Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Last night in Sicily

Nick and Steve checking out the brilliant Sicilian sunset.


After savoring our last dusk in the Med, we met our friends at Buongustaio in Motta S. Anastasia. For those of you who haven't been, Buongustaio is actually quite a gem in the little enclave of Motta. Their cuisine is fairly progressive for Sicily and its still extremely affordable. Buon appettito. Better than the great food was the company. There was no better way to end our last Sicilian night.



I'm condfident that we are the loudest crew to ever dine at Buongustaio.
We miss you guys!

More Arrivederci Sicily

Nick, me, and Chad ready to play in our poker gear.

Steve is really going to miss Currier and his fancy toys...


And his life partner Paolo...

Arrivederci Sicilia!

Unfortunately all good things come to an end, and our Sicilian days are somehow over. We've met some amazing friends that I know we'll have for a lifetime, and you have no idea how much we miss you already. Thank you for the great "Arrivederci" parties and dinners. We feel so blessed to have found such great friends and were wholeheartedly sad to leave. Here are some highlights from our last week off the tip of the boot.

The "sette vele" or "seven veils" cake that my co-workers bought for my last day of work. This is my VERY FAVORITE Italian delicacy. Made of seven layers of different types of chocolate, this cake was sent to Italy directly from God.


We had dinner at the amazing Valle di Marge agriturismo beside Mineo with our Mineo family: Allison, Colin, & Brian Georger, and Stacy, Katarina, Lilliana, and Monica Young. Thanksgiving won't be the same without you!



The hostess with the mostess, Coleen, threw our buddy Chad, Nick, and me an awesome going away party. It was the fourth meeting of the Swigonella Beer Club and a subsequent poker tournament. Neither Nick nor I fared well in the latter. But we're always champs at Beer Club meetings!




Thank you for the great times, Balents!

Saturday, February 10, 2007

YOU MUST.


When planning your trip to Barcelona, you MUST pencil in a lunch at tapas bar Cal Pep. Highly recommended by each of our guidebooks (we like to compare classics, like Frommer's and more irreverant takes on the city, like the UK-published Cadogan guides), Cal Pep is a fairly touristy stop, and once you step in to the small cafe, you begin to figure out why. We waited with the other hungry guests along the outer parameter of the seating area and were teased by the amazing aromas being plated up in front of us. When we finally snagged a seat, we knew what we wanted from watching the chefs plate up menu items from right behind the counter.



The beauty about Spanish tapas bars is that for only three to six euros per plate, you can sample a variety of items and flavors. So Nick and I were ready to try as many courses as possible.



We immediately ordered a plate of flash-fried green peppers with sea salt...AMAZING. Then we had what was possibly the best tuna tartare we've ever had. They served the tuna with a few crostini that weren't even necessary. We dove right in with our forks. We finished up with a Spanish quiche-like course. It's an egg bake topped with a creamy onion sauce. The three small courses coupled with a few (not quite sure how many..hehe) glasses of kava (a yummy, sweet Spanish champagne) was a perfect lunch at this world-reknowned gem.

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Viva Barcelona!


I know. You've been waiting far too long for details on Barcelona. I do apologize, and I'm trying to find time in my newly arranged schedule (grad school AND our upcoming return to the States) to update the blog. Obviously, I'm still working on that. Anyhoo, here are our favorite spots to check out in Barcelona for when you and yours make your own trek to the family-friendly city of Antoni Gaudi.


This is La Segrada Famiglia, one of Barcelona's crowning jewels and biggest tourist attractions. It's been under construction for over 120 years and isn't slated for completion until 2030!!!

Inside view of one of Segrada's beautiful stained glass windows.



Barcelona's main shopping district, Las Ramblas, at night.

Sunday, January 07, 2007

New Year--Bigger Family!


Just before the end of 2006, one final HUGE EVENT had to go down: the birth of our very first niece, Audrey Marie Bozarth!!!!

We are now Uncle Nick and Aunt Becca. The fact that we will impart all of our knowledge and wisdom to this little one humbles us...then makes us giggle.

Weighing in at a respectable 6 lbs, 12 oz, Audrey is resting comfortably with her hard-working mom and dad, Heather Wissler and Matthew Bozarth in Bloomington, Indiana.


Here she is with Nick's mom, her Nonnie.

If you can't tell, we're already a little obsessed with this pretty princess and can't wait to meet her when we come home in March.

Santa hit the place!


Thank you everyone for all of our wonderful gifts. Despite being away from home, we were still spoiled beyond belief. We felt truly loved and missed. Thank you so much!

After. Look at all that stuff!

Even Steve was worn out from all of the Christmas excitement. He really needed a nap, but not before putting on his new sweater from his Nonnie Wissler. Buon Natale!

Sicilian Holiday

This was our first holiday season away from home, and because of our fantastic friends (our family away from family), it ended up being one of the most memorable and festive Christmases we've ever had.
This is our very first attempt at roasted turkey! We got up very early on Christmas Eve to get it ready and in the oven, and it ended up being really fun. Given the massive amounts of butter and herbs Nick and I slathered on this bird, there was no way it wasn't going to be good.
Thank God we also baked a turkey, because Nick's attempt at frying one didn't turn out very well. Maybe next time, Nick!

These are our friends Nicole and Megan, digging in to traditional Condron Christmas fixin's, sweet potato casserole, granny's corn pudding, mashed potatoes...the works.
Here are Trent and Currier, enjoying Christmas tree splendor and watching Bad Santa.