dear juliet… one day in verona

dear juliet,
my name is barbara. don’t worry… i’m not writing because i have love troubles: my sentimental situation is a bed of roses! i’m so lucky!
i’m writing to you because i just spent a beautiful day in your city, verona, with my kids, a day dedicated to you. we visited your house (and… sorry… touched your breast as tradition wants!)

we ate delicious italian specialities (bruschette), have espressos, took pictures.

we visited also your grave, in a spectacular cloister.
 

>> the first time we saw restorers at work! <<   

we had fun in your city, juliet… and i just wanted to let you know that!
 

>> in the municipal library, trying to find a book about romeo & juliet (but zoeti preferred this one!) <<

love,

barbara

41/52

  "a portrait of my daughters, once a week, every week, in 2013"

Zoe Tiare: enjoys the garden in a sunny but chilly autumn afternoon.

Alma Aiko: those. curious. eyes.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series.

let’s talk about it!

After a couple of months as mother of two, it's time to sum....
Being a mom is my dream since when I was young. I know I'd never become a painter or a scientist, but I so wanted to have a family, and kids... At least three! My dream included always happy faces, clean hands, delicious dinner and tons of kisses. Now the reality is different!
This week zoeti was sick so she stayed at home (normally she goes to the kindergarten three days per week) and I have had a taste of a full time mom life!
And it's hard! God it's so hard!
If you can survive the mornings routine (i'll share mine in another post soon!) you are safe! But breastfeeding while taking care of a sick toddler can be scary, and overwhelming, and stressful. Afternoons are quite easy: zoeti sleeps from 1 to 4pm so I have plenty of time for taking care of alma. Almost all the blogs I follow are written by moms and looking that pictures with clean, well dressed kids, playing and having fun, can be frustrating. Then I realized that my family is maybe not always so cool or fancy, that sometimes I have to dress zoeti with pink & red because I forgot to do the laundry ( or I didn't have time!) and I have no clean dresses, and peppa pig is my best friend. But then something happen... zoeti plays quietly alone in her room, alma sleeps for more than ten minutes, i can actually cook a real dinner, and everything become so easy!

I took this picture last Wednesday: I was reading a book to zoeti while alma was playing and looking at us. There were laughs and love… That day has been soooo perfect! But I have also understood one thing: being a mom is all about imperfection, lessons to learn and teach, unexpected moments. I love to see those beautiful pictures of dreamy families but I love more the way mine is!

ricotta & choco cake

 

i made this cake a couple of weeks ago and it was love at first sight! it’s very easy to do ( i made it while being with both my two daughters so…) and super delicious!

and half a glass of milk,

a packet of baking powder

choco drops.

 

whip the egg whites in a bowl. get another one and mix yolks, sugar and butter. add the ricotta cheese and mix gently. then add the flour, baking powder, milk and choco drops. in the end incorporate the egg whites.

bake at 180° C for 40 mins.

 

in order to lose weight i’m trying to bake my own sweets (i can’t quit them!) and i’m trying to choose cakes and biscuits with less butter or fats in them.

Enjoy!

40/52

  "a portrait of my daughters, once a week, every week, in 2013"

Zoe Tiare: testing your sister’s games. i can see some kind of jealousy lately… which  is normal. every toy alma receives is yours and you want to do everything she does. but so far you are still the most kind and loving big sister i have ever seen!

Alma Aiko: your rebel hair and those ears make me always smile!

my favorite last week are: Zaden portrait by dearest lou and the light and the beautiful face in kate’s photo.

Taking part in Jodi's weekly portrait series

stills: a weekly collection

1. watching tv with a doll

2. flowers gift

3. learning how to make bubbles

4. thinking and creating

5. those feet

6. sunday breakfast

7. autumn is here / last picture to Alma’s pink ribbon

linking up with emily’s weekly collection

the “weight” of being mom!

 
Two months after Alma's birth I still have 9 kg to lose... It's time to do something. I've downloaded the app My Fitness Pal to help counting the calories and I'm creating a program of exercise to do in order to be back in shape the soon as possible. I've been indulgent right after delivery: chocolate was (and still is…) my best friend and I ate way too much. Winter is not the right time of the year to quit chocolate so it’s better if i make my own sweets: i will eat them anyway but they are homemade i know what i’m eating!
I'm breastfeeding so it's not the right time for a strong diet and the time I can spend in a gym is definitely less than the necessary, but I've started (or better came back) to my original 5 portions of fruit and vegetable and I try to go out for an hour walk 4 times per week. During the evening, if the girls are quiet and my husband is not that tired, I add thirty minutes of cycling and some other exercises.
I'm a lazy person that's why I need to write it down and write it here... My friends and family read the blog and can help me to stay focused on the goal. Winter is not the right time of the year to quit chocolate so it’s better if i make my own sweets: i will eat them anyway but they are homemade i know what i’m eating!
So if you have any tips or light recipe to share let me know!