New Year’s Eve in Tuscany
28 Dec 2009
The traditions of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in our corner of Tuscany.
Typical Tuscan Christmas sweets
20 Dec 2009
Tuscany is also famous for the good food and drink, among which some of the most popular traditional Christmas sweets. My favourite Tuscan Christmas desserts are ricciarelli and panforte, but every area has its traditional recipe.
It’s Not Christmas Without a “Presepe”
17 Dec 2009
The tradition of presepe has ancient roots. In Italy the nativity scene was for a very long time the only Christmas decoration, and it is still a wonderful tradition today.
Christmas is almost here!
14 Dec 2009
I finally feel ready for Christmas! Here is what happens in our family on Christmas day.
Renovations… sigh…
09 Dec 2009
We are finally renovating Casina di Rosa to make it prettier and more comfortable! Here is what is going on around here… it’s just a big mess at the moment!
Spooky Tuscany stories for Halloween
31 Oct 2009
Tuscany is not just a place of peaceful landscapes, rolling hills, and winding roads; it’s also a region full of mysteries, macabre legends and ghostly presences. Are you scared yet? No? Keep reading then.
Fashion and the seasons…
08 Oct 2009
There is a distinctive peculiarity to Italian people I believe: we dress according to the calendar. The global warming is changing our culture… and making us look pretty silly too!
La Vendemmia: a family business!
23 Sep 2009
My family has made its own wine for decades. I have many dear memories of the “vendemmia”, the grape harvest. For those who have no idea how the “non professional” grape harvest works, here is what happens in my family every year.
Ferragosto: a very Italian holiday
15 Aug 2009
Ferragosto, August 15th, is a very popular holiday in Italy. It is a religious holiday celebrating the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the most popular day for a “gita fuori porta”, a daytrip to the beach or to the mountains.
The night of San Lorenzo
11 Aug 2009
The night of San Lorenzo, August 10th, is the night of the shooting stars, a magical midsummer night when all dreams come true.
