The Italy I Love: Spring Awakenings
April 4, 2026
Planting seeds for a brighter future, Lucca-based writer Jess Simpson celebrates the beauty of spring in Italy. … More The Italy I Love: Spring Awakenings
Tag: tuscany
Barter or Bust, That’s Us.How We Continue Exploring and Evolving in the Sharing Economy.
December 27, 2025
Writer Jess and cyclist Matt have traveled the world using the barter system, becoming all-star house-sitters, workawayers, and now…in the latest obsession, home exchangers! … More Barter or Bust, That’s Us.How We Continue Exploring and Evolving in the Sharing Economy.
It’s (Not) Always Spritz:Thirty
August 19, 2025
If you’ve visited Italy in summer, you know what I mean by Spritz-Thirty. It’s the time of afternoon when the sun salutes the horizon, unfurling ribbons of bright orange or fiery red, depending on your perspective and palate. A sure signal to begin the beloved Italian day-part and revered tradition known as aperitivo hour, aka spritz-thirty.As much an Italian cultural … More It’s (Not) Always Spritz:Thirty
The Restoration of a Fresco, with Peacock Flair
February 16, 2025
Not long before her death at 95-years-young, my beloved grandmother Frances told me that she was coming back in the next life as a peacock. “Nothing could be more fitting,” I said, laughing and wishing it to be so. A jitterbug dance champion in her younger days, she was still lighting up the dance floor … More The Restoration of a Fresco, with Peacock Flair
From Bitter to Sweet: A Kitchen Transformation, along with a Dollop of Detours
July 28, 2022
The subject matter and tone of the last update were heavier and more emotional than most renovation stories, I realize. For this one, I thought I’d share some of the ridiculous situations and on-the-fly decisions inherent in any good reno project. And, because no one has ever appreciated silliness and spontaneity more than our late-friend … More From Bitter to Sweet: A Kitchen Transformation, along with a Dollop of Detours
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