Today I had the opportunity to walk by the Renaissance architectural masterpiece known as the Ospedale dell’ Innocente, which was a Medieval orphanage, and is seen above.

Much to my surprise I saw the loggia of the Ospedale being used for something rather unusual, although it made perfect sense and I thought how lucky these aspiring artists were to be standing in this space and practicing their craft.

The instructor seemed to be the man in the foreground in a blue baseball cap.

These painters were really very good!

Upon leaving the loggia I walked through this covered roadway in the historic center of Florence. I have always loved this vaulted passage and it looked extra good today with the big green tree on the left side from the exquisite little garden attached to the Archaeological Museum. I couldn’t resist catching a few images.

Sometimes life is just too good to be true. (And sometimes it’s the reverse.) Case in point: the British Institute in Florence hosts a weekly bridge game for new and somewhat experienced players once a week. If I had sat at home in the USA and tried to dream up something in Florence that would make me happy right this minute, it would be this bridge group!

The fearless leader is Gustavo de Santis, who is wickedly intelligent and equally funny. His dry humor can catch you unaware. I enjoy him immensely. You see him showing his students how to bid a game below. He is a professor at a local university.

The British Institute in Florence is a haven for long-term residents who speak English. It has a long and storied history in the city and is housed in a magnificent palazzo. Just going there makes me happy. Just look at it, sitting proudly on the left bank of the Arno!

We are so lucky to play our bridge games in the Ferragamo room at the library. I didn’t have a chance to get any good shots on this day, but I snapped a few of the beautiful ceiling.

In the long hallways are hung pictures of notable Brits. I love this juxtaposition of William and Elizabeth. You know the last names, right?

It’s possible to visit Elizabeth’s home in Florence. Just thinking about her here is a romantic exercise. She has a beautiful white marble monument marking her gravesite in the English cemetery in Florence, which I recently posted about.

Here’s the exterior of the palazzo she lived in. I’ve visited it and the interior is just about what you’d expect for a 19th century ex pat to decorate in Italy.

And William needs nothing said by me.

Sigh. Life is very very good. Alla prossima!

On some days the sunlight is stunning as it hits some of Florence’s main monuments. In my humble opinion, there was never a finer Renaissance facade than Santa Maria Novella and on this afternoon, it was reflecting the sunlight in a very gorgeous manner. At times like this, I am compelled to snap some pix.

And then there is the duomo and bell tower. Now, it is important to keep in mind that the facade of the cathedral is from the 19th century, not the Renaissance, but the bell tower is purely Medieval and very, very Florentine. Art historians are not supposed to like the church facade because it isn’t old enough, but in this sunlight, it was quite amazing! :-))

Twice a year at this wonderful little garden on the north end of Florence a plant show/sale is held. Every spring and fall you can find a gorgeous display of horticultural wonders for sale at very good prices and meet knowledgeable people! It’s a thrill I never want to miss.

Below the video shows the entrance to the recent spring sale.

A little further back into the garden and we come upon the highlight of this garden, the 19th century glass house. It is beautiful! I come back again and again to admire this structure. It has a small grotto inside and nowadays is used to house certain public functions. There is also a branch of the city library here and I used to live in this neighborhood and took advantage of the glass house and the library often.

The booth shown below features two plants: clematis and iris. Two spring favorites! And some white roses.

Below, I never get over the novelty of growing citrus! I tried my hand at one plant a few years ago and it failed.

The other architectural feature in this fine, small garden is this Renaissance style loggia. I love it!

Do you like azaleas and hydrangeas? I love the name of hydrangea in Italian: hortensia. If I ever name a female anything again I will name her Hortensia.

I love this place so much that I came twice during its week long run. I was hunting for the beautiful blue-flowering plumbago that does so well here, but I never found it. However, I did find laurel bushes for sale at a great price and bought 10 of them to create a wall on my terrace. More on that later.

Fresh cut flowers are not a big feature of the plant sale, but these peonies were on offer and I had a very tough time resisting a bunch of them. However, when you are carrying 10 laurel bushes and don’t have a car, you find you have a lot of willpower. I also bought a fiddle leaf fig tree plant for inside my apartment.

These coral colored peonies stole my heart for sure!

And I always love ranunculus!

But, without a doubt, the star of the event for me appeared on the 2nd day I was at the sale. This adorable bambina seemed dressed for a flowery adventure among the azalea plants that were almost bigger than she. What a creature!

Below, what I brought home. It doesn’t look like a lot because I camouflaged them a bit. But I will soon have a new hedge separating my terrace from my neighbor’s. Whoo hoo!

Below are the plants I brought home from my first day at the sale. My normal sized shopping bags sufficed.

Below are the plants I brought home from second visit. IKEA bags were needed this time!

At this moment on my terrace I am seeing a lot of growth and some early beauty! I’m very lucky to have a nice big paved terrace here in Florence and I get out and enjoy it day and night.

For example, I love this type of geranium. I think it’s called Ivy Geranium, Geranium Peltatum. If you know better, please tell me.

Ivy geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum) are trailing plants that can spread up to 48 inches. They are named for the lobed, sometimes pointed, leaves that resemble ivy (Hedera spp.) plants. The bright, glossy green leaves can reach 3 inches across. Clusters of single or double flowers bloom in shades of red, pink, mauve, purple, or white.

Whatever its actual type name, I associate it with Italy, which is where I first became aware of it. I bought this one in the very early spring and have been watching it come to full life. We have had a coolish spring so far, but the heat of summer will soon be upon us!

I also love the Zonal Geranimum. I bought these 2 planters and 6 plants earlier this spring and they area already going strong. Very strong! I have no control over the background: that is my neighbor’s terrace.

But look what just popped! The first blossoms of my jasmine vines. I inherited these from the former tenant of my apartment, but I have groomed and cared for these vines since January and they are beginning to show their thanks!

Above stands the historic and monumental Loggia di Lanzi in Florence’s Piazza Della Signoria. This is one of the grandest city squares in all of Europe. Above is a stock image from Wikipedia, not taken on the day this post was photographed, when the square was teeming with tourists. I took all of the following photos, ducking between tourists to get the shots.

It isn’t everyday that one has access to go inside this famed structure, the lovely loggia built during the Medieval period in Florence. But, on this lucky day, the ropes were open and I took advantage and made a quick tour.

I’m fortunate to say that I’ve walked around inside this famous location many many times over the years, so on every new visit, I attempt to spot something I’d never noticed before. On this day it was these sculpted figures below the entablature serving as the base from which these groined vaults rise. Can you see the female figure with her skirt stretched over her knees in the 2 sculptures? I wish I had gotten better pictures. Oh well, next time….

Just think of all the things these figures have looked at, the moments of history, since they were constructed sometime between 1376 and 1382. It’s only been 643 years or so!

The loggia houses some supreme Renaissance sculpture as well as Roman era sculptures from the Medici collections formed in the 14th century onward. It’s been said that Florence is an out-door museum and this loggia, filled with treasures, is one reason why.

Cellini’s masterpiece stands as a promise or a threat to the city!

Here’s a frontal view of this masterpiece: Perseus with the head of Medusa. You can read all about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseus_with_the_Head_of_Medusa

The best kind of chaos!

I adore the liveliness of the Italian scene. There is never a dull moment on the streets.

One of my favorite things in Florence is that there is a free outdoor space set aside for artists to work in chalk. These 3 demarcated spaces are often being used by astounding artists. I marvel!

I’m often caught up with the site of a parent walking with their mini me. This girl and her mother will one day be twinning!

But I like watching other people too. Sometimes I am just so moved by something I see, I can barely get my phone out in time to capture it!

And the music! The singers, the musicians! Incredibile! And what you don’t know is that these 2 locations are superb. The one above is next to the cathedral (il duomo) and this rendition of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen is being played on the most beautiful bridge in Florence, the Ponte Santa Trinita. Combine spontaneous music with a world-class location and you achieve nirvana. Imho. Well, let’s be honest, my opinion isn’t truly humble. :-))

Or, how about a medieval tower that has been transformed into modern living?

And, then one day, I’m walking down a major thoroughfare in the historic center of Florence and I hear out an open window a vocalist practicing. I absolutely have to stop to listen. This is what dreams are made of.

The usual scene around the famous statue of the wild boar near the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo. Legend has it if you rub the nose, you’ll have good luck and maybe be lucky enough to return to Florence. It is always surrounded by people waiting to have their chance.

Nothing beats starting the day ay my local bar with an excellent cappuccino. The kind Starbucks can only dream of.

And finally, you know it is spring, because here come the flowers!

And I’ll end this post with a little philosophy. At least a nod to. See the caffe pictured below, promising a cafe, rum and philosophy? It offers some fleeting information about what goes on under this historic arch in which it is housed.

Bonjour mes amis! For no discernible reason except that I love all things French almost as much as I love things Italian, I’ve felt the need for some French subject matter recently. I found this amazing short but excellent video and wanted it to share it with you guys. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Au revoir! à bientôt!