Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely followers around The World
Well, where to start? Here in Beautiful Tuscany the dreaded lurgy played a big part in shaping Christmas and New Year Celebrations. ‘You’re not alone’ I hear you say. Yes, I know this to be true, having friends and family all over the world who have had to make the best of things. Like many self-employed people, I found it difficult to relax despite the fact that we have been working from home for years now, so nothing much had changed! But I did get the guitar out and tried to get to grips with an on-line course. This then, prompted me to think about my repertoire for the next Rock Chick Band Concert, currently penciled in for June 17. So I had a few fun hours singing along to some great rock tracks; watch this space! Foto Certaldo Alto.
A pre-Xmas family restaurant lunch ended up with just the two of us. In saying that my man and I rediscovered Il Pirate Restaurant in the centre of Certaldo and enjoyed a very nice meal indeed. It was also quiet as fewer people were eating out at this point in time. They do a delicious pasta sauce called Crema di Zucca, which translates to Cream of Pumpkin and my gluten free pasta was perfectly cooked. See pizzeria il pirata certaldo on Facebook.
One bonus about not eating out so much is my man’s newly discovered pleasure in cooking! Since my little accident at the end of July, it has been a slow recovery and he has had little choice but to start cooking. So thank goodness, he has discovered he likes his own cooking more than mine and reckons he cooks up some better meals than our local restaurants! I have to say that I agree with him, but don’t tell him I said that! I do like to eat out. Note his new professional apron.
A couple of weeks before Xmas our Grandson, who plays rugby for Siena, had enjoyed a great winning performance against a very strong team up north. Sadly, members of both teams went down with Covid, all were told to isolate and the series has now been put on hold. But being so proud of him, I had to include a foto of our boy in action.
Well, today is Sunday 2 January. The sky is overcast and tomorrow will be a working day for us. Ooh, I’ve made that sound a bit gloomy, which was not intended. I’m actually looking forward to a very rewarding 2022 from a business point of view. I would also like to say thank you for buying my books last year, I hope to have book four in the series out in the spring or early summer. I’ll keep you posted.
What else? Oh yes, very important, I want to thank my man with all my heart for his support over the last few months and during my slow recovery. Apparently I was a terrible patient! But, he still loves me! Proof of this was the surprise gift two days after Xmas of this lovely heart box full of chocolates!
Now, life remains very good here in our little bit of the Chianti Hills and whilst there are restrictions we can still function very well. We are currently in a Yellow Zone which means showing our Green Passes (at least two vaccines) in restaurants and other public venues. Schools are verging on home studies again so our granddaughter is preparing for the worse scenario.
Do get in touch, I love to hear from my readers. http://www.junefinnigan.website
Salute June x
Well it can take one’s breath away and I’m talking about the stunning view from our lovely home, which we see every morning in different colours. This picture was yesterday morning as the sun was rising and encouraging the mist to form in the valleys below us. We have had a lot of cold damp weather and this combined with sunshine, is the time of year to see fabulous misty sculptures, ‘lakes’ and hilltops resembling ‘islands’ cut off by the mist.
And yes, today Sunday, is yet another beautiful day in Tuscany. It’s cold but the air is fresh and a little damp, which accentuates the gorgeous winter smells of the countryside around us. Blossom is now everywhere, various fruit trees, hawthorn and the tree in the picture, please remind me of it’s name, in the piazza. Our local village of Fiano was it’s usual self. Everyone still smiley if keeping a respectful distance apart and, of course, doing jerky movements that should have ended in hugs or handshakes, but didn’t for the obvious reasons. This last week was a little strange without the sound of children laughing and squealing in the village playground. We met young Giacomo, who is about eleven or twelve, maybe thirteen, kicking a lonely football around the village. He’s the lovely boy who found my stolen purse a couple of years ago after we went to the theatre. Ah, and our local ceramic workshop and gallery, Ceramiche D’arte Carbini, is open today, so that’s another good thing! I always wave to Gabriella who today was hidden behind a massive vase she was painting! Do call in if you are passing through.
I have worked hard at finding some good news for you as the papers are dominated by the virus. Firstly, I see our very good friend from Tavernelle, the modern artist Patrizio Landolfi is exhibiting in Florence. He painted this beautiful David Bowie picture, which I would love to own but is too big for my limited wall space. You will find more of his paintings hanging on the walls at Osteria la Gramola in Tavernelle. I love his work.
I have also found a promotion for Italian Cheeses. I absolutely adore Italian cheese, from the squidgy buffala mozzarella to the mature pecorino. I confess to have stocked up a little as cheese will keep us going indefinitely, come what may!
Well, must start thinking about Sunday lunch. We are well stocked with food, no evidence of shortages here in Tuscany. Ah, I think I’ll do Ceci Pancakes stuffed with spinach and feta, that’s a firm favourite. I must confess that it’s all very easy, as I buy the ready made Torta di Ceci at the Coop. Judy Witts Fancini, our local celebrity cook told me how to make my own, and that’s also easy. One cup of ceci flour to an equal amount of water, whisk and fry like normal pancakes. (Ceci translates to chick Peas) But I have a stock of the Coop ones, so today…….sorry Judy. You should look the lovely Judy up, she’s got a fabulous cook book of Tuscan favourites. 
Junefinnigan's Weblog 