While living in Aviano, Italy, it was an easy 1 hour trip to Venice. I could go by myself and quickly learned that everyone disappeared during reposo to eat lunch and take a nap. And that was the best time to take photos!

In 2012 I attended a week - long course at the oldest school of Mosaics in the world in Spilimbergo, Italy. It was intense and very gratifying to make this mosaic. It's also an old-fashioned technique involving leaning over a stump of wood and tapping at glass pieces for hours on end. I knew I couldn't do the perfect squares and patterns by the first hour, but luckily I could make one from my own picture.

Our kids attended Aviano Elementary school on base while we lived in Italy for 3 years. And let me tell you that there's nothing to boost your self worth like painting in front of kindergarteners! They are so sweet and always wanting to watch!

After moving to Germany from Italy. Our family decided we needed to keep Italy with us every day with a mural. Too bad the kids thought one of the hills looked like a bottom. I tried to change it by adding a bit of trees and a chapel, but it will forever be remembered as the 'bottom hill'.

The progression of a painting - The video (above) shows even more of the process, but this also shows the beginnings stages.

During our 10 years living overseas, our favorite 'cheap' vacation was to stay at camp Contiki in San Tropez. there was a secret little beach that only locals knew that we were shown by friends. It had beautiful shallow water in a cove - perfect for littles! This scene is from the edge of the cove, where we played and made memories as a family.