From the 2003 Italy Retreat Journal
Dianne Lodge Peters

An ancient land of olive trees and vineyards, ochre walls and red-tiled roofs, sunflowers and cypress trees swaying to the wind’s rhythms, the heady, rich aroma of morning coffee, the cool smooth texture of Cararra marble tabletops, the pastas which were always perfect, and the everlasting taste of chocolate on our tongues as we shared our words aloud.

Our destination was Il Grande Prato (The Broad Meadow), near the town of Castelfiorentino (Castle of the Little Flowers) less than an hour southwest of Florence.  Il Grande Prato is a cluster of 200-year-old farm buildings rebuilt, restored, refurbished by a family (three generations worth) who cared for us in a friendly and loving fashion. Even the dogs were lovable: an old golden retriever named Thelma and a frisky black lab named Nona; they snoozed in the sun and rolled over for some serious tummy-rubbing whenever anyone ambled by. 

Some of us lived in a Tower Room, others in the old piggery.  Still others were housed in what had been the large old cowshed (barn). My room was spectacular.  The sand and dun-colored brick and white mortar ceiling had been pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle to form a four-way arched Roman dome. The stucco-looking walls were painted in a wash of terra cotta hues ranging from a pinkish white to deep-red brick. The private bath had a lovely hot shower and two long sinks in which were four sets (count 'em) of faucets. I dubbed it the Queen Bee Cow Shed and felt honored being housed in what once was the head milkcow’s special quarters....

New study and reading room is just off the dining room and is the bottom right photo.