Friday Favorites: February 20

Once up on a time, I dreamed of visiting Italy. And then in 2006, I had the opportunity to take a trip to Rome for a business trip, and it was the best possible way to see the city - we stayed at a hotel overlook St. Peter's cathedral, we had a team-building exercise learning how to make Italian food at a bed and breakfast run by an American expat who had been in Rome for 25 years. On my days off, I roamed the city marveling at the beauty of it all and taking photos like the one above.

I fell in love with Italy, and I hope to go back someday when my son is a little older. And hopefully, he'll grow out of this egg allergy, because it's difficult to find food in Italy that doesn't contain eggs. Although there is gelato... and risotto... and...

I hope that you're staying warm, wherever you are. Enjoy these posts over the weekend!

LOVE

This sweet post Elaine wrote about her husband melted me this week:
My love

Tonya's ode to her daughter's tiny hands is perfectly beautiful:
My daughter's hands

I totally related to this post from Kirsten about being an older mom. I have friends who were young moms and rocked it; for me, having kids later in life was the best thing that could have happened to me.
Why I like being an older mom

"Kindness glues couples together" - oh, how I love this thought-provoking piece from The Atlantic:
Happily ever after

Speaking of kindness - Galit Breen is releasing a whole book on the subject. I can't wait to read it and share it with my son. Kindness + Action = Compassion
Kindness wins

Lisa wrote this as part of the 1000 voice for compassion event today, and it's lovely.
About Miss Trudy

And speaking of compassion, this sweet young boy has been in my prayers.
Team Gunner

FOR LAUGHS

Need a laugh? Wendi has you covered:
The worst children's party games ever

Also, this funny mock babysitter questionnaire from Robyn Welling is entertaining:
10 questions to find out if your babysitter is The One

I was catching up on Nancy Kho's Midlife Mixtape blog (she is a musical-knowledge genius and a very funny mama) and remembered this post she kindly asked me to write for her at the end of 2013. For those of you who don't know me very well, you might be surprised by my musical preferences.
Still in rotation: Bon Jovi
 
POP CULTURE

Harry Potter fans, you won't want to miss this one:
Every Snape scene in chronological order tells a new story

An 80s-movie mashup: how could I not love this?
Totally rad 1980s movie mashup

Love,
Kristin