We had the most amazing day today. First we visited Pienza where we explored, ate melon flavored gelato and shopped at Miscellanea, the arts and craft jewelry and gift shop, owned by Valeria, wife of Alessandro, the Tuscan chef. Several of us boarded the van embellished with new necklaces, rings and scarves.
We drove to Podere il Casale, an organic farm located right in the middle of the lush, green, Tuscan countryside. We ate lunch seated outside at a table with a view filled with cypress trees, rolling hills, peach colored villas and foliage in every shade of green.
Not having experienced many slow food meals at home, I was surprised when more food arrived after the first course of salads filled with fresh vegetables and goat cheeses. Pasta was the next course, then a cheese plate with 7 different varieties of cheese made on the farm and we finished the meal with homemade cakes and espresso. I was so full, I could hardly lift my paintbrush to make a quick sketch of the awesome countryside.
