Italian Purchases

Yesterday was spent doing chores. ARGH The nightmarish trip home ensured that I was quite tired and I managed to sleep through until almost 5:30 - pretty impressive since my body was telling me it was really 11:30 am in Italian time.

One of the first tasks was to empty out the suitcases, sort everything out, and put things away. I've been asked why we needed four suitcases for a three week trip. Let me assure you that it wasn't for clothing! We brought enough clothing for half of the trip, did laundry in Lucca, and then still ended up mailing a box of dirty laundry home in Montisi to make room in the luggage!

This is why we required all of that luggage room! We ended up bringing home a lot of stuff.

So what does a couple of food loving tourists bring home from Italy?

Extra virgin olive oil, 12 year old balsamic vinegar, 18 year old balsamic vinegar, 4 year old balsamic vinegar SPRAY, three bags of amaretti cookies from Mombaruzzo, 14 bottles of wine (2 Barolo, 2 Brunello, 2 Super Tuscan, 2 Vin Santo, 2 Brachetto d'Acqui, 4 bottles from Domenico's winery near the Baur B and B),  a bag of faro, 2 bottles of Tuscan herb mixture made by Conti in the Florence market, truffle salt (I don't know WHAT I'll ever use this for but it smells and tastes wonderfully), 2 bottles of fig jelly for cheese, 2 bottles of pear jelly for cheese, a large chocolate bar with whole toasted hazelnuts from Bicerin, Bicerin chocolates, chocolates from Pasticceria Tamborini in Torino, 2 bags of nougat (with hazelnuts) a Piemonte specialty bought in Eatly in Torino, a jar of chinghale (wild boar) ragu bought in Eataly, 3 spice grinder bottles from the grocery store (great for pasta, grilled veggies, etc), 2 bags of biscotti from Nannini bakery in Siena, and a risotto mix with shaved black truffles.

So that is the food and drink related portion.

Of course it doesn't end there.

We also bought some calendars to give as gifts. Some leather snuck its way into our suitcases (wallets, eye glass cases, key chains). The paper store in Florence was visited and we brought home cards, note paper, note cards, and other paper goods. Of course we managed to find 14 bars of soap at various spots.

I only bought one piece of clothing on the trip (Italian clothing seems only made for the anorexic crowd). I also bought a great pair of leather sandals.

Then there is the art . . . we bought a painting of Montisi painted by Elizabeth Cochrane (who provided us with our painting lesson). We bought 2 lithographs in Lucca - one a hand painted map of the town in the 1600's, the other a view of Guingi tower.

We bought a lovely piece of children's literature (all about cats and their interesting personalities) that was written and illustrated by the wife of the balloonist who took us ballooning. She signed this for us.

This is why we needed four suitcases and ended up sending home 20 pounds of dirty laundry.

Then there was the stuff we sent home (ceramics). . . .

Paul bought me the large jug as my anniversary gift (although we got it in a different pattern). I bought a napkin holder, plate, and an olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper set in the sunflower pattern.  I also purchased three ceramic wall plaques depicting various Tuscan scenes.

There were other things we wanted (I would have loved to have brought home some cheese) but there is only so much that can be carried, shipped, or paid for! LOL

Comments

[Barb Cabot]

Upon my wakening I head for the computer to see if you and Palma have blogged. Oh boy, I'm so excited when I can read more about the trip. Love your descriptions of all the purchases. Many possibly would not understand why you would need to have so many suitcases. From someone that always brings suitcases home that are full of cheese, I totally get it. Keep on blogging. I know I am not alone when I await your posts. Absolutely love your ceramic purchases!

[Jane]

Jerry, you are so bad! Someday you will need a larger house to store all your goods. I, too, looked forward to your posts. Thanks for taking us along on your adventure.

[sandrac]

Jerry, you're an inspiration. I'm starting work now on my shopping list for September ("ceramics, sunflower pattern; leather eyeglass cases; bottled cinghiale sauce; chocolate!....")

It sounds (and looks) like a fantastic haul! Things that will help you to bring a bit more of Italy into your home, and remind you of a wonderful trip.

Your ceramics look really beautiful and what a thoughtful gift from Paolo.

[Rose]

Wow! Looks like you brought Italy home with you!

[Jerry]

It is nice to have a bit of Italy at home. Now I try to bring home things I can't find here or things that are far more expensive here (aged balsamic being a prime example). Most of what we brought home fall into the categories of gifts for others or consumables so we won't be needing a bigger house just yet (although I'd be quite happy with a larger kitchen!).

[Wendy and Rob]

A table full of Italian goodies, each hand picked with the promise of vibrant memories with each taste or use. And a full year of wishes for somebody with the calendars.

Love your selections and wish you both great joy as you sip, nibble and munch.

[Jerry]

Thanks Wendy - we've started on the munching already. We may need to return sooner than we had originally planned.