July in Umbria–Fields of Sunflowers
Ciao a tutti,
Last week’s winner of an autographed copy of my book, The Dog Who Ate the Truffle, is Carol Troy of St. Helena. Next drawing will be this afternoon–and the final one will be a week from today.
After spending 28 hours on the road and in the air, I returned in the wee hours on Thursday from Umbria. Today, I am writing from my home in Napa Valley.
During my last two weeks in Umbria, there was a heat wave. In fact, all of Europe was bollente (boiling) with temperatures in the high nineties to over a hundred degrees Fahrenheit—and it was humid. The heat made sightseeing more exhausting than usual, so we lingered over long lunches in steamy restaurants. At least the heat and sun—and the heavy rains in May—were good for the crops. Everyone says the sunflowers are a couple feet taller this year than normal. 
In spite of the heat, July is really beautiful in the countryside in Umbria. The hills and valleys are a patchwork of colors. Fields of just harvested grain—oats, wheat, and barley—look like plush golden carpet. There are acres and acres of green tobacco, corn, grapevines, and olive trees. But the fields of sunflowers make the biggest splash. About a week ago, they were in full bloom in the fields surrounding my country house in Romeggio (outside of Umbertide). But by now, they must be starting to droop.
Travel
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Italy, sunflowers, travel, Umbria
You had a beautifull trip!!! Wonderfull landscapes!!! Congratulations and hope you learned more recipes from Umbria for a next book!!!
Ciao Susanne,
I just love your sunflower pictures! So beautiful. Gosh, I am sorry to hear you are already home, just as I have become addicted to your articulate and evocative Letters from Umbria. I am happy to see however that you’ll be at the Book Passage on August 17th (where we met 4 summers ago). I will be there with girasoli nei miei capelli!
Welcome home! Your “country house in Romeggio? You bought a house?
Looking forward to seeing you at Book Passage.
Hi Ann, thank you for coming to see me at Book Passage, and bringing friends!! No, no, no house…just the one I rent. Still dream of buying one. A presto, Suzanne
Thanks for writing. The time flew in Umbria. My book is at Book Passage in CM, should you get there. A presto, Suzanne
Cara Natalia, I love to hear from you. I think about you so often. I want to hear all about your wine and winemaking, where you will be working this harvest. Miss you so much. Love, “MOM”