anglican Church, not as ornate as the Catholic churches, but still very beautiful. The company likes to hire young adults from the church because they say they are trust worthy. They go around handing out flyers to tourists and talk to them about coming to their concerts and then they do the ushering. This is the second concert that we attended. And I think I enjoyed this one more than the first. We actually got these tickets for free because they were not able to sell enough of them, because of the low tourist season. Lucky for us!

JULIA'S BAPTISM

On Saturday, February 7  at 11:00 my first granddaughter, Julia, was baptized. I was sad that I was not able to be with her, however, Jeffrey arranged to have it Face timed. So, it was the next best thing. Julia looked pretty and a bit nervous. Her grandma Virene spoke first and then a musical number by Brynn and Jenny. Then she was baptized. Her uncle Tom gave the next talk and then Jeffrey read Hyrum's and I testimony, that we wrote. I was thankful to be part of the program. 

Gerald was Face Timing with me. Jo Ellis bought a yellow rose to give to her from me. I thought that was such a sweet gesture. When Julia changed into dry clothes she put on my niece's , Alissa, dress. It fit perfectly. The room was packed. There were so many who came to support her. 

I bought Julia a Swatch watch from Italy. I wrote her a letter to go with it about using her time wisely; give time to serving her family and God.

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Cousins at the baptism

DERUTO

All made of ceramics

I bought a beautiful large vase in this pattern but not this shape. I wish I had taken a picture of it before I had it wrapped. 

One Saturday I called Carolyn Fenn to see if she wanted to do something. (Most of the seniors were going to a Rockwell museum and I wasn't interested to go). She said that her and David were going to a small town called Deruto, 11/2 hours east of Rome and invited me to join them. Of course I said yes, and oh my I was so glad!
Deruto, is a small town that specialize in ceramics. They mostly reproduce 15th century pieces.I could have spent a fortune there. There are shops after shops of ceramic stores. Each artist selling their wares.
It was a cold day and not a lot of people around. In fact it was like a ghost town. It certainly was not tourist season. But a plus for me, because I could barter with them. They were glad to make a sale. So I bought oil and vinger set, 3 cheese (for Parmesan) trays, a large vase, a small pitcher, a gravy boat and I can't remember what else. They are all wrapped really well so not to break. It will be so much fun unwrapping them when I get home. My large vase will have to be a carry on, it's that big. Oh but I love it! I had such a good time.
I'd like to go back in the summer, because it was such a nice town to walk around - and maybe pick up some more pieces!

GRANDKIDS

I love Face timing with my grandchildren. They usually don't have much to say. But, just seeing their sweet faces makes my day. I really miss them. I spend nights thinking about the things I want to do with them, when I get back.
When I talk with Kennedy, she likes taking the phone with her as she walks around the house. Sometimes I see more of the ceiling than I do of her. Sofia hasn't forgotten me. She runs to the phone or monitor, if we're Skyping, and kisses the screen.

Two cuties!

 I discovered this cute pottery place just down from the Mission Office. They will paint any colour and design you want on things. They have these small little cups that I'm going to buy and have them colour them to whatever favourite colour the kids want. That will be their cup when they come for tea parties. When I purchase them I will take a picture and post.

Julia sending me kisses

FASHION

Blue classic coat - a fav.

Love my orange loafers

I'm calling this page Fashion. There are so many cute clothes, boots and shoes here. I don't know if I'm just noticing it more, but I feel I want to buy everything. I don't think I'm going to have enough room in my suitcase to take it all back with me.
So far as of today, January 14, 2015, I have bought 5 pairs of shoes, a pair of boots, 6 coats/jackets, and I don't how many skirts and tops. And I still have 10 months left. I knew I would end up buying winter clothes, because I didn't bring any. But, does one really need 6 coats, I guess I do. I realized new clothes really makes me happy. I like looking stylish, and I get bored really quickly with my stuff. Most things I got at a pretty good price. Except for my purchase of last night. I bought an orange coat that is stunning. I paid way more than I should have. It was on sale, but even on sale was a crazy amount of money, that I dare not pen. But it makes me happy!
So when I buy something new that is worth noting I'll take a picture and include in on this page.

I probably need to retake this picture, because I look fat in it. This is a wool coat I got at a market. It's a mustart colour with a hood.

Bought this sweater for Christmas for Hyrum. It has patches on the elbows.