Kitchen Remodel: Part Ground Zero
Spoiler Alert: My Romantic Vision of an Italian Kitchen Was a Lie Our Italian kitchen remodel started with the realization that almost everything I had romanticized about Italian kitchens was wrong. Picture this: a massive island with double ovens, shiny stainless-steel appliances, and open shelves filled with olive oil bottles and fresh herbs. I mean, […]
Our Epic Gazebo Saga: From Online Debacle to Tree Rescue
When we bought the house in Abruzzo, it wasn’t just the charm of the old stone walls or the caves and cellars beneath it that sold us, it was the view. From the rooftop terrace, we get an unbeatable panorama: endless vineyards rolling across the countryside, rugged mountains that change colors with the seasons, ancient […]
Thinking Ahead: The Adventure of Relocating Our Kitchen (and the Bread Oven Saga) Part 1
When we first started discussing the relocation of our Italian kitchen, the vision was clear, at least in some ways. We knew what we wanted: a functional, beautiful space that could meet all our cooking needs and, more importantly, a space that would accommodate something very special, a bread oven. Dana’s love for making bread […]
Harvesting Tradition in Abruzzo: My Journey into Italy’s Olive Oil Culture
Every autumn, we feel the pull to return for the olive oil harvest in Abruzzo, one of the traditions that has come to define our time in this part of Italy. This rugged, beautiful region has become a part of our lives, not just because we have a home here, but because it hosts one […]
Our Italian Home Renovation: Dust, Drama, and a Dash of Chaos
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a home renovation project in Italy. The views are breathtaking, the culture is inspiring, and then… reality hits. The first time we returned to our Italian house to start serious work, we were ready for the challenge. What we weren’t ready for was having neither power nor water! […]
The Art of Italian Living: A Journey of Gates, Garages, and Good Food
Life in an Italian village has a rhythm of its own, woven into everything from transforming your home and navigating Italian bureaucracy to simply sitting down and enjoying a meal. Recently, we embarked on a property renovation project, starting with our front gates, which had seen far better days. This journey led us not only […]
Restoring the Breath of History
Our Limestone Wall Project Our historic limestone wall restoration was one of the first mojor projects we tackled at our old house in Italy, along the wall leading to the garage, cellar, and barn. The Significance of Limestone When we first encountered the front wall of our new home, it was covered in a layer […]
A Tale of Community and Revival
The Capestrano community revival is something you notice in the people as much as the place, in a village steeped in history but still brimming with life. Here, the balance between hard work and joyful living paints a vibrant picture of community spirit. Through this post, we’ll explore how the residents of Capestrano, both old […]
Where Maps and Logic Fail
Finding an Italian house began one late evening, with the soft glow of my laptop illuminating the room as I stumbled upon a property listing that seemed to call out to me, whispering, ‘this is the one. The listing offered nothing more than a few breathtaking photos and sparse details, no walkthroughs, no thorough inspections. […]
A Taste of Tradition and Nature
Traditional food in Abruzzo isn’t just cooked, it’s cherished, cultivated, and raised with care in one of Italy’s most rugged and beautiful regions. Nestled between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea, this region offers a culinary palette that is as diverse as its landscape. From freshly grown backyard produce to traditionally raised sheep, Abruzzo’s […]