My top 10

I would have like to form a top 2000 like the Dutch Radio does, but I have to face the fact that though I (mostly) like my life, it´s not that interesting. So I´ll stick to a top 10 of those things that made my 2012 worth remembering.

10. My pool in Holland. I´ve been there far too little, so it´s in this list to convince the Gods of all Weather that we should really get a summer in 2013.

9. Searching for asparagus in the Umbrian woods. The most memorable aspect was that I succeeded in finding 10 (!!) and met a viper.

8. Starting a blog and a facebook page called la Vita di Monteolivo.

7. My veggie and herb garden. I had to start it all over again, thanks to the snow in winter, but it did a marvellous job.

6. The pleasure of making my own wine.

5. Cooking, baking and inventing new recipes. Days like these I call La giornata della Nonna. 

4. Becoming a guest writer for Discovering Umbria and Thinking Nomads. Click on the links to read my articles. I hope to write a lot more in 2013.

3. The too short and very hot summer in Umbria. The memory only hurts me every day.

2. Picking olives in Umbria. I certainly hope my friends will invite me again in 2013. 

1. Pio. No comment needed.

vino della casa

This year my grape harvest was, as I told you before, abundant and of good quality. Having spent summer in my beloved Umbria in the middle of vineyards, my mind wouldn´t let go of the idea of making my own wine.

I searched for recipes and almost got too scared to try. Reading about ferment bottles, siphoning tubes, acidity, percentages and above all, about pests and diseases is not an encouraging way to start something new. A very simple message on facebook pulled me out of the misery just in time.

I had ten kg. of grapes that had to be washed, dipped in sulfite powder and then rinsed. One sentence – two hours of work. The next phrase told me to remove the grapes from the bunches and bruise them. This meant another two hours, but by that time I felt the energy running through my veins. Maybe it was the smell.

I had to prepare a mixture in order to start the ferment. It took some time measuring all the teaspoons and calculating the desired amount of sugar, but I managed and ended up with a bucket full of must that smelled delicous.

Very comforting were all the pictures from wineries in Umbria that appeared in the social media, because my must looked exactly alike. I had to let it ferment for 10 days, stirring three times a day and the smell got better and better.

After that it was time to press and filter the must. Of course this also sounds easier than it in fact was, but I finally had a full ferment bottle, purple hands and a lot of cleaning to do.

The thing to do then was wait until the ferment ended.

In order to clear the wine, it had to be siphoned from one bottle into another and back. That was a very nice part of the job, because I could taste a few drops and they seemed to be just fine.

Finally, I had a clear wine that was ready to be bottled. It took me only ten minutes... and then I found out that the last mile is really the longest. It was impossible for me to push the corks into the bottles but my youngest son came to my rescue and closed the bottles professionally.

So now... all I have to do is wait.  

My innocent addiction

It´s a bit risky to put the word addiction in the title of a blog but I have the opinion that things should be called by their actual name. Besides, the title also contains the word innocent, even if it is a bit subjective, but I assure you this addiction is harmless.

It is about my passion for linens. Even if I would want, I cannot kick the habit of collecting. As a matter of fact, this addiction is genetically determined.

My grandmother´s legacy consisted of a room high cabinet, stuffed with towels, tea towels, washcloths, napkins, tablecloths, sheets – and after we had divided the first layer between us, there appeared a second, equal layer behind it.

Look, nobody needs an excuse for collecting towels, one has to shower. The same goes for sheets and duvet covers, you won´t survive without sleep.

Every cook knows that a great dinner starts with a great laid table, so I can explain away my extravagant amount of tablecloths. A table runner protects your table, so you´d better have them in stock, just like placemats. When you choose the colors caefully, you´ll be able to make beautiful combinations, especially if you suffer from a tableware tic as well (but I´ll write about that some other time).

Napkins can be used as placemats. The paper version – that I´m not able to resist either – can serve not only as napkin, but also as a table mat for potpourri or something.

Curtains are necessary to isolate the windows. We should care about the environment after all. There´s no better thing than adjusting the interior of your home to the season twice a year, so it´s a necessity of life to have curtains, pillow cases and grand foulards in summer- and wintercolors.

But what excuse can I think of to explain my huge collection of tea clothes in the most lovely colors and designs, considering I have a dishwasher? Well, my knives should be washed up manually. And when conserving vegetables, the jars need to be put away clean. So you see I simply need all those linens.

And....Umbria happens to home one of the best fabric manufacturers. Tessitura Pardi, from Bastardo, with stores (among others) in Montefalco, Todi, Perugia and Spello. From napkins to bedspreads, in the most splendid colors and designs and in utmost quality. I am the happy owner of some of their pieces, and to be honest: put Pardi on your table and dinner almost cooks itself.

Who wants to learn more: http://www.tessiturapardi.com/ with just one warning, you will become very greedy!

The only thing is... I hate ironing......