Happy Mother's Day!  It started out with fresh squeezed orange juice and pineapple on the terrace.  There was a trip to the Botanical Gardens in Torino with lunch out, then dinner at the grandparents.  All lovely.  Unfortunately my one and only child had nothing to do with it.  She had to be badgered into giving me a kiss and a "Happy Mother's Day".  Rotten kid.

The Botanical Gardens are very small, contained in an area between two buildings that make up the architectural department of the university.  They are small but beautiful and like the Italian population, packed in tight.  The gardens have resident rabbits and squirrels and a noisy goose, as well as hundreds of gorgeous plants.  I wish I could transmit the perfume emanating from all the roses that are in bloom now.  It was heady. 

There must be one hell of a storm going on in the mountains because it was very windy today.  Wind is rare in these parts.  All of the cottony pollen puffs have been flying every which way.  It looks like a snow storm.  There is absolutely no keeping up with the vacuuming.  And who's kidding.  Do I really try?

It's less than 6 weeks and we'll be heading home for the summer.  I can't wait.  Today's blue and blustery weather felt like Maine.  I need me some salty air!  xxoo me