The city of Lucca has always been my favourite. Not only because it is only 25 minutes away from our home and I go there at least two or three times a week, but also because you do not feel like a "tourist" there.
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In this icy cold weather, hot drinks and comfort foods are a must. Preparing and consuming them are good ways to spend time when we cannot venture outdoors.
The cold weather is affecting most of Italy and creating difficulties concerning energy supplies. Russia, the most important supplier, has been reducing the provision of gas up to 30% due to increasing demand in their area.
The San Francisco Chronicle publishes today this most interesting article:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/
Whenever we are in Italy, we love to visit antique and vintage markets and fairs, looking for that special piece that we would love to have. Sometimes, we find it...
One of my favourite activities in Italy is to visit those markets that sell antique and vintage items.
Some members may have noticed that I have been fairly quiet for the past month and a half. The reason for this was that we have been visiting our daughters who live in San Francisco (CA).
The new Italian government has been announced and it is obvious that we will have a fight between technocrats and politicians.
A lot has been written about the dangers of overheating Teflon coated cookware. Toxic fumes can be extremely dangerous for our health. Personally, I have never liked that type of cookware and I do not buy it anymore.
In another thread, we were discussing Tuscan herbs and "funghi porcini". Tuscany is a paradise for herb lovers and many varieties, such as rosemary, sage and "nipitella" grow wild.
Comments posted
As Ram says, the visura is not going to give you an idea of the fair price as even the cadastral value has little to do with what you end up paying; however, I think it is an interesting document to have as is the "visura storica" that lists all the names of the previous owners. Good luck with the purchase!
Hello and welcome, Tanyas, this time from Tuscany.
Auguri! Has anyone eaten this traditional Ferragosto dish today? I have! Delicious!!!!!
My advice would be to call an expert, have a diagnose and an initial treatment. Then it is easier to do the follow ups yourselves. You will find a company serving your area under "Disinfezione, disinfestazione e derattizzazione". Ask them to check the "termiti" as well. Good luck!
Sorry to hear about your sad news. You can write to the Fermo Comune and request the multilingual certificate. Attach a copy of the certificate you have as it will help them to find the original. Best wishes
Sorry, I was away and I missed your question about Mercatino dell'Usato, which is still open every day, except for Mondays. There is also the Vintage and Antique Fair in Lucca, inside the walls, on the 3rd Sunday of each month.
Hello and welcome. I am sure that some member from Abruzzo will be able to help. Good luck and best wishes regarding the renovations.
I forgot to mention this very hardy and easy to grow plant.
Another easy one for the Italian terrace: nasturtium. Grows quickly from seeds and it can be great hanging, trailing... Leaves, flowers and fruit can be added to a salad for a unique, peppery flavour.
Tradescanthia or wandering jew is a very reliable plant everywhere. I started growing some from cuttings in Australia almost 40 years ago and I have also done it in Europe with excellent results. In Bagni di Lucca, New Guinea impatiens do extremely well in terraces and gardens and flower profusely over a long period. Kalanchoes and begonias do very well and also geraniums and pelargoniums. These can provide the flower "touch" that you need. A favourite of mine is lantana, very tough, grows well in pots and there are plenty of varieties with beautiful colours which should enhance any terrace. Happy gardening!