Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Thirty years

My husband and I took a quick trip to Italy and Holland early this month, but so much "housekeeping" stuff has come up since our return that I have barely had time to look at my photos, let alone post any.  These are my favorites, taken in Zaanse Schans, a wonderful re-created historical village outside of Amsterdam, and textured with Kim Klassen's "oh my":

linking with Texture Tuesday


We enjoyed visiting friends in Amsterdam, but our heart is in Italy.  My husband and I lived in Milan for the first four years we were married, so Italian habits and preferences have been part of our lives ever since.  We have an academic connection to the city of Bologna, though, and return most every year for meetings, but we also take the time to slow down and absorb just being in Italy.  Bologna is a very special place - known as a major center of intellectual thought, it is home to the first European university (predating Oxford).  Like other Italian cities, it is full of gorgeous art and architecture, exquisite museums, unbelievably wonderful food... but relatively few tourists.  
textured with Kim Klassen's "grunged up"

textured with Kim Klassen's "oh my"

textured with Kim Klassen's "charmed"

Bologna is particularly known for the porticos covering most sidewalks in the city.  It makes getting around in the rain or the summer's heat pretty easy! 
Thirty years ago this week, I met my husband.  I was a first-year graduate student and he was a few weeks away from graduation.  He had spent a transformative academic year in Bologna, and over the years since, this expanded into so many Italian-focused experiences that it really shaped us as a family.  
The only thing is, it just seems like yesterday.  How can time go by so fast?

15 comments:

The Artful Diva said...

The wooden shoes are so much fun, aren't they? I have a small painted pair.

just jen said...

Happy Anniversary! Y'all look so sweet and innocent. :)

Love your shots.
The shoes, those buildings, the town square, those arches.

All of Europe makes me swoon!

Jenni said...

Love your photos. My daughter is in the Netherlands right now, I too love Italy and I also met my husband 30 years ago! I don't however travel frequently to Bologna..lucky you!
You both look so young and sweet.
Jenni

Kia said...

Awwww, look at you two, how simply adorable! And so in love! Thanks so much for sharing, Kathleen!
Hubby and I have never been to Bologna, and it's such a shame, I know! I am so happy to see all your love for my beloved Italy in your gorgeous photos! :D
Thanks so much for sharing them and kudos for your texture work!

Pat said...

Beautiful shots! Love those arches and porticos.
What a cute shot of the two of you!

johanna said...

love your post! wonderful wooden shoes shot, beautiful italian photos and the photo of you being so young!! thanks for sharing... aaah, the time... i will be married 30 years in september, i also can´t believe that!

Terrie said...

Love the shoes image! And thanks for sharing all the great photos of your trip - I need to add it to my list of places to see!

Sharon said...

Oh, you make me want to go to Italy this minute! Beautiful photos and the textures add just enough life. Happy anniversary! You two look so young and ready for life. Congratulations on 30 years!

Kerry said...

LOVE the buildings with the "OH MY" texture. They just look like the sun is hitting them so perfectly. Beautiful!

Amarie said...

I would love to go to Italy one day. My husband's family is actually from Sicily, and it would be a great experience for both us, since he hasn't been since he was a little boy, and for our daughter as well. Happy Anniversary!!

Becs said...

Wow, these photos are gorgeous. I love Italy too but I've never been to Bologna. It looks gorgeous. Love your clog picture too - that splash of orange in the middle really made me smile. :)

cathy @ma vie trouvee said...

Ah what a sweet post with beautiful photos - Happy Anniversary!

geetlee said...

I love these beautiful images of the city. I can feel from this post how much you love Italy with so many beautiful memories :)

Evelyn ~ Indigo Beach Art said...

Well done for reaching 30 years!! And your Holland photos are wonderful ~ I love the cloggs!

Kia said...

Ciao Kathleen, hope you are enjoying springtime. :)