Dressing for Italy

Before coming to Viterbo, I did a lot of practical, random, and/or anxiety-induced Google searches about life in Italy. Several of those were related to what to wear -- what would be seasonally appropriate and help us blend in at least a teeny bit with the locals? The internet was packed with advice. Italians wear …

Lemon Fanta

I know I've promised my thoughts on Rome. I know I should report on yesterday's adventure to Orvieto and Civita de Bagnoregio. I've kept this blog fairly light, but I should probably bust out something contemplative and deep one of these days. But not today. Today I'm going to talk about Lemon Fanta. It's a …

Packing for an International Trip When You’re Completely Clueless

You might want to stop reading now if you're looking for my well-tested tips on packing for international travel. In the title of this post, I'm the completely clueless one. (Remember the whole "hardly ever leaves Idaho" thing?) But I'm also a planner, so I'm not letting myself stay completely clueless. Reduce Cluelessness Tactic 1: …

Leaving Idaho

It's 26 days until my family and I get on a plane for Italy. It'll be the first time I've ever left North America, the first time my husband has been farther than California, the first time my kids have been outside the Pacific Northwest. It dawned on me the other day that our seven-week …