Biding Our Time

  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...

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...

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.

This temporary table worked just fine.
Thanks, Carlo!

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:

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!

Green Gold.

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...

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.

Let's go, Baby!

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...

Mid-day Proseco enjoyed in a pal's garden...

Wine with a view in Spello...

...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...

  

Cheesy good pasta and grilled eggplant, why yes, please!

My favorite pizza in the world.

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:

Just find me a sunny, warm spot, and I'm good.

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....

Ahhhh...I can already hear the birds singing.

Visiting Isola Polvese

  Since our time here in Umbria is coming to an end(at least this visit), we are choosing some last things we want to do before we go.
  A couple of days ago, we woke to a banner day. Warm, clear and gorgeous. Seemed perfect for a hike around Isola Polvese, the largest of the three islands of Lago Trasimeno. We try to do this every year, so off we went to catch the boat from San Feliciano.

  You can catch different boats from different spots around the lake, each area serves different island destinations. For Isola Plovese, you need to go from San Feliciano, a charming village not far from us.
  We waited with four other people. Nice.

The island is in the background...a ten minute boat ride.

  We always enjoy a boat ride! And when the lake is like glass, even better.

  Johnny was happy he didn't need to bring a load of painting gear. He's done this many times here. This trip, work is over and it's just a nice day on the lake.

Happy husband!

San Feliciano from the boat.

I couldn't resist a little Italian pride.

 

  Once on the island, we just took off hiking up towards the top. Perfect walking weather, for sure.

A little cloud cover made it not too warm.

  I was keen to see if the old aqautic pond area was open to the public this year. It hasn't been for some time. I snuck in once, years ago...but never got to see it again.
  Until now-Yes, the gate was open! No sneaking around! Plus, we were the only people there. Lots of frogs and lizards...and us.

  I found this informatiom online:

"  The Garden of the Aquatic Plants: it was built in 1995 thanks to the architectural and functional recovery, cared by the Province of Perugia, of a unique swimming pool designed in 1959 by Peter Porcinai, one of the greatest Italian architects of the landscape. Mr. Porcinai devised a swimming pool (maximum depth 5.30 mt.) built into the rock and fed by the waters of Trasimeno Lake which, subject to special filtering techniques, achieve a high degree of transparency. "

  There is a peacefulness here that is so magical. The frogs, the water lillies, the reflections in the clear water. I loved it as much as the first time I saw it.
  All the water plants keep the pools so clear...

  I could totally imagine myself spending an hour or two here, sunbathing and taking little dips in the pool. Who wouldn't?

Especially nice with the view of the lake down below. Sigh.

  Of course, there is a perfect spot to get all naked and soak up sunshine..No, I did not, sadly.
  Another day, perhaps.

Where's my towel?

  Later, we headed up a little further to enjoy a simple 'torta al testo', a sandwich made on specific bread found in this region. We had it with grilled veg at the little hostel on the hill.
  Then, more hiking.

What a day!

  A few moments from the hike-

  Here comes the little boat. Ready to shuttle us back to the mainland.
 

  It was a great way to spend one of our last days here, for sure. So much to do before we leave, but we know we'll return as soon as we can.

A Day Or Two

  
  We are getting out and about while the weather is nice. Looks like rain may be on the way in a few days. Hey, we'll take it. It's just so nice to be here.

  Over the weekend, between bouts of Johnny painting here and there, we took our walks in the morning, as always, after coffee in bed.
  (An aside-I think we may be the only visitors who rarely have coffee at the bar. We wake up super early, like at home, and have our coffee in bed while we read, or check emails...it's our ritual. People are shocked if they see us at the bar in the morning.
  That being said, they would be even more shocked if they didn't see us there with wine in the evening)

   We always try to get out early for our walk.

A walk up to the old church.

 

Especially pretty in the early morning sunshine.

  Taking the road out of town to buy some art supplies, we pass one of my very favorite views.
  This year, the scene is even prettier with the white blooming shrubs.

   The weather has been fantastic. Great for photos.

 I came across this lovely villa on a walk while Mr. J painted. Could not get closer, unfortunately, but still intrigued.

  I have bought two pairs of boots this year, and I wore these for the first time over the weekend. Like slippers, only squishier. Light as a feather, too.

 

I just want to beam this entire scene to my California garden.

  
   Sunday, we enjoyed a birthday party with friends in the morning, Johnny painted for awhile, then we headed to the lake in the late afternoon.

  There is so much to love about spending an hour or two at the lake. Sundays, everyone comes out to play. All the generations show up. And they all talk to one another, play cards, walk along arm in arm, laugh...
  Sigh.


  From one side of the lake....

  

...to the other side of the lake. We are equal opportunity lovers of this beautiful lake.

  Here is a little sight and sound video of a typical weekend afternoon, lakeside-
  Enjoy.

  Check out Ciao Trasimeno to find your own piece of heaven.