And On to Rome!

After a week in Tuscany, I couldn't imagine anything else

measuring up to the beauty I had found there.
If you've read my last few posts, you know that I am in love with Tuscany!
But the next phase of my journey led to a very
different type of beauty.

Our hotel, the Michelangelo, was right down the street from The Vatican.
Here I am, on the tiny balcony outside our room,
with the dome of St. Peter's in the background.
At night it is lit up and very beautiful to see.

We visited St. Peter's, the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel,

and the exquisite artwork was well worth the hours we spent waiting in lines.

Could this be my next kitty?

We had a wonderful time in Rome, saw all the sights, witnessed

the very moving sense of faith and the beautiful 

old buildings -

a real contrast to the countryside of Tuscany,

but a very fitting ending to our Italian journey.

Now, onto interpreting some of this beauty into a new series of fiber pictures.

Ciao, everyone!!

Still Tuscany!!

I can't help myself, my imagination is still filled with magical images of Tuscany.

I find that my photographs fall into categories of things I found most appealing:

the beautiful countryside,

    

arched doorways,

charming windows,

and ancient stone walls.

In my head, I'm designing some artwork based on these images,

but right now I'm concentrating on my dear husband,

who had an appendectomy Saturday morning

and is recovering in the hospital.

So glad I was back in time to be with him!!

More of Tuscany

Before I move on to the Roman segment of my trip,

I just wanted to share a few more photos of Tuscany.

These were taken the last morning before we left for Rome. 

A front moved in and the sky was incredible,

changing from moment to moment.

It was a lovely finale to a gorgeous week!

A Beautiful Journey

I'm back from Italy, but my heart and mind are still filled with 

some of the most beautiful images I've ever witnessed.

 This landscape greeted my eyes every morning

 as I looked out my window at our B&B in Tuscany.

In Tuscany, I was part of a cooking school, learning recipes

and techniques from local cooks in their own kitchens.

We visited a sheep farm, where we saw the process of making pecorino

and ricotta cheese by hand.

We learned how to make gnocchi, hand-cut pasta, tiramasu

and many other amazing dishes.

We visited vineyards, learned about and tasted wine.

                                                  

We stayed in an ancient village called Radicondoli

and met the local townspeople, shopped and went to local restaurants.

We visited Siena, Montalcino and other

picturesque villages and cities.

At the end of our stay, we received a certificate of completion from

Il Campo Cooking School of Radicondoli.

It will hang in my kitchen!

Here I am with Ann, my traveling companion and friend.

We next traveled to Rome, but a piece of my heart 

stayed behind with the beautiful people

and glorious sights of Tuscany.

Tomorrow: Our Rome Adventure!

Recent ATCs

Last week I received these beautiful ATCs in the mail from my friend Janice.

They are just lovely and are now in my collector's album!

And, to Janice, I sent these three.

My theme for the year is "Blessings".

I'm usually behind schedule, but, for once, I am a month ahead of Janice -

a rarity!!

I will be back in two weeks.
Happy May, everyone!!

My Big Adventure

Well, friends, here's some news I haven't talked about on my blog - 

this week I am going on a trip to

(This great fabric postcard was made by my friend Andrea to wish me a good trip!)

I'm going with my friend Ann from San Diego

to a cooking school and tour in Tuscany!!

We'll be doing a lot of walking in the countryside, visiting a farm, seeing cheese being made,

learning different dishes in local kitchens, sightseeing and, generally,

having a wonderful time!

So, I'm packing the essentials,

layers of clothes and a foldable tote for purchases,

sturdy, waterproofed walking shoes and wool socks for wicking moisture away

(it's the rainy season!)

an essential sketchbook, which I covered with paper,

some watercolor pencils and a small paintbrush,

                                                                    

a study purse with a sewn-in, handmade inner zipper bag,

and, of course, a sense of adventure and fun!

Added to this, we'll be spending a few days in Rome,

with a side trip to Florence!!

In the next few days I'll be posting a couple of new pieces I've been working on,

then I'll be away until my return in mid May,

when, hopefully, I'll have Tuscan inspired sketches to post!!

Ciao for now!! :))