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Buona Pasqua

Today was Easter and we had quite an Italian experience.  Easter is really big here.  They start the week before with all the Holy Week celebrations.  School is out and there’s a very festive atmosphere.  And Monday is a national holiday. We went to Michelangelo and Rossella’s for Easter...

Living the Village Life

I love living in an Italian village.  It’s everything you want from a small town – people popping over unexpectedly, everyone knows everyone and notices if things aren’t right, you know every shopkeeper, no traffic, church bells – but with fringe benefits.  Tons of great restaurants, bars, a piazza...

Mangia!

I’m a little far behind on writing of our adventures at Villa Chiassolo.  That’s the name of our house.  It’s a completely made up name, but still, it’s ours.  In the interest of time and trying to prevent boredom, I’m going to do a recap of our food over...

The Olive Branch

Finally, a break in the weather.  Kind of.  The sun was shining bright this morning and it was so very good to see it.  We were almost giddy when we flung open our wooden shutters and saw the sun shining bright across the village and the Tiber Valley.  It...

A New Place

It takes a little time to get used to a new place.  You have to figure out the quirks and the little hidden surprises.  The sounds and the smells and where it’s warm and where it’s cold.  We spend most of Saturday doing this.  It was a cold, overcast...

We’re Back!

La dolce vita – we’re living it right now.  We arrived in our little village, Anghiari, Thursday evening in a steady downpour.  No matter.  We survived the long journey, with Millie, our dog. just fine.  In fact, the trip was one of the best we’ve had.  I highly recommend...

Finishing in Florence

I can never seem to finish writing about my trip.  The last couple of days get away from me.  Maybe because I’m trying to engage all my senses to remember every last detail.  Maybe because the last day or so is consumed with packing, repacking, buying another suitcase for...

Last Day in Anghiari

Sunday was our last day in Anghiari.  The day after my birthday and the day before we leave.  What to do?  Our favorite things, of course.  Take a walk, have lunch, do something fun in the afternoon, have happy hour, have dinner, have a quiet evening before we turn...

You Say It’s Your Birthday!

Saturday was my birthday.  It rained most of the day and I tried really hard not to take it personally.  We didn’t do much because of the rain.  We went to the Arezzo antique market and timed it just right so that it wasn’t raining until we were on...

Tobacco Road

Friday morning was beautiful so we took a long walk through the tobacco fields.  It’s harvest time and the fields are in different states of denuding.  I can’t figure out the tobacco harvest methodology.  Some fields are stripped completely clean and others they take only the top leaves or...