Arrivederci e grazie

We have reluctantly left our beautiful farmhouse in Santa Croce Camerina, but will always have fond memories of our stay there.

This was one view across the field- probably my favorite. 

And another of the Mediterranean Sea beyond. Maybe this was my favorite...too beautiful to choose.

Our wonderful host Bettina might not like me to post this photo as she was not expecting to have her picture taken, so was not properly fixed up. She is a lovely, and very stylish woman, and can really wear red lipstick to its best advantage. 

Here is her home, so you know she has style. I would kill for this turquoise couch!

Her son Ranieri is also charming, and if I didn't already have 4 charming sons of my own, I would want to bring home with me. He helps Bettina run the place, which is no small task, as they have extensive property to care for and several apartments that they rent out. 

This was my favorite animal friend at Casa Malavita " the goat who slept with chickens, but thought he was a dog"! 

These two were inseparable, sempre insieme, as Ranieri said. 

It's a little hard for me to write about this, because the day we left, Ranieri was not there because the goat had gone missing, and he was out trying to find it. As of this writing, he ( she?) had not been found.

I mentioned Bettina's cooking, but never showed photos until now

This was a pre Easter lunch of her famous and delicious focaccia filled with various things. Our favorite was the tomato mozzarella .

This was filled with lamb organ meat, and there was another elaborate casserole of small bundles, also of organ meats, which Jim tried two of and I tasted a small bite of...

Here is Bettina at the big outdoor pizza oven, baking traditional breads.

And a traditional Easter cake brought by another friend. Sorry it is blurry- that is why I don't usually ask Jim to take photos! 

And even more traditional sweets bought from the pasticceria...we saw lots of people carrying these trays of goodies over Easter week as they were on their way to celebrate with family. 

And we bid a fond farewell to all our new friends at Casa Malavita. Hard to leave these sunsets behind, too. If you ever need a wonderful place to stay in Sicily, just ask me! Thanks, Pia.