The Cookie Caper…

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Melonie

Just like in Tuscany, Christmas brings lots of festivals, street fares and reasons to have fun here in Tennessee!

Every year we drive the curvy 35 minutes drive to the sweet town of Tellico Plains. This one red light, gazebo centered town is the foot of the Cherohala Skyway. This area is known for its lovely waterfalls, hiking trails, camping sites, hunting and curvy mountain drives. But at Christmas they slow down even more so adding tea lights along the downtown streets, decorated lamposts, a living Nativity, Santa’s house, the Grinche’s cave, mule and horse drawn buggy rides, merchants selling their local art and food and………The famous Cookie Caper.

The Cookie Caper is a tradition for us. Not that we couldn’t make these cookies ourselves, they are not award winning or hard to find cookies. But they are homemade by the local town ladies and all the proceeds of your cookie purchase goes to charity. Here is how it plays out….

Stand in line (which reaches down the street), sipping the free hot chocolate to keep you warm that you got from the Arts Council across the street, when you reach the entrance you are given plastic gloves to put on your hands. The apron clad volunteers hand you a tissue filled white box and encourage you to have fun! You walk around a room filled with literally dozens and dozens of cookies and treats. But be careful-they charge you by the pound at the end while wrapping your box up with a lovely red ribbon.

There are the old fashioned stand by cookies, new recipes to try, fudge and candy too. This year we almost strolled along the town too long and missed out. They were almost out of our favorites but we still managed to spend enough money to make a dent in our wallets. The box never makes the ride home without someone stealing a “taste”. I always encourage we transport them into a more seal tight tin but my family reminds me they will not be around that long! and they are always right.

It is a great fundraising idea and so fun to fight over the cookies when you get home!

See what I mean….

YUM!!!!

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The Santa Hustle…

Posted on December 16, 2012 by Melonie

This year we found another great reason to get outside and try to walk/run off some of the holiday treats!

As much as I would love to call myself a serious runner I am really in it to stay semi in shape and have a reason to stay motivated. This year my friend found a new race coming to Tennessee called “The Santa Hustle”. The race organizers promised a Santa hat, Santa beard, T-shirt and free chocolate chip cookies! Wow sign me up…oh yeah I am trying to stay in shape but really, what could one cookie do? ha
So the entire family signs up to travel east one hour to the fun and crowded town of Pigeon Forge TN at the foot of the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.

The race was held at The Wilderness Lodge which has an indoor water park and the kid has been wanting to try it out so we booked a room with the special race discount! We packed our warm running clothes and our bathing suit (which is just odd to do mid December in Tennessee) and we had a blast. The water rides and huge hot tub, wave pool and surfing was a huge hit with the kids.
The watepark kept us busy all night and we even played arcade games and lazer tag. I had to make everyone get to bed if we were going to be down to race at the crack of dawn!

The race itself was a flat course, although a little boring on the main travel road-the volunteers made it fun however by offering chocolate covered cherries along the way, hot chocolate, and more . The after race party had of course, Santa’s favorite-cookies and milk (I did have more than one). There was music playing and huge Christmas character blow ups and cheering crowd! We all had an amazing race day and the people were so crazy in holiday costumes.

We will try to make this a new Christmas tradition and next year I may have to dress up!

Here we are in our freebies! Aren’t we cute?

The grounds were all decorated…

And so were the people!



Everyone had a great time and it was very festive!



Outside Fun and Inside Fun all at Wilderness Lodge!

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Day and Night….

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Melonie

Lucca at night (above)…

Traveling to different places make you look at things differently. Although I live in the lovely Smokey Mountains, I don’t always notice the beauty around me. I live in a historic section of town yet take for granted the history around me…but put me on a plane and I notice every detail.

I find it so interesting the difference light and darkness create on a structure…I don’t normally have an “eye” for things like that but taking pictures at different times of the day is fun.

Below are a few examples….

The Trevi Fountain, Roma

The Coliseum, Roma

St Pauls, Roma

Overlooking Vatican City

 

Lucca from the Tower, Toscana

Florence in a storm…

and my favorite place….can you guess where this is?

 

Posted in Chianti, Family, Florence, History, Italy, Lucca, Rome, Tuscany, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

And I thought my kid’s soccer was rough?

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Melonie

For the last several years I have been reading about an interesting tradition in Florence called…”Calico Storico”…historic football. I have watched insane Youtube video’s of what looks like grown men playing in a huge sand pit with a ball…oh, and they are really bloody.

So this summer we decided to find this crazy game and consider watching the final match playe every year in June.

Although the game itself dates back to 1200-the “rules” were written down in 1500’s. The “football” match was made famous by the Medici’s, and at the time only the noblemen participated. The “rules” include pretty much anything goes except sucker punches and kicks to the head. The referee who is costumed in plump britches and a feather hat can’t see too much with all the sand in the air, hence the bloody faces and heads.

The teams are comprised of 27 men from the four neighborhoods, also known as “contradas” or districts. The blue, red, green, and white all stand for a different district. Like soccer, they have positions (defenders, attackers, goal keeper) but I am pretty sure it’s just every man for himself and looks as if everyone just beats each other up and somehow the ball gets tossed into a fake end zone area. The game itself gets kind of lost amidst all the fighting.  The men are lovely, strong, muscular, and dressed in colorful medieval pants, leather colored shoes and a tan 6 pack instead of shirts.

The teams play for 3 weeks until the final match. The winner gets bragging rights for a year and beef steak the total weight of the team! ha

The game is played in the Piazza Santa Croce-bleachers and sand are brought in to make it look like a huge sand box.  Tickets are sold at various locations through out the city.

Not into blood and sand? You can grab a seat at a bar along the parade route and watch the beautiful ladies, players, trumpet and drummers, the Mayor and his family, and more….

Isn’t Italy fun? Enjoy the parade with us…

The trumpets sound the parade! The Mayor and his lovely family lead the way.

The Lady of the Day.

off to cheer on their man perhaps?

Lots of feathered hats…

Drummers of all shapes and ages lead in the players.

Here comes the military…

Real men wear leather red shoes…

These players mean business…checkout the mouthpieces slid behind their ears???

Lots of tattoos and cut off shirts…uuurrrgggg.

and here is the prize…she is too cute to eat!

 

Posted in Chianti, Family, Florence, Food, History, Italy, Things to do, Travel Tips, Tuscany, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Crafty people make me jealous…

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Melonie

Another amazing aspect to the Harvest Festival in San Gimignano and all over Italy is the display of crafty people.

I do admit I have an addiction of watching craftsmen. I have never been able to make anything so I admire them so much.

I have posted about a cameo maker and nativity carver in Naples, a basket weaver in the Garfagnana, looms full of wool to make scarves, rugs and more in North Tuscany….and on and on.

In San Gimignano, a flute maker, archery, paper journals with leather backing, many leather goods, jewelry, drums, and more were available. My kid loves leather journals and she actually writes in them too! She has shelves of journals…these were not cheap but to watch them make them , then purchase one, made for a true Italian experience.

Shooting an arrow just made makes it much more exciting, hanging a painting with the paint freshly dried -amazing, trying on a necklace just finished being tied off much prettier, writing in a leather bound journal brings motivation to write…oh and eating fresh braided bread…much more tasty.

My hubby really really really wanted one of these….he settled for a smaller version.

Tools of the trade…

The kid chose a pretty blue one…don’t they inspire you to write?!

Carved bows and arrows….

I’m a sucker for a nice pair of dangly earrings!

Everyone needs a family crest shield or handmade knife!

But this guy gets the “You Made That?” Award…simply jaw dropping…

 

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War of Love.

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Melonie

In San Gimignanao’s Harvest Festival, one of the favorite events is “The War of Love”. The entire weekend tells a story. The program (you get with the paid admission for the weekend) tells the folklore of the love story between the local men and women, and the quest for the golden sword.  After the parade of characters enter the piazza the story unfolds…it starts with the “storming of the palace”, then the fighting for the “lady”, followed by many competitions I have already posted about to “entice” the opposite sex.

Once the events are drawing to close (except the final horse ride for the sword) the gallant men and lovely ladies “fight” by using soft red and white balls. then, the real fun begins as the audience is invited to fight! The balls are made of what I think are nylons (panty hose for us Southerns) filled with soft material and tied at the end. You grab a ball and start pelting complete strangers. I know it sounds crazy, but it is a blast. I hit a costumed character and knocked his hat off (it was an accident I promise)..well, he grabbed 3 of his friends and about killed me!!! I laughed so hard I had to sit down and rest.

The kids love it but the adults have the most fun…rarely do we get to go around pelting people! Afterwards, the balls can be found all around the city-I fell sorry for the clean up crew, and every once in awhile someone takes one out of nowhere long after the “War  of Love” is over and throws it at you!

Storming the Palace.

Winning the Ladies hearts with flowers!

First the characters begin the fight…

Then the audience gets in on the action.

Me and the kid having some fun!

After all the “fighting” the Knight gets his Lady!

Such an amazing time in Tuscany, in the beautiful town of San Gimignano…more to come on this place!

 

Posted in Chianti, Family, Florence, History, Italy, San Gimignana, Things to do, Travel Tips, Tuscany | Leave a comment

Wooaaahhhh…horse!

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Melonie

Or in my latest experience riding horses in Tuscany, Giddy Up!!!

Yes, I was lucky enough to get the slow horse! Followed by my hubby who had the stallion, “Paco”-who really really really liked my horse! ha

The kid’s horse, Lady, was perfect and it was a great riding day for her.

We had so much fun joining our guide Rosi in Bagni di Lucca for coffee before heading off to the hills of Lucca. A ranch named “Il Nostro”, located in Mutigliano Lucca was a full riding ranch with rings, trails, picnic tables, and of course a cafe! The day we arrived many kids were there for a day camp where they learned to feed, groom and ride.

The three of us mounted up and had a brief introduction to our horses-I was the most experienced rider and left the ranch feeling pretty comfortable. Well, about 500 yards later I realized my horse liked to “snack”. She literally would dead stop and eat an entire tree!  The guide would yell, “Melonie, you must be strong…give her a quick strong pull at the reins, show her you are in charge”…well after about 30 minutes of pulling I couldn’t feel my arms and she continued to eat the entire trip. I am certain they do not have to do any trail maintenance  as my horse kept the trails very clean! I finally gave up and just started laughing because I was so pitiful!

My daughter, who was a novice but can do anything athletic had a great trail ride, leading the group down the “Strada del Vino” (road leading to several wineries) and enjoying the views of the lovely hills of Tuscany. We passed estates, olive trees, lots of pretty flowers (which my horse wanted ate) and mountains!

Rosi, who along with her husband Adriano, run the Villa Talenti, www.villatalenti.com where you can rent a home, or just email her to guide you around Lucca doing fun things….like horseback riding!  Look her up-she is a fistful of knowledge of the Bagni Di Lucca area.

The kid and “Lady” getting to know each other with Rosi.

Wasn’t “Paco” handsome…just like the rider!

Almost ready to ride….

My horse was so naughty I forgot her name…but she was pretty.

Off we go!

Cafe?…only in Italy will they have a coffee bar at a ranch!

Plenty of places to learn to ride, picnic, and more. They have a huge competition here every year that draws lots of visitors.

We always try to do something off the beaten path and get out of the museums..this was a a great day!

 

 

 

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PULL!!!!

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Melonie

I have been posting the last few days on the “Harvest Festival” in San Gimignano, also known as the Town of Towers.  A lovely but a bit touristy town during the day, it is certainly worth the crowds on that special June weekend when all the area turns out for the Festival.

The contrada’s (neighborhoods) compete during a 2 day festival for the eventual winner of the golden sword. The different colored costumed town folks participate in many contests. My favorite and the crowd favorite is the tried and true…Tug Of War!

The first time we saw this we were amazed at the fact that it was standing room only to see this important event. One guy was an obvious  town favorite as the crowd roared whenever he and his green team took center piazza. These guys are in full costume, including interesting (and slippery) shoes…

No gloves are used o this large old fashioned rope that just screams “splinters”! The guys huddle together working on the strategy against the other team. The Master of Ceremony holds the center of the rope, the horns blair and ….PULL …PULL….off they go.

It takes many rounds to determine the winner, as well as the placement of the losers. The men are very upset or joyful, hugs, kisses, or sitting with head in hand in amazement at the loss…This year proved to be no different…it seems whomever could stay on there feet had the victory. If one man feel to his knees, or slipped in his precious shoes the entire team went down like domino’s.

It is impossible to NOT cheer for a team-I was for the blue team (San Giovanni) the entire weekend, they won all the competitions leading up to the final riding contest….the women and the men had worked hard to take over every contest!

I love looking at the crowd cheer!

Here you see the lineleader at the start of the tug…must run the the end and become the anchor after a few second…I’ve never seen it done this way but it made even more exciting.

This is the team coach…yelling instructions.

The town hero-VICTORY!

This one was so close the judge had to come in to watch!

The big dogs shake hands and move on to the next contest.

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The ladies get in on the action!

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Melonie

A surprise to some but a beautiful historical tradition to Italian festivals are the dances and competitions done by the ladies of the town. At the “Harvest Festival” in San Gimignano, the women have been working hard all year to prepare for these dances.

I wonder if these are dances the entire family knows…In my mind, I can hear Nonna (the grandmother) say to the young girl…”It is time for you to learn the family dances so in  a few years we will make you a fancy dress, braid your hair with ribbon and you will perform for the town and represent our family…”.

There were ladies off all ages dancing to the drums, horns and music created through the 2 day festival. They had lovely gowns, most laced up the back, some had matching colored braided hair and casual cinch purses (I wonder if there cell phones were in there?)

Besides many many dance routines, they also compete against each contrada (neighborhood) in a “braid” race. Using colored ropes to represent the color of the contrada, the girls literally braid the rope while running, ducking, turning to and thro-the first to complete the braid wins! It is very strategic-where you stand , getting in the groove with your teammates, holding the material just right…San Giovanni won this year. The others were disappointed and got into long heated discussions on why they didn’t win. Like all Italian competitions-it gets steamy and hands start waving, voices are raised…but in the end, they all hug and move on the the next competition.

I love how Italians never seem to hold a grudge….the entire group number dances are fun to watch and the audience even gets invited to join in!

This was a steamy day..these dresses must have been toasty! Aren’t they pretty?

They have bells around there wrist for this dance!

Waiting for the signal to start the “Braid” race!

Under, over, under, over…run run…hurry…

The little girls sit watching the older ladies…thinking someday they will get there turn.

The winners!!!!

Everyone dressed up for the festivities.

This little guy couldn’t wait-he just had to get out there and dance!!!

 

 

Posted in Chianti, Family, Florence, History, Italy, San Gimignana, Things to do, Travel Tips, Tuscany | Leave a comment

Throwing the Flags….

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Melonie

One of my favorite scenes in “Under the Tuscan Sun” movie is the young man showing his love to the young Italian woman by throwing the flags in the festival. I remember watching that movie thinking , how lovely, how pretty, look at the costumes, look at the passion…wondering if that really happens.

At the Harvest Festival (which I posted about yesterday) the flag throwing was indeed a highlight. They look very heavy and the costumes can not make it easy…or the sun in their eyes, or the lights shining at night into the piazza, or the kids from the crowds running around at will…crazy but crazy good.

The flag throwers were both make and female..they didn’t just throw…they twirled, spun, tumbled, jumped, ducked and some almost seemed like a dance. We were amazed at how many routines they had, soloists, group numbers, duo’s, trio’s…much preparation went into presenting these routines during the weekend…it made me wonder if they are able to use these talents more than once a year!!!

If you ever have a chance to see a festival or some flag throwers…stop, sit down and be amazed!

All of my pictures are blurry because of the quick activity but you get the idea.

All the flag routines were done the drumming of the local musicians.

The lights around the piazza made it even more magical looking.

The flag throwers are running around the square giving the kids a chance to touch the flags as they run by…this is a BIG deal-which screaching and high five’s to your friends if you were lucky enough to feel the flag!

The colors , costumes and talent were all beautiful.

 

Posted in Chianti, Family, History, Italy, San Gimignana, Things to do, Travel Tips, Tuscany | Leave a comment