Signora Sheila

Where faith meets la dolce vita

The Italian Autumn: What to Expect

Reading time:

1–2 minutes

Crackling leaves underfoot. Whafts of wood smoke in the air. Pumpkins and apples. Chestnuts roasting. There’s something cozy about Autumn, isn’t there? And these are just some of the things you can expect to find in an Italian autumn. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough and catch a grape or harvest. Two…
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A Shepherd’s Life in Bible Times

Reading time:

5–7 minutes

Shepherding is one of the oldest human occupations, second only to gardening and farming. It played a crucial role in biblical times. Sheep were central to the economy and religious life of Israel. And the contribution shepherds made, though invaluable, was often overlooked or undervalued. Abel was the first in…
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The Village Morning

Reading time:

2–3 minutes

Sitting here at the kitchen table, I hear the shepherd who lives uphill start his dilapidated truck. It seems quieter this time. Perhaps he has repaired it since our last visit. Or maybe our closed windows muffle the rattle. But it’s a welcome sound. For this quiet mountain village sinks…
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Mamma Anna’s Menu

Reading time:

3–4 minutes

Everything I know about cooking I learned from my Italian mother-in-law! (Wouldn’t that be a great title?) Except it’s not true. 🤔 I already knew how to cook and didn’t need any lessons from Mamma Anna. But she did teach me about menu planning, albeit second-hand. And I learned a…
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How to Help Immigrants and Refugees

Reading time:

4–6 minutes

As an immigrant myself this issue is close to my heart. I cannot fully identify with refugees or economic immigrants. I did not move out of personal need, but for ministry. I also have dual citizenship. But I understand moving to an foreign country. And we have also worked with…
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Embracing Life’s Winter

Reading time:

3–5 minutes

I’m thankful that I no longer live in the land of always winter – that was my home state of Michigan. (At least that’s how it often seemed!) Always winter, but with Christmas! I much prefer southern Italy, where winters are mild and the rare snow melts quickly. Only in…
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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.