The Art of Reminiscing -- ITALIA

OH the Beauty that is Europe, the beauty that is Italy, the beauty that is Italian Cuisine (and me getting fatter by the second due to the ridiculous amount of cappuccinos, pasta, bread, and gelato I would stuff my face with any chance I got).. Sorry about the side note, regardless I miss the crap outta Italy. And so does the hubs despite his incessant ridicule on Italian drivers.

Buying Gelato in Venice, Italy

So for anyone who is considering a trip to Italy in the near future don't let yourself be fooled by the people who insist that going to "touristy" places is over rated. When the hubs lived in Italy, Venice was about an hour away.. And so Venice was the hangout spot and please believe "over rated" was the last thing it was. There were so many times that we would hop onto the train at the Sacile Train Station and be on our way. Of course sightseeing is awesome especially if you're an Arts History expertise.. It's basically like all those pictures you saw in all those textbooks come to life. 

Vatican, Rome, Italy

I was fortunate enough to visit Italy during Spring, Summer and Winter.. and trust me all the seasons are wonderful. During the Spring you get showers and a nice breeze.. Perfect for boots, scarves, and pea coats.. Of course another perfect time to embrace Italian fashion. Summer is super hot with humidity off the radar, but the beaches are perfect! Filled with people who not only don't care what they look like in a two piece bikini but embrace being beautiful and confident in their own bodies. And last but not least.. Winter.. Now let’s talk about beauty! Winter in Italy isn't like winter in Montana, oh no.. You get rain, a bit of snow, and cold.. not unbearable cold, but just perfect! So regardless of the season that you may (or may not) be planning your trip abroad, Italy is gorgeous year round.

Lake Barcis, Italy

The memories that a person builds going to any trip are just remarkable. Some of the best memories that I shall have in my life were made in Italy. For example, for those of you who know me, you’ll know that spontaneity is basically my motto! I went to visit my “good friend” at the time in Italy after not having seen him in 4 years.. I know it was a bit crazy, but well worth the nerves and the excitement! A year later, we then got engaged a Bibione Beach, Italy.. 

So as you can see Italy will forever hold a special place in our hearts. 
And we really hope that one day you'll be able to visit Italy, or Europe for that mater, it's a wonderful place and everyone should indulge in the culture at least once in their lives :) 

XO

Montana Life... Culture Shock... Hutterites

One of the perks.. Some people may feel differently.. About being a Military wife are all the different places and people that one may encounter. Moving from California to Montana, we knew would be a pretty huge adjustment for the both of us. Luckily we both have quite a lot of traveling experience under our belts and figured we would just make the best of what serving our country brings to us.

In moving to a new place there's always one shocker or another... And boy was this definitely one. THE HUTTERITES OF MONTANA

A Hutterite you may ask? yea... I was just as confused as you probably are right now.. I mean I had heard Amish, Mormons, Masons.. But never a Hutterite. They're quite distinct people with distinct cultural customs. Nonetheless living in town one hear's a lot of rumors/facts about how they live their lives. Some of the things we've heard are:

• They are the richest people in Montana (which in fact I've come to learn that they are.. just to give you an example they own most of the "empty" land that you can see driving through the state)
• They are extreme bargainers (extremely true, they can definitely bargain to get the best price possible)
• They speak a dialect of German (I unfortunately don't speak German so I can't prove this)
• The men let their beards grow out when they are married (TRUE! I've actually asked a Hutterite this and he said yes)
• The women don't have their own money to spend so they try to knit things and make things, and when they come into town they try and sell their knick knacks (I've actually gotten a little gift from a Hutterite at work -- a cute little scarf that probably wrapped around my arm lol)
• Men and women must court before they marry (Not proven by me)
• They do not inbreed (in fact there's this "rumor" that men will pay other white males with evident "white male genes" such as blue eyes, blond hair, tall, etc. to have intercourse with their daughters in order to prevent inbreeding within the colonies.. whether this is true I don't know) 
• They travel in Carriages.. sometimes :) (TRUE)
• Some colonies allow use of cell phones and "modern technology" others completely forbid it. (True, there's different colonies and depending on their last names one can see the different customs that each practice)

These are only a few of the things that I've heard and seen about the Hutterites.

So the farmer's market that only takes place during the months of summer in Montana (due to the winter) is a perfect place to see quite a few of them. Unfortunately the women do not show up to these markets until the end of summer, so I'll have to update you on pics of them later on.

And here's my favorite :) 

Honey took this picture when he was out in the middle of no where one day for work. 

Anyways hope you enjoyed my little 411 on the Hutterites. :)