In love with far niente

I'M BACK. Still reeling and drunk from the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Europe: Paris, Siena, Florence and Venice. Two weeks is heartbreakingly short. I have vowed to return.

While I get busy unpacking my bulging suitcase, sorting through gazillions of digital pix, and storing my precious loot from Europe (a lot of which are cooking- related or food items--I particularly prize an olive-wood chopping board from San Gimignano) I'll post two photos that, for me at least, captures some of the essence of Italy.


One is a produce stall in Venice, specializing in organic fruits and vegetables, the tomatoes looking to huge and red and juicy that I was tempted to buy an armful, and the melanzane as purple and perfect as can be. The other is the view of olive trees as you look out the window of Agriturismo Malafrasca, the working farm just outside Siena where my friends and I stayed for a few days.

No doubt I'll be raving on about my trip in the next few days. Oh, I am far in love with the food, the culture, and the beauty of the past two weeks (can you sense the new travel blog coming up???). And especially with the Italian concept of dolce far niente--sweet to do nothing.