May 17, 2012
In Italy I find myself whispering—for I haven’t stopped talking to my mother—”Are you living this too, madre mia?”
It feels as if I’m picking up where she left off. A leitmotif of my life has been actually doing the things she talked about doing but didn’t because she was saddled with four kids. My mother deposited her dreams into me, like moms always do to daughters.
Gradually the house has become a home. The decision was long, and so far it seems right. Je ne regrette rien. Non mi pento di nulla.
Here are snippets from my new world (yes, I have a thing about green):
I love the images of your home. The green truly reflects your personal oasis. Brava, Jann! More photos, please.
Grazie, Anitre!
Do you use bombola in the winter there?
Hi Callie, No I don’t use a bombola. I installed radiators, but believe me, getting Enelgas to actually hook me up took months and months of nagging, flirting, crying and shouting.
WOW!!! RADIATORS!!! 🙂 We had radiators, too, but had to use bombola because the “central” heating was off most of the time because of spotty delivery from – you guessed it – Enelgas! LOL!!! I believe it’s a game they play – nagging, flirting, crying, and shouting are manna from Heaven to them!
Yes, the Enelgas folks seem a little sadistic!
Good Morning from the sleepy town of Ocala. I didn’t think I was a green person, until I lingered on your snip shots. There is a brilliance there and I wonder if it is from the light? Your choices are rich and warm and express the excitement you feel in being where you can feel your happiness. I think I like green now.
Vicki
🙂 Hey Vicki, so glad I converted you into a “green” girl! The light in Sicily is quite special…. Vicki, where is Ocala?????
love your house.
Thanks, Catherine!
Jann,
So happy for you that you listened to your heart (or your Mom) and not the British diplomat in Milan. We have property here, too, and while my experience likely does not parallel yours, it was indeed trying…but undoubtedly worth every stumble.
Is there a part 4 for us?
D
Yes, plenty of stumbles, and worth them all, Dana.
How lovely is your story and your snippets. More, more! Love the little details. They show your beautiful soul.
Aw, Rosann, how kind of you!
Jann,
I adore your “New World.”
Green = Life.
You are “Life!” Xxx
So glad to have you enter my new little world, however briefly, Kim!
I have to say I too adore it. And those green doors beautiful!
Hey Lucy–glad you like the green!
Beautiful post Jann. I absolutely love your snippets and your style…. I feel like you’ve got the essence of Sicily going on there. Brava. And I really LOVE your story. The house is the reflection of a beautiful soul. Or two!
Janine xx
Thank you Janine–I really could have used a designer like you, that’s for sure!
I love your dishes as well as your furniture! I am looking forward to seeing more!
Sandee–flea market finds, almost all!
I meant to say furniture, not future…pardon me! was thinking about those speedo shots I guess…lol
Hi Jann, love the future and great colors but could you please head over to the nearest bar or beach for some new speedo shots??? ha ha Hope all is well. Charlie
🙂 Charlie, It’s a little too early in the season for Sicilians to be running around in their Speedos..I’ll see what I can get in July. 🙂
I also love green. Show us some more. Francesca
Francesca, welcome to the blog. Thanks so much for commenting!
Bellissima!
Grazie, Lise.
Aaaah. Green. A very soothing color.
And as a mother of three, I’d just like to add that yes, maybe…. maaaaybe… I have take me away moments where I’d rather be all alone on the shores of the Mediterranean, but most all the rest of the time, I like being “saddled” with the three kids. Nothing lost. Just different, delicious choices. 🙂
Hi Barbara–how right you are. The “saddled” word came entirely from my subjective take on the subject, and I realize most people would have written something like “blessed” instead!!
Interesting that you bring up the color green, with all my Sicilian relatives both here in the States and in Sicily the color was/is to be found everywhere, especially in the kitchen along with yellow trim and on furniture (here in the States the exact color of choice was usually Seafoam Green). I hear that this choice was inherited from the Arabs in that Green was Mohammed’s favorite color.
Well, Gian–thank you very much for that insight. So interesting! There are so many green shutters and doors here in Sicily (like my own). I wonder if that color was also used to “ward off evil.”
Ahhh, love it.
Grazie, Nancy!
Jann, that table and chair simply take my breath away! What a lovely home you must have! Please show us more! The green is, oh, so Italian! I love the green detail in the doorknob. I am thoroughly enjoying this series, friend! Give us a part four, five, and six, per piacere! 🙂
Thanks for your comments, Bella! Table and chairs–flea market finds, Bella. Parts 4, 5, 6??? Hmmm. Let me think if there’s more to this story!
Bella mattina Jann, and another beautiful start to a day…….looking at your posting. Once again a big smile on my face as I sit here with my coffee. Thanks 🙂
Baci to you both!!! Enjoy that Fijian coffee!