by Krista | Sep 20, 2011 | Gulliver Tuesday
My first night in Montepulciano, Italy I found myself sitting at the train station in the glow of the setting sun, watching the local gang of old men assemble at cafes and under trees for their evening ritual of chit-chat with their mates.
My family arrived just as the sun disappeared and whisked me off to a stunning old villa rented by our friend Pia. She had invited us all over for a Tuscan BBQ to celebrate our first day in Italy.
It is a splendid place hidden far down a maze of gravel roads so twisty and turny that we couldn’t actually find it until Pia rode out on her bike to lead us in. It was well worth our haphazard journey though. Peaceful, secluded and so welcoming you really felt like you’d arrived home.
We were entranced by the splendid old wood-fired oven that was just perfect for grilling plump sausages, pork chops, chicken breasts and steaks. My brothers, Ryan and Dana, were grill masters for the evening, churning out massive platters of succulent meats that smelled heavenly.
We sipped glasses of Prosecco and nibbled on marinated beans and crisp potato chips while Pia and the others whipped up one delicious veggie dish after another: raw fennel drizzled with olive oil, red wine vinegar and salt and pepper, fresh tomato salad, fresh cucumber salad, oniony steamed spinach, pasta with sausage, green salad with radicchio, on and on it went.
When everything was ready we piled our plates high and sat outside to eat by candlelight under a moonlit sky, marveling that we were really, truly in Tuscany.
After thoroughly stuffing ourselves, the makers of our feast relaxed with Prosecco or played wild games of Foosball while the rest of us clustered around a couple sinks to wash up mounds of dishes and wrap up leftovers.
It was a grand evening, a splendid way to get acquainted with new friends and soon-to-be family members as we started our week of wedding festivities.
What is your favorite must-have dish at a BBQ?
by Krista | Sep 19, 2011 | Bootstrap Monday
My first morning in Tuscany I woke before everyone else and wandered out barefoot onto dew-covered grass.
The air was fresh and cool, filled with the sounds of neighboring pigs squealing excitedly for their breakfast.
The first rays of sunlight streamed through olive groves and vineyards, warming the stone walls of the villa next to us. And I simply had to capture it.
Looking at this picture I can almost feel the warming rays of sun on my skin. I want to close my eyes and soak it all in.
My sis-in-law joined me shortly and we stared in disbelief at chickens leaping straight up in the air like they were on a trampoline instead of sun-baked earth. Mystified we crept over to where they were and laughed in delight to discover they weren’t crazy chickens after all. Plump ripe grapes hung over their heads just out of reach, so they were jumping up to grab the bottom ones. 🙂
I love Tuscany.
Where is the prettiest place you’ve ever woken up?
by Krista | Sep 16, 2011 | Fabulous Friday
I love old doors. Absolutely love them. 🙂
One of my favorite things in Italy is the abundance of beautiful old doors set in crumbling stone walls weathered by centuries of sun and wind.
The town of Montepulciano is no exception. While there for my brother’s wedding I loved heading up to this lovely old town to wander the streets with my family, eating gelato and popping into any little shop that took our fancy.
We explored hidden alleys, jostled to take pictures of laundry billowing in the wind, and sighed in unison as we glimpsed old churches, beguiling cafes, and adorable dogs waiting patiently for their owners.
After our wanderings we were famished, so we scoured various alleys to find the perfect restaurant for lunch. We found one tucked away in a darkened doorway and happily perused the menu. I was craving vegetables so I ordered grilled chicory and delicious Tuscan-style peas cooked with bacon and onions.
When I got back to Amsterdam I was missing Italy so much I had to recreate the peas. Bacon in Italy is nothing like the bacon we’re used to in Canada and America. It is more akin to the Canadian Bacon we’re used to seeing on pizza, much leaner and usually round instead of in strips.
It’s such a simple dish to make. Heat olive oil in a pan, fry the onions and bacon, add the peas and heat through. Add a bit of salt and pepper and you’re done!
I love it. 🙂 A little bit of Italy that cheers up a stormy day in Amsterdam.
What is your favorite vegetable dish?
by Krista | Sep 15, 2011 | Plucky Thursday
Hello luvs! How are you this beautiful Thursday?
This morning I woke to glorious sunshine in Amsterdam, so instead of taking a taxi to my doctor’s appointment on the other side of town, I decided to walk.
This is what I saw. It made even going to the doctor a delight. 🙂
by Krista | Sep 14, 2011 | Compatriot Wednesday
Hello dear ones! How I’ve missed you this past week, wishing you were with me to experience beautiful Tuscany in September.
I have so many stories to share with you, pictures of delicious food and gorgeous places, and I promise to get to that as soon as I can. 🙂
I am back in Amsterdam now, holding down the fort for my brother and sis-in-law while they celebrate their wedding with five more days in Italy. Although I loved every bit of my time in Tuscany, I am equally loving this downtime in chilly Amsterdam. It’s so wonderful sleeping in, getting caught up on work and emails, and sipping lots of soup and hot tea as the wind blusters and blows.
I’ve spent the last two days editing photos of my summer travels and will start sharing them with you in the days to come. Until then, I’ll leave you with a little collage of jolly times with my family in Tuscany.
Big hugs to you, my friends. I can’t wait to get all caught up with you. 🙂
xo
It was a grand evening, a splendid way to get acquainted with new friends and soon-to-be family members as we started our week of wedding festivities.
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