Halloween, Oreos, and Scaffolding

Before we left the U.S., we remembered to pick up a few packages of Oreos for Andrea and Melissa's daughter, V.S. They don't sell the seasonal versions here in Italy, so it's always fun for her to see (and share) them with her friends. 

We chose the Halloween edition, thinking they were just regular Oreos dyed orange. But it turns out--they glow in the dark! I'm not sure how I feel about that. Andrea said he was comparing the ingredients to the Italian version. He's braver than I am!

Glow-in-the-dark Oreos

We also bought some mint ones (Ira's pick), which--as I suspected--were more popular with Andrea than with V.S. or even Melissa. "Those are for boys," Ira said. 

At checkout, we spotted a cookie-decorating kit that looked too fun to pass up. V.S. agreed! Check out her creations.

Cookie Decoration Kit

V.S.' first attempt

The Fall Collection

While V.S. enjoyed her decorating adventure, we had a date with Elena after her museum shift to fare un giro--which literally means "to take a turn," but in Italy it is simply wandering together for the joy of it. 

We had an idea of what we were in for, but honestly, we underestimated it. There were so many more people here this year--it was wild!

Via Della Liberta

Piazza Garibaldi

For those unfamiliar, the photo below is what we like to call "the artist shot." The moon wasn't quite full, but the effect was still there. You can even spot the windows of our apartment just beneath the witch. We'll have an even better view next year--if all goes to plan.

Spooky Witch

The Duomo

Carving Porcetta for Panini

After an early dinner, by Italian standards, we came back outside and there were still crowds of people!

Still so many people

Gory Costume

Not to be outdone, our friend sent us this picture of Mouse. We had bought her this costume several years ago when we were pet-sitting one Halloween. So cute, we love that little dog.

Mouse in the costume we bought her

Apartment Update

Now for the part we've all been waiting for (at least the subscribers not in Massa): apartment progress! 

We'd been told work on the exterior would start after Halloween, on November 3rd. Skeptics that we are, we decided to believe it when we saw it. Well, when we stepped outside that morning, there it was--the truck parked out front, hauling away the chairs and umbrellas outside of Le Sedici. 

Tables, chairs and umbrellas packed up

Once everything was cleared, we could finally see the whole front facade.

Empty front facade

Then came the scaffolding.

Start of the Scaffolding

I know this may not be thrilling to everyone, but after almost two years since we first saw the apartment, we're beyond excited--so yes, we're documenting every single step.

Turning the Corner

By the end of day two, they'd started working their way around the corner--progress!

That night we walked to the library for the first time since arriving this trip. Ira borrowed Alice in Wonderland (for the second time--if the librarians ever looked closely at his borrowing history, they would think, he really must love that book). I picked Incanto: Il Segreto delle Principesse--fewer pictures than Asterix, but the print's larger, which is a win. 

As we headed home, Ira--ever the photographer--stopped to film me walking down the hill toward the Duomo. The sky was stunning, and he insisted I include the video here. So here you go.

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Walking home from the library

The next day, we noticed they'd adjusted the scaffolding to allow better access to the shops below--very considerate!

Scaffolding accommodation for the businesses

Lunch with Friends

We met up with our friend Teresa from Germany and her Italian boyfriend Damiano from Bologna at a local rosticceria--the same place where we'd once bought lasagna to go. We'd never eaten there before, but it's one of their weekly haunts, so we were excited.

Tagliolini Vongole 

Tortelli con Burro e Salvia

Ira had Tagliolini  Vongole based on Teresa's recommendation, though she had it with gnocchi. I'd planned on the Pici with Ragu Bianco, but they were out, so I had the tortelli with butter and sage (salvia, I learned today). It was stuffed with spinach and ricotta--simple and delicious.

We shared roasted potatoes, carrots and peppers, plus a chilled bottle of Vermentino from Sardinia (Teresa's pick). The total? €56 for four people! Mamma Mia! In San Diego, that wouldn't even cover tacos for four at the taco truck.

It was a lovely lunch, though bittersweet--Teresa returns to Germany next week and hopes to find winter work. Maybe we'll visit her someday; we don't know anyone in Germany...yet.

On our way back, we stopped to check on the scaffolding--great progress!

Scaffolding Progress

Scaffolding in progress

They've got quite a task ahead: opening sealed windows, replacing existing ones, demolishing and rebuilding terraces, installing an elevator, repairing plaster, repainting, and concealing all the exterior utilities. Whew! 

The Comune gave them three months to keep the scaffolding up, so fingers crossed for clear weather and a steady crew--especially before the holidays slow everything down. 

Book Corner

I recently finished The Unbearable Lightness of Scones by Alexander McCall Smith, part of his popular 44 Scotland Street series. Though beloved by many, it wasn't quite my cup of tea--too tongue-in-cheek, and I never truly warmed to the characters. But no worries--it'll make a fine addition to the Coop Little Free Library!

A dopo!