Pinch Me

Waking Up in a 300-Year-Old Italian Farmhouse

Like Alice tumbling headfirst into a confounding and wondrous land,
I found myself amazed each day by this relatively undiscovered part of Italy, Piemonte. When I came across an old, abandoned barn and farmhouse on the side of a beautiful hill, I was smitten.

Taking it apart, literally stone by stone, and putting it back together, my husband and I set about building a home, and a new life. Now, I am learning a new language, a new cuisine, living each day more slowly, more purposefully, and breathing a little more deeply, surrounded by beauty in the landscapes and in the people.

Let me share with you how it all unfolded, how it has changed us, and I will of course, share some favorite recipes, as well!

“Barbara does what many of us dream about—escapes a familiar life and creates an extraordinary, idyllic one in a faraway land. Authentic, deeply personal, and unfailingly optimistic, Barbara’s tale nevertheless has a real-life plot twist, her triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis. This unique adventure is a joy to read and leaves us remembering the importance of sometimes seeing the world through a different window to find what matters in life.”

Maxine Paetro #1 New York Times bestselling co-author with James Patterson

“A captivating memoir about falling in love with a rustic village in Italy, renovating an ancient farmhouse and bringing a dream to life. With warmth and wit, Barbara Boyle envelopes you in an unhurried world of ripe vineyards, fairytale castles, and mouthwatering meals (recipes included). Bellissima!”

Terry Trucco, frequent contributor The New York Times, and Martha Stewart Living

In Italian

“Johann Wolfgang Goethe scrisse “Viaggio in Italia” tra il 1813 e il 1817. Credo sia ancora oggi il libro che meglio ha saputo raccontare un Paese che ancora non c’era, l’Italia, ma che già era definito dai suoi abitanti.
Raccontare l’Italia è complicato. Noi stessi fatichiamo a spiegarlo. Per questa ragione un diverso punto di vista, che parte da lontano, può trovare la giusta chiave di lettura.
Goethe ci è riuscito e “Pinch me”, secondo me, si inserisce perfettamente nel solco tracciato da quel “Viaggio in Italia”.
Anche se si concentra solo sulle Langhe e posa l’occhio su una piccola porzione d’Italia, lo sguardo che Barbara Boyle offre al lettore è simile a quello di Goethe.
Dalla sua “300-Year-Old-Italian Farmhouse", Barbara ti accompagna, con una scrittura lieve e curiosa, tra le colline cariche di viti e nelle cucine delle osterie. Incontra le persone, va al mercato, recupera le storie, osserva, scruta, si immerge nelle tradizioni locali.
E lo fa sempre in punta di piedi, prima di tutto ascoltando. C’è tanto amore per questa terra tra le pagine scritte da Barbara. C’è semplicità, genuinità, stupore, interesse, voglia di regalare al lettore quel punto di vista che nessuna guida turistica o saggio sociologico offrirà mai: la realtà della vita quotidiana della frazione di un piccolo borgo contadino del nord Italia.
E non è un caso se Barbara e suo marito Kim, a differenza di Goethe, hanno deciso di fare di questo piccolo borgo italiano la loro nuova dimora. Un viaggio non poteva certo bastare. Il loro viaggio, infatti, è diventato casa.”

Sante Altizio, author and TV Journalist, Turin, Italy

In English

“Johann Wolfgang Goethe wrote Journey to Italy between 1813 and 1817. I believe it is still today the book that best described a country that did not yet exist, Italy, but which was already defined by its inhabitants.
Talking about Italy is complicated. We ourselves struggle to explain it. For this reason, a different point of view, starting from afar, can find the right interpretation.
Goethe succeeded and Pinch Me, in my opinion, fits perfectly into the path traced by that Journey to Italy. Even if she focuses only on the Langhe and on a small portion of Italy, the gaze that Barbara Boyle offers the reader is similar to that of Goethe.

From her "300-Year-Old-Italian Farmhouse", Barbara accompanies you, with a light and curious writing, among the hills full of vines and in the kitchens of the taverns. She meets the people, goes to the market, recovers the stories, observes, scrutinizes, immerses himself in local traditions.

And she always does it on tiptoe, first of all listening. There is so much love for this land in the pages written by Barbara. There is simplicity, genuineness, amazement, interest, the desire to give the reader that point of view that no tourist guide or sociological essay will ever offer: the reality of daily life in the hamlet of a small peasant village in northern Italy. And it is no coincidence that Barbara and her husband Kim, unlike Goethe, decided to make this small Italian village their new home. One trip certainly couldn't be enough. In fact, their journey has become home. A beautiful story.”

Sante Altizio, author and TV Journalist, Turin, Italy

“Truly immersive and a lovely read, Pinch Me feels like curling up with your favorite blanket and binging HGTV, The Food Network and The Travel Channel … all at once. This inspiring memoir shows readers that you can make that far away dream a reality.”

Shelby Saville, author of And They Had a Great Fall and CIO, Publicis US

“Barbara Boyle takes us to the countryside in her charmingly renovated farmhouse and captures the flavors of the people and the country that so captivated me when I first fell in love in Tuscany. I can taste her recipes. But more importantly, I am transported to that magical place we share such a love for and the simple life and memorable people who are sure to capture your heart as well. Brava.”

Sheryl Ness, author of Love in a Tuscan Kitchen:
Savoring Life through the Romance, Recipes, and Traditions of Italy