Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World
OK, lets get the Virus subject out of the way and then we can get back to enjoying ourselves again. In our lovely area on the edge of the Chianti Hills everyone is carrying on as normal. OK, kissing and shaking hands are avoided, which is a little strange for Italians, and washing one’s hands regularly is the only difference. And yes, travelling and going to crowded venues maybe unwise until we have more news. Most of the cases are in the north, down here in central Tuscany we have next to nothing. Most restaurants remain open as do the shops. And, La Dispensa, our local shop and caffe bar in Fiano, remains a welcoming haven for our morning coffee.
Meanwhile, the Italian Government are up to their usual wittering about leadership, the original coalition fell apart and the current arrangement is not working either. Reading the newspaper, I came across this brilliant photo taken in 1953. It is the mayor of Florence giving a speech and just look at the faces on the guys surrounding him! You could say ‘nothing has changed’, everyone is seriously bored listening to all the moaning and groaning.
But enough of that. It’s the 1st March, hurrah, and the month for celebrating Tartufu (truffles). There will be Festas all over the place including our local town of Certaldo, Volterra and Florence. If you have not been to Volterra, you really should. It’s about an hour from us and is a beautiful ancient city with a great history. You could combine the visit with the Tartufo celebrations. Yesterday, we went to our local restaurant C’era una Volta where my man enjoyed a delicious pasta dish with Tartufo Marzolo (March Truffles) grated over the top. Yummy. Sometime this week we will probably head over to Tavernelle and Osteria La Gramola, where they do wonderful creative dishes with seasonal produce, like the Tartufo. I’ll let you know.
Back in our lovely winter garden the daffodils are coming out. I took this foto this morning as it looked a little lonely on it’s own. We will not be uncovering the rest of the plants until 1st April; we look forward to that. The other day, we were visited by a big male fox and he may have gone off with one of our resident wild pheasant hens, as Phil the Cock Pheasant has been making a lot of noise of late. I saw the naughty fox with a large bird in his mouth being chased by Phil, it may have been a pigeon but probably not. Whats happening in your garden?
And so, here we are we carrying on as usual. Enjoying good food, wine and friendships. My next urgent task is to get my repertoire sorted for the concert on June 19th. So far I’ve decided on six songs so another dozen to go. I’ll be sending out initial invites soon. If you are not on my invite email list, send yours to june.finnigan@virgin.net Exciting isn’t it!
OK, it’s now Monday so must get this blog off to you. Remember to enjoy every day!
Have a great week.
Salute June x
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Wednesday 12 February. I would never have guessed that a beautiful fallen bloom, from an early flowering shrub, could have given me such a lift. It wasn’t just the beauty of the thing but how I received it that made all the difference. I have had three weeks of feeling pretty run-down after a minor operation, due to my pathetic immune system. I went to Fiano this morning for my usual espresso, newpapers and chat; then Roberto our local sculpture walked in and presented me with the bloom! Bless his lovely kind heart, the site of it in the palm of my hand sent a wave of sheer joy through my still fragile system! I knew there and then that my head was sufficiantly clear to start writing again! Thank you dear Roberto. (someone, please let me know what the flower is; thank you x)
Thursday 13 February. Well, its the next day and I’m still feeling in a good mood. I decided that I would scour the papers for some good news to post and, yes you guessed it, nothing. But then I saw a big red heart and an advertisement for San Valentino in Florence. Yes! ‘All you need is love, da da da da da’ Just when you think things could not get more depressing, up pops San Valentino! Hurrah.
celebrating with your amore. But what’s this? Somewhere called the Bristol Winter Gardens (yes Bristol) in Florence! Sounds like a great place to eat, you only have to look at the dish in the foto. Mmmmm. 
Anyway, here we are back in our little bit of Chianti. On the Friday evening we went straight to C’era Una Volta ristorante for supper and downed a whole bottle of Chianti wine in no time.
Meanwhile, just down the road, Osteria Casa Chianti has turned their upstairs room into a gorgeous candlelit venue for lovers. ‘Cena Romantica di Candela.’ So, if you want to impress your amore, go there on a Friday evening and enjoy. We can certainly recommend the Osteria for a great dining experience in or out of the candlelit room; great wines and local ingredients. 
Now what is happening with the music scene? I hear you ask. Well I’ll go and take a look; don’t go away! Ah, sorry, it’s January and no well known bands or performers are here as far as I can tell. But if you fancy some Italian talent, how about Ferdinando Romano, Sabina Sciubba, Massimo Giuti, Franco D’Andrea or a band called Handshake? But who’s this? He calls himself The leading Guy, a bit of a mystery this one so let’s investigate. Mmmm, quite nice looking 33 year old singer songwriter and his videos can be found on You Tube. Foto from facebook He plays guitar and sings his own music, quite good, take a look. You could also go to see him this month and book tickets at 
And finally, I have found you a January hunk of the month all wrapped up in a warm junky sweater, which we all need right now, the warm sweater that is!
Now, this is a great time of year for getting out and about, particularly visiting museums and art galleries. There are less tourists about, so we can enjoy a rather more pleasant experience, particularly in Florence. Il Museo Galileo, which is dedicated to the great man, is an amazing place for children and adults alike. Fantastic collections of antique scientific instruments and some great hands on experiences for those budding scientists or physicists. I love this sort of stuff. And, it’s only a short walking distance from the Uffizi Gallery and Palazzo Vecchio, beside the River Arno! It’s also a good excuse for going to Florence for lunch! Lets go together! 
In the evenings we are currently tucked in with the log fire and the DVD player. We have been wading through the whole of The Sweeny series from the 1970’s. A reader recently asked me what did I watch on TV? I rarely watch TV here in Italy, however, I love the TV series Don Matteo; it’s about the only thing that will encourage me to switch the television on! Terence Hill plays the local priest who has a shoulder to cry on and a clever detective brain for helping solve crimes. A new series has just started, hurrah! I also want to mention that Terence has made a new film in memory of his side-kick actor Bud Spencer. It is called ‘Il Mio nome e Thomas’ (My Name is Thomas) and was shown on Rai 1 television on New Year’s Eve. I am checking out the availibility of streaming or dvd purchase. I’ll let you know. Can’t believe that Terence is 80 now! And, he is Italian, so I have nominated him Senior Hunk of the Month! Foto Wikipedia
Yesterday was a festa because of Befana, the friendly witch who arrives to check on the childrens’ behavour over the festive period. If they have been good they get a present, if not a lump of coal. I can’t honestly say that I have ever seen a child holding a lump of coal or sporting black hands in evidence of being naughty. Befana also celebrates the end of the festive period, so life can return to normal! Phew.
Well, in many ways it’s good to return to work and to see all the shops and restaurants opening normally. This week we celebrate men’s fashion with Pitti uomo and you will see some amazing sites in Florence from today through to Friday. All the male fashionisti are strutting around the streets, trying to outdo each other. But oh, they have such style. Only in italy! Of course the fashion shops are open now too, so we have to go!
In our local village of Fiano a few days ago, my man and I left La Dispensa after morning coffee and was shocked to find a car parked with all four wheels on the road. The road has a white line along it, which is generally acknowledged as a ‘loading line’. To avoid parking on the line the Locals park half on the pavement thus avoiding having their wheels touching the line. The pathways are so damaged that it is accepted that pedestrians walk on the road, which is smoother anyway. I said to my man “Look at this, a car parked on the road which means I will have to walk around it!” Without batting an eyelid my man replied “Must be a foreigner!” I was heading for our lovely village ceramic shop to admire the Christmas window, you must come and visit it! I just love festive window displays
Now I can’t remember Fiano having it’s own Christmas Tree before. There is a magnificent one down in our local town of Certaldo next to the Festive Ice rink, which you may also like to visit. But in Fiano? Well here is a photo, unfortunately the main piazza is also a carpark, so I could not avoid getting a few cars in the picture too. But it certainly brightens things up!
Now here in Tuscany the conversation is rarely without the mention of mangare, eating. My man and I popped into Ristorante C’era Una Volta in Lucardo yesterday as he wanted some more pasta with tartufo Bianco (white truffles) before the season ended. I fancied the risotto and Paolo’s recipe is beyond delicous. Zucca Giallo, Salvio e Ricotta Affumicato, which translates as Pumpkin, Sage and Smoked Ricotta Cheese. Heres a foto to make your mouth water. Mmmm, it’s only 10.45 in the morning but I could eat some more right now!
What did I hear you say, did I promise you four December Hunks? Well, here they are, four beautiful Italian guys all dressed up and ready to go to your Christmas party or posh do. Which one is yours? I’ll get up and dance with any of them, it is nearly Christmas after all. Which reminds me, I must get some mistletoe this week.
Now, you know me. I am the eternal fun loving optimist. But this morning was awful. The trains were all running seriously late from Certaldo, so I said to my man ‘Empoli?” He jumped back in the car and we headed off for Empoli, which is where my man changes trains on the way to Pisa airport. But we both agreed that it might be better to drive straight to Pisa rather than risk more delays, so my man got in the driver’s seat. I like to live a relaxed lifestyle, which includes avoiding driving long distance and on fast motorways. On the journey back I went the old route along the Strada Provinciale, it takes longer but it is far more relaxed. It was OK until I got to the turning to Siena. A new bypass road has finally opened, which should have been a huge relief to the villages on the ‘A’ road to Siena via Certaldo, my home town. But the thoughtless road builders have either deliberately avoided building bridges or tunnels or did not have the cash, and have split villages in half with Berlin type walls! I ignored the ‘dead end’ signs and went to take a look, there weren’t even any pedestrian underpaths or bridges! So, this fun loving optimist is now furious! To avoid the new fast bypasses, I had to drive into Empoli and add a further half an hour to my journey. OK, I feel better now having shared this; time for a nice glass of Pinot Grigio! Foto dw.com
Last week we were taken by surprise to find that the frost had arrived before we had covered the terracotta plant pots in the garden. So my man rushed out to do the important deed and well done to him. But we love December and can all genuinely go around looking cheesy and admitting to loving Christmas! What, who said that? Not everyone likes Christmas; I cannot believe that for one moment. Just look at the delight on childrens’ faces as they press their noses up against Christmassy shop windows. And, the sparkle in the eyes of people wandering around the Christmas markets! If you can’t be happy for yourself be jolly for those that are! Here is a picture of our log fire to cheer you up!
n the foto of our fireplace you can see a framed ceramic tile bottom right, which is rather beautiful and was recently purchased from our firends at Ceramiche ‘Carbini Gabriella’ in our local village of Fiano. It covers a hole in the side of the iglenook, which was originally an opening for a fire to heat the metal cooking pot ring above it. I have mentioned Gabriella’s place before and will do so again, as it is full of ‘buy me’ ceramic things for presents.
Meanwhile, whilst browsing through the newspaper at La Dispensa at the weekend I found another beautiful outfit designed by one of my favourite Italian designers, Luisa Spagnoli. Have you ever seen such a beautiful cosy winter outfit made from tartan rugs? I think this deserves a top award of some kind!
And to keep the spirit of Christmas going, I thought you might like a picture of our Christmas Tree, which we put up in our large kitchen/family room. Having a big Tuscan kitchen is fantastic for everthing including my singing practice as the acoustics are so good. But more important than anything else is the pleasure of having friends and family to pranzo or cena in our kitchen, then toasting our tootsies in front of the fire in the sitting room, clutching a nice Italian digestivo.
Whilst writing, I would like to say a very big thank you for buying my boo
Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World,
But on a much brighter note, whilst reading the news with my morning coffee in Fiano, I found an article about one of Italy’s favourite Rock Stars, Luciano Ligabue, who has written a book about his life. He is now fifty-nine, poor thing. But here in Italy we aging rock singers are very popular, as you know, so I don’t know what he’s worried about. Luciano is a good looking guy, if you like your man a little rough around the edges, and is a great guitarist. The Italians love his voice, which is gravelly and shouty, not my favourite sound but nevertheless his live performances certainly have an all embracing wall of great sound. 
Oh yes, nearly forgot, a friend just reminded me that tomorrow (Sunday) is an evening of entertainment at the Old Cinema in our local village of Fiano. There is a great theatre group in the area and you will enjoy this play even if you don’t speak Italian. There is still time to pop into the bar and get a ticket! Enjoy!
And, last but not least, we are relieved to have Paolo and Gaia back at Ristorante C’era Una Volta just up the road in Lucardo. They had been off on a three week break visiting Instanbal and some other places, where they acquired a nice golden tan! We were presented with the most delicous platters of pasta with generous shavings of Tartufo Bianco (white truffles) over the top. Found locally in the woods, Paolo’s supplier of this food of the gods really knows where to look! Bless his woolly socks and truffle dog. Yummy!
Sunday morning and it’s a little scary here in our normally sunny spot in Chianti. The wind is picking up and the shutters have started banging; yes, there is a storm coming. The forecast is for serious storms in both the north and south of Italy; we are not expected to be hit so badly, but I think we will tuck in for the day. I’ll make us some comfort food like pear crumble. Yes, I know, how English, but to be honest we mostly go out to eat Italian and I tend to keep to recipes I have known for years. I am not a creative cook, I’d prefer to employ one, but that would be very lazy indeed and my man actually likes my cooking, bless him. 
Meanwhile, back in the relative calm of La Dispensa, our local coffee bar and alimentare in Fiano, my man and I are enjoying our coffee and reading the local and national newspapers. “ha, ha, just look at this picture!” My man passes his paper to me and there is a picture of Niccolo Machiavelli by Antonio Maria Crespi. Just look at that profile! There, almost four hundred years ago, was the original Mr Bean, or should I say Rowan Atkinson. There is also a family in Montespertoli that resembles Mr Bean, particularly the daughter, bless her cotton socks. Perhaps they are descendants of the great Machiavelli?
But lets move on and enjoy a bit more Italian Fashion. I spotted this perfect Autumn outfit yesterday. Personally I would wear flat boots with this, but on this model the whole outfit looks great. I have checked out the website for 
Before I start, I must apologise. I have spent most of the weekend watching the Rugby World Cup, instead of writing to you. So I trust you can forgive me for making this blog a little shorter than usual as it is already lunchtime on Sunday! What a great match yesterday, England played incredibly well, the poor All Blacks couldn’t even get a look in. So today’s match between Wales and South Africa was rather an anti-climax. Anyway, now we know that the final next weekend will be England vs South Africa. Make sure you diary date to watch it! Foto UK Telegraph
I must also mention that the local farmers
Well, must dash off to lunch, but will add a little more to this blog when I return. OK, I’m back and ready to tidy this blog and get it off to you. But before I go I thought you might like to enjoy this bottle of Sticciano’s Cantastorie Rosso with me, which my man and I had with lunch at C’era una Volta Ristorante. Ooops sorry, we finished it off. Oh well, perhaps next time!
Sometimes a little sadness cannot be avoided, but at the same time a smile can come out of such occasions. On October 12 we said addio to that very funny Italian actor from Naples, Carlo Croccolo, a face never to be forgotten. He was 92. Carlo worked alongside the likes of Toto and many other famous Italian actors. What most of us did not realise was that he was a prolific Interpreter and dubber. He actually interpreted 118 films and was the dubbed voice behind some very famous people including Laurel and Hardy! He also wrote and directed three films of his own! He also worked in the theatre and on TV most recently playing the fisherman Totonno in the series ‘Capri’ as recent as 2010. I loved his character and it’s worth revisiting some of his old comedy films from the 50’s like ’47 dead talking’ with Toto.
Meanwhile, if you are walking through Piazza Santa Croce in Florence, staring down at your phone, you might bump into a Very Big Book. Yes, that’s what I said, a very big book! It is actually an instillation celebrating Zanichelli’s new amazing updated ‘Vocabularly of the Italian Language.’ A must for every Italian speaker or student of the language. Well that’s started my Christmas present list off then! 
Then, if you keep walking, and it also happens to be the evening, you can follow the smell of roasting Italian chestnuts. By this time I hope your phone will be put back in your pocket! There are lots of opportunities to join organised trips to find your own chestnuts in the Tuscan countryside. And, organised is better as there are a lot of hunters about carrying guns; at least one local hunter gets killed or badly injured every season! Foto BeautifulItaly.
But enough of that, back to my adored world of Italian fashion! Hand made Italian shoes and boots. Just that sentence alone makes one drool. My man has hand made shoes with his name inscribed inside. He once had to take a shoe off in a UK bank to prove who he was, as he had left his identification behind! It worked! Anyway, his first shoes he bought in Arezzo, but they were made in Florence. However, there is a factory near Arezzo called Soldini Scarpe, which you may like to visit if you are in the area. This advert reminded me. Don’t you just love the woman’s hair colour in the picture? 
What else did I want to tell you? Oh yes, how could I forget, Italian made Pasta of course! In the paper the other day, was a very revealing article on the making and exporting of Italian pasta. I knew that a lot of the stuff was made, but was amazed to find that 58% of production of spaghetti and macaroni is exported and worth 2.4 billion euros a year! Mind you, I know from experience that the quality here is the highest in the world. Even we gluten free diners can enjoy delicous Italian made pastas at home and in the ristorante. My last pasta dish was tagliatelle with fresh porcini; just wonderful. Porcini is being collected locally in the woods, I just adore this time of year. Not long before White Truffles (tartufo bianco) will be served at ‘C’era una Volta’, our favourite ristorante in Lucardo.
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