Mamma Americana

Florentine Flower Show

The sun was shining Saturday morning when I awoke. I popped out of bed bright and early and hopped online looking for a fun family outing. Then I remembered seeing an ad for the semiannual Flower Show here in Florence. It is held at the Giardino dell' Orticoltura (Horticultural Garden) in Spring and Fall. It runs through May 3rd. So off we went to spend the morning amongst the flowers.

Stone dragon at the top of the garden. Kids love it. There is also a great playground for children.

The abandoned tepidarium.

A riot of color

Beautiful loggia in the gardens. I couldn't find any info. on it, but the terra cotta decorations appear to be della Robbia's, or something very similar

Terra cotta for sale

I bought  some strawberry plants, a few amaryllis bulbs, some geraniums and a couple of azaleas. I also purchased some tomato and lettuce seeds. I spent Saturday afternoon on the balcony planting up my little garden. I'll post some pics when things start growing.

A walk in the park

The fall weather has been fabulous this week; cool and breezy with lots of sun. Just what fall aught to be. Eleonora and I have been enjoying walks in the nearby park each afternoon. 

The park was originally the home of the Strozzi family. Their villa is now the headquarters of Polimoda, a fashion and design school. The park is open to the public.

It's on a hill, with a winding road, so it makes for a good walk. There is also plenty of play ground equipment for the kids, including a stationary train, airplane and the usual swing sets.

View of the surrounding countryside from the top of the hill.

A stroll anyone?

Our 3rd Anniversary

These last three years have flown by. I know it's cliche to say it seems like only yesterday that we were wed, but people say that for a reason: it really does! 

I'm so lucky to have Lorenzo in my life. He's a great husband and it has been fun over the last year to see him turn into such a loving papa. That kid loves her daddy. And I love him too.

Medici chapel, Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence

At the altar, with the Knights Templar in the background

Signing papers in the sacristy

Santa Croce

White Night

La Notte Bianca is a special night where stores, restaurants, museums and churches stay open much later than usual. The streets are closed off to traffic; stages are set up in various piazzas; and people stroll about enjoying the live music.

The phrase notte bianca derives from passare la notte in bianco, meaning to pass the night without sleeping, better known as insomnia. That's exactly what happened on Saturday night here in Florence, as the part of the city known as the Oltrarno (oltre l'Arno = beyond the Arno river) became a lively street party.

The festivities started at 7:30 p.m. and lasted until 4 a.m.

Ballerinas in Piazza Pitti

Piazza Pitti at sunset

We had dinner at Celestino's in Piazza Santa Felicita. Tables were set up in the piazza, and there was a singer/dj, giving the whole thing the atmosphere of a wedding reception.

The church in the background is ,Santa Felicita which I had never visited before, on account of never finding it open. I was finally able to see a very famous painting by Pontormo. You can see the square windows of theVasari Corridor above as it passes through the church on its way to Palazzo Pitti.

Looking back towards the Ponte Vecchio. You can see the Vasari Corridor winding its way around a tower.