The ochre hued landscape … echoed with bursting olive
trees, dark sage green leaves dusted with the coloured sands, and then the deep
green walnut groves that sprang from the valley sides …
… this was where they were headed to a tree house
restaurant on the villa’s estate, overlooking the Tiber valley, set amongst the
canopy of the walnut grove.
This treat was the highlight of their stay – something
that had been on the cards for years – the pandemic stymied their first attempt
… now five years on in 2025 – they were fulfilling their plans.
That Long Shadow had faded in recent years and now
these friends were really going to enjoy the delights of Italian cuisine – one
of the world’s best … and here they were ready to sample all the tasters
offered …
These septuagenarians, friends since the early days,
had sent their men folk off for the evening … while they were going to indulge
themselves with wonderful memories interspersed, no doubt, with howls of
laughter …
 |
| A walnut coming out of its green sheath |
This may well be their last overseas foray like this –
who knows in this ‘new’ world of ours – but we’d survived … and the roaring
twenties were theirs to luxuriate in as 20th century silver-surfers
had found they could do …
However – of course – as they’d always excelled at
cooking, were all considered gourmets, yet had gourmand interests – this was
going to be the meal to be remembered …
 |
| Umbrian countryside |
… the tree house could only take six – but perhaps
they could tempt their husbands to bring them back again – so their beloveds
could check the menu – and these twelve gourmands could all have another feast at
the golden villa of the sun burnt Umbrian hills.
 |
| Antipasti ideas ... |
… the table was booked for late afternoon – the sun
would still be up, before dusk started to come down … plenty of time to eat and
be merry.
Drinks came with olives, fresh walnuts, pickled
walnuts, thin cheese and walnut crackers, fresh
breads, farm butter …
 |
| Walnut oil - with fresh walnuts |
Antipasti … served with fresh figs, walnuts and melon;
a platter of chicory (green and pink), the
leaves had juicy ripe pear strips draped in them, gorgonzola pieces spread over
… then sprinkled with walnut oil …
Pasta with creamy walnut pesto …
Various fresh salads and salad tasters … served with walnut
and garlic mayonnaise … ripe Italian tomatoes … orange salad sprinkled with
walnut pieces and walnut oil;
 |
| Fish with nut stuffing |
… the main course - whole fish baked with walnut stuffing – sliced
and served;
a selection of spit roast meats with local vegetables …
A simple mouth cleansing dessert – lemon sorbet … and
then the finale …
… a cheeseboard with apple and walnut chutney, fresh
walnuts, other seasonal fruits and a variety of crackers …
 |
| Pickled walnuts |
Local wines, spritzers, jugs of cold spring water were
served … to finish and go with the coffee was a selection of “digestivo” … to
temper the rich meal.
Now the sun was nearly set, the rays were spreading
across the valley hills … the canopy of the walnut tree house had kept the heat
of the evening sun away from them … while the long shadows were ending the day …
 |
| Walnut trees |
An evening of delight – one that these aging ladies
would remember for a long time - perhaps they could come back again before they
were homeward bound – they just felt their husbands would feel left out at not
being able to dine in the canopy of walnuts …
The foothills of Covid-19 were easing into the
distance – but the long shadow of waiting for my WEP post … is another story …
Take care – the idea for this Long Shadow came from spotting
this wonderful Tree House restaurant on the treetop of a walnut forest … hence
the walnut ideas (which I found elsewhere) …
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
45 comments:
Hari OM
Not fair...am sitting with a drooled keyboard now!!! &*> I loved the idea of the shadow being post-pandemic an, oh, that food... Also that you consider we have only been in the foothills; are we now only at base camp d'ya think? YAM xx
Yum. I suspect a meal like that would strain the tree house foundations as well as clothing.
And a big hooray for the prospect of this long shadow disappearing...
Very hard to read this when I am already hungry. Yet, I loved it!
Man they sure knew how to eat! A huge dinner for sure.
This wonderful post should be read an hour after dinner, not before as I am doing today. I loved it.
Wonderful food for thought! So enjoyed this one!
Superb, Hilary. I loved this. All that yummy Italian food. Got to go there one day if it survives the pandemic. Now I must go to lunch.
Have added your link, but it's at No 7.
Thanks for posting!
This is truly wonderful! Your entry made me hungry. Now if you'll excuse me, I must rush off to go eat something!
A bright future, indeed.
I just finished eating, now I'm hungry all over again! And a tree house setting sounds magical.
This is so yummy! I want to visit this restaurant too. All those recipes... I'm salivating.
Delicious post thanks Hilary! May we all have such memories to look forward to - a contradiction in terms but you get what I mean 😀
I'm very glad I'm going to eat soon because you seriously have me salivating something fierce over here. Yummmm
Sounds so delicious, and what a lovely group of people you describe.
Gosh, that sounds scrumptious! And that tree top restaurant - beyond nifty. I had no idea that Italian cuisine included anything like 'chutney.' As always I learn something new whenever I visit here. I do hope it won't take till 2025 before we can travel properly again, fingers crossed life normalises long before that. Stay safe and well.
I want to go along with them on the next visit :). Sounds wonderful x
@ Yam – I’m sorry … I just loved the idea of the tree house … especially the walnut ideas in the menu – and didn’t want to write about the horrible life today … I hope by 2025 these times will be under control … so I looked forward …
@ EC – yes, I’m sure those attending a dinner like this would leave an expanding waistline … delicious thought for one not going out much. But I agree – let’s hope this long pandemic shadow goes sooner than later …
@ Liza – I’m sorry about the food connection … just enticed me to write up. So pleased you enjoyed it.
@ Sandie – I love food … though try not to eat too much – but a dinner like this would be a ‘one-off special’ … so I could spread my food thoughts – especially the walnut aspects!
@ Inger – I’m sorry that it’s quite so mouth-watering … but I wanted to write ‘happy’! I have to read it now … which makes it worse at breakfast time and in the pouring English rain – much wanted elsewhere.
@ Truedessa – thank you … I’m delighted you’re happy having read it … better than everything else that’s going on.
@ Denise – I almost didn’t make it – but thanks for putting my entry up.
Glad you’ve noted the restaurant – for when you can get back to Italy … I too would love to go and visit … they are organic farmers as well making sure their products are out there … so let’s hope …
@ Laura – I’m just glad I’ve given visitors something different to think about – I sure hope you satisfied your tummy rumblings …
@ Liz – I certainly hope there’s a bright future – at least by 2025 …
@ Ian – sorry about making you hungry again; but the tree-house setting really enticed me, as well as the walnuts …
@ Olga – thank you … a change from the lock-down mentality we seem to be coping with at the moment … I enjoy drafting these sorts of posts …
@ Susan – oh yes – memories to look forward to – as you say a contradiction in terms, but definitely worth drifting off and thinking about the future …
@ Jamie – reading food in blog posts is always difficult isn’t it – the taste buds being satisfied might be more challenging …
@ Sally – thank you – the food yes, and friends that have shared life for so long are really special.
@ Nila – thank you … I just had to do something happy and cheerful for the long shadow. I thought about a tree house – then needed to find one … and this walnut farm came to the fore – I was delighted to find it – and if I can ever get there, I will definitely go.
Oh Nila – I hope it won’t take til 2025 before it’s sorted … but I quite honestly worry about the next few years … as you say fingers crossed it normalises sooner, rather than later …
@ Fil – I know … wouldn’t it be wonderful to be there now – away from lock-down, and all the other troubles and imbalances we’re experiencing … enjoying a good meal with friends.
Thanks so much to you all – let’s hope we can help ourselves through this pandemic, and make sure the long shadow doesn’t hang around … good to see you all – take care and stay safe - Hilary
Oh what a delightful story of such a feast with the most delicious food antipesti and fish and salads, eaten with a friend in a treehouse. Sounds like magic. Loved your descriptive writing as well. The first paragraph reads like a poem
@ Marja - thanks for this ... having a real Italian treat holiday with this feast would be just wonderful wouldn't it - thank you re the poetic take in my first paragraph. I agree it does sound like magic doesn't it ...
@ Nila - I forgot the chutney aspect ... you're probably right ... but I wanted a pickle/chutney product to include which featured walnuts ... hence that inclusion.
Take care the two of you - and thanks for your comments - Hilary
Ageing ladies, tree house restaurant, husbands all busy elsewhere, stuffed and baked fish, and local wines.. Sighs happily. Until the pandemic, I used to meet my female friends for lunch every Sunday while the men were off playing golf.
Except for the tree house restaurant, we may do it all again post-pandemic.
I want to join in!!!
Those times where we relive the memories with bursts of laughter are so precious! Thanks for this - I'll be smiling all day!
I've just had breakfast and you made me feel hungry. I haven't had pickled walnuts in years, used to be a favourite. All the other delights had my mouth watering. Actually this reminded me of a place we went to in Yugoslavia (as was) in '69. That was not quite a tree house, but a courtyard surrounded by trees and situated in the hills.
What a wonderful evening that would be. I really like this, an adventure to look forward to. Maybe we should all concentrate on that especially as this pandemic steals all. Lovely, appetizing, and I'm so ready for beauty, friends, and no fear! Thanks for reminding me it's still possible!
Thank you for your kind comments on my post. Long shadows can be a curse. Surviving is sometimes the easy part, but overcoming evil so deeply engraved on the soul - impossible.
A mouth-watering sense of description, that captures the tranquil notion of a vacation. Well done, Hilary.
Oh a tree house restaurant. How wondrous. And the way you described the food, oh my. Made me want one of everything. Walnut and garlic mayo, doesn't that sound delish.
A definite thumbs up on this one.
Cheers,
I think they ate enough for a week in one sitting! Great take on the prompt, Hilary, and the way you have integrated the pictures is outstanding. You are a dynamo!
Hi, Hilary - You had me at the ochre hued landscape, bursting olive trees and dark sage leaves. This is a beautifully written post. Like many of your other readers, I must rush off now to eat. My stomach is rumbling! :D
Eating out isn't something I do very often maybe once or twice a year but it is nice when I do usuaslly I look at blogs for nice food and good company.
I WANNA GO, TOO!!!
;-)
Me! Invite Me! Glad I read this after dinner (and Ray cooked a good one). But your descriptions are perfection. I want to be back in Italy. I want melt in the mouth pasta. I want....
I am gesturing as I write this. Excellent writing and short blurb story that casts a long shadow for a dream future. Thanks!
I've not long had supper, but still I'm salivating at the descriptions of the food. Fabulous! I would live to find this treehouse, once we can travel again.
Wonderful descriptions of some of my favourite foods - I could almost smell it! Delightful, Hilary.
@ Hels – well we’re all getting there unfortunately … still we’ve made the silver-haired era. Your regular lunches sound fun – and yes the men can be very happy playing golf. I hope you’ll be able to start them up again soon …
@ Jemi – pleasure … the more the better – and yes aren’t those bursts of laughter the best. Great to know you’ll be smiling for a while …
@ Jo – I’m sorry about the food elements … but they are mostly memories. My parents used to pickle our walnuts – so I remember the earthen pots of them and the pickled eggs. Well I’m glad the post reminded you of your Yugoslavian courtyard meals … sounds fun to remember.
@ Yolanda – I just wanted a happy post … it’d be too easy to write about negative aspects of life – and haven’t we enough of those. I had to set it ahead … I hope by 2025 we’ll have some degree of normality back in our lives. Thanks for your comments re my note on your blog …
@ Christopher – wouldn’t it be lovely to have a vacation without any worries hanging over us …
@ Sandra – I’d just love to eat in the canopy of a walnut tree … especially if it was in Umbria. Delighted you enjoyed the thought …
@ David – it was a taster menu … a selection of some of the foods on offer – all fresh from the farm and walnut groves. I did mention taster – but wanted to describe some of the possible foods … brings the post to life, as do the pictures – so thank you.
@ Donna – I thought of you and your Camino walk – which was amazing. So glad you enjoyed the post and descriptions …
@ Jo-Anne – we’re lucky to be able to have experienced some of these sorts of things over the years …
@ Jz – well – you’re welcome to come along – it’d be fun wouldn’t it …
@ Joanne – you too are welcome … it’d be great if we could organise a get together. You’re lucky with Ray – and yes a plateful of pasta would be delicious wouldn’t it … as you say a long forward-looking shadow dream.
@ Donna – sorry about the supper side of life – I’m now replying at breakfast time – not good either! It’d certainly be fun to find that tree house and experience a meal there – let alone see the organic farmland with its walnut groves …
@ Keith – wonderful to read, delighted to have your praise.
Thanks everyone – so pleased you all enjoyed the sojourn to the Italian countryside with its walnut grove tree house – it was fun to write up. Stay safe - Hilary
What fantastic description of the food - I long for that restaurant now! And how lovely to picture life after this year. Very well done x
I don't agree that Italian food is "one of the world's best"! I think it is, without doubt, the very best.
I really enjoyed the leap of imagination in this post...
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I’m glad it’s nearly dinner time as I’m reading this!
Well this was certainly a delicious post and a fine time had by all, Hilary. Loved the fish stuffed with nuts, and of course, drinks with olives in them - as Vodka martinis LOL <3
I think a treehouse restaurant would be a pretty cool place to have a meal! Better if they are serving walnuts, bread and cheese!
@ Annalisa – yes it’d be great if we could have a meal there … especially after this year – let’s hope we can get to control this virus soon …
@ Bazza – it is the best … you’re right – but I love other foods too: I am a Mediterranean foodie fan. Thanks re the compliment about my imagination – I enjoy taking things in a different direction …
@ Anabel – yes when I write about food I always struggle answering the comments … my salivating mouth doesn’t help! Coffee doesn’t satisfy …
@ Debby – glad the fish dish topped your wishes – and a vodka martini with an olive … both sound a delightful evening would be had … with lots of chat too …
@ Rosey – wouldn’t it be fun to be able to find a restaurant such as this … I’d love a meal of salads with bread and cheese and then the walnuts …
Thanks to you all – it’d be so much fun if we could all be there sharing a meal and chit chattering about our blogging and lives – take care and stay safe - Hilary
Oh, that sounds like a wonderful meal! What a great idea for the term "the long shadow". It's so tricky to know, isn't it, how many years will need to pass before it indeed becomes a shadow rather than current event.
It's really hard to believe that we're 100 years on from the roaring 20s. I used to read Mary Poppins and Tintin and so on, and it wasn't that long ago. Now, reading it with the kids, I realise these stories are nearly 100 years old. Older, in some cases (like Winnie the Pooh). The long shadow of history...
Great post. Sorry I am not keeping up with blogs or comments. Wifi slow and too much to do in the garden and the kitchen..... Keep safe, Diane
Oh, geez. I was already hungry when I STARTED reading. Now I have to schlepp out to the camper and get a snack... you meanie!
@ Deniz - thank you ... and for the nod to the various 'long shadows' - we've no idea how long this is going on for - that I agree and each few weeks more uncertainty.
I know 100 years ago is really quite 'nearby' - so much has happened in each era in general ... after all we didn't commonly have electric light til the turn of the 20th century ...
... then the literature - yes I remember even older books - now banned many of them ... sad because they were delightful. Then you've added the long shadow of history - could have done that too ...
I guess you might be able to drive down to the restaurant sometime ...?
@ Diane - thank you ... I envy you being busy in the garden and kitchen - and quite understand life ... but I love the photos you give us of flora and fauna in your part of the world - France ...
@ Rebecca - great to see you ... sorry about the food scenario - always difficult to read about - as well as reply to comments! But only having snacks in your camper van must just add a little to the salivating difficulties - sorry!
Thanks so much - take care in these times - Hilary
Delightful and now I am quite hungry.
Thanks Moonie - I'd love to have a relaxing evening like this ... free of all restrictions we've got in life at the moment ... my taste buds are watering! Take care - Hilary
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