More and more I am beginning to think that life is all about having go, and sometimes a shot in the dark pays off.
Sometimes, just by pressing ‘send’, you will connect with the right person at the right time. The possibilities are endless, and the opportunities priceless.
That is exactly what happened one starlit Autumn night nearly 6 months ago when I decided to send a link from this blog to as many British newspapers and magazines as I could think of, including the Observer, which, in case you don’t know, is one of the UK’s leading national Sunday papers.
The travel editor there turned out to be the right person at the right time and we are extremely grateful to have been featured in the Escape section on Sunday March 1st..
If you would like to read the feature and find out more about us please follow the link below:
Observer article
I have already written to thank them but, as always, a huge thank you to all those of you who read and comment on these pages, it is your contributions that keep this blog ‘live’.
I read your article, thanks for the interesting and honest perspective! I smiled when I read the part about Italy closing at 1 pm, and dealing with the bureaucracy.
When I moved to Italy I almost had a nervous breakdown dealing with the bureaucracy, and I've started writing about it on my blog too - it's cathartic! Part I is here, if you're interested: http://italyfaves.typepad.com/italy_beyond_the_obvious/2009/03/working-legally-as-an-expat.html
Posted by: Account Deleted | April 06, 2009 at 04:49 AM
Place a name upon the night
One to set your heart alight
and to make the darkness bright
Paint the sky with stars..
Enya
I thought the song worked well with the photo.
Posted by: Antonina | March 23, 2009 at 10:05 PM
As we say here in New England... that's "wicked awesome" Amanda! Good for you. I hope it translates into many happy guests taking classes.:)
Posted by: joe@italyville | March 23, 2009 at 09:10 PM
You my dear Amanda , have become and overnight sensation, a celebratory author with a vast following, now everyone knows what we few knew all along. You deserve it.
As does the marito for his hard work and photo journal documenting it all.
Posted by: Antonina | March 16, 2009 at 06:43 PM
oh amanda
you did so good
with a press of the send button!
truly!
:-)
what a wonderful read
and, just think,
you can use the Observer feature,
along with your blog entries,
to jog your brain
when
YOU
WRITE
YOUR
BOOK...
:-)
yippeee!
i hope the story brings you TONS
of people
and that you continue to write
all about it HERE...
{{ off to your website to Dream
about my own Art Holiday.
~~sigh~~
if only i could paint }}
Posted by: somepinkflowers | March 14, 2009 at 01:32 PM
Feb. 10 th .. First lets just say fabulous collage 0f photo's.
I especially liked the work boots, haven't a clue as to the why just do. Envision them with tiny blue forget me knots flowers as reminders to Julian that they kept his feet protected during their long work time.
How proud you both must feel having transformed yourselves into Jacks of all trades, true Renaissance Man and Woman.
Very few would take up the challenge for themselves in a field of such vast and diverse trades and steps, welding ,digging , masonry work, decorators, architects, parents , teachers , negotiators , mad men along with backbreaking bone jarring laborers!
Being able to incorporate the new into the past without diminishing either but blending is an art in it self.
The photo montage were terrific to see the before and the after.I know that Tall and Small having lived thru all this transformation of their lives and yours to see the dream become a reality, now understand that " all is possible" and that with mistakes and failure come 'success and Growth"!
The Observer article was refreshing , real and a delight to read ...Encore
Posted by: Antonina | March 13, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Thanks for all these great comments.
Erin - If anyone's inspiring it's you.
Ollie - So glad you enjoy the blog, hope to hear from you again.
Kay - So good to hear from you, we wish you luck in your venture too.
Sotherethen - Rest assured there will be lots more pictures coming your way.
Jill - Thanks for the encouragement.
Diana - I tell you this place frequently has me in tears too!
Francesca - Ah yes, those 'difficult moments' I know them so well.
Arlene - Hold back the tears and get on the train.
Vita Lenta - Thanks so much for your kind words, I know you've been there too. Also thanks for the award, not quite sure what to do with it but I am well chuffed to get it.
Anne - Not tears from you too! Thanks for the kind words.
Megan - Cheers honey.
Judith - I knew you wouldn't cry!!!
Sally - Thanks, you're a real pal Sal.
Angela - Finally, we're almost ready for you!
Maryann - "WANTED ONE LATE FORTYISH ITALIAN AMERICAN HOME COOK", hey do you know anyone??
Kent - So glad you like it and great to see you here too.
Icetea - You're so kind. Yeah, maybe we should go global next, I'll work on it.
Phil - Thanks so much for that lovely comment. If the article made you feel that way then, wow! I'm blown away, that's so great.
As for the reading spike on this blog after the article went out, would you believe we had nearly 4000 hits over the first 2 days after publishing! Amazing!
Posted by: Amanda@A Tuscan view... | March 12, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Hi,
I read your article with much interest. I am not in a situation analagous to yours. I am not married, no kids etc. No desire to start a art retreat of similar.
But I do take something important from it. That is the sense that life is what you make it and that dreams are not impossible to achieve. I have my own wants which sit outside of wage slavery, offices and UK cities. So I see your article as validation that my dreams, though not the same, are just as possible.
I will be reading your blog from now on. Good luck to you!
ps - I am really curious what kind of spike in readers your blog got after the article???
Posted by: Phil | March 11, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Amanda, great article, very informative and honest.
Don't stop at just sending to British newspapers. You should send a link to your Art site, blog, and that wonderful video to as many newspapers, travel manazines (online & print), art schools and travel agents you can find around the world. Even in this economy people are still traveling.
I wish you much success and happiness in your business/dream.
Posted by: Ice Tea For Me | March 10, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Cara amanda,
Buona Festa delle Donne! I have tagged and awarded you today - a pleasure! Bacione, Ingrid
Posted by: Vita Lenta nel Bel Paese | March 08, 2009 at 09:13 AM
Hello from the USA. The renovation looks wonderful! I really like the living room...it looks so inviting.
I also read your "100 list" and thought that I would add Federico Fellini and his wonderful contribution to the arts and world of film-making.
Ciao
KENT
Posted by: KENT BUTLER | March 06, 2009 at 01:29 AM
I loved the article. You forgot to mention one thing in it though. That your future plans involve adopting a late 40ish Italian-American home cook! LOL
Come to the festa my darlings!
Posted by: maryann | March 05, 2009 at 04:11 PM
We are so excited to be among the first to take your course. Reading your article has given us an insight into all the hard work you had to put into making your dream a reality. Now we get to reap the benefits! A presto! Angela & Tony, St. Augustine
Posted by: Angela Sopranzi | March 04, 2009 at 08:45 PM
It is an excellent article, Amanda. Really well written (as is this blog). Good on you for making the contact and finding the right person.
Posted by: casalba | March 04, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Great news!
Posted by: Judith in Umbria | March 04, 2009 at 10:31 AM
How very exciting and what an nice article. Congrats & Auguri!
Posted by: Megan in Liguria | March 04, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Well done such a moving article ...I was nearly in tears! A very brave move, so pleased that it all came right for you and your family.
You certainly connected with the right person..so brilliant :-)
Posted by: anne | March 04, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Cara Amanda,
First of all... Congrats to the Observer article. This will attract even newcomers to your blog and your lovely farmhouse, "senza dubbi"! The article moved me. It takes courage, energy, empathy, sacrifice... and "una testa dura" to take you past the hindreds. Love for this angle of the world; the people, culture and lifestyle gives you the "go". You just have to keep all your senses open and also "let go", and you will be abundantly rewarded! Bacione, Ingrid
Posted by: Vita Lenta nel Bel Paese | March 04, 2009 at 10:17 AM
What an incredible article. Congrats. I got chocked up as well.
That photo of the stars is just beautiful. I cannot wait to take one of the courses.
Posted by: nyc/caribbean ragazza | March 04, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Ten years after moving my family from the city and the paid jobs to a rural and isolated part of Italy I can honestly say I still have difficult moments in which I forget why we made this choice. I read the article and found it moving, and I'm sure it'll resonate well with the right people. Good luck!
Posted by: Francesca | March 04, 2009 at 08:35 AM
ok, I went and read it. Mind you, I am a peri-menopausal walking disaster zone, but that did not cause the tears which welled up. It is the sense of familiarity and solidarity with what you felt and what you did. Fog and crappy weather and budget issues included. Well done you.
Posted by: [email protected] | March 04, 2009 at 08:01 AM
You deserve every bit of publicity and credit that you get. every bit. and there is not one of us who would continue to comment if we were not taken with all the things you do. So it it a big circle, and it all keeps coming back to you. I am going to go read the article now!
Posted by: [email protected] | March 04, 2009 at 07:53 AM
what a lovely article. thank you so much for sharing your journey with us.
I wish much success and happiness to you and your family in your newly chosen life.
Posted by: jill | March 04, 2009 at 06:19 AM
I hope this is the beginning of a flurry of excitement for you! Congratulations, it all looks fantastic...more, more, more pictures for us that live a little vicariously through you both. Thank you for sharing~~
Posted by: sotherethen | March 04, 2009 at 01:18 AM
The article link was sent to me three days ago by my daughter in New Zealand, who spent over five years working in England and reads the papers online. A very round-about way to find your blog, but a great article and an interesting blog!
Congratulations.
Posted by: Kay de Lautour Scott | March 04, 2009 at 01:06 AM
That's a really great piece in the Observer, and thoroughly well deserved.
This is, I believe, my first comment on A Tuscan View, but it is by far from my first read. I've especially enjoyed seeing recent photos of finished work, and would like to say that I think you've done a fantastic job.
The Observer article is hopefully just the very tip of the iceberg.
I hope you keep me entertained with your insights into Italian culture, life and living in Italy for many moons to come.
Posted by: Ollie | March 04, 2009 at 12:16 AM
first: i love this photo...so great.
second: the article was wonderful. It was so inspiring! I'm so happy for you to be published in there.
Posted by: erin :: the olive notes | March 03, 2009 at 11:32 PM