Palmabella's Passions

It is still January! I'm cold, bored, slightly depressed, and cranky. I'm dieting! I'm waiting...for upcoming weeknds away, warm weather and Spring!

I have a number of activities I do when I am hibernating. I'm NOT a big TV watcher, I do love to read, shop, cook, and entertain. So we know I am on "Shopping Probation", I'm back on the diet, which eliminates most cooking, and I spend a lot of time on the Slow Talk boards, or reading trip reports on Slow Travel. I STILL have time on my hands!

Though our summer Italy trip is six months away, I have gotten out all my books on Umbria, and I am starting to print out restaurant reviews for Florence and Tuscany.
Working less than 20 hours a week, I still have time on my hands. This blog takes up a few hours more. Email, voicemail, snail mail, a few more hours pass.

During the January hibernation, we can add daily naps and my annual jigsaw puzzle blowout to the schedule. Two weeks ago, I did this vineyard scene that was a Christmas gift:

Last week, I completed a Tuscan looking stone house with green shutters and pots of flowers. The good news is it is a distraction from food. The bad news is I need another Italy puzzle!