December was a very busy month (as usual).  It started off with a zone training on the 4th in Modena.  We joined with 2 other districts so that we could have a bit of a Christmas celebration at the same time.  Any packages from home for the missionaries were handed out here.  That always make the missionaries happy.

I was in charge of the refreshments for the missionaries.  They were all very happy to get a cinnamon roll as it was supposed to tide them over until they could get back to their cities for lunch.

Chatting and enjoying their cinnamon rolls.

  

This is Sorella Pederson.  She and her husband are serving on a military base in Vicenza.  This is the first organ I've seen since coming to Italy.

                                                                                         


These 5 Anziani entertained us with "I'll Be Home for Christmas".    It was true for them as they were finishing their missions in December.

Italy is full of rotaries.  In the U.S. most are called round-a-bouts.  I couldn't resist taking a picture of this cluster of grapes which adorned this particular rotary.  It made me giggle a bit.

We were able to view the Christmas Devotional on the 14.  Afterwards we met with the members for a meal.  They always bring very interesting food.

This is what was left at picture taking time of Marina's spinach pizza.

This plate contains some lasagna, some kind of lentils and veggie pizza.

Everyone seems to enjoy the food and the company of good people.

The month wouldn't be complete without our yoga class which is instructed by Marina.

Our branch Christmas party consisted of some caroling, Minute-to-Win-it games, and more good food.

During the time before Christmas I made hats for the Anziani and then for Christmas I knitted them scarves.  Here modeling them are Anziano Beaulac, Stringfellow, Kessler, and Jacob.

Also before Christmas we went to an indoor mall attached to Carrefour.  We visited a food court for lunch and had some kind of chicken dish and canneloni.  It was pretty good.

Canneloni

Food Court

This was my favorite find in Carrefour.  It is the real thing.

Get a load of that price.  Over $20 U.S.

Before Christmas President Fleming gave these to the Relief Society sisters telling us that they would bloom for Christmas.  Mine did it's thing before Christmas and we enjoyed it for a few days before the blooms began to wilt.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Panettone is very popular before and during the holidays.  It has bits of fruit and has a very light cake consistency.  Pandoro is like this but minus the fruit.

Since most living space is apartment dwelling, this is how Santa enters the home.  He is climbing up a rope ladder to gain entrance via the balcony.  These could be seen all over town.

The weather was so mild during December in Ancona that we had to put up a Christmas tree to remind us that is really was Christmas.  I felt like Christmas wasn't as commercialized here as it is in the States.

We went to Centro a few days before Christmas to see what was happening down there.  Here are a few of my favorite sights.

I love these little trucks.  My favorite one is a light baby blue.  They are very noisy and their exhaust stinks to high heaven.  Jesse tells me it is because they run on a two stoke engine. (What ever that means)

This one is even smaller.

I am intrigued by all of the different styles of door knockers so I'm sure I'll be inserting them from time to time.

One of the clock towers.

A children's hay maze in front of a church.

One of the narrow walk-ways.

Great architecture everywhere.

On the 26 of December we attended our couples conference in Firenze.

Here is the whole group of couple missionaries in the Milan Mission.

We spent the night in Florence and the next day visited another beautiful walled city, San Gimignano.  This is the city from a distance.  It is known for it's many towers.  Years ago there were over 70 towers.  Now there are only 14 left.

One of the walking streets with many wonderful shops.

A narrow walk-way.

Here are the two goobers standing on the edge overlooking the valley.  It was a very cold day but we enjoyed it in spite of that fact.

Some of the towers.

Homes inside the city.

They built the towers as a status symbol. If you could build a tower higher than your neighbor's, then you were richer than your neighbor.

Central Piazza with the old well still standing.

Church and tower

This is an inclined walk-way that includes ridges for sure footing.

More towers

More knockers

View of the valley through an arch-way..

Before we left San Gimignano we had lunch at a little ristorante overlooking the Tuscany country side.  San Gimignano is about 30 minutes south of Firenze.