Having a disastrous Thanksgiving in Oltarno last year, I made a promise to not do a supposedly American Thanksgiving in an Italian restaurant! Last year was a bar and…ah, awful! But this year, I miss my family very much. So the next best thing is good friends who are quite special.
And they’ve invited their friends. Americans also. And no Turkey! Homemade pasta!!! I’m bringing wines and Aperol Spritzers! (Did anyone tell them about my minimal culinary talent??)
Mike and Toni live in their new fabulous apartment in Todi. Yet another hilltop village! It is well worth a drive to visit this village. Beautifully designed architecture, buildings, art galleries, everything. Yes. Steep narrow roads like all hilltop villages but so worth the climb. Available parking on top so quite doable.
The night before, the most lovely and delicious dinner at a local restaurant. We all just couldn’t quit eating! Appetizers, entrees and desserts! With excellent wine. Maybe just being with lovely people makes everything the best!! Laughing with friends is excellent medicine for the soul. Their friends from Seattle, Keith and Mary, are so fun and interesting.
So Mike and Toni’s apartment is the top floor which overlooks mountains, valleys with a panorama that is simply stunning. These mountain top villages are amazing. The main church here is huge with so many steps up. Wide steps! And since Italy doesn’t celebrate our Thanksgiving, a great opportunity to see everything in the village! Stores open! Italy also celebrates ‘Black Friday’ which I find funny. But some great bargains so okay!!
Another friend of Mike and Toni’s, Polly, also comes to dinner. She’s lived in Todi for 10+ years, and just a lovely addition to the group. Mike and Toni cook together like a smooth polka being sung by Michael Buble! Great food with great friends.
So staying in the moment and letting it just roll was such a gift! I stayed with them for 2 nights and then we drove to my home for some much needed walking and an event called ‘Orte in Cantina’. A walking wine and food event today. The Piazza has firewood and a huge wine bottle! We are stoked!
But first on Friday evening, a Choral Event in our main huge church, involving singing and a harp. Beautifully done. From there we went to an amazing dinner at the fine dining restaurant to celebrate Mike’s birthday. Good wine, lovely food and the complete choral group came in to eat! 25 people! Set menu of huge antipasto trays! So when Michael’s dessert came, with lit candle, Toni and I, and the server, started singing and the entire chorale group took over! It was so fabulous!! On our way out, we thanked them again, and they sang again!!! I just add it to the many reasons I love these people!
Today we do the Cantina walk! In the afternoon! 6 or 7 places in the village. Wine and food! It appears that Mike doesn’t drink, so Toni and I may have to cover for him!!
It’s pretty chilly here but high 50’s this afternoon! Awesome!
We walked the village here, visiting churches and museums, amazing buildings and just good fun with friends. I’ll miss them.
Thanksgiving? A great one. I’m thankful every day. Aren’t we all? We find the small pieces that make us smile inside and when we laugh out loud, we know how lucky we are!
These people in my village are my friends and people. They smile and speak to me. As I do them. So lucky.
If you’re vertical, it’s a good day. Run into it with love and excitement! Adventure awaits!
Today’s event with wine and walking should be extraordinary!! Wish me luck!
Want to know when the next adventure is ready? Sign up here!!!
I love these blogs thank you and you will have to fight me for the tourist
????????????