Italia: Tiana

Before Briana's wedding, we took a road trip, 2 hours from Bosa. Briana's in-laws, Dario and Margherita live in Tiana, a small Sardinian mountain town. Visiting them reminded me of the trip Damian and I took to visit my mother-in-laws family in the small Basque mountain town of Banca, France. Up in the mountains, the people speaks their own language (in Sardinia and in France!) and they have special cultural foods. In Sardinia, the food is cheese with maggots crawling around (they call it worm cheese). In Basque Country it was Duck Liver. Both equally nasty. Only I couldn't force myself to try the maggot cheese. I don't mind offending Sardinians. Briana hauls all her water back from Tiana, taken from a fresh spring. It's the only water I've ever tasted that compares to Alaskan tap water!

We went to the bakery to get a "present" for Margherita, Sem's mother, before we left for the mountains.

I made sure to "help" pick out cookies that I wanted to try. Margherita didn't mind that I sampled one of each cookie. They were ALL really good.

This is the home Sem built with his father, Dario. Dario is an artist and designed many beautiful architecural features on the home. It was very lovely. I didn't upload any of his other artwork, though. He prefers the Erotic subject material, and this is a PG site.

Margherita has a summer kitchen attached to Darios Art Studio, Music Room and the Family Great Room. It was cool and cozy there. The perfect place to entertain a big party.

I should have made a video of all the interesting things Dario has done inside his home. He adhered tree branches from wall to wall, to hang grapes from. All the shelves were made from drift wood gathered from the local lake. He's moulded the walls into interesting sculptures and designs, using stucco. It was a visual feast!

This is the chestnut roasting oven. The fire is built, the big wooden paddle turns the chestnuts in the copper pot. We picked some chestnuts on a walk, but there weren't ready to roast apparently. Too bad, I love those things!

Sem brought out a family heirloom. I still need to ask Briana exactly whose it was and the purpose. I believe it was over 100 years old. The craftsmanship was exquisite. It was a traditional costume of some sort, made and worn by a great-grandmother. She was VERY petite, in between Emma and Rachel's sizes.

The embroidery was absolutely gorgeous.

Briana tried to get Sem to try the skirt on, but he wasn't falling for that.

Dario is a big hunter (mostly wild boar and deer) and he and my dad enjoyed talking guns for awhile.

Then everyone went to go target shoot. Briana shot her first gun (as did my mom). I shot photos, but I really do plan to learn to shoot, someday!

This pretty view was from Dario's Art Studio. He carved the table and chairs and designed this pretty drift-wood rail, too! The grapes growing on it were big AND sweet!

This is a very cute window on the front of the Devigus home. I love all the potted plants (mostly cactus).

Dario carved this interesting door. It hides the gas tank shed! This home really was so fun to explore!
I am such a sucker for windows with shutters. I love that you can close them for room darkening, against a storm, or when you go on vacation. I wish I had them!

Everyone in Italy seems to have a terrace garden on their roof. The Devigus's had two levels. they had a special room for Dario to go think and write. They had lovely cactus pots and herb gardens. The climate here reminded me of San Diego, and there is always time in the day for some sunning on the roof!

Of all their cactus treasures, this was my favorite!

Luca was very good at selecting ripe cherry tomatos for Nona and Zia (Grandma Goold and Aunt Sarah). I videoed him pretending he was a tiger, too.

Jade and Briana have been friends since High School. I think they've known each other HALF their lives! They are so cute together and I have really enjoyed getting to know Jade. She is a wonderful person and a great friend!

I didn't realize that Sem can play guitar and drums. He used to be in a band, even. He jammed with his dad (who also seems to play every instrument, too!) and it was fun to listen to.

Dario got out some old photos to share with my parents and Jade. He's so proud of his heritage and family.

I know, I'm a weirdo to take a photo of the bathroom, but Damian would have really loved this one. He secretly desires a bidet in our house. Only now it's not a secret.

After being shocked with Dario's erotic art, eating lunch, shooting lessons, touring the gardens and listening to the guys "Jam" we went for a nature hike in the cork tree groves.

First stop, a scenic turnout for photos of Tiana. What a picturesque little town!

Dario talking to my dad. For some reason, this photo reminds me of when Nacho Libre is talking to "Incarnacion" about his recreation clothes. (If you've seen the movie, you know what I'm talking about. If not, just call my kids, they'll explain what I'm talking about!)

Luca loves to show off for his beloved Briana. He is very cute and active. I enjoy just listening to him talk!

I love all the stone walls all over Sardinia. This one is built strictly out of granite pieces, about the same color as the LDS Temple in my town. There is so much beautiful stone on this Island. All of Briana's floors are granite or marble.

When we returned from our nature walk, it was time to batter the fresh fish Dario had caught that morning in the lake. Briana and I did that, while Margherita prepared other dishes. Dario smoked his millionth cigar and chewed the fat with my dad. Jade and my mom played games with Luca.