A Charming Rental in Tuscany and More
It’s Sunday so I am joining my friends Annie and Mary Ann for our Sunday faves. This week let’s talk about a charming rental in Tuscany and more!
IL FIENILE 22 a Charming Rental In Tuscany
Our good friends and neighbors Stan and Lisa own a charming rental in the beautiful medeival town of San Gimignano (one of our favorites) that sleeps four. They divide their time between Italy and California and reside in the main house while visiting Italy. If you have any questions about the rental Stan or Lisa will be happy to answer them in the comments.
l Fienile is only a 40 minute walk from town. Travel times by car to other historical Tuscan cities from San Giamgnano: Florence 24 miles, Sienna 19 miles, Lucca 37 miles, Cortona 50 miles. When Steve and I visited Tuscany this was one of our favorite hill towns before we even knew Stan and Lisa. We can’t wait to go back.
Best Things to do in San Gimignano
Gallentines or Valentines
I will not be cooking on Valentines Day as we are attending a crab feed benefit for the Warbird museum. If you are entertaining you might enjoy a couple of posts from the past for ideas:
How to Throw a Simple Outdoor Galentine Party
I created this simple outdoor gathering for my blogging pals at the end of covid.
How to Create a Collected Valentine Tablescape
I created this table one year for four of us in my office for fun.
Ground Turkey & Cabbage Stir Fry
Photographing this is similar to photographing Thanksgiving Dressing. No matter what you do it doean’t look terribly appetizing! I promise it is delicious. Steve and I love cabbage on the grill, roasted, almost any way you want to cook it as long as it isn’t overcooked!
This sounds like an unlikely combination and it doesn’t photograph very well but it is healthy and delicious. You could serve over rice or noodles but we like it as is.
Ground Turkey Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive or sesame oil
- 1 yellow onion sliced
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/3 c celery
- 1 red pepper sliced
- 1 cup chopped red cabbage
- 4 green onions sliced
Stir Fry Sauce
- 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp fresh minced ginger
- 1 tsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce
Instructions
- Mix ingredients for the sauce together.
- Heat oil over med-high heat then add onions, sauteing for 2 minutes until softened. Add ground turkey, breaking up with a wooden spoon. Add a pinch of salt to season the meat, then saute until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add celery, bell pepper and cabbage, sauteeing for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add sauce then cook another 2-3 minutes until well combined and sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in green onions. Serve and enjoy!
- You can substitute carrots for the celery or add any other crunchy veggies you have on hand. I sprinkled the mix with sesame seeds before serving. Just make sure you don’t overcook the vegetables.
Outfits of the Week
Last weeks post on color prompted me to style a couple outfits in the red colorway in honor of Valentines Day.
I ordered the red cardigan from Madewell and love it. I am coveting the Mother jeans with the painted flowers. I plan to order the Quince chore jacket..Love the butter yellow Cuyana bag, The shoes are highly rated from Amazon and come in lots of colors and fabrications.
i am coveting this dress from Ralph Lauren. It could be dressed up or down as I have here., Quince chore jacket, Cuyana bag and Etsy mules many of you have purchased.
Thanks for reading A Charming Rental in Tuscany and More. Have a great Sunday! We are off to do something fun. We planned to go to Santa Ynez but had to cancel! Now let’s pop over and visit Annie and Mary Ann for their favorites!
Cindy! What a charming Italian rental. I’m ready to book my ticket and settle in. Your stir-fry look delish and I’ve printed out to shop and make this week. After a serious Super Bowl overindulgence I need a few good and healthy meals for the week. That Madewell red sweater is a great find. xo
The house in Tuscany looks so inviting and I love Florence. Unfortunately, I don’t drive in Europe and I think the villa lends itself to those with a car, which is an absolute shame. Hope to spend my 70th birthday in Florence next March. Have you tried those particular shoes from Amazon (the red pair with the lace). If so, are they comfortable?
Hi Mary Ann
I am trying to get more color in my wardrobe!!
Hi Susan
When we traveled to Italy several years ago. We flew into Rome, took the train to Florence and then rented a car while in Tuscany. We turned our car in Sienna, and then took the train to Bergamo. We rented from an Italian company. It worked out well. They drove to Sienna to retrieve our car!
We intend to do the same next March, but no car hire. My brother has never driven a car, and I would need a very stiff drink driving on the other side of the road. My American sister could, but am pretty certain she took her driving lessons from Mr Bean. Many years ago, I attempted the German autobahn, After five minutes, I nearly had a nervous breakdown. Husband usually drives in Europe, but he is over European travel. So, it is trains for us siblings and day trips with a tour company.
Cindy! We have spent so many days roaming around those little towns and villages and driving through the countryside in Tuscany waiting to catch the sunset… It’s so beautiful! And so is your collected Valentine table! Simply gorgeosus!
Your outfits are so colorful and happy…love!
I just LOVE your style! Thank you for sharing with all of us!
Hi Paula
Thank you so much. I am so happy you enjoy it!
Hello Cindy,
Thank you for the lovely post and the recipe. We eat quite a bit of cabbage, so low calorie and good for you and this looks delicious. Italy sounds amazing! Love the rental.I went to Florence and Siena with an old boyfriend when I was 22 and a poor student so I think it’s time to go back now with my family! I lucked out and bought a gorgeous red sweater from the Ann Mashburn sale, such a rich deep red, your posts inspired me with the cardigan you bought. Have a wonderful day!
Hi Prue
We are having roasted cabbage tonight! We went to Rome, Florence, Tuscany and Lake Cuomo several years ago and we want to go back! Ann Mashburn has wonderful things! I love the red cardigan I have it is such great quality. Unfortunately it is a bit small on me so I am going to pass it along to my daughter in law!
I get the best recipes from you! Thanks.
Also LOVE the house, but we need one that sleeps 6, for 3 couples. I am going back one day – I went in October and it was unseasonably cold and rainy. I feel like you should see Tuscany in the warm sun, if you can.
Hi Gray
Funny what you said about the weather in Tuscany! When you went several years ago it snowed a few days before we left on our trip (the end of March). I took boots and luckily shoved a pair of flip flops in. It was beautiful and I wore the flip flops nearly every day. We are hoping to go in September. P.s we must eat the same kind of food. That cabbage looks bad but it is delicious!