Yesterday, I made a list of all the things I wanted to do on my birthday. While the best parts of the day weren't even on it (an early morning phone call from my brother, Lian, the sweetest voice-mail of Tyler's little brothers and sisters singing Happy Birthday with gusto, many loving notes from friends and family, and getting to hang out with Tyler all day), here's how I fared:

1. Sleep in. No cell phone alarms!

   Though Tyler thoughtfully set a late alarm so we wouldn't miss breakfast (and mess up my to-do list in the process!) I was up well before it went off. Here is the incredible morning view from our hotel room window:

2. Open my birthday card!

   Thank you, Mom and Dad! It was so nice to have something tangible to open on my birthday. Tyler had to be a task-master ever since we got our package so I wouldn't tear into it early, though.

3. Take at least two hot showers or baths.

4. Eat a truly massive breakfast compliments of the Grande Albergo.

   Croissants with Nutella, cappuccinos, orange juice, yogurt, fresh fruit, peaches in syrup, prosciutto, fresh ricotta, little balls of mozzarella, bread with butter and local honey, cereal, blueberry tart, apricot tart. Mission Accomplished!

5. Walk along the cobbled streets of downtown Potenza, hand in hand with Tyler, sans bicycles.

   We went for several walks. First, during the daytime:

And then later on when it got dark:

6. Go window shopping.

I even did some rare real shopping when Tyler spotted this great hat:

7. Read some of my favorite book ever, Rosamunde Pilcher's Coming Home.

8. Make some real progress on the adorable baby sweater I'm making for Tyler's sister Amanda's future kiddo.

9. Find a nice coffee shop for cappuccinos and pastries

10. Relish every moment in our hotel

    Thank you so much, Grandma and Grandpa!

11. Go out on a birthday dinner

    Spinach and ricotta filled ravioli in tomato sauce, fried cheese dumplings, and of course, lots of red wine. Thank you Tyler!

12. Drink too much wine

13. …and finally, try valiantly NOT to look like a hobo.

Thanks to everyone for the heartfelt birthday wishes!