Thursday, August 1, 2013

Best birthday ever

For my 50th birthday we hired Sophie Chamberlin to come to the Villa and prepare an amazing dinner for us. She cooked everything with fresh ingredients from her garden. Thank you Sophie you made my day special. 
Roy teaching Don how to meditate while Sophie was busy preparing dinner
Beautiful dinner outside
Sophie in the garden picking flowers for the table


Oh my.... Appetizers vegetable tart and individual cheese soufflé


Am I dreaming?

Homemade pesto sauce made so fast. 
Roy are you photo bombing. 


Pork tenderloin and lovely potatoes. 

Beautiful Margie



Perfect end to a perfect birthday. Tiramisu. 

















Castella 'de la Panaretta Winery

We had a private tour of this spectacular winery.  












Ken and Lois go big or go home. They have purchased this large one of a kind bottle of wine with
A hand painted label to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. 








Good bye winery. 







Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Florence


Beautiful store front on the on the streets of Florence

Palazzo Vecchio where Ken accidentally drove right through to find a parking space. He is expecting 
some mail upon his return. The have cameras all over the plaza taking pictures of license plates. 
Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence



 Looking at the Accediama with a copy of The David outside
Ponte Vecchio bridge




Gypsies begging on the front steps of the church. Italians are frustrated with them.  





Saturday, July 27, 2013

Voltaire and San Gimignano





Isabella and Oliver, our concierge from the villa lives in San Gimignano and was out walking her dog in town. She hooked us up at this great restaurant we are standing in front of.

Ken and Lois in front of the church