Well, it's getting to be that time.
Time to head over the pond to our our little piece of heaven in Umbria.
There is way too much to do in the meantime, as always, and I should buckle down and get to it...but I'd really rather look at photos and dream a bit.
Is that so wrong?
No, no, it isn't.
That being in mind, I'm looking at our visits from last year. Spring and Autumn. Both were a blast.
Upon arrival in late February, we were greeted with a blanket of snow...
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| Our 'first morning' view from the terrace. Um, Brrrrrrrr! |
Fortunately, the snow only lasted a couple of days, and eventually the area warmed up and got green and pretty...
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| Now, this is what I dream about! Lunch with a view. |
Unfortunately, the winter took it's toll on our marble table, and it broke! We had to borrow another table from our dear landlord, Carlo, for the rest of the year.
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| This temporary table worked just fine. Thanks, Carlo! |
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| Lunch at The Nut is always a dream come true for me. |
We are having a new marble piece cut to fit the old iron base, though, and I can't wait to see the new terrace table when we finally have it in place.
Another new addition will be a much more efficient wood burning stove. I'll miss the fireplace, which has been knocked down and removed, but we really need a warm Nut to come home to, and the new stove is going to be great.
We loved the romance of the old fireplace, and it was a blast to cook in, but if we weren't right in front of it, we were really cold. We'll be super cozy during those brisk days now.
We ordered wood in October, so we'll be all ready when we arrive:
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| Johnny will still have his work cut out for him! Good thing he likes to chop wood. |
We have lots of good, green Umbrian oil waiting for us, too. We helped with the harvest, and the trade off for our hours of work was oil, oil and oil. Oh, boy, I can't wait!
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| Green Gold. |
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| Watching the olives from the trees at The Nut being turned into oil. That was a treat to see! |
There are many things I'm looking forward to, but one of my very favorites is to spend time watching sunsets at Lago Trasimeno. With a glass of good Umbrian wine, of course.
This never gets old, man...
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| Isola Polvese, one of three islands on the lake. |
I'm always up for a day trip, and if we go by train, even better!
I love looking at the train schedule. It gives me wanderlust.
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| Let's go, Baby! |
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| The train is perfect for catching up on reading. Or sleeping, like the dudes over my shoulder... |
We love being able to relax with a little treat to sip and a little something to munch...
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| Mid-day Proseco enjoyed in a pal's garden... |
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| Wine with a view in Spello... |
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| ...or with a view in Montepulciano. |
If you have spent any time at all on this blog, you know I love to eat.
I'm holding back calories now so I can enjoy double doses in Italy. I enjoy eating out as much as cooking and eating in. It's all good, and to have the time to do either is pure luxury. When we are here, in California, I'm working full time, and on my days off, we do chores, etc. We do enjoy ourselves when we can, don't get me wrong, but it's usually work, home, sleep...repeat.
I love being able to enjoy a leisurely lunch out, especially in Umbria...
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| Cheesy good pasta and grilled eggplant, why yes, please! |
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| My favorite pizza in the world. |
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| Spring veggie risotto for Johnny, simply wonderful stuffed pasta with tomato sauce for me. Mmmmm. |
The thing I don't usually share?
What my reality looks like after one of these meals:
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| Just find me a sunny, warm spot, and I'm good. |
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| Real good. |
I don't know if I'll get another post done before we leave, but I'd like to.
If not, just know that there will be many more once we get there, and this year we'll be stopping in Paris for a week, so that will be big fun to blog about.
While we wait, I'll just think about stepping onto the terrace at The Nut at the crack of dawn to enjoy the sunrise....
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| Ahhhh...I can already hear the birds singing. |
