The Tables of Florence

"First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.
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May has been a wild and marvelous month. Sweet Mister whisked me away to Italy for a magical journey to Florence, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, and Rome. It was a dream trip from beginning to end. I did think of my wonderful blog friends, and I made an effort to find tablescapes in each city to share with you. In addition to a few of my favorite shots captured as we explored each day, I want to treat you to a peak at some of the Tables of Florence, Italy.

Probably dating from Roman times, Ponte Vecchio, "The Old Bridge", the oldest of Florence's six bridges, is one of the city's best known images.

Just one of the local churches that we happened to enter...Santa Maria del Carmine. Does the ceiling of your church look like this? Ours doesn't.

A small outdoor cafe for a glass of Italian vino...tranquil...charming...perfect for a restful break after miles of walking. We averaged 7 - 8 miles each day. Even with the amazing food, I lost 2 1/2 pounds on our trip! Woohoo!

Trattoria del Carmine, was recommended by a friend who used to live in Florence. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal.

The evening was cooling quickly, so we opted for an inside table...good choice.

An opening course of prosciutto ...I said that I was going to share with the table...but I ate every delicious bite! Grilled shrimp was the main course...best I've ever tasted.

Loggia dei Lanzi, or Loggia della Signoria, adjoins the Uffizi Gallery.

Galleria dell'Accademia, Firenze

Palazzo Pitti

Another day of visiting amazing historical places...

with stops in between for lunch...

...and dinner at Camillo's.

One thing I realized while traveling through Italy...Europeans don't drive those little cars to save on gasoline consumption. They drive those little bitty cars because nothing else will fit down those centuries old...incredibly narrow streets! They would have to drive those tiny cars if gasoline was still
$ .25 per gallon. Most of the streets are one way because they'll only accommodate one lane of even these miniature cars. It's nuts! There are a gazillion mortorcycles. The guides refer to the cyclists as 'mosquitos' and dislike them intensely.

Around almost any corner you can find a charming outdoor cafe...

...with amazing vistas of Florence.

Our last night in Florence, we dined al fresco at Trattoria Pallottino, a delightful restaurant...

...that just happened to be located right next door...

...to the best gelati shop in Florence, Il Gelato Vivoli. Oh my...so delicious! A perfect end to a perfect day...tomorrow we head for Sorrento and the Amalfi coast.

I hope that you have a trip to Italy in your future. Thanks for letting me share a few moments of our amazing adventure.

Living vicariously...that's one of the joys of The Tablescaper's "Oh the Places I've Been #3". Travel on over! You don't even have to pack a bag or endure the hassel of the airport!

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube. I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen. You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site. The girl can really write! Her latest CD is called "The Tag Hollow Sessions"" It is available on iTunes or through her website. I hope that you'll give her music a chance. I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!

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