Summertime is family time–school’s out for the kids, and Dad too.
We get to travel to new places. Big cities….
Or little villages….
To learn the stories…
And the histories…
To take in the colors….
And the tastes….
See the sights…
Visit family…
And just be together….
Summertime sparkles!
Copyright 2012 Naomi Baltuck
Published by Naomi Baltuck
When not actually writing, I am researching the world with my long-suffering husband and our two kids, or outside editing my garden.
My novel, The Keeper of the Crystal Spring (Viking Penguin), can be read in English, German, Spanish, and Italian. My storytelling anthology, Apples From Heaven, garnered four national awards, including the Anne Izard Storytellers’ Choice. I am currently working on a contemporary women’s novel.
View all posts by Naomi Baltuck
Writing Between the Lines 
Gorgeous photos. So vibrant.
Thank you, C.C.! It’s a gray day in Seattle, but after throwing this post together, I feel like I just had a mini-vacation to Italy.
I’m in rainy Portland and your photos took me on a much-needed mini-vacation, too! Thanks for sharing, Naomi, and here’s to the sun!
Hi Laura, thanks for stopping by. I do sometimes feel like I’ve checked out for a little while, even just posting the pictures. It was sunny in Seattle today, and I’ll try to “think” some your way.
We actually had some sun today too, after a lot of gray wet days! Yesterday was the Grand Floral Parade, and we hunkered under a rain shelter with the kids, although it ended up staying dry during the event.
You are troopers, true Northwesterners!
We actually had some sun today too, after a lot of gray wet days! Yesterday was the Grand Floral Parade, and we hunkered under a rain shelter with the kids, although it ended up staying dry during the event.
Great shots!
Thank you, Scilla.
Excellent pictures!
I have ask… Where is the ‘little villages’ picture from?
The photos are all from Italy, but the little village was from our trip to Cinque Terra.
Beautiful!
Thank, Maggie. One of our favorite spots!
BOOKED!
In appreciation, I’ve nominated you for a Sunshine Award 🙂
Wow! That is so cool! You are going to LOVE it! I hope you will take lots of pictures and keep us posted on your travel adventures. And thank you for a Sunshiney morning.
Thank you… and yes, I will!
I was going to “like” it, then decided that was not strong enough, because truly I love it. Great photos of beautiful places and beautiful family time!
Hi Carol, that is so sweet! I really appreciate your visit, and your kind words.
Yes, you must tell us. Italy with the sunflowers?? Beautiful. You have a lovely family and TGIAS (thank god it’s almost summer!). x
That field of sunflowers was outside the city of Ravenna. There were many more pictures I would have liked to share, but I was having trouble with my internet connection, and had to go with the photos I already had stored in photobucket, but that field was so beautiful we had to stop the car and just satisfy our senses. TGIAS! YES!
Beautiful!
Thank you, Katie! I’m so looking forward to seeing photos of the Southwest! Can’t wait to hear about your travels.
My favorites are 3, 5, 7, and 11. Beautiful photos!
Thank you, JG.! I appreciate your stopping by.
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your lovely photos.
Hi Susan,
Thank you for stopping by!
Wonderful photo essay. (And that must have been one wonderful trip!)
I love traveling, and especially with my kids. We all enjoy the same things–history, culture, reading, art, museums, nature. I love looking at the world through their eyes! And I am really, really enjoying your blog!
Just beautiful!
Thank you, Madhu!
You definitely brighten my weekend! I’m looking forward to summer too. 🙂
Almost there! Even in Seattle, the sun is poking its head out from behind the clouds!
Was the second photo taken somewhere in Rome ?
And the ‘Fruttini” photo is such a good idea for a photo. I always like to take photos of meals I’m about to have in a foreign country, even if all the other dinners think I’m crazy.
Yes, the second photo was taken in the Pantheon. What an awesome place! I take pictures of my meals, too. I’ve got one of the tuna pizza I got in Sienna. I’d never heard of it, and wanted to remember. Somewhere I have a picture of a potato pizza that I got in Venice. It turned out to be a regular cheese pizza piled high with a mountain of french fries on it. You have a great blog! I look forward to reading more of it.
Gorgeous post! 🙂
Subhan Zein
Thank you, Subhan! I appreciate your stopping by.
Oh, my gosh! Your Summertime totally rocks. Fun, festive, happy, colorful, filled with adventures and amazing places and people. Best of all, the smiles just reflects genuine joy that comes from having a wonderful family. Thanks for sharing an inspiring Summer.
Thank you! I was inspired by your great photos. I can tell by your stories and photos that we value that same things in life–with family at the top of the list.
So many treats on one page! The sunset is glorious.
Thank you, Jo.
Hi,
Lovely photos, looks like you have had done a lot of different things and everyone looks like they were having a bit of fun as well. 🙂
Oh, yes! Thanks for stopping by.
These photo montages are a trip through all the wonderful family times that happened after I left Seattle. I’m enjoying them thoroughly!
Thank you, Cathryn. Hard to believe they are almost all grown up now!
Wonderful summer pics. Happy times!
Thank you!
Bellisima! Como sempre. I lived in Italy and seeing these is like a trip down memory lane. Striking and emotional as always.
Thank you, Sabrina. I love Italy–it’s one of my favorite places. How did you happen to live there? Study abroad?
Studied there, worked there, did my thesis research there, had an Italian boyfriend for years and visited his family there. Lived there a total of 2.5 years and visited yearly for several years. Even did a presentation in Italian at one point, couldn’t do it now.
Wow! Where in Italy were you? It sounds like you were really involved. Was it hard to come back?
Such sunshine, colour, vibrancy, and everything I’d love to have just now. Thank you for sharing those wonderful happy, bright pictures. Perfect Italian medicine to cure my shivering attack brought on by an easterly wind on a grey June bank holiday in the UK. I guess that’s why I’m on the computer and not outside.
Thank you, Sarah. It’s a lot like that today. On those gray days I turn on my warm fairy lights and play music. Sometimes I am even grateful for a rainy day, when I won’t feel guilty for not working in the garden. And maybe a little glass of lemoncello to take the chill out of the bones?
Such a sunny, bright post. Just loved all the pictures.
Says “joy” to me.
Thanks, mj. Nice to see you! I’m playing catchup, as I have my artist sister here for company, but I saw you have a new post that I want to stop by and see.
Beautiful photos….great post! ♥
Hi Paula, thanks so much!
If you would care to pop over to http://paulaacton.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/triple-whammy/ you will find an award waiting for you formal attire is optional and the goodie bags are in the post somewhere between here and god knows where and should arrive a week after their expiry date
Hi Paula, thanks so much for thinking of me! I am honored.
Summer does indeed sparkle, especially in the beautiful photos posted here. Lovely! Enjoyed much … and thank you for your kind comments on my blog. Happy days.
Jamie, you are such a talented writer, such a fine poet. It has been my pleasure to visit your blog.
Naomi, this is without a doubt my favorite post from you so far.
The photos are really beautiful, you have captured amazing landscapes and colors; and it really looks like you have a really beautiful family.
Thank you, Pablo. And you also!
So full of life!!!
Italy is just like that! It is really one of my favorite places. Thanks for stopping by.
Maggie, you are a Woman of Action! You will be so happy you did it!
I travelled alot in my twenties, but with two young children, we don’t get very far these days. Thanks for facilitating a little armchair travel with your inspiring photo essay!
Thank you for coming along! Such a pleasure to meet you, and not just because you are another Naomi!
Your posts are always rich in color. 🙂
Thank you. The world is my candy shop, and color is my favorite treat.
Thanks for letting me camp out in your blog for a little while today. I had a great time and tried to leave my campsite as good as when I arrived. I’ll be back!
Hi Russell, thanks for stopping by, and taking the time to comment. I really enjoyed your campsite, and look forward to stopping by again.