Florence Italy Expat with a BIG talent

Have you thought of moving to Italy, finding an apartment or a house in the countryside?  
So have I and over the past 6 or 7 years I visit every year and make sure I visit Florence and an expert on real estate in Tuscany.     

So it was with great pleasure that I heard she had her work in a show the AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY ART IN FLORENCE show on (5-11 May) part of 500 anniversary of Amerigo Vespucci & America.

in Florence and was even doing commission for travelers and residents who wanted a part of Italy for their home.    

Hi my name is Sheila Ford. I was born in England and moved a long time ago to Florence in Italy where I live. 

I've been a Real Estate Agent here for more than 25 years. I rent, sell and manage properties in andaround some of the beautiful areas of Tuscany.  That's the professional side. But I have a hobby; a great passion and that's my hobbyfor photography. 

Besides photographing property to put on site for my job, living in abustling, historic city like Florence, with it's narrow streets, and ancient buildings, I findendless scope to focus my passion. 

I'm not talking about postcard type of photos, but of capturing an unusual shaft of light,stormy skies, a reflection in a glass window ...........Work and photography have gone happily hand in hand too, some photos now enhancingapartments and hotel rooms, they can look great in your home or office too!  If you've never had the privilege to visit Florence, then take a look at my web site, and from your own  home, take a tour and look through the photo galleries and if you have already  been to Florence, then take a look anyway, and see what you didn't   see ! The site address is below, And don't forget if you have any special requests,
then I'm here and I look forward to hearing from you.  

 for all your real estate needs:           www.Florenceprimopiano.com 
  for photos of the treasures of Italy:  www.florenceprimopiano.com/photo 

This art piece is particularly 'arresting' in person

Italy: shopping the market with Mamma

This is day four of my adventure in Lecce, Italy and I want to introduce you to Momma Anna.
I will be featuring Mama A every month.   Soon we will have skype calls with Momma where you can ask all the questions about Italy that are not in the tour books.

Why do men live at home until the are in their 30's?

Do you cook lunch for everyone EVERY day?

Mamma, how do I remove red sauce from my table cloth?

Start saving your questions for Ciao Momma, coming soon.

Mamma A took me to the local produce market that she shops in a few times a week.  FRESH food is mandatory.     I will post a visit to the supermercato with Yle later, but visiting the local market was far more exciting.   Vendors were calling to each other, lovingly presenting their wares and the easy banter with customers felt perfect.  Even while I took photos during our visit everyone was freindly and greeted me as if I were a regular!

selecting olives

s

today's cheese and 'cold cuts'

So much better than my local Kroger store!

Christmas in Italy is NOT over

Although we did not observe the Epiphany growing up Italian American I was surprised at all the traditions and stories attached to La Befana!  

Epiphany commemorates the 12th day of Christmas when the three Wise Men arrived at the manger bearing gifts for Baby Jesus. The traditional Christmas holiday season in Italy lasts through Epiphany.  By Martha Bakerjian, About.com Guide 

At the Rome Christmas market you can pick a Befano to take home with you, either angle like or similar to a witch (USA perception).

The importance of this day is that Italian children are given gifts from La Befana if they have been good and if not.....
sounds similar to coal in your stocking?

I first heard of La Befana in Como when I asked about Christmas traditions.   The stories continued as I traveled south to the end of Italy.   Who wouldnt want the holiday to last another 9 days?

So I did a little research on La bafana to find out her history.   This became interesting.

 

 

 

La Befana has her own Wikipedia page!

 



"In popular folklore Befana visits all the children of Italy on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany to fill their socks with candy and presents if they are good or a lump of coal or dark candy if they are bad.

 The child's family typically leaves a small glass of wine and a plate with a few morsels of food, often regional or local, for the Befana."   Hmm is this where we found cookies for Santa?

She is usually portrayed as an old lady riding a broomstick through the air wearing a black shawl and is covered in soot because she enters the children's houses through the chimney. She is often smiling and carries a bag or hamper filled with candy, gifts, or both.

 

 

But I find the myth behind this story more interesting......

Italy's traditional celebration includes the tale of a witch known as La Befana who arrives on her broomstick during the night of January 5 and fills the stockings with toys and sweets for the good children and lumps of coal for the bad ones.

According to the legend, the night before the Wise Men arrived at the manger they stopped at the shack of an old woman to ask directions. They invited her to come along but she replied that she was too busy. Then a shepherd asked her to join him but again she refused. Later that night, she saw a great light in the sky and decided to join the Wise Men and the shepherd bearing gifts that had belonged to her child who had died. She got lost and never found the manger.

Now La Befana flies around on her broomstick each year on the 11th night, bringing gifts to children in hopes that she might find the Baby Jesus. Children hang their stockings on the evening of January 5 awaiting the visit of La Befana.     By Martha Bakerjian, About.com Guide