I have a cake in the oven and a glass of beer. Yes, it's an actual cake (made with beer) and am embracing one of those evenings. This is my favorite time of year in this place, meaning, this is prime window-open, old bad Italian pop music sing along, dancing barefoot on my hardwoods getting my tongue stuck in the whisk weather, baby. Was it really two years ago today I boarded a plane out of Florence, Italy and let an uncontrolled wall of tears fall down my face as the plane lifted off?
Some of this music thrusts me back to those carefree days after graduation from my wine studies when I had nothing better to do than roam the streets of one of the world's most beautiful cities with a gelato in one hand and bask in a personal and physical peace that many women only dream of. I poke a toothpick into the cake and reflect on those days sitting on the steps of Santa Croce, Gianni Togni singing in my ear; the same steps where just weeks before two other wine students and I shared a beer and devised ourlame Wine Marketing project.
Do I miss it? That whole "living in Tuscany thing?" Honestly, sometimes yes. But no matter where I am in the world, the one place I've always savored coming home to was this very spot in a corner of Colorado, this very moment. I'm also grateful to be here and now. Are there tears tonight? Sure, maybe a few - but only of nostalgia. Heavenly nostalgia ... which is what is playing on my iTunes right now by (hello 80's flashback)
A greater love, my dear friend, heavenly nostalgia. An hour, a day, a lifetime - whatever you want ... is. At least in my 3rd grade level Italian, well, it very well may be.
That goes for the cake, for it is done. What I want is for it to be the most heavenly dark chocolate stout cake-gasm. And it very well may be.
Some of this music thrusts me back to those carefree days after graduation from my wine studies when I had nothing better to do than roam the streets of one of the world's most beautiful cities with a gelato in one hand and bask in a personal and physical peace that many women only dream of. I poke a toothpick into the cake and reflect on those days sitting on the steps of Santa Croce, Gianni Togni singing in my ear; the same steps where just weeks before two other wine students and I shared a beer and devised our
Do I miss it? That whole "living in Tuscany thing?" Honestly, sometimes yes. But no matter where I am in the world, the one place I've always savored coming home to was this very spot in a corner of Colorado, this very moment. I'm also grateful to be here and now. Are there tears tonight? Sure, maybe a few - but only of nostalgia. Heavenly nostalgia ... which is what is playing on my iTunes right now by (hello 80's flashback)
A greater love, my dear friend, heavenly nostalgia. An hour, a day, a lifetime - whatever you want ... is. At least in my 3rd grade level Italian, well, it very well may be.
That goes for the cake, for it is done. What I want is for it to be the most heavenly dark chocolate stout cake-gasm. And it very well may be.
Val,I hope that the cake and the evening was all that you hoped it to be.Sounds good to me,
ReplyDeleteGood Morning, Michele - So far so good. Frosting and decorating operations (to make it look like a dinosaur dig site - seriously) are about to commence. I hop you are enjoying a nice long weekend! xo
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good evening! Really curious about that cake....
ReplyDeleteAhh - blissful evening, Fly. Now the cake - I posted a photo on the facebook page. There is dark chocolate stout in the cake and the icing, and the "dirt" is made with organic chocolate chip granola cookies. The bones are just sugar cookies. Found the template here. http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/dinosaur-dig-site-cake-699367/ So far what I've licked off the beaters & spatulas is pretty tasty!
ReplyDeleteHi Valerie, your posts are always so insightful, I missed reading them. I wish I could be as content as you are. Love the pic, I grew up listening to Cocciante too...
ReplyDeleteHi Alex - thank you for your kind words. Life was simpler when I had nothing better to do than travel, blog, and eat. But yes, trying to find that balance now is a challenge. Every once in a while having to take a step back, touch contentment, and not rush out of it into business again.
DeleteSounds like a perfect night, even with the tears. Tears remind us either of joy, or that we should find it again.
ReplyDeleteCheers, my friend, enjoy the CO summer!
They sure do, love. It was a lovely night and a perfect weekend. And the cake wasn't bad either! Cheers ~ and hope to drink together soon! xo
DeleteMan I traveled through Tuscany once... and it was amazing. I love Colorado though.... Cheers!!
ReplyDeleteHi Steve - I simply adore Colorado and it's the only place I ever miss ... outside Europe. But even when I lived in Tuscany I'd have those "I miss my Colorado house" moments - maybe it was the clothes dryer, functional heating, or just not living on top of people to the point you know their bathroom habits & smell their cooking - who knows. ;0 Cheers!
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