Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’
Last minute holiday shopper? Give the gift of books…
I know what I like to receive under the tree – books. Ever since I was little, I loved seeing stack of books I’d received under the Christmas tree. And that hasn’t changed at all over the years. I still love receiving – and gifting – books. To help cut down on your gift-giving expenses,…
Read MoreIn need of a little holiday cheer … in Rome
2020 is winding down. and while I’m old enough not to generally wish for the rapid passage of time – this year has broken all the rules. It can’t wrap up fast enough for me. So as 2020 comes to an end, I’m grateful the city didn’t skimp on the Christmas lights this year. I…
Read MoreA European Christmas market round-up
‘Tis the season … And for me, that means it’s a good time to reflect on some of my favorite Christmas markets around Europe. Because I live in Rome, people often think the city is decked out for the holidays. Sadly, especially in recent years, this couldn’t be further from the truth. To enjoy the…
Read MoreGetting in the Christmas spirit … in Vigo, Spain
The last week of November found me at work in Galicia’s largest city – Vigo. I’ve been several times in this Atlantic coastal city, although always in late summer/early fall, so it was interesting to see it in the colder months. And it was a surprise to see that Vigo now touts itself as the…
Read MoreBaby, it’s cold outside…
It’s not just that today’s the shortest day of the year, and that it feels as cold and dark as it’s going to get. It’s not only that in Rome – after a balmy autumn – we’re now experiencing chilly temperatures. The real reason I constantly finding myself humming what has become a Christmas classic…
Read MoreGetting into the Christmas spirit … in Madrid
We recently went on a weekend trip. My younger son asked to go “someplace Christmasy – like Vienna or Berlin”. We didn’t set out to dash those hopes, but in the end, we chose Madrid, Spain. The Spanish capital wasn’t selected for its Christmas decorations, but we were pleasantly surprised that it was well decked…
Read More‘Tis the season … to read!
Of course it is the season to celebrate our religion, to spend time with friends and family, to be thankful for what we have, to sit down to good meals, but I can’t help associating the holidays with also squirreling away quiet time to curl up with a good book (or two, or three, or…
Read MoreGetting into the holiday spirit in Berlin
Those who know me or who follow my blog know what a hopeless Italophile I am, with a ridiculous soft spot for my ‘hometown’: Rome. BUT, there’s one time of year when Rome disappoints me, and that’s the Christmas season. It’s not that there aren’t beautiful Nativity scenes in the churches – the traditional Christmas…
Read More‘Tis the season … to gift books!
I’m not one of those people who want or expect lots of expensive gifts under the Christmas tree, but I do appreciate the ever-thoughtful gift of books! Christmas is always a good time for me to curl up, a steaming cup of tea or cocoa at hand, ready to crack open the covers of a brand-new…
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