Water Buffalo?

I need a little help with the last animal that looks like he is outta place here in Italy! I came across this farm on my way home from my hike! they were so tame acting so I fed them some grass. Meet Sofia's Nonno's (Grand parents) Roberto & Maria. They are so sweet.

At the Top of Prato looking down!

This hike took 2 hours up (due to not taking the trail that I found one hour into my madness!) I will take anyone that comes to visit me, on this hike....I promise we will take the legal way. No more hoppin' fences for Katie! :)

Lets climb a Mountain today!

I was bored with nothing to do so I decided to climb this mountain/lrg. hill. It was very difficult as I had to climb over a barbed wire fence which cut into my sweats and left two large cuts on my butt! (praying that they don't scare) I ran into Frances (74 yrs) who took these pics of me. what a neat old man....again, no English!

My Kids!

Meet Masimo and Frances (my next door neighbor boys)...eatin' some good ole' pizza! check out Sofia wearing my Nikes! That's little Tomazzo in the pink polo....So cute but ohhhh so naughty! :)

Believe it or not!?

Meet Paolo....in what little English he speaks I found out that he has been #1 body builder in the 90's! ha! No need to ask to see his proof! he had all his magazines right in his desk (now he is a trainer at the first gym I tried out) and awards on the walls! How could I have missed it! :) google him: Paolo Iannettone!
Loved these old houses and bridge in Centro (down town) Prato. Just 10 min. bike ride from my loft!

Micky D's and a glass of beer anyone?

My friend Alissa took me to the only McDonald's in my city of 200,000 people and I was shocked when she was able to order a beer! Wonder if you can do the same in Japan.... :) check out this Oregon hoodie I found!

A' Fineto! All Finished!!!

Thats Ricco holding up fried veggies. Crate of freshly picked figs. Check out that cake with currents, raspberries, blueberries....notice the little toy baby on the cake! then check out the chairs we had to stack into 130 in the morning! That's Nando so happy we are done....waiting for Gianni to drive up in his Sprinter to load all our stuff and bring it back to my loft to unload! Bed time was not until 3 am for me!

The Real Deal

Here are two (of the many) houses that belong to the man we are working this party for. He owns the most famous art ever sold in Italy! Wish I could remember his name so you could look up his collections.
Here I am filling little glass cups with chicken liver (yuck!) and croutons on top. (Not my favorite)

Getting Dressed and ready!

Ricco and I before party (notice the sweats?)! that would be Fabio, me and Avenee after we got cleaned up. check out our buffet! Thats Avenee, Luchia, and Franchisco goofin around. Me with a new found fav. champane! check out the live-in employee's house! ha! it just gets better.....

My famous Cous-Cous!

Cous-cous alle verdure is so easy and so delizioso! chop up cucumber, tomatoes, carrots, celery,fresh basil, olive oil, salt mix in with cous-cous then put into our hand made crestini di pasta fillo! Check out this cool meat holder to cut off of! Its the simple things that get me excited! No laughin'! :)

A Mouse's dream come true!

I love this pasta sauce! its diced carrots, 3 different colors of peppers, pumpkin and a few other things I forgot at the moment. All cooked in olive oil and served on top of your favorite pasta!
Cheese for days....Pasticio goat cheese, lamb cheese served with fig and hot pepper jelly and my favorite...the mountain of parmasan cheese with fresh grapes picked that morning!