INSPIRATION
Why move to Italy?
‘Your life is made up of little moments, little efforts, little changes, big smiles, and all your hopes and dreams.’
Ritu Ghatourey
Last night sitting in bed with Luca asleep beside me, (he was having a nap to make it till midnight) I was reflecting back on the year past and our move to Italy. I’d started to fill in a flowery form sent from a friend listing all the achievements of the year and come up blank.
Not just blank, but totally blank and I have to say feeling a bit down, tired and in no way wanting to stay up till midnight only to go out into the freezing cold and watch the fireworks.
Lucky I had made a pinky promise with Luca to wake him up at eleven so he could see in the New Year.
Reading back through the blog reminded me of all that we have achieved this year, and why we decided to move to Italy.
I share my favorite moments of the year below and rejoice in each one.
We’ve been through some major illness, a trip to the hospital by helicopter for Carina which resulted in her having ongoing major panic attacks, Luca had pneumonia.
I got sick on my 50th birthday in June and ended up in hospital. Of course I recovered for the incredible trip to Paris for the portrait session with Carla Coulson in September.
We’ve had visitors come stay, and traveled with them to Liguria and France.
I started B-School, and ended up in complete overwhelm before screaming STOP and taking a time out from all the tech side of blogging. I am now back to ‘school’ and creating a new purpose for my writing.
I was invited to ‘A New Way of Seeing‘ photographic workshop in Genoa with Di Mackay and found a new best friend, she is like a soul sister and we laughed the entire time.
Both our camper van and our old blue tractor had maiden voyages.
We bought ‘Casa Bianca’ the white house next to ours and it’s out buildings. Doing so we gained a dog and another cat, our white cat Mishu died and some time later Carina came home with two half starved kittens from the village.
Our episode on House Hunters International went to air and the response was incredible, so many new readers and friends saying ciao.
We decided to create a place that visitors to our Borgata could stay and experience the simple life with us. Opening up our home and creating ‘Casa Bianca’ has been a work in progress and we have our first visitors coming to stay in May…..I’m so excited!
In order to be ready in time for visitors we have begun hosting people from Workaway, this is a wonderful system where you offer accommodation and full board in exchange for five hours of work a day.
So far we have had Sean from England and Ice from Japan, and our family have benefited in so many ways from having them stay with us.
I am constantly reminded of why we decided to move to Italy and all we want to achieve, I still beat myself up and compare myself to other Mums I think of as perfect. We have a soon to be teenage daughter who is full of passion and our sweet boy who compensates for all the angst by going along with everyone.
Our little family is still working towards a less plugged in life, a life away from shopping centers and Ipads, Ipods, and the latest computer games and it’s working.
[Tweet “Don’t wait to create the simple life you yearn for.”]
Growing our own food, raising animals to eat, picking wildflowers, drinking water fresh from the mountain, cutting wood, gathering fresh eggs from our chickens, sipping hot chocolate or cappuccino and eating freshly baked brioche in our favorite cafe, and always looking for ways to take things to the next level.
These are some favorite moments from our year and I share them with you as inspiration for your own dreams.
Upon reflection we have achieved much this past year.
In the small moments, the shared laughter, the struggles and the arguments, each has bought us closer together as a family and that is a gift beyond measure.
I’d love to hear about your special moments, and we wish you a Happy New Year!
and the gang x
Hi Lisa.
it is interesting to look back at the last 12 months and wonder how we survived in Italy 😉 and what the next year will bring.
All the best
PN
Oh you can certainly say that again PN!!!
much love lisa and the gang
Wow, what a year!! There’s definitely some ups and downs in there but I don’t think anyone could ever claim you haven’t achieved much. And I love every one of those photos, you all look so happy. Here’s to another great year, and the opening up of Casa Bianca of course!!
Ha Ha I should do a montage of us all looking grumpy and frazzled! Where has the time gone, I see your gorgeous girl and still think of her as a babe in arms. sending love to you all xxx
I’m living through your stories, you know. I’ve been following for a while and just love what you’re doing! Certainly nothing is without its challenges, but talk about living a dream and following your passion.
Oh Ciao Patty, we are always up for a challenge that is for sure. Our life has been a bit of a roller coaster with my favorite parts being the loop d loop…..ciao ciao lisa x
So much love and happiness in these photos, Lisa. XO My heart feels full just from reading your post today. Your journey gives me courage, always, to press forward in ours. And your words today remind me to look back and celebrate what we have done. I needed that. 🙂 I’m so tired this weekend and needed that boost. XO Big hug to you and your loves. XO
Oh Krista as always things seem to be moving at a rate of knots and 2015 has taken off so fast. You and I are such kindred souls each taking inspiration from the other, you and your Bear and the life you are creating (gumboots and all).
Sending love and take some time out just for you xx
Follow you on facebook 🙂 Very interested in hearing all about your move to Italy. Have visited 3 times in just over a year. Love it.
Coming back again in March this year.
Where exactly are you? What is the nearest big town?
Perhaps will come and stay on a future visit.
Best wishes from Cape Town 🙂
Ciao Dale obviously you really love Italy, I can totally understand this. Our closest big town would be Pinerolo, we are located just out of Bobbio Pellice in a Borgata called Malpertus. We are currently taking bookings from June onwards and love to see you xxx ciao ciao lisa
What an amazing year so many ups and downs. I wish you a year of happiness and fun and lots of success in your latest venture. Felice anno nuovo Lyn
Happy New Year to you Lyn and yes it’s been a bit of a roller coaster since we arrived but looks like we are getting on track now. xx
I have been following your progress closely for ages now; all your ups and downs. My own move to Italy was carried out completely alone and at a slighter later stage in life. So different, but also extremely challenging in its own way. Love to meet up sometime. Best of luck for 2015. Orna
Orna i was just looking at your photos of Venice how amazing. Very brave to move on your own and how is your Italian? Mine has not progressed very far I’m afraid. I’d love to do a meet up, I know Catherine and Di would be in that, maybe we should work out a meet up point and just do it xx
I am so grateful for the way you share your family and your life with us all Lisa .. You are doing what I would love to be doing and doing it very well indeed. I cannot wait to see what the upcoming year has in store. All God’s good blessings on you all!
Thanks so much Donna Marie, and it’s a great pleasure to share all we are trying to achieve. Buon Anno and a wonderful 2015 xx
I know it’s so hard to look back and see what we have achieved in the year behind us. I look back and I see mess, lack of effort, craziness, confusion. And yet there has been light, escape, friendship and achievement. I see the same thing happening with you, and am grateful to be following your ride. Hope we meet in 2015!
Xxcat Big hug!
Oh your Resolutions cracked me up and yes way too many notebooks. I also see disorganization, mess, arguments and lots of yelling lol xxx
lets make it this year to meet at last xx
onward & upward
Yep that’s always been my motto Charmain xx
Such a wonderful reflection Lisa. So honest, as you always are, about the ups and downs of creating your new life in the mountains. Looking back through the blog is such an affirming experience. A blogging benefit I didn’t expect. Felice anno nuovo!
Yes it is one of those things that you appreciate after the fact Jenny, funnily we had to show that Sam went through a light when taking Luca to the hospital at 3am and I found the date from the blog LOL.
I loved your post about tracing your family heritage, Buon Anno xxx
I was so very glad to meet you last year … such a joy!! Absolutely looking forward to seeing you again in 2015. Meanwhile I do love your stories of your place in the mountains … grazie mille for all the beauty and truth you’ve shared with us, so looking forward to reading the story as it unfolds xxxx
Di you are too modest…..this is THE Di who runs ‘A New Way of Seeing’ and she is a soul sister, love you to bits and here’s to 2015 xx
Here’s to 2015 being exceptional for us both!!! I’m positioning myself to spend a lot of the year in Italy so let’s see how that goes. Love you back, and shall surely harass you during the year xxx
Ha Ha harass me anytime, and been thinking on our discussion the other day, lets Skype through the week x
Buon anno! Complementi! You have achieved so much even with the setbacks.
Tanti auguri with your B&B in 2015.
Baci!
Sandra
Buon Anno Sandra
It never seems like we’ve done that much until I look back at old photos. xx
Lisa &Sam that was a wonderful year for you and your family a great adventure.
Wish you all the best for year 2015.
Here’s to 2015 and a visit xxx
What an incredible year of ups and downs! I love the photo montages. Here’s to a happy, healthier, prosperous New Year for all of you…and, me, too!
I can’t wait to hear (and see) more about Casa Bianca. So exciting! Love to you all and stay warm.
xo
Wynne
Hey Wynne it still feels like you were only here yesterday and I miss all our chats and walks. Buon Anno to you and we are staying toasty LOL x
Hope 2015 is everything you wish it to be
much love all the gang here in the Borgata including Fiume and the cats xxx
Also I hope this year 2015 will be a magical one for you and your family full of Health Happiness and most of all Love.
Buon Anno to you Maria, I think many expats have a life fraught with unexpected difficulties and that’s what brings us together as a family x
Thank You for sharing, love reading about a life lived in a place of your dreams.
Grazie Maria,
Dreams and the occasional nightmare LOL xx
lisa