Tuscany.
Oh my Gosh. Tuscany. It's stupendous. I
don't even know how to use other words. Heaven on Earth? Precious to
my soul? I truly think Tuscany is a special gift from God. He was
like, “Eh, humankind could use a sneak preview of eternity.” So
he created Tuscany.
Let me show you.
Let me show you.
We're in Tuscany! from Kristen Hale on Vimeo.
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| // He got a big kick out of driving such a tiny toy car. // |
The Mountains and the Valleys.
Seriously. It's nothing like ANYTHING I've ever seen. I lived in northern California for a while, and I remember visiting Napa and being so wowed by its beauty. I thought that Tuscany would be similar, since they're both wine country. But they are so different, and in wonderfully unique ways. Tuscany is laid-back, lazy in a delicious way, and hosts an appreciative attitude for the good things in life. The people are just happy. They love watching their children play. The fields are distinctly narrow, golden green, supple and rich. The olive trees are humorously short and scrappy. The winding roads are dotted with fast sports cars, sometimes a red Ferrari. The wine is pretty and satisfying (and cheap! - at least the kind we buy.) The pace. Is. Slow. Somehow you are ready for it even before you arrive. Something in your belly tells you that Tuscany is a place for calm reflection, rejuvenation, reawakening. And so that's exactly what you experience while you're here.
Seriously. It's nothing like ANYTHING I've ever seen. I lived in northern California for a while, and I remember visiting Napa and being so wowed by its beauty. I thought that Tuscany would be similar, since they're both wine country. But they are so different, and in wonderfully unique ways. Tuscany is laid-back, lazy in a delicious way, and hosts an appreciative attitude for the good things in life. The people are just happy. They love watching their children play. The fields are distinctly narrow, golden green, supple and rich. The olive trees are humorously short and scrappy. The winding roads are dotted with fast sports cars, sometimes a red Ferrari. The wine is pretty and satisfying (and cheap! - at least the kind we buy.) The pace. Is. Slow. Somehow you are ready for it even before you arrive. Something in your belly tells you that Tuscany is a place for calm reflection, rejuvenation, reawakening. And so that's exactly what you experience while you're here.
B&B Babes.
We stayed at a beautiful B&B in
Greve called Le Lame, tucked into the hills of Chianti. In this tiny
little hamlet wineries flourish at each corner and markets boast
fresh bufala mozarela and basili pesto. We ate breakfast overlooking
the incredible views of the grape fields. We jogged around the town,
poked around old yards and tasted everything we could.
The Answer.
Need a vacation? Tuscany is the answer.
Going on a honeymoon? Tuscany is the answer. Contemplating a
crossroad in your life? TUSCANY IS THE ANSWER. Go to there. Drink the
wine, practice your broken Italian (they will forgive you) and take a
weekend-long deep breath. You probably need it more than you think.
Kristen and Stevie,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you are finding the grace of Italy. It makes me so proud of the heritage of the Italian family. There are lots of things to reject about Italy, "Mussolini, Mafia, and assorted criminal popes." However, the beauty of the country and the attitude of the people warms the heart. As you go further south, you will encounter the fault lines where earthquakes and volcanoes that still erupt. People living in those regions know that everything they have and everyone theylove can be gone in an instant. Tell me abut their philosophy of life if you get the opportunity to meet and discuss such issues. Oh Allory loved San Giomani just to the north of Sienna.
Love you
Aunt Shirley
Thanks for the great advice Aunt Shirley! We definitely experienced a different culture the further south we travelled. Not too dissimilar to the north and south of the USA. Cant wait to hang out with you once we make it up to NYC!
ReplyDeletebottle it and bring me some tuscany beauty back! what a glorious way to celebrate your anniversary! love you so much!
ReplyDeleteLove this!! The pictures are so great..
ReplyDeleteHope
hchdesigns.blogspot.com
Things to tell you. 1)You look beautiful, 2)Your pictures are unbelievable, 3)Stevie should buy a nugget car and drive it around NYC, 4)Add travel guide to your list of jobs. Love you!
ReplyDelete