Dreaming of Italy
I always am. Are you?
I’ve been returning to Italy once a year since 2010, when I was first writing FEAST OF SORROW. When I’m not there, I’m thinking about it, whether its because I’m writing my novels which are all at least partially set there, learning the language, or just wishing I was there.
I have a Google Nest Hub that cycles through the tens of thousands of photos I have of Italy, and I love taking many daily trips back to the places I’ve loved. Here are some of the photos I’ve taken that have recently been popping up for me in my Hub.
This is Palazzo Grimani di San Luca where a young Bartolomeo Scappi (the protagonist in THE CHEF’S SECRET) cut his teeth in the kitchen, working for one of the nobles of the Grimani family. Today it’s the home of the Venetian appeals court.
The views from San Marco are always breathtaking, especially with the gondolas.
This isn’t a pretty picture, but I love this image of a Roman pothole because you can see a bit about the construction of the roads using sampietrini, the black stone cobbles which Romans love and hate in equal measure.
Not a road, but an ancient floor in Ostia Antica. And my husband Joe’s shoes.
I loved these beautiful bitter oranges in the garden at Palazzo Farnesina.
When visitors leave Galleria Borghese, they leave their stickers on the benches in the park and it really made me smile to see this form of vandalism. ;-)
I have had so many incredible, unforgettable meals in Italy, but this is one of my favorites, an orecchiette cooked in red wine and served in a parmesan bowl. You can find this in winter time at Vinando Tor Morgana on the edge of the Jewish Ghetto.
I am pretty sure we did not partake from this place with the scary cannibalistic gelato man. 😂
Are you always dreaming of Italy too?
Congrats to Last Week’s Winner!
Congrats to Lisa Lindstrom for winning the eBook of The Painted Palazzo by Mary Jane Cryan!
WHAT’S BRINGING ME JOY
I’ve been working on developing a course on Instagram for my day job so have been spending a ridiculous amount of time on the app. But that means I find gems like these:
FEED THE CAT!
Why books are rectangular
If you are feeling down, just think of hamuketsu.
If you love food and love Italy, and haven’t read THE CHEF’S SECRET or FEAST OF SORROW, click the links to learn where to buy your copy! 🍒🍗🍷 And now you can pre-order IN THE GARDEN OF MONSTERS!
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We just returned from Bella Italia and I miss it already! Loved seeing your photos!