Pizza Party in Naples

So Naples, Italy claims to have the BEST pizza in the world -- that's a taste challenge we HAD to accept (quite happily)!  The crust is what makes it, in my opinion.  It is thin, yet doughy and soft.  We each gobbled down an entire platter ourselves and decided we could easily have eaten another one (we didn't!)
 It was also Ryan's 13th birthday -- Happy Birthday Ryan!

Art for Travellers

Discovering great art in Europe is the easy part; carefully planning a trip to see it can prove challenging.  Our family uses Rick Steve's travel guides for travel arrangements.  Rick Steve provides excellent, concise narrations on most the historic and important travel sites for hundreds of European cities.   A new find of mine is the Art for Travelers by Ann Morrow and John Power series.  The book provides specific art "trails" both in the major city museums and also in between "trails" to hit art tucked away in smaller venues.  Clear, concise profiles of the artist are coupled with prints and drawings helping to further explain paintings meanings and subject matter.  The book is 5x7 inches making it easy to tuck into a handbag for take-along.  Another resource I use in our classroom is How to Read a Painting by Patrik de Rynck.  Each painting is shown in a large 5x7 print with many details enlarged.  The book gives a small summary and discussion highlighting meanings within the painting itself.  My children ages 13, 10 and 9 enjoy using this for their picture study pre and post travels.
All of these titles are current and available at your library :) 

Turkish Delight

Amazing and hypnotic colors inspire new designs for me.  I am in love with the rich hues and intricate patterns.  They truly are fabulous expressions of Divine adoration.  Amazing to witness an entire mosque covered floor to ceiling with all this vibrancy.  The overall pattern may feel busy and disorientating here in these little snapshots, but I can assure you it is a much more meditative experience in person. 

The boys devoured their lunch of lamb and pita bread.  Joe and I really enjoyed the eggplant and zucchini dishes.  And of course, the baklava for desert is delicious.

And the crowning jewel; the real Turkish delight!