Staying Home

This week I have been a little under the weather and stayed home most of the time.  I was told to take it easy and that is exactly what I did.  The good news is that I am now feeling so much better.  And the additional good news is my discovery that slowing down is wonderful!

I really enjoyed being home and found so many things to do.  Here are some of the pleasures I discovered in my house.

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Having visitors!  On Monday I had the wonderful treat of a visit from one of my favorite bloggers Lisa Borgnes Giramonti of "A Bloomsbury Life."  We have long wanted to get together to share our Bloomsbury interests and we finally did it.  I am hoping one day to hear the lecture she has written on books she has loved and her decorating aesthetic.  I showed her some of the books I've collected over the years and she told me about hers as well.  We talked over coffee in the kitchen and and she brought me this wonderful treasure.   

Cutting flowers from the garden.  It really is bliss to have fresh cut flowers in the house.

Making the ordinary into something beautiful.  I went out into the garden and picked oranges and lemons to  float in a pitcher of water.  First observation about doing this is, I don't ever drink enough water.  Second, now not only am I drinking more but I am putting it in a beautiful pitcher and floating lemon and orange slices in it.  And this is just for me!

Looking at the garden and figuring things out.  We added these new plants to one of the small garden areas.

We also filled in some of the empty spots in the parterres and they look a lot better.

Reading.  I have been immersed in this book.  Gerald and Sara Murphy are fascinating.

Enjoying a solitary lunch.  I cooked a wonderful meal one day that included Greek Panzanella Salad.

Greek Panzanella Salad from Barefoot Contessa

Revisiting a favorite television show.  I rewatched all of "Downton Abbey."  I love it.  Each scene is like a painting.  I am obsessed with the three sisters --  Lady Sybil, Lady Mary and Lady Edith.  And the servants --  Anna, Gwen, and Mr. Bates.  What will happen to them all after World War I is declared?

I have felt so peaceful.  Staying home fostered all kinds of dreams and plans.  I enjoyed listening to the sounds of nature and paying attention to the details in my house.  I need to do this more often!