Arriving And All That

  So, having waited a year, with half my self in another place, I am finally back in Panicale. I imagined myself writing every day, full of the thoughts and images of the hours walking, eating, exploring....

  It's hard to get started. So today, almost two weeks into it, I am at the big mosaic table in the room with the folding glass doors, looking at the morning warming up. I am very happy, content with my cup of coffee, and the sounds of the never ending birdsong.

  The flight was a breeze, no drama. The train ride down from Florence, warm and dozy. After collecting the rental car, and loading up, we hit the road for the short drive to our home away from home.

On the bus to the train station...

Adorable graffitti...just outside of the station in Florence

  For Johnny and I both, it is as though no time has gone by. Like we have never left, been away for a full 12 months...the drive is so familiar, the countryside exactly the same....why wouldn't it be? There are a few little changes, of course, but we are giddy with the feeling of it all. 

  Warm welcomes from folks we met last year... The house is a dream come so true. The weather is sublime, Spring has sprung in a big way. Everyone here is worried at the lack of rain, so we will be fine with any rain that may come our way. I wake at 5am on day one to a stunning sunrise, and feel like the most fortunate soul on Earth.

Sunrise from the terrace of our "Villa Adriana"

  To the market for provisions, as we have guests arriving pronto. It's the same, veggies, coffee, wine, pasta, bread, fruit, cheese, almonds to die for, from La Saporita.....it is all so familiar. Driving around that first day is giggles and sighs.... really, how is this possible? We worked so hard, saved and scrimped, made it happen. We toast all those who have helped along the way...

  When our pals arrive, we head to the open market for fun and more goodies....

Rounds of pecorino in various forms....and dried porcini...

  Days with our friends are lovely, full of chatting, walking in and out of town, some drives in the countryside, and eating.... nice to share this place with someone from home. A few home cooked meals, a few lunches out.

Dinner at home with friends...pasta with fennel and onions, amazing parmesan,
 a simple salad and bread from the local bakery

Another dinner, leftover pasta with goodies from the open market thrown in...tomato, zucchini, a few
hard earned fave... the white bowl is full of aggretti, a bitter grass like green, cooked in oil
with garlic and lemon, lots of seasoning..

 Our friends are beyond generous through out their stay, and also bring us treats from Florence, including Vin Santo and the Cantucci you dip into it. Sweetness and beauty! Thank you, thank you thank you....

Hard cantucci, meant to be dipped and softened in the Vin Santo. We only have espresso cups for the treat.

  I will be adding some posts on meals and walks we had out with our pals from home, Loreen and Christopher, because we had some very good ones.
  Off to the train station to see them head back to Florence, to catch the plane to California..safe travels, friends! We will think of you guys often, and keep our eyes open for Sette Nani!


 Waking up each morning to this view, the birds and the question of the day..."What do you want to do?" Pleasure.

Another day starts.

    Though we both have work to do here, it all comes with a sense of time we don't ever have at home. Long days to paint, write, photograph, cook, garden.

   We are here. We did it. We made it happen.