Yesterday, because we had an all-day outing to Lucca, we didn’t have time for our usual sit-down writing class, so I gave my students a travel assignment: “While you’re in Lucca, look for a story. Find a moment in your day that you can write about. It can be something you experienced, an interaction you […]
Every day at lunch and dinner, my co-leader Graseilah Coolidge rings a fork on a glass to get everyone’s attention, stands and describes what we’re eating for each course of our three course meal. Here she is introducing the second course of our lunch today. Turn up your volume.
Every Day at the Villa Read More »
We did one of my favorite writing prompts in class this morning, based on this poem: Imperfectionby Elizabeth Carlson I am falling in love with my imperfectionsThe way I never get the sink really clean,forget to check my oil,lose my car in parking lots,miss appointments I have written down,am just a little late. I am
Writing Prompt at the Villa Read More »
“I don’t need to create my life. I only need to follow the thread that’s already there.” —Unknown Tell me about a positive thread in your life that has always been there. Even if you couldn’t see it at the time—but only in retrospect—tell me about one thread that has woven through your life and
A Thread of Purpose Read More »
We spent the day in the walled city of Lucca today, an all day outing from our home base at the Villa. I spent the first couple of hours on a rented bike on top of the city’s walls, a 4.2 kilometer loop, then opted out of the group tour and wandered off on my
If you’ve been following my Tuscany Virtual Vacation blog for the last week, you might think all we do day after day is eat phenomenal food, look at remarkable beauty, and have amazing outings. But actually, we spend several hours in writing class every morning. Here’s one of the writing exercises I gave my students
More than Just Food Read More »
First course lunch: fennel salad Wine tasting at Sting’s villa winery. Tuscany, day 4.
Lunch and Sting’s Villa Read More »
Spinach and ricotta Plin ravioli served on a butter sage sauce and sprinkled with beet sprouts. Photos by Graseilah Coolidge Writer at work. Suzanne Kronisch
We spent our late morning following the truffle hunter Diego and his two specially trained truffle hunting dogs, Nutella and Lightning, through the woods, waiting for the dogs to alert and sniff out truffles for Diego to pry out of the rich soil. After observing the hunt, we returned to the il Sole di Nebbliano
Click the image above to watch the video. When you miss your dog back home, there’s always Kenny. All the dog lovers on our trip LOVE him. Photos by @Suzanne Kronisch. I just taught her how to airdrop! An unexpected moment of exquisite beauty. A field of perfect Flanders Poppies while we were following Diego
On my way to breakfast . . . at the Bonsi Villa in Tuscany Read More »
I don’t know why, but even after teaching thousands of classes for 25 years, and dozens of retreats around the world, I’m still always nervous before a first class, with a brand-new group of writers. But as soon as we settled in and began, the magic was there. That first sense of trust and connection,
A Magical Little Notebook Read More »
Click the image above for a quick tour of the outside of the Villa at the start of the retreat.
Arrival at the Villa Read More »
Just a few hours from now, we’ll be meeting with our group participants at a nearby spot in Central Florence (close by, but with luggage, still requiring a taxi to get there) to catch our shuttle to the Villa. On our group What’s App thread, people have been checking in, sending pictures of negative Covid
So Many Gifts About to Be Opened Read More »
“Like any artist with no art form, she became dangerous.” —Toni Morrison Tell me what this means to you.
An Artist with No Art Form Read More »
Sniffing the roses. Rose garden, Florence. Perfect spot for a jet-lag induced catnap. This is my favorite moment in Florence so far. I just love street musicians with absolute talent. He didn’t have his name out front but I left him a generous tip! TURN UP THE SOUND! He has a fantastic voice. Another shopping
Moments in Florence Read More »
