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The Bolivian Connection, Lunch in the Garden, 12th Day and My man’s Birthday in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 11, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my lovely Loyal and New Followers

I am so very excited!  Last Tuesday, I finished my novel ‘The Bolivian Connection’ and today I gave the first draft, after editing, to my man to read on his birthday!  When I have been writing for several hours, and particularly when I have completed a very pleasing episode, I can barely speak.  It’s as if I have been shouting the story out loud!  Do any of you other writers experience this strange phenomenon?  My man is quite pleased when this happens, because not only am I a happy rabbit, it is also very peaceful due to my whispering.  He is always my first port of call for reading my work.  He is highly critical and a perfectionist.   So over the next few days he’ll be off to London and reading the manuscript during his spare time.  When he has done his thing, I will send the it off for a professional edit in London and finally select the new cover and organise the publication. So watch this space.

Our first narcissi and the mimosa tree peeking between the tree trunks. Photo J Finnigan

Our first narcissus and the mimosa tree peeking between the tree trunks.
Photo J Finnigan

The other great thing that happened last Tuesday, as if to congratulate me, the wind dropped and a hot sun turned our upper terrace back into an outside dining area, so we had lunch Al Fresco and a glass or three of fizz!  What a perfect day.  Also this last week, I organised my lovely sister-in-law to come out from England at the end of March, as she has agreed to do all our spring potting.  I’m really looking forward to that.  Our January garden is currently doing quite well.  Whilst most of the fragile plants are under cover or wrapped in muslim, we can still enjoy flowering Cyclamen, Primula, a couple of Narcissus opening up and the Fiorentina purple Irises.  The Mimosa is now a big tree and heavy with buds just waiting to burst into bright yellow blossom.

Benedetta's puppy Leo, races around Laura's Bar trying to help. Photo J Finnigan

Benedetta’s puppy Leo, races around Laura’s Bar trying to help.
Photo J Finnigan

Back at Laura’s bar/alimentare in Fiano, Benedetta’s fast growing puppy Leo, was helping to dismantle the Christmas Decorations on 12th day.  Running around with a tinkly bell in his mouth, which was retrieved just in time before he swallowed it!  But things are returning to normal.  As you will have heard me say before, the Italians love a Festa and will prolong it as far as they possibly can.  Then another Festa pops up, and work stops again, like last Tuesday, which was Befana (Day of the Witch).

The Man leads the way to Ristorante 'C'era una Volta' wearing his new birthday hat. Photo J Finnigan

The Man leads the way to Ristorante ‘C’era una Volta’ wearing his new birthday hat.
Photo J Finnigan

It is now Sunday, the day after my man’s birthday and we have just come back from meeting our beautiful daughter and granddaughter at Bar Solferino in Certaldo for coffee and presents.  My man was sporting his new birthday hat, which I think really suits him.  Shortly we will pop up to Ristorante ‘C’era una Volta’ for lunch as I really don’t have the energy to cook, so that will be nice.  Last night we went down for supper at Ristorante Latini, just over the border from Certaldo in the Provincia di San Gimingiano and ate lovely creamy deserts and drank Vin Santo.  Yes I know, we are always eating out, but I love it.

Farty Barty returns to refuel. Photo J Finnigan

Farty Barty returns to refuel.
Photo J Finnigan

Meanwhile, Farty Barty the cat is strutting his stuff.  Dissapearing off on dates and returning briefly to refuel.

Well, must go and make myself beautiful again as it’s time to go to lunch.

Have a really great week and do drop me a line.

Amore June x

PS  Here is the direct link for my novel ‘My Father, The Assassin.’  You can also visit http://www.amazon.com & http://www.amazon.eu

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Granddog Sitting, Gorgeous Sunsets, A Villa full of Smoke, A Dog Drinking Coffee and A Motley Crew of Shooters in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 5, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Buon Anno and welcome to all my Lovely Loyal and New Followers

LB (standing) and Zoe after a game of rugby. Photo P Finnigan

LB (standing) and Zoe after a game of rugby.
Photo P Finnigan

A gorgeous Sunset Phot P Finnigan

A gorgeous Sunset
Photo P Finnigan

Granddog sitting is wonderful.  There is nothing nicer than cuddling up to a granddog who loves you unconditionally and only harasses you when pulling furiously on the lead.  Oh yes, and barking to be let out really early in the morning, because that is what they are used to!  So there we were, my man and I, enjoying  Zoe’s and LB’s company on New Year’s Eve, whilst the family went off skiing on the French/Italian border.  Our daughter and family have recently moved to the middle of nowhere between San Gimigiano and Volterra and the views to the west coast are fantastic.  We saw the New Year in watching the fireworks from our lofty eyrie.  My man stayed on for a further two nights, witnessing some gorgeous sunsets, whilst I returned to Farty Barty the cat and to complete the last few chapters of my novel ‘The Bolivian Connection.’

Another gorgeous sunset Photo P Finnigan

Another gorgeous sunset
Photo P Finnigan

It has been said, particularly by my man, that I am a disaster if left to my own devices, because my head is so full of fiction.  On Saturday evening when my man was returning home, I lit the log fire that he had laid before he left.  I put the guard in front and returned to my desk to write a few more lines.  I was a little longer than I intended, and suddenly I smelt smoke.  Disaster!  Smoke was swirling up the stairs so I opened the landing window, then rushed down, almost choking on the way, to find the sitting room ceiling thick with the dark grey stuff.  I threw open the french windows and then the front door.  Thank god, I had not opened any of the upstairs bedroom doors.  I grabbed a rug and started swirling it around like a human fan and tried to get closer to the fireplace, which was still billowing out smoke.  There must be something stuck up there, I thought.  Then, somewhere in the depths of my memory I heard my man saying, “Now this is the second time I’m going to remind you.  I have closed the metal cover in the chimney to keep the cold out.  If you are going to light the fire DO NOT FORGET TO OPEN IT!”  “S..T” I gasped, “You idiot June!”  I groaned aloud as I coughed and spluttered with my head in the fireplace trying not to singe my hair.  Somehow, I grabbed the lever  and managed to open the cover.  Ten minutes later the house was almost clear of smoke, but I was not going to be able to disguise the smell.  I just knew my man would walk in and I would have to tell him the truth.  Dammit!

Back at Laura’s bar/alimentare in Fiano, my man and I are enjoying our morning coffee.  At the next table a local lady is sharing her coffee with her pet miniature dog.  Well this is Italy, coffee is a way of life, as is Chianti here in Tuscany.  Sadly, Laura had gone down with flu and Benadetta had succumbed overnight, so their husbands were manning the fort.  It’s the time of year for the hunters to be out and about in the countryside and I have to say they are not my favourite people.  A motley crew of three came into the bar wearing muddy boots  and camouflage gear.  It is not a gentleman’s sport here, shooting wildlife, it is the working country folk (contadini) who are mostly out there at first light on a sunday morning, shouting and firing at whatever moves.  However, I remind myself that this is all part of life’s rich tapestry, but when this motley crew started cracking walnuts in their hands and throwing the shells into the bin clearly marked ‘paper only’ I was not impressed.  Hey ho….

Silvio "I am a normal human being, look eight fingers and two thumbs!

Silvio “I am a normal human being, look eight fingers and two thumbs!

Francis “Well halo, halo. I am an exalted human being, see my wings?”

No time to check out Silvio Berlusconi’s activities I’m afraid, however, his picture was in this morning’s paper, so he’s obviously still out there strutting his stuff.   On the next page was a picture of our other Laughing Cavalier, Pope Francis greeting the New Year with his fan club in Rome and welcoming fifteen new cardinals to his mens’ only club.

Well, must go, things to do , places to go and people to see.  Once again Buon Anno to you all you lovely people, and see you next week.

Amore June x

 

 

PS  Here is the direct link for my novel ‘My Father, The Assassin’ by J W Finnigan. You can also visit http://www.amazon.com & http://www.amazon.eu

 

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A Striking Slug, IKEA, The Man Cooking, Grandkids and A Chocolate Fountain in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 29, 2014| Leave a Comment »

A Festive welcome to all my Loyal and New Followers

Early Christmas Morning, thick fog fills the valley below our villa. Photo P Finnigan

Early Sunday morning before Christmas, thick fog fills the valley below our villa.
Photo P Finnigan

“Oh no, we’ve got another one and he’s moving at the speed of a striking slug!” My man gasped.  We had pulled in behind a battered old Fiat at the self-service petrol pump, and the equally battered old driver was struggling to understand the money machine that paid for the petrol and then sent instructions to the pump.  As there had been a queue of just one, we had decided to stop for petrol at this cheaper pump, rather than the other one that was serviced, and as we did so, another car pulled in behind and trapped us in.  We watched in horror as the doddery old boy tapped at various buttons and then went to open his petrol cap.  Meanwhile, his driver’s door was wide open.  He then went around to the passenger door and opened that as well, leaned in and rummaged a bit, then returned to the pump forgetting to close it.  He then went to talk to the proprietor, who came over to help out.  Finally, he got into the car to drive away with his petrol cap and passenger door still open, so I leapt (well hauled myself) out of our car to warn him.  Meanwhile, the Italians now queuing up behind us were quite naturally sounding their horns.  You may ask why have I told you about this, well living in Italy, some things just have to be said.

Christmas morning Fiorentino Iris in the garden. Photo J Finnigan

Christmas morning Fiorentino Iris in the garden.
Photo J Finnigan

The Following day was Monday and we set off early, all bright and bushy tailed, for IKEA near Florence, as I was determined to get a new kitchen dresser before Christmas.  I won’t bore you with the visit, apart from mentioning the hilarious site of a chappy trying to squeeze massive boxes into a tiny car.  Half an hour later he had taken it all out, tried another way and failed miserably.  “Look at that idiot, he’s got a roof rack, why is he not using it?”  My man scoffed.  Why indeed?  The next morning, Tuesday, we took the time out to put the new dresser together.  Never have I experienced such a complicated and lengthy process, just to have our glasses and china sitting in a nice off-white glass cabinet.  After two hours I decided to pop some veggies in the oven to roast.  An hour later, they were all cooked so I turned the oven off and left them to keep warm.  Another hour later and we had finally finished the cabinet!  The roasted veggies were black and unidentifiable, but we were so hungry we ate them anyway, washed down with a good Pinot Grigio.  Never again!

The view from the sofa on Christmas Day Evening. Photo J Finnigan

The view from the sofa on Christmas Day Evening.
Photo J Finnigan

Christmas day arrived.  This is the only day of the year when my man cooks.  I still need to supervise and hurry things along, because if he’s left to his own devices he’ll take four hours or more to achieve what a normal person does in half an hour!  But it’s the thought that counts.  I defrosted some plums that we had picked in the garden a few months earlier and made some lovely creamy desserts, whilst looking over my shoulder and giving directions as needed.  He had bought some parsnips in England and brought them home on his last trip, so we had some lovely roast potatoes and vegis, with red peppers packed with a nutty stuffing, topped with scamorza cheese.  Yummy.

Chocolate Fountain and dips. Photo P Finnigan

Chocolate Fountain and dips.
Photo P Finnigan

On Boxing Day, we bootled off to our daughter’s new home between San Gimignano and Volterra for present opening and lunch with the grandkids.  A perfect family day of course, lovely lunch followed by the excitment of a new Chocolate Fountain Machine, which gurgled hot melted chocolate up and over, well yes, a little fountain.  We dipped fruit, biscuits and cake into the chocolate and our grandson became so mesmarised that we had to prize his attention away before he made himself irreversibly sick!

Giorgio waits to be noticed, his paw slightly raised.

Giorgio waits to be noticed, his paw slightly raised. Photo J Finnigan

Another highlight of my Christmas was a plate of gluten free mini-macaroons and sweet desserts, handed in by my lovely neighbour and celebrity cook Judy Witts-Francini.  This was such a treat for me; thank you so much Judy xx

And finally, to all our friends in Fiano for the festive chat and shouts of ‘Auguri’ from all and sundry, and we do hope that Giorgio the cat did get rewarded for his long wait outside the butchers.

Do drop me a line and I would really love it if you happened to read ‘My Father, The Assassin’ over the holiday and left a review on Amazon.

Tanti Auguri June xx

PS here is the direct link for ‘My Father, The Assassin’.

 

 

 

 

 

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An Earthquake, Strikes, Taxes, Dining Out, Good Friends and a New Painting in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 21, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my Loyal and New Followers

Crumbling cliffs below our villa. Photo J Finnigan

Crumbling cliffs below our villa.
Photo J Finnigan

One minute I was happily writing at my keyboard, the next me and my desk are swaying from side to side for a long and unnerving five seconds!  A rumbling and groaning noise accompanied this rather queasy experience, and it was to happen three times more during last Friday.  No this was nothing to do with my man’s amorous intentions, it was in fact an earthquake, yes a real one.  In the evening we drove over to our lovely Bavarian friends who live across the valley, and whilst we were sat at their kitchen bar, there was another brief further rumble, but we carried on enjoying ourselves regardless.  Of course in the morning we received numerous messages like ‘Did the earth move for you yesterday?’  But thank you to all the well wishers, and yes we are all OK.  Fortunately we were a couple of miles from the epicentre, however, we read in the paper that several families had spent the night outside for fear of having their homes crash down on top of them!  The Italians are very good at barbeques and outside pizza ovens, so most survived well fed and unscathed.  I had a dream not so long ago, that our little villa had slid down the hill and then over the cliff at the bottom.  But we just floated through the air and landed safely.  So I am convinced that we are protected by the Roman Gods.

Ha ha, moving? Photo Discover Tuscany

Ha ha, moving?
Photo Discover Tuscany

My man returned from England last Sunday, with our fourteen year old grandson who is home from his UK school for the Christmas holidays.  Yet again, the trains were on strike, so the guys and our daughter traveled by bus first to Florence, and then had to change for Poggibonsi, which is near Siena.  Amazingly they arrived only an hour later than they would have done on the train.  But the strikes in Italy are getting more frequent.  A week ago there was a general strike so absolutely nothing functioned for a day.   If you want to travel to Italy, double-check with your flights, trains and buses if there is likely to be strike action, particularly the day before you go.  If you are already in Italy, keep your wine cellar stocked up.

Then there are the worsening taxes in Italy!  Small businesses are now really struggling to survive as customers can no longer afford to shop like they used to and business taxes have gone up yet again!  It is sad to witness, particularly as it is affecting people we know and have enjoyed doing business with.  There are posters up with a picture of the prime Minister Matteo Renzi and the words below are, in Italian of course, ‘Renzi has wet his pants!’  We are not sure exactly why, but one can guess that the electorate are starting to believe that he is still in nappies and too inexperienced to make grown up decisions, like saving the country from ruin!  Someone may like to correct me here,

Anna and I enjoying a chat over lunch at La Raccolto in Florence PHoto P Finnigan

Anna and I enjoying a chat over lunch at La Raccolta in Florence
Photo P Finnigan

if they know a better reason.  Perhaps he did ‘wet his pants!’

My new painting next to the fireplace in our sitting room Photo J Finnigan

My new painting next to the fireplace in our sitting room
Photo J Finnigan

But enough of that.  Our week has otherwise been really good.  We have dined out several times, firstly at ‘Osteria Sosta di Pio’ near Poggibonsi for sunday lunch, with a new Australian friend Simona at ‘C’era Una Volta Ristorante’, with Anna Balzani Editor in Chief of ‘Florence is You’ who introduced us to a lovely new vegi & biological restaurant in Florence called ‘La Raccolta,’  which is also a mini-market http://www.laraccolta.it and of course with our Bavarian friends at their home for supper.  Thank you all for your excellent company.

The other good news is the arrival of an oil painting from England, painted by the very talented artist Mark Loman, from my home town of Exmouth in Devon.  I chose one of Mols Coffee House, a Tudor building in Exeter, as it was owned by my family up until the 1930’s.  So that’s my Christmas present to myself!  Visit http://www.markloman.co.uk

The idol Silvio (Jesu) Berlusconi Photo sdpf

The idol Silvio (Jesu) Berlusconi
Photo sdpf

Meanwhile, back in the land of wine and women, Silvio Berlusconi continues to strut his stuff.  With the present government coming under severe criticism, Silvio is rising from the ashes again like a phoenix.  Back in 2009 he was listed number 141 in the worlds richest men with a net worth of US $9 Billion.  Of course wealth creates wealth so you can guarantee his worth has increased dramatically by now.  So let’s vote him back in, on the proviso that he personally invests in the country and rescues these poor Italians from its crushing economy!

Well, it’s time to go.  We have closed both the UK and Italian office and are now about to celebrate the Festive Season.  I’ve got a pile of presents to wrap and a visit to IKEA lined up, as I am desperate to get some more storage for our little villa.

Have a fabulous Christmas and do drop me a line.  There is still time to download your festive reading, I’d love it if you downloaded ‘My Father, The Assassin’ below.

Tanti Auguri to you and yours.

June xx

ps visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Father-The-Assassin-Finnigan/dp/1481904396/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358800225&sr=8-1

 

 

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Rudolf, Wolf Man, Coffee with Daniel Craig and Arrivederci Potholes in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 15, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my Lovely Loyal and New Followers

A happy Rudolf at the top of our Christmas Tree Phot J Finnigan

A happy Rudolf at the top of our Christmas Tree
Photo J Finnigan

I love Rudolf the Reindeer, so much so that I have given him and his teddy bear pride of place at the top of our Christmas Tree.  Why should these fairies always get the best vantage point?  I like to see real characters smiling down at me during the festive season, so salute to you my friend Rudolf!

....no it's Erico with his San Carlo delivery! Photo J Finnigan

Erico with his San Carlo Crisps! Photo J Finnigan

Meanwhile, back in our local village of Fiano, I do a double take.  I kid you not, it was early morning so I had not been on the wine yet, I see a two-legged wolf or Husky dog carrying a box into Laura’s bar/alimentare.  Naturally, this was very exciting for me, so I hurried my little legs along and burst in through the door.  There he was, putting things on the shelf and nobody had turned a hair or raised their hackles. (Ha, ha get it?)  So I whizzed out my phone and got a picture.  I rush over to Laura and point at him and she laughs, “It’s only Erico delivering the San Carlo crisps!”  Then he turns round and there’s Erico’s grinning face underneath a fluffy winter animal hat.  We all laugh and he loves it, the festive season is certainly starting to be jolly.

So I sit down at my table and reach for the newspaper.  Sig Rotund has not arrived yet so I quickly get down to reading before he arrives and always wants the sporting pages.  Then, as my lovely hot glass of Caffe Latte arrives, so does Daniel Craig!  My heart misses a beat.  He has a beautiful woman on each arm, but that doesn’t matter, I just move my coffee over and obscure my view of the ladies.  Now I can only see Daniel and he is smiling broadly at me.  I smile back.  He joins me and we have coffee together, not daring to speak in case people start staring.  Sig rotund arrives and asks if I have finished with the newspaper.  Daniel disappears like a puff of smoke back into Aladdin’s lamp.

Coffee with Daniel Craig. Photo J Finnigan

Coffee with Daniel Craig.
Photo J Finnigan

Sunrise casting a golden glow over the Chianti Hills. Photo J Finnigan

Sunrise casting a golden glow over the Chianti Hills.
Photo J Finnigan

Driving back home I am in a dream, thinking that Daniel would be perfect for the part of Dominic in the film version of my book, ‘My Father, The Assassin’.  I know, he’ll be far too expensive, but when he reads the book maybe he’ll offer to do it because he loves the part, rather than charge the earth…..  Well would you believe it, blocking the strada bianca (white track) is an ‘earth’ moving digger!  Hurrah, it’s finally being resurfaced, all the potholes are being filled in, my man will be so pleased.  I wait and watch a glorious sunrise and think ‘life is so good’, and so it is.

Now I must love you and leave you as I have places to go, people to see and things to do.  I’ll up date you on Silvio next time.

Have a fabulous week, do drop me a line and don’t forget to visit Amazon for your last-minute Christmas book orders.  See my direct link below.

Salute June x

 

 

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Errant Gloves, An Opening Party, Ristorante Latini, and Just Vines In Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 9, 2014| 2 Comments »

Ciao and Welcome to all my New and Loyal Followers

“I’m so glad we gave up smoking when we were young,” I say as we bump along our worsening track to the main road.  “I didn’t need it, I was addicted to you!”  My man grins as he tries to pull his gloves on, whilst negotiating the potholes. Now he does say the nicest things sometimes, but I am gripping my seat at that moment as he swerves around one-handed, due to the glove thing.  “I guess you had a different highway code to me.” I muse.  “Your’s must have read ‘mirror, signal, manoeuvre, gloves.”  He grins cheekily again as he finally gets both gloved hands back on the wheel!

New friends Anna and Cristiano at the opening party Photo J Finnigan

New friends Anna and Cristiano at the opening party
Photo J Finnigan

Well, I have to say that last week started rather well as Monday was the opening party night for ‘La Bottega Del Buon Caffe’  in Florence, and we had invites.  It is Borgo San Pietro’s new restaurant in the city and it is very chic indeed.  We were plied with champagne, wine and nibbles and met some really interesting people.  http://www.labottegadelbuoncaffe.com  We were lucky to grab two comfy armchairs with a vantage point and were joined by new friends Anna and Cristiano.  Anna is Editor in Chief of a newspaper called ‘Florence is You’ http://www.florenceisyou.com and we had a really enjoyable hour or so in their company.  We are going to meet them for lunch before Christmas, which is great.  I’ll let you know all about it.

I’m glad to say that Paolo at ‘C’era una Volta’ restaurant is back from a holiday in Peru.  We like to pop in there for Sunday lunch, as many of you already know. go to:

http://www.ristorante-ceraunavolta.com  Paolo produces good Tuscan cooking without all the frills.  Gianluca, the  cheeky waiter, was away in Israel on holiday.  These Italians do get around.

My man's reaction to his vgi sausage and mash! photo J Finnigan

My man’s reaction to his vegi sausage and mash!
photo J Finnigan

However, for a real treat, we returned to Ristorante Latini on the Thursday http://www.ristorantelatini.com  for lovely cheeses, aubergine parmesan bake, pasta with white truffles and freshly baked almondy cake biscuits, for dipping in the Vinsanto.  It’s also a nice comfy hotel, if you need somewhere to stay in the Certaldo/San Gimingiano area.  Yes, I do occasionally cook, but as you know my cooking is pretty desperate at the best of times.  A couple of weeks ago I cooked vegetarian sausages with mash, wanting to appeal to my man’s Englishness, but unfortunately he hates anything processed and the enclosed photo shows you exactly what he thought of them!

The Ant Foundation display in Laura's Bar. \photo J Finnigan

The Ant Foundation display in Laura’s Bar.
photo J Finnigan

Back at Laura’s bar/alimentare in Fiano, Sig Rotund has put in a display of Panettone (Italian style Christmas cake) and Poinsettia that are for sale in aid of the Ant Foundation http://www.ant.it  So, as it is a very good cause, I bought one of the green wrapped panettone, which can be used as a bag afterwards.  I’m a sucker for bags.

Oh yes, before I go, I must mention a book I have recently read; I really enjoyed it.  It’s called ‘Just Vines’ by Diana Strinati Baur.  If you love Italy and romance, this one’s for you.  I am now reading the genre I like best, that is a thriller, Jake Needham’s latest ‘The Dead American’.  I love his stuff.  What are you currently reading?  Do drop me a line.

Well, I’m really sorry to say, I must stop here due to the massive work load to be completed before Christmas.

Have a really good week.

Salute June.

PS  Don’t forget to check out Amazon, where my book ‘My Father, The Assassin’ can be downloaded to Kindle for just .99p over the next seven days.  Go to:

Or you can visit http://www.amazon.com or http://www.amazon.eu

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Only two days left! A Big Christmas Kindle Book Discount as My Gift to You!

Posted in Books, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on December 5, 2014| 2 Comments »

Ciao to all my Loyal and New Followers

'My Father, The Assassin' By June Finnigan

‘My Father, The Assassin’
By June Finnigan

For a seven-day period, you will be able to download my romantic thriller, ‘My Father, The Assassin’ by J W Finnigan for just 99p!  This is a whopping 60% discount, so do take advantage and tell all your friends.  The promotion will run from 8am on Monday December 8th through to 12am on Monday 15th.

I love receiving books for Christmas and even more love reading them.  So I will also be downloading lots of books to indulge in over the Festive Period.

If you do download my book, I would love it if you could return to Amazon when you have read it and leave a review.  I will be launching the follow-up, titled ‘The Bolivian Connection’ in the spring, so watch this space.

Molto Amore June xx

ps here is the direct UK link for ‘My Father, The Assassin’

http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Father-The-Assassin-Finnigan/dp/1481904396/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358800225&sr=8-1

 

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No Rubbish Bins, A Cat Caller, Thanks Giving Supper, and Stolen Lemons in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 2, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Welcome to all my Lovely Loyal and New Followers

“The bins have gone!  I knew it would happen, these silly new door to door plastic bin collection systems are spreading through the communities like an itchy rash!”  My man groans.  We had driven, as we have been doing for years, to ditch our rubbish in the big roadside bins.  But the community that still had the bins, had finally succumbed to this idiotic new system.  So, I decide to go to the Town Hall  and enquire about getting the silly little plastic coded bins to put outside our door.  As usual, I fail to get what I want, as I should have gone on Thursday or Friday afternoon or Saturday morning to a refuse site on the outskirts of town!  Nothing is straight forward or simplistic in Italy.

Georgio the Fiano's village cat. Photo J Finnigan

Georgio Fiano’s village cat.
Photo J Finnigan

Back in the relaxing environment of Laura’s Alimentare/bar in Fiano, we enjoy our morning coffee and watch Giorgio the big village male cat licking his chops outside the door, and waiting for a ungaurded moment when he can dash in.  He will have already visited the local butcher on his way here and downed a view stomach fulls of meaty bits.  Laura shouts ‘Giorgio’ in a mock angry voice as he sneaks in between a customer’s legs and makes for the gap between the counters.  He has the desired effect though, as Laura encourages him back out rattling a box of cat biscuits to a bowl that has a permanent place outside the door.  We all know that he would rather be up under the glass of the delicatessen counter where all the meats and cheeses are.  Then we see Laura sneaking back out with a hand full of ham!

Our lovely Thanks Giving host, Judy Witts Francini. Photo J Finnigan

Our lovely Thanks Giving host, Judy Witts Francini.
Photo J Finnigan

Fast forward to last Saturday evening when our social life went up a notch, as we joined our lovely host Judy Witts Francini, http://www.devinacucina.com, and new friends, for our very first Thanks Giving Supper, at Ristorante Latini near Certaldo.  Visit http://www.ristorantelatini.com   Of course, the traditional fare is stuffed Turkey with all the trimmings, however, we were really delighted when Chiara served up specially prepared and fabulous vegetarian dishes to myself and my man.  The food just kept coming and the wine bottles kept refilling themselves.  We were even given a doggy bag full of the vegi stuffing mix, which I have frozen to use at Christmas!  We were so impressed with the food we are going to pop back for lunch this week, and the next, and the next…… Thank you again to Judy and Chiara as we know they spent two days preparing the feast for a understandibly packed restaurant.

Back at the villa, you may recall that we discovered a lemon tree full of fruit, at the end of the orange grove.  Well, it seems that our local contadino (country worker) had expected to harvest them for the landlady, and found them gone.  She sent me an email you see, to make sure they had not been stolen by hunters, so I confessed to having picked them.  We always pick the oranges and she hadn’t complained before.  We had to snigger though, when we first arrived here, the same contadino secretly sneaked into our garden and took a huge quantity of Mimosa flowers from our tree.  It was only when I cornered him, that he confessed to it.  So one in the eye to him!

Silvio rising to the occasion again. AFP Photo/Tiziana

Silvio rising to the occasion again.
AFP Photo/Tiziana

And finally, what has the handsome Silvio Berlusconi been up to?  Would you believe it?  SB is proposing a new currency to tackle the economic crisis!  This is not to replace the Euro, but to exist alongside, thus restoring its monetary sovereignty.  SB announced his idea on “No Tax Day” which took place last Saturday.  I have no idea what the day actually achieved, but then we are constantly scratching our heads in wonderment here in Italy and carrying on regardless.  The notion of rejecting the Euro has become very popular in Italy, so SB is definitely re-building his popularity.  Our ladies’ man rises to the occasion yet again!

Well, enough of that.  I have a big work load this week so must crack on.  Buon Lavoro to you all.

Do drop me a line, and below is a direct link for an excellent Christmas present for you readers.

Ciao June x

You can also visit http://www.amazon.com and http://www.amazon.eu to view ‘My Father, The Assassin by J W Finnigan

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Glorious Sunshine, Dissapearing Olive Groves, A Right Corker and Siena Cake in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 24, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Ciao and Welcome to all my Loyal and new followers,

“I hadn’t got rid of the last one and now I’ve caught another one!”  My man is hunched in the passenger seat of the car, having just been collected by my good self from Certaldo Station.  The poor thing had just flown back to Pisa from London and an English cold virus had got him again .  “I already had some antibiotics, now I’ll have to go back and see Flavio again for some more.”  His face was as long as could be.  “Don’t worry, lovely man,” I smiled, “the forecast is for a sunny weekend, you’ll be as right as rain by Monday!”  “Humph.” He groaned.

Freshly harvested oranges and lemons. Photo P Finnigan

Freshly harvested oranges and lemons.
Photo P Finnigan

Farty Barty on the frame over the orange grove wondering what the fuss is all about. Photo P Finnigan

Farty Barty on the frame over the orange grove wondering what the fuss is all about.
Photo P Finnigan

By the end of a lovely warm sunny Sunday, he was cheerfully enjoying an aperitivo in glorious sunshine, having also had lunch outside on the upper terrace earlier on.  “Ah this is the life.” He sighed.  And he was quite right.  Just when we were beginning to think that the cold damp weather was here forever, the hot mediterranean sun broke through, bathing us in that all important vitamin D.  In the garden, much work was needed, in particular the ground was covered in dead leaves including the big floppy fig leaves that make a plopping sound as they hit the ground.  Alessandro, the local contadino, who looks after the land below the house, arrived unexpectedly and started violently pruning the fruit trees.  My man was rather annoyed, as he had planned to do this himself, and he is very experienced at it.  The workers also cut down the beautiful row of Firethorn, which bordered our garden with the orchard, unfortunately we were out having our morning coffee when this happened!  I guess it will all grow back again.  The good news, however, is that our view has been dramatically opened out and this morning the man is really happy as he has found a mature lemon tree in full fruit, in what we had thought was only an orange grove!

Back in the countryside we are seeing whole olive trees being cut down.  This follows the disastrous olive harvest due to blight and insects.  Lets hope that new saplings will be planted to replace them.  On the other hand, the grape harvest was really good.  My man went down to our friend and vineyard owner with all our empty Chianti bottles for refills.  My man liked to do the corking with a hand-operated corking machine, but this time he was impressed to find that this was now automated!  There was a new narrow metal conveyor belt on which the empty bottles traveled along and when they reached a certain point, a cork was automatically punched in.  He just had to wait at the end, take off the corked bottles and put them in a box!  Then horror of horrors, he had a box under each arm and spotted our friend’s Smart Phone traveling along the conveyor and could only shout a warning.  The thing only just escaped being corked!

Siena Cake Photo J Finnigan

Siena Cake
Photo J Finnigan

Last weekend, I bought my first annual piece of Siena Cake.  Now this is a close as I can get to the taste of a typical English Christmas Cake.  It is made with figs, nuts and chocolate powder, and some other secret ingredients, crushed under a press.  All cooks have their own recipes, however, this one was purchased at Osteria La Gramola, in Tavernelle who use the original one from Siena.  Now some of you clever foodies out there will probably put me right, or at least explain the other ingredients.  Speaking of which, and I’m sure she won’t mind my mentioning it, my good neighbour and celebrity cook, Judy Witts Francini, knows everything there is to know about Tuscan cooking.  You should visit her website and go along to one of her residential cooking classes, or at least buy her books.  Fantastic!  Visit http://www.divinacucina.com

Well, I think enough said for now.  I’ll endeavour to bring you some good news about Silvio Berlusconi next week.

Amore June x

PS Here is the direct link for an ideal Christmas present.

 

 

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Festa per Il Nuovo Vino e Pane Olio and Lots More in Beautiful Tuscany

Posted in Life, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 10, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Benvenuti to all my Lovely Loyal and New Followers

Now, you will have heard me say that the Italians will always find an excuse for a Festa, which often involves everyone stopping work for the day.  However, this last weekend was well deserved as we celebrated La Festa per Il Nuova Vino e Pane Olio (The Festival for the New Wine and Olive Bread).  This was hosted in the hilltop village of Montespertoli where the festivities included walking, running and bike racing.  The locals do like to drink their Chianti young.  This is interesting isn’t it, as traditionally, at least in the UK we have always gone for much older labels.  Many families give a watered down version to the children.  We quite like a new or young Chianti, but still prefer last years or the year before.  We are fortunate to be able to buy our wine from a local vineyard very cheaply indeed.  Now the owner is a friend, however, it is possible to get a pretty good price from many vineyards if you take your own bottles along and cork them yourself.  It’s all about who you know and if you have neighbouring vineyard owners to befriend!

The Autumn view from here. Photo J Finnigan

The Autumn view from here.
Photo J Finnigan

You may have heard in the news about the terrible floods and landslides over the last week.  Carrara was very badly hit and the locals have stormed the commune offices, as the blame is being put directly in the local authority’s lap.  Disasters like this have happened in the past, however, the lesson does not seemed to have been learnt and flood defences have not been properly catered for.  Tuscany is a province prone to landslips, main roads collapsing and flooding.  If you were to check out the history of any area, there will be something to scare you off!  So, if you fall in love with a particular place it is best to accept it warts and all.  We live in a stunningly beautiful part of Chianti, however, we are perched only two hundred yards from the edge of crumbling inland cliffs!  A local once told us not to worry as our house had not moved for over two hundred years.  Before that it was in the hamlet further up the hill!

The old Mine Workings Photo P Finnigan

The old Mine Workings
Photo P Finnigan

Our beautiful daughter and family are in the process of moving to a lovely old house between Siena and Volterra.  It sits by itself, perched above old mine workings that are now in ruins and with views of the mountains and sea on the west coast of Tuscany.  We went over to help with curtain making and things last Saturday, and were told the story of the famous mine owner who originally owned the land and house, and how his disgusted employees threw him down the well below the house after a dispute!  Ooh, creepy….

I am getting on really well with my novel ‘The Bolivian Connection,’ where things are a little tense, as my heroine Joanna awaits the result of sending off a female Interpol agent, disguised as herself, to flush out an assassin who is trying to kill her!  I can tell you, my blood pressure has gone up over the last couple of days whilst I have been writing the current chapter, it’s all very nerve-racking…..

I love to start the day with a delicious cafe latte and watch the world go by at  Laura’s bar/allimentare in Fiano, it sets me up for the day.  Sig Rotund has been missing for a couple of weeks and we have discovered that he is convalescing at home after an operation.   We wish him well and will keep the sporting pages warm for him.  I went to Laura’s at seven o’clock this morning for coffee, as I had dropped my man off at Certaldo station to get the early train to Pisa airport.  Laura had already been ‘a piede’ (on her feet) for four hours.  She opens at six in the morning, but arrives much earlier for the bread and pastry deliveries.  At seven, the customers are very different to the nine o’clock crowd.  It is busier with workers who start early and the mothers with older children who will be taking the school buses to media school.  School generally starts between eight and eight thirty.  We have a primary school in Fiano which takes children up to age ten, otherwise, they are bussed to various towns at least a half hour away.

he all important wood fire and aperitivo. Photo J Finnigan

The all important wood fire and aperitivo.
Photo J Finnigan

As I write this blog, thunder is rolling and lightning is flashing across the hills.  This means that the electricity might go at any minute, which is usual here, and I should save everything and go off-line.  I’ll update you on the gorgeous Silvio Berlusconi next time!  In the meantime I shall look forward to the log fire and aperitivo this evening.

Have a great week and do drop me a line at june.finnigan@virgin.net, or leave me a message below.  I will respond!

Salute June x

PS Don’t forget to visit my author page at http://www.amazon.com/author/junefinnigan

 

 

 

 

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