October 22, 2008

Sweet 200


The rejuvenating cure and aesthetic surgery of the main facade are almost done. The lady looks pretty and her peach skin immaculate. Almost like a 'torta'. Sweet 200 (years)!

And the new iron grids look so sweet with their quirky elaborations matching the grids of the balconies and the one over the main entrance.



... yes, it was our decision.

We thought we need some curlicues to not have the grids look like prison grids.

Before I start again wondering if it was the right decision ... we need to see the whole picture, the entire facade in real, on site.


Pictures sometimes don't show you the way you look at the things in reality.

Take the blue balkonies. First I was not 'amused', then we got more pictures from different angles. Like this one below.
I love the reflections !








October 16, 2008

The Roof



Oh, look, our roof!
Since we don't pay by the hour anymore all goes so fast.
Who has approved the roof tiles (coppi)? You? No.
Well, nice that we don't have to worry and think about everything.

I guess the colour matches the commune's standards. And I hope they please the neighbours too.

We had talked about roof tiles last year and agreed to use 'antique' looking coppi as it is an old house in the historical center of the village. You are not free to choose any colour. The commune regulates the use of tiles in the historical center. They all should be of the same colour: kind of light red, pinkish apricot. This is a good thing because it makes the old town look so beautiful:

blog action day 2008: poverty



Last year the subject was 'the environment'. This time blog action day is about 'poverty'. All bloggers are asked to blog about that subject to create awareness, to help, to do what they can. The main purpose is to create a discussion.

Thanks to my blogging friend Michelle (in Calabria!) from Bleeding Espresso, I found out in time to participate.

It is interesting that today morning my son (5) woke up and told me that he wants to donate books and toys to poor children that have lost their parents. He said: "Mummy, do you remember, in China, you gave this nice blanket and I gave my clothes to these poor children who lost their parents?" (it was after this terrible earth quake).

So before kindergarten he was searching through his books.
I had told him that in Germany, we do not have this urgent need like it was the case in China. But he insisted.

The only charity project that came to my mind was the 'Martini Markt' in our community that will take place on November 11 and 12 in the parish hall. Already now you can deliver your books and toys and other goods that will be sold on these days. The revenue goes to social projects and people in need. (Stuttgart Gänsheide, evgl. Gemeindehaus, Martini Markt, 11. + 12. November, 10h00 -22h00)

Another serious project seems Plan. I supported it before. But instead of a donation you could also support a 'god child' for 25 Euro per month. You can even indicate your personal wish for a country. I am thinking of China or Thailand, as I have lived happy days in both countries and would like to give back. They are actually running a special campaign to support girls worldwide.

And I want to mention my blogging friend Maryam, who is not only a successful blogger at My Marrakesh, but also a human rights and democracy specialist. She posted recently the sad story about Vestine in Rwanda and how you could help her and four other genocide survivors set up micro-businesses so they can support themselves with dignity into the future.

Also, I read an article about how we could (slowly) change the world by shopping the right way. E.g. bananas in a fair trade shop might be more expensive then in the supermarket but at the end a banana farmer is getting slightly more money for his organic bananas and therefore he can afford to pay higher salaries to his banana pickers, he can send his kids to school (no child work) and he is able to life in a cottage with a paved floor. (Of course this is causing higher CO2 emmission than eating local apples. But then the South remains poor).

Thank you for your attention.

October 15, 2008

More blue...


My house has a blue balcony.
And it has a blue terrace as well.
ba dee da da da...

The simple finish - I think looks good (see picture above).

But I am not sure if I like this 'sweet' Vietri border... that I have approved last year ...


... and the asymmetric finish ? (the frame is not in the middle of the terrace).
... ba dee da da da...

My husband had a good comment:
"It is not bad. We probably will like it more when we are older".

So funny! Glad I am not alone with my sceptic.

And of course, we have to see it in reality. So far we see it only from these photos.

Hey, below is a nice one: our blue terrace, between the sea and the sky:



-----
Source: the water blue tiles and the 'listello' (border) are both from Fornaci d'Agostino.

October 08, 2008

Outside In


As the frequent reader already knows, we renovate from outside in.

Here is an update of the work done on the balcony. It is probably finished by now.

Do you like the diagonal finish?

It happened like this:
My husband asked me last week around 10pm at night, if I want the tiles on the balcony laid diagonally or parallel?
Me: Mmh, do I have to make the decision tonight?
He: Yes, they want to start with this work tomorrow.

For your information, we have bought the tiles more than ONE year ago ! Also a decision that needed to be made quickly at that time ...

So I took a paper and a pen and drew the balcony (I know the shape by heart). And as it is not even and a bit round, the architect recommended a diagonal finish. In Italy quiet common.

I know it is common for small rooms as well to make them appear larger. - So, why not. My drawing looked okay.

And here is the work in progress.



PS: we are all wondering if we still like the blue tiles we bought a year ago... (There are more blue tiles for the terrace! Larger ones.)

October 07, 2008

Travel: Liguria, Cinque Terre


I was in Liguria - and I liked it !!!
What a beautiful spot on earth!

I will be back soon with two travel posts. One about Rome and one about some spots in Liguria. Upfront: Liguria's capital is Genova and its neighbour in the West is the French Côte d’Azur. Most famous in Liguria are glamorous Portofino and the rough Cinque Terre.

The photo above shows Riomaggiore, a village that is part of the UNESCO protected National Park Cinque Terre.