My name is Jillian. In Italy they pronounce it Gee-lee-Aan. Sometimes to make everyone’s life easier I just introduce myself as Giulianna.
Born and raised in Canada. Married to a Belgian scientist who happens to be the calmest, most patient, most awesome guy in the world. Lucky me.
Currently living in Northern Italy (for more than a decade).
Mother to twin daughters (11) and a son (8) who happen to be the smartest, most creative and most loving kids a mama could hope for. Again…lucky me.
In love with baking, cooking, sewing, chicken raising, gardening, traveling, photography…
Contact: jillianinitaly@hotmail.com
Find me here as well:
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I also write a bi-weekly Traveling With Kids column here.
Dear Jillian,
very nice to find you!!! I have triplets and I also feel very happy about it. I feel like a special person who will see these wonderful little people grow.
I’m italian, but i lived in the States as a student.
I’m live in north est of italy, perhaps we will meet one day.
Love things you do.
Triplets! Wow…you must be super-mom. I had 3 kids in 2 years and I thought that was a lot! Great to be in touch with you. If you’re ever around Lago Maggiore let me know! Jill x
Italy….we have a sabbatical coming up in a few years and spending it in Italy is one of our options. I spent 10 days in Rome a few years ago at a conference – the food was amazing and the city so beautiful. Lovely…
If you have a sabbatical year coming up I think Italy would be a great place to go. So much culture, good food, great weather, fantastic shopping…etc etc. We’ve been here for over a decade and love it (most days). Italians love kids and family time is of the highest priority. Thanks for visiting Sandra!
Hi. I live in Italy too and have one son (7) and a boy and girl who are twins (2). Look forward to reading your blog.
Neat! Where do you live in Italy? And more importantly how are you coping with your twins?? I also have a 7 year old son. Hope to hear from you again, J
I am in Bologna. I love the aprons you found – I have never found anything in our mercatini but I think I will go and have another look. Do you know about http://www.ilmondodeigemelli.org ? They have a great forum for swapping twin stories, getting advice, meeting up (although I expect you are beyond the stage of needing advice now! We are just getting into the swing of tantrums here!)
Hi Jillian! Nice to meet you
Thank you for dropping by my blog! I hope you’ll enjoy your japan trip and looking forward on your trip photos 
Myself, my wife and 2 children (6 and 10) are heading off to Japan in August for an 8 day stop over before continuing on to Europe. Any suggestions on must see places to visit in Japan – although I should be asking at the end of your journey! Fantastic photo journal – the images show the children how much fun it will be.
Hi Martin. I’m so glad to hear you’re taking your family to Japan. It’s an amazing country and so great for travelling families. The Japanese are so friendly and helpful,the food is amazing and the sites are unbelievable. Are you getting train passes for your stay? It might be worth it for you all because the trains are expensive but so convenient to use (JR rail passes). I would defintely suggest going to the five lake district as there are many beautiful shrines, hikes and of course Mount Fuji (we stayed at K’s House hostel in Kawaguchiko…very clean and affordable). After that I think Kyoto is a must see. So many beautiful shrines and temples but also many interesting places for kids (Monkey Park is a big fave). We rented bikes there for the day and it was perfect. In Kyoto we rented a traditional style Japanese house in the centre of town (although a quiet neighbourhood) and it was perfect. Let me know if you want the site. If you need any other tips or advice just let me know!
Great to find your blog – We just moved to Bordeaux, France from New York State about 6 months ago…it’s nice to read experiences of other expats in Europe. I see you love photography too! I don’t have twins but I have 3 girls – 11,8 & 4 and they keep us plenty busy. Thanks for sharing it. I also started blogging our experiences mainly to keep friends in the States up to date with our travels and new life.
Wow, Bordeaux must be a wonderful place to live. I absolutely love France. We try and go as much as possible. I’ll pop over to your blog to have a look. Keep in touch!
I will stay in touch…We have plans to be in Florence, Italy in the Fall – I love reading about your experiences. At this point, plan is France is 2 years – but you never know…I also feel very lucky to be where we are now – It’s a great feeling to LOVE where you live.
definitely…I really enjoy your posts!…it’s so fun to see how others adjust to foreign life!..
Jillian, what a lovely picture of yours. It’s so beautiful, I love it!!!!
You have a wonderful blog, be prepared to se me here often
Love, Elena.
Thanks Elena! A talented friend made my photo so much nicer than the original (if you’re ever in need of a graphic artist she’s amazing). Thanks for visiting. Keep in touch, J x
I’m glad I cam across your blog, as an American now living in Sicily adjusting well and looking forward to flight hops!!!
Glad you found me! I’m always happy to be in touch with a fellow North American living in Italy. How is it living in Sicily? I think it’s very different from living in the North. One day I’d love to make it down there to visit (soon I hope!). Thanks for the visit!
Hey Jillian, came across this item and thought you might try it: http://www.homemadesimple.com/en-ca/foodandrecipes/pages/homemade-caramel-apple-lollipops.aspx?utm_source=email&utm_medium=single%2Bfocus&utm_campaign=caramel%2Bapples
These are great! I’ll give them a try for Hallowe’en this year.
I just discovered your blog and look forward to reading more!
I have gobs of plums–how’s that for not “much” or “many”? I wanted to try your plum-rhubarb jam recipe. I was curious what size jars you meant.
I live in Portland, Or., so I’ll need to do all the conversions; and want to plan ahead for yield.
We are having a glorious fall.
Hi! I’ve just discovered your blog and found out we already have two things in common: we both live in Northern Italy and have the same WP template
I’m a japanese>italian translator, love Japan and enjoyed a lot the photo posts about your trip there.
Oh that’s so neat! I just took a peek at your blog and it’s great. Lovely photos. Where are you in Italy? Great to meet you!
I’m in Trento. Nice to meet you, too!
Hi! I’ve just discovered your blog and I love your daughters’s winter coats but also rain boots and raincoats!
where have you bought them? Seriously, I LOVE THEM!
Hi there! The winter coats are from Boden. The rainboots from Joules. And the raincoats are from my favourite Danish brand Mala. I love to put my kids in colourful clothes!
Thanks! they are beautiful!
Your blog is so crisp.. I really like your presentation.
Thanks Kerri! Glad you popped by.
Hi Jillian! What a coincidence about our children. It is so much fun, isn’t it? I look forward to staying in touch and sharing with each other, sweet moments of motherhood and more. xox