[caption id="attachment_7729" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea!"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9150062.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7729 " title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9150062-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>[/caption]

One year ago from Day 354, I took off the training wheels and <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/09/15/day-1-look-mom-im-a-big-girl-blogger-now/" target="_blank">started a big girl blog</a></strong>.  Stuck in a funk, I dreamed up an idea of Living Curiously each day for 365 days.  On September 15th, 2010, I never imagined that I would be celebrating my 42nd birthday by cycling through the hills of Tuscany with my cousins.  This Late Bloomer had never been to Europe, although I had always hoped for "someday".  Living Curiously magically transformed "someday" into "now".

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(If you're wondering why September 15th, 2011 was not Day 365, good catch!  My grandfather passed away last October, and I needed to pause for 10 days to grieve and spend time with my family.  You can find a small tribute to him <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/10/11/to-be-continued/" target="_blank">here</a></strong>.)

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On Day 354, our group met on the veranda of the Hotel Elisabetta at 8 a.m. for a delicious and nutritious breakfast.  (Correction:  the group met for breakfast each day at 8 a.m. while Michelle swept in circa 8:11 wondering how this early start-time fit into vacation parameters.)  My breakfast of choice each morning was a thick slice of hearty, whole-grain artisan bread slathered with protein-rich ricotta and a drizzle of honey.  And a cappuccino, of course.  The first of many throughout the day.

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Fabio 1 and Fabio 2 -- always "on", organized, and funny -- showed up at 8:30 for a debrief of the day's itinerary.  All of the other 16 tour members had their directions handy and ready to mark up for the journey ahead.

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Baby M opted to continue to sip her cappuccino and munch on her newfound favorite breakfast because why on <em>earth</em> would I a) tax my brain with directions while I'M ON VACATION and b) mess with directions when I had Fabio 1 as my personal tour guide???  (If you have no idea what I'm referring to, please read <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/02/day-353-its-just-like-getting-back-on-a-bike-riiiggghhhht/" target="_blank">Day 353</a></strong>.)

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[caption id="attachment_7726" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="Following directions is a drag. Personal coaching is much preferred."]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9150060.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7726" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9150060-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>[/caption]

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morning bike ride and uphill

town at top -- yet another charming medieval village

picnic and bday surprise

bike ride through pine forest

hotel pool

drinks on patio

bday surprise again!  wishes twice in one day mean they'll come true, right?

grappa

limoncello

oh, yeah.  and i forgot to tell you about the octopus.

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future post:  the chill dogs of tuscany

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