Autumn in Italy

This story is all about the feast for my senses that Italy is offering me right this minute.

I’ve never quite experienced an Autumn like this in my life. While almost everyone I know – especially those in southern California, my home until now – has travelled to “see fall colors” since that is really not a thing in SoCal, I never did that.

Now I’m privileged to live where Autumn is quite possibly the most gorgeous season of the year. I’ll spin as short a story as I can because I could wax poetic for hours and hours about this !

The sigh

The sights.

Oh la la or Mamma Mia, as they say in Italy. The trees!!! The colors!!! The hillsides!!! Everything outside in my world changes on almost a daily basis. I send blessings to my local trees each time I walk out the door, it makes my heart so happy to experience them changing right before my very eyes. The view from my kitchen window alone surprises me each morning, and I love it.

The fotos below are simply a collage of the eye candy I get to experience by foot – which is very often.

The sounds.

The soft crush of fallen leaves under my feet, is all new to me. Did I say I love it 1000 times yet ?! Sometimes I sit in a park, on a swing (lead foto), to take a well-deserved time out with Mama Nature, and I listen to the leaves as they fall. Again, all new to me! I feel like a child discovering her new favorite thing in the world, every single day.

The smells.

Outside, there is the occasional aroma of the neighbor’s fireplaces via chimneys, especially in the morning. It reminds me of when Lisa and I arrived in Cagli last March, it was one of the first things I loved about living in our new country.

Of course, lots of time in my kitchen = so many comforting flavors, including those rendered from the wild sage and rosemary that thrive outside my door. Now that my days are no longer fraught the summer-fear -of-melting-in-the- heat, baking with apples, pears, nuts, chocolate, spices ... are now all making my humble home smell like heaven.

The flavors. (Really, the amazing seasonal foods!)

I could go on about this for days. Late September I learned that it’s a thing to make a traditional cake with wild grapes like the ones that grew in our yard. Being gifted with the mother lode of said grapes, I was thrilled to make and share my own cake (foto right).

Al mercato – at the Market – Each Tuesday, I’m giddy to see what new produce is offered, like funghi (wild and weird mushrooms), artichokes with THE longest stems, deep orange squash, seasonal fruits including pomegranates and clementines. I really have to rein it in when shopping, as it’s at least a mile to walk groceries home, and up a few hills !  It’s also truffle, porcini, and wild boar (ragu) season. Incredibile!!

The feelings.

I’ve reconnected with my soft, snuggly winter pajamas and sweaters, and have fluffy warm blankets in every space I can get them. I am loving all of this. It’s only a matter of time before Miss Cheetah, my reversible fur-and-rain-coat makes her debut. I also have a few new clothes that cuddle me nicely. I love cozy, it makes me feel warm, held, and loved.

Intuition and wonder.

These two senses are extremely important, and equally worthy and deserving of time, attention, and appreciation.  For me, they bring the other five senses to beautiful life, all day, every day. Really, they take the Autumn cake!

My intuition guides me to people, places, and experiences that surprise me with so much joy. Divine Intelligence (DI for short ;), Mother Mary, my angels, ancestors and then some, are all taking such excellent care of me. Yes and more, please and thank you. Si’ e pui’, per piacere e grazie mille.

Wonder has me awe-fully pondering whether in fact my new life in Italy, gives new meaning to La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life).

Spero davvero di si’.  

I really hope so.