Living well

Everyday I live in fear of getting ill again as my immune system just doesn't work, however this weekend I let go of my fear and really indulged myself, wine lots of, chocolate, dairy and meat (small nibbles), and guess what, I am ill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So it just goes to show that there must be a direct link from diet to immunity, my mouth is full of ulcers and my knees are agony, I felt dizzy all day yesterday and my throat is swollen. So I truly have to accept that if I want a long and healthy life I need to tread carefully and live conciously in every way. So starting a fresh again and to fight this illness (Behcets) now I am back on the following: Gluten free Vegan diet, caffiene and alcohal free, plenty of sleep, fresh air and water. Continue with all my supplements - vitamin b group, echinecea, dog rose etc. Supper Menu for the week - this is very optimistic as if I get worse I will be on just water: Artichoke Rissotto Lentil Shepherds pie Polenta and roasted veg Minestrone (g,free) Veg curry and rice noodles stuffed peppers and boulangare pots Polenta pizza Also need to try and tidy the garden after the landlords chainsaw massacre, however, I am NOT going to worry about a thing this week, simply be kind to myself and go with the flow!

A wee rest

I have just not felt like blogging of late, I have felt that blogging was getting in the way of actually doing things. I was writing rather than achieving and this is not good for me. So I have had a rest from my blog and can now come back renewed and afresh. In my time away from the blog I have managed to spring clean the house, plant up roses,herbs, strawberries and veg seeds. Move the office to the cantina so I can now 'go' to work, converted what was the office to a playroom - perfect for everyone. Made apple cake, easter rabbits, easter cards and had lots of fresh air on walks with the old man (the dog not the husband). Also had my full body scan at the hospital, results are looming but I have continued to stay well on my diet of Echinacea, Dog Rose and Vitamin B supplements, which seem to be supporting my immune system well, though I am still really shattered. The children are loving the warmer days: blossomy trees, wild flowers, mud pie experiments, swinging in the trees, diggin in the dirt, wearing short sleeves, staying outside after school, harrassing kittens and days in the park. Today has been about gluing and sticking, feathers and pompoms, cakes and biscuits, chalks and puzzles, rugby practice and now a sliding sun and a warm fireside. Preserved 6 huge jars of baked artichokes from the market... very industrious. Tomorrow a day of gardening and then the man (not the dog) and I are planning a walk around Siena at dusk, as the children are off to the grandparents for the evening. For now a random selection of pics - notice TT's bed hair (saying morning to the kittens at 6am). x

organic gardening

Yesterday I spent a couple of hours at a friends house looking at her amazing garden, using all natural compost and mulch for beds. So inspiring, wire cages lined with card and filled with grass cuttings, veg waste and chippings to create rich environments for plants to grow -truly fab and almost free way of making your own compost. The veg plants were thriving and I came home with a car full of roses, iris, leeks, herbs, wild strawberries, vines and many more wonderful gifts. We have planned our next step and will build more large tubs and fill with natural waste, as it rots we top it up and plant straight into the planter in the autumn. To say it was better than Christmas would be very true and the morning was rounded off with a glass of local wine and some smoked salmon. Pure bliss. This morning off to the market in Poggibonsi with my old baby buggy to snap up some cheap veg for preserving and pasta sauces. A very good friend is going to give me the low down on the best buys and the local cheeses etc, as I haven't had the time to really get to grips with all the different types of pecorino yet - only been here 2 years, pathetic time management!!!!!

Wise women

The last few days have been filled with the words of wise women offering me guidance help and empathy. I have had a garden designer friend show me how to grow things in a better and more sustainable and cost effective way. Another friend has been showing me how to make the best use of the local seasonal produce and today we cooked artichokes to have tonight with gluten free pasta - so yummy. The weekends are often full to overflowing with sporty things for the boys and this weekend is no exception, however I will make time to potter in the garden and kitchen, a firm promise to myself. I plan to make crostata and a polenta cake for next weeks picky food and tomatoes stuffed with anchovies and mozzarella (experimental pottering). Today the man made an enormous compost bin for the horto and a wooden planting box for lettuces and salad stuff - so proud of him, from pallets to planters in one morning. Tonight though I will just chill out with my book 'Ripe for the picking' and the open fire, listen to the birds going to bed and slowly flop into the weekend.

In Love with

I love this country, I love its hills, its people and the sense of peace it brings.  Today I was literally sweating in desperation over work issues and stepped outside to see what the dog was barking at, within seconds I felt better, the breeze calmed me and the birdsong made me slow down and listen.  I don't know why but this place is special to me and I feel I have come home, how is this possible as I have no Italian links in my family but I know I have found my place in this mad, mad world.

Too much work on and very little time to wind down but life is still good.  The girl is under a duvet in front of the fire watching a film, the boy at football with Babo and I have just made bean and pasta soup for supper and am starting to relax after hours at my PC.

Plans - the move of the study to the shed (cantina) is moving on, we have to glaze the windows with perspex and uck out all my gardening stuff which will go under the leanto, change the locks and clean well.  I can't wait I have always had a yearning to work at the end of the garden like the wonderful Roald Dahl in his den.

Hot and cold

We have had the coldest winter that I can remember and it is still not warm in the house even with the fire roaring.  Some days it is gorgeous sunshine and then back to snow, very much like the weather the UK I fear.  I am longing for the warmth of sun-kissed days, morning tea in the garden and supper outside.  This week HAS to be mainly work orientated so I will simply leave you with a few pictures of the last few days here in Tuscany - when I can fathom out blogger and why picture upload is not working!!! please be patient.

Waiting

Waiting for spring, for the warmth, for more energy, for more motivation.  Just lately My head has been too full of the mudane and exhausting stuff, work, money, time, health and practical stuff.  So I really have not felt in the right place to spend time on my blog, but now I am on the up and hope to start filling this space with beauty, laughter, antics and fun again.  Healthwise I am pretty good but shattered and feeling a tad weary (old), but we (the man and I) have made some great plans of late and are plotting better ways in which to live.  These include: moving the office from inside the house to our cantina (storage shed/cellar) which will mean I can close the office and leave work behind which will be so much better for me as I cannot switch off at the best of times. 

Today is mothers day and I feel blessed to be the mother of two wonderful if challenging figli and hope to bring joy into their lives and make each day warm and secure, even when I am tearing my hair out.