Yes, it’s pouring down with rain here and thunder has been rumbling across a leaden sky all morning. And, when we came back from morning coffee in Fiano, the electricity had gone! It was so dark and gloomy we lit a candle and placed it on the coffee table! Funny how, even in Tuscany, we have the same dilemmas as every other country that normally has electricity, what shall we do now? There was enough light to see but not to read. We contemplated lighting the log fire, but it wasn’t cold enough. Then, the moment we decided to relax and sit in the rather pleasant candle light to talk, it came back on again!
Despite unpredictable weather, October is a very popular time for visiting Artist Groups; some are currently packed into the holiday cottages just up the lane. The forecast is so bad this week that I am starting to feel sorry for them. I use to get a little irritated by the fact that they had positioned their easels so that they could paint the vineyards with our home in the middle, or in our gateway so that they could paint our view! But I have discovered something called tolerance, I can’t say I feel the same about the hunters though, but that’s another subject! foto ancoradelchianti.
But I cannot deny that right now the Autumn vines are a site to behold and a joy to paint. This picture was taken by my friend Ute who works at Villa Il Pozzo, just down the road. Every year I see the vines changing colour and there is one spot coming out of Fiano that is glorious, but difficult to photograph. So with Ute’s permission, I am sharing her foto which was taken from Villa Il Pozzo just a few days ago. Absolutely gorgeous. http://www.villailpozzo.it
Meanwhile, the banks are full of golden yellow wild crocuses. Also the ground is throwing up an amazing number of different fungi, a fascinating time.
And, at last we have Tartufo Bianco, White Truffles, being served at Paolo’s restaurant C’era un Volta and are now just about affordable. I set up the table ready for the arrival of my plate so I could photgraph it for you. Then to my horror my man said ‘What are you doing? You’ve just scoffed two huge mouthfuls without taking a foto first!” So I must apologise, I just couldn’t wait as it was our first taste of the season, food of the gods, that’s all I can say. So sorry about the gap in the middle!
So, what to do on this cold wet Sunday? I know, some on-line window fashion shopping will sort me out. Somehow, Italian men and women fashionisti seem to be recognisable wherever they go. Oh, we say, they must be Italian! Now, I love Italian Fashion, as you know, but somehow despite being very Italianised I still can’t quite pass myself off as anything other than English. But I can dream, can’t I? foto whowhatwear.co.uk
Anyway, perhaps we should light the log fire and have a nice glass of wine before lunch. How about you?
Do get in touch, I love to hear from my readers. Hoping you are well and safe in your little bit of the world.
Salute June
Ps Visit my author website at http://www.junefinnigan.website
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!
I just love Christmas and I feel sad for those that do not. For me it is much more than a religious festival, it is a time when families get together again and to take some quiet time chilling in front of a log fire, without feeling guilty for a few days. Our kitchen is now all festive, ready for gatherings of friends or family who happen to pass by.
Here in our little bit of Chianti, we will move the TV from my man’s study to the sitting room and watch really silly DVD’s of UK sitcoms and some good films, in front of the fire. Italian TV is terrible, just don’t go there! We will get the old board games out and thoroughly enjoy ourselves. What will you be up to?
As you know I am a keen follower of Italian fashion labels and it’s been great to see models walking down the catwalk in Christmas Sweaters! It seems lots celebrities have been spotted wearing them! This is very good news in my view, the brighter the better. Try not to smile when you are chatting to someone wearing one, you can’t do it can you? Chuckle. The more reasons we have to put smiles on our faces the better. If you girlies want something festive yet sophisticated, I spotted this lovely cashmere one from Somers, always one of my favourite Italian sweater designers. 
Now you know how much I love Italian food, I harp on enough about it, but at Christmas time there are somethings I really miss. These include mince pies, sage & onion stuffing mix, parsnips, Birds Custard and Branston Pickle. But all is not lost. My man will be popping over to London for a visit before Christmas and will bring some of these things home with him. Otherwise we have Richmond’s British Food Shop, which delivers to your home in Tuscany! 
Meanwhile, back at our regular local ristorante, C’era una Volta, Paolo has done it again. He has secured a good fresh supply of Tartufo Bianco, white truffles to you and me, and we had lots grated over our pasta yesterday for lunch. Heaven! Here in the picture is his hoard, which won’t last long even at the high price these dishes demand! So whilst I miss some of the English foods at Christmas, pasta and white truffles more than makes up for that! 
But we don’t care about that! Here’s a really funny foto my man saw in the paper. Silvio was obviously blowing out such a blast of hot air again that poor Dudù is having to hang on for dear life! Ha ha!
On our return, we were keen to hear about the wardrobe. Did they find a body? But they quickly changed the subject and strangely announced that they had upgraded us to the Cathedral Hotel Suite for the night! Mmmm. We opened the door and were swallowed by a massive three roomed suite, dripping in old gilt furniture and a huge bathroom with a freestanding copper bath! When I went to the toilet in the dead of night, I heard a door creaking open. When I came out, someone or something had opened the door to the old grandfather clock! Oooooooh! Photos P Finnigan. visit the 
Meanwhile, we have returned to C’era una Volta restaurant in Luccardo, to enjoy the Tartufo Bianco (white truffles). Big shavings sprinkled over buttered pasta; food of the gods! Some people don’t like the taste, so I’ve heard, but we just love it! Photo J Finnigan.
And, it’s the time for roasting chestnuts (castagna or marone)! The Italians love this season and are out there collecting bagfuls in the woodland. Unfortunately, other hunters are about, the shooting kind, so things can get a little hairy out there. The chestnuts are not just roasted, they are celebrated like so many other foods, with Festas across the country. Foto La Nazione.
Ah, and not to forget. I always keep a look out for Autumn Fashion to drool over every week and I thought you might like these ‘hand-made in Italy’ shoes, from igi & Co. Chunky smart shoes and ankle boots are all the rage here. Visit 
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
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