While in Florence, I walked through the Sister’s garden after breakfast every day. While it wasn’t a huge garden, it was a nice size. I was amazed at all the fruits / vegetables / flowers they had.
I loved the shape of this olive tree. Turning the corner, I saw this huge tree with pomegranates. I eat them, but I’ve never seen how they grow.
I had no idea what this was… ANYONE? The Canadians I met didn’t know either.
They had an over abundance of red peppers. They start out green, then turn red.
Their roses had the most fragrant smell.
A shamrock…
Rosemary, time to cook!
Finally, a pigeon. My grandmother used to feed the pigeons that came to her window every morning. So, I smiled when I saw this one, all alone
I enjoyed the peaceful garden walks every morning with a quick stop in the Chapel. The Nuns were putting fresh roses from the garden in the vase for the alter. It was nice to see them.
Every day is full of surprises. While in Florence, I stayed at Holiday House Borgo Pinti, run by the Oblate of Assumption Sisters. A beautiful sanctuary located behind the Duomo, a ten minute walk. Religious stays are interesting. Each place quite different; however, the common theme is peacefulness.
Every morning, after breakfast, I would walk in their beautiful garden, filled with roses.
On this particular morning, as I walked by this statue. I stopped in front of it, listening to the birds singing. For some reason, I looked down and something “white” caught my attention.
As you can see. I was walking on gravel, all the stones seem to meld together.
As I bent down, I found this, “Make a Wish” stone with a feather close by. How lovely.
Some Canadians were walking by, I showed them. One of them immediately said, “that’s a dandelion,” there is spiritual significance in that. I hadn’t noticed the dandelion. I was focused on the words, “Make a Wish.”
This was important, staying at a spiritual place, behind the Duomo. A wish could come true! I looked up at the sky, sun shinning, thought of my Italian grandmother, was this HER doing?
Sure enough, in researching the spiritual meaning of the dandelions, it is said they provide resilience, hope, transformation, new beginnings and the ability to manifest desires. Wow, I sure needed that!
So, with the holiday season here. We have many challenges in life. I share this with YOU.
MAKE… YOUR… WISH!!
Miracles happen…AND… follow your instincts, ie me looking down and finding this stone.
As I was exploring small streets, I came across Dante’s Church with all of these “love locks.” Will they work? I think it is the ritual for people / couples, to add a lock, and “feel” their love lasts forever, right?!
In that frame of mind, I saw these teddy bears in a window, positioned in such a humorous way. I thought of an older couple, comfortable in their relationship.
Of course, we must see a Pinocchio. Again, another humorous siting, next to Tigger. Whatever sells, right!
I walked by this toy store. I liked the world puzzle map they had. In America, we are focused on the 50 states and American history. Yet, our kids still need to learn more about the World.
This was funny. I was sitting and having a gelato. Different tourists walking by. I heard this man telling a younger guy he was with. If we get separated, just look for my green shoes. Of course, my ears perked up, I looked and he was right… no chance of missing the “green shoes.” Brilliant idea!
I discovered this shop with the most beautiful colored pencils. I have not heard of this Italian brand, Fabriano. I liked the pouch the colored pencils were in. I wish I was an artist, I would have bought them.
Of course, I have to end with a photo of the Ponte Vecchio. Gold prices were so high, that they don’t have beautiful jewelry anymore. Also, there is an owner that must own 7-10 shops on the bridge. They sell the same jewelry, so it was a bit boring looking in the windows. This is a view of the entire bridge.
I’ve been to Florence, so I was not there as a tourist. I mean, touring monuments, etc. This time, I was just going around. I walked the streets, I had walked with my Florentine grandmother when she was alive. One thing I forgot to do, was walk back to see her home, etc. Next time, there’s always a next time.
I was recently in Florence, Italy. My mother was born / raised there, so it feels like a second home. I was fortunate, there were not many tourists. I was able to walk the streets and actually “see” the buildings, etc.
And guess what I saw… YES, a Starbucks! Amazing how they are everywhere. You’d think in Italy, they have the best coffee, who would go to Starbucks? Obviously, people go. Same with McDonald’s which is by the train station, always packed with people.
I noticed that more cafes offer coffee to go. Years past, that was not an option.
Oh, and of course, I saw the Apple Store too.
Imagine walking by the Duomo and being able to walk right in, no long line. That hasn’t happened in years. I lit a candle, look how full, so many prayers.
It’s interesting, no matter how many times I go to Florence, I still take photos of the Duomo as if it is the very first time. I was thinking about that this trip when I took photos.
Did I need another photo of the Duomo? YES, of course!
Sometimes a photograph is all we need to brighten our day. Winter in Italy.
My friend recently took this beautiful picture of Cinque Terre. I haven’t been there. It looks like we would definitely get our hiking/steps in, right.
Spring will be here soon. Time to go on an adventure somewhere.
Whenever I’ve traveled to Italy, it’s usually been in the Spring right before heavy tourist season in June. My daughter was able to find a good flight to Italy, winter rates, so was just there. We’ve learned there are pros/cons to traveling off season.
She noticed not very many tourists, that’s a pro. She could take pictures of special places with no people around. However, major con, many shops and restaurants closed. They had signs on their windows, back in March. I told her, she would have to ask the locals where they go. Also, find grocery stores, she could make sandwiches herself. We chuckled, we like pizza, but not every day for 10 days.
I thought this was a beautiful photograph of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. I didn’t crop the photo, because the sky is amazing. The light behind the clouds, above the Vatican, it gives us pause to think.
She also took this photograph of the Virgin Mary. I was pleasantly surprised to see she was able to light a candle. In most Italian churches they use the electric candles. Have you seen that? You flip a switch and the electric candle lights up. It’s not very spiritual, prevents fires, so I understand.
I have a few more photos I’ll share of Italy in the next posts.
Right now, airlines are having low fares on winter travel until end of March. BOOK NOW!
Signs from loved ones in Heaven are powerful. We know without a doubt exactly “who” the message is from! We are overcome with emotion. I received a sign. I’m still in awe of how this occurred.
The holidays can be a roller coaster of feelings/memories. After Christmas, where we had below zero temps, I was anxious for a walk and fresh air. I decided to go downtown, it was still festive with the lights up. The display in a toy store window caught my attention. My desire to go in was strong.
It was joyful, families shopping for deals. As I continued to the back of the store, I saw the puzzle area. I enjoy puzzles, so stopped to explore. I sighed, the usual puzzles of flowers, Monet, etc. Disappointing.
However, on the bottom shelf, behind another puzzle, I found FLORENCE. I smiled -> F-L-O-R-E-N-C-E. My mother’s home town in Italy. Of course, I had to have it. I clutched it close, it was mine!
Walking home, I kept thinking how strange it was to find this puzzle. Why, what was the meaning? I was overcome with memories of visiting my grandmother in Florence. I thought, perfect timing. Long weekend for New Year’s Eve, I would do the puzzle.
I started with the Duomo. Proud when it was done. As I continued, I found yellow and green pieces. Putting them together, I looked down and got teary-eyed. What a memory! Take a look at the photo. The pieces of this particular puzzle area, looked exactly like my grandmother’s building. Amazing!
Back then, we did not have cell phones. When I would go out my grandmother and grandfather would rush to open the window. I would hear the green shutters crackling as they opened them. They would yell down to me in Italian (they didn’t speak English), Ciao, baci (kisses), a presto (see you soon). I felt so much love every time they did this. There are more memories, of course.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve bought this parmigiano reggiano (parmesan) cheese from Costco. We’re Italian, it lasts a long time and we like to have it on hand. So, my daughters grew up thinking nothing of it. Doesn’t every house have parmesan?
UNTIL… my daughter’s boyfriend opened her fridge and saw this HUGE hunk of cheese and acted horrified. Why do you need that big piece of cheese, it’s ONLY you? What are you doing with that?
My daughter said her first reaction was to become defensive. Grab the parmesan. YES, protect the parmesan! She started to explain, than thought, “WAIT, it’s normal, what’s HIS problem! Why shouldn’t I have this?”
I didn’t know this happened until the other day. I was heading to Costco and asked my daughter if she needed some parmigiano reggiano cheese. It used to be around $12.99, now it is $17.99. We need to treat it like GOLD. Inflation is real.
That’s when she said, “I have a funny story to tell you about my hunk of cheese.”
We both laughed!! I said I was PROUD of her for defending the parmesan.
Lately, I’ve been in a pasta mood. I found this pasta noodle, I love it. It’s called, “Fusilli Corti Bucati.” If I go for a different noodle, other than spaghetti, I go for the bow ties or orecchiette. THESE are so wiggly, just a fun noodle shape.
If I had this noodle when I was young, I could see myself flinging one of the noodles at my twin brother. When he would get angry, I’d say, “It’s not my fault, the noodle flew off my fork!” Now, that would be FUNNY! We did goofy stuff like that.
So, here’s to pasta, Italian heritage and defending parmesan!!
We ALL have our pantry staples, right! What do you have that we might laugh at?
When was the last time you sent a postcard? For me, it’s been years. It’s so easy to snap a photo and send it via text or email. DONE! Taking time to write a postcard, buy the stamp and mail it seems “archaic.” Real EFFORT would have to be put into that process, right!
At my hotel, they had a small entry way. There were people ahead of me to check in. I was standing next to — drum roll — a bunch of postcards. To pass the time…
I started looking them over, remembering how my daughters send me postcards when they are on a trip. I always enjoy the surprise card in the mail. EFFORT = LOVE
So, I decided, I should surprise them in return. I bought two Trevi Fountain postcards.
I wrote:
Just threw THREE COINS in Trevi Fountain. ONE was mine. ONE was your Sister’s. ONE is YOURS! MAKE YOUR WISH! Love, Mama XOXO
Hopefully, they receive the card, so they can make their wish.
When I asked where to buy a stamp, I was told to go to the newsstand. At the newsstand, the fellow gave me my stamps and when I asked WHERE to mail the cards, he pointed to this little yellow mailbox below the postcards.
I had a BIG smile, going back in time.
I admit, I wondered if it was legitimate. It looked cute, but it was in such an odd place.
I asked for confirmation.
The fellow nodded his head — YES!
So, in the box, my postcards went.
Now, to see if they will be delivered!
I made MY WISH! They need to make THEIRS!
I enjoyed THINKING of something clever to write.
Oh, I learned that the Vatican area has it’s own stamps. So, if you mail something through a Vatican mailbox, it must have a Vatican postage stamp on it.
GPS mail — I think on the receipt there was a bar code to scan. If I can find that, I might be able to track my postcards. That would be interesting… right!
I’ve ALWAYS enjoyed the Italian pizza, but this time. NOPE! In Florence, the pizza crust was terrible. Maybe it was meant to be a healthy version, don’t know, but it’s texture was like cardboard. I could barely eat it. This is a place I have frequented over the years, so it should have been delicious. My heart sank.
In Rome, the pizza crust was so thin it made the pizza soggy, I could barely eat it. Also, they had big chunks of mozzarella cheese on top. When I took a bite and tried to swallow, I thought I would choke. My daughter said the same thing happened to her when she was in Rome. She could not eat their mozzarella cheese. This has never happened before. Soooo… has the texture of mozzarella cheese changed?
I felt the SAME about the sandwiches. I used to LOVE and CRAVE salami, prosciutto, mortadella. It’s the BEST in Italy. We would have this with my grandmother at home at lunch. Put the bread on the table, cut slices and open all the different lunch meat packages, pick and choose what we wanted.
What sadness, really!
I had to think. Had the food changed or did COVID change my taste buds? I’ve never tested positive for COVID, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have it over the past 2 1/2 years. Was it the weather, high 90s, little interest in food?
Oh… it GETS WORSE!
I didn’t care for gelato either. My gosh, this is a major Italian taste bud issue, right! Who doesn’t enjoy a gelato. I did eat it, but I had no sense of this is so fantastic, like I did BEFORE COVID.
GOOD NEWS — Drinking a Fanta with ice cubes was enjoyable and my tastes buds were working. PHEW, so it wasn’t a COVID issue.
Oh, and my FAVORITE cookies — Atene, my grandmother would have these. My taste buds were GOOD. Thank goodness!! I would have been sad to have those memories taken away. Here is what they look like. They are a heavier type of cookie, good with coffee or tea.
I do think that the taste of food is changing around the world. They, whomever they are, keep trying to genetically enhance meat, fruit, vegetable products and more. There are constantly fraud issues with prosciutto. If you Google, you can read about it.
So — I’m hoping it was the extreme heat that changed my taste buds. I was happy that my daughter said she experienced the same feelings on her trip to Italy, so it wasn’t just “me.”
Soon we will all start having our own organic gardens, so we can trust our produce!
Brilliant Viewpoint 