Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World.
I can’t help it, I love Christmas and this week’s blog is all about the festive season.
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
Back in La Dispensa, I had been reading the papers and looking for some interesting Rock Concerts. Then I noticed a poster for a local concert in Marcialla on 21 December in that lovely little theatre called Teatro Comunale Regina margherita, yes, the one with the lovely soft red velvet seats! Now it’s not all rock, but it looks like a great band with a whole range of instruments. It’s headed up by the very popular Fabrizio De Andrè You tube who has a lovely way with the acoustic guitar. Perhaps we should all go? Book tickets Here or telephone 055 807 4348.
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 don’t forget, if you have bought all three of my books below, you are entitled to a free signed short story book called The Man in Black. Just send me a copy receipt or a foto of your books. It’s my treat for Christmas and to thank you for buying my books. I love my readers. Email me at june.finnigan@virgin.net.
Just in case next weekend proves difficult to get a blog done, may I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and exciting New Year. Do get in touch.
Salute June x
PS Books are not just for Christmas, they are lifetime companions. My site
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!
Yet another potentially beautiful day in Tuscany! I say potentially because it is currently overcast and raining again, however, the weekend was lovely and my man and I dropped down to Certaldo for the market (mercato) on the Saturday morning. I like to shop from the smaller stall holders who are selling the fruit and veg grown in their own garden or orto. It all looked wonderfully fresh after the rain and it was a joy to be there in the cooler air and amongst the jolly shoppers of Certaldo. I also bought some delicious cheeses, both sheep and goat’s cheese, again local products. I don’t get to the market often enough and must get back to going every Saturday morning. Not long before all the Christmas stuff will be about and Certaldo comes into it’s own at this time of year. Exciting isn’t it!
And on the subject of Italian cheeses, you may be surprised to know that the country produces an awful lot more than Parmesan! The Gran Reserve Leonardi has just won gold in the A1 World Cheese Awards, and it’s a Gorgonzola! Just look at this massive range of cheeses made in Italy, don’t they make you salivate? I adore cheese and I always get in a big choice at Christmas time. Must have some for lunch!
Meanwhile, I read that Andrea Bocelli has launched a new album. (Foto from his Facebook page.) Now, as well as books, it’s rather nice to buy albums for Christmas and this latest one sounds wonderful. Last Christmas we treated ourselves to a new record player, so all our old albums can be played again! Andrea’s album includes wonderful duets with Ellie Goulding and Jennifer Garner amongst other guest performers. It is called ‘Si Forever’ and can be bought or streamed 
The other thing I really love at Christmas time is old Italian films. Some of the comedies are really brilliant and what with so many Italian actor icons dying off, it’s good to keep these films on the shelf. Sophia, bless her, is still very much alive, but so many of her co-stars like Marcello Mastroianni, are not. What a formidable acting team those two made! By now you have probably worked out that I am a horder of books, records and DVD’s. No I am not digital, well maybe a little bit. I am a little sad that buying gifts like diaries, calendars, CD’s and watches are just not of interest to the younger lot, as everything is digital now! Yes, my thoughts have gone all festive already. It was not my intention to start talking about Christmas, but it is only six weeks or so away! Foto from Facebook.
Now I’m going to mention my books as we are on a Festive roll at the moment. I really want to encourage you to buy real books this christmas. If any of you buy my current trilogy, My Father, The Assassin, The Bolivian Connection & The Italian Connection between now and Christmas and in paperback form, I will be delighted to send you a signed copy of my short story The Man in Black. Just email me a copy of your receipt and your postal address. june.finnigan@virgin.net. Visit my website for easy access to on-line purchasing. 
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.
“look at this lot, all crushed under car tires and ignored!” My man, having been a champion player in his youth, is bemoaning the fact that hundreds of conkers are going to waste in the Piazza in Fiano, which is also a car park. There are several big Horse Chestnut trees growing around the edge of the Piazza that are looked after quite well and pruned when needed. They also provide shade for villagers during the summer months so that they can sit outside and enjoy village life. But, O Dio, the poor conkers are left to be crushed by the cars! My man decided to check this disaster out with Rossella at La Dispensa, our local alimentare and coffee bar. ‘No’ she replied in very good English, ‘We have never heard of conkers!’ My man was visibly upset by this. How could generations of children never have picked up the conkers, selecting the best, threading the old shoe lace through and leaving them to dry in the sun? He decided to rectify this and between us we threaded up two conkers and took them in this morning. Rossella and her handsome young amore, Alessio, thought this hilarious. So we showed them how to play, rather restricted by all the breakables around us and here is a foto. You have to look closely for the conkers, but I think my man will have started a whole new craze in Tuscany! Foto J Finnigan
Meanwhile, yesterday evening was the big celebration party for having won the beautiful hand-made Calambur banner. The banner was apparently made by a disabled person, I will try to find out more. If you want to see how the Italians celebrate, here is the village crammed into the Old Cinema, enjoying a feast of home-made food and gallons of wine. Foto Rione ‘Le Fonte’ Fiano, Facebook page.
Earlier in the day I managed to capture one of the villagers and got him to pose in the bar next to the banner. Let me introdude you to the very handsome Massimo Maccari, who always has a smile on his face and readily posed for his picture. Sorry ladies, I have to tell you that he is happily married and the father of two children, but I promise to find you a Hunk of the Month for October soon. Foto J Finnigan
On a quieter note, I do love Italian men’s classical clothes. Other than my man, very few men can wear beautiful tailored outfits and still look sexy. I know, here I am a bit of a Rock Chick, black is my signature colour, but I do like to be seen with a man who can really wear his clothes well. My man, being ex-military and having a naturaly tall balanced frame, finds it impossible to look scruffy. Clothes hang on him like he is made for them. The alternative to being like my Englishman is to be born Italian, as male models here just have that subtle edge. Don’t you agree? 
Then I noticed something quite different for we ladies (I prefer to say girlies, but you know how it is). This outfit from Fracomina is strikingly different, a subtle designer edge to the jeans and matching cuffs, very clever. And, the jaunty little cap to set it off! I would order this but just need to slim down a bit first…… 
Earlier in the week two copies of that gorgeous magazine Envy Italy arrived. I do like the hard copies, but you can also read it free on-line, so no need to miss out! My beautiful daughter Sharon is joint Editor of this lovely publication, which is full of everything you need to know about the best things that Italy has to offer. The theme is ‘Eat, Stay, Love’ and this Autumn Winter edition has a focus on ‘gourmet’ featuring the finest foods and wines in the Country. Wonderful features too, so go on spoil yourselves! 
Meanwhile, Fiano is preparing for the formal celebration of the winning the much coveted banner at the Calambur event a couple of weeks ago! If you woud like to meet the locals and join in the celebrations get your tickets ASAP!
They are often assisted by the big gorgeous white Maremmena sheepdogs, easily mistaken for sheep, which certainly fools any predators! The resulting cheese is called Pecorino (Italian for sheep) and is truly delicous ranging form a very soft young version to a very mature hard one. Other cheeses to love include Buffala Mozzarella and the creamy soft Burrata, which I adore, the latter being made from both cow and sheep’s milk, so you woud need to check if avoiding Lactose. Foto petGuide.com
Meanwhile, yesterday Sunday, the weather was lovely and Roberto Manetti, our local sculptor, finally unvieled his lovely sculpture, ‘Le Speranza che Le Mani’, which does not easily translate into English. So perhaps one of my local Italian readers might send me the English version. The sculpture shows three of Roberto’s charming little characters holding hands across a globe, which signifies to me the reaching out in friendship across the world. I love it. Foto J Finnigan
And, the final celebration of the week was Silvio Berlusconi’s 83rd birthday. Well, love him or hate him, he keeps forging on, at the edge of the political scene with his long suffering and much younger fiancé, Francesca Pascale, who was absent from the birthday party in Arcora. How long are you normally a fiancé? It’s been a few years now. I wonder who is postponing the wedding; Silvio, Francesca or Dudu the dog. There are rumours……watch this space!
Meanwhile, that other great Italian beauty and brilliant actress Sophia Loren, has been celebrating her 85th! Can you believe it? she still scrubs up very well indeed and why not I hear you say. For me Sophia will always be the most iconic Italian actress of all time. She was so good at serious and funny parts, playing opposite the likes of Peter Sellers and Marciello Mastroianni. I have a whole collection of DVD’s and, dare I say, old videos of her films that I will watch again at Christmas! Just noticed in the paper that she accompanied eight-five year old Valentino to his Green Carpet Fashion Award ceremony! Rock on Sophia!
Back in our local village of Fiano, my man and I take our morning coffee and read the newspapers at La Dispensa. By the way, La Dispensa translates to The Larder. An English friend thought it was a little confusing because it sounds like Dispensary, which is normally found in Chemists. So here you are, the true meaning is correct as it is a grocers, butchers and bar combined. Back to yesterday’s paper and I noticed an advert for a new Festive Art Exhibiton at the famous Palazzo Strozzi in Florence. This one I must attend as it brings together the likes of Gauguin, Matisse and Picasso! It starts on 28 September and runs until 12 January. Yes, I know, yet another excuse to have lunch in Florence!
Meanwhile, September is the month for the Annual Slow Travel Fest, which is hugely popular and takes walkers slowly and gently through the Tuscan countryside whilst stopping off for wine and food tastings, Art and Music. What a lovely way to spend three days. Go to 
Roberto Manetti, our lovely sculptor friend and all round nice man, has donated a sculpture to Fiano, but oh no, heavy rain has postponed the unveiling so make sure you are there next Sunday 29 September at 7pm instead! The sculpture will be unveiled in the Communual Gardens behind the apartment block opposite La Dispensa. My man and I visited Roberto’s studios a couple of years ago, his characters seem to be part of their own world of little people and, most of his works have a little dog or cat looking out. I just love them. See next week’s blog for pictures of the actual event!
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