Italian Adventures – We Bought a House in Italy!

In 2024 Andrew had taken a few of the remaining pallets left behind by the workers and constructed a plant stand for me, which I then painted in the Fall. While I didn’t plant anything in it yet, I knew the spring of 2025 would give me ample opportunity.

In the Spring of 2024 I ordered an umbrella for the upper terrace outside the kitchen to provide me with shade when I needed it. What I love about the umbrella is that it has a solar bank at the top and lights on the inside of the umbrella, which creates a really cool effect in the evening.

Now that the giant pile of stones were finally removed from the back corner of the house, I could finally decide what to do with this space. It provides lovely shade and quite space, so why not create an entertainment space there. Plus, in the late spring you get this beautiful carpet of pink flowers!

Meanwhile, the other garden areas are becoming quite defined. The firepit area has been well defined and embraced.

I have now declared the lower flat yard by the street to be the Gaming Yard. I ordered benches and tables to make it comfortable and easy to support snacks and cocktails. Here is where we plan Cornhole, Kub, Bocci and so much more.

After everyone left in the Fall, I was exploring and found an antique store, Santapupa, that had an amazing array of treasures. I have always wanted a tree seat, one of those seats that wraps around the base of a tree. I had researched how to build one from wood, but never actually built one. But at this shop, there it was!!! They actually had two, one really large one and one regular sized one. I only needed the regular one. Magic! I bought it and a few days later they delivered it. YAY!!!

I will work with Adriano to make this beautiful in the spring. I definitely don’t have to mow and weedwhack underneath it.

Come spring, this is where the garden really takes shape in such a fun way! Succulents planted and will serve for transplants in the Fall. My new wine barrel makes the perfect table for the high top chairs I bought a few years ago.

Adriano’s crew made the perfect base for the tree bench and now it’s perfect!!!

Time for a party!!!

The result of my succulent starts…

The 3 chairs that almost killed me to build finally found a new home. I put them on the south side of the house facing the shed and the small garden. They are a nice place for breakfast in the morning, as they get just the right amount of sun. They have also provided the workmen a nice place to rest and have lunch. Yay!

Finally, I wrapped the tree with the bench with twinkle lights that are solar powered. I also wrapped the new garden arch where I planted the wisteria. It’s fun at night!