The City Pattern

Posted on by Esterina Anderson

Last summer, one Saturday morning when we first started talking about coming to Italy for a year, we were very keen on the idea of moving to a city. Esterina grew up in Brooklyn and Daren had lived in New York City and Boston for several years. We both have fond memories of city living—the energy, the walkability, the simplicity of not needing a car.

We were excited about it for a few days, until one rainy afternoon when we were stuck inside. Esterina asked, “What would we do in a city on a day like today in a small apartment?” That question planted the first seed of doubt.

Later in the fall, while looking for a place to live, we still explored the idea. Our first stop was Bologna—everyone we knew, in and outside of Italy, loved it. It felt like the perfect fit. But after just a few hours of walking around, doubts crept in.

Then came Rome. For a few days, we were convinced that was it. But not long after arriving, something shifted. We found ourselves paying a small fortune just to sit in a park for a bit of greenery. The loud clashing of church bells at noon and the constant sirens made it feel like there was no escape from the noise. Once again, the doubts surfaced—this time more clearly.

We don’t know why we don’t recognize the pattern sooner. We live in Connecticut and love going to New York City. Every time we go, we’re excited and start imagining what it would be like to live there. But after a day or two, something changes. It starts to feel like too much. And when we get home, the birds, the trees, the open space—it all feels exactly right.

Luckily, we gave ourselves enough time in these Italian cities to notice that same shift. It led us to choosing a home in the hills of Tuscany—just 10–15 minutes from town, with everything we need nearby, including a train that gets us to Florence in under half an hour.

This week, we had to go into Florence to swap out our car (a long story), and decided to stay a few days.

And just like that, the draw of the city pulled us in again.

Florence is stunning. Walkable, charming, full of life. We parked the car once and didn’t need it again. That alone felt like such a relief. We started imagining—what if we lived here long-term? Everything felt easy and beautiful.

And the options. After weeks of mostly Italian cuisine (which is incredible, no question), we were suddenly surrounded by variety again. Different foods, big grocery stores, clothing shops, markets, art—everything right there.

It felt exciting. Full.

And then…

The dog had nowhere to go. No grass. Nowhere to sniff. We walked and walked, searching for even a small patch, and came up empty. Eventually, he just went in the middle of the street.

And when we got tired—from all the walking—and wanted a break, the options were shops or our small hotel room. I had that same thought again: where do you go to actually relax?

On our last day, we planned to go to Mercato Centrale—the big open market—before everything closed for Easter. We left the dog at the hotel and headed out, ready to stock up.

We walked in and it was beautiful. The smells, the colors, the energy—it felt magical. The kind of place you imagine having at your fingertips all the time.

And within minutes, we were done.

Too many people. Too many options. Too much navigating, deciding, sampling. We looked at each other and walked out.

We headed back toward the hotel—and toward our poor dog—and realized we’d much rather just go to the local Coop and get what we needed.

We love cities. We really do.
But we love leaving them just as much.
And coming home—where it’s quiet, green, and enough.

And we will be back. Again & again & again. Here is why! (photos below)

Updates from Esterina https://esterinaanderson.com/2026/04/06/on-easter/

Updates from Daren https://esterinaanderson.com/2026/04/06/beauty-in-the-large-and-the-small/

Stone wine selling niche embedded in a wall, featuring an archway and engraved text 'VENDITA di VINO'.
One of the many ancient wine windows in Florence
Night view of the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence, Italy, with buildings lining the riverbank reflecting in the Arno River.
A panoramic view of Florence, Italy, showcasing a cityscape with historic buildings, including a tall clock tower and domed structures, framed by tree branches and clear blue skies.
A large bronze sculpture of a human face with a weathered appearance, standing on a metal base in a landscaped garden with trees and greenery in the background.
A panoramic view of Florence, Italy, showcasing historical architecture, including a prominent building with a clock tower, surrounded by lush greenery and mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
A scenic view of a lush green landscape featuring rolling hills, olive groves, and a castle on a hillside under a clear blue sky.
A smiling man wearing sunglasses stands beside a lush green hedge, dressed in a dark blue shirt and jeans, holding a tan jacket.
A couple posing for a selfie in front of a historic building with a fountain, illuminated by bright sunlight.
A view of a large sculpture of a male figure from behind, looking up towards an ornate circular skylight within a museum interior.
Close-up view of a marble statue depicting a young man with curly hair, deep eyes, and a contemplative expression, showcasing intricate details of the face.
Did you know David’s Eyes are Hearts?
Night view of the Florence Cathedral, showcasing its intricate architecture and dome.
A black dog sitting on a paved surface in front of a historical building, with banners displayed on the wall behind.
A smiling man in a brown jacket stands on a city street, holding the leash of a black dog. In the background, there are shops and pedestrians.
A black dog lying on the floor next to a bookshelf filled with colorful books.
Koji’s first trip into a book store
A bustling square with historic architecture and a cloudy sky, featuring people walking and a row of red rental bikes nearby.
A woman in a purple jacket stands next to a black dog outside a Gucci store, with a sunny street backdrop.
In front of the first Gucci Store!
Exterior view of a restaurant named 'Campolmi' located on a narrow street, with a person walking by and a woman standing in front.
a Yarn Store!!
A woman in a purple jacket stands with a black dog in a crowded city square, featuring historical statues and buildings in the background.
Replica of David

Hygge (Hoo Guh) & How I Plan to Embrace Winter this Year

Posted on by Esterina Anderson

I never heard this word until last week. I was starting to plan for the holidays and feeling really festive and excited—until my heart sank thinking about January and the rest of the winter.

I REALLY don’t like the winter. But it’s an inevitable part of life. If I’ve learned anything this year that is positively impacting my life, it is to enjoy the moment, whatever it is, as this too shall pass. Alan Watts wrote a book called This Is It. Meaning, as we are waiting for life to start or get better, we are actually wasting it—because the whole thing, the good, the bad, the ugly… the joys, sweat & tears… and even traffic is “it.”

I hardly noticed the winter until the year I was pregnant with Gabby. She was due in June, and around February I really started nesting. I had a paper calendar on the wall at the time (who didn’t in 1999?), and on the last day of February I excitedly turned the page and saw the beautiful spring picture for March. My heart filled with joy. I was so excited and ready for spring. I went to bed happily anticipating the coming months. But when I woke up, it was still freezing, dark, and wet. Weeks later, it was still freezing, dark, and wet. That same year, as the days turned darker and colder in October, I realized I am one of the thousands I had been hearing in the background who dislike what feels like the never-ending season of winter.

20 years later and I’m still a hater. I want that to change, or at least to accept it the way I can smile and catch myself from feeling grumpy during traffic. This is a totally new concept for me—to accept even a yucky present moment [most of the time anyway] and tell myself that this is really it. This is life. There is nothing else, and even this could be kind of enjoyable when I realize I’m alive and experiencing what exists in the spectrum of living experiences.

So I went to my best ally that I turn to for answers (Google, of course) and asked, “How to enjoy winter?”

Almost every search response turned up this word “Hygge,” pronounced “hoo-guh” (I personally like the way I was pronouncing it in my mind better, but that is neither here nor there). Apparently it’s a Danish word that loosely translates to coziness. The Danish are well known as one of the happiest cultures in the world, but also have one of the more harsh winters with a population of human settlers. What is their secret?

One can look on their own—I’m not going to go bonkers writing it all out—but the general concept is to embrace it, do all the things inside that you’ve been putting off, make time for friends no matter the weather, and indulge in winter foods, clothes, and warm beverages. Embracing it means hunkering down and getting cozy. Lots of candles, soft light, and blankets. Also, going outside every day for a bit no matter how dark or cold. Not only is the fresh air and movement of walking a benefit, but the contrast back into the cozy home makes it all the more sweet.

As I raked leaves at both of our homes this week, covered the stubborn little spring bulbs I recently planted that were poking up, and started to put away the outdoor summer items, I felt a sense of connection to the earth and, dare I say, even slight excitement toward this season for the first time ever.

Being prepared and doubling down on making my home cozier than ever felt right. I ordered non-holiday candles for my windows that I plan not to move until the sun starts to set at an earlier hour next year. I purchased battery-operated string lights for little places in the home near the potted plants I brought in from the outside for the winter for extra light and cheer. I hope to have a fire almost every evening (mental note: need to have the hubby show me how first), so I ordered a ton of firewood just for the occasion. AND I put it on the porch right outside the front door so it stays dry and seasoned—and it is close enough to not groan about having to trek anywhere else outside to get it.

What else?

I’m making a list of movies I’ve always wanted to see. Creating a pile of books to keep in the living room that I want to read this winter. I am putting together exciting crockpot, dessert, and soup recipes to try. I have a list of electronic things I never get to that I want to cross off my mental to-do list forever.

I also made a list of things to do on weeknights and weekends that aren’t as appealing in the warm months because the draw to be outside is so much greater. Some of those things are to use the sauna we have in the basement, cross-country ski (we have a trail within .2 miles from our front door), put together puzzles we bought and never touched, paint, write, color, knit, take online classes to get CEUs or just learn about something I’ve always wanted to know more about, go to plays and musicals at local theaters, visit museums, try new coffee shops…

Just writing it all out again makes me feel like the whole winter might not be enough time for all these great activities! Could it be that I can enjoy these months? I hope so! It still might not shake out to actually be enjoyable, but it absolutely won’t be if I don’t realize all the cool ways I could embrace and make the most of it. Fingers crossed.

If you are one of the many like me who dreads these months and found an idea or two here to make it more bearable—then this was worth the time to write and share.

Here is to embracing it all, because after all, this is it.

~Esterina

Welcome Winter

Thanks for taking the time to read. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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My wood pile on the porch. This was taken only yesterday after moving a half cord of wood myself and then making a large tarp to keep it all warm & dry. I put kindling in flower pots. Today the scene is full of snow!
Now a day later.
Welcome Winter

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