Summer Loving

Blues and Greens

A hat full of figs

Next years vintage

Itsy Bitsy little books - inspired by Claire's wonderful blog at Border stories

Risen in the sun, kneaded by young hands and enjoyed with supper

Summer review

Well even here in sunny Tuscany the seasons are on the turn, a cool breeze greets us in the morning and the nights are dark early. We are overwhelmed with things we must do to prepare for winter, as last year we were so frozen and gloomy. Today the kids are collecting kindling and weeping up pine needles and cones for fire-lighting, we have logs coming next week, and I am umming and agghing over hedgerow jam as we had few strawberries and cherries nd no peaches this year, so the jam will have to be a mongrel variety. Tempers are high in the house - a long summer this year, everyone tired and grumpy, I think some gentle down time ad nourishing is required. Tonight Shepherds Pie and Waltons I think. I have to buckle down on the work front as several new projects are starting this month - so sad to give up my time in the home but needs must so for the next year I will most likely be in the office (our shed) 4 days a week and will cram in the olives, walnut harvest and veg patch, crafts, cooking etc around my work and trips to the UK for meetings. Oh to just be able to stay at home in Italy..............




Spent yesterday in Firenze visiting the Aussies before they go on their travels, the girls had so much fun and number 1 boy was a star pushing a babe in the buggy all around Florence. I was so delighted to come home though, I just don’t do cities and Florence is so 'money grabbing' and pretentious I love my simple life here in the hills and when I need culture Siena is perfect, tranquil and more real. I am uploading our summer pics bites size chunks so as not to bore the pants of everyone xx