Of course, a decision to abandon our Italian life is filled with sadness and regrets. We are sad to be leaving our very dear friends and the Italian life style. I really miss Masimilliano's sparkling verdicchio as well as a number of other wines; Italian lessons with Cristina; our young friends from Osimo; weekly dinners at Alessia's country house, Vittoria Il Graditempo in Rosora; and dinners at Graziella's. I regret that we did not have the opportunity to do more traveling both within Italy and throughout Europe. But that, I think, is my only regret. Living five years in Italy was an amazing experience and one to be savored for a life time. And there will always be vacations to return to friends and favorite places.
Unfortunately, now that we have made the decision to return to the US as our primary place of residence, it is time to sell our beautiful old stone farmhouse in Le Marche. It took us five years to find the house of our dreams. Once we closed on the house, it took several months to restore it and furnish it to be just what we wanted. Then there was planting the olive trees and fruit trees. It was a labor of love.