Here in Tuscany, the temperature has dropped and it’s time for soup. Most people think that Italians eat pasta all the time for lunch and dinner, but Florentines are big fans of soups. Minestrina, Brodo, Minestrone, Pappa al Pomodoro, Ribollita, and lots of soups with beans. The list is endless. Today I am celebrating our…
Certaldo Alto- My Hood
I am a real city girl or so I thought. After 20 years of living in downtown Florence, the noise and air pollution got to me and we moved out to the countryside. We actually bought a tiny 1/2 of a country house to restore. Did I tell you I am NOT FRANCES MAYES? The restoration…
5 of my Favorite Places in Certaldo
Thanks to Honest Cooking and #Fiji Water for asking me to participate in their search for great local food all over the world! When I moved out to the countryside between Florence and Siena in Tuscany, I knew I would be surrounded by incredible vistas and great cooking. The Tuscan cuisine is down to earth,…
Wednesday Market in Certaldo
There is nothing I love more than a market day! I live in Certaldo where we have the large market on Wednesday and a small market just a few food trucks, on Saturday. Where I teach, in Colle Val D’Elsa, the huge market day is on Friday. That pretty much covers it for me. With…
Mercantia- Certaldo
Summer means festivals all over Italy. In my village of Certaldo we have a huge arts festival. Street artists, musicians, crafts and more. This year there was a spectacular show on dancer’s on the wall of the city. Breath-taking This is just a really small taste of what goes on…
Signs of Summer
BorgoVino Borgo San Lorenzo and here are two of the new kids at our house ( 2 of the 9 kittens!)
Seasons best…Primavera
Living in the countryside has me much more in touch with the seasons, as everyday there is something new going on, expecially in spring. Winter seems never ending and when spring arrives, it explodes! The green valley in front of my house Vines climbing up, young grape bunches, just flowers now Yesterday’s cherry blossoms ……
Days of Rest
In Italy, Sunday’s have always been a day of rest. That may mean spending 5 hours on the freeway to get to the beach from Florence, but with only one day off a week, for many it is worth it. The extra day of work a week pays off at vacation time , as they…