June 22, 2012

• A Favorite Thing

  The Mr. and I spent a week in Tuscany on our honeymoon. I remember walking down a dusty winding road from where our hotel sat nestled on a hill, heading into town to purchase our last souvenirs before heading home. Those last few lira were burning a hole in our pockets, and since there was nothing touristy about this little town, we had to be creative about what we purchased.

  When it doubt, buy wine. Especially in Italy.

  And so we did – we bought a bottle or two to enjoy sooner than later, and one to let age and drink on our 10th wedding anniversary. We did that – 5 years ago.

  Anyway, at the last minute, I looked up and saw a simple glass wine carafe on an upper shelf, and decided it would make a good souvenir. It reminded me of the plain carafes of wine that my Italian grandparents would have on the table for big family dinners. This one was much smaller, and stamped with the official symbol of the Chianti region – but that just made it a better reminder of our stay in Tuscany.

  Here it is, 15 years later. 

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  We rarely use it for anything other than flowers. These daisies were grown in our yard, then picked and arranged by our daughter.

  Whenever I see it, I think of that little shop in Tuscany, with the heavy stone entryway and the dark wooden shelves – a little dusty, but lined with beautiful bottles of wine and simple treasures like this.

  For our 15th wedding anniversary this week, the Mr. sent me a gigantic floral arrangement, which I love. It certainly wouldn’t fit in our little carafe-turned-vase, but seeing them side by side in our home reminds me of how far we’ve come over these 15 years, growing into a loving family of which I couldn’t be more proud.

  Happy Anniversary, Mr.

  I love you.

  • 11:56 am
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