A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life

“These trains have eaten into my mind and my writing”    -   Tim Parks ‘Italian Ways:  On and Off the Rails from Milan to Palermo’

Welcome to Episode #22.......

This an excerpt from the journey, the little adventure from Padua in Italy to Paris, France....

Next stop - Florence, Tuscany....Firenze is one of those places that you can just wander and there is something wonderful around every corner.  The architectural detail and the Renaissance treasures are all there to be seen and savoured.  It is the open air museum like qualities that make it such a great walking city.  I share this with a little detail on the rich history of Renaissance art how this city is considered the birth place of the Renaissance and the reasons why.

Enjoy, See You Next time with Florence, Pisa and Lucca, Italy.........

© 2021 A Writer In Italy - travel, writing, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston, © 2021

Please find all Show Notes and details mentioned at:

www.michellejohnston.life

Instagram:  @awriterinitaly and @theyellowhouse__

About A Writer in Italy Podcast:

Five years ago Michelle Johnston traveled to Italy to create space for herself and her writing.  Michelle traveled solo giving herself time to recalibrate after many years of parenting and life in general.  Leaving her husband to take care of the family she reconnected with her writing, her art and her love of travel.

The adventure turned into the book and travel memoir...............

In the Shadow of a Cypress: An Italian Adventure

Support the show

“I just think food is so important to us, it is the most important thing we do, so why not enjoy it”...Rick Stein

Welcome to Episode 21:

This is just me, the real me, the girl that decides to make it happen regardless of the original plan.

A garden walk and a podcast recorded in the chicken pen.   A little cook up of the stinging nettle I foraged in the garden was the outcome of this spontaneous episode on the philosophy and heritage of La Cucina Povera.  

It goes without saying that 2020 has been an interesting social experiment and I have been contemplating  many things that relate to less waste and more good living on my own terms.

After listening to the book on Patience Gray about her evocative life by Adam Federman this week, she died early 2005 and published many books and essays on food and life in particular the classic 'Honey From a Weed'  on her journey of living in the wilds of the Mediterranean lands and sea.  I have been musing over many things related this past few months that I ponder in this episode.

This is an offering of sorts, a whimsical share and a possible rant on what it means to be a modern woman and what it means to juggle the anxieties of the modern trappings this world offers.   Certainly I am a privileged woman who can make her own decisions about the give and the take on an ordinary Wednesday.  

If you want the real truth it is most of all the ordinary kind of magic that interests me the most.  The kind of alchemy that happens in the kitchen and in the garden, and when you spontaneously decide to make a plate of pasta for lunch from something on hand and within reach.   An improvisation of sorts.  This is my favourite kind of day, a privilege yes, and a humble thrill to even ramble and share this musing on a detail of Italian culture and how I feel inspired by it daily.

mj xo

Enjoy, See You Next time with Florence and Lucca, Italy.........


© 2021 A Writer In Italy - travel, writing, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston, © 2021

Please find all Show Notes and details mentioned at:

www.michellejohnston.life

Instagram:  @awriterinitaly and @theyellowhouse__

About A Writer in Italy Podcast:

Five years ago Michelle Johnston traveled to Italy to create space for herself and her writing.  Michelle traveled solo giving herself time to recalibrate after many years of parenting and life in general.  Leaving her husband to take care of the family she reconnected with her writing, her art and her love of travel.

The adventure turned into the book and travel memoir...............

In the Shadow of a Cypress: An Italian Adventure

Support the show

"Travel is like any other addiction: the more of it you've had, the more of it you need" - Tony Wheeler

Welcome to Episode 20: Verona, Veneto

The day began with a large yellow Mimosa heart wreath in the middle of the Corso Porto Nuova.  And that pretty much sets the stage for a day of exploring the Veneto town of Verona.  The star crossed lovers, the myth and the magic of Romeo and Juliet and the legacy of the della Scala family,  the Scalageri in the Piazza del Signori and beyond.   The Romanesque architecture, the castle walls, the grand palazzi on the River Adige, the Roman ruins, the pristine vicolo to wander along with a gelato in hand admiring the homes of terra-cotta, lemon and sienna, and the ivy falling from wrought iron balconies all made for a delightful day exploring this fabulous city. 

Enjoy, See You Next time with Florence and Lucca, Italy.........

© 2021 A Writer In Italy - travel, writing, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston, © 2021

Please find all Show Notes and details mentioned at:

www.michellejohnston.life

Instagram:  @awriterinitaly and @theyellowhouse__

About A Writer in Italy Podcast:

Five years ago Michelle Johnston traveled to Italy to create space for herself and her writing.  Michelle traveled solo giving herself time to recalibrate after many years of parenting and life in general.  Leaving her husband to take care of the family she reconnected with her writing, her art and her love of travel.

The adventure turned into the book and travel memoir...............

In the Shadow of a Cypress: An Italian Adventure

Support the show

"Open my heart, and you will see / Graved inside of it, Italy" - Robert Browning

Welcome to Episode #19:  Venezia, Venetia - Italy

Venice is the icing on the cake and should be sampled at least once in a lifetime or more if you are lucky.  Traveling to see this city built on over one hundred islands, linked by bridges and canals halfway between the rising and the setting sun never fails to excite and entice the curious traveler.

A family day walking this city to sample the delights of the Gothic and the Byzantine, the romance, the time worn elegance, the grand palazzi, the maze of alleyways, the bridges and the magic of the canals was a sweet thing.

Contemplation and wonder over travel narratives and thoughts on the art of travel.......... In truth an ever expanding world that one shall be musing over for some time.

Enjoy.....

© 2021 A Writer In Italy - travel, writing, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston, © 2021

Please find all Show Notes and Books mentioned at:

www.michellejohnston.life


Please subscribe, rate and/or review if you enjoyed this podcast.

Instagram:  @awriterinitaly and @theyellowhouse__

About A Writer in Italy Podcast:

Five years ago Michelle Johnston traveled to Italy to create space for herself and her writing.  Michelle traveled solo giving herself time to recalibrate after many years of parenting and life in general.  Leaving her husband to take care of the family she reconnected with her writing, her art and her love of travel.

The adventure turned into the book and travel memoir...............

In the Shadow of a Cypress: An Italian Adventure

Support the show

"We are all pilgrims who seek Italy" - Goethe, Italian Journey

Welcome to Episode 18:  Padova, Veneto

What a sweet thing to create this episode and share our family journey in Italy and France.  So grateful for a little Carpe Diem moment late 2018.  Tickets to Italy arriving in Milano Milpensa and the fast train to Padova in March 2019 was the beginning of a wonderful adventure.  Italy always inspires....the endless art, the architecture, the history, the grand cafes and the ambience of piazza life are all waiting there to be explored and savoured.

Padova is one of the seven provinces of the Veneto region of Italy, just a hop, skip and a jump away from the capital of the Veneto, Venice.  We begin our stay there and enjoy the ambience of this beautiful medieval city, taking in the wonders of the Scrovegni Chapel and the canals and layered history around every corner.

© 2021 A Writer In Italy - travel, writing, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston, © 2021

Please find all Show Notes and details mentioned at:

www.michellejohnston.life

Instagram:  @awriterinitaly and @theyellowhouse__

About A Writer in Italy Podcast:

Five years ago Michelle Johnston traveled to Italy to create space for herself and her writing.  Michelle traveled solo giving herself time to recalibrate after many years of parenting and life in general.  Leaving her husband to take care of the family she reconnected with her writing, her art and her love of travel.

The adventure turned into the book and travel memoir...............

In the Shadow of a Cypress: An Italian Adventure

Support the show

Welcome to Episode #17:  Bringing Italy Home.. 

This is a second dose of possibilities of an Italian kind.  Over the past few weeks I have been wandering into old books and new ones, and have felt delighted at sitting down to watch the documentaries Made in Italy, Franca: Chaos and Creation and my favourite Italian film I practically had to go on a pilgrimage to get my hands on.  It turns out that E-bay came up with the goods in the end....I was so happy because for ages I have wanted to watch Bread and Tulips, the Italian film that one many Italian Academy Awards back in early 2000.  I just love the characters and certainly the back drop of Venice is wonderful...

Since we are in the middle of a large adjustment around travel it is great that we can tap into film and books like Always Italy to feed the muse in the meantime.  As I said in the last in the last episode, they teach and open one to the beauty of a place.  Let that transport you for now.

Enjoy.....


© 2021 A Writer In Italy - travel, writing, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston, © 2021

Please find all Show Notes and details mentioned at:

www.michellejohnston.life

Instagram:  @awriterinitaly and @theyellowhouse__

About A Writer in Italy Podcast:

Five years ago Michelle Johnston traveled to Italy to create space for herself and her writing.  Michelle traveled solo giving herself time to recalibrate after many years of parenting and life in general.  Leaving her husband to take care of the family she reconnected with her writing, her art and her love of travel.

The adventure turned into the book and travel memoir...............

In the Shadow of a Cypress: An Italian Adventure

Support the show

Welcome to Episode 16 Bringing Italy Home with favourite movies, cookbooks and travel narratives that have kept the spirit happy over the years....So you too can travel from your armchair at home at any given time......

On a personal note I love my books and movies and that is why I am sharing these favourites today.........Just to feed the muse and taste the spirit of Italy through film, travel books and memoirs that inspire.  They teach and open one to the beauty of a place.  Let that transport you for now.

Enjoy.....

© 2021 A Writer In Italy - travel, writing, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston, © 2021

Please find all Show Notes at:

www.michellejohnston.life


Please subscribe, rate and/or review if you enjoyed this podcast.

Instagram:  @awriterinitaly and @theyellowhouse__

About A Writer in Italy Podcast:

Five years ago Michelle Johnston traveled to Italy to create space for herself and her writing.  Michelle traveled solo giving herself time to recalibrate after many years of parenting and life in general.  Leaving her husband to take care of the family she reconnected with her writing, her art and her love of travel.

The adventure turned into the book and travel memoir...............

In the Shadow of a Cypress: An Italian Adventure

Support the show

Welcome to Episode #15: The Calabrian Homecoming - In Conversation with Josephine Gregoire.....

I have sat on this conversation for a while now and let’s just say it has to be noted that we sat down on a beautiful summers day here in Bungendore, NSW,  Australia at Le Tres Bon in Josephine and Christophe’s French Restaurant in late 2019 to record this podcast.

It is important to note that at the time, all was pretty normal here in Australia.  China was certainly not in a great place with Covid-19, yet Italy nor Spain had no idea what was hurtling toward them.  Italy’s first case of Covid-19 hit the headlines at the end of January 2020.  Then the spiral of life changes began to trickle and then absolutely pour into northern Italy at a disarming rate.  Still right now all of Italy is in lockdown as are most places around the world.  

I am sharing this despite our worlds turning upside down and despite the fact that since last week Le Tres Bon has had to shut their doors to the public as have many restaurants around the world.  Their Cooking School and their Tours of Alsace, France, Calabria, Italy and New Caledonia are on hold for now until that beautiful day arrives when this is over, a surreal thought right now.

I am sharing this because conversations and time with people matters, the beauty of sharing a coffee has never been more of a sweet thing until now, simply because unless it’s with a member of your own personal household well it is not happening.  

When we sat down to chat last year it was because I knew Josephine’s story was an important one and one that I wanted to know more about and potentially share on the podcast.  

This is indeed a story about Love, Migration, Tradition and Place.  

Firstly, I just want to thank Josephine for opening her heart to tell her story to us.  I doubt it was easy as it is deeply personal and relevant to her life today.   So thank you again Josephine for giving me the opportunity to listen and share your world.

Le Tres Bon:  French Restaurant, Cooking School and Tours:
www.letresbon.com.au 

Subscribe to Chef Christophe’s Cooking Show:

Le Tres Bon Gourmet Tours

Please find all Show Notes at:

www.michellejohnston.life

The food journey continues and in future episodes........Stay tuned........and visit the Blog: 'Cooking with Massimo and Friends' for updates and shares along the way regarding the big commitment to cook every recipe from the book "Bread is Gold: Extraordinary Meals with Ordinary Ingredients" ....

Support and Learn More:     www.FoodforSoul.it

Please subscribe, rate and/or review if you enjoyed this podcast.

Instagram:  @awriterinitaly and @theyellowhouse__

© 2021 A Writer In Italy - travel, writing, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston, © 2021

About A Writer in Italy Podcast:

Five years ago Michelle Johnston traveled to Italy to create space for herself and her writing.  Michelle traveled solo giving herself time to recalibrate after many years of parenting and life in general.  Leaving her husband to take care of the family she reconnected with her writing, her art and her love of travel.

The adventure turned into the book and travel memoir...............

In the Shadow of a Cypress: An Italian Adventure

Support the show

Welcome to Episode #14:  Food For Thought, Cooking from the Cookbook ‘Bread is Gold: Extraordinary Meals with Ordinary Ingredients’ as a project to see me though this year.  I have no doubt it will take me that long......And surrendering to the Simple Life as I know it.

Wow, things have changed so fast we barely know what will happen today nor tomorrow.  We are in the middle of unprecedented times, certainly in my own personal lifetime never mind my kids.  Italy is suffering so much as are most countries, and we are watching from the sidelines on guard to our own fate with this virus.  My prayers and thoughts are with those who are experiencing the harsh reality  and pain of this time.  

In the short term I am concentrating my energies on what I can do today that is creative, intentional and purposeful.  Creativity is called for in times of crisis. 

Making the decision to flat out cook from the bountiful ‘Bread is Gold’ cookbook is not a light one.  It takes time, thought, intention, resourcefulness and conviction.  Time will tell about the conviction part however I am enjoying the process and finding my way even if I am slightly anxious how this will turn out.  Onwards I say.......

Thank you for joining me on the Podcast and on Instagram.......

© 2021 A Writer In Italy - travel, writing, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston, © 2021

Bread is Gold: Extraordinary Meals with Ordinary Ingredients by Massimo Bottura & Friends by Phaidon Press

Netflix:  Theater of Life Documentary, 2015:

Documents Bottura opening the soup Kitchen for the needy using the food waste from the 2015 Milan Expo..........

Netflix:  Chef’s Table......Season 1:

If you don't already know Massimo Bottura this is the story behind his rise to No 1 Restaurant in the world.

Fantastic and an incredible journey to be one of the most influential people in the world. 

Support and Learn More:     www.FoodforSoul.it

Please find all Show Notes at:

www.michellejohnston.life

This journey will continue in future episodes........Stay tuned........and visit the Blog: 'Cooking with Massimo and Friends' for updates and shares along the way....


Please subscribe, rate and/or review if you enjoyed this podcast.

Instagram:  @awriterinitaly and @theyellowhouse__

About A Writer in Italy Podcast:

Five years ago Michelle Johnston traveled to Italy to create space for herself and her writing.  Michelle traveled solo giving herself time to recalibrate after many years of parenting and life in general.  Leaving her husband to take care of the family she reconnected with her writing, her art and her love of travel.

The adventure turned into the book and travel memoir...............

In the Shadow of a Cypress: An Italian Adventure

Support the show

Welcome to Episode #13 and One Writer’s Journey - On the beauty of writing and reading Memoir, a homage to Belle Italia and Food For Soul.

This share is a montage of sorts and covers a few relevant areas of life in these modern times.

1.  Ode to Italy as we brace ourselves for our new reality.  

2.  Writing Memoir and the Writers Life: A share of tools and creative ways to get writing and enjoy the process as much as the outcome.  For the love of writing as a practice and the books and the writers that have paved the way and given one much to contemplate as the years have passed.....

 (All notes have been posted to Podcast Blog visit:  'A Writer in Italy Blog' on website)

3.   A small introduction to Food For Soul the Organisation and the book 'Bread Is Gold: Extraordinary Meals with Ordinary Ingredients' by Massimo Bottura and Friends - Possibly one of the most important books of our times.....

4.  The Cook-book Project and deep dive into the epidemic of food waste we tolerate and sustain, sustainable living as a model and social responsibility as a practice.  

 Food for thought indeed.........

This journey will continue in future episodes........Stay tuned........and visit the Blog: 'Cooking with Massimo and Friends' for updates and shares along the way....

And more importantly watch the Documentary:  Theater of Life (on Netflix)

© 2021 A Writer In Italy - travel, writing, art and life

Music Composed by Richard Johnston, © 2021

Please find all Show Notes at:

www.michellejohnston.life

Please subscribe, rate and/or review if you enjoyed this podcast.

Instagram:  @awriterinitaly and @theyellowhouse__

About A Writer in Italy Podcast:

Five years ago Michelle Johnston traveled to Italy to create space for herself and her writing.  Michelle traveled solo giving herself time to recalibrate after many years of parenting and life in general.  Leaving her husband to take care of the family she reconnected with her writing, her art and her love of travel.

The adventure turned into the book and travel memoir...............

In the Shadow of a Cypress: An Italian Adventure

Support the show