Author Archives: Italian Living

About Italian Living

I'm an interior decorator from Canada. I own a design firm. I have three grown daughters who are confidant women living busy lives. I love my family my friends and my life, however, something is missing. December 3rd, my eyes open at 3:33 a.m. It's time to fulfill my lifelong dream of living in Italy..... I rent my house, pack my bags, say a final farewell to all the people I love most in this world and hop on a plane January 13th.... alone. This is my story...

Roasted Tomato Sauce

Posted on September 19, 2017

INGREDIENTS  24-30 Organic Roma or Field Tomatoes (depending on the size) 24-30 Garlic Cloves (I like the large purple garlic, you use less and the flavour is greater, also less peeling) 3 Tlbs. Pomace Olive Oil (not extra virgin as it needs to … Continue reading →

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A MONTH OF LETTERS

Posted on January 25, 2016

This post came to my attention on a challenge called A Month Of Letters. I’ve “attempted” this in previous years and decided if I blog about it, it’ll give me incentive when obstacles and life get in the way of my … Continue reading →

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ARRIVEDERCI EUROPE

Posted on January 19, 2016

It’s been an absorbing and revitalizing two months. I apologize for the silence and beg your forgiveness. No excuses, simply cocooning. November in Sicily was spectacular. The island is like a country all its own. I liken Sicily to an … Continue reading →

Posted in Barcelona, FRIENDSHIP, Gratitude, INSPIRATION, ITALY, sicily, Spain, TRAVEL | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

IN-LOVE IN FLORENCE

Posted on November 5, 2015

It’s the end of a memorable stay in Florence. In 2 months, I made a few lovely new friends, picked grapes from a vine, revamped my book, encountered a porcupine, wild boar and several slippery Italian men. I moved three times, sat … Continue reading →

Posted in FRIENDSHIP, Gratitude, ITALY, TRAVEL, Tuscany, Vendemmia | Leave a comment

SICILY HERE I COME

Posted on October 21, 2015

For the first time in years of visiting Italy, I’m venturing to the deep Soooouth. I know what you’re thinking: “it’s about time”. I couldn’t agree more and look forward to the adventure into an entirely new level of spectacular … Continue reading →

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REORGANIZE-REVAMP-REDESIGN

Posted on October 8, 2015

Change of plans….. My trip from Cinque Terre to Sicily this month is on hold, indefinitely. The chapters of my book need attention and as you can imagine, book trumps travel. With this unexpected revision, I rented an apartment in … Continue reading →

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VENDEMMIA ITALIAN STYLE

Posted on October 2, 2015

It’s Vendemmia (grape harvesting) weekend in the garden where I’m staying in Florence. It’s been a buzz of work for those who actually work, they’ve been prepping all week for the Sunday harvest. All the tools used to pick, collect, … Continue reading →

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BLOND BE GONE

Posted on September 26, 2015

After 40 days walking the Camino and 90 days in the intense Barcelona sun, my hair absolved itself of all responsibility of the past, forfeiting the old for a lifeless shade of strawberry blonde. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing … Continue reading →

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FINDING MY STRIDE

Posted on September 9, 2015

Florence is the city where my heart resides…. I’ve loved the past few days following the rhythm of this place. The cobbled streets, the buildings, people and the road to my apartment along Via de Palmerino. I’m staying in an apartment … Continue reading →

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I LOVE ITALY

Posted on September 1, 2015

This time tomorrow, I’ll be in Florence, Italy. The beauty, culture and romance of the city where my heart resides. One month within her welcoming walls to work-work-work on editing my book. I’ll be staying at the writers residence I … Continue reading →

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MINFUL or MIND-FULL

Posted on August 21, 2015

France, Friendship, GRATITUDE, Impatience, Mindfulness retreat, Plumb Village, Plumb Village, Tich Nhat Hahn, Working Meditation · August 21, 2015 At Plum Village the retreatants are divided into families. We gather in a circle for dinner and offer thoughts or concerns in what is formally known as Darmha … Continue reading →

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BOWING TO THE BUDDHA

Posted on July 21, 2015

   I’m staying at a retreat in France called Plum Village. It was created by Thich Nhat Hanh. A Buddhist Zen Master, exiled from Vietnam after speaking out against the  Vietnam war. He grew Plumb Village, from a single seed … Continue reading →

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MINDFULL IN FRANCE 

Posted on July 10, 2015
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LIFE AFTER CAMINO 

Posted on June 16, 2015

I’m in Barcelona for the night with a couple I met on the Camino. I’m staying in a quaint little hotel: Hostal Martina, near Spain’s Arc de Triumph (http://www.hostalmartinabarcelona.com/en/presentacion)       I fly to Paris tomorrow for a little … Continue reading →

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FORGETTING TO REMEMBER

Posted on June 12, 2015

“The Camino whispers to your heart, gently reminding you of what you once knew made you happy.” ~ Shauna Marie MacDonald   One of the many gifts the Camino provides, is the ability to be in the present moment. When focus … Continue reading →

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THE CAMINO DOES NOT END IN SANTIAGO 

Posted on June 7, 2015

It’s the end of a remarkable day and journey. After several; No Room At The Inn replies, I found a place to sleep for the night. It wasn’t an easy task in a tourist rich location such as Santiago, Spain … Continue reading →

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ARRIVAL IN SANTIAGO Day 40

Posted on June 5, 2015

My plan to reach Santiago on Sunday has been foiled. I neglected to consider one tiny-tiny detail, it’s Saturday on the Camino and all the Albergue, Pensions & Hotels are booked. Seems the other 2000 pilgrims on the Camino, learned … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino de Santiago, Confronting your fears, Enjoying Life by Slowing Down, Gratitude, INSPIRATION, Spain, TRAVEL, Walking | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A LITTLE PUSH TO SANTIAGO

Posted on June 4, 2015

I’m in the homestretch to Santiago A LITTLE PUSH TO SANTIAGO It’s push time on my Camino. To this point, I’ve never had much of a plan as to how or when I’d reach Santiago. It’s been more about the … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino de Santiago, Enjoying Life by Slowing Down, FRIENDSHIP, Gratitude, INSPIRATION, TRAVEL, Walking | Tagged | 3 Comments

VIDEOS GALORE Day 31-36

Posted on May 31, 2015

I’ve posted several videos from my days on the Camino. I hope you enjoy watching…  http://www.walkwithmeworld.com/?p=205

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MY PLAN FOR SANTIAGO 

Posted on May 29, 2015

I’m in the homestretch to Santiago  VIDEO on my plan..

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FRIENDSHIPS ON THE CAMINO

Posted on May 29, 2015

http://www.walkwithmeworld.com Please find my latest blog on WalkWithMeWorld. I’m having technical difficulties posting it on this site.  Chat soon… Shauna 

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REST-RECOVER-RESUME: DAY 13-23

Posted on May 18, 2015

Pushing through pain on The Camino will produce one of two results. You’ll reach the desired destination victorious or your body will teach you who’s boss. Video In hotel-Burgos             After discovering I had tendinitis, I surrendered and relaxed … Continue reading →

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 GRATITUDE GROWS DAY 8-9-10-11-12

Posted on May 4, 2015

So much to share of the previous five days.  I’ve experienced physical, mental and spiritual blisters. With it, an abundance of Gtatitude has flourished around and through me.  On the lighter side, I’ve been ordered to rest in a hotel … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino de Santiago, Confronting your fears, FRIENDSHIP, Gratitude, INSPIRATION, Spain, Walking | Tagged , | 1 Comment

 Day 5-6-7 Camino de Santiago 

Posted on April 28, 2015

Puente La Reina   Street scape   For you M.M.    From the middle of the bridge at dawn.  Iconic bridge along the Camino   Sunrise I happened to follow a photographer. I was intrigued by the things he’d stop and photograph. He inspired … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino de Santiago, Enjoying Life by Slowing Down, FRIENDSHIP, Gratitude, Spain, Walking | Tagged , | 5 Comments

PAMPLONA-Day 3-4

Posted on April 24, 2015

Identifying with the rogue horses in this video. (Sorry to use the link to YouTube,  I’m unable to add video directly from my phone) Walking to Pamplona today was a lovely experience. Only 21km and it felt easier than day 1&2. … Continue reading →

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WHAT WAS I THINKING? 

Posted on April 21, 2015

This video was taken 2 hours into the day. WALIKING IN THE WOODS The terrain changed drastically 10 minutes after this was shot. Five hours later, my enthusiasm to walk the final 5km vanished into thin air as I stumbled into … Continue reading →

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TWO CUPS OF COFFEE

Posted on April 21, 2015

As a woman walking on a public path, there are certain limitations when nature demands attention.  Below I explaine  Coffee vs. Full Moon Rising  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n1N22kkEM0g&feature=youtu.be Or watch on my Camino blog: http://www.walkwithmeworld.com   

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ST JOHN PIED de PORT

Posted on April 19, 2015

I’ve made it to my starting destination in France. Sitting enjoying a caffe and pastry to start the day. This is the day to relax.  Last night I stayed with 2 cousins from Nepal who now live in Canada & … Continue reading →

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BUEN CAMINO

Posted on April 17, 2015

This is what they say to those walking The Way of St. James: BUEN Below is a video I shot on the hill outside Barcelona yesterday morning. Have a lovely day, when I see you next, I’ll be on My … Continue reading →

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LAST MINUTE SCRAMBLE

Posted on April 17, 2015

I’ve been training and organizing last minute details, here in Barcelona. I’ll head to France Saturday morning. A 4 hour train will deposit me in Pamplona. I’ll transfer to a bus which will whisk me off to St. John Pied de Port, … Continue reading →

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WALK WITH ME IN BARCELONA

Posted on April 13, 2015

I arrived in one piece… delayed, NOT discouraged.   

Posted in Barcelona, Gratitude, INSPIRATION, Spain, St. John Pied de Port, TRAVEL, Walking | Tagged , | 3 Comments

TESTING GRATITUDE

Posted on April 11, 2015

It was a frantic Easter weekend preparing my home, luggage and life for a year overseas. April 6th: Easter Monday was D-Day. My original KLM departure was cancelled, I was rebooked on an Air Canada flight. Brimming with Gratitude, Barcelona … Continue reading →

Posted in Barcelona, Camino de Santiago, Confronting your fears, Enjoying Life by Slowing Down, FRIENDSHIP, Gratitude | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Walk With Me – Reason #1

Posted on April 4, 2015

This video by David Faddis, conveys, through music and visual expression, why I’m walking The Camino. Music: “We Don’t Eat” – James Vincent McMorrow (2010)

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SOUL RESISTANCE-WalkWithMe

Posted on March 27, 2015

My WalkWithMe journey has morphed into a 12 month rendezvous with Gratitude and walking. As you can imagine, I have more than enough to keep me in a frenzied state: Endless lists and suggestions on what to take, what to leave, … Continue reading →

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ASSIMILATING and INTEGRATING

Posted on March 16, 2015

FIVE things I didn’t  know about training for THE CAMINO. #5 ~ People shopping or working at MEC, Atmosphere or REI, ask questions such as, “What brand of socks do you prefer and why?”  My response doesn’t exactly satisfy their query: … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino de Santiago, FRIENDSHIP, Gratitude, Hiking, INSPIRATION, Spain, TRAVEL, Walking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments