Majjistral Park Malta

I am feeling the pressure of our time waning here in Malta.
It is painful.

We had a public holiday today and the sun was shining, so we decided to drive to Majjistral Park for a quick hike. The girls were troopers, only a whimper here and there. When getting out of the car, when they asked why we were there, Chris answered, "Get used to it. Mama just realized that we're leaving Malta soon."

I'm not ready to go. I will make a hard effort to enjoy every remaining day here.

Okay, it isn't like we are leaving tomorrow, but likely October. But spring and summer here... amazing. With every species of flower that blooms, I feel the need to see it and smell it and photograph it. Don't want to forget an ounce of Malta.

 (Ceti & I love to eat wild red clover when hiking. Romeo fetched us plenty from the cliffside)

 (Pharaoh hounds and Acacia Pycnantha/Golden Wettle)

 (very sad that our FINALLY first chameleon... is flat)

Pumpkin Muffins

There is only one recipe that is too sacred to me to share... only one.
Pumpkin muffins.

My mom used to make this recipe in coffee cans, baked with love. We often gave gifts to our teachers that were homemade, usually this sweet or jarred popcorn homegrown or jars of walnuts that Grandpa K would pick from Aunt Clara J's ancient tree.

Over the years, I have added more fresh nutmeg (hand carried from Bangladesh) and a crumb topping, that we also use for apple pies.
It isn't a crazy secret recipe, it's just the only one I hold so dear that I want to keep it for myself... and teach to our girls. Hope that isn't too selfish, but those sweet memories of my mom are awfully dear.

Filling in the Space- Milan, Italy

The previous couple posts were the brunt of our time in Milan. And I found it easier to post pics, if I chopped up the trip. Kinda have a habit of oversnapping pics....kinda. We enjoyed the Katy Perry concert, Lunar New Year and Duomo immensely, but these little tidbits sure made us happy, as well.

The carnival in Parco Sempione was an easy afternoon funtime too; the girls especially enjoying the amusement and rides. A pizza here and there, several gelatis, coffee, hotel breakfasts, cotton candy (candy hair, per Ceti) and other fun foods added the piece de resistance.

 We met a good friend (we've been blog friends for almost 6 years) in Milan, where they reside, also working for the State Dept. It's always so nice to put voices to photos and connect with people, especially having similar mobile lives and children. We caught the tail in of the parade, gelati and a home visit for a Sunday afternoon.

Having no real agenda was nice ;) Loving lunch pizza so much that we ordered it again for delivery dinner was an easy decision too. For the next few years of a young family, it is a must do to keep my sanity and feel accomplishment at the tiniest of tasks.