Spring is here now!

Well the Roman Spring has sprung, in a matter of a few days. Average temperature now is about 20C. very nice and under a Roman blue sky unlike anywhere else.

Our neighbor's garden, orange trees heavy with fruit and this beautiful flowering tree.

In preparation for our departure from Rome in four months time, we have started to clean house and this weekend was cleaning out the library, we give our books away to friends or anyone who wish to read a book. One friend took 35 books that she was interested in. Next music CDs, we have over 900 of those, I am getting rid of about 20 cds not much but there you go, next it will be clothes, all the stuff I no longer wear will be given away, same with bedding and towels, etc... our plants are all destined to one person who has a green thumb and loves plants. I have been doing this all my life, each time we move, we purge, its a good exercise and helps you realize that stuff is just things and if you no longer want it better give it away.

Also this weekend, Will made Asparagus soup from asparagus stems mixed in with cream and chicken broth made from scratch and I made Chicken vegetable soup, using the remains of a roasting chicken and adding celery, carrots, cauliflower and onion.

Italian Ministry of the Air Force, building was built in 1930 under Mussolini.

The dogs had a long walk along the City Aurelian walls basically walking all around the old Praetorian Guard camp which is today occupied by the Ministry of the Italian Air Force.  The site has been a military installation for 2000 years, some things never change, the original stone walls of the camp are still standing.  Nora and Nicky were really tired afterwards, they got a biscuit and water and then went for a long doggie snooze. What a life go for a nice walk, have a biscuit and then snooze on the sofa, not a care in the world.

Piazza Mattei, the Fontana della Tartarughe  (of the tortoises), designed in 1585 by Giacomo della Porta and the Florentine scuptor Taddeo Landini, my favorite in Rome. The four boys have one foot on a dolphin and their hands are pushing little tortoises into the big basin. The piazza is one of the many entrances to the old Jewish Ghetto of Rome, the Mattei ducal family had the contract from the Pope to make sure the gates of the ghetto were locked at night so the Jews could not get out.

toy soldiers new addition

In my ever growing collection of toy soldiers I bought more in Vienna, found a little shop down a street near our hotel. It was full of stuff, old pictures, 19th century helmets of various regiments with plumes, even silver tread embroidered and plumed ambassadors bicorne, once worn as part of Court dress, lots of beautiful officers swords, both military and diplomatic. The workmanship that produced such weapons, very fine, some blades where etched with patriotic calls to duty. What was in the store must be at least 100 years old. Much of it from the last days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which also included the ex-Yugoslavia, Czech republic (then called Bohemia) and the Slovak republic which was an integral part of Hungary until 1918.

Lots of beautiful medals and large star shaped decorations and sash, all in very good condition. Probably families selling off heirlooms of days long gone.
Also of course of prime interest to me was the lead soldiers 54 mm, medium quality production. I needed to supplement my Austria contingent. I also needed a Napoleon since I now had a Duke of Wellington from my February trip to London. I also bought quite a few soldiers in London, mostly British troops under General Wolfe.
Here are a few photos of these latest additions.

Nickolas and Eleonora are home

This morning we drove out to Prima Porta to fetch Nicky and Nora who were visiting family in Capena. We were told that Nicky was kept busy by 3 bitches in heat, he looked a little thin apparently he forgot to eat. Nora also lost a bit of weight which is a good thing, all the fresh air and running around in fields. They also had 3 classes in socializing and playing with much bigger dogs, German Shepherds that is at Lisa T. who is their trainer.
In the car, Nicky slept on the back seat, while Nora was in the front looking out the window and the world going by as we drove back into Rome.

Now after having double rations for dinner and biscuit, they are snoozing away on the sofa, using yours truly as a pillow. The world is perfect.

Tomorrow I was planning to go to Florence for the day to see a cabinet maker of miniature display cases. But since I am a bit tired I will postpone the trip. These cabinets I would use for my ever expanding army of lead soldier. If I ever go to Russia on posting, I probably will get into serious army build-up.
Russia is very well known for its quality lead soldiers and beautiful craftsmanship. When I get close to the one hundred thousand mark, I will let you know.

Patience is always rewarded!

Today Will surprised me, he went to my favorite toy store in Rome on Piazza Reppublica near the Massimo Museum and bought me a complete set of the Carabinieri Marching Band. I had been thinking about it for a while but these little guys at 54mm painted figurines are expensive. They are beautiful, each one has a different facial expression, consider that their faces are about 1mm total that is very small. Their uniforms are detailed and each detail is carefully done, even the brass instruments have a well used look. Will said that he bought them to thank me for being patient. He is so sweet. Lead soldiers are my idea of a perfect gift.