2011 July | Olliebop Blog | Inspiration, Ideas and Information for Busy Families

Archive for July, 2011

Touring Florence, Chianti & San Gimignano

{Above: The classic “500″ cars are ready to rally from Piazelle Michelangelo, overlooking Florence. Note the picnic basket on the back of one, and the wine jug on the back of the other. Retro photo editing compliments of Picnik}.

Ciao! Many of you asked if I was going to share pictures from our trip… so I hope you’re glad that they’re here. I thought I would have posts of the “normal” variety lined up in my absence, but we departed in an absolute blur and… well, I’ve got nothin’. So, Olliebop will have to be just life for now {with Ollie at home with his beloved sitters, Liza and Matty}. We return on August 7th and I’ve got all sorts of posts planned — can’t wait to get back to that! Fingers are crossed that my laptop is not fried upon return; when I recharge it with the European-compatible adapters it vibrates and gives a little shock when I touch it. This can’t be good.

We have changed hotels today, and Hudson and Ella are taking a big time cultural break with Wipe Out on YouTube. Just had them hit pause and the four of us listed our top 10 surprising things about Italy so far, in no particular order and not necessarily of substance:

That Italy is even more beautiful than we imagined
How incredibly delicious the food is and how much people seem to eat and drink {but why aren’t they overweight?}
How many Europeans smoke
That water at restaurants is bottled and that there is a charge for it {and for squeezy packets of ketchup too}
How fast and carefree everyone is on the roads, motorcycles and scooters especially
How good the food is at highway rest areas {known as the “AutoGrille”}
How much we’ve enjoyed meeting people from all over the world and how friendly everyone is
How many people speak English, to both our delight and sheepish dismay {our Italian is non-existent}
That there are usually no seats on the toilets
That pizza is never cut into slices prior to delivery at the table
How easy it is to develop an Italian accent, even when speaking English {Mr. BOP seems to have adapted nicely to this style of communication}

As for our travels. Friday we hired a guide, Maurizio Bellini, to take us into Florence. We figured that since we had allotted only one day to get a taste of the city, efficiency would be key. I found Maurizio on Trip Advisor and he really was just as good as the reviews claimed. Maurizio or “Mau” was raised in Florence and his knowledge and love of Florence and the region is inspired. Here’s Mau, with Hudson and Ella:

We began with the overview at Piazelle Michelangelo, looking toward Florence and the Ponte Vecchio.

We continued into the city, spending time at the breathtaking Duomo Group.

Street artists were abundant, such as this statuesque Leonardo da Vinci. Just give him a coin and he’ll unfreeze to make his eerie move…

She was more approachable, unfreezing at the drop of a coin to become playful – then returning to her pose.

Next, we travelled out of Florence to tour the Chianti region. A stop and wine tasting at a vineyard belonging to a friend of Mau’s. Such a beautiful afternoon. We fully enjoyed our day with Maurizio!

On Saturday, we drove from Siena to San Gimignano. One of many sunflower fields on the way…

Climbing the main tower in San Gimignano…

Hmmmm…. what’s next?

Ciao from Italy!

Ciao! You may have gathered from earlier posts and Facebook that we’ve been looking forward to a family trip to Italy and Ireland. This all came about from a business trip for Mr. BOP, and we were able to turn it into a family vacation. Sweet.

I’m happy to say that after a less than ideal airline experience we have arrived in Italy! We were delayed in Charlotte, NC for about 24 hours — where the highlights were our 2 am dinner at the Waffle House {really — it was an “experience” but in a good way} and airport pedicures. There were also many lowlights.

I hope to post a sampling of pictures regularly during our two week adventure. Today’s post includes a few too many, I’m sure, but I’m lacking the brainpower right now to properly self-edit. I do hope you enjoy them.

Stranded in Charlotte, NC. Waiting… waiting… and waiting.

Rome seemed so far far away when we were in Charlotte. The series of events, delays and cancellations was almost funny. After it seemed that we were to be delayed for a second day, we were miraculously cleared for takeoff. I have never heard an entire plane full of people clap and cheer as loudly as when our plane finally left the ground. Dismay turned to jubilation!

We slept on the plane {or attempted to} and I awoke to peek out the window at 2:30 am, our time. The view…

Way too much time to kill with my iphone camera… I liked the coffee cup: “Coffee Mystique. Indulge. Escape.”

And more fooling around with my iphone…

The view as we approached Rome was fascinating — shapes and patterns carved out of the land.

The airport in Rome was confusing and overstimulating; we got out of there as quickly as possible to begin our three hour drive to Siena. At last, we arrived at the beautiful Agriturismo Marciano, just outside of Siena.

We enjoyed an absolutely delicious meal here last night in the company of fellow guests from Northern Italy, Spain, Columbia, and Amsterdam. It was a scene right out of a movie; conversation, wine and laughter flowing. There were five courses, each paired with a different wine made here at the Agriturismo. Ella fell asleep on the couch in the adjacent living room, but awoke in time to rejoin us for dessert.

We went to bed around 11 pm Italian time (5 pm our time). Although we knew we were tired from the very long trip and much lost sleep, we were shocked (and dismayed) when all four of us awoke at 1:40 pm (more than 14 hours later!). We scrambled to get ready and at least enjoy the afternoon in nearby Siena.

We climbed the tower overlooking the Plaza del Campo…

And strolled through the winding, narrow streets.

The top of the Duomo.

Our day concluded with dinner on the edge of the Plaza del Campo. This shot was taken right from our table…

Followed by our second Gelato of the day!

Until tomorrow {Fino a domani}!

Feel Good Friday: Alex’s Lemonade Stand

A simple idea has turned into a powerful thing with Alex’s Lemonade Stand, an organization whose motto is ”Fighting Childhood Cancer One Cup at a Time.” Diagnosed with neuroblastoma before her first birthday, Alexandra “Alex” Scott {1996-2004} started it all with her own lemonade stand dedicated to raising money to help children like her. The foundation has now raised more than $45 million to fight childhood cancer!

Families and children can easily register to host their own Lemonade Stand or other event to benefit the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation {ALSF}. And, no donation is too small! There are numerous photo albums on the ALSF site, showing that no two lemonade stands are alike. Upon registering, participants are provided with a personalized fundraising web page {think far away relatives}, support materials, and a fundraising coach.

I am struck by the opportunity ALSF provides to teach kids that even efforts which seem small can turn into something really big! And, I love that this is something kids can do quite independently to help others in a meaningful way. Alex’s Lemonade sure is sweet.

New on Olliebop: Free Downloads!

I’ve been scheming with the fabulous Elisa of Lis Design and we’ve come up with something special for you… free downloads! Every month or so you’ll find a new quote, classic saying, or optimistic thought right here — ready to print either as a small 8 x 10″ poster, or as a set of fun cards to give to loved ones or to perfect strangers {think Random Acts of Kindness}. The fun cards also make sweet little gift tags.

If you haven’t done so already, this is a great reason to subscribe to Olliebop and like us on Facebook {just look over there on the sidebar for both options}. You sure wouldn’t want to miss a single freebie! And go ahead; please share the downloadable love with friends via your Facebook page, email, Twitter, etc.

Bloggers, please be sure to credit and link to the original post for the download. And yes, Tweet it out!

We hope you enjoy the following…. in honor of the glorious summer sunshine and the beautiful faces that light up your days.

Your printable poster {matte photo paper is best}. Click on image to download:

Your printable fun cards. Click on image to download:

A New Look: Simplified with Dash and Albert

We are plotting the long-awaited renovation of a problematic area of our house — the “red room.” In mid August, this former dining room will be divided down the middle and will become both mud room and office/creative space. For the past eight years, the red room has housed: a bench piled high with school packs and bags, a table which acts as my desk and has no drawers {and is covered with papers and office supplies}, Ollie’s crate, a bunch of miscellaneous items with no other home, and a few coat hooks. It’s pointless, and at times embarrassing. Time for this part of the house to grow up. More on the transformation {before and after pictures} later….

But for now, I owe paint colors and the countertop choice to our contractor, pronto. Short on time, I landed on a simple approach — starting from the ground up, with Dash and Albert.

: For the office: the Stone Soup woven cotton runner {$84}. Click on image for link.

I’ve admired rugs by Dash and Albert in the past — happy, colorful and not so expensive. Both of the new spaces — mud room and office {Olliebop Central!} — will be long and skinny so I chose a runner for each from outdoorrugs.com, lured by free shipping. Pictured above is the Olliebop Central runner. I like it because it’s a little bit beachy and fun without being too much. The cotton will be soft under foot and most importantly, it’s neutral enough to handle yellow lab hair. I chose the Indoor/Outdoor Marina Stripe {made of polypropelene which can be cleaned with a garden hose} for the mud room.

To firm up the decorating plan I rolled out each rug and chose two neutral, but upbeat, paint colors {a creamy color for the cabinets and a subtle but deep robin’s egg blue for the small amount of visible wall}. Next, I’ll accessorize by pulling brighter colors out of the rug — orange, pink, blue, lime green, and some earthy tones too. We found a desk chair at an antiques fair, and an old arched screen window that’s now destined to become a chalk board. I’m having fun imagining it all coming together in mid to late August.

Here’s one other good thing; should one wish to go mobile with a color palette, Dash and Albert makes tote bags that match their cotton rugs too {$60}. Redecorating or not, these are a unique accessory.

Now that paint has been chosen, I’m lurking on Etsy and other favorite in search of fun accessories. My hunt has yielded some ideas like these… but I’d love to see any that you’ve got to share {subscribers: please visit the site from the header or footer of your email, and include a link in the comments}.

Above: Top left Dwell Studio Soft Scrolls Leaf Fabric by Robert Allen {$15.98 per yard}
Top right Ampersand Recycled Wooden Sign by WilliamDohman of Oh Dier on Etsy {$32}
Bottom left Curvy Chrysanthemum Vase from Anthropologie {$28}
Bottom right Address/Business Card File Made with Vintage Record Album Covers by FreestyleGifts on Etsy {$55}

Above: Left Vintage Stamps and Stand: Set of Twelve from BrooklynRetro on Etsy {$42}
Right Make Something Good Today Print by PleaseBeStill on Etsy {$25}

Above: So Very Happy Print by dazeychick of Studio Mela on Etsy {$23}

Note: If one of the Etsy links shows the item is “Sold” just click on the blue “Shop” in the righthand column to look for the same or similar listings.

And there are just a few more things that I really like here, here, and here… do you have any favorites among items in this post, or elsewhere?

I hope you are having a vibrant, colorful day — complete with French Fry, or your own version of a wonderful treasure. And what would that be???

Love Story

I’ve got love on my mind, as Mr. BOP and I just unwrapped this sweet sign — an anniversary gift from my parents. Tomorrow is our 17th anniversary, though of course I feel like we just met yesterday. Isn’t it crazy how it flies by? Scroll down for the best little video about young love and a first kiss. Ours was quite fantastic; as Mr. BOP was dressed as a rabbit and we were dancing to the best reggae band. What more could a girl want?

: “Love is All You Need” from Sweet Cecily, in Middlebury, VT

OK, so check out these two sweeties — Elliott and Bowie. Note his “All You Need Is Love” T shirt and the fist pumping. Watch for her burp, and and how she rocks that batman shirt.

Happy Anniversary to my sweetie. As Cousin David used to say, “It’s all about the love.” xoxo

Summer Time Warp and The Smell of Freedom

Big doings around here in the past week, creating the need to spend less time with my laptop. What kind of big doings? I acquired a teenager due to Hudson’s birthday, I acquired a 43 year old husband due to Mr. BOP’s birthday, we successfully came and went from our rustic canoeing camping trip, and we dropped off two kids for two weeks of sleepaway camp. These are all good things, but I feel like I just completed an endurance event consisting of packing, unpacking, a lot of fun, and a bunch of mixed feelings. Where has the time gone?!?

My friends all know that I’m sentimental when it comes to the passage of time. On many occasions I would opt to halt time if I could. There are also plenty of days that I would gladly skip altogether or fast forward. It’s a funny thing. So, when there are those good moments I want to soak it all in. That spot-on quote by Gretchen Rubin in The Happiness Project stays with me:

The days are long, but the years are short.

I need this: "Time Machine" Print on Etsy {$26} by EvaJuliet. Click on image for link.

It’s easy to stick to the logistics of parenting with blogs and such. It’s quick and tidy. I can talk and talk about the how to of things — like, I may share my iron-clad summer camp packing list in a day or two, since we have got that down cold. But stopping to consider the why? — that’s what keeps me going.

Such as, why summer camp?

Yesterday afternoon we delivered Hudson and Ella to the YMCA’s Camp Chingachgook on Lake George. Gulp. Two weeks. Yeah! Two weeks!

Little did I know how much prep was involved {compared to one week in past years}, compounded by the three day backpacking trip that’s included. The whole off-to-camp thing presents a weird mix of practical matters {the shopping, the packing, the filling out of forms} and emotional matters {the goodbyes, the worry, the excitement for them and for us!}. After much preparation — and a last minute emergency trip to the vet with a Chinese dwarf hampster — we were ready to go. My tween and {now} teen will not be this clean or composed for a long time….

We are experienced summer sleepaway campers by now, and our memories — though not without challenges — are special ones. Hudson and Ella started out at Pinewoods, a family music and dance camp, with Grandparents “Dor Dor and Tappa.” As the kids were in the range of age 5-8, this was a great introduction to being away from home and parents, but still with the comfort of family. We transitioned to Camp Chingachgook at age 9 for Hudson and age 8 for Ella {she begged to go earlier than her brother had wanted to — and we let her}. I absolutely recommend Chingachgook {pronounced Chinj-a-Cook}, a classic YMCA camp with all of the elements that you’d hope for. There are some kids for whom it’s their favorite place on Earth.

I calculate that between Hudson and Ella, we have said “goodbye” at a sleepaway camp a dozen times. Every single time I have a pit in my stomach. It doesn’t go away. So why do all this? Because when we pick them up from camp we can physically see that they have evolved and grown as people. They have a glow about them that’s almost palpable. And, how great is it that their job at summer camp is just to be kids?! And, how great is it that Mr. BOP and I get to just be a couple?!

I’ve always loved the U2 line “Freedom has a scent, like the top of a newborn baby’s head.” When we pick the kids up from camp, they might not smell good in the literal sense {quite the opposite!}, but they absolutely smell like freedom. They look empowered. They seem happy. That’s why we go to summer camp.

Hudson's first year at Chingachgook. Why his counselors are dressed as the Blues Brothers remains a mystery.

Do we have summer camp to thank when one of them is willing to try something new? When one of them shows compassion for someone else? When one of them has a sense of adventure? Maybe. There’s a lot to learn from camp.

I started this post thinking I’d comment on all that’s been going on in the past week — teenage hood, 40-something hood, the joys and challenges of camping… I see now that just processing summer camp is plenty for today. Must go write to the kids and snag some couples time.

I wholeheartedly believe that there are many good ways to foster the joy and independence that comes from positive summer camp experiences. I hope that we all can take in that smell of freedom this summer — in whatever form it takes; a newborn baby’s head, the unshowered locks of a great big kid, or an unforgettable summer adventure.

I am eagerly anticipating when I see my campers next. Meanwhile, I’ve got my own freedom to enjoy… I’ll get back to you on that iron-clad packing list.

THE Recipe of Summer that Everyone Loves

I have a handful of go-to recipes for summer parties and gatherings — this version of Taco Salad is my number one. I have lost track of how many times I have been asked to share it. Taco Salad is quick, it’s vegetarian, it’s reasonably healthy {if you just forget about the Doritos…}, it can be prepared ahead, and can count as either a main dish or side dish. To make it into a meal, just add watermelon and corn on the cob, or rolls.

This recipe has evolved over the years, originally inspired by a picnic cookbook that my mom had {I don’t even know the name of that original book}. Our family has adapted and changed ingredients and proportions quite a bit, resulting in this version.

Photographically, this is a challenging recipe to beautify — but it really is delicious. So here you go; Happy Summer!

Taco Salad

Combine in a large bowl:

1 15 oz. can black beans or white kidney beans, rinsed and well drained

1 15 oz. can red kidney beans, rinsed and well drained

8 oz grated sharp cheddar cheese

2 tomatoes, coarsely chopped

1 medium sized onion (or less – to taste), chopped

2 or 3 ripe avocados, chopped

8 oz. jar of salsa

Chill, and when ready to serve toss with:

1/2 head Romaine lettuce, shredded or chopped into strips

7 oz. Doritos chips, crushed

1/2 cup Thousand Island dressing

Serves 10. If you are bringing Taco Salad to a party, pack the Doritos and lettuce separately and mix just before serving. If serving a smaller group, just mix up half at a time and save the remaining bean mixture to add chips and lettuce the next day. If you are having left overs, add more chips for crunch and it’s still quite good. This recipe is great to double for a party and feed the masses.

July: Free and Easy

I just have a few minutes, as we’re preparing to GO CAMPING! More details, later… but for now, I leave you with this free printable 3-D July calendar from the The Curiosity Group’s Calendar of the Month Club. Hudson and I made this one yesterday and set up our own little scene. Happy July 4th weekend, all!