Federico Fellini is quoted as saying "Life is a combination of magic and pasta" .... I think he is right!
Pappardelle with fresh porcini, tropea onions & pancetta
Tagliatelle with chianina ragu
Our road will be smooth and untroubled no matter what care life my send; if we travel the pathway together and walk side by side with a friend. (Henry Van Dyke)
What initially we thought was graffiti turned out to be witty art sprinkled among the many street signs across Florence. This art is created by a french artist, Clet Abraham who has lived in Italy for 20 years.
A magnificent view of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo. It was the end of the day ... watch how the city transforms as the sun sets!
Halloween is much more of an event in America than here in Italy. We were told by a shop owner (whose birthday was today) that it has been just the past few years have Italians started having any activities associated with Halloween, and they are not significant.
We primarily saw indications of Halloween in store windows ...
This one street artist decided to try a Halloween theme for her chalk work
A couple days ago as we were headed out for the day, we heard a band and crowds cheering. We turned the corner and there was a parade!! It appeared to be related to the military, perhaps veterans. Always an enjoyable surprise to run into these little celebrations.
The parade continued through the streets to Piazza della Signoria, where there was quite a ceremony. Most stopped to watch and join in the celebration, while some tourist just walked through the middle oblivious to anything going on at all!!
(Cone has raspberry, pink grapefruit and mojito; cup has raspberry and chocolate)
Not all gelatos are created equal ... you will find gelato in the heavy tourist areas that look and taste like they are mass produced and are NOT produced with the true flavors; then you will find places like Perche No, Vivoli, and Gelateria della Passera (a new place we found in the Oltrarno area today) that really make their own gelato with REAL ingredients ... and you can taste the difference.
New flavors tried thus far ... pistachio, blood orange, chocolate with rum and candied orange, zabaglione, panna cotta, coconut, creme carmel, mojito, pink grapefruit, raspberry ("like" real raspberry with seeds included!! .... FANTASTIC)
Any requests???
I may not be a student of art history or grasp the real significance, however I can appreciate the talent, patience and artistry that it took to create these pieces of art.
This work (above): Carrying of Christ to the Sepulchre (Deposition) by Jacopo Pontormo. Found in the Barbadori-Capponi Chapel in Santa Felicita`.
In Brancacci Chapel of Santa Maria del Carmine; frescos most noted by Masaccio.
Art can be appreciated and fostered at any age ... I captured this very young girl sketching on the front pew of the Santa Felicita` church while her parents patiently waited for her in the back.
The beautiful Piazza della Signoria at night. A magical place where it doesn't take much imagination to see the Medici and other merchant families of that Renaissance time making their way through this lovely central area of Florence.
In my opinion ... one of the most charming towns in this area of Umbria - Spello. Even in the season where fall is quickly approaching, it still has great beauty.
A stone walkway lined with greenery
A simple arched doorway
A treasured piece of art carefully placed in a church - many many years ago
Old hardware, yet you can still see the beauty in each.
Simply ... Beautiful!
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