Breaking News From Anghiari
An update on what's going on in Anghiari and beyond....
Beginnings
The sun has risen on this first day of 2022. I always love the feeling that a new year brings – a blank slate that we can color however we want. Whatever bad happened the previous year we can now put behind us in the category of “last year”. ...
The Homecoming and an Italian Christmas Miracle
Steve went to Atlanta for 10 long days and came back home on Monday. He flew into Rome and took the train to Arezzo where I skillfully drove to pick him up. Millie and I were waiting in the car when I saw his beautiful silver hair appear from...
A Food Review
We’ve had many great meals that I would like to share with you. Some of them have even been at home. We’ve been cooking a lot as we start our winter hibernation. Hope you enjoy! Dinner at Michelangelo and Rossella’s This is always a treat, but this time was...
A Celebration for the Senses
One of the things I love about living in Anghiari is that it’s a small town with a big city vibe. It’s rare to go for more than a few weeks without some event or celebration. And they almost all center around food, which makes it even more appealing...
Ghouls, Goblins, and Church
Halloween has its origins in ancient Celtic traditions concerning the end of the year and the disposition of souls to the otherworld. Eventually, the Catholic church got on board and moved their All Saints Day to November 1, making Halloween All Hallows Eve. Then November 2 is All Souls...
Germans and Italians
Germans and Italians have a history. Well, Germans and a lot of people have histories, but the one with Italy is complicated. They’re neighbors, but completely different in their worldview. They’re both European, but with very different sensibilities. They both flirted with Fascism, then took very different path forward. ...
A Perfect Sunday
Late summer and fall are prime festa times in Italy. This year, however, COVID has put an end to the festas. It’s very sad for us, but I’m glad they’re taking things so seriously here. Festas are celebrations, usually to mark the harvest of some crop or to honor...
Saturday Night in a Small Town
I’ve spent many Saturday nights in small Southern towns. My formative years were full of them. But nothing beats Saturday night in a small Italian town. Steve and I went to our favorite bar, the Bar della Sport (we call it the sports bar) on Friday for our happy...
Gluttony and Other Virtues
Santuario della Verna I really don’t know what my fascination with St. Francis is. I was raised Southern Baptist and we didn’t do saints and such. But for some reason, St. Francis strikes a chord with me. Maybe it’s because he was all over this part of Italy. Maybe...