“Lina Emerson, grieving her mother, travels to Florence, Italy to fulfill her late mother’s dying wish—to get to know Howard, a friend from her mother’s past. She soon discovers Howard is actually her father, a surprising and emotional truth. While staying with him—who lives in a WWII cemetery—Lina receives her mother’s journal from her time in Italy. As she reads it, a tapestry of art, romance, and secret lives unfolds. With the help of Ren, a charming local, Lina immerses herself in Italy’s beauty and gelato… uncovering long-hidden family secrets, confronting the mystery of her parentage, and learning more about who she is and what home means.”
9.30.2025
September Books
9.29.2025
trying new things…
Eden and I tried a new-to-us food item at Trader Joe’s and we LOVED it!!! Eden headed up dinner and she killed it!
We can’t wait to try this when the boys get home!
9.26.2025
I’m just missing my husband…
Kit is traveling until next Wednesday. With today being our usual date day, it makes me miss him a little extra. We did get a date before he left, so here are photos of our date at the Parlor. I’m counting down until we get a date like this again!
9.25.2025
beads, beads, beads…
Eden decided to make done charms for a purse that her Mia gave her. She had so much fun and she did such a good job, so wanted to share her hard work and creativity!
9.24.2025
a {fancy} walk down memory lane
Eden found my stash collection of high school formals, bridesmaids dresses, a formal from my aunt’s high school prom, and my wedding veil. Since the boys were out of town, we decided to have a fun try on.
With each dress, I told Eden the story about it, all while we dreamed up dances for her and events that she would attend to get dressed up for… It was such a sweet night…
9.23.2025
a special guest
My nephew Xander has been doing an internship through UCI. This last week it came to a close and we got to have him over for dinner. Man we love this kid. He looks really grown up…
9.22.2025
A girl’s weekend and an annual tradition!
This past Saturday, after Eden had her morning Futsol practice, we made a plan to spend the day together. We kicked it off with our annual trip to Roger’s Gardens to see their halloween display. We pulled our our halloween “would you rather” book to read in the way down:
We headed to Home Goods to smell fall candles, then to walk around Barnes and Noble, adding titles to our book lists:
Then we grabbed a late lunch at chick-fil-a, took it home and proceeded to watch Gilmore Girls, eat home made birria and craft with beads.