Dining in Sonoma and Napa Valley, CA
We have had the opportunity to dine in many different countries this past year, and I can unashamedly say the Sonoma and Napa Valley restaurants rival some of our favorites! We lived in Southern CA for six years but for some reason, I was never made aware of how enjoyable to dining experience was here. Had I known, I never would have waited so long to visit. Below are a few highlights: Le Bouchon Bakery in Napa: Some of the most amazing food I’ve ever tasted. We read about this bakery and then heard… Read More
Sonoma and Napa Valley, CA
We have finally settled back into life in Chicago. Ryan recently began a new job at Glassdoor, and flew out to California for a 3-week training. What a perfect excuse for me to hop back onto a plane and fly to the West Coast! After all, three weeks is just a little too long to be separated, isn’t it? Is it my fault the training was changed to two weeks AFTER I purchased tickets to CA? 🙂 Interesting but after living in CA for six years, having three of our four children… Read More
2015 Reflections of Gratitude
“From His fullness we all have received Grace Upon Grace” John 1:16 As I reflected on this past year, I was reminded of God’s goodness to us in so many ways. My dear friend, Cindy, shared the above verse and it mirrored our sentiments exactly. Much of His goodness has come in the shape and form of people! God has surrounded us with so many warm, loving, kind-hearted generous souls who have opened their homes and hearts to us throughout our year on the road. While I would love to list each and every one… Read More
Pompeii Photoblog
Pompeii is a popular day trip from Rome, though we prefer to visit Pompeii as we leave Rome and wind our way to the Amalfi Coast. It’s a perfect stopover spot between the Eternal City and the Amalfi Coast and/or Capri and takes about two hours to visit. According to History.com, Pompeii was a flourishing resort town five miles south of Vesuvius, where the wealthy would escape the bustling city life and enjoy soaking in the sun. Elegant villas dotted the paved streets of Pompeii and even today, you can envision what the… Read More
The Amalfi Coast and Capri, Italy
The “Amalfi Coast” and “Capri”. I’m curious to know what images and thoughts are conjured up when you hear these words. Please take a moment to share that with me. My relationship with Italy grew when I first set eyes on the Amalfi Coast. The stunning beauty of the coastline, the azure blue water, the houses clinging to the edge of the cliffs, took my breath away. Try as I might, I could not capture the beauty in a photo. The love deepened when I met Capri, a picturesque island off the coast… Read More
Rome Highlights – The Spanish Steps and All Things Vatican
Rome is a remarkable city where ancient history collides with vibrant modern life. Its iconic sites, like the Colosseum and Vatican, alongside charming spots such as the Spanish Steps, make it a fascinating destination. Visitors are encouraged to explore local cuisine, be aware of pickpockets, and embrace the city’s rich culture at a leisurely pace.
Danny in Rome
ROME Rome is quite a beautiful place with lots of history, pizza, and pasta! 🙂 One reason I love Rome, is that everything there is very old and historical. When we flew into Rome, we arrived at a beautiful hotel that had a great view. The Colosseum wasn’t too far either! One day, we decided to walk to the Colosseum and my sister and I ran over to the massive building. But…we discovered that the Colosseum was closed! wa wa wa wa… So the next day we decided to walk over again. This… Read More
Gladiators and the Colosseum
Imagine…it’s the first century. The hungry crowds are clamoring to catch a glimpse of the gladiators, sometimes slaves, more often criminals, or even prisoners of war! Occasionally there were free men (and even women), who longed for the glory, the praise, the spotlight. Wedged in tightly between 50,000 of their closest friends, the crowd erupts as the first animals and/or gladiators appear out of nowhere, emerging from hidden trap doors and a complex set of lifts, ropes, and pulleys. The excitement is palpable! The Colosseum, completed in 80 AD, was used mainly for gladiator… Read More
Football, Friends, and Family
Let’s take a moment to step away from Italy. I promise we’ll return…and up next will be the Colosseum and more about the Gladiators! I just wanted to share one of the biggest joys of being back in the States again! For the first time, our oldest son had an opportunity to play football and he loved it. The truth is, we all loved it. It was made all the more special, however, when his grandparents (who live 12 hours away in Pennsylvania) surprised him by showing up at the last game… Read More
Hidden Intrigues of Piazza Navona, Rome
Meandering through the narrow, cobbled streets of Rome late one evening, we stumbled upon this masterpiece of a location… Piazza Navona! It is a spectacular piazza, filled with gorgeous architecture, open air restaurants, musicians, vendors, and “starving” artists. It also boasts a beautiful fountain designed by the renowned Bernini, and named Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (aka the Fountain of the Four Rivers). The story of Bernini and his Fountain of the Four Rivers alone is quite fascinating, though there are several versions. Bernini was one of the most talented artists of his… Read More
Deena Gainor
Six Hearts One Journey 
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