may, 2nd - the view on the ground....

day 1170 / 269:

Claya's view from the picnic blanket.

may, 1st - the simple things in life....

day 1169 / 268:

we had some chores to do at a friend's house in Italy and they have a beautiful garden so we took the girls up to enjoy the fresh air. while Claya tried to escape the blanket and eat the dandelions....we taught Limi how to shell the fresh peas that we bought from the market in Rome {see day 1168 / 267}. i do remember doing it once or twice as a child and loving the process of breaking open the crunchy pod and dislodging each small pea......

she did brilliantly and managed to shell almost half the bag before her attention was distracted by the cat and the tricycle.....living such an urban existence in London, i think that it's wonderful that she is starting to get a better idea of how our food grows and gets onto the plate (and that it's not just a delivery by a man in a van once a week).....it's a good reminder for me, that i should take her to more of the amazing produce markets around the city and get her to help me pick out our fruit and veg.

apr, 30th - market day...

day 1168 / 267:

thanks for all the comments on the last post....Claya seems to be much better today and take a look, i'm even managing to get a consecutive post out......things are looking up.

.............

as my sister and i strode the labyrinth streets of Rome last week, looking for a specific fabric shop, we stumbled across one of the many food markets. the whole piazza was alive with fresh produce, vocal sellers, vocal shoppers and even a band.

we gave Claya's feet a quick, refreshing wash under the square's communal tap (which she found a bit startling) and then bought a large bag of peas still in their pods and artichokes.....we didn't shop with a clear idea of what we were going to make but because the produce looked so fresh and enticing.....and hey, isn't that what Italian food is all about....shopping as much with your eyes as any other sense.

p.s. Limi stayed at home with my mum to spend some time with her nonno (we know that it should be nonna.....but even without any Italian direction, at an early age she decided to call my mum, Nonno and my dad, Tapa...her very own words for both of them.)

apr, 29th - blog block....

day 1167 / 266:

has this year been a bit of a mixed bag so far for everyone or just for me?.......i suspect that it can't just be me because many of the blogs that i read seem to have been in a similar lull......it hasn't been all bad....in fact, there are many exciting things happening but i just can't seem to settle......(anyone else feeling this?)....i have posts left in draft that i'm not inspired to finish and page after page of photos that i can't muster the enthusiasm to edit....i have todo lists of the todo lists that i need to create....

so, even though the my these lists are crazily out of control.....i jumped at the chance to take the girls to Italy with my sister last week.....i always find it such a grounding place......full of simple things and time spent enjoying views, earth beneath the feet, sun on the skin and of course, family.

after a week, i've come back restored...(although Claya also came back with a bug that challenged my new zen with explosive nappies and impressive puking all weekend).....and i've also bought the simplicity home.....good food, family, hard work and nature....surely that has to be the recipe for settling the soul. let me know if you think there's more to it.

jun, 28th - studio in umbria....

day 870:

our good friend, Lucy MacGillis, is an American artist living in the area of Umbria that we frequently visit {see day 856}. she's just finished renovating her home which includes the perfect studio with a view over the valley....

the rest of Lucy's home has just as much atmosphere. she painted all her walls herself in tones of white and grey. the raw cement work surfaces in the kitchen, beautiful original beams and rustic doors all have me swooning. she's done an amazing job.

outside is just as lovely.

to see Lucy's work, you can view her portfolio here.

jun, 11th - village life....

day 856:

the village that we visit in Umbria, Italy is tiny. from the air it is shaped like a heart. on the ground, it is made up of tiny paved streets and a piazza with a breathtaking view across the valley. we've been visiting this village for eight years (and sadly my Italian still hasn't progressed much in that time) and part of our morning ritual has become to stroll up to the piazza to have our coffee and pastry. we sit at the simple tables looking out over the green landscape and feeling a million miles away from our lives in London. it was incredibly special to see Limi enjoying it just as much on this trip.

jun, 12th - lace and light....

day 855:

in Italy, we stay in my sister's family home {see day 274}. it's such a relaxing space with huge beds and beautiful light. when my sister and brother-in-law bought the place, it had been converted from an old palazzo into a seventies space inside, that shrouded its stunning bones.  they restored it, creating a wonderful space for the whole extended family to gather in. original tiles were reused on the floors, stonework carefully restored and local craftsmen used. it's really been brought to life.

jun, 10th - warm nights....

day 853:

we managed to get to Italy for a few days last weekend to see my mum. so lovely to sit outside with friends on the first evening and have amazing fresh fish.....