the makers, indeed

Although there is not a whole lot of rhyme and reason to our posts here-- we tend to share whatever is going on in our world-- we have made an effort to highlight "makers" on Thursdays and hell if what's going on in my world doesn't align perfectly with a post about makers.

You see, last week, Michelle and I were in Morro d'oro (I know, we can't seem to stop talking about it) and if ever there was a land of makers-- Italy would surely be one of the places on the map. Forget the shoes and fashion-- which are exquisite and let's just focus on the wine, cheese, meats and olive oil.

In particular, the region of Terramo-- where we were-- has a tree unique to the area called tortiglione, or as I like to say, the twisty tree.

A tree that can grow old as 500 years and is the source for the amazing olive oil produced there.

Students in Jen Causey's Storytelling Through Photos class in SquamItalia! will get a tour of the olive oil factory that is a short walk from where we are staying-- short and lovely walk through olive groves and vineyards-- but more on that later. Michelle and I were lucky enough to be invited in by the family for a tour and a tasting and we quickly learned how little we knew about olive oil production.

Frantoio Montecchia is a family business that has won numerous awards for their beautiful olive oils. They also happen to be a most beautiful family.

Below are photos of Gennaro (the papa) and Gennaro and his mother Sophia (la nonna-- who, by the way, will be demonstrating a traditional Italian pastry making for one of Nikole Herriot's classes Everyday Pretty).