Embracing Bittersweet Fall

Hard to believe but our time in Italy is growing short and little by little we are closing down and ticking things off the list. Jeff has winterized the orto and that feels so final. Sure we have a few leeks and bitter greens left, and the parsley is still happy and vibrant, but for the most part it’s rest time for our vegetable garden.  Even our roof top and balcony gardens have gotten their winter trim.

We picked olives this week, which is another sure sign that it’s time to get ready to head back to New York.  Olive picking is a marvelous excuse to be outside on a gorgeous fall day, to climb a tree, to spend time with friends.  Now if we could solve our olive pressing problems, life would be perfect.  Finding a mill that will press only 100 kilos of olives is turning into a challenge.

Last night we headed to Citta di Castello for their Tartufo Bianco festival which is always a treat.  Huge tents filled with truffle vendors, cheese, porcini, salumis...the smells are intoxicating.  We got side tracked at the immensely crowded Syrah wine bar, then a fabulous dinner at Le Logge, so looks like we need to go back to the festival today if we are going to buy any truffles. Oh, the things we must do.

And speaking of smells, Montone has taken on that smoky, wood fire smell that I love. It  makes me crave roasting meats, chestnuts and big red wines. The past few mornings we’ve seen the heavy morning fog that is typical of this time of year making for spectacular scenery.
Bittersweet signs of fall, no doubt about it.