A Year Ago Today.....

 I haven't written in a long time, and I think today I might actually post this.

Like many of you, I'm reflecting on the impact Covid 19 has had on my life over the past year. Last year on March 8, Johnny and I were packed and ready to fly to Italy on the 9th.. We almost made it, too... damn. Looking back on that particular bummer, we're sort of glad we were turned back. 

You know, just sort of...sigh. 

Damn.

Anyway, over the last 12 months we've really enjoyed the garden, working in the gallery, taking hikes in our area. We even went to the cabin a couple of times last summer. 

It's been pretty nice, and I can't complain. We live in a beautiful little house in a beautiful area. We are very, very fortunate.

But, man...I miss our second life over there. In Italy. And yes, dear readers, we are watching the Stanley Tucci show. We are watching every YouTube video we can find that walks us through the cities and hill towns we love...the Italian cooking shows, the travel stuff...you name it we are finding it and watching it. Usually with a glass or 3 of wine as we tear up and cry.

So, I figured today would be a good day to post a bunch of photos you may have seen before, but who's counting. I needed to finally look at these photos again.

I found some fun pics, for sure...

Some of me doing what I love to do over there. A whole lotta nothin'!

I love being in Italy with Johnny, because it's a whole different kind of 'happy' that he gets when we're there...

Yeah, the two of us are like a couple of kids, trying to stay out of trouble, and we do...for the most part.

We miss the food...we love our food...

Eating out is always great!

Best. Pizza. Ever.

Best. Fried Artichokes. Ever.

(carciofi alla Giudia)

Best. Cacio e Pepe. Ever.

Damn. Good. Suppli.

Best. Ceci Bean Soup. EVER!

Thanks Aldo & Daniele!!

I could put so many pictures of amazingly tasty dishes here, but you can check out the blog and find it all...

I love our lunches on the terrace at our 'home away from home', which we call The Nut. 

God, I miss The Nut. We talk about The Nut multiple times a day, and then at night, too. Damn it!

We miss this...All of this...

Not sure if a car picnic counts as a great meal at home, or out...but we do enjoy this option!

We miss the day to day stuff. The day to day sights and sounds that I swear I will NEVER take for granted ever again. The time we've spent away from our 'home' over there has been more difficult than we would have imagined.

But of course...

We hope we can return by autumn to help pals with the olive harvest...

And then there's the hanging out at the random café or bar. 

We do this. 

We do this a lot. 

We do this with gusto, I'd say.

We love the Italian tradition of wine with small bites that they bring you. If they don't, we always grab a couple of bags of chips. That's just the way we roll, baby.

It's also why we walk so much.

Bar Gallo is a most favorite, of course!

We know we'll return at sometime... hopefully in the near future, and we'll love our Nut more than ever...

That's us, at the top...A tiny bit of heaven with a great big view...

I miss the garden a lot.

So, as we head into year number two (hehehehehe...#2...so appropriate!), we'll just keep the dream alive, talk with our pals over there and try to stay somehow connected. 

For us, it means playing foosball, working in the garden, eating good food and lots of chips with wine, and taking long walks whenever we can.

We'll get there, I just know it.