LaBelleMadeleine: March 2013

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Pen Pal experience

Today's post is inspired by the blog Truly Lovely... I just read about the idea of finding Pen Pals for those who are interested. It touched me right away because I grew up writing letters to pen pals. I had different ones, from different countries. I studied foreign languages basically my whole life, it was for me a great way to practice the languages I was studying, so I had a pen pal from France, 2 or 3 from United States, one from India, one from Indonesia and also one from Italy, my own country, just for fun. I met the Italian girl after a while we were writing to each-other, it was so much fun!! We spent a few days together in Florence, where she is from, I remember I had a great time.

The most amazing thing happened when I met one of the American girls I was writing to. Her name is Grace, she is from Denver, CO.. I met her first in July 1993{I was16} when I went to America for the first time in my life thanks to a pilgrimage with Pope John Paul II. She is also Catholic, I went to see her at her house after the meeting with the Pope... and then, after a month she happened to go to Italy for a trip with her Classical Orchestra.. and I went to see her again!!! After that we stopped writing to each other, for different circumstances.. but 3 years ago, after 13 years... I went to visit her in Denver, now both married and with little children. The children played together and we had fun talking about our lives, what changed throughout the years since we stopped writing to each other. Even if I don't always speak to her {sometimes via FB}, I cherish this experience in my heart.

I could say many more things... but now you understand why I love this subject!! If anybody is interested to find a pen-pal.. please link up with Kassi, from Truly Lovely. Just click on the image below.. who knows, maybe you'll find a friend that will stay in your heart for the rest of your life. :)

Love to you all!

xoxo,

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Chevron Pouch

Spring Break is here!! I'm so happy I found some time to create.... I finally added something new to my Etsy Shop. It was on my to-do-list for a while now. I made a pouch with one of my favorite fabrics, the Chevron print cotton!! This one is in Aqua & White, so springy and lovely. The flower is also handmade by me, I used pink organza and a cute little aqua button. What do you think? There's 4 available, only $10 each! ;)

Chevron Aqua&White soft pouch

What are you up to this Spring Break? Any cool projects?

xoxo always,

Friday, March 22, 2013

Easter Candle

Easter is veeeery near!!! I have to say that, as much as I love eggs decorating and all kinds of cute crafts, I don't think I will have the time to do any of that {it doesn't mean I won't enjoy looking at pictures and DIYs in my favorite blogs!}. I've been very busy decorating the Easter Candle for one of the parishes here in town. It was a big job!!! I'm happy with the results... especially because I've never really studied Art or taken any class of drawing and painting. My 2 sisters are both great artists, I had them as examples all my life.

I used acrylic paint, and of course copied the image from a beautiful already existing icon. The hardest part for me to paint is the face of Christ... it took me a while... I just hope that the priest who asked me to do it is happy... because he will have to look at it all year until next Easter!!!

I want to share with you some pictures... :)

me at work..... so concentrated!

the whole picture

Christ, detail..

Have a wonderful day!!!

xoxo,

A Sad little Post

It happened 3 weeks ago, something tragic that nobody would ever want to experience: the death of a young child. Matthew was only 9 years old when he was brutally killed. He was my daughter's classmate, he used to sit next to her. As soon as I heard the news my heart sank, then I felt bad for his family, his teacher and my daughter, who never ever before had to deal with such feelings. I watched closely her behaviour, to make sure she was ok.

Me and my husband decided to go to the funeral and take all our kids.. death and suffering are part of this life. We strongly believe that Matthew, innocent sweet child, is in the arms of our Heavenly Father and is now watching over his family.

It's just sad to see his desk empty now, everytime I go pick up my daughter. The good thing about it is that it reminds me how short life is, and when my time comes I hope I'm ready, standing up.

xoxo,

Monday, March 18, 2013

Amazing Giveaway!!!!

Life has been very busy these past weeks, which is good.. but I'll speak about that in a different post. Today I want to let you know about an awesome Giveaway I'm part of. It's called March Madness Giveaway, from the super sweet Mandy at Life Songs of a Busy Mom .

Go check it out!!! One super lucky winner will win incredible items of different kind.. and also my Ladybug in the Clouds Cozy!! he he.. :)

GOOD LUCK!!!

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!!

xoxo,

Friday, March 8, 2013

Fast and Easy Pasta recipe

Hello Friday!!!

Today I just want to show you a very easy and delicious pasta recipe. Italian people, like me, eat pasta everyday. We are never tired of it!! During Lent (period of time preceding Easter), catholic don't eat any meat on Fridays... that's why what I cooked today is a delicious Pasta with Tuna and Capers. There's different variations you can do with it, but I'll show the basic one.

INGREDIENTS:

your favorite shape of pasta (I used Angel Hair, 'cause they cook faster, and I was hungry!)
1 can of Tuna
a handful of Capers
salt
1 clove of Garlic
3 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Put water in a big pot with 2 handfuls of salt. Wait for the water to boil. Throw the pasta in, stirring once in a while and looking at the time.. please don't over cook it!!! (check the cooking time on the package).

In the meantime, in another small pot, pour the Extra Virgin Olive Oil with the garlic (I mince half clove and put the rest whole, to take it out as soon as it browns), add the tuna (after draining it), the capers and a pinch of salt. Cook for 3-4 minutes.

When the pasta is cooked, drain it and pour it in a serving bowl, add the tuna sauce. You will probably need to add a little extra drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

And that's it!!! Mix and eat right away!! Never let pasta sit there... it needs to be eaten as soon as it's cooked, for a better taste... ;) Enjoy!!!!

Have a great week-end!!!

Love to you all!

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Don't let yourself get pinched!!

Here I am today with a little fashion post! :) Sometimes, in a lazy morning like today, I like to create cute outfits on polyvore.com. This one is about the up-coming Feast of St. Patrick's Day.. a little green but not too much.. just enough for people to know you don't like to get pinched!!! ;)

Do you like my comfy look?