Chianti, Italy

I'm spending the week in the Tuscan countryside at Kelly Patterson's house. She and her boyfriend Klaus have lived here for 3+ years, and have created an ideal artist's haven. While Kelly spends her days writing her novel, Klaus is busy in his workshop creating gorgeous wood and leather pieces for private commissions and galleries. Before I came, Kelly warned me that I might get bored, since really the only things to do here are to take long hikes in the forest, or head into town (Radda-in-Chianti) for gelato. I have NOT gotten bored - in fact, I feel like I am at some kind of exclusive Italian-Zen retreat; so far the experience has been serene, relaxing and rejuvenating. Bliss.