Live and help me build up my little dream in sunny countryside in Toffia, Italy

Details

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  Description

  Hello! This is Emanuela, I live among the beautiful hills of Sabina. I love the mellow countryside life and I need help taking care of this beautiful piece of land and its inhabitants. I call it "our orderly growing food forest". There's a secluded vegetable garden, some fruit and olive trees, and aromatic plants for the bees to enjoy! There are also 4 amazing dogs, 3 beautiful cats and 2 adorable sheep, all very cuddly.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  House sitting
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  Interests

  

  Farming

  

  Plant care

  

  Gardening

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Pets

  

  Languages

  

  Books

  

  Hiking

  

  Winter sports

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Blogging

  

  Writing

  

  Nature

  

  Mountain

  

  Beach

  

  Animals

  

  Self development

  

  Sustainability

  

  Van life

  

  Events & social

  

  Sailing / Boating
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I'm talkative but I find comfort in the quiet; I'm an oversharer but it actually requires some time to get to know my best qualities :) If you're interested, I will tell you about my choice to live by Permaculture principles. Also, I get passionate while talking about pedagogy! I'm a Waldorf Teacher with 10+ years experience, although I'm not working in any school at the moment. I write for an Educational website and I hope to open a kindergarten or an after-school care. I look after few kids during the week (not in the summer) and I have a daily job at a farm holiday nearby, although sometimes I work from home.
  
  I will probably make gluten free pizza during your stay! Also, I will share some tricks, like using coffee grounds to clean oily dishes and how to fit hundreds of plants in a small vegetable garden, and I could tell you a little about edibles. I'd rather speak English, so I'm not the best host if you want to learn Italian, unless you already have a good level and just want to improve it. Gardening and cooking are a sort of meditation for me, so I usually prefer to work alone/quietly to better connect with what I'm doing and creating.
  
  If you enjoy cooking, conversation as well as quiet time, reading and gardening, all in the company of animals, my house may be the place you are looking for! My motto is "You are what you do, not what you say". I know that it could be hard to follow through and that sometimes the most productive thing to do is rest! I try to honor the life I've chosen, the life I love and those who choose to be a part of it.
  
  *2025/2026 CALL OUT*
  I wish to build an atelier + compost toilet using old windows! I already have sort of a project but will need an experienced carpenter/builder and maybe an extra set of hands :) Please contact me with subject "atelier" if you are interested

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  Help

  >>To make it short ;)
  What I need help with: I'd like to come back to a clean and tidy home, have meals (vegan + gluten free but pls no pasta) ready to share together, some chores in the garden (mostly weeding, mowing, watering) and other tasks depending on your skills and expertise; animals need to be fed and cuddled, dogs brushed. Occasionally, house and pet sitting for a couple of days.
  
  >>>A bit more details
  • JAN - FEB I usually don't host during these months, especially because the weather is too unpredictable
  • MAR - MAY I'll need help to start the vegetable garden and keep it free of weeds, as well as the garden.
  • JUN-AUG (minimum stay 3 wks) In early June we get our hands dirty with mulberries and we continue with jam, juice and other preserves :) I'm very busy at work and won't be home much. This is the best time for a couple to enjoy: each other, sunny days, the surroundings (especially if you come by car), the idle time, lots of vegetables from the garden (hopefully!), festival in Toffia (mid AUG) and nearby villages.
  • SEP-NOV It's time to set up the winter vegetable garden + olive harvesting at friends' (more hrs of help/3-4 days), pomegranate juice, maybe longer house and pet sitting.
  
  Some knowledge of woodworking and DIY might come in handy. Carpenters are more than welcome! There's always something to fix and renovate - a soon to do tasks is re-varnishing the shutters. I'd also like to make a small pond, outdoor toys, shower. More projects depending on your skills!
  
  *Be sure to write about your skills and what you'd like to help with in your message.*
  
  If we agree on less hours (so more free time for you!) I might ask you to chip in for grocery shopping.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Italian: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate

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  Accommodation

  You will stay in the spare room with access to the bathroom on a different floor (it's also used by guests). You are expected to keep them clean and contribute to house cleaning. The room is furnished with a french bed, closet and desk. It is silent and it overlooks the mountain. From the outside, you might hear cows' bells, eagles' callings and horses' clop. You will hear the church bells chiming the hour.
  
  I'm vegan + GF and quite creative in the kitchen; I use spices and I don't cook much Italian. I bake sourdough bread and I like to experiment. I really enjoy cooking for workawayers, I feel like it's the best way to show them my gratitude. Unfortunately my work hrs don't make it easy, therefore I look forward to host someone with good cooking skills (once again, vegan + GF). If you want to eat eggs or dairies (which you will have to buy yourself) there's a designated pan but please be reminded that you shall be responsible of your own garbage, included food waste that doesn't go in the compost.
  
  Please use water with parsimony, this is not the place for daily long showers. The guest bathroom doesn't have a window, so it would be best to take a shower during the day and not in the evening in order to be able to turn off the fan at night.
  
  I try to be as much plastic and garbage free as possible. Please try and do your part.
  
  I do NOT host smokers
  The house is perfume-free and meat/fish free
  I can do your laundry once a week, one week after your arrival.

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  What else ...

  I prefer to host 2 workawayers (friends or couple) at a time, especially if they're skilled or very creative. I feel they can better enjoy their free time and work independently.
  
  My home is in the countryside, in a suggestive medieval town. There are a couple of hikes from the house but a car would be best to explore the beautiful Sabina region. If you come by train there's a bus going from Fara Sabina station to Toffia.
  
  I like to hike and to spend my free time idly; I read a lot and I enjoyed playing board games when workawayers brought some and I play burraco. I like to watch a movie on a rainy afternoon. I go to sleep early, except when duties require otherwise and when I meet up with friends, all nice and interesting people that will be happy to meet you!

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  I believe my home is more suitable for those who enjoy nature and have a flexible schedule but I too have some work/study to do at the computer and I also read a lot, therefore I'll gladly welcome digital nomads. Please make sure to inform me about your schedule or needs to make sure I can meet them.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  The parking could be outside the property, a short walk away.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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