There is a reason

why I love Italy the way I do.

It's the water

Of the many lakes of Northern Italy, at the foot of the Alps. 

Villa Carlotta

So plain on the outside but wait until you are allowed to go inside. 

The top floor of Villa Carlotta is still occupied.  Her flag is flying when the Marquese is in residence.  

The flag was flying the day we visited.  

Fine silks in Bellagio, the pearl of the region.

I seldom succumb, but this time I came home with three beautiful, hand painted silk scarfs.

To see Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper was a privilege.

Next time I will not climb all the way to the top of the world's 3rd largest Duomo in Milan.

It is dizzying.

When in Milano one must visit Da Vinci, La Scala and the famous shopping mall and maybe the awe inspiring Duomo. 

What I loved most of all were the waters of the many lakes.  They were pure and clean.  Every Body of water was crystal clear. Not a piece of paper, not a spot of oil on the water, no refuse of any kind.  

I hope that one day you have an opportunity to visit this spectacular region of Italy. 

Gina

Asters with a past.

Asters growing in my garden from seeds gathered almost Forty Years ago at Lake Maggiore, Italy.

They were growing through her fence. 
The young woman watched me from an upper story window.

She smiled and waved.  I thanked her with a smile and a wave. 
She knew.

Hand painted muslin bag filled with Aster Seeds. 

Now almost forty years later and going back to Italy.

It's been raining for a few days.  Good for our pastures and garden. 

A good time to paint a few tiles.  Tiles as simple as Asters. 

Also time to make a few Pear and Champagne Grape Preserves. 

Asters from my seeds are growing in many gardens. 

I'll save some seeds for you.  


Have a great remainder of the week and a wonderful weekend. 

Gina

Asters from Lake Maggiore

Strolling along a side walk, Lake Maggiore, Italy, beautiful Asters were growing through a fence. I am an expert seed collector. Knowing when to harvest them is part of the success in growing them. These Asters were ready.

They were growing through the fence, right along my path. I picked one seed head of each color. Looking up toward the house I noticed a young woman watching me. I smiled and waved, she smiled and waved. She knew what I was doing and she didn't mind.

Little did she know that her Asters were going to America. That was 36 years ago. Lake Maggiore Asters are growing in the gardens of my friends and in mine.

Gina