Salt Theater, Pisa, Viareggio, and Lucca!

A collection of photos from the weekend (out of order because the this blogger application won't let me put the photos in correct order!)

This weekend: fantastic accordion music and food at the theater, Pisa for the obligatory silly photos, Viareggio for an amazing beach experience, and Lucca for dinner! Market today selling homemade goods = lots of presents. Rome and the Vatican tomorrow for Q's b-day.

Opera!

La Taviata last night was lovely. Community theater level I believe, but fantastic singing nonetheless. The soprano was stunning. Far beyond what I expected.

Some photos from the last few days and dressed-up opera ladies! A sparrow came to visit us at lunch at ZaZa after a day wandering around the leather market. No perfect bag yet...

Wine tasting and Boboli gardens today I think.

Food and wine!

Some food and wine photos for your consumption.

First, two photos from the wine tasting that I forgot to post.

Second, the pasta that I made: brown utter Parmesan cream sauce with free onions, fresh sage, tomatoes, and prosciutto.

Third, last nights feast. Warm fennel salad with orange and parmesan. A spread of meats and buffalo mozzarella rosemary cracker and Brie. Lastly, pappa al pomodoro. A traditional Tuscan tomato stew/soup that is utterly fantastic. Fresh basil and a balsamic reduction on top! Recipe to follow.

Thanks to some wonderful friends for a lovely evening of food and wine!

 

Sunsets are always stunning

Just a few sunset pictures.

Saturday travel

Sienna and San Gimignano and wine tasting at the Tircoano Estate. Just a few of the many photos, but I beautiful, busy, and wonderful day. Lunch at a restaurant that severs food based on medieval recipes. Wilde boar and porcini mushroom pasta! Oh so good. We also encountered an Italian bachelor's party so a photo had to be taken! The wine was fantastic and Q and I had two bottles and some truffle oil sent home. Can't wait to cook with it back in Boulder. There is no comparison to what you can get in the states. Benissimo!

Hike to Fiesole

On Friday afternoon we hiked to Fiesole after Italian class. Overall Q and I walked for 10 km that day. Essentially it's not far at all, except the uphill was a little bit extreme. But a beautiful view at the end.