Leigh is such a superstar! She has been studying German as a hobby for the past 4-5 months. . . a hobby! Even during school months! She would finish her schoolwork and then open up her German textbook.     Now she is picking up ancient Greek! Here she is with Ron, her uber-qualified teacher! 

How do you celebrate the fourth of July when you live abroad? Clare’s answer: Make fried chicken! We bought a deep fryer (we had been pondering this purchase for a whole year since we have ambitions to make suppli–Italian rice balls–and french fries). We spent several days trying it out and getting used to it….

I spent the day in Rome and then the family met me at a pizzeria near the Colosseum. Such a beautiful night with no tourists–except us (are we tourists? We’re residents but not Italians. . . hard to know. . . ).  We walked around while street musicians were performing and soaked up Bella Roma!

We went to Mass at Tre Fontane where Paul was martyred. A lovely Trappist priest said Mass and many nuns were present. Sebastian got a little icon of St. Gabriel and then we went home and feasted on Italian cornetti with various fillings. Decadent!

Frascati at Night Medieval Corridor

Enjoying Fathers’ Day in Rome! Here is the gelateria Dad introduced us to! LOVE YOU, DAD!!! Ron took us to Tre Fontane, the site where Paul was martyred. It is now a Trappist monastery, a silent oasis in the heart of a bustling city! I think it’s beautiful that Ron chose this is as how…

Annie, Sebastian and I have taken to having picnics in the park. We eat our little meals, read a book and play music. It is so relaxing! A much-forgotten pass-time! (And it’s just too hot in Texas most of the year!)