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
by Krista | Sep 4, 2011 | Bootstrap Monday
As you read this Monday morning, I’ll be hauling my bags from car to plane to bus to train to a different train to car until at last I find myself (hopefully!) in Montepulciano to start a week of celebrating for my brother’s wedding. I don’t know if I’ll have internet access, so if you don’t hear from me for a week, don’t be alarmed. I promise to take heaps of pictures and tell you all about it when I get the chance. 🙂
Until we meet again, I have to share these shots of beautiful Mummelsee, Germany, a stunning lake high in the Black Forest above Baden-Baden.
My friends took me hiking here after we fortified ourselves at the Mummelsee lodge with hearty slabs of Black Forest Cake heady with kirsche (cherry brandy), Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce and rich German Cheesecake.
It is one of my favorite walks in this area, especially on a sunny afternoon. We came here at Christmastime last year and walked on firmly packed snow around the iced over lake.
This time we walked on dry ground, strolling happily as the sun glistened over the water and glimmered down through the trees.
We were joined by crowds of holiday-makers, everyone cheerful and so happy to be outside in the fresh mountain air.
Legend has it that the lake is home to the King of Mummelsee and his water nymphs who remain quiet during the day but rise to the surface at night.
Some say the nymphs are actually nuns who lived in a monastery that was supposed to have stood where Mummelsee is now. The nuns were known for their kindness to local farm families and their children. Unfortunately tragedy struck when a nun fell in love with a farm boy and black water bubbled up from the earth to swallow the monastery and all who lived there.
Apparently we didn’t stay late enough because we failed to see either the King or his water nymphs.
It was a gorgeous walk though, and one I highly recommend to anyone visiting the Black Forest.
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