Florence to Arezzo

Florence is a beautiful city but what a nightmare to try and drive around. The streets go straight and change names every 50 feeet, and the name are half a mile long and make no sense whatsoever. Thank God for Chris' Garmin- we'd be in Croatia right now without it. Anyway, saw the Duomo- amazing- and stumbled on an open air  market selling all kinds of things. Got a taste of Italian bartering (the drama! The eye rolling! The grasping their chest like your killing them! ) Anyway, bought a beautiful scarf before I left the city.

Arrived in Arrezo trying to kill some time begore we needed to show up at the cooking school- saw the place where they filmed the scene in "Under the Tuscan Sun" ( I throw de flag!) and then tried to find the villa for the cooking school. OMG, we drove round and round- and this is with the Garmin- finally found the road out of sheer luck and began the ascent to the school. Holy crap, a mountain goat would have a heart attack on this road! Straight up! But when we got to the top- heaven. Such a beautiful spot.

The first day here (with memories of the drive up fresh in our minds) we opted to stay here instead of venture out. Had a couples massage (heaven) then went to our first cooking class. Had a lot of fun- good group of people- and cooked a fabulous meal.

Tomorrow- wood-fired pizza (which we made the dough for today) and a trip to a winery. More cooking tomorrow afternoon. This place is heaven on earth and I'm doing my best to soak up every second.

Wish you were here!

Florence and beyond

Finally made it to the villa, getting internet over here is a real pain, then once you get it types everything in italian, thank god Yvonne knew that the computer had a built in translator

Jumping the pond

We're here- we made it! Almost missed the flight in Chicago because what we were told and reality for flight times didn't quite match up. I got my exersize running through the airport. Slept most of the way over. Brian and I are in our hotel in Florence (Brian is complaining about the humidity, we've both gotten so used to Colorado's dry air.) Yes it's true- Italian drivers really are crazy (and they shout and wave their hands just like in the movies). Bummin around Florence tomorrow, then on to the villa- we'll keep you posted.

Why Two Fat Cats?

It all started with a pair of socks.....

Anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that I have an affinity for weird socks. Birds, horses, dogs, cats, chili peppers have all found their way into my sock drawer. One year on vacation I found a pair that had two cats, side by side walking away from the viewer with their tails swinging in the air. Their little footprints wound across the socks. Brian loved this pair and told me "That's us! Two fat cats." And the name stuck.

Fast forward a couple of years and we decided that the time had come to make our dream of having a real gourmet kitchen in our home a reality- and the renovation (read nightmare) began. Yes, honey, I would call cooking out of a crockpot on a card table in the living room for three months a nightmare. Anyway, while we were renovating we discussed that with this kitchen, we could open a restaurant. When Brian asked what we would name this imaginary restaurant, I flippantly replied "Chez Townsend". At the same time, he said "Let's call it Two Fat Cats." and so Chez Townsend's Two Fat Cats was born. Later that year, at Christmas, Brian had two chef jackets made with the Chez Townsend's Two Fat Cats name on it- and in a stroke of genius- the picture of the two cats from my socks. This is why we've been married 32 years. That, and the fact that he can cook!

Packing....

We've been ironing, folding, sorting, categorizing and laundering for days now. Brian keeps taking my pajamas out of the pile and hiding them (luckily, I'm on to his shenanigans). we've decided that we're each going to go through the other's pile of stuff and eliminate the unnecessary crap (this does not include pajamas!). This is the problem with being "type A"- I think we're the most organized travelers on the planet. Here's hoping the airlines don't lose our luggage (changing planes 3 times). If they do, I'll just have to buy clothes in Italy- now that would be a real hardship.... :)

If you would like to see the web site for the cooking school we are staying at go to; www.tuscookany.com, then select the Villa called Torre del Tortufo ( Tower of truffles ).

11 days to go and Brian and I are realizing that we are just not globally connected. We have done everything we can think of to prepare for this trip but I know that hidden challenges and opportunities await. 26 hours of traveleing- oh joy. Waking up to the sun shining over the Duomo will make up for everything.