Warm sunshine, glorious blue sky at least part of the time, and sweet fresh air, what more could we ask for our mountain adventure? If you have been following my blog recently you will know that it has been very warm here in Torino. We decided we would have to go to the snow, if we wanted to see it at all this Christmas vacation! Gabriel and Matthew were overjoyed at the prospect of spending time outside in the snow. Delta (the dog) acted so silly when she first touched it. She jumped, tried to inhale it, and finally rolled in it. She was so cute.
We met our friends in a little village in the Valle d’Aosta called Extrapieratz, and then we all went to Champoluc, another village, where we ice skated, and later the boys went sledding.
We even saw Santa Clause! I am not sure why he was there in Champoluc, a few days after Christmas, and in a cart pulled by horses, but the children were happy to see him.
It was a lovely day, full of the sound of children laughing, a little vin brule ( hot spiced wine) hot chocolate, good conversation with friends, cold reddened cheeks, sparkly snow, a fantastic home cooked dinner prepared by our hosts, consisting of polenta (thick cooked corn meal... what my mom calls cornmeal mush) with various formaggi (cheeses) and great tomato sauce with salsiccia (sausage) and mocetta (a cured meat traditional of the Valle d’Aosta).
After dinner, we even heard a few songs picked on a banjo by our host! Yee haw! Now that was great!
The views of the Alps were breathtaking. I couldn’t stop staring at the mountains. At night all was dark except a few brilliant stars, lights in the houses nearby, and beautifully lit Christmas trees in the yards. Across a vast valley were lights of houses far away, nestled in the foothills, right below the snow-line of the towering mountains. It was peaceful, majestic, and cold. A moment like this is food for the soul.
click here to see my photos of this fun day!
Amber, this newest slide show was really wonderful! I felt like I was there. Beautiful mountains all around. The boys look happy.
ReplyDeleteThe photos were great. I'm jealous....the mountains were beautiful and it looked like you all had fun. Love sledding....haven't done it for ages.
ReplyDeleteGail, I posted those pics just for you, you know! I am glad you liked the slide show.
ReplyDeleteMad, when it is winter time for you, go sledding! I highly recommend it. I hadn't ice skated since I was a teenager, and I survived it, and actually really enjoyed myself. The mountains were beautiful, and I wanted to share that with you all.
Ciao!