Ciao Tutti!!! I know I have been out of touch lately, but I have morphed into a turtle this winter. Head tucked in, writing away and pretty much on my own. Sometimes I will toss a photo up on Facebook, but even that has been sporadic. I can’t blame the weather for my isolation since it is a balmy sixty degrees here in Tuscany and we have gone below freezing only twice this winter. It’s quite strange. Lovely but strange. Trees are budding and if we have a late freeze it’s not going to be good for the grape and olive productions. Fingers crossed that our non-winter continues. On the plus side my house is not an igloo this year and I have been taking advantage of the warm days with a lot of walks in the countryside. Cinder would have adored this balmy weather; I have keenly felt the loss of my beautiful girl over the last months.
Aside from working on the next installment of my adventures here (40 pages in and counting!), I am studying to get my driver’s license. Probably in most places of the world this would be a doable undertaking. However, here in my neck of the woods, the Italians have made the test so difficult that even they fail it two and three times. It’s going to be a challenge, especially since I studied for three days and then lost interest. I am determined to do a couple of hours today. My goal for this year is to buy a car. Hence the need for dedicated study before the season starts. Fingers crossed.
I am about to start the third level of the sommelier course in March so I am looking forward to that. It’s been a really wonderful way to widen my circle of friends here. Wine lovers unite! This past weekend was the anteprima di Vino Nobile where the new 2011 vintages of the vino nobile were presented. I may be slightly biased but the Poliziano 2011 is fabulous. I tried a lot of very good wines from other producers as well. We had a great turnout with over 40 producers participating. The event will end with a dinner tonight and then the journalists will come tomorrow and weigh in with their thoughts on this year’s offering.
One more month and I will be back at work with Fabio at the winery for another season of tours and tastings. Until then I have my students for english lessons, which helps me get through the winter. I am also back in the kitchen with Marinella learning her recipes. I am planning to include some in the next book. And by the way, if you haven’t checked in with my publisher Gemelli Press lately, you should click on the link here and see what they have been up to. More Italian based books coming out this year and some hardcovers that are now available in paperback. Thanks to everyone who has supported At Least You’re in Tuscany. It now has over 100 great reviews on Amazon and I feel grateful for the love everyone has shown me and the book.
The other good news for this year is that friends are finally starting to say they are coming to visit. I have two good friends planning trips and one of my aunts as well! April marks five years that I am here in Italy, so it will be so nice to finally see some friends and family from the States.
Hope you are all well!! xx