13 GOBBI ( Tuscany)

I have read about this technique where hot pasta
is put into a  large wheel of Pecorino, but I never experienced watching
this magic happen.....or eating the end result of the show.

We learned from Aldo, of Bar Gallo, that a small ristorante in
Montefollonico was the place to go for this pasta, and his recommendations
have always proven to be very good. James and I
along with our friends, Paul and Betty, decided to take a short
road trip over to Tuscany for lunch.

After sharing an antipasti of Carpaccio, it was time for the main attraction...
Tagliatelli being twirled and whirled  and tossed in a wheel of Tuscan Pecorino. It was fun to watch the bowls of cheesy pasta
  prepared before us, and even more fun to eat.
Betty called it, ' Italian Mac & Cheese!' She's right. The aroma was full and comforting.
 You've got to eat while it's still hot !

Nothing else needed after a bowl of this pasta, except  maybe an espresso and a walk.

Definitely worth a trip to 13 Gobbi where the staff are friendly,
the food is good and the town of Montefollonico is small and lovely.
Next time I want to spend time exploring this medieval town in the Val d'Orcia.

Dreaming Italy......ICONIC PANICALE

Once again the news from Italy is of earthquakes near Amatrice and a devastating avalanche on Mount Gran Sasso. Our hearts go out to all the victims of both disasters. Many thanks to the rescue workers.

In the States there is a change of power today. On this day, James and I have deep concerns for the future of our country and the world. I feel it is a dark day for our nation. 

My need  to focus on something beyond the events of the day turned my mind to Italy, and Panicale to be more specific. 

This morning I began going through images in and around Panicale. I began to calm down looking at pictures of this place that feels like our "other" home, and to where we will soon return.
  I love the home where we live in New Hampshire, but on this day an escape to the sweet and beautiful Umbria was what I needed.

Bar Gallo

This is a story told more in pictures than words....I am sure that there are too many images, but this is my way of getting through the day, and I feel lost for words. These, to me, are some of the iconic images of Panicale that come to mind when my physical self is here in the States yet my brain wanders around the  hill town, and sometimes at night when I cannot sleep, I take a "mental walk" to the top of this beautiful place......I call this dreaming Panicale.

The Campanile at the peak of the town.

This was taken during a foggy morning walk last spring, talk about dreamy.

A subject of several drawing.

An annual  visit to see the painting by Perugino of St. Sebastian the church of St. Sebastiani.

Meeting up with friends at Bar Gallo. Process anyone?

....or perhaps a Spritz!

 Or wine.....At Masolino's Ristorante, this is called "James wine"!
Bruna cooks great pasta....and everything else for that matter!

A surprise birthday party for James at the home of our friends Katia and Massimo.

Marconi Bottega is one of the markets we shop at everyday in Panicale.

 Spring brings Wisteria.

A favorite corner.

Ingredients for lunch. Eggs from Ruth, asparagus from Katia and local olive oil. The best!

James, Bar Gallo

The clouds over the lake can be monumental at times.

A look at the Medieval arches that can be seen throughout Panicale. There is also evidence of the Etruscans here.

I cannot tell you how many artichokes James and I eat while they are in season here. I can tell you that it is way, way beyond what you can count on our four  hands.

The result of a day out drawing.

Here we are, all smiles.

When the roses begin to bloom it is just the best time to be here.

Another look from Panicale across the plain to Lake Trasimeno and the mountains beyond.

Panicale is alive with color and texture, not to mention wonderful aromas as the fragrance of a ragu wafts through an open window.

Food, wine and friends. A lunch at Sticky Farm made for a perfect afternoon.

 Spring arrives with fields of emerald green and bright red poppies.....

Time painting. Artichokes, Lake Trasimeno, by James Aponovich
This recalls both our passion for artichokes and a view from Panicale to Lake Trasimeno and the mountains in the background.

 Time drawing. A ruin, drawn by James Aponovich

Pots of flowers in our yard.
James and I always make a trip, make that several trips, to the local nursery to fill pots with flowers and herbs. Can't wait to do this again.

Another drawing from a little balcony.

James' Panicale "Studio"

The piazza Umberto I

Off to the races with friends ....Siena for the Mille Miglia!

And to Sardinia to taste the local food and wine.

 And back in Panicale at the Pink Palace.....

And a dinner party!

 Thanks for joining me in dreamland for awhile.

Cin-cin !
ci vediamo presto!


Tante Auguri!
Here is to kindness, peace and hope.
I think we are gonna need it.

COUNTDOWN..........Umbria calling

James and I are making lists. More items are being added to these lists than checked off! One of  the lists is all the things to do before we depart and the other is a list of things to pack. There is a third list to give to our house sitters with phone numbers, and other useful information that they probably won't need.

I just finished doing taxes. "YAY!" Now, I am hoping to finish and deliver a painting before we leave. 

When what you need can't be bought you gotta bring it!

I still need to get a raincoat, one with a hood, before we go.  James mentioned he wanted to pack 4 packages of yeast, 1 box of brown sugar, Advil, wash cloths, Dial soap, sponges, kneaded erases, and a special toothbrush.

His packing will be different from mine!

He already sent over, Worcestershire Sauce,  Light Soy Sauce, Frank's Hot Sauce chili powder, and vanilla......I say, "James, when in Rome?" Me, I am looking forward to Umbrian Olive Oil! So is he.

It seems that every year in the weeks leading up to departing I begin to feel we should not be going.
It is then that it is good to look back at the previous years photos and remember our time in Italy.

The water of Lake Trasimeno was very high after early spring rain last year. The lake is ever changing and more and more we enjoy spending time on or around the lake. Traveling to one of its 

islands or sipping a process at  bar on the shore.

The fields will be green, really green. I asked Katia what the crop was and she told me cereal, but what I think that really means is a type of wheat. Almond trees and apple trees will be in blossom. And there will be smoke in the air  coming from burning piles of pruned  olive wood.

High on the hill is Panicale, it feels like home.

On our walks we will be looking for wildflowers like these iris or tulipana. 

One of our first stops is to a local nursery to buy herbs and flowers. We make many visits to this place because I always need something else! James always obliges and drives me there!

A few weeks into our stay the wisteria will begin to show its color until it is full cloaked in purple and its perform fills the air. The wisteria here is gorgeous and  the pale yellow Lady Banks roses make a beautiful compliment  to the violet of wisteria.

Then there is the food!

Stuffed zucchini flowers

Mandarin  oranges, at least I think that is what they are!  Love the color!

Pecorino cheese

Artichokes....so many artichokes. I can't wait!

Gnocchi

and wine.......

and more  Umbrian wine

This is a favorite view of ours from up in Panicle looking over the plane. It has shown up in several drawings over the years. Maybe I will paint it this year on one of the panels I am bringing.

and the people

We visit Bar Gallo everyday. Aldo and Daniela greet us ( and everyone else) coming in for the first caffe of the day. It is just so warm and lively there, although when we first arrive it will be quiet.That's OK by us after a year of work and stress!
We have met several of our friends here at Aldo's, and this continues.

Pure beauty.

James just came in to tell be he has added kitchen string  to his list of things to pack. I said that he can buy string at Linda's store, not the right kind, says he, and I just ordered a raincoat.

See you in the piazza soon, rain or shine.