Thinking of home

It’s a cold day in Iano today, well it dipped to 14C, which for early October is still fairly warm. It reminds me of home and the crisp fall air of Ontario. Some leaves are turning yellow here, and the wind and rain from yesterday has scattered some of them, but it is not like the beautiful colour palette we are treated to annually back home at this time of the year.

I guess no matter where you are in the world, when the temperatures cool to the point of wanting to slip on a sweater or a shawl, if you are Canadian, your mind turns to thoughts of harvesting apples, and pumpkins, making soups and hearty stews.

So, we are cocooning in Italy, the way we would be doing if back home. I am curled up on the couch, wrapped in a fleece Hudson Bay blanket we brought with us (yes we did!) with a good book (well, an e-book) as the soup simmers in our tiny European kitchen while listening to soft jazz like Diana Krall, Norah Jones, and of course homeboy Michael Bublé. I am even wearing my favourite knitted slippers, made by my dear friend Sue – who just happens to be in Italy as well, an hour away.

My Facebook is lit up with friends sharing recipes for warm soups, desserts and evidence that they are preparing for thanksgiving.

Fall is my favourite season, and my heart is happy that I do not need to sacrifice it, because I am in Italy. I am still connected to my friends and family, and fall traditions.