Whenever we head into the city, we take the train to Milano, arriving at Centrale station. From there, we hop on the metro to the Duomo, which is always our starting point when we visit Milan. We never miss the chance to pause, admire the breathtaking cathedral, and snap a selfie — it’s a ritual that never loses its magic. Then comes our next stop, just a short five-minute walk away: the Milan Starbucks… and not just any Starbucks.

Reaching my 1500th blog post feels both surreal and deeply gratifying. What began as a small corner of the internet has grown into a living, breathing space filled with ideas, experiences, lessons, and stories. Over time, this website has evolved into more than just a platform — it has become a reflection of curiosity, creativity, and a genuine passion for sharing meaningful content and to remind everyone to “Live life well always, because we only have one!”

Each year on February 17, people around the globe observe Random Acts of Kindness Day. This meaningful day invites us to offer kindness freely, without looking for recognition or reward. It celebrates sharing love, joy, and compassion through simple, unexpected gestures.

Friday the 13th has long held a peculiar grip on the human imagination, blending superstition, history, psychology, and pop culture into a single date that many people still approach with caution or curiosity.  The superstition surrounding Friday the 13th is a fusion of two older fears: the unease around Fridays and the suspicion of the number 13.

World Radio Day, observed annually on 13 February, celebrates radio’s role as a vital and trustworthy means of communication. The date commemorates the founding of United Nations Radio in 1946. UNESCO designated 13 February as World Radio Day in 2011, and the United Nations General Assembly formally endorsed the observance in 2012. 

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano   TikTok video of Castle / del Castello We had a wonderful time exploring Ivrea with our friends; Walt and Karen who were visiting from Canada and Franco who lives in Vercelli. Information on Ivrea Sights Ivrea Castle, locally known as Castello di Ivrea , is a medieval fortress located in the historic center of Ivrea, a town in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. The castle was constructed in 1358 by Amadeus VI of Savoy, often called “th

Yeah, its Nutella Day! Let's crack open a jar and slather that deliciousness of chocolate and hazelnuts on whatever we like. Of course, if you are allergic to hazelnuts like my brother Vince, then stay away. Here is the story behind Nutella....

Most of us have a special someone who is currently fighting cancer, has fought it in the past, or has been personally affected by it. Thanks to incredible advances in science, research, and technology, the landscape of cancer treatment has changed dramatically, with more cancers now being treatable than ever before. With World Cancer Day taking place tomorrow, I’m sharing how this important day began and evolved over the years.

Having blood work done in Canada is a little different from the experience in Italy, so I wanted to share those differences to give you an understanding of healthcare practices in Italy.  This spreadsheet identifies the steps required for a blood test in both Canada and Italy. 

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano   International Day of Education is celebrated annually on January 24 and was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018 to emphasize the essential role education plays in advancing peace, sustainable development, and human rights.  The resolution was co-authored by Nigeria and 58 other member states, demonstrating a collective international commitment to transformative learning.    The day acknowledges education as a basic human

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano   The Olympic Torch came through Arona on January 14, 2026, and Chris my son-in-law @ chrisevans.film took these photos and video.   La Torcia Olimpica è passata da Arona il 14 gennaio 2026 e Chris, mio genero, @ chrisevans.film , ha scattato queste foto e questi video.    TikTok video - Olympic Torch in Arona / Torcia Olimpica ad Arona Photos / Foto   Winter Olympics The Winter Olympic Games are an international sporting event dedicated to sno

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano   TikTok Interview video with Gianni - TikTok Intervista video con Gianni YouTube Interview video with Gianni - YouTube Intervista video con Gianni Transcription of video - Trascrizione del video I’m here today to interview my husband, Gianni, and to reflect on the one-year anniversary of his bone marrow transplant—a blessing we’re deeply grateful for. Oggi sono qui per intervistare mio marito Gianni e per riflettere sul primo anniversario de

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano   TikTok video crows destroying grass / corvi che distruggono l’erba   When we returned to Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada this past fall, I was stunned by just how many lawns had been ravaged by crows. I watched in disbelief as they carefully tugged up the grass, leaving what should have been a lush, green paradise looking torn and tattered—a disheartening sight for anyone who cherishes a pristine lawn.   Have you ever wondered why this s

Italiano sotto ogni sezione TikTok video PRP eye drops - Video TikTok del collirio PRP  Dry eye disease (DED) or syndrome is a chronic eye condition that happens when an individual does not produce enough quality tears to properly lubricate their eyes.  Interesting fact is that in Italy 25% suffer from dry eye disease and in Canada almost 30% do.    Each time we blink our eyelids spread tears over the surface of our eyes which creates a tear film that helps protect our eyes

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano   TikTok Video - Bat Houses / Casetta per Pipistrelli Walking along the promenade in Arona, Verdemax boxes can be seen everywhere. Curious about what they were, I decided to do some research to learn more about them.   These little houses are bat houses.  They are environmentally friendly wooden shelters created to give bats a secure resting and nesting place in gardens, parks, or on buildings. Made primarily from natural pine wood, these bat ho

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano   TikTok video – Cathedral / Duomo The Duomo di Ivrea, officially the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, stands in the historic center of Ivrea as the result of nearly two millennia of continuous religious and architectural history. Its origins lie in the 4th–5th centuries, when the Roman town of Eporedia  began its transformation into a Christian city. Early Christian basilicas were established on this site, traces of which survive beneath the

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano   TikTok Video of Vercelli Rice / Riso I want to start by giving Franco, our friend from Vercelli the credit for taking the photos and videos of the rice’s growing phases.  It allows me to show you how the fields transform from dirt to rice.   Rice cultivation in the Vercelli area of northern Piedmont gradually became Europe’s most important rice-growing district due to its geography, technology, and social history. Its foundations date to the M

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano   TikTok video of the church – video TikTok della chiesa The Church of Saints Philip and James is in the heart of Laveno‑Mombello just above the shores of Lake Maggiore.  It historically served as the main parish church before the construction of the newer Sant’Ambrogio.  Often called the chiesa vecchia (“old church”) by locals, it’s a quiet witness to the town’s history and spiritual life.   Its origins go back to the 14th century (with the ea

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano   Makes 30 – 36 ornaments depending on size   My friend Karen made dough ornaments with her grandkids therefore I asked for her recipe.  I made this batch for Weston, Jameson and Ariana to decorate for our outdoor Christmas tree, when the boys come to Italy Christmas.   I made the ornaments and froze them as I want them ready for when the boys come from Canada. You can paint with acrylic or washable paint and let dry Once dried seal with Mod Pod

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano Video of the Polyptych - Video del Polittico Nestled in the hills of the Marche region, the small town of Monte San Martino is home to a remarkable Renaissance treasure: the Polyptych of Monte San Martino . Though not as famous as works by Michelangelo or Leonardo, this altarpiece tells a story of artistic collaboration, devotion, and the beauty of the Italian Quattrocento or 1400’s.   It is believed the polyptych was created between 1477 and