Lunch in the Countryside

A bunch of the office staff were invited to have lunch with a wonderful family who live outside of Rome; about an hour car ride. We past by beautiful rolling hills scattered with cattle and different crops. Manuele and Silvia and their three children live in a lovely home surrounded by olive orchards, fruit trees and a massive garden. They are virtually self sufficient. Such warm and hospitable people. We ate outside under a huge tree whose branches acted as a natural awning . Silvia kept bringing dish after dish of mouth watering food that included anti pasta, about 5 different vegetables, 3 different pastas and two desserts. The oil she cooked with was from the olive orchard Manuele had pressed himself. We each were given a bottle of their oil as a parting gift. I really felt like this is the Italy I waited to experience.  

Manuele's olive trees

Sister Steurer

just a sampling

Manuele, Silvia and their kids