Pleasant surprises on a Sunday afternoon

Happy Sunday everyone! Today I looked outside and the sky was blue, the air was crisp with the smell of burning wood, and the sound of chirping birds and chiming church bells were taunting me to come out and explore.  I talked DH into taking a walk with me today. We walked a bit further than I usually do when I venture out on my own, little did I know there was another beautiful town square just through the ghost town.  Along the way, we had many little discoveries that kept making me think..why has it taken me so long to explore this town that I live in?  I had been quite the hermit for a bit and now getting out and seeing all that this town has to offer has made me love living in this little mountain town a bit more.  I'm sure I have become known as the American who walks around with a baby strapped to her back, which is ok with me...I think we are one of the only if not the only Americans here.  There are a lot of pictures.  I hope you take the time and experience this little town with me. Ciao!

And we're off, out the home gates.

As soon as we got to the main street there was a motorcycle gang holding up traffic.

These little beauties are called lizards, and you don't want to get stuck behind one because
they go probably 10MPH max. And they have three wheels. genius? hmm...i dunno bout that.

Mt. Etna is always in sight. 

walking through the ghost town between the two squares.

Water fountains scattered about through the town.

Looking out over to the ocean, you can see mainland Italy in the horizon.

Volcanic ash and DH's feet. Some dog prints too. 

Found these lil creatures on our excursion...

Cute little bunny. I wanted to take him home!

The owner of the shop. 

Did I tell you they love babies??

This was a gerbil thing. not quite sure...

Probably the softest creature I have ever pet in my life.  

Classic Sicilian man.

We looked back and saw Etna peeking through at us

Second town square 

I spy DH and Z

TULIPS

Tree stump turned flower pot

We went back home after this and made 4 prints of this picture to give
to these men.  Only one of them were there when we got back, but he seemed
really excited and shocked that we came back with the pictures. it was pretty cool.

These are everywhere throughout the town squares

Statuesque

The writing looked like ancient script. 

Etna reminds me of what Mt. Olympus would be like

Found a cute little antique shop

My favorite. Catchers of Dreams

Some Jewels

Bane of my existence. Dolls. I HATE. they scare me TO DEATH

Me in the store! I had to be so careful walking around...I almost knocked over
a few things. I have been know to do this. 

Her little hairs in the wind. Cracks me up. 

Strollin

Back through the ghost town

Found Snow White and the 7 dwarves

I love seeing DH carrying Z. 

The delicious Rotisserie chickens I was talking about, they weren't done cooking
so on our way back to deliver the pictures we snagged us up one. Delish.

Some other goods they offer at the Rotisserie chicken store.

Italian sausage. So amazing as well. They taste so fresh, and natural, and
all the herbs inside are so vibrant. 

Found some nuts, grabbed some of these too!

Did I ever tell you how I love pistachios? So good.

Lady outside the chicken store cooking the sausages.

Little Z asleep on my back. (DH and I switched on the return trip for the pics)

Team Parra. DH looks like a midget. hehe.