After market day in Varese, stopping in to see the puppies in the local pet shop and caffe to keep us going, we arrived in Stresa! Our intent was to do a little shopping at our favorite wine/balsamic vinegar shop, have lunch and check out some of the stores. The wine shop was unexpectedly closed- with a little handwritten sign on the door that said they had left for their mother’s house. Possibly a family emergency. So that was off the list. Will have to check back in December before we head home for Christmas! We ate lunch at a great little restaurant called Mamma mia’s- You might think it interesting that Italians say “Mamma Mia!” often- it is a phrase that you hear all the time, and now I am saying it too!
We waited around until some of the shops opened again after lunch (yes, they close during lunch, and then reopen an hour and a half or so later!) Did a little Christmas shopping- I won’t tell what we bought! Ate a scoop of gelato in the chilly fall weather, and sat by a fountain in a park by the lake and relaxed. Nice day! Good company! Fun shopping for family! Nice drive!

We did not park where these big ducks were sleeping. They have reserved this space.
Funny story! When we stopped into the caffe bar (coffee shop called a bar) for an espresso, an older (and visibly poor) gentleman said something to us as we entered. I thought he was begging, so I said, No,grazie. He followed us into the bar, said something I didn’t pay attention to,and we ordered our caffe- due caffe e uno brioche. The lady behind the bar gave one caffe to Billy and one to the gentleman! I asked for two, not one, and she explained that the gentleman said I was buying him a coffee!
I smiled and ordered another coffee! Creative way to get what you need! He was very thankful and said thankyou many times! Good story, huh? Jesus says in Matthew 26:11 – for you will always have the poor with you…a good reminder for those of us who have so much to give. A cup of coffee? No problem.

This is a little blurry, but the picture is what driving is like in Italia! Motorcycles everywhere on both sides! This has been a little hard to get used to, but you learn to look on both sides of your car all the time. They drive fast and weave in and out of traffic. The first few times were intense and made me nervous, but now we are used to this. They are usually good drivers. The disturbing part is when you see someone get hit- accidents here are not too frequent, but when they happen, they are horrible. Worse than I have ever seen. We pray for our safety driving.
The last pictures are a reminder for us of St. Louis! We have great memories of raking tons of leaves at Grandma and Grandpa’s house in Creve Coeur- and the money the kids earned picking up bags of “gumballs” for Grandpa! These are sweet memories- and seeing the gorgeous trees in the parking lot of Leroy Merlin was worth a picture!
Love from Italia- Jen and Billy


Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:15-21




You know it is fall when the broccoli arrives in the grocery store. In the United states, this is not a big deal. Here in Italia, it is a big deal! (well, at least for me) The vegetables and fruits are seasonal. What a concept! Not only are they seasonal, they are fresh and full of flavor- which is very different from the states. I also like how the vegetables and fruit smell here- like many things in Italia, there is a fragrance that goes along with it- sometimes good sometimes bad…. But, as far as the food goes, there is nothing better than fresh food that has very recently been brought in from the fields where it is grown. The fruits and vegetables have to be washed really well- there is dirt on everything! No wax on the apples, no melons in the dead of winter, no sweet potatoes before it is time and no broccoli until fall. You know that the simple pleasures are really simple when you get excited about vegetables- even to the point of taking a photo of the first bunch of seasonal broccoli! Cooking and planning menus is a bit more challenging here- since you must go and see what they have first, then decide what you will cook. I still think we are very spoiled in the US- Did you know that you cannot buy canned pumpkin here? You actually have to purchase and cook a pumpkin- I have yet to try that! 
