Tuscany ~ Day 1

the beginning of a new adventure

searching for our first lunch

Hello friend! My name is Amy. I am so happy you have stopped by ✨ If you are new here, a warm welcome to you! This space is where I meander through midlife, connecting to my true self through the seasonal shifts and simpler living, and seeking my inner wise woman. If you are also on this path and looking for someone to walk gently beside you, I see you and am here. Let’s color outside the lines together.

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How can taking it slow and being intentional also meld with jam-packed days? That, my friends, is exactly how my trip to Tuscany felt. I felt such inner contentment in my surroundings while immersing myself in the travel.

Being out of my comfort zone during this trip was my comfort zone. Beginning with the first day, sleep deprived after a red eye flight, renting a car, and navigating our way out of Rome towards Cortona, we detoured and took the scenic route. This was why we rented the car, we wanted to allow ourselves to get lost.✨ We then found ourselves going down narrow tree-lined dirt roads to a little Ristorante tucked back on someone’s farm. The skies were clear and speckled with white clouds, we could hear the chickens in their coop, saw a flock of sheep running into a field, and the aroma from a woodfire grill perfumed the air.

The food at this little off-the-beaten-path place, like everywhere we went throughout the region, was simple, fresh, and delicious.

One thing that we learned about dining in Italy was that dining is done in courses. We liked to start with an Antipasti; who could say no to little samples of local cured meats, cheeses, and olives?✨ Then you move onto Primo (the first course), this part of the meal is where you find your pastas or soups. Next, you order the Secondo (second), your meat course; and a word of warning, it is only meat, do not expect there to be anything to round out the plate, that is what the other courses are for. Our first Pranzo (lunch), we just ordered some chicken from the Secondo menu; we got two beautiful cutlets, with nothing else. If you want an accompaniment to your meat dish, order a Cortono (a side dish); this is where you will find your veggies.✨ Our breakfasts and dinners were provided at Il Maggese (the farmhouse hosting the writer’s retreat), so we learned to choose wisely at lunchtime. Just a Primo or a pizza and a glass of crisp white wine (or two)!

a few shots of Il Maggese

After finishing our lunch, we continued the rest of the way to Il Maggese, our home for the next 6 days. Upon arrival, as I stepped out of the car, stretched my legs, and took a deep breath, an instantaneous feeling of calm settled on me. I could hear the soft sound of voices coming from the patio, and turned around to see and introduce myself to

Rosie Meleady

our host and mentor for the week, as well as Sheri, Gina, and Shelley, who were the first arrivals. There were 11 of us attending, and by the end of the first evening, we were becoming fast friends. This was it! The beginning of a long-awaited trip and adventure.✨ Stay tuned for more from Italy!

Until next time,