Have you ever seen “Enchanted April“? It has become one of my favorite movies over the years for the sweetness and depth of the story. Four worn-down English women (housewives, socialites, misfits) decide to rent a villa in Italy during the month of April. Lulled by the beauty and peace of their location, they are able to heal and bloom. As a reviewer said, “It is impossible not to be swayed by the promise of restoration for these burdened characters — or for anyone alive.”
That line is also an apt way to describe my feelings this April as Sicily has burst into bloom. The island’s winters are not long or particularly dreary, but oh! a Sicilian spring! The air is perfumed with orange blooms, the wisteria covers stone walls, the poppies sway in the breeze, the bees hum from flower to flower.
This past Saturday we packed a picnic lunch and took a hike down into the valley below our house. (In the photo above, our home is the yellow one below the castle on the far right side of the cliff.) We wandered through the green grasses slowly before choosing the perfect spot for our picnic blanket.
^^^ Love bugs.
That’s Mt Etna, the largest volcano in Europe, behind us.
^^^ Pears, proscuitto, crackers, and local cheese.
I love this photo of Gil on the right!
^^^ Right before we got home, Elliott found one of the biggest grasshoppers we’d ever seen. I tried to get a picture of Lena holding it, but he bounded away in a flash!
Are you enjoying spring in your corner of the world? What’s your favorite part about it?
Thanks for taking us along on your picnic! I love the way everything comes back to life,after the dreary winter. The daffodils…the birds…the grass turning green (even though it means I have to mow several times per week!)…and being able to get my hands in the dirt again!
Mmm, I got my hands in a little dirt today while dead-heading geraniums. They’re coming back into bloom, too! This weather makes it so much fun to be outside, even if you’re mowing!
Sweetest things in the world! Gil is changing every day. And of course, “Enchanted April” has been my favorite movie for years. :)
So, Becca. You’ve got to tell me the route you take to hike down to the valley below Motta castle. Last Saturday, we gathered two friends with us along with the boys and a picnic and set out for what we thought would be a scenic hike. Rather than finding our way down into the beautiful valley, we ended up following a trail that led us to a leaking raw sewer drain (EWWW!) and some sort of decomposition (TBD). Not quite the beauty I anticipated :). Your posts with such beautiful pictures show me that it can be done! I just need an experienced sherpa…or advice from you!!
Haha, I know exactly where you were! The decomposing dog also disturbed me when we discovered it last fall. :-/ And the sewer just has to be ignored! You needed to leave the path and start walking into the valley (turning right) before you reached the sewage water. There are paths soon after that point. We’d love to take you down there sometime. Gil and I are hanging out on the balcony admiring the valley right now. :-)
These photos are beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
The photo of you and your babes with mount Etna in the background looks like a scene from the Sound of Music or something equally as romantic.
I love that one. I think I might frame it!
I love your description of spring there; enchanting indeed. And the photos fully enhance the enchantment. The hat photos of Lena and of you are darling. Think I will go watch Enchanted April again!
It’s all so beautiful. It’s still snowing here, so I’m jealous in a very depressed sort of way.
Thanks, Becca!! I have to admit…I was like, “BAHHHH” when we arrived at the end of the “trail” and found such unpleasantries. I may or may not have cursed Sicily in that moment. The typical, “this is not what I had envisioned” moment!! LOL :). We’ll try again soon!
I love the pretty little posey you made for your hat!! Each little flower is so beautiful and unique. Spring has sprung here in VA too, and my favorite sight so far has been the red buds blooming. Do you have them in Sicily?
Yes! We saw some redbuds when we visited Agrigento a few weeks ago. Absolutely beautiful. I’m looking for lilacs to bloom next…
Ciao! Cute blog =) I too live in Sicily (Modica, Ragusa). I’m from California and my husband is Sicilian….met on the internet and I moved here to get married and live permanently! I’m glad you are enjoying your husband’s deployment period here. Have fun and experience everything Sicily has to offer =) Buona giornata!
Wanita, I am so glad to have discovered your blog! You’re doing an amazing job connecting Americans with Sicily. I’ll definitely let other people know about it!
Thanks Becca! I really appreciate it, as I just started my blog this month and appreciate your support!
Officially coming to have a picnic with your family. I am eagerly waiting the weather to turn bright so I can partake in the same… Gorgeous Becca, gorgeous! :)
We’d love you to come join us for a picnic, Rincy!