Fresh Air in Tuscany

Yesterday we had a wonderful lunch with family and friends and it left me feeling renewed and inspired to get out and do more things out of the home. Late in the night I went out and watched star filled sky and felt the urge to go to Castellina in Chianti where you can view so much of Tuscany from up on a very high hill.


So today TT and I took some food and water and drove way up into the hills through woodland, over rivers alongside vineyards and dusky greenolive groves, you could noticely feel the temperature dropping the higher we went. We saw fluffy bob tailed deer in the distance, we walked around the town and explored little alleys, country paths and watched the world go buy, cats playing, people chatting, you could hear the sounds of many families preparing lunch from apartments along the way and the aromas of garlic and roasting meats drifted through the streets. Neighbours chatted from balcony to balcony and some very smart people were enjoying aperitivos in the company of their jumper wearing small dog - very Italian.

We played in the park and looked for fairies in the holes of the castle walls, we followed the water running under the road, we studied a fallen tree and smelled its damp piney scent. Later on with energy levels waining we stopped for hot milk and a salami panino in a small cafe and Tabby bobbed around to the jazz music playing in the bar. Later we refilled our water bottles for home (essential) and slowly drove back to our old house overlooking the lake and the valley. Today was so cheery, no squabbles just us girls cruising around taking in the view and big gulps of cool crisp Tuscan air.


Now the fire is lit and the supper is in the oven - very simple Turkey Thigh (Less that 2 Euro) roast potatos, veg and mushroom gravy. The man made choc and banana muffins whilst us girls were out which will be great for pudding and for school snacks this week. I am all packed for my crazy 2 day visit to frozen London (work) and leave tomorrow pm back Wed night and hate leaving my nest and my folk, but needs must and I want to get rid of as many outgoings as possible so working hard this year will allow us to pay a few things off and buy a stufa (wood burner) for the kids room as our old house is soooo cold. The bath is running and the children are curled up under blankets by the fire with a movie slowly letting the evening fall upon us all.


Awaiting eagerly the snowdrops and crocus, daffodils and hyacith, cherry blssom and acacia buds - roll on spring. x

Fresh Energy

This week the energy in the house has changed heaps.................. Last night DH did not sleep a jot, wide awake all night, reading and note taking.  We seem to be ploughing ahead in terms of plans, actions and inspirations.  For a while we were really glum and stuck in a rut regarding finances and work, housework, travel etc now everything seems smoother somehow.  I think the kittens have helped re-address the balance, reminding us of what is important to thrive in this life.  They need love, comfort, warmth, food, water, a happy home, playtime and fun.   This directly relates to us too we need the same things, yes we need to work to cover the costs, but work should not be on the top of the list.

Anyhow - we are buzzing, today I will complete a long overdue writing project, complete a brochure design for a client, prepare for work travel next week then shut the study door for the whole weekend!!!!
We have yet to make any Christmas things but have sorted through the craft cupboard and DH is fitting better shelves in it today (Pic to follow).

Memories - the kids are loving old photo albums this week, asking loads of questions and making us laugh when they can't tell which baby is which (they looked tstartingly the same).  Trawling through the pics rminded me of the the me I used to be and prompted a wardrobe sort out.  Nothing better than an evening with old pics and an open fire, those images that have no meaning anymore get tossed aside making space for new heartfelt pics.

Hormones - hideous period pains, but walking them out seems to be helping so rather than a duvet and water bottle I am trying the wellies and old dog method of distraction.

Pic take last Christmas..

Be careful what you wish for

I really truly believe that you can get a anything you want in life, just be careful what you wish for. For a while I have wanted a cat again, my old boy died over a year ago, so I have been thinking about getting a kitten and how we could avoid my husband's allergy to felines. Today a friend called to say that the vet near Siena had a bunch of scruffy kittens that needed homes. On Monday we should be able to bring one home, I will but an old armchair in the cantina (shed) and he can be a freerange cat like 'Sack' used to be. Wishes - I want to get chickens, a friend is helping me set this up and our landlord is helping us build a chicken run. I want to be more self sufficient - I now have a cupboard of tomato sauces and chutneys. I wanted more time with my children, I am there everyday after school now, I wanted to follow a dream and move to Italy and write books. I am living in Tuscany writing magazines and the books are brewing. Where am I heading with this rambling... Basically through sheer stubbornness and the power of really wanting something I have done alot in the last two years. With no money, no great plan just lots of enthusiasm we are doing what we wanted. So I am sending out some positive energy to all those people who still feel a long long way from their dream, remember some of this is down to how you view things. I have very little money at the moment - but you can't own the view, the seasons, the smell of autumn, the sound of my children's laughter anyway, so really I am as rich as I will ever be as I have so many things that are utterly priceless. Today the sun is shining, the old dog is snoring in the old chair, the kids are playing, we have chicken (Bat Wing Stew) for supper and are getting a little christmassy already, yes there will be work, finances and normal daily struggles but really I am content to be living this life full of crazy hair raising ups and slip slidey downs. Off to hunt for rosehips now in the chilly hills above Siena, in my ancient woolly sweater and stripey legwarmers........... the kids are horrified!