Pretty, pretty morning. Windows wide open in the gym, breezes floating in, boats skimming over the lake make a lovely start to the day.

Magic is the theme for today’s Zentangle where Kat and I create under the umbrella shade. Others have stirred by the time we’re done, so we sit under that shade hanging out and just enjoying. BW’s located another restaurant just a few minutes drive on the crazy roads. While he hits the pool, Kat makes reservations. Not a Fancy Dinner, but she terms it a Dress Dinner. Meaning boost it up a bit tonight, gang.

I think about working awhile, but I’ve actually done a little more than the goal I set, so hang out some more. Kat sits and does some of her gorgeous needlework, Kat and JR discuss a Pokemon card show they’re going to the day after we get home, and finalize plans for a concert next fall.

Kayla and JR had given Griffin a giant Pokémon card—they, plus Colt are HUGE fans thereof. They go to those card shows, they have binders, they know all the stuff. I know basically nothing about Pokémon, so I’m at a loss when Griffin wants me to guess what Pokémon it is, with the card turned backwards. I explain I don’t know from Pokémon. This does not deter him. He gives me a hint.

It’s a Mega.

This means nothing to me, but with his assent, I use my IPad to look up a list of Pokemon names. There are hundreds!! With more hints, I finally guess correctly. He’s very into this card, and now having Pokemon discussions with his fellow fans. I tell Kayla and JR it’s their fault I’ll now how to educate myself re Pokemon.

Griffin’s plan for the day is some Mario Jamboree with Daddy, then pool time. It’s a good plan. Most of the rest hit the pool. I’m too lazy for that today, and sit with a book and my view of the lake. Logan has music going. When I go in for a drink, I see Kat’s joined the Mario Jamboree.

Lazy morning rolls into afternoon. It’s not as hot temp wise, but the sun is absolutely fierce. Jason’s in the pool with Pool Guy. More boats on the lake, and some kayaks today. The float plane that takes people up for bird’s eye views buzzes overhead.

We decide to spend part of the heat of the day at Hearts. Ha ha, I run them handily. Logan is again thwarted from same on the last trick. Good effort though. JR makes his own effort, goes down.

Colt has finished off the drowning profiteroles. I’m not sure how he managed it.

Somehow the afternoon edges toward evening, and it’s time to bump it up some for dinner. Griffin has his suspenders and pocket square, but ditches the tie because not fancy.

We assemble, and head up to the garage.

If the streets toward Como are skinny, these are emaciated. And the curves even sharper. Kayla handles. I honestly don’t worry about her driving. It’s everyone else as the oncomings just whip around those blind curves. Why are there so many on this very short drive?

This part of Torno is a higher elevation, and where the market, the bakery, the post office and such sit. So it’s busier. The restaurant is in a hotel where we’ve been assured there’s parking.

There is, but it’s the getting to it. Steeply down the narrow drive, squeezing around the sharp turn to more squeezing to go down to a little lot. Spaces marked on the down for parking on the side.

There’s a woman in a car, and the two she’s letting out, blocking everything. The two women stand, discuss, look around while the other sits. And we sit as they appear to be oblivious to our two cars. They finally wander toward the hotel.

We park, walk up to where the hotel’s perched on the hill.

The restaurant’s inside the hotel, but open air with surrounding windows all open to the new, fabulous views of the lake and mountains. We’re all very happy to be here. There’s a village spread high up across the lake. And beyond it what looks like a single house, tucked in and isolated.

That would be me.

It’s just stunning with the way the sun hits the peaks and bringing out various shades of that deep, dark green, shooting stars over the water.

Since we’re ten, the restaurant asked Kat to order appetizers when she made the reservation. Out come cheese platters and others with big crescents of melon wrapped in prosciutto, bruschetta, baskets of bread. I see a Chianti Classico on the wine list. BW and I are fond, so we order a bottle.

There’s a steak for two on the menu Logan believes he can eat that solo. And mussels. He and Lauren are going to split the mussels, and I suggest he ask the server re the size of the steak. It’s HUGE. I think 1.5 kilos. He and Lauren opt to split that, too.

I haven’t had a steak in—not actually sure—so decide to go for one. A much, much smaller one. Our vegetarian finds several choices, including asparagus soup. Griffin’s very happy with grilled chicken and fries.

The wine’s soft and smooth, the table lively, the appetizers vanishing.

Two enormous platters of mussels are served. Logan reminds our server they were going to split one. Yes, this is the split. Wow.

We eat, enjoy. I step out to take a photo of the first hydrangeas I’ve seen here. At home, the deer got all mine, and our house/dog sitter sadly reported earlier, pretty much everything else. Despite all the vigilance, the spraying, the sonar deterrents, the deer have been voracious this year. I’ve never seen anything like it. And hear it’s the same for gardeners all around our area. All my beauties, gobbled up.

But we’re here, and it’s time for dessert. Well, they have gelato with hot chocolate sauce. Decision made for me. And an excellent one. Fresh whipped cream, too? Yes, and yes again.

We also decide to book here for our last dinner in Italy.

The moon’s rising as we head back, and just beautiful. Must go out and  enjoy it when we get home. Griffin does the same. Jason gets his actual camera, fiddles awhile to get a photo of just the moon as his boy requests. It’s a winner.

Bedtime.

The beautiful mornings just don’t get old here. I’m a bit later than my usual so the ferry’s already come and gone, the clock tower’s chimed. The lake’s still as glass. I watched another hot air balloon go up and sail away.

We’re planning a trip into Como for what we’ve termed Tent City—the enormous street fair. After that, we’ll have a late lunch before we head home again. If I’m hungry later, I still have half that steak, and others have doggie bags to dig into.

Time to gear up and hit the gym.

Nora