DIY CRAFT read more PARTY DECOR read more PATERNS read more RECIPES read more DIY CRAFT read more PARTY DECOR read more TRAVEL TIPS read more Party Planner and DIY Projects Last Minute Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt IdeasApril 19, 2019When my kids were young we always had a neighborhood Easter Egg hunt on Easter Sundays. It’s a great day to get together for some fun, food, and neighborly chats; and a great way to use up all those hard boiled eggs. It didn’t take a lot of effort on anyone’s part since everyone was dying Easter eggs anyway. After the hunt some of the adults would supervise the kids in games and the others would head to the kitchen to turn the eggs into Egg Salad Sandwiches. The rest of the luncheon food was pot luck. We still get together with the neighbors on Easter Sunday for an Easter Egg Hunt, only now the kids are our grandkids! Here are a few tips to help you plan a last minute Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. If you’ve tried it yet, you may want to plan one this year. You might just start a new neighborhood tradition! A couple of days before the hunt: 1. Get together with the neighbors and decide where your potluck luncheon will be held. You may have to host it in a 2-3 yards to fit everyone. Decide what time the hunt will begin. 2. Gather chairs and tables and decide on a time when they can be set up at the host yards. It may be easier to have each neighbor bring their own chairs, but hopefully you’ll have a neighbor who can bring over a folding table or two at least to place food on. 3. Decide on how many eggs each neighbor will bring; both dyed hard boiled eggs and plastic eggs. Set a budget on how much each neighbor should spend to fill the plastic eggs. Decide if you will have a “golden egg” for the grand prize. If you want to have one the easiest prize would be money; each neighbor can contribute $1 that can be stuffed in a special egg. Decide if you want to limit the number of eggs each child can keep; if you do then decide on how many. Don’t forget the teens and tweenies, you may want to do a separate hunt or different activity for them. For Egg decoration ideas click here! 4. Mark the territory where the eggs will be hidden. 5. Ask each neighbor to sign up for the potluck so that you will have a variety of food, not just desserts. Remember to ask one or two people to bring bread and ingredients for egg salad sandwiches. 6. Decide where and who will turn the hard boiled eggs into egg salad sandwiches. This can be a group effort in one person’s kitchen or you can have volunteers take a dozen or so eggs home to their kitchen to make their hard boiled egg dish. Check out my post 12 Recipes Using Hard Boiled Easter Eggs for ideas. 7. Decide what if any other games and activities you want to have for the kids. Decide on the supplies you will need for the activities, who will provide them, and who will supervise the activities. You may want to start out with an Easter Bag/Basket making activity before the hunt. 8. Decide when and where neighbors should bring their eggs for the hunt. Decide who will hide them. Morning of the hunt: 1. Designated egg “hiders” can hide the eggs. 2. Set up borrowed table and chairs in the host yards. 3. Gather the kids for the first activity if you have any, otherwise start the hunt. 4. After the hunt have the children give the boiled eggs they don’t want to keep to their parents or the people in charge of making salad. 5. Keep the kids busy with games and activities while egg salad sandwiches are being made. 6. Bring all the food to the host yard and set them up on tables. 7. Enjoy! This could be the first of many more neighborhood events![spacer height=”-20px”] For older kids hide some eggs in high places, they love the challenge![spacer height=”-20px”] Start the event with a Bunny Bag craft like these from Fun A Day . The kids can make these cute bags to put their eggs in. You can get packs of plain paper bags or gift bags from the Dollar Store and decorate them with construction paper, pipe cleaners, and left over supplies from other craft projects gathered from the neighbors.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Keep kids busy making Jelly Bean Bracelets from Artzy Creations. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] This Egg Popper Tree by Studio DIY is a good alternative for older kids. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] A sack race is always a fun game.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Egg on Spoon Races are always fun. Think of different variations![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] A Lollipop Patch by Catch My Party is a great idea for younger kids.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]... Read more...Easy Last Minute Easter TreatsApril 15, 2019Easter is tomorrow. Most of us will be spending today frantically dying eggs and making treats and hoping it will all be ready for the Easter Bunny to give out come Sunday morning. Don’t worry here are some cute and quick Easter treats you can whip up in a matter of minutes. If you don’t already have the supplies a quick trip to Walmart, the Dollar Store, or even the grocery store can remedy that. This cute idea from Oh for Sweetness Sake is pretty self explanatory. Clear piping bag by Wilton hold a sugar cone filled with Easter M&Ms. They recommend stuffing a few white cotton balls at the bottom of the sugar cone to use less candy. The the whole thing up with a pretty ribbon and the Easter Bunny’s on his way.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] For a non-candy alternative here’s an idea from Creative Organization. Fill the piping bag with Cheese puffs and tie with green ribbon to make “carrots”. You can fill the bags with pretty much anything; goldfish, jelly beans, trail mix, etc. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] These Chocolate Cottontails by Rook No. 17 are simple to make using store bought marshmallow peeps and dipping them in chocolate.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Don’t want to dip the peeps? Then do what Your Homebased Mom did, put them on on a stick![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Whip up some of Sally’s Baking Addiction’s Cake Batter Blondies using cake mix and sprinkles. Easy and yummy![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Don’t want to bake? Then make this Popcorn Mix by Framed Frosting in your microwave. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Here’s another no bake treat Golden Oreo Truffles from Gimme Some Oven. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Try these adorable Nutter Butter Chicks by Sweet Simple Stuff. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] These Cream Cheese Filled Carrot Cookies from Live Well Bake Often uses cake mix. Great treat for carrot cake lovers.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] If you’re feeling more adventurous try your hand at this pretty Italian Easter Bread by A Homemade Living.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Don’t know what to do with all those hard boiled Easter Eggs? Click here for some recipes using Easter eggs.... Read more...Easter Egg Decorating IdeasApril 8, 2019 This year Easter will be April 1, that means we’ll dying Easter Eggs later this month.. All the discount and dollar stores are selling egg dying kits and many of us find it easier to just buy a kit and call it a day. We’ve done this many times and somehow are always disappointed with how it turns out. Our eggs never seem to look like the pictures on the box. Those kits really don’t sell you anything more than 4 tablets or packets of food coloring, a flimsy wire “egg dipper”, and simple instructions on how to mix the dye. This year we’re going to do it differently using supplies we already have in the house; food coloring, napkins, sharpies, and other crafting supplies. Here are some great ideas and tips you may want to try this year. Most of them use things you already have in the kitchen and are designed to make the activity neater and easier. Click on the photos for instructions. Before you begin you will need hard boiled eggs. Here’s a tutorial from Recipe Lion on how to boil the perfect egg. Click here for tutorial. Here’s a chart and recipes for making your own dye using food color from Dollar Store Mom.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Keep dipping process neater with this great idea from Inner Child Food. Place the egg in a wire whisk and dip, it make taking them out of the dye easier.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Or you can use Kool-Aid to dye your eggs. Learn how from Totally The Bomb. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Make edible marble eggs using Cool Whip and food coloring. Learn how from Shannon’s Tot School. You can get a similar effect using shaving cream and food color, but eggs made this way should not be eaten, you may become sick. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] If you don’t want to use food color you can dye your eggs with natural dyes you make from fruits, veggies, and other natural ingredients. Let the Home Based Mom show you how to make your own natural dyes.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Skip the messy dyes with this unique egg decorating tip from Housing a Forest. They use Sharpies![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Craftaholics Anonymous can show you how to make these glitter eggs for your little divas![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Martha Stewart can show you how to make these metallic eggs.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Martha Stewart also makes these decoupage eggs using paper napkins.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Make these Washi Tape Easter Eggs by Lovely Indeed. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] These pretty eggs by Our Best Bites only look difficult to make. It’s easy using silk ties, simply put they are tie dyed![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] These Ukrainian Eggs are absolutely gorgeous, but they do take time to make. If you want to try your hand at here’s a tutorial from Suzy’s Artsy Craftsy Sitcom After you’ve make all these lovely Easter Eggs you may find yourself with a ton of hard boiled eggs! Don’t let the eggs go to waste! Check out my post 12 Recipes To Use Hard Boiled Easter Eggs! [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]... Read more...April Showers Parties and EventsApril 5, 2019April showers bring May flowers, and it also ushers in the spring/summer party season! Yup the cold days are mostly behind us and the forecast says sunny days ahead, or so we all hope. So what’s better than throwing some April Showers Parties this month? April Showers Parties can be birthday parties, baby and bridal showers, engagement parties, weddings, or just because it’s spring parties. So get out your umbrellas, rain boots, and flowers and host a colorful April Shower Party or even. Here are some ideas to get you started! Umbrellas! April Showers Parties just wouldn’t be complete without umbrellas. Use them in your decor. I just love the floating inverted umbrellas filled with tissue flowers by Sweet & Petite Party Designs don’t you? (Top photo) And the clear bubble umbrella, same concept, different style of umbrella, I found on Pinterest. And what about these adorable little paper umbrella? Use them as cake/ cupcake toppers, and float them on drinks. Who doesn’t love a tropical concoction, with or without alcohol, topped with a colorful umbrella? Rain Boots! I just love kids’ rain boots they come in all sorts of colors and designs. Stock up on some to use as centerpieces and flower vases. If you don’t have kids who will use them send them home with guest who do! You can use adult sized rain boots as vases too. They look great by the door or in an odd corner or two. Or on rainy days place them by the door and use as umbrella stands. Watering Cans Watering cans make great flower pots or for a bit of whimsy make them float in the air! Dangle them from tree branches or light fixtures with clear fishing wire. They’ll look amazing! You can also use them to hold flatware at your buffet table! Flower Pots Small terracotta pots make great party favors. Place flowers, (real or silk) or pinwheels in the pots and tuck in a seed packet or two. Guest can take them home as favors! Of course you can use them to hold flatware at the buffet table as well, and they make awesome centerpieces when you fill them with colorful spring blooms! Clouds and Raindrops Make a colorful raindrop backdrop using white balloons for clouds. You can cut out cloud shapes from poster board and use that too! Cut out raindrop shapes from cardstock or construction paper then string them up on clear fishing wire, they look so pretty. Remember the raindrops can be any color you want! These are just a few of my favorite ideas for April Showers Parties. Do you have a cool idea? Please share we’d love to hear from you! ... Read more...Easter Paper Crafts for the Entire Family – Free TemplatesApril 1, 2019If you haven’t already heard our family loves holidays, we like to celebrate every single one. Right now Easter’s coming soon and we’ve been busy with various craft projects. We’ve made pom pom bunnies and chicks, chick aviator hats and peek-a-boo bunny hats, and Easter plaques. The last couple of days I fired up my Cricut Explore Air cutting machine to cut some Easter bunnies and eggs to use for our paper projects. To add texture to the cardstock I used my cute little Sizzix Texture Boutique Embossing Machine. Here are some of our Easter Paper Crafts for the Entire Family! I’m sharing some templates too! Many of these projects are very simple, all you need are cardstock or construction paper, glue, scissors, small pom poms, and scraps of ribbon and twine. If you have a cutting machine you can definitely use that to cut out cute little bunnies; if not you can use the free templates I’m sharing and cut them out by hand. (This post contains affiliate links to the products we used) Click here for templates! It’s free! One of the easiest, and in my opinion, cutest Easter Paper Craft is this Bunny Frame. I just used an 11″x 14″ frame I already had, luckily it was light blue, a perfect Spring color! Here’s how I made this: Supplies: Frame – any size you want, mine is 11″ x 14″ which holds an 8″ x 10″ photo. Cardstock – any color you prefer, I used dark pink for the background, pearly white for the front card, and blue for the bunny. Small pom pom – you can get some from the craft store Die cut machine, letter stencils, or letter stickers Cut the background cardstock to the size of your frame opening Cut the front piece of cardstock 1/2″ smaller than the background piece. If you have a die cut machine you can cut out the letters for “Hippity Hop Easter’s on its way!” If not you can stencil the words on, or use stickers. Or you can just print them on with a marker! Cut out the bunny shape using a die cut machine or the free template here.[spacer height=”-20px”] If you want to you can emboss the bunny with an embossing machine if you have one, but you don’t have to. You can also hand emboss it, here’s a great tutorial from The Frugal Crafter to show you how to emboss with out a machine![spacer height=”-20px”] The picture tutorial below will show you how to emboss with the Sizzix Texture Boutique! It’s a cute little machine that’s shaped like a purse. The item you want to emboss is placed into an embossing folder (sold separately in different designs). The folder is then sandwiched between the 2 black plates and in this case because I was embossing a single sheet of cardstock, a mylar shim (plates and shim is included with the machine). The “sandwich” is then placed in the slot of the machine and cranked thru. When the “sandwich” get thru the cardstock is embossed with the pattern.[spacer height=”-20px”] Once you’ve cut and embossed all the pieces it’s time to assemble the picture. I used Elmer’s Craftbond Glue Runner, to glue all the pieces together. Finally I used Aleene’s tacky glue to glue on the pom pom then placed it in the frame. Another Easter Paper Craft we did is this adorable Bunny Banner. Like the Bunny Frame I cut out the bunny shapes with the Cricut and embossed some of the with the Texture Boutique. I wanted each bunny to be different so I stamped a couple of them with white ink. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Cut out the bunnies.[spacer height=”-20px”] Emboss and/or stamp each bunny. [spacer height=”-20px”] Punch a hole on each ear of each bunny. Make the holes evenly.[spacer height=”-20px”] Glue a pom pom tail on each bunny. To learn how to make pom poms using a pom pom maker click here![spacer height=”-20px”] Thread twine thru the holes and you’re done![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] We also made this vertical Bunny Banner using glitter paper. I cut the bunnies from glitter paper which we glued vertically along a strand of ribbon. We glued on the pom pom tails and tied on a bow. Easy! Here’s an Easter Paper Craft the kids loved! A paper plate wreath.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Again I cut out bunnies and eggs on the Cricut and embossed some, and stamped others. Then I cut a circle out of the middle of a paper plate and let the kids glue the eggs and bunnies on it. When they were done I punched 2 holes on the top of the wreath and threaded a length of ribbon thru for hanging. These are just a few crafts the whole family can do this Easter season. They are all very inexpensive, easy, and fun. You can decorate your whole house! You can even use the cut outs to make cards and signs. Check out my Easter Plaque craft! [spacer height=”-20px”]... Read more... Recipes, Parties, Crafts & Travel 5 More Must See Italian Towns Off The Beaten PathApril 10, 2019Last week I share 5 must see Italian towns that were not quite off the beaten path but were far enough down the bucket list to be less crowded. This week I’m share 5 more towns that are a bit more off the beaten path and will more than likely be even less crowded. These 5 must see Italian towns will surely be less crowded than any of the major cities that tourists flock to. These 5 must see Italian towns may not be home to works by the Masters, boast huge cathedrals, or have major archaeological excavations, but each of them have a charm of their own. Many are home to some fine churches with beautiful works of art and some interesting ancient sites. And of course they all have charming piazzas and cobble stone alleys just waiting to be explored. Best of all you might be lucky enough to find that you have the place almost to yourself, at least you don’t have to worry about inattentive or rude tourists shoving you out of the way or photo bombing your pictures! Assisi Assisi is a must see Italian town in the province of Perugia in Italy’s Umbria region. Though not quite off the beaten path, it is after all easily accessible by local trains and buses, it is a town rich in religious, historical, and archaeological sites. Assisi is most famous for being the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi who was born in this town in 1182. He founded the Franciscans in 1209 which are a related group of mendicant religious orders with in the Catholic Church. The Sister of St. Claire are part of this order as Francis and Claire were contemporaries in Assisi and both were dedicated to prayer and ministry of the poor, the sick, and animals. And yes, St. Francis of Assisi is the Patron Saint of Italy as well as the Patron Saint of Animals, Merchants (he was a fabric merchant before he founded his order), and Ecologists (because of his great love of nature). Today the Basilica of St Francis is a huge complex built to follow the slope of the mountain side. The lower basilica houses the tomb of St. Francis. Facing this basilica on the other side of the town is the Basilica of St. Claire and is where St. Claire is entombed beneath the main altar. Assisi is also home to the ruins of a first century Roman amphitheater. It has seen its share of war and blood shed throughout the ages having been sacked by the Ostogoths in the 4th. century, conquered by Fredrick I (Barbarossa) in the 12th. century, and sacked again by Napoleon. It also played a heroic role during WWII when the city gave asylum to persecuted refugees, mainly Jews whom the locals hid in convents dressed as nuns and friars. Many were provided with false documents. Assisi became one of the main centers for the Italian Resistance movement. Such generosity and heroism earned the city a gold medal for civilian honor. Assisi’s winding streets are filled with shops selling local crafts and religious artifacts. It is a popular pilgrimage destination and is filled with devout pilgrims on Sundays and the feast days of the Saints. So unless you are on a pilgrimage it’s probably not a great idea to visit town on those days. A weekday visit is much less crowded and you have the town almost to yourself! Getting to Assisi is fairly easy. You can get there by train, bus, or private car, and of course you can take a day tour from Rome or Florence. To get there by train take the train heading to Cortona, get off at Terontola and transfer to a local train to Assisi. Get off at the main station which is located in the valley and take a taxi or bus up to the town on the mountain. Of course you could also hike up and pass the areas on the mountains where St. Francis spent time in prayer and contemplation. Tarquinia Tarquinia is a must see Italian town located in the Northern Lazio region. Ancient Tarxuna, as Tarquinia was known is one of the 12 Etruscan cities. The Etruscans were Italy’s first known civilizations settling in what is now Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio. Ancient Tarquinia was one of Eturuia’s most important cities and today is probably the best place to see Etruscan Tombs. The town and it’s ancient Necropolis is one of central Italy’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The town is also home to one of the best museums of Etruscan finds outside of Rome. There you’ll find these fabulous terracotta winged horses that date from the 4th. century BC. You’ll also see Etruscan sarcophagi and statues as well as clay vessels and intricate funerary gold jewelry. The archaeological museum is housed in the Palazzo Vitelleschi on Piazza Cavor the town’s medieval center. The town’s Cathedral boasts good frescoes dating back to 1508 and other interesting churches. But the town’s real attraction are the Etruscan tombs in the Necropolis. There are about 6000 tombs dug into the soft tufa dating back from the 6th. to 2nd. Centuries BC. The tombs are decorated with beautiful frescoes which still look vivid even today. The Necropolis is located just outside of the town wall. There is a free bus that run from town to all the sites including the tombs but it’s a nice walk through the town and up to the tombs. If you wish to visit both the tombs and the museum there’s a combination ticket which allows entrance to both. I would recommend having a look at the tombs first, there are about 15 or so open each day. Each tomb is from a different period allowing one to see the different styles thru the ages. The tombs are protected by these concrete “houses” and you’ll have to walk down some stairs to view the frescoes, definitely worth looking at several at least. After the Necropolis you can head back to town and make your way to the museum to see some of the artifacts found in the tombs. Then you can wander thru the medieval streets or have a snack at the piazza. One of my favorite treats is the ricotta pizza you can find at the local pizzaria! Getting to Tarquinia is very easy. From Rome take the train to Tarquinia, it’s about a 1 1/2 to 2 hour ride. From the station take the bus to the town center. If you’re on a cruise ship that’s docked in Civitavecchia you can take the Cortal (Blue bus) from Piazza Vittorio and get dropped off by the Tarquinia InfoPoint. The ride is about 25 minutes. Bracciano Bracciano is a small town in the Lazio region. It is situated above the volcanic lake from whence it’s named. Lago di Bracciano is the 2nd. largest lake in the region and the 8th. largest in the country. One can canoe, swim, sail, and even dive in the lake specially during the hot summer months. The town above offers beautiful views of the lake below. But it’s real claim to fame is the very well preserved medieval castle called Castello Orsini-Odescalchi which dominates the hilltop town. This castle was also the venue for Tom Cruise’s wedding to Katie Holmes. You can take a tour of the castle, it’s huge and very cool! After you can wander the streets of the old town and stop at one of its fine restaurants for a meal. In the summer you can camp down by the lake and lounge on the beach or swim, sail, or canoe. There’s also a ferry that will connect Bracciano to the other 2 towns on the lake. Getting to Bracciano from Rome is super easy. Just take a train to Bracciano from Rome’s Ostiense Train Station. (This is a main hub where the Blue metro line meets the train station – it’s where the Pyramid of Cestius is by Porta San Paolo) Ostia The modern town of Ostia is basically a suburb of Rome. There’s not a whole lot to see and do in the actual town itself. The main attraction of this town is it’s vast archaeological site called Ostia Antica. Back in the day it was a very important city because it was Rome’s ancient seaport. The sea has long receded and it’s no longer a coastal city, but the Archaeological site is fairly well preserved and offers a glimpse at how it was when it was a bustling seaport with over 60,000 residents. To get to there make your way to the Ostiense Train station or the Piramide Metro (the lines are intertwined here). Walk over to the Lido line – it uses a metro ticket or pass – and hop on a train. Get off at the 7th. Stop – Ostia Antica. From the station walk over the bridge and follow the street to the park entrance. Buy your ticket at the kiosk before the gate. Volterra Volterra is a walled mountaintop town in Italy’s Tuscany region. It’s history dates back from the 7th. century BC and has many structures from the Etruscan, Roman, and medieval periods. It was one of the 12 cities of the Etruscan League and was a very important center in those days. After the Etruscan era the city became allied to ancient Rome then by the end of the 3rd. Century BC. In the 5th. Century it was a bishop’s residence the by the 12th. Century was conquered by Florence and fell under Florentine rule. When Florence fell in 1530 it ended up in the control of the Medici family then from there followed the history of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. In pop culture it was an important part of the popular Twilight series written by Stephanie Meyer. In this series Volterra was home to the Volturi, a group of powerful ancient vampires who essentially ruled over all the vampires in the world. There are many interesting sites to in Volterra including the remains of a Roman Theater, Volterra Cathedral, the main piazza, museums which house works of Tuscan artists and ancient Etruscan funeral urns and other artifacts. And of course there are the city walls and some very well preserved gates. Volterra is definitely one of the must see Italian towns which is not on the regular tourist agenda, and that’s a good thing. Because it’s not on the regular tourist route it’s not at all crowded. It’s a great town to visit to experience the authentic Tuscany. But it’s a bit hard to get to. The easiest way to get to Volterra is by car or if you don’t want to drive or hire a service by tour bus. If you want to get there via public transportation it’s doable, but not so easily done. Getting there by public transportation involves a couple of train or bus transfer. You can get there from any of the main Tuscan towns like Florence, Siena, Pisa, or Livorno. The closest train station to Volterra is Saline di Volterra which can be reached by only by the line running from the coastal town of Cecina. So from any Tuscan city take the train to Cecina where you can transfer to the coastal line, but be aware that train service is intermittent. So most folks take the train to Cecina then transfer to a bus to Volterra. So there you have it; 5 more must see Italian towns that are a bit off the beaten path. A day trip to any or all of these towns will give you a taste of the real Italy!... Read more...5 Must See Italian Towns Off The Beaten PathApril 3, 2019So you’re going to Italy! Yaaay you! Italy is one of my favorite destinations and I’m pretty sure it will be yours too. I mean what’s not to like? It’s the land of Da Vinci, Michaelangelo, and Dante; the birthplace of the Renaissance; the home of pizza, pasta, and gelato! Of course a trip to Italy, specially if it’s your first, will include the must see cities of Rome, Florence, Venice, and Naples. All definitely worth seeing; and unfortunately all very crowded and pretty overpriced. So if you have an extra day or so here are 5 must see Italian towns that are a bit off the beaten path, but all well worth the time! There are many small towns that are worth visiting specially if you’re looking to avoid major crowds. In this post I’m listing 5 Italian towns that aren’t way off the beaten path and are still on the tourist radar, but don’t attract the massive crowds that fill the streets of Italy’s major cities. These Italian towns aren’t in any particular order and to keep it simple I listed towns that are easily accessible by train from one of the major cities. Orvieto Located in central Italy in the Umbria area Orvieto is a delightful Italian town. It sits high up on a hill made of volcanic tufo stone offering an extraordinary view of the Umbrian countryside. It is rich in religious artwork boasting one of the prettiest cathedral facades in my opinion. Orvieto has 2 distinct areas, the centro storico (old historic town) on the hill top, and the new area below. The area below is nothing special. But the historic town above has lots to offer. One of the town’s highlights is the Duomo or the cathedral. Construction began in 1290 using a mixture of Gothic and Romanesque styles. The Duomo is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It features a stained glass rose window, beautiful mosaics, bas reliefs, and pillars on its facade. Inside are chapels featuring beautiful artwork and statues made by a variety of Italian masters. Behind the Duomo are some medieval palaces called the Palazzi Papali. These museums house much of the artwork, furnishings, and papers from the Duomo. Orvieto also has a rich underground world that features a network of Etruscan era caves, tunnels, and wells. Guided tours of the underground caverns give an insight of how ancient Italians lived. Tour tickets can be purchased from the office in the square across the cathedral. Another underground feature is St. Patrick’s well. Built at the behest of Pope Clement VII between 1527 and 1537 the well features a double helix design that effectively allowed people and donkeys to go up and down to get water. This ensured the hilltop town always had access to water during times of siege. The town is a bit busy during the day with day trippers from Rome milling about, but mostly they’re concentrated in the Duomo square and the city center which is about a 5 minute walk from there. But busy in this Italian town is nowhere near what busy is like in Rome! You can easily get a great table at any of it’s restaurants, something you must do because one of the things the area is famous for is its Classico wine. Don’t leave town without trying it! My favorite place for awesome views, peace and quite, and a great place if you got kids who need to work off some energy is the park at the edge of town by the funicular station. The views of the town below and the Umbrian countryside are spectacular! The park is almost empty, the few times we’ve been there we had the whole park to ourselves! And there’s playground equipment for the young ones! Like I said it’s a great place to stop and rest, enjoy the views, and let the kids run around! Getting to Orvieto is easy. It’s less than a 90 minute train ride from Rome’s main station Roma Termini. It is serviced by the slower trains and tickets are super cheap, about 10 Euro each way at most. You get off at the Orvieto train station which is across the street from the entrance to the hilltop town. You can walk or take the elevator up to the top or take my favorite mode of transportation there, the funicular. The funicular takes you up to the edge of town by the park I mentioned. You can connect to the minibus, the stop is right outside the station, and get dropped off at the Duomo or you can walk up, it’s about a 10 minute uphill walk to the town center. Buy your tickets at the booth in front of the funicular station below, the ticket is good for the funicular and bus ride. You can buy round trip tickets and just hop on the bus and funicular for the ride down. If you drive to Orvieto you can park your car for free at the train station and walk, take the elevator or funicular to the top. Tivoli Tivoli is an historic hilltop town in the Lazio region of Italy. It sits on the Aniene River in the Monti Tiburtini hills. It is located 19 miles from Rome and can be easily reached by public transportation making it an ideal day trip from that city. This Italian town was on the major trade route between Rome and Abruzzi and has been an important settlement since then. Because of it’s high altitude the air is cooler and fresher than in Rome making it a popular summer retreat for the moneyed classes of ancient Rome who built elaborate villas in and around the town and bathed in the natural thermal springs located in the plains below the town center. Today that area is called Bagni di Tivoli and one can still bathe in the thermal springs. Tivoli as I mentioned is home to several ancient villas the two most famous are Villa d’Este and Villa Adriana which is not located in the town proper but in the plains below. Villa d’Este is a Renaissance villa built in the 1550’s for Cardinal Ippolito D’Este, the son of Lucretia Borgia. The villa was mainly built for entertaining and its interior has lavish frescoes adorning the reception rooms. But the main attraction of this villa are its spectacular gardens filled with amazing water features. The gardens were designed to dazzle guests with all sorts of fountains including the Fountain of the Dragons and the enormous Water Organ Fountain which cascades down a huge drop into quiet shady pools below. The gardens also offer wonderful views of the valley or plains below. It is one of the most visited villas in the area because it is located near the main bus stop where day trippers from Rome get off. Villa Adriana is a huge complex envisioned by Emperor Hadrian. Its grounds are so vast it can be considered a town by most standards and navigating it even with a map can prove daunting. The villa features lakes, fountains, baths, temples, gardens, and libraries. For those interested in antiquities the villa is definitely worth a visit. As I mentioned Villa Adriana is not located in the town proper, instead it is a bus ride away in the plains below. It is a stop on the regular Rome – Tivoli route. Just ask the driver where to get off and be prepared to walk the rest of the way. Or you can take the local bus from the town center which will take you to the villa entrance. There are other villas and sites in Tivoli that are worth seeing including Villa Gregoriana which is an impressive park set in a gorge that features a 100 meter waterfall; the round temple of Vesta and the ruins of the temple of Sybil both located above the Villa Gregoriana; Ponte Gregoriano which offer views over the gorge, the waterfall, and the temples; Rocca Pia fortress; the ruins of a Roman Ampitheater; the Cathedral of San Lorenzo; and the Church of San Sylvester. There are several piazzas and quaint alleys to enjoy around town. You can even see some turret-houses around. These medieval homes were defensive dwellings built by the residents. They featured roofed terraces and no front doors, they were accessed on the second floor which could only be reached by climbing a ladder. There are about 100 of these houses left and many can be seen in Via del Duomo, Via Platone Tiburtino and Via del Colle. Getting to Tivoli from Rome is fairly easy and very inexpensive, it’s the cost of a metro/bus ticket! Take the blue metro line Linea B to Ponte Mammalo and transfer onto a Cortel bus to Tivoli. The ride takes about 40 minutes depending on the traffic. To return just take the bus back to Ponte Mammalo and the metro back to Roma Termini where you can either continue on the blue line or transfer to the red line to reach your destination. Siena Siena is one of the Italian towns in the Tuscany region. It is arguably the best preserved medieval town in the country. Siena is not exactly off the beaten path, it has become a major tourist destination. You’ll find everyone gathered in the famous piazza called Il Campo which is the heart of Siena and was the site of the ancient Roman forum. You’ll find most of the major sites in and around this piazza including the Duomo Siena’s Gothic Cathedral and the Palazzo Publico and its tower the Torre del Mangia which dominates Il Campo. Il Campo was rebuilt by the Council of Nine, a quasi-democratic group from 1287 to 1355, the nine sections of the fan-like brick pavement of the piazza represent the council and symbolizes the Madonna’s cloak which is said to shelter Siena. Siena was said to have been founded by Senius son of Remus one of the two legendary founders of Rome. Because of this you will find statues of the she-wolf who suckled Remus and Romulus all over Siena. This wolf is the emblem of this city. Siena’s historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the home to the world famous Palio the horse race run around the piazza twice every summer. The museum housed in the Palazzo Publico features some of the best Sienese paintings and frescoes. The Duomo is full of treasures including the Piccolomini library frescoes. The piazza itself is rimmed with restaurants and bars and the alleys radiating from the main square are alive with shops. If you go on a weekend you’ll find this area alive with both tourists and locals. It may seem crowded but it is a far cry from Florence’s humongous crowds which gather in ever piazza and fill every street. Siena is an easy day trip from Florence and can be reached by trains departing from the main station Firenze Santa Maria Novella. Get off in Siena’s main train station and hop a bus to the city center. From the bus stop it’s about a 5 -10 minute walk to Il Campo. If you don’t mind long train rides (we don’t) Siena can even be a day trip from Rome, just transfer trains in Florence. Lucca Most folks who find themselves in Florence usually head over to Pisa, it seems to be a staple on everyone’s bucket list. I have no idea why! Why on earth would one find it enjoyable to jostle the crowds just to peer up at a tower that leans to one side? The tower which is actually the church’s bell tower, the church, and the baptisary are all located in a small out of the way field in the town of Pisa. Clearly the town’s claim to fame is the leaning tower and tourists (and pickpockets) flock to it. Seriously if your only reason to visit Pisa is to see the tower, skip it and buy a postcard, unless of course you have the desire to climb it. (I don’t know why you would, the only views you’ll see are the surrounding streets filled with residential units.) Instead head over to Lucca, it’s one of my favorite little Italian towns. Lucca is a quaint walled town in Tuscany. It is famous because of its intact medieval wall that surrounds the town. It’s a charming little town with lovely piazzas, streets made for wandering, and almost 100 churches (that’s a lot for such a small town!). You can relax at one of the bars and restaurants and sip on a glass of Lucchesi wine and nibble on rustic dishes prepared with fresh vegetables from nearby Garfagnana. You can spend the day wandering the alleyways lined with churches and boutiques, or you can walk the walls which in medieval times kept the town safe. Lucca is a train ride away from Florence which makes it an ideal place for a day trip. It’s very close to Pisa so if you really must you can take the train to Pisa, pop in to the Campo dei Miracoli to take a selfie with the leaning tower, then double back on the train to Lucca. At Lucca get off at the main train station and cross the street to the entrance to the walled city. Cinque Terre Literally the “5 Lands” Cinque Terre is on the coast of Italy’s Liguria region. Its coast line, 5 towns (Vernazza, Manarola, Monterossa Al Mare, Riomaggiore, and Corniglia) and the surrounding hills are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Italian towns date back to the 11th. Century. Over centuries residents have built terraces up the steep rugged cliffs that overlook the cliffs. The towns are connected by trains, boats, and paths; except Corniglia which is not accessible by boat. The 5 villages were connected by a path called Sentiero Azzuro but the section between Riomaggiore and Manarola (the path in the picture) called Via Dell’Amore closed in 2012 and is being renovated. It is slated to reopen in 2019. You can still walk to the villages on a different path but it is not on the water front and is steeper and longer than the original one. Cinque Terre has become a very popular tourist destination and can get rather crowded specially in the summer. But it’s worth the trip specially by ferry just to see the towns built on the sides of the cliff. Depending on your time you can choose to visit one or all villages. There are day passes for both trains and ferries that will take you to all the towns you can hop on and off as you please. Each town has pretty streets to wander thru, not many streets in each town so it’s really hard to get lost. There are also many restaurants, bars, and shops in the main tourist areas. And of course you can enjoy the scenery and the water front. Cinque Terre is a day trip from Genoa or possibly even Florence if you don’t mind the longer train ride. You can catch the ferries from Genoa’s Old Harbor, La Spezia, Lerici, and Porto Venere. These are just 5 of my favorite Italian towns, they aren’t so far off the beaten path. They are all easily accessible by train from one of Italy’s major cities. But they’re far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Rome, Genoa, or Florence; a visit to any one of them will definitely make your trip more memorable! Ready to plan your Italian Holiday? Call Savvy Nana Travel, we’ll design the perfect itinerary just for you! ... Read more...Unicorn Theme Party IdeasMarch 29, 2019Unicorns, rainbows, and princesses these three seem to go hand in hand. What little girl doesn’t dream of being a princess riding her magical unicorn down a rainbow? Any or all three would make an ideal theme for your little princess’s next birthday party. Of course you can use any or all ideas for your next party, but to keep it simple, sort of, I’ll stick with just one theme today, a Unicorn Party. A unicorn theme party works great for children and adult birthday parties, bridal and baby showers, an just about any type of event you want. And don’t think it’s limited to girls only, just change the color scheme and nix the girly glitter and it’ll work for a boy’s or co-ed parties! Here are some super cute ideas for a unicorn party! Hope they inspire you! This article contains affiliate links Invitations Every party begins with an invitation. So set the stage by choosing a coordinated invitation like this pretty one by Jessie K. Designs. In fact she’s sharing this printable unicorn invitation for free! Click here to download! Decorations One of my favorite party planning activities is decorating. Coordinating decorations make any theme party more memorable. In this case all things unicorn of course! So go ahead let your imagination run wild! Banners, balloons, streamers, lanterns, centerpieces, photo booths, backdrops, and even dessert tables (think cake, cake toppers, plates, cups, table cloths, and napkins) can all be party of the decor! In my opinion you can never have enough decorations! I love these unicorn lanterns! It’s amazing how these paper lanterns can be transformed into shy unicorns with a bit of paper, tulle, and flowers! Go ahead, mix and match colors and sizes! How about this dessert table? Love how tulle makes an awesome table skirt and a simple white board or canvas becomes a chic backdrop! Don’t you love these adorable centerpieces? All it takes is some tissue paper, balloons, glitter and plain paper, and cupcake toppers. Secure them to a base and you’ve got a centerpiece! Use them at guest tables, buffet and dessert tables, and anywhere else. Hey they double as party favors! Make a frame and let guests take their own photos! They’ll love it! Cut out a frame shape from a poster or foam board. Glue on paper horn, ears, and flowers, and voila a unicorn frame! If you’re crafty with wood you can make a wooden frame and decorate with colored paper flowers etc. Just remember to keep it light weight, the kids gotta be able to lift them! Treats Food, specially treats, definitely is a must. I’m sure there’ll be cake, there are many awesome unicorn cakes out there! But how about these unicorn cupcakes by My Heavenly Recipes? They can be in addition to or instead of a unicorn cake. Click here for the recipe! You can serve Unicorn Dip, chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, rainbow rice crispy treats, macaroons, and more. The secret is make it colorful! Better yet coordinate your treat colors to you theme colors! Activities Keep guests entertained with a craft or some games. I love this Unicorn Slime by momdot.com. Click here for directions! Or pin the horn on the Unicorn! Get this free printable from Jessie K Designs. Make these unicorn masks! Get the free template from rufflesandrainboots.com! Unicorn rides would be a hit! Sign me up! But where do I get the unicorn? Check your local stables to see if they rent pony rides, many do! Now ask if you can dress the pony in a unicorn costume, they might just agree. Or if you’re lucky there will be companies who do rides for events in your area. I’ll bet they already offer unicorn rides. Your next best option would be to rent or buy a unicorn themed bounce house. Favors If you made masks or slime they can double as party favors. Or you can package cookies, cotton candy, lollipops, and other favors to send home with guests But I just love theses cute and cuddly plush unicorns guests can adopt! Whatever you decide you can send favors home in unicorn bags! I used plain white gift bags to make these his and her unicorn bags Just cut horn, ears, eyes, shades, and other pieces out of cardstock and glitter paper and glue them on. Easy peasy! ... Read more...5 Unique Ways to Experience EuropeMarch 27, 2019Is a trip to Europe on your bucket list? I’m almost certain it is. I think Europe is on just about everyone’s places to see before you die list. I can definitely understand why. I love, love, love Europe! But Europe means so many different things to each person. Currently according to the United Nations there are 44 countries on the European continent. Although it’s the second smallest continent Europe stretches from its border with Asia on the east to its Atlantic coast on the west. It includes Greenland on the north and meets Africa on the south. That’s why Europe is such a diverse continent with each country having its own unique history, culture, language, and cuisine. Most people think a European means traveling to France, Italy, Britain, and Germany. Those 4 countries are more definitely worth seeing, but they aren’t the only ones worth visiting. Sure a trip to Europe should include a visit to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, one to the sites of Rome, another to Britain’s Buckingham Palace, and still another to see the castles in Germany; and of course a trip to the Louvre, the Vatican Museum, the British Museum, and the Pergamonmuseum are worthwhile. But to really experience Europe and all that it has to offer one should include a unique activity or two. Here are 5 unique ways to really get the most out of your European vacation! Trains Europe has an amazing train system that connects pretty much every country on the continent to each other. Trains connect major cities to small towns all over Europe, making trains one of the best ways to travel from country to country. High speed trains offer several classes of service and rail passes make train travel easy and affordable. I know trains are my favorite mode of transportation in Europe; trains are comfortable, quick, and easy. Best of all you avoid the lines at the airports, and you don’t have to get to the station 2 hours before departure like you do at airports, and you don’t have to waste time collecting your luggage when you get to your destination. Also most main train stations are located in the heart of the city unlike airports which generally are situated miles away from the city center. And let’s not forget the scenery you can watch pass by on your way to where ever you’re headed. In fact there are several scenic routes you can go on that will take you past mountains, lakes, valleys, and more. One such route is Switzerland’s Glacier Express whose route goes thru the Swiss Alps. Need more rail information click here! Or check out my article with tips on Italy train travel. River Cruise Whether it’s a one hour cruise on the Seine or a week long meander down the Danube a river cruise is a great way to experience Europe. It gives you a different perspective on a city and allows you to watch some amazing scenery as you slowly drift by castles and villages which you’d never see from a plane or even a bus! Many big cities on a river have hourly or day sightseeing cruises; Amsterdam, Paris, London, and Bruges just to name a few. Local Markets To catch a glimpse of everyday life take a trip to the local markets or head over to the main square on market day. Everyone goes to the markets so it’s always bustling. And you’ll be amazed at the different types of foods you’ll find. A trip to the market is also a great way to try out some local cuisine. Most markets have kiosks selling prepared food like fried seafood, tapas, and whatever specialties the area is known for. And don’t forget that markets are the best and least expensive way to put together a picnic lunch, just grab some bread, lunch meats, cheese, and fruit and you’ve got a mouth watering meal! Cooking Class Food is the universal language so what better way to learn a bit of the culture than at a cooking class at a local farmhouse or restaurant. Not to mention at the end of the class you get an awesome meal too! There are all sorts of cooking classes offered, you can go to a one day class or stay at a farmhouse and learn to cook local specialties for a week! In Italy a pizza or pasta making class is a must, in France a french pastry or macaroon making class is amazing specially for those of use with a sweet tooth, and a gingerbread baking class in Germany is delightful. Walk, Walk, and Walk some more! European cities and towns are seriously walking places; that’s really the only way you’ll see anything. So bring your waking shoes or hiking boots and wander the streets and squares or the big cities, and hike the paths along the coast, in the forests mountains. You’ll be amazed at the sights you’ll see! After all you’ll never know what wonder awaits behind the bend until you get there! Let Savvy Nana Travel help you plan your trip to Europe! ... Read more...4 Tips to Moving Your Stuff While TravelingMarch 22, 2019When planning to travel for adventure or due to duty calls, it is always a hard task to decide on the stuff you need to carry or leave behind. It is also difficult to determine how to move the items across the world or even the states. Some stuff is delicate and requires special handling. Others are too expensive or precious and can be risky and costly if lost or stolen. To ease this hassle while traveling, apply the following tips: 1) Use a Moving Company If you are in Australia, you may be wondering, “Where do I get credible removalist Melbourne services?” Brilliance Removalists Melbourne helps you move the stuff you need to a location of your choice. The company has invested in different sized trucks, and this reduces cramping and damage on your stuff, scenarios that may be experienced if you stuffed them in the boot of your car or a smaller truck. They can also help you pack and label your stuff, thus saving time reducing confusion. They also offer special packaging to fragile items. This helps you receive your stuff in one piece. They have employed qualified and experienced personnel. This ensures that your items are handled safely and carefully. The company has replacement and insurance policies that protect your stuff while on transit in case of any eventualities. 2) Only Carry What You Need The temptation to carry every little thing in your house can be hard to resist. It can be hard to move the whole house especially if you do not know the size of the house you might be staying in next. You might also have a hard time every time you have to pick up and go to your next travel destination. To ease this, carry only the essentials. This can be done by preparing a packing list that helps your packing process. The items you do not need can be left behind for future use once you come back or give them out. You can also sell and make a few dollars out of the stuff you do not need while traveling. 3) Storage Facilities While traveling for a long period, it might be costly to move with all your stuff from one place to the other. It is also expensive to pay for an apartment to hold the stuff that you do not need for the period you will be away. To reduce such costs, consider keeping your stuff in a storage unit. The units are locally available and are cheaper. They come in different sizes, but in case all units are of equal sizes and one is not enough, you can get two or several units. The units are safe and secure reducing the risk of losses from burglars. You can also send your items to storage units before you get to your location. Once you get there, you can get your stuff from the storage units and use them. 4) Insure Your Stuff Items risk being stolen, breaking, or getting their parts damaged while in transit. Some can be salvaged and repaired while others are rendered useless. You can insure your stuff while on transit to cater for any eventuality. This helps reduce losses. It also enables you to get back to your previous position without straining. A local or international insurance company can offer transit insurance. Check and compare prices and terms that each provider sets out to ensure you are fully protected.... Read more... Get Our Newsletter Success! First Name Last Name Email Subscribe Latest Posts The top 4 things to consider before leaving your healthcare firmApril 21, 2019Corner / Health & FitnessAt one time or another, you may have found yourself having to change your healthcare provider due to different factors. Perhaps leaving your provider was a necessity due to moving to a new city. Or, perhaps your health insurance plan changed which made your rates go up, causing you to choose a new provider. In case you are considering leaving your healthcare firm for non-essential reasons, you need to take time and weigh all of the options. Consider what you are getting at your current provider, versus what you expect to get elsewhere and then do a cost-benefit analysis. If the advantages of leaving are not that compelling, then you would be better off staying where you are. To help you make a rational decision, here are the top 4 things to consider before leaving your healthcare firm. 1. The quality of service Before you leave your healthcare firm, consider the quality of care that they give you. As a rule, go for a healthcare firm that offers you a comparatively higher quality of service. For instance, if your healthcare firm is in Melbourne Australia, you should consider comparing it with Mitcham dental clinic. Mitcham is famed for its high quality of service, and state-of-the-art equipment. If you find Mitcham dental clinic better, which is highly likely, then make the shift. You won’t regret it. To help you learn more about this firm, check them out at http://www.mitchamdental.com.au/. 2. The distance from your location Before you leave your healthcare firm, consider the distance from your residence. Your healthcare provider should be at a convenient distance from your home. For instance, there would be no point in driving for hours on end, just to see a dentist. If you are moving to a far-off location from where you currently reside, then it would make sense to find another one close by. 3. The opening and closing hours If your workday doesn’t give you lots of free time, then you should consider flexibility before you leave your healthcare firm. For instance, if your healthcare firm offers 24-hour service, then it would make sense to stay with them. On the flipside, if they only operate during normal working hours, it would be practical to leave them, and find one that you can easily access at any time. This convenience can make all the difference in the quality of service that you get for what you pay your healthcare provider. 4. The small stuff, such as parking and public transport These may seem trivial, but it is important to put them into consideration when looking to leave your healthcare provider. For instance, if your current provider has amazing parking, and is easily accessible via public transport, then it would make sense to stick with them. On the other hand, if they don’t have it, then you should consider leaving for one that fits this description. That’s because, the ability to access a healthcare facility easily can make a lot of difference in the quality of service you receive, especially if you work under a tight work schedule. They may seem trivial, but in reality, these factors are important. ... Read more...5 things you need to know about puppy food for your little furry friendApril 19, 2019Corner / Pet CornerPuppies are amazing. They are so adorable that once you get one,you want to spend all your time around your new bundle of joy. However, the challenge comes in taking good care of it. For instance, when it comes to feeding a puppy, you need to be careful about what you feed them. Otherwise, you may end up hurting your little friend. To help you take better care of your puppy, here are the 5 things that you need to know about puppy food before you feed your little furry friend. 1. The food needs to come from recognized brands When it comes to puppies, you don’t just feed them anything. You need to feed them food that has very specific nutrients. To ensure that you feed them right, go for recognized puppy food brands. For instance, Royal Canin Puppy Food is one of the best when it comes to puppy food. They have food that is specifically for puppies, as well as, instructions on how to administer it. By feeding it such food, you are sure that your little furry friend will grow up healthy and happy. 2. Different puppy breeds have different quantity requirements When it comes to puppy food, the dog breed matters. You cannot feed a Chihuahua puppy the same food quantity that you would feed to a German shepherd puppy. To ensure that you feed your beloved puppy the right food quantity, go for recognized dog food brands. These brands usually come with specifications on how much food you should give to your dog. You don’t want a situation where you hurt your little friend, by trying to determine the quantity of food to give it by yourself. 3. Changing food brands can lead to allergies Like human babies, puppies do get allergic reactions too. As such, if you want to change dog food brands for your puppy, do so gradually. The idea is to allow the puppy’s body to transition well to the new brand that you want to feed it. In fact, before you feed your puppy a new type of food, talk to the vet first. An acute allergic reaction can easily kill your lovely puppy. 4. There is puppy food for puppies with special needs Like human babies, you may find yourself with a puppy with special needs. The most common of them is weight gain tendencies, where your puppy gains an unhealthy weight level even without feeding too much. In case you have a puppy with such needs, go for a puppy food brand that has special needs food. This ensures that your puppy grows up healthy and happy, just the way you want it. 5. It is very affordable With all the benefits that come with good quality puppy food, you are probably thinking that it is expensive, right? Well, here is the good news, it isn’t! Good puppy food brands such as Royal Canin puppy food is within most people’s budget. It even cheaper if you buy it online at a store like Vet Send. ... Read more...Last Minute Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt IdeasApril 19, 2019Corner / DIY Holiday Crafts / EasterWhen my kids were young we always had a neighborhood Easter Egg hunt on Easter Sundays. It’s a great day to get together for some fun, food, and neighborly chats; and a great way to use up all those hard boiled eggs. It didn’t take a lot of effort on anyone’s part since everyone was dying Easter eggs anyway. After the hunt some of the adults would supervise the kids in games and the others would head to the kitchen to turn the eggs into Egg Salad Sandwiches. The rest of the luncheon food was pot luck. We still get together with the neighbors on Easter Sunday for an Easter Egg Hunt, only now the kids are our grandkids! Here are a few tips to help you plan a last minute Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. If you’ve tried it yet, you may want to plan one this year. You might just start a new neighborhood tradition! A couple of days before the hunt: 1. Get together with the neighbors and decide where your potluck luncheon will be held. You may have to host it in a 2-3 yards to fit everyone. Decide what time the hunt will begin. 2. Gather chairs and tables and decide on a time when they can be set up at the host yards. It may be easier to have each neighbor bring their own chairs, but hopefully you’ll have a neighbor who can bring over a folding table or two at least to place food on. 3. Decide on how many eggs each neighbor will bring; both dyed hard boiled eggs and plastic eggs. Set a budget on how much each neighbor should spend to fill the plastic eggs. Decide if you will have a “golden egg” for the grand prize. If you want to have one the easiest prize would be money; each neighbor can contribute $1 that can be stuffed in a special egg. Decide if you want to limit the number of eggs each child can keep; if you do then decide on how many. Don’t forget the teens and tweenies, you may want to do a separate hunt or different activity for them. For Egg decoration ideas click here! 4. Mark the territory where the eggs will be hidden. 5. Ask each neighbor to sign up for the potluck so that you will have a variety of food, not just desserts. Remember to ask one or two people to bring bread and ingredients for egg salad sandwiches. 6. Decide where and who will turn the hard boiled eggs into egg salad sandwiches. This can be a group effort in one person’s kitchen or you can have volunteers take a dozen or so eggs home to their kitchen to make their hard boiled egg dish. Check out my post 12 Recipes Using Hard Boiled Easter Eggs for ideas. 7. Decide what if any other games and activities you want to have for the kids. Decide on the supplies you will need for the activities, who will provide them, and who will supervise the activities. You may want to start out with an Easter Bag/Basket making activity before the hunt. 8. Decide when and where neighbors should bring their eggs for the hunt. Decide who will hide them. Morning of the hunt: 1. Designated egg “hiders” can hide the eggs. 2. Set up borrowed table and chairs in the host yards. 3. Gather the kids for the first activity if you have any, otherwise start the hunt. 4. After the hunt have the children give the boiled eggs they don’t want to keep to their parents or the people in charge of making salad. 5. Keep the kids busy with games and activities while egg salad sandwiches are being made. 6. Bring all the food to the host yard and set them up on tables. 7. Enjoy! This could be the first of many more neighborhood events![spacer height=”-20px”] For older kids hide some eggs in high places, they love the challenge![spacer height=”-20px”] Start the event with a Bunny Bag craft like these from Fun A Day . The kids can make these cute bags to put their eggs in. You can get packs of plain paper bags or gift bags from the Dollar Store and decorate them with construction paper, pipe cleaners, and left over supplies from other craft projects gathered from the neighbors.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Keep kids busy making Jelly Bean Bracelets from Artzy Creations. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] This Egg Popper Tree by Studio DIY is a good alternative for older kids. [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] A sack race is always a fun game.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] Egg on Spoon Races are always fun. Think of different variations![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] A Lollipop Patch by Catch My Party is a great idea for younger kids.[spacer height=”20px” id=”2″] [spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]... Read more...Chicken Milanese with Lemon Butter SauceApril 18, 2019Main Course / Poutlry / RecipesChicken Milanese with Lemon Butter Sauce, wow! Sounds fancy doesn’t it? Sounds like something you’d order in a fancy Italian restaurant. It brings to mind the city of Milan, one of the world’s most fashionable city. The name doesn’t lie, Chicken Milanese simply means Chicken made Milan style. It is one of the signature dishes of Milan; in Italian it’s called “Pollo alla Milanese”. Are you impressed yet? Traditionally it was made with veal, Cotoletta alla Milanese, but chicken has become a popular alternative. Well let me tell you the first time I ever had Pollo alla Milanese was in a chic little restaurant in Cernobbio, a town on Lake Como about 40 kilometers away from Milan. And yes I ordered it because I thought with such a grand name it must be something different. Imagine my surprise when the waiter set a fried chicken cutlet in front of me and it didn’t even have any gravy! Yup that’s what Pollo alla Milanese is, a battered and fried chicken cutlet. If we were talking Southern cooking it would be called chicken fried chicken and chicken fried steak if veal were used instead of chicken. But because it’s an Italian style cutlet it’s not smothered in gravy and served with mashed potatoes and corn, like the perfect Southern comfort food. Instead it’s usually served with a bed of crisp fresh greens like an arugula salad. Instead of gravy they usually squeeze a slice of lemon over the cutlet or top it with a light lemony butter sauce. As far as I can determine that’s the only difference between chicken fried chicken and Chicken Milanese. Well whatever you call it it’s still delicious! A bit fussy to make (you have to cut, pound, dredge, dip, bread, and fry) but so worth the time and trouble. I make it at home and serve it both ways, Milanese and fried cutlet with gravy, depending on what I’m hungry for. Either way my family loves them! Here’s the recipe for Chicken Milanese with Lemon Butter Sauce! This article contains affiliate links Ingredients: 4 Pieces Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts – sliced horizontally to make 8 thin slices 2 Cups Flour 3 Eggs beaten 2 Cups Panko or breadcrumbs – I prefer Panko which can be found at Asian Markets, but bread crumbs work fine 1 Tbs Garlic Powder 2 Tbs Italian Seasoning 1/4 Cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese Oil for frying For the Sauce: 4 Tbs Butter 1 Tsp Minced Garlic 1/2 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream 1/2 Cup Chicken Stock 1/2 Cup White Wine 1 Tsp Italian Seasoning 2 Tbs Lemon Juice Salt & Pepper to taste Procedure: Place chicken breasts between 2 sheets of plastic wrap – you will have to do this with 2-4 pieces at a time Using a kitchen mallet pound breasts to 1/4″ thickness Pounding chicken breasts between plastic wrap keeps chicken juices from splattering all over the kitchen counters. Set aside while you get the other ingredients ready. Mix flour and garlic powder together and place in a shallow dish or bowl Beat eggs in another shallow dish or bowl Mix Panko with grated cheese and Italian seasoning in another shallow dish or bowl Line bowls up in order (flour, egg, Panko) next to the stove. This makes the frying process so much easier and neater. Heat oil in a large frying pan. Oil will be hot enough if it sizzles when you drop a piece of panko in it. Dredge a slice of chicken in flour making sure both sides are completely covered Dip both sides of chicken in egg Dip both sides of chicken in Panko mixture Place in frying pan and fry both sides about 3 minutes per side or until golden brown Drain on paper towel Serve with Roasted Potatoes and Lemon Butter Sauce Sauce: Melt 1 Tbl Butter in saucepan Saute garlic in butter until it starts to brown Stir in cream, stock, and wine until well combined Bring mixture to a boil then reduce heat Whisk in remaining butter 1 tbs at a time Stir in seasoning and lemon juice Season with salt and pepper to taste Serve over Chicken Milanese Chicken Milanese with Lemon Butter Sauce Print Recipe CourseChicken, Main Dish CuisineItalian Keywordfried chicken Chicken Milanese with Lemon Butter Sauce Print Recipe CourseChicken, Main Dish CuisineItalian Keywordfried chicken Ingredients Chicken 4 Pcs. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts sliced horizontally to make 8 thin slices 2 Cups flour 3 Lg Eggs 2 Cups Panko 1 Tbs Garlic Powder 2 Tbs Italian Seasoning 1/4 Cup Parmesan cheese Freshly grated Oil For frying Sauce 4 Tbs Butter 1 Tsp minced garlic 1/2 Cup heavy cream 1/2 Cup Chicken Stock 1/2 Cup White Wine 1 Tsp Italian Seasoning 2 Tbs Lemon Juice Salt & Pepper to taste Servings: Instructions Chicken Place chicken breasts between 2 sheets of plastic wrap - you will have to do this with 2-4 pieces at a time Using a kitchen mallet pound breasts to 1/4" thickness Pounding chicken breasts between plastic wrap keeps chicken juices from splattering all over the kitchen counters. Set aside while you get the other ingredients ready. Mix flour and garlic powder together and place in a shallow dish or bowl Beat eggs in another shallow dish or bowl Mix Panko with grated cheese and Italian seasoning in another shallow dish or bowl Line bowls up in order (flour, egg, Panko) next to the stove. This makes the frying process so much easier and neater. place in a shallow dish or bowl Beat eggs in another shallow dish or bowl Mix Panko with grated cheese and Italian seasoning in another shallow dish or bowl Line bowls up in order (flour, egg, Panko) next to the stove. This makes the frying process so much easier and neater. Heat oil in a large frying pan. Oil will be hot enough if it sizzles when you drop a piece of panko in it. Dredge a slice of chicken in flour making sure both sides are completely covered Dip both sides of chicken in egg Dip both sides of chicken in Panko mixture Place in frying pan and fry both sides about 3 minutes per side or until golden brown Drain on paper towel Serve with Roasted Potatoes and Lemon Butter Sauce Sauce Melt 1 Tbl Butter in saucepan Saute garlic in butter until it starts to brown Stir in cream, stock, and wine until well combined Bring mixture to a boil then reduce heat Whisk in remaining butter 1 tbs at a time Stir in seasoning and lemon juice Season with salt and pepper to taste Serve over Chicken Milanese Share this Recipe Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe... Read more...Still More Must See Italian Towns Off the Beaten PathApril 17, 2019Europe Travel / ItalyItaly is a very popular destination no matter what time of year. I seriously doubt they have an off season like other vacation spots. I’ve only seen 2 seasons, busy and busier. It’s said to be empty in August during the dog days of summer when the Italians leave the cities to head for the shores. Yes it’s less busy in August mostly because the natives are on holiday so you may find shops and restaurants closed for the month, this is true in the smaller towns and cities, not so much in the major ones. But although the locals have fled the heat the tourists still flock to the big cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice. That’s why we like to leave the big crowded cities and head over to these 5 Italian towns off the beaten path. Mind you though we head for the less crowded Italian towns off the beaten path it doesn’t necessarily mean we stay there for days on end, some of them don’t have the accommodations we prefer, like large hotels with air conditioning! We usually use one of the cities as a hub and take day trips from there when possible. For us this works out better, but if you’re ok with small hotels, B&Bs, and other types of accommodations then go for it! Today I’m sharing my 5 favorite Italian towns off the beaten path. They are by no means the only Italian towns off the beaten path that are worth a visit; in fact in my opinion all Italian towns are worth the visit! Though many of them don’t boast the large museums and famous art work you’ll find in the larger cities, you’ll be surprised at what you’ll find in many of them. From quiet piazzas, little trattorias serving awesome regional specialties, quaint wineries where you can participate in the harvest, and interesting festivals and events that some towns are known for. Matera Matera is a city in the Basilicata region in Southern Italy. The modern city of Matera is pretty much a typical town and there’s not a whole lot to do there. It does however boast a very nice pedestrian free zone that connects the two Sasso Districts, Sassi Barisano and Sassi Caveoso. This zone is lined with shops, restaurants, and churches including the cathedral. But the main attraction in this city are the Sasso Districts. Matera or more specifically the Sassi di Matera (meaning stones of Matera) in my opinion is one of Hollywood’s best kept secrets. Probably because during the years between the late 1950’s to the early 1990’s Italy would have liked to hide the town from the map. Matera is definitely off the beaten path. It’s not so easily accessible and is not on every tourist’s bucket list, although that is changing! Thanks to Hollywood Matera is getting noticed! Mel Gibson’s The Passion of The Christ and the most recent Wonder Woman film were both filmed there. The couple of times we visited Matera it was basically empty, we went in the fall and spring, a great time to go weather wise, specially if you want to walk down to the Sassi. We didn’t see a lot of tourists in the modern and old sections of the city. There were a handful of tour groups milling around, but finding a seat at one of the restaurants wasn’t difficult at all! Matera is said to be the third oldest continuously inhabited place on earth. Proof of its habitation dates back to the Paleolithic age, yes that’s caveman days, when ancient man found shelter in the caves that dot the walls of the gorge. Over the years inhabitants built homes, shops, wells, and churches in the caves. By digging in the soft tufa rock they were able create new spaces and enlarge existing ones. The cave dwellings and churches don’t look like caves from the outside, everyone one of them has an intricate facade and many are grouped into little “neighborhoods” where several homes share a courtyard. This worked out well for many years until the town became over populated and living conditions became very unsanitary. People were living stacked in the caves with no running water, electricity, and poor ventilation; and raw sewage was literally running through the streets. Diseases were rampant and the infant mortality rate was very high. It became the shame of Italy and so in the late 1950’s residents, many forcibly, were moved to the modern city above. The Sasso district was left abandoned for years until some enterprising folks along with help from the government began transforming the caves into luxury hotels, shops, and restaurants. This pretty much started after the Sasso and the Rupestrian (stone) churches within all became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So slowly the tourists are beginning to trickle in. But the tourists that do go are very determined ones because as I said it is quite off the beaten path. Getting to Matera isn’t difficult if you’re staying in Bari and the surrounding area. It is connected by light rail the FAL line to Bari. You can take this very slow train from the FAL tracks located in Bari’s main train station to Matera, that’s the end of the line. Depending on the train you might have to transfer in Altamura but no worries, the trains are marked and there are only 2 tracks in Altamura. For more information on Matera check out my article here! Bolzano Another one of my favorite Italian towns off the beaten path is Bolzano. Again it’s not on every tourist bucket list and those that do make it up to Bolzano are pretty determined tourists. Bolzano is in the South Tryol region of Northern Italy. It’s not easily accessible, but can be reached by public transportation for those with a mind to do so. Located in the the Dolomites/ Italian Alps Bolzano can get fairly busy in the winter as there are ski lodges up in the mountain top. It’s also a popular place for hikers as there are many beautiful trails in the area. But having said that it’s still a pretty quiet town, specially in the early fall and late spring when the ski season is over. Even if you’re not into winter sports or even hiking or trekking there are still plenty of things to do in Bolzano. You can visit Otzi the iceman, he resides in a freezer in the archaeological museum in town. His well preserved body was discovered in ice in the Italian Alps and the museum is pretty much dedicated to studying ice mummies. You can also visit the cathedral located across from the town’s main square, Piazza Walter, some castles in the area, ride the cable car up to Sopra Bolzano where there is a bee museum and other interesting sites, you can dine in the many restaurants, and of course shop in the mall and the open markets. Or you can stroll by the river and relax in the park along side it. It’s a wonderful spot for a picnic! Bolzano is an Italian town with a German feel. The residents speak both languages, the buildings look more German than Italian, some folks do dress in lederhosen, and the cuisine features both Italian and German/Austrian dishes. You can get to Bolzano by train from Italy, Germany, and Austrian. From Northern Italy there is a high speed train that leaves from Verona Porta Nuova station. The ride takes just under an hour and a half. For more information on Bolzano check out my article here! Padua Padua is a town located in the Veneto region, a train ride away from Venice. It’s a college town that’s a bit off the beaten path, at least the tourists don’t crowd there as they do in nearby Venice and Verona. It does get a bit busy when there are festivals and concerts in town, but other than that it’s pretty quiet. There are several churches and chapels in town that are worth visiting, but to me the best feature is the Prato della Valle, the oval green space in the middle of town. It is a huge space said to be one of Europe’s oldest and largest squares, even though it’s oval shape it’s still considered a square. It is bordered by a moat and is accessible by crossing one of the 4 bridges. Positioned around the moat are statues of Padova’s important citizens. I love this place! It’s a great place to let kids run around! The square has some restaurants and bars around it, but for more food choices and shopping you can wander the shaded streets that connect the square to the museums and university. Like I said it’s hardly ever crowded and is a relaxing place to spend half the day just wandering and sipping wine with a fine meal in one of its many restaurants. For more information on Padua check out my article here! Vicenza Vicenza is a city in the Veneto region of Northern Italy. It’s about a 45 minute train ride away from Venice. For those interested in architecture, particularly the designs of Palladio then Vicenza is on their bucket list. This little Italian town is home to most of Palladio’s work. Here you’ll find his Basillica, Teatro Olipico, La Rotonda (the villa that inspired Thomas Jefferson when he designed Montecello), and a handful of other villas. You can also make your way up to Monte Berico where you’ll find a church and a spectacular view of the town below. Other tourist sites in the area include a museum dedicated to all things Palladio, wineries, olive groves and presses, and a lively market in the main square on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information on Vicenza read my article here! Marostica Marostica is a town on the side of a hill in the Vicenza province in Northern Italy’s Veneto region. It’s claim to fame is its live chess game the town puts on ever 2 years – every even year to be exact. Yes a live chess game right in the main town square in front of the castle. Very Alice in Wonderland! It is definitely an Italian town off the beaten path! It’s not the easiest place to get to unless you have a car. The closest train station is in Bassano del Grappa and from there you must take the bus to Marostica. But unless the chess festival is going on (September on even numbered years) you’ll more than likely have the town to yourself. There’s not much to do there, specially when there are no chess matches, but you can explore the 2 castles and the churches then relax at the town square. Very restful! A great place to get away from the maddening crowds! Ready for an Italian adventure? Call Savvy Nana Travel, we’ll help you plan an adventure of a lifetime! ... Read more...
