Learning How To Relax

  What do we really do when we are here?

  We walk almost every morning. I make lunch, Johnny paints. 

  We always go somewhere pretty in the late afternoon for a glass of wine.

  I putter in the garden...It's just like being at home, only with the luxury of time as a bonus for me.

  But that bonus is a problem...

  I struggle with how to fill my days, but am getting better at just relaxing, reading, even watching a movie now and then.

  There is always online work I do, too. Banking stuff, language study, etc.

  I am so addicted to my 'routine' of work at home in California...I can get restless and feel like a kite without a tail here in Umbria. Even after nine years of coming and going...I still have issues with learning how to do 'nothing'.

  My sweet husband, on the other hand, has an easier time. He knows his job, and does it well. 

  Anyway, a typical day, as you all know, starts with a walk.

Sunrise

  On this particular day...we walked to a nearby borgo.

I just love the light on the olive trees

Getting taller every day!

Viburnum in bloom.

  On another day, we'll walk in the fields below The Nut.

Nearby onion fields.
She grows them for the seed, not the actual onions.

Artichoke left to bloom...
I would have loved to have seen it!

Our bit of heaven from below.

Nice to see the sun without the wind.
It's been really windy and cold...

Bundled up, with gloves and puffy vest.

Okay, Johnny...enough photos of me, already.

Morning light.

  Back home...

Lots of 'daisies' blooming like crazy in the front yard.

A kitchen moment.

  

  Lunch is enjoyed inside when it's too windy to eat on the terrace.

  On this day, I made 'Torta al Testo'. Sort of like a thick tortilla that is filled with whatever you want, then grilled a bit to be eaten warm.

  I put soft cheese and arugula in these...it got nice and melty. Mmmm. 

  Tomato salad on the side, wine, and most likely chips somewhere along the way.

  This lunch included a nap afterwards.
  Yeah, I'm beginning to learn how to just chill out. It's not easy for me.

  I can hear the violins playing...Oh, poor me, right?
  It's complicated. This life in two worlds.
  For me, anyway.
  But hey, I'll take it and learn more everyday. Learn to be in the moment.
  This moment.

Some Florence Love

  We always enjoy taking the train to Florence while we are staying in Umbria, for a couple of reasons...

  We love the city, there s a wonderful art supply store for Johnny, and I am always happy just walking the streets, window shopping, etc.

  Oh, and then we'll stop for a glass of wine here and there...

A favorite piazza for vino.

I love the architecture of Florence.
You know you are in this beautiful city just by looking up...

The yellow buildings with green shutters...Florence, to me.

Off the main drag, another lovely spot.

  

  We spent the night this time, so we had lots of time to walk around and soak it in. I always pay attention to the details...

  

  

  We found a couple of new spots to stop for a bite and a sip, which was fun.

Crispy toasted bread strips were so delicious...perfect treat with vino.

  Of course we saw art...

Who is that up there in Piazza Signorelli?

A super cool installation piece by Antony Gormley.
See? THIS is why it's so important to look UP!

  I'm a fan of the street art scene in Florence, too...always something around every corner.

  A few Super Women...

  

  And others...

  And...I guess it would be 'performance art'???

  I've always been interested in all the various workshops in Florence, and decide to take some photos while we were cruising around.

  It's wonderful to see these 'hole-in-the-wall' spaces, crammed with all sorts of stuff. Some are storefronts, as well, and others are actual work/studio/shops.

  It was another memorable trip to a city we'll never get tired of visiting.
  And now Johnny has more canvas than he knows what to do with, but I have a very good feeling that he'll figure it out...

Another roll of canvas for this inspired artist!

Getting Settled In

  Feels like Home Sweet Home....

  The Nut is so cozy and warm now, with the new Jotul stove. I think we finally figured out how to use it, which means the place is always warm when we want it warm. Sweet!

Dinner in front of a fire is what we love...

  

  This also means Johnny gets to channel his inner "He-Man", which I get a big kick out of.

  Hehehehehe...Oh, Johnny, you floor me.

Ooooooo...so Manly!

  

We've been walking almost every day,  but today we're taking a break to go to the local weekly outdoor market to see what's happening.

  I've really been enjoying our Morning Walks, though...there is so much beauty in the countryside.

Walking down the road from The Nut.

Really cool pinecones.

  All the early flowering trees are going off, big time!

  All the local olive groves are being pruned, which means the burning will start soon, too.

  I've been making our lunches every day, between chores, so we can enjoy the views from the terrace.

  This is what we really look forward to!

Egg salad on local bread with almonds, olives, cheese and apples on the side.
Wine, of course.

Evening visits to the piazza and Bar Gallo are a given.
It's quiet here now.

We've gone out once already for pizza with pals. It's nice to catch up and get all the local news.
Plus, I really like a good pizza.

  My favorite part of each day here, is just seeing how thrilled Johnny is to be back.

  He's really in his Happy Place. Me, too.