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Thursday Thirteen: 13 Images from Nine Years Together!

28/2/2013

Ciao a tutti! Hi, everybody! Welcome to this week's Thursday Thirteen!

The topic this week was a natural choice, as today is the hubby's and my ninth wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe, but nine years ago today, Alle and I made our way through snowdrifts to have our wedding ceremony in the aftermath of a snowstorm.

Totally worth it.

And now, please allow me to present to you:

Thirteen Images from Nine Years Together

This pic was taken during Alle's first trip to the US to meet me. My friend Cristy worked in a portrait studio - what better way to commemorate such a special event? 2003

Post-wedding kiss, February 2004.

In Ferrara. 2005.

A kiss in Siena. May, 2006.

Lago Maggiore, September 2006. Photo taken by my stepfather, Martin Riley.

My all-time favorite picture of us. Taken by me, May 2007.

In Fontanellato, on the anniversary of our first phone call (in 2003). June 1st, 2008 (taken by me).

A kiss in Cavriago, Italy, October 2008.

At a family dinner at the family restaurant outside Carpineti, Italy. January, 2009.

At the family restaurant for a birthday/anniversary celebration, March 2009.

In London for the launch of Ask Me if I'm Happy, November 2010.

En route to Cades Cove, Tennessee, 2011.

With Simon Forward's Pizza. Lago di Como, October 2012.

And there you have 'em: Thirteen images spanning our nine years (plus a few months) together.

I hope you've enjoyed them as much as I've enjoyed sharing them.

And I know what you're expecting now.

So I hope you won't mind something that's still in the spirit of the other pics and the nature of this post.

Besides...

I married a hottie!

Don'cha just LOVE a man in uniform?

Buon anniversario, amore mio!

28 Comments

Wordless Wednesday: Carpineti Castle in the Snow, February 2013

27/2/2013

2 Comments

Thursday Thirteen: 13 Things on My To-Do List

21/2/2013

24 Comments

Ciao a tutti! Hi, everybody! It's a snowy morning here in Italy, and I've been trying to think of something worthwhile to share. Unfortunately, I'm stumped! So I'm going to go with an "old faithful" of sorts. Ready? Here we go, with

Thirteen Things on My To-Do List!

1) Write. I've got several projects in varying stages of completion, and I really need to wrap 'em up!

2) Laundry. Today I must do some laundry.

Must.

Do.

3) Bake some cookies.

Not that I need sweet treats around the house, but I've planned on doing this for a while, now. I need to get on it.

4) Design cover art. I really need to work on the art for the cover of one of my books, which is still in-progress -- both the book and the artwork.

5) Pick a song and sing out loud.

6) Apologize to the cat for singing.

Doodle is generally unimpressed by my vocal stylings.

7) Promote my books. It's becoming a struggle to get the word out while I'm also trying to get more writing done. So, if anyone is interested in a blog post or interview, let me know...

8) An internet radio interview. On March 15th, I'm going to talk to the lovely folks at the Webbweaver Books blogtalk radio station. More info to come.

Well, I reckon that's part of number seven done, right?

9) Exercise. I have to keep this going, too. I'm riding my stationary bike three times a week and it seems to be helping as far as keeping me fit(ish). I have to work up to longer rides, as well.

10) Visiting friends. I've got some time with friends scheduled this week, so I'm looking forward to that.

11) Finding new recipes to try in the slow cooker.

12) Planning my trip to the US. It won't be long before I have to get that done...

13) Watching the Strade Bianche cycling race on March 2nd. You know I'm looking forward to that.

My feller, Fabian Cancellara, winner of last year's race.

And there you are: Thirteen Things on My To-Do List.

I'm willing to bet many of you have lists which compare to this, eh?

So much to do, so little time.

And we should always remember...

Spare a little time to get out and enjoy the fresh air.

Ciao for now!

24 Comments

Thursday Thirteen: 13 Things You Should Be Doing, Right Now

14/2/2013

26 Comments

Ciao a tutti! Hi, everybody! Since everyone is going to be doing Valentine's-themed posts today, I thought I'd take things in a slightly different direction. I know a lot my viewers are writers, you see, and they write in all genres and styles (which is why I love them all), but if there's one thing most writers have in common, it's the need for discipline and dedication, inspiration and focus.

So today, I present to you:

13 Images of What YOU Should Be Doing, Right Now!

It's a dilemma, indeed.

Feeling motivated yet?

I know I sure am!

So now, I'd better get to work.

Stories to write, imagination to plunder, all that sort of thing.

But sometimes,

Even my imagination needs a little boost.

Don't forget to pick a flower before you go!

Happy Valentine's Day, ladies!

26 Comments

Wordless Wednesday: Winter Sunrise, December 6th, 2007

13/2/2013

2 Comments

Thursday Thirteen: 13 Photos I Didn't Take - But I Wish I Had!

7/2/2013

26 Comments

Ciao a tutti! Hi, everybody! Welcome back! This week, I've been perusing the 'net (as usual), and a lovely idea for a post struck me. So this week, I'm sharing with you:

Thirteen Photos I Didn't Take -
But I Wish I Had!

From the Parco Nazionale dell'Appennino Tosco Emiliano site on Facebook. Caption reads: "Appennino Reale : battuti i tracciati dall’Abetina Reale, Febbio, Pianvallese, Rescadore e tra Abetina Reale e Piandelagotti."

View of Pietra di Bismantova, province of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Shared on Facebook.

Fabian Cancellara prepares for the Team Time Trial in the Tour of Qatar. Mercy. You *know* I'd like to grab that, uh, shot myself.

Webcam view of sunset beyond Pietra di Bismantova, looking out from Felina, Italy.

John Northrup's photo taken from Mt. LeConte, Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee.

Trees in Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee; photo by Brian Shults.

View of Pietra di Bismantova from Castelnovo ne' Monti, Italy. Shared on Facebook by Stefano Guerri.

Torrechiara Castle, province of Parma, Italy. Shared by Emilia-Romagna Tourism on Facebook.

Statue of Neptune, Bologna, Italy. Shared by BOLOGNA on Facebook.

Cabins on Mt. Le Conte. Photo by Josh Branson, shared on Facebook.

View captured on Hwy 441 by Tre Cunningham Dossey. Shared on Facebook.

Gary Wilson of Great Smoky Mountains Association shared this photo of a sunset on the snow covered peaks taken from right under Cliff Tops on Mt LeConte. (via Facebook)

Photo from my mother's porch. Taken by my darlin' friend, Cristy Worley.

And there you have them: Thirteen Photos I Didn't Take - But I Wish I Had!

I hope you've enjoyed them all.

They make me aspire to greater photographic achievements whenever I look at them.

They make me yearn to learn more about the craft of photography.

They make me want to work harder to get unforgettable shots.

But, you know...

There's magic in those everyday moments, too.

Ciao for now!

26 Comments

Wordless Wednesday: Lago di Como, Italy, October 2012

6/2/2013

6 Comments

The Next Big Thing (part three)!

1/2/2013

0 Comments

A few weeks ago, the lovely and talented Simon A. Forward invited me to participate in another go-round of The Next Big Thing, and since I had yet another WiP to talk about, I quite happily agreed to take part.

Alas, things didn't go according to plan. I managed to get the 'flu, and in the midst of doctor visits and lying around feeling miserable, I didn't get much done - including my post! The worst part of it all was that I forgot to post anything until it was too late.

Well, Simon has forgiven me my lapse and I'm sharing my third and final(?) Next Big Thing with everyone today!

What is the working title of your next book?

Milan, NC.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

It grew out of the fact so many people have read Ask Me if I'm Happy and asked me if/assumed that the story in that novel is about how I met my husband, Alessandro. It really isn't, but I started toying with the idea of fictionalizing "our story" because I know a number of people who already think our real-life story sounds like something out of a book. So, I figured "Why not?"

What genre does your book fall under?

I won't know until it's written, but this is the first book I've written where it's felt "romancey" right out of the gate. (I know "romancey" isn't a word, but I really think it should be.)

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Ohhh... Normally I can do this with no trouble, but this time it's a little more problematic. I reckon it's harder because of the more personal nature of this story.

Natalie would ideally be played by a slightly younger, less-glammed-up Brooke Elliot (from Drop Dead Diva). Lorenzo could be played by a younger Luigi Lo Cascio.

The almost-final cover.

What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

A love story inspired by real-life events.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agent?

I'm putting this one out via Good to Go Press.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the book?

I'm still working on it, but I'm hoping to keep this one down to around three or four months. If I continue at the pace I'm currently writing, that could happen.

What other books would you compare this to within your genre?

As I said, this one feels "romancey". The problem is I don't really read much in the way of Romance Novels in the sense of genre, so I don't know what books it would compare to. It's a contemporary love story, I suppose.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Like I mentioned before, it was inspired by the fact so many people have assumed (incorrectly) or asked me if Ask Me if I'm Happy was inspired by how I met my husband, Alessandro. While Ask Me... was influenced by my life and experiences in Italy, it's not our story, at all.

But now I've had time to breathe and consider possibilities for new stories, it occurred to me that I could, with much embellishment and a healthy dose of creative license, write something which would touch on our story. I'm already warning my friends and family that the characters in this book aren't them, but might be inspired/influenced by them, and so to take everything with a grain of salt.

Ultimately it's fiction, and should be read as fiction. Natalie and Lorenzo share some superficial characteristics with me and Alessandro, but every detail in the story doesn't necessarily correspond to real-life. Still, it's pretty close, in some parts.

Confusing enough for you?

What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

It's a story set in the mountains of a fictional town outside Asheville, North Carolina, with characters who are realistic and down-to-earth. Plus, it's a glimpse into how following one's heart can lead to finding one's true path and, perhaps, one's true love.

0 Comments

Thursday Thirteen: 13 Images from Nine Years Together!

Thirteen Images from Nine Years Together

Wordless Wednesday: Carpineti Castle in the Snow, February 2013

Thursday Thirteen: 13 Things on My To-Do List

Thirteen Things on My To-Do List!

Thursday Thirteen: 13 Things You Should Be Doing, Right Now

13 Images of What YOU Should Be Doing, Right Now!

Wordless Wednesday: Winter Sunrise, December 6th, 2007

Thursday Thirteen: 13 Photos I Didn't Take - But I Wish I Had!

Thirteen Photos I Didn't Take -
But I Wish I Had!

Wordless Wednesday: Lago di Como, Italy, October 2012

The Next Big Thing (part three)!

Kimberly Menozzi

Please note: Thanks to an increase in spam comments, I'll be approving the comments before they post. Sorry!

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