The handbags are normal, human-sized. The hands are gigantic. I love the flowers painted on the hands. I’d love a henna tattoo like these.
Florence (Firenze)
Spring is coming!
You can tell by the windows in Florence!
Birthday lunch!
My new friend, Jen, traveled to Florence from Umbertide in Umbria this morning to join me in celebrating my birthday! It was a long trip by bus and train for her to get here and I am so happy that she came!
We had lunch at Obica’, where handmade mozzarella is the star of the menu. We loved the cheese, and the wine and rest of the lunch weren’t bad either!
Lemon buds?
I think and hope that I’ve spotted tiny lemon buds on my as yet un-named lemon tree! Woo hoo!
A delicious lunch
At an adorable trattoria! A new find.
The kitchen prep area is housed within a tram car. That’s because this spot used to be a tram stop.
Here’s a peek at our appetizer. Lightly battered and fried veg, including carciofi (artichokes). Yum!
Extraordinary Florentine views
Yesterday I had the immense pleasure of being with some new friends who showed me their garden in Florence, and as we climbed the hill behind their home, the most amazing vistas of the city came into view. Behold!
Below is a sweeping view from the Palazzo Pitti on the right to the dome of the Duomo on the left.
The city of Oz has nothing on Florence! Florence looks like a magical wonderland in the picture below! I mean, just look at it!
It is known that the American painter, John Singer Sargeant, was on this promitory to see the sweeping views of Florence and it is said that long before that, Leonardo purportedly studied this view as he developed his famous technique of sfumato. And, to top it off, the hill is topped by the foundation of a chapel that was never constructed, because Roman ruins were found just below the surface of the ground.
It would take at least two lifetimes to take in the wonders of Florence.
Michelangelo’s David in clothing?
What I learned at the Florentine Cavalcada last Saturday
I was riding horses before I could walk. You may think I am exaggerating, but this is true. I wasn’t riding solo as a baby and toddler, but I was in the arms of my dad as he sat atop his horses. And, I was riding solo by the time I was 5 or so, and competing in amateur rodeos throughout my childhood and tween years. Then I developed a voice of my own and stopped riding.
Because of my equestrian background, I believed I had seen it all. But, not so!
I don’t know if you can see it in these 2 photos, but it is possible to bow to authority on a horse. I had never seen this before!
During the Cavalada in Florence last Saturday, in honor of the national holiday of Epiphany, a moment arrived in which all the participants in the parade bowed their heads before the religious and civic leaders on the podium. And to my amazement, the equestrians bowed their heads while leaning as far forward as possible over the back of their horses. As well, they all held their right arms as far back as they could. And, they held this pose for several minutes. There was no mistaking it: these horseback riders were bowing.
Live and learn and Italy is the best place in the world for me to do it!!
A lifetime is not enough
The Italians have a saying about the marvels of Rome: “Non basta una vita”, meaning that a lifetime is not enough to enjoy all the incredible things to be found in Rome.
I feel that way about Italy in general. I’m fortunate enough to live in the center of Florence and each day I venture out, I see, feel, touch, smell, or hear something new. It is a wonderful way to life life!
I love Firenze in the springtime!
On these gray, cloudy, rainy days, it’s nice to remember the spring will come! This is Florence last spring.
get back, lauretta! 
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