grateful | Jillian In Italy

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Gratefully Grateful 17

As I sit here gazing out of the window it looks as though there is a blizzard happening outside. But instead of snow it’s a flurry of fluffy little poplar seeds (as captured by an IG pal here). I’m sneezy and have a piercing headache but I have to admit that it’s a really lovely site.

Yesterday I spent the entire day in the kitchen baking muffins for a local market today. We’re donating all profits from the bake sale to the Bianca Garavaglia Association which helps organise special activities and events for kids with cancer who have to spend months in the hospital. As some of you know, helping causes like this is something that is really near and dear to my family’s heart. So you can imagine how happy my kids were to sell every single muffin that we made (close to 100).

Earlier in the week a friend of mine and I organised a “Serata Americana” with our kids (the husbands had organised a meal of intestines and insects so we escaped). We prepared hamburgers, hotdogs and french fries. We drank lemonade and Coca Cola. And then we watched Grease (in Italian) with bowls of popcorn and M&Ms. My kids loved it and have since asked for poodle skirts and black leather jackets. Love evenings like that.

So, as you can see I had a lot to be grateful for this week.

And on top of all that I’m (also) grateful for… …my first bunch of roses from my garden. Oh and they smell so so lovely too!…geraniums. And the fact that they are pretty AND can survive even though I’m a horrible gardner and that Birdie lays on top of them all day long.…our Serata Americana that saved me from eating these cricket kabobs. See, I wasn’t exaggerating when I wrote about the husbands eating insects. Blech.

Wishing you all a lovely week ahead.

Gratefully Grateful *1*, *2*, *3*, *4*, *5*,*6*,*7*,*8*, *9*, *10*, *11*, *12*, *13*, *14*,*15*, *16*

Tags: daily life, family life, grateful, gratefully grateful, photography

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Categories Creative, daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, photography

Gratefully Grateful 16

28 Apr

I can’t seem to get my GG posts up before my week is over. I always have big plans to post on Sunday evening but then as soon as I sit down on the couch after the kids are in bed I become useless. I can’t even manage conversation or full sentences with my husband. Anyone else out there afflicted by this?

Last week was a good one. A lovely day shopping in Antwerp (adore that city), a delicious sushi dinner with old friends, a lovely bike ride in the Belgian countryside, a serving of my daughter’s homemade lava cakes (they are so good) and a sunny return to Italy. On Saturday we spent the afternoon lunching with friends outside in the hot sun followed by an evening aperitivo with other good friends (including a few IG acquaintances!). Life is good (even if we just found out that someone in London spent 2000 euro on a limousine rental with our credit card – I hope they had a good ride!).

This week I’m grateful for…

…the Urban Jungle Blogger series. It’s so much fun to integrate more green plants into my house and be part of a community of fellow urban gardeners. And for once in my life I’m succeeding in keeping them alive (knock on wood). …the sweet smell of these Lilly of the Valley flowers. And the sweet skinny legged girl holding them.…that they still love to blow the dandelion seeds (me too!).

I wish you all a wonderful week ahead!

Gratefully Grateful *1*, *2*, *3*, *4*, *5*,*6*,*7*,*8*, *9*, *10*, *11*, *12*, *13*, *14*, *15*

Tags: family, grateful, gratefully grateful, photography

Comments 14 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful

Gratefully Grateful 15

23 Apr

Radio silence over here for the last week. I’ve been enjoying time with family and friends in the land of chocolate, waffles and square pillows (Belgium in case you hadn’t figured it out). I can’t even think about how much chocolate that has been ingested into my body the last 7 days (or french fries for that matter). But it has been good.

Easter was a large family affair with a house full of happy cousins running around my mother-in-law’s house and garden. And (as I mentioned on IG) it has been sunny EVERY SINGLE DAY. Now that my friends is not normal. Not in the least. But I’ll take it and am extremely grateful.

This (last) week I’m grateful for:
…beautiful hiding spots for the Easter Egg hunt.
…a day visiting the cemeteries from World War One in Flanders Fields. And teaching my kids that ever important poem that all kids in Canada have to learn by heart.…fancy cocktail umbrellas that I put in my flower bouquets and mocktails. (yeah, I prefer mocktails over cocktails)

Enjoy your week everyone!

Gratefully Grateful *1*, *2*, *3*, *4*, *5*,*6*,*7*,*8*, *9*, *10*, *11*, *12*, *13*, *14*

Tags: family, grateful, gratefully grateful, photo series, photography

Comments 13 Comments
Categories Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, Uncategorized

Gratefully Grateful 14

13 Apr

So much to be grateful for this week. Some lovely friends came to Italy for an action packed five-day visit. We had so many interesting conversations, visits to the Design Week in the city, leisurely walks along the lake, delicious meals in restaurants (and cooked by my husband and kids) and even an impromptu jam session singing old Cindy Lauper songs in my living room. All moments that have lifted my spirits and made me feel so happy to know these talented, creative and funny ladies. Soon I’ll have lots of photos to share but for now here are a few little images that caught my eye.

This week I’m grateful for…

…all the beautiful and colourful exhibits and products we saw at Milan Design Week. And for my friends who introduced me to some amazingly cool new designers, brands and shops (even if I kept getting them all mixed up in my IG feed).

…the gorgeous warm sunny weather we’ve had. And these intoxicatingly lovely smelling wisteria vines that are covering the local landscape (as well as the city landscape).…the fact that I’m actually succeeding in training Birdie The Cat to sit in my bicycle basket while I cruise around. How cute is that?

I wish you all a great week ahead!

Gratefully Grateful *1*, *2*, *3*, *4*, *5*,*6*,*7*,*8*, *9*, *10*, *11*, *12*, *13*

Tags: family life, grateful, gratefully grateful, photography

Comments 16 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, Living in Italy, photography

Gratefully Grateful 13

7 Apr

I had my son home ill all last week and although I felt terrible that he was feeling so sick I have to admit that our long lazy days around the house together were so nice. We played poker, watched movies, ate pancakes at 11am and went for short walks in the sun. All his favourite things to do all and all very reminiscent of his baby and toddler days (minus the poker). He returned to school this morning and the two of us were feeling pretty melancholic about it all. But no worries, the tag-team-stay-at-home game between siblings is on and I now have one of my daughters home to fill the void. So far this morning we’ve done some line drawings, spent too much time looking at Pinterest and discussed what we’ll bake this afternoon. So here’s my GG post (a day late!).

This (last) week I’m grateful for…

…my camellia bushes. These flowers only last a short while but we greatly appreciate every single blossom.

…all the people I met yesterday (at a local event) who were so enthusiastic about the Days For Girls project. And, of course, my lovely friends who spent their Sunday afternoon helping me spread the word.…the fact that even though they are 12 years old they still love to pile up on my lap and tell me all the details about their day.

Have a great week!

Gratefully Grateful *1*, *2*, *3*, *4*, *5*,*6*,*7*,*8*, *9*, *10*, *11*, *12*

Tags: daily life, family, grateful, gratefully grateful 2014, photography

Comments 20 Comments
Categories daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, gratefullygrateful

Gratefully Grateful 12

30 Mar

This week my Gratefully Grateful post is all about two little people in my life who just turned 12 years old (so it’s fitting that today is also my 12th post in this series too!). My twin daughters may be heading into their difficult tween/teen years but they are still the sweetest, most caring, most generous, most enthusiastic and loving kids a mama could hope for. And surprisingly enough they still think I’m the coolest person on earth so obviously I’m pretty happy about that as well.

It seems like yesterday that we brought them home from the hospital and they were so tiny that they actually fit in my husband’s shoe. And now I look at these tall thin lanky gazelles of girls and I realise that that cliché saying about your kid’s childhood flying by turns out to be shockingly true. Where did those curly headed, chubby, chattering little cherubs go? Excuse me while I go weep into my pillow.

Over these years I’ve loved seeing my daughters grow up side by side. They have so much love and respect for one another and, most importantly, have so much fun together (the constant giggling over the years is my proof). Their mutual strengths and weaknesses compliment one another and they would stand up and protect each other to the bitter end (believe me, I’ve seen it!).

I can’t wait to see what new things and experiences are in store for my girls this year. In any case, I know it’s going to be great.

This week I’m grateful for…

…the fact my daughters still wear their mama-made birthday crowns with pride. I’ve already warned them that I will be making these for them until they have 12 year olds of their own (and that I expect to be sent a photo of them wearing them).

…my garden full of beautiful blooms and blossoms. And the fact that they make the best decorations for a two-tier chocolate cake with buttercream frosting. …long distant birthday phone calls from loving grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends.…the giggles. Oh the giggles! They keep this house alive and happy.

Wishing you all a great week ahead!

Gratefully Grateful *1*, *2*, *3*, *4*, *5*,*6*,*7*,*8*, *9*, *10*, *11*

Tags: family, grateful, gratefully grateful, photography

Comments 23 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, photography

Gratefully Grateful 10

16 Mar

Spring has definitely sprung here in Italy. There are blooms and blossoms in every shade of just about every colour as far as the eye can see. Bright yellow forsythia bushes, magnolia trees with massive paper white blossoms, lemon yellow daffodil flowers, dusty pink cherry blossoms, fuchsia camellia bushes and soft violet crocus flowers that the cover lawns and fields of grass. It’s totally worth the itchy watery eyes and constant sneezing that started last week and will most likely continue for the next few months. Being a lover of colour makes Spring my favourite season of the year. Thank goodness for antihistamines.

This week I’m grateful for…

…these delicate pink Camellia flowers in my friend and neighbour’s yard. I look forward to seeing them every spring.

…getting to celebrate the Danish Fastelavn (Carnival) with friends. Although I don’t want to think about those poor live cats that they used to put in the barrel years ago.
…online art courses that my daughters can enjoy in between the hours and hours of homework and studying that they have to do every single day of their little lives.

Wishing you all a great week ahead!

Gratefully Grateful *1*, *2*, *3*, *4*, *5*,*6*,*7*,*8*, *9*

Tags: daily life, family, fastelavn, grateful, gratefully grateful, photography, spring flowers

Comments 19 Comments
Categories daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, photography, Uncategorized

Gratefully Grateful 9

9 Mar

It was another great week with sunny beautiful weather. I managed to finish up some fun sewing projects. I introduced the Days For Girls project at a local Women’s Day event and received lots of interest and support. I went fabric shopping with some of my favourite fellow sewers and ended finding some really gorgeous materials. I spent the week-end catching up with an old friend and his sweet kids (and laughing a lot). I got to eat my favourite garlicky pizza at our local pizzeria. And I actually ticked a lot of items off my to-do list. Nice.

I’m grateful for…

…sunny days in my living-room.

…my daughter’s washi art projects to be found around the house.

…the fact my kids still want me to wipe the sand off their feet after a day at the beach.

Wishing you all a great week ahead.

Gratefully Grateful *1*, *2*, *3*, *4*, *5*,*6*,*7*,*8*

Tags: family, grateful, gratefully grateful, italy, photo series, photography

Comments 19 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, italia, Living in Italy, photography

Gratefully Gratefully 8

2 Mar

We’re just back from an amazing week in Morocco. We spent time hiking in the mountains, eating the most delicious Moroccan meals, visiting ancient Kasbahs, driving through the ever-changing mountainous landscapes, speaking French, building sandcastles on the beach and even surfing. It was a full week to say the least. And even arriving back in a freezing cold and rainy Italy at midnight didn’t dampen our high spirits. Many family memories were made that will last a lifetime. And obviously for that I’m extremely grateful. As you’ll see, my grateful post is pretty Morocco inspired this week.

I’m grateful for…

…Moroccan olives. I miss them already

…this neighbourhood outside of Agadir with painted trees in bright and cheerful colours and patterns.

…Mint Tea. We drank it daily and even brought home a few bundles of fresh Moroccan mint and a new teapot to make some ourselves.

I wish you all a lovely week ahead!

Gratefully Grateful *1*, *2*, *3*, *4*, *5*,*6*,*7*

Tags: family, grateful, gratefully grateful, morocco, photography

Comments 29 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, gratefullygrateful, photography

Gratefully Grateful 7

21 Feb

Happy Friday folks. Here in Italy it’s a beautiful sunny day. The tulip bulbs are sprouting in the garden. The forsythia (say that 5 times quickly) is already in bloom. The mountains are in full view and covered in snow. My purple hyacinth has filled my living room with a lovely pungent perfume. And I’m in the midst of packing for a trip to Morocco. Life is pretty great.

This week I’m (also) grateful for……Monday morning gnocchi making lessons with my lovely friends.

…a new project of mine that I’m so excited about. It involves sewing and helping girls and young women in need. I’ll be writing all about it very soon.

…colourful cushions and quilts made for us by friends and family.

I wish you all a great week-end. I’ll most likely be offline most of next week but I’ll try my best to post photos of our Moroccan travels over on Instagram.

Gratefully Grateful *1*, *2*, *3*, *4*, *5*,*6*