This week I'm preparing for Autumn by purging the last of my Tuscany snaps. It's still beautifully sunny outside this September but the evening chill that has been creeping through my window this week is reminding me that it's soon to draw to a close. For now, I'm holding onto every last bit of it.
The atrium of our beautiful villa, Lotti. The entire house is punctuated by steel framed windows so you look out from the cool stone interior onto shimmering heat from every side.
The meadow by the house at 7am.
The morning's haul of fruit and veg from our garden.
Chickening out.
Royal sceptres.
In the cool of the house at Midday, looking out.
One of our many al fresco lunches:
Tomato salad:
Local tomatoes dressed only in olive oil, salt flakes and freshly picked basil
Griddled aubergine:
Aubergine cut finely and placed on a smoking hot griddle with a little salt and oil. Following cooking, dress with a little lemon juice and leave to lightly marinade for at least 1/2 hour before eating.
Flo tucking in.
Mum making silhouettes.
In the cool of the house at Midday, looking out.
The pool-side pagoda.
More meadow.
At sunset. The light projecting halos onto everything (and everyone).
One of our many al fresco lunches:
Tomato salad:
Local tomatoes dressed only in olive oil, salt flakes and freshly picked basil
Green salad:
Locally picked leuttice soaked and combined with capers and grated carrots with a pine nut, olive oil, white wine vinegar, mustard, honey and lemon juice dressing.
Griddled aubergine:
Aubergine cut finely and placed on a smoking hot griddle with a little salt and oil. Following cooking, dress with a little lemon juice and leave to lightly marinade for at least 1/2 hour before eating.
Vitello tonato:
Thinly sliced veal coated in a traditional tuscan sauce of tuna. (I'll leave that for a Flo recipe on another day). Sounds odd but is seriously very good.
Our quiet little house from the side.
Until next time Italy.
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