How adorable is this photo of a little goose on the typewriter!  Winemaker Roberto DiFilippo sent it to us with the caption “my new secretary.” We love it!  Spring is not quite in the air in Georgetown, which gives us extra motivation do cozy up with a blanket and peruse the news from this past week:

Michel Graves, a great industrial designer, passed away suddenly last week, which is a loss for the design community. We carry his beautiful coffee service for Alessi in store and online.

Obama and Italy’s Renzi are to meet on Ukraine, and the Islamic State, in a month.

The Telegraph picks out the best places to visit in Umbria! Do you see anyplace you have been to with us?

Over in Italy it is artichoke season. Artichokes in abundance are reigning in Umbria (see our Facebook for how we prefer to cook them!) Here are some recipes from Food and Wine Magazine if you find yourself overwhelmed by the artichoke.

Italy pulls a DC and moves to legalize marijuana.

Happy Weekend from all of us here at Via Umbria!