The Flowers of Summer

Within the next few weeks we'll wake up to see the first frost so it's time to enjoy the flowers of summer.  These are some photos I took in Italy and the collage is of flowers in my yard.  I'm enjoying my deck more than my yard these days though.  There are grasshoppers by the millions who are munching on our rows of lettuce, swiss chard and raspberries.  The carrot tops and beet tops have been stripped by some deer and the wildlife too close for my liking.  Yesterday the farmer was filling up the water tank from the pond across the way and he watched a black bear cross the road.  The night before he had to slow his pickup and wait until a cow moose decided to leave her spot in the middle of the road.  She eyed the truck for awhile and then took a step into the ditch and watched the farmer as he drove by.    Hope that you're enjoying the final weeks of summer. 

The following pictures are for Pat.  She commented on her wonderful blog, Mille Fiore Favoriti that New York has a population of 8 million so these signs I snapped last summer while waiting for the ferry to Gabriola Island are obviously out of date but the comparisons are certainly worth noting,  Click to enlarge the signs. If you haven't already discovered Pat's wonderful blog about living in New York City, just click here. You will soon be fascinated with the wonderful pictures of the amazing sights of New York City.
Pat I sure hope you get a chuckle out of these statistics!

Celebration in the Piazza

Cortona is within walking distance of Le Celle, a monastery founded by St Francis of Assisi 800 years ago.  We met some friends from Austin, Texas and decided to hike there one Sunday afternoon.  Once we arrived at Le Celle, the peace, beauty and solitude was tangible.  Soon after we had visited the small chapel outside the cell that St Francis stayed in, we began to see vehicles arriving in great numbers.  We were already aware that there would be a 800 year celebration in the piazza that night but soon learned that a procession was forming up at Le Celle and then the people would be walking over the mountain to the Bascillica of Santa Marguerita and then descending to Cortona.  At 3 pm we were starting to think about walking back to Cortona when I said I wished we could hitch a ride back.  Like magic, my daughter caught the eye of a man who opened his van doors when she asked"A Cortona?"  and off we went. 

At 6pm we joined the throngs of people who gathered to celebrate this very special occasion in the piazza.  We couldn't understand the history that was  being recounted in Italian by a most enthusiastic Friar but we enjoyed hearing the music as the pilgrims arrived and it was wonderful to people watch that evening.  Here are a few of the people pictures I captured that night. People of all ages and walks of life were gathered and it was fascinating to meet some of them and just be part of small town life in Tuscany.

I'm off to join the group at Mary's Little Red House for Mosaic Monday - another gathering of friends...please click to enlarge my mosaic and photos.  Buena sera!

Piazza della Repubblica

There's always something going on in the piazzas of Cortona. Piazza della Repubblica is the central piazza and occasionally there might be a wedding celebration.  We were told by a reliable source that an average of 280 weddings are held at the town hall each year.  We were lucky enough to see half a dozen or more as we wandered through the piazza on various occasions.

Another regular occurrence is Passeggiata (the correct spelling-too late to change my mosaic now-sorry) which occurs almost every night in the summertime, but through the year on Sunday nights, the citizens of Cortona come to the piazza to walk around and to visit with the other people of the town.  Between the hours of about 5 and 7pm the people are drawn to the square.  Across from the town hall there are some benches and the older people of Cortona rest there observing the others who arrive with their families, baby buggies and dogs on leashes.  It's wonderful to see the interaction between people of all ages.  I saw one woman arrive with her elderly mother who was wearing a lovely floral dress.  They sat on the bench and took out their tatting which they worked on while they enjoyed the goings on in the piazza.  Others sit at small tables and enjoy a glass of wine as they visit with friends and relatives.  There are handshakes, kisses and smiles.  People are happy as they sit in the evening light of Cortona.  It's a wonderful tradition and lovely to see.
I'll be linking to Mary's Little Red House - a great place to learn what other
bloggers are thinking about this summer.
All collages and pictures can be enlarged with a click.
Thanks for visiting and I'll be back with part two of the Piazzas of Cortona next weekend.

Thank You Vee!

Early one morning I checked my blog and saw a note from Vee at A Haven For Vee, asking me to visit her that morning.  I was delighted when I saw her pictures which told the story of her giveaway winner...lucky me!!!  I really was thrilled to know that soon I'd be the owner of a gently used Mennonite Girls Can Cook book.  There's a reason why she was passing it along.  Before the cookbook was published Vee commented that the Mennonite Girls could really cook or similar words to that effect.  Her comment was the inspiration for the book title. Once it was published Vee ordered a cookbook and they honored her by sending her an autographed copy so she decided to pass her first copy along.  When I picked up the parcel at our country post office earlier this week, I was so excited to see the cookbook that I opened it right then and there.  The young woman who was working there wasn't busy and was delighted to listen to my story.  Imagine my surprise when I pulled the book out to find the cookbook wrapped in cloth and tied in a bow.   Vee was so thoughtful that she included a beautifully made reversible apron with a row of pockets all along the bottom front.  I tried it on in the Post Office.  Here's the first recipe I intend to make. The recipe for Butterhorns caught my eye and took me back to the booths in the Dominion Hotel Cafe. We high school girls didn't need a menu.  We always ordered Butterhorns and hot chocolate. I just can't wait to taste them!   The cookbook is amazing and I have enjoyed the stories written by the members of the group.  Thanks once again Vee! You have a generous spirit and a wonderful blog.