Sant Elia Lifestyle

03/12/2020

Still Dreaming Of My Homeland 🇮🇹

I think these Christmas baubles make me look even more beautiful 😻

#rescuecat
#lemarcheitaly
#homerenovation
#countryliving
#christmasdecor
#christmas2020

30/11/2020

Our Olives Won’t Be Wasted...

...we’re so pleased that a local farmer will enjoy them this year.
Not so easy to pick though, as due to Covid the trees haven’t been pruned...what a job we have in store for next year!!!

23/11/2020

A throw back to November 2019...

Little did we know then that our planting plan would be delayed, and for so long!

But now, with the hope of a vaccine we’ll soon be bringing Casa Sant Elia back to life again, and then our planting project can continue ... that’s between pruning the olives, vines, fruit trees and everything else that’s been growing like crazy during lockdown, even so we can’t wait.

12/11/2020

Balsamic Isn’t Just For Dipping!

Here in the UK the ‘dip’ of olive oil and balsamic is still offered in some restaurants prior to a meal, but not so in Italy these days.

Yes, a drizzle of really good Extra Virgin Olive Oil on bread perhaps..but no balsamico!

It really is worth buying a good balsamic, although it’s expensive.
A ‘real’ balsamic vinegar, believe it or not has NO vinegar in it, or any other additives.

When you’re next in the supermarket, take a look at the back labels on the balsamic bottles, there will be very few, if any, with no added vinegar.

So, instead of using Casa Sant Elia’s Traditional Balsamic as a dip, here are a few other suggestions.

Drizzle it on grilled or roasted beef and chicken.
Tagliato di Manzo is a popular dish in Italy, strips of beef, on a bed of rocket with some shavings of Parmesan, all brought to life with a drizzle of balsamic...such a simple dish, and easily made at home.

A drizzle over a tomato, mozzarella and rocket salad is delicious.

A little over a ragu, casserole, or vegetable pasta dish before serving, just heightens the flavour.

And don’t forget strawberries and balsamic, they complement each other so well.

A really good balsamic, is on another level, a regular comment on ours is that “it tastes like sherry, I could drink it”, there could be no greater compliment.
Makes a great Christmas present too!

06/11/2020

For 2020 it’s a Virtual Beaufort Christmas Fair!
We’ll miss catching up with all the other stall holders, which is always fun and a great opportunity for us to also to do some Christmas shopping.
But come and join us, albeit virtually.
https://www.beaufortchristmasfair.co.uk

#beaufortchristmasfair
#christmasgifts
#christmasideas
#extravirginoliveoil
#foodlovers

31/10/2020

Even The Sunflowers Are Looking Scary For Halloween 👻

...so missing the beautiful Le Marche sunsets.

28/10/2020

It Maybe Cold Outside...

...but it’s always warm and cosy at Casa Sant Elia.

26/10/2020

A Weekend Packing...

... our lovely gift boxes ready for Christmas!

This box contains our Extra Virgin Olive oil and Traditional Balsamic.
Other boxes include the white balsamic, which is a favourite of many.
All great gift ideas for all those food lovers out there.

#extravirginoliveoil
#foodloversofinstagram
#chefsofinstagram
#balsamicvinegar
#italianfood
#healthyeating

19/10/2020

It’s Only October!

But already we’re having Christmas orders for our lovely Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Balsamic.
Must admit, it tastes pretty good!

#christmasgifts
#foodies
#italianliving
#countrylife
#italy
#lemarche
#eventplanner
#eventvenue
#leahmosqueraphotography

15/10/2020

I’m so excited...

Packing for our return trip to Italy. I think I’ll take the fluffy scarf, I have a feeling we could be out there throughout the winter, if we all go into lockdown again 😫

09/10/2020

Thought I’d end the week with this little fella!

We occasionally see the whole family, and that’s quite a sight when they flex their spines, I definitely wouldn’t mess with a porcupine! but this little guy is a regular visitor, and can be seen aimlessly walking down the drive at Casa Sant Elia.
Perhaps not as cute as some of the other wildlife we have around, but definitely a character.

#porcupines
#wildlife
#countryliving
#houserenovation
#lemarcheitaly
#sawdaystravel
#eventsvenue

08/10/2020

October 2019!

Now this was a bit of a scary sight!
Enormous flocks of birds preparing to migrate.
The noise was almost deafening as they swooped from tree to tree surrounding Casa Sant Elia, gathering up even more friends to join them on their journey.
Scary yes, but how amazing is the natural world.

07/10/2020

Only Three Weeks To Go...

And we’ll be laying out the nets again for the olive harvest. It’s going to be hard work and much slower this year as the trees haven’t been pruned due to Covid...but we know it’s going to be fun, with lots of chat, yummy food and perhaps just the occasional glass of wine in the evening 🍷🍷

We can’t wait...

05/10/2020

It won’t be too long now...

Before we’re back and looking after our lovely vines. Look how overgrown everything is, Jerry’s longing to get Ruby onto that long grass, Ruby, for those who don’t know, is his very best friend..his tractor!
Thankfully not all the grapes were lost, many went to increase a neighbours yield, which made us very happy.

02/10/2020

Olive harvest

As it's been olive oil day this week, we've been thinking about the olive harvest and reminiscing about Autumns gone by.

Wonderful family times and treasured memories

01/10/2020

Olive Picking

How we wish we were out olive picking this year!

It's one of our favourite times of the year and look at all these olives from last year

Makes us think of sunshine, lighting fires and casseroles

30/09/2020

On Your Bike! | Jun 25, 2020

In Italy, cycling is a huge participation sport. Every weekend during the Spring and Summer there are vast numbers of keen cyclists out on the road. Car drivers appear more tolerant than here in the UK, and give cyclists an extra wide berth!

Stay safe during Bike To School Week kids!

Cycling is such a huge part of life in Filottrano, from professionals to local enthusiasts

29/09/2020

Will We Get An Olive Harvest? | Sep 28, 2020

Will we get an olive harvest this year?

For us olive picking is very much a family affair!

For us olive picking is one of our favourite times of the year and very much a family affair.

28/09/2020

There has to be positive motivation for people to start a lifestyle change | Jul 14, 2020

Losing weight and getting fit has to be a complete lifestyle change and is the key to long-term weight maintenance and health

As The British Nutrition Foundation runs it's annual Healthy Eating Week we definitely thought it was worth sharing this again

OK here we go again with another drive to get the nation fit and lose weight.I really look forward to hearing how the Prime Minister intends to do this

25/09/2020

Really missing these perfectly sized pastries in Jesi, one for me, two for Jerry!

24/09/2020

It's officially Autumn and this is the view we should be enjoying at Casa Sant Elia. But in these unpredictable times there’s one thing for sure, there will definitely be another Autumn in 2021!

23/09/2020

We know it's British Food Fortnight...these may be Italian but, we're British so they still count don't they?

These were the last pickings from our veg garden last year, fortunately we did manage to turn the garden over in preparation for the winter and planting during Spring 2020...little did we know then our lovely veg plot would lie dormant for almost a year

22/09/2020

We love helping to make special memories, not only for our guests but ourselves too.

21/09/2020

In Need Of Retail Therapy! | Sep 17, 2020

Look at all those colours!

In need of some retail therapy? Then we know just the place!

These fashion outlets in Filottrano are a must for visitors to Casa Sant Elia

18/09/2020

Private Holidays: Exclusive Holiday Stays & Retreats

The Adriatic coast is only half an hour away from Casa Sant Elia.

When you stay with us you get the best of both worlds - the splendid peace and isolation amongst the rolling hills and then the white pebble beaches

Imagine your own private Italian farmhouse, complete with a 12m pool, barbecue terrace and pizza oven, and acres of space for little ones to run wild…. That’s Casa Sant’Elia. Set in an exclusive 12-acre estate, with olive groves and vineyards to explore, there’s plenty to occupy everyone fro...

17/09/2020

Pecorino or Parmesan?

We always have both at Casa Sant Elia and tend to eat the Pecorino with fruit.

A plate of cold meats, cheese and fruit is sometimes all we want in the evening if it's been a hot and busy day.

We all love Pecorino (made from sheep's milk) because of the variable textures available. Depending on the length of time aged, it can be softer and milder, or harder and very tangy.

Parmesan, I think is in every Italian's kitchen. We use ours mainly in cooking, although a little 'chunk' is delicious just eaten on it's own!

16/09/2020

So when you are in Jesi and you have an Italian gelato...Just how do you eat it whilst wearing a mask?

15/09/2020

Tea with our lovely neighbour Sissi

Although this was in Italy, and served at 16.00hrs, almost a year ago! My Iranian tea, given to me by Sissi, is so delicate it’s also perfect for a sunny morning in the UK!

14/09/2020

Sad to have missed the last of our roses at Casa Sant Elia this year

11/09/2020

How I miss my lunch on a Friday when in Italy.

However busy we are, we made a pact to stop at around midday, and head off to one of the many beach restaurants within thirty five minutes of Casa Sant Elia.

This we do throughout the year, whatever the weather, and it’s an absolute ‘tonic‘ during the winter months

10/09/2020

I Need A Drink... | Mar 20, 2020

As we seem to be heading backwards in this crisis, makes me think of our journal from back in March.

Just as relevant now

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has that feeling? Alcohol can be a very ‘quick fix’ relaxant for many of us, but perhaps now that we are heading into a lifestyle none of us have experienced before, we should be thinking twice before reaching for that second glass of ‘relaxant’

09/09/2020

We're not the only ones looking forward to getting back on our travels!
Our lovely Pixie Dixie, she’s such a good traveler. Had her rabies booster jab this morning...as if she’d carry any nasty disease!😻😻

08/09/2020

Zero Waste Week 2020 - Day Two | Zero Waste Week

We are passionate about zero waste. Have you signed up?

Welcome to day two of Zero Waste Week 2020. Today is going to be a shopping revolution! If you only have ten minutes to spare today then you can hop straight to today’s challenge. Here’s the 10 minute version. If you can read along while you eat your breakfast or have a coffee break then…

07/09/2020

Is it lunchtime yet?

I love pasta, and I love shellfish, this is my perfect Italian meal

04/09/2020

Not quite fish & chips, just very simply grilled fish from one of our favourite fish restaurants Bocasalina Restaurant Numana Could call it ‘fish & chips’ I guess, if you ordered a side of patate fritte!