San Martino is celebrated on November 11, the day of his burial in Tours, France. But San Martino also refers to the unseasonably warm weather that Italy usually enjoys in the first half of the month! Which, according to folklore, is due to a good deed performed by this Roman saint. The Story of SanContinueContinue reading “St. Martin’s Day & Italy’s Roman Summer”
Tag Archives: seasons
The Italian Autumn: What to Expect
Crackling leaves underfoot. Whafts of wood smoke in the air. Pumpkins and apples. Chestnuts roasting. There’s something cozy about Autumn, isn’t there? And these are just some of the things you can expect to find in an Italian autumn. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough and catch a grape or harvest. Two of the most special eventsContinueContinue reading “The Italian Autumn: What to Expect”
Embracing Life’s Winter
I’m thankful that I no longer live in the land of always winter – that was my home state of Michigan. (At least that’s how it often seemed!) Always winter, but with Christmas! I much prefer southern Italy, where winters are mild and the rare snow melts quickly. Only in our distant mountains does itContinueContinue reading “Embracing Life’s Winter”
Chestnuts Bursting on an Open Fire
Chestnuts, an open fire, and the importance of finding joy in the simple things. The fire didn’t heat better out of the fireplace. All it really did was create more smoke! Although no one would ever convince the dear, stubborn, old man of that! Yet we fondly remember those simple evenings of reading by theContinueContinue reading “Chestnuts Bursting on an Open Fire”
Olive Harvest and Moving [Video]
Hello everyone, life has been a little crazy around here lately. Some days it’s hard to keep up. Especially since we’re planning a temporary move from our hilltop village down to the nearby bigger city. And of course that always turns things a bit upside down. So today, even though the olive harvest is justContinueContinue reading “Olive Harvest and Moving [Video]”
An Italian Easter Song
Buona Pasqua (Happy Easter) from Italy!! This Easter is, undoubtedly, the strangest that most of us have ever celebrated. And in the midst of this pandemic storm, many of us feel sad, alone, and closed in. But to help ease that, I’ve got a little gift for you from our church. An Easter song (inContinueContinue reading “An Italian Easter Song”