Signora Sheila

Where faith meets la dolce vita

The Italian Carnival: A Venetian Tradition

Reading time:

3–4 minutes

It’s Carnival, or Mardi Gras, week in Italy. And our little town, like many others, holds a traditional parade and a masked street party every year. But no Italian carnival celebration in Italy is more famous than that of Venice. The word carnival literally means to say goodbye to the…
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Love is in the Air: Valentines in Italy

Reading time:

3–4 minutes

Wherever you go in Italy, it seems love is in the air! From Venice and its gondola rides to Verona and Romeo and Juliet, Italy is known as one of the most romantic destinations in the world. And especially on Valentine’s Day, Italy almost seems made for love! But Italy isn’t just…
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For When you Feel Marooned

Reading time:

3–4 minutes

When you first move overseas, nothing seems to be where it should be. Offices, appointments, and waiting in line may not work the same way. Stores don’t always sell what you expect. When we first moved to Italy, we spent weeks trying to find matches for our stove. Who would have thought…
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Why I Choose Simple Living

Reading time:

3–5 minutes

Why I choose simple living (or minimalism) is a question I am often asked. And it’s not always easy to explain, especially to those who have never heard of minimalism. Or when I tell them that it all started with a bottle of vinegar upon learning that my daughter stopped…
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A Lesson From the Birds

Reading time:

2–3 minutes

With his tiny feet resting on the surface of the snow, he pecked at the weeds growing inside the roof eaves. The only plants not covered with snow. I love birds, and felt sorry for the brave little fellow. I wondered how he would find enough to eat and keep…
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Resolutions: Band-Aids or Solutions?

Reading time:

2–4 minutes

It’s that time of year again, when we ring in the New Year and make our resolutions. Even though experience and statistics show that we rarely keep them. So if you repeatedly fail to keep yours, take heart. You are not alone! Many of us make resolutions only to feel…
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Benvenuto,
I’m Signora Sheila!

Welcome to my blog and my corner of Italy, dedicated to all things slow, real, and lasting. Here, I invite you to join me in slowing down, living with purpose, and rediscovering the things that really matter.