The Traveling Scarf.

...finished!

This was a perfect traveling project - laceweight yarn (so it didn't weigh much and the in-progress knitting packed up small), not-so-small needles (I used size 6's) and a really easy pattern (stockinette stitch on the bias). I cast on the day before we left because I didn't want to fiddle with the provisional cast-on away from home. The knitting started in earnest just before our flight to Paris,

continued through Paris, to Milan.

and then to Florence. I don't have any photos of the work-in-progress after that train photo, but I  know the scarf was in my bag for those 463 steps to the top of the Duomo (because I knitted a few rows in a coffee shop that afternoon). That was one great view! I think it spent the rest of Florence in our apartment so I could "travel light".

It was my project for the plane trip home, too (when I finally started listening to The Goldfinch)...and I finally bound it off when we were away for Memorial Day (yeah, almost two weeks ago).

So this morning I wove in the two ends, soaked and blocked it...and this afternoon, I took a few photos. Finished.

Many, many happy memories wrapped up this one. I can't wait to wear it!

Europe 2014 | The Scarves.

...Brenda suggested, in a comment on Tuesday's post, that I recap the scarves I wore. I had six along for the trip, these five

(clockwise from the upper left - Bias Before & After, Meadowsweet, Habu Color Affection, Traveling Woman and Juliette)

and my newest Diagonal Lace Linen (aka one of the four "Florence scarves").

the Florence Scarves debut at our first dinner in Florence

I learned when I was in Paris back in 2009 that scarves are key to making the same outfits work over and over. I chose the first five "oldies but goodies" because they coordinated with at least two tops ... and because they were all summer weight (lots of linen, silk and, in the case of that traveling woman, sugar cane!). I wore and re-wore every one of them, except for the Bias Before & After (It was a little too colorful for what I ended up wearing in Paris...and then a little too warm for Florence). 

Here's a quick recap of a few of my favorite outfits...and views!

Traveling Woman, with lunch our first day in Paris

Juliette, with dinner in Montmartre

Meadowsweet, with our last late lunch in Paris 

Traveling Woman atop the Duomo

Traveling Woman on the Ponte Vecchio

Meadowsweet in the Boboli Gardens 

Color Affection near the Piazza Michaelangelo 

my Florence Scarf..at our last dinner in Florence

This was a fun post to put together - thank you, Brenda, for the suggestion!

Thank you, Florence.

"...typing this in seat 22A on the flight from Florence to Paris. trying not to worry that we had to check our bags through to Paris and that we weren't able to get boarding passes for our final flight to Atlanta. we have a four hour layover...surely that will be enough time to resolve any issues...in the meantime, looking back on last night is making me happy (and sad...)

We ended up at the wine bar where we had our first lunch and another wonderful dinner. But this time we got seats at the bar...front row! The place is so tiny this one guy (of course Francie found out his name...Emiliano) runs it with one other server. He prepares all the plates and really puts on a show. or maybe he did it just for us? Sara and I watched him plate an order of anchovy crostini and ordered a plate for ourselves (Sue and Francie had sausage with melted cheese...to each their own!)

yes that's fresh mozzarella, layered on toasted bread, topped with the anchovies, then drizzled with olive oil and that one fresh chive. it was...divine.

for the "main course", Sara ordered a cheese plate. Emiliano put on a(nother) show.

Francie had a 6am flight; probably a good thing or we might've ordered more food and wine! and then this last photo probably wouldn't have been so great.

We said tearful goodbyes this morning... dear friends and wonderful memories. Grazie, Firenze.

P.S. 15 minutes of free wifi in the Paris airport and all is well!

l'ultimo da Firenze.

...the title says this is the last from Florence, but that really means the last blog post. We still have another twelve hours here. Plenty of time to enjoy what we hope will be a wonderfully memorable dinner and a smooth and uneventful departure tomorrow morning. 

Yesterday ended up being all about the sunset. One of Sara's itinerary requests was to visit the Piazza Michealangelo (high above the city on the southeast bank of the Arno with stunning views)...at sunset. We planned our day around it. well that and the food and the shopping. We started out with a revisit to a favorite shop for scarves, and then a favorite shop for handpainted leather bags. I love that we've only been here since Monday and we already have "favorite" shops!

Lunch was a new place, though, a Mozzarella Bar. Second thing I love about Florence is that they have cheese bars. We had a "tasting plate" featuring three kinds of mozzarella; we added a pesto tasting and a basket of focaccia. oh my.

After lunch, we wandered, shopped a bit more and made our way to Santa Croce in the late afternoon. This is the oldest church in the city, but I wasn't in a church mood. Francie and Sue toured...and Sara and I had coffee. The good stuff started after with a visit to the gelateria our food lovers guidebook recommended. I had salted caramel and mascarpone and it was by far my best combo (of course I can't imagine anything not being delicious with salted caramel!)

..and then the views and the climb and the sunset. This first view is just after we crossed the river; I was enchanted by the relection.

And from the piazza

The gathering on the steps was a huge part of the fun. I think the combined age of our party was significantly more than...just about everyone else - take wine and cups and cameras...and if you're not too vain, a pillow, the stone steps get hard!

...and finally the sunset.

we left the piazza just before the light so we could see the sunset reflected in the river.

I'm so glad Sara wanted to do this...like the 463 steps we climbed on Tuesday to see the city from the Duomo, this view and the accompanying experience are memories I'll always treasure. 

Today we visited Santa Maria Novella - glad I was over my pout about paying to see a church - it was beautiful.

...had pizza (back at La Busolla - our 3rd visit and still delicious) and gelato.

shopped and got back early to pack.

We have a long layover in Paris tomorrow and if there's wifi, I'll post...otherwise it'll be next week and back home. and I am really so...not ready.  Ciao!

e un terzo da Firenze.

...the week is flying by! we spent yesterday as planned - a little shopping, gelato, pizza, wine and the Uffizi. And I have photos of all of it to share! I remembered waterlogue yesterday and had fun painting. Here you go:

On the way to the restaurant...

Then lunch at La Bussolo. We were delighted to learn that the restaurant's owner also owns the apartment where we're staying.

We had two pizzas, both with whole wheat crust; one topped with tomatoes, basil and fresh mozzarella and the other with grilled vegetables.

We spent the afternoon at the Uffizi - no photos allowed...but I snuck one of the ceiling.

There is a very nice outdoor terrace at the end of the 2nd floor tour...photos allowed!

We did a little shopping on our way to gelato.

Chocolate chip and coffee this time.

We think there might be some magic about gelato that any two flavors combine to make something delicious.

And home. Our apartment has a lovely terrace.

For dinner, we went back to the wine bar where we had our first lunch. It's a tiny place with just a handful of tables. We had sliced meats and cheeses...and a lot of wine.

We have two full days left and no more museums...hopefully that means lots of photos...and plenty of food, wine and shopping..Ciao!