Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World,
If, like us, you are suffering yet more miserable weather, you will need some uplifting music to cheer you up! Now I only occasionally mention Italian singers and rarely Pop singers. So when I tell you that Italy’s own Laura Pausini has released a new album called ‘Fatti Sentiri’ and is off on a world tour, you should prick up your ears! Laura has a passionate and slightly gravelly voice, which she is this year taking around the globe at the age of forty-four. She has been around for a few years here, but now things are really taking off for her and she has my full support and best wishes for what will be an exciting if grueling few months. Foto La Repubblica. Visit Laura’s website
Meanwhile, and a surprise to we locals, the town of Certaldo has been busy formulating it’s very own Wedding Package as part of its new Tourism Campaign. we do have a number of wedding planners in Tuscany and Certaldo Alto, the hill-top historical centre (centro storica), has always been hugely popular with Brits wanting to tie the knot. So it will be interesting to see what emerges. I have to say, that once you visit Certaldo Alto, you will understand why it is so popular. When I have more information I’ll let you know. Foto Official Website. For now, why not visit Certaldo
Back in the world of politics, you could hardly ignore the fact that Italy has had a General Election! The country is now considered badly split and we must wait to hear whether the Five Star Movement will merge with its nearest rival to form a government. Watch this space. Foto La Repubblica.
But anyway, I promised to post Italian fashion worn by happy models and I think this one makes that grade. A lovely relaxed outfit as long as you are 5ft 10ins or more and slim. Well I’m working on the latter, but I will need six-inch heels to make that height! Ha ha! I shall have to stand on a box at my next concert, and probably stick with black, that’s always a slimming and gives the impression of height. But for the outfit in the picture and lots of other gorgeous casual stuff, go to Amina Rubinacci’s site where, yes, you can buy on-line! Website
If you don’t mind, I want to pop back to Music as I have just read in the paper that Mick Jagger’s younger brother Chris has been in Italy for four concerts. Chris Jagger, singer, musician, writer, actor and journalist, tours from time to time, with his trio Acoustic Roots. Pity, I didn’t know he was here until afterwards! You can read more about him in his interview with askanews. Visit Chris Jagger interview
Finally, a little something to make you smile and to remind all of us all that Spring will get here shortly. Apparently, according to the locals, today Wednesday is the first day of spring so I have popped in a picture of our pot of Grape Hyacinths for you to enjoy.
Sorry for the slightly later than usual posting of this blog, but sudden events here in Tuscany needed my attention.
Have a great week and do drop me a line. Oh, and visit my official author site at My site
Salute June x
OK, I have warned you about Italian Romeos in the past and this week girlies of all ages should take extra care. Anyway, from now up until the fourteenth, beware of Italian men offering you red roses. One rose is supposed to be very romantic, however, it might also indicate the size of his wallet! Ask immediately if he lives with his mother. If yes, then he’s probably after a bit of slap and tickle. If he gives you a sob story about his aging or ailing mother, he may be looking for a replacement! Either way, if he’s good-looking and invites you to dinner in a decent ristorante, why not! Enjoy! Foto La Nazione.
Meanwhile, the papers continue to be full of the forthcoming elections. Villages and towns have had the big metal boards erected ready for the posters that go up shortly. Matteo Renzi, the former Prime Minister, seems to be talking himself into a big political hole, rather like David Cameron did in the UK. Both he and Silvio Berlusconi are now paying heed to the female political advisors, I’m glad to say, however, no sign of a likely candidate from their ranks for PM yet. Foto La Repubblica.
Guest appearances at the Festival included Sting. The music man is fully entrenched into Tuscan life having a villa and land just a few valleys away from us, and the Italians love him. His music is regularly played on the radio and he holds the occasional private concert party in his garden. He has obviously taken a lead from me and my Garden Rock Concerts in June each year. More news on that soon! Foto La Repubblica
Well, back here in our beautiful bit of Chianti, it is cold and raining. Contrary to popular belief outside of Italy, February can be chilly and wet. Despite that Crocuses are beginning to show their heads, the Mimosa and some Cherry trees are in full blossom and life is good. Local towns and villages are finally getting over the Carnivale Period and things are finally a little quieter; until the elections of course! Foto La Nazione.
Meanwhile, last week was a celebration of Men’s Fashion in Italy and this week we are celebrating Kid’s Fashion. Now, Italian children are extremely fashion conscious and from a very early age. The shops are full of funky clothes for kids; it’s not unusual to see a three-year old toddling around in a designer leather jacket and hi-tech trainers. Italian boys are constantly checking their reflections in shop windows and adjusting their designer haircuts! Sunglasses and top of the range cell-phones are essential accessories. I have some mixed feelings about all this, but the kids are mostly happy and as long as they are not draining the pockets of their hard-working parents, why not. What do you think?
Back in the world of politics, Italy’s general election will be on 4th March. Yes, another one! Don’t worry, I am not going to say much about this, but here is an article from La Repubblica Magazine showing The Cinque Stella movement currently in the lead, with The PD Party close behind. Mind you I would not rule out a sudden percentage rise for Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia Party, currently in third place!
Finally, something close to my heart, which is good Tuscan food and preferably cooked in a restaurant. We have just returned from C’era Una Volta in Lucardo, having enjoyed a lovely big bowl of Paolo’s Leek and Potato soup, which really warmed me up, followed by pasta with Pesto di cavolo nero. Absolutely yummy. But enough of that. Foto J.Finnigan. Visit 
Meanwhile, here is a little festive competition for you!
Now if you want to be absolutely sure of obtaining a signed book, you can purchase one on my website and pay with paypal. Go to 
Anyway, enough of that, lets look back at the week, after all, that’s why you are here. Well, like most other countries in the world, Italy celebrated Halloween. In fact, the Italians go crazy for it, young and old dress up in the most outrageous costumes and parade around the streets wearing death masks! The next day is All Soul’s Day, or Day of the Dead, when everyone remembers their dear departed family and friends. The graveyards here are quite spectacular, always lit by red candles or lights, and masses of flowers both fresh & false, so the effect is a glittering welcoming place. There is a mix of concrete buildings where the dead are laid one on top of another, family tombs and graves in the ground, all attended regularly and kept bright and cheerful. I think some of the larger cemeteries should be included in Cultural Tours; I’m not sure if that would be allowed, but you can nip in and walk around anyway. Foto La Repubblica.
In the run up to Halloween, all the shopkeepers enter into the ‘spirit’ of things, including my man’s favourite Panetteria in Certaldo. In the picture, you will see the staff behind the counter wearing little hats and the counter loaded up with cakes and goodies for the festivities. On Saturday mornings, whilst I do the fruit, veg and cheese shopping in the mercato, my man pops down Via Giugno to get bread and sometimes Pizza for supper. He says, it is the best bakers in the whole area! Foto P Finnigan.
Meanwhile, back in our little bit of the Chianti countryside, the last two weeks has been busy with olive picking. Foreign faces are everywhere; some come for the much-needed work, whilst others treat picking olives as a fun holiday. Brightly coloured nets are spread out under the trees and not one little olive will be overlooked. Sadly, the harvest has been rather small this year, following the terrible summer drought. However, the resulting oil is absolutely delicious. Foto J Finnigan.
There has also been lots of tree felling. Mostly small-leaved oak trees, that are now in a big pile a few yards from our front gate. It’s a sad sight, I always feel a little bereft at the thought of any tree being chopped down, but I guess the woodland does need managing to some degree. My man bought a new chainsaw last year and he has yet to use it. The temptation to go out there with his boy’s toy, is eating away at him! He reckons we could pretend that we thought it was our own log delivery! O Dio! Anyway, behind the pile of logs the vineyard is looking very beautiful and it won’t be long before all the vines are bare. So we should relax and enjoy it, not think about pinching other people’s logs! Well,on the other hand….. Foto P Finnigan
Gosh, it’s nearly lunchtime and I should go and get changed. It’s currently thundering and raining, so we need to go over to C’era una Volta’ in Lucardo and enjoy the hot food, wine, the company of good friends and forget the weather. On arrival my man orders some fresh Extra Virgin Olive Oil and toast, because he wants to taste the new stuff. The oil is Paolo’s own and the colour alone tells you how recently it has been cold pressed. Yummy! Foto J Finnigan
On the subject of ‘heaving with people’ avoid Montepulciano unless you want to be trampled underfoot. This stunning Medieval and Renaissance hill town in Southern Tuscany, is very popular throughout the season as it is a big producer of foods including cheese, pici-pasta, lentils and honey. Oh and wine of course, the ‘Vino Nobile’ is considered to be one of Italy’s finest. So why not visit now? Well, imagine this, you live in the town and go about your daily business, shopping in the markets and relaxing outside your favourite caffe bar each day. You are used to the summer months, when the town fills up with tourists and in some ways it fascinating to watch them walk by. Then your town is chosen as the set for the new Medici film….. Now you cannot cross your own via, or find an empty table at your favourite caffè or restaurant, because you are being invaded by over five thousand tourists a day, wanting to spot the actors at work! What a nightmare! So there’s your reason for not going to Montepulciano, there are plenty of other stunning places to go! Foto La Repubblica
Meanwhile, lets relax and look at the music scene. Now I love the Italians, after all I have chosen to live amongst them and I hope my friends here will not take offence when I say, they do not do rock and pop music very well. Now there are a handful of exceptions and into this category I would definitely include Paola Turci. Paola is a tall, striking rock singer with a strong sometimes gravelly voice, and I really like her. She is just starting an Italian tour and, if you can, you should try to get to one of her concerts. Foto La Repubblica. Visit her website at 
Then I noticed in the paper that the Tuscan artist, Luciano Pasquini, is having a one-man exhibition in Florence between 28th October and 4th November at the Florence Art Gallery. Now I am a great fan of impressionism and vibrant colours. If you ever visit my home you will find bright colours everywhere, sometimes clashing, but I am always drawn to rich colours. Luciano produces paintings, I guess for the mass market, but nevertheless, you can guarantee there will be at least one of his land or seascapes, which will draw you in and you will want it on your wall. Visit his website at 
So, how are we doing? OK, I think. Now I do want to bring up the subject of Tartufu (truffles) again. Why, because we are now celebrating this gift of the gods with a Festa. If you are not truly familiar with Tartufi, white or otherwise, you will see in the picture that it resembles lumps of volcanic rock, but the perfume gives it away. These gorgeous lumps of sometimes hugely expensive funghi, are sniffed out and found in our region, by ‘truffle dogs’ and occasionally pigs. Thin shavings of the best samples, using a special tartufu slicer, are sprinkled over pasta or fried eggs, the flavour is not lost that way. Now we are off to C’era Una Volta for lunch today and we are hoping that Paolo will have got some of these precious gems in his kitchen awaiting us. I’ll let you know. Foto la Repubblica
Let’s start with a look the Classic Italian Beauty. Now I’ve always loved Sofia Loren and she still scrubs up really well in her eighties. But now we have Monica Bellucci, absolutely stunning at fifty-three and likely to be just like Sofia; going on forever. Different features, style and character, but still stunningly beautiful with an envious record of filming with some of the most gorgeous male leads. This morning, reading the papers over coffee in our local village of Fiano, I found two whole pages dedicated to Monica. Of course, one of the most recent well publicised encounters, was with Daniel Craig in ‘Spectre;’ phew. Foto La Repubblica
Now back in the real world; I must take you on a trip into the Tuscan countryside and remind you that it’s the season for Funghi, Castagne and Tartufi, that is Mushrooms, Chestnuts and Truffles to you and me. My man and I are already indulging in the Tartufi and Porcini Mushrooms and shortly we will be able to stuff ourselves with some of the classic deserts made with chestnuts. Now I have to say, nothing goes to waste in the Tuscan countryside, dishes are all seasonal and this means we have so much to look forward to throughout the year. Pumpkin sauce and pasta is now on the menu at Ristorante C’era una Volta, topped off with smoked ricotta cheese. Mmmm, can’t wait to go out to lunch, perhaps we will see you there! 
Of course, I am never far from the Fashion pages and I thought you might like these designer pics in this week’s papers. A little classic black number, but with that bit of extra something, having been designed and made in Italy, and the lovely wrap around Autumn Warmers in my favourite shades. Fotos La Repubblica
And yes, we are having to wrap up a little warmer; evidence of this is the morning mist filling the valleys below us, as we open the curtains and shutters. Well, we had a delivery of logs last week and the brick floors in our monastery farmhouse are now feeling cooler. However, I do like to curl up in front of the fire with my gorgeous man, so that’s more to look forward to! Foto J Finnigan
OK, let’s get Mick Jagger sorted, then we can return to what else is happening in Tuscany and further afield in Italy. Mick aged seventy-four, the Stones (or should we say the stoned) and entourage arrived at Pisa airport in their own fast jet, emblazoned with their red lipped logo. In Lucca, just north of Pisa, outside the ancient walls of the city, fifty-six thousand fans roared their approval, whilst clutching probably the most sought after concert tickets of 2017. It seems Mick also made a private visit to see the original statue of David at La Galleria dell’Accedemia prior to the concert and he ate a gelato on the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, as did the other English visitor of note this week, Theresa May. Well, that was exciting! Foto La Nazione.
OK, enough of that, what you really want to read about is Italian Fashion, don’t you? Well, you could hardly ignore the fact that we have just had Milan Fashion Week. Now, I take a serious interest in Italian fashion, as you know, and I can honestly say that the most beautiful clothes will not be found there.
Reading the national and local papers every day, I come across many small fashion designers who produce the most gorgeous clothes that are actually wearable! The only well-known name I really like is Prada, particularly for handbags and shoes. So here are a couple of really nice outfits that I found this week. Don’t you just love these Autumn colours? Fotos La Repubblica.
And, as I mentioned Prada handbags, here is a seasonal one to fawn over! Foto La Repubblica.
Meanwhile, back in the glorious Tuscan countryside, we are enjoying a return to lush greenery after lots of rain, cooler weather and sunshine. What a relief. And it is that time of year when the enthusiasts head off on foot or bicycle, for a three-day wine and food Slow Travel Fest. I love this idea and if my little legs were stronger, I would be there with them. It started yesterday, the 22nd from San Gimignano, past Abbadia Isola and Monteriggioni and covers thirty kilometres with fabulous views all the way; you might like to look out for next year’s event! Foto copyright Easyvoyage.
But for me, the real event this week was my plate of pasta with freshly grated Tartufo Bianco (white truffle) over the top. This is food to die for. The pasta is lightly tossed in a little butter and nothing else but the Tartufo is needed. That was Friday evening and Paolo at Ristorante C’era una Volta wasn’t sure if he would have any more this weekend. Well, I think my man and I will pop over for lunch today, just in case! If not, there are plenty of Porcini mushrooms available. Yummy! Foto J Finnigan
Yes, the beautiful walled city of Lucca attracted over fifty-five thousand fans and the majority were young enough to be their grandchildren. Thankfully the Italians love aging rockers, so I’m still in with a chance! Foto La Repubblica
Meanwhile, down in our local town of Certaldo, glamour turned to traditional costumes, as the Calambur teams were fighting it out to win the coveted victor’s banner. The Calambur is a sort of ‘It’s a Knockout’ contest between the four sections of the Commune di Certaldo, running races, obstacle courses and solving intelligence tests! Our local village Fiano, is in the red and white team and we won last year. But sadly, this time the banner went to the green and blue team called ‘Canonica’ so we had to hand the banner over. There’s always next year….. Foto La Nazione
Well, we may not have won the banner, but we can celebrate the season for Porcini Mushrooms! I am already over indulging in wood-fire grilled giant Porcini at Ristorante C’era Una Volta in Lucardo. 
Elsewhere, and in the world of Politics, another aging star has raised his profile once again and is making inroads into getting back all his old followers and lots of new ones for his Forza Italia party. Silvio Berlusconi, despite having announced that he was going to concentrate more on his family having turned eighty last year, is very much back out there on the hustings and looking very serious too. Watch this space. Foto La Repubblica
And finally, back to glamour again and one of my most favourite subjects, Italian Fashion. I have already posted some Autumn Fashion, but I have to say that I have completely fallen in love with the brand Gaudi. And, the latest colours are right up my street, gorgeous browns and russets, oh and the handbags! I know, I know, I do go on a bit, but I must blame it on the Italians, their wonderful designs and the quality they produce. I’m really looking forward to seeing my man in his new bespoke Italian suit, which will be ready soon. Wonderful! Foto La Repubblica
We have just had heavy overnight rain. “So what?” I hear you say. The UK has virtually had no summer and we are excited about the arrival of rain! Yes, I know, large parts of the World have been deluged with terrible storms and our thoughts are with those people struggling with loss of life and property. But, here in Tuscany, it has been over three months without a drop of the refreshing stuff. Now the countryside smells wonderfully damp and the vines are sighing with relief. The crazy thing is, until today it has been too hot to work outside, now it is too wet! But lets move on…. Foto Storms clouds arriving, J Finnigan.
Last week I mentioned the Certaldo Red Onion and was disturbed to hear a tourist guide beside me telling a group of American tourists all about the onion, whilst standing next to baskets of red onions that were, in my opinion, the Statina variety and not the bright red Vernina as she was indicating. You really do need to know your onions in Certaldo and it’s important to ask the vendor if they are ‘The Certaldo Onion’ and which variety they are. Now I am not trying to be clever here , and I would be very happy to have one of you knowledgeable readers put me right, if you think I am wrong! See Foto. Also, you cooks out there could tell me, which are the best varieties for the various cooking methods. Grazie Mille! Foto J Finnigan.
It is also the season for Fichi (figs to you and me) and at Ristorante C’era Una Volta in Lucardo, they were on the menu last week. Paolo the owner, grows all his own fruit and veg and the freshly picked Fichi were not going to last long. So I had my fill on two separate days in the week! Yummy. Foto J Finnigan.
about food! Back in our local village of Fiano and over coffee, I read a fascinating article by Paolo Pejrone in La Repubblica, about ‘walking’ Olive Trees. Well, you only have to see the pictures to understand why, and amazing to look at they are too. As olive trees get older they can take on the most amazing shapes and characters! Fotos Alejandro Chasklelberg.
Meanwhile, the Regional Election in Sicily is hotting up and it seems that the Rock Star of Politics, Beppe Grillo’s Five Star party, is currently slashing its way through the front-line. I love this magazine cover that depicts his rivals as either blind or struggling to see. But I am glad to see Silvio on the hustings promoting his Forza Italia party, it certainly puts the colour back in. I’ll just go and check when the elections actually take place, so don’t go away, I’ll be back in a minute…. OK, that didn’t take long; the election is on 5th November and the winning party will be found using some kind of complicated ‘proportional representation’ system. Whoever wins, the current President Rosario Crocetta will go, as he has not been candidated by his own party due to lack of popularity! I won’t go any deeper than that! But I’ll keep you posted.
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