Tuscany, women's lib and a big group hug


I am sitting in our garden, the sun is setting, the birds are chattering around me, our dog, Tika, is staring at me with great intent ( I have no idea why) and I admit I am feeling blissfully content. Nothing like a long weekend to set things right. 


Mary Mary quite contrary how does your garden grow?
This pretty sums up the long weekend for me. We have had amazing weather here in Surrey/London. I am soaking it up knowing the weather will change again in a few days. It was just enough to add a touch of colour to our garden, pop in a few veggies/herbs and add a new trellis for my Sweet Peas.


Morning Walk....
I wrote about a morning walk for Easter and we managed a few. Today we visited Claremont Landscape Garden, a National Trust property which is conveniently located in the town we live in. I think the weekend had the same effect on everyone else. Just a pleasure to enjoy it all. More here.


Women's Lib...
I have started reading and typing letters written to me by my grandmother who passed away in 1975. The letters were written in the 70's and I saved them all. Now that I am older, I feel a stronger connection to her. My aunt is reading along and commenting which is making the experience that much more rewarding. I enjoyed my grandmother's references to 'women's lib', a term that was bandied about frequently back then. She was all for it, the more so the better. I plan to type the letters and create a book for my daughters and family members so that we can cherish and remember her together.


Nesting...
Now that it looks like we may be moving on again next year, I am having a serious think about what I want to accomplish in a year's time. The thought has put me on an energetic path. I have attacked the boxes in our garage with gusto (I have been staring at them for the past 16 months). Things are coming in the house, rooms are shifting as I feel the need to nest to make the most out of our time in England. Next on my list is more lists...I have been making good use of these magazines and books.


Big Group Hug...
Many thanks to those of you who passed on such thoughtful comments on my post Making a House a Home. You are very kind and your words are most sincerely appreciated. I am making my rounds this week...and plan to stop in to say thank you all very soon!



Tuscany Colour...
I have been organising my posts (part of the nesting process) and trying to categorise them. Lists are tucked away here and there across my blogs. I started with 'writing from the heart' and am working on 'travels with my camera'. I will leave you with a few pics that I have posted on the textures and colours ofTuscany, here.



Best wishes to one and all during this last week of April. The big event is on Friday ( Royal Wedding)...who will be watching??

images~me

Comments

  1. Bonjour Jeanne,
    I love that you are typing your grandmother's letters and will be putting them into a book. What a special gift for your children. Hope you had a lovely Easter.
    We had a nice quiet weekend.
    Those Tuscan photos are beautiful.
    GOod week to you,
    Mimi

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  2. What a lovely idea...typing up your grandmother's letters. They sound very interesting and she sounds like she was an extraordinary woman.

    I didn't know you would be moving in the future. Will you stay in England? You really have lived in a lot of places! I have never ventured far from Chicago and now that my children are almost old enough to have their own, I don't feel I could be separated from them!

    Lovely post, Jeanne. So glad you are having a wonderful evening!

    XO,
    Jane

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  3. How lovely to have your grandmothers letters.. and how lovely your Tuscany shots are... beautiful

    Hope you and family had a lovely easter Jeanne.. xxx Julie

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  4. What a nice thing to do for you kids!
    Your photos are gorgeous as usual.'
    xo Carole

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  5. Wonderful that you have your grandmothers letters. Great idea to make them into a book for your daughters.

    Love,love your pictures of Tuscany.

    Can't wait until Friday, am very excited and have already washed my white gloves and polished my tiara. LOL

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  6. Photos are beautiful! Great Ideas too!

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  7. Where you will be moving to?

    We were away this last week - my, how it already looks like early summer! I can't believe how the leaves came out in just 7 days

    XOL

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  8. What a nice garden to rest in!
    Lovely pics from Tuscany!
    On Friday? I will!!!!

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  9. lovely images and thoughts.

    and i will try to see the wedding.
    xx

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  10. The letters from your grandmother will be a priceless gift to your daughters, Jeanne. How lucky they are!
    And I'm just as curious as everyone else about where you'll be moving to next. I'm positive that wherever that will be, you'll create the loveliest, coziest home for your family.
    Hugs and love to you, dear friend.

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  11. Will live thru you as you type.

    Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

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  12. Sounds like you have ad a busy weekend Jeanne.

    I hope that you can take some time to rest up a bit now. Your Tuscany images are so rich in colour and design....makes me yearn for a sunny vacation!

    Hostess

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  13. Oh lovely. What a nice idea to type up your grandmother's letters. What a treasure. Also adore the pictures of tuscany - we are headed there this summer, and I can't wait!

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  14. Dear Jeanne - love your idea of making your grandmother's letters into a book...hope you had a lovely Easter - looks as if you managed to get out and about enjoying the wonderful weather! Best wishes x

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  15. That is so wonderful to have all her letters. I am sure you treasure them dearly. Those photos of Tuscany are dangerous - now I am longing to go visit.

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  16. Hello there big sis. So - the book of letters sounds utterly perfect to be passed down in the family; what an heirloom. The weather really has been something else hasn't it? Surrey and Sussex I am sure share the sunshine. Today much cooler though, which is OK actually as I feel we have had such a treat in recent days. Friday's wedding - yes I will definitely be watching! I have come over all patriotic. I just hope young K holds up to all the media scrutiny. Lou x

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  17. Lovely post Jeanne - so many things to think about and enjoy. I know not quite the same as your grandmother's letters but I do so wish I had asked my Mum so many more questions about our family history - now she has dementia and can no longer remember it has all been lost in the mists of time! I have my bunting and fizz at the ready and we will absolutely be watching the Wedding! Hope you enjoy the day too x

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  18. How very cool that you have letters from your grandmother. Had I ever gotten any I would probably have thrown them away since I am the worst pack rat. As you might guess, I am loving the Tuscan colors and textures right now and will be posting lots of same.

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  19. Dear Jeanne, that's lovely that you're re reading your grandmother's letters.

    Your garden is absolutely stunning.

    The Actor and I are going to Columbia Road on Sunday to buy lots of plants. I'm dying to get going on mine. It's lovely but is in desperate need of some colour and I haven't planted anything new for ages.

    Oh no! Where are you moving to?

    I'm Twittering the royal wedding with Giles Deacon for LOVE magazine. I'm looking forward to it.

    http://twitter.com/thelovemagazine

    How lovely we have another long weekend xx

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