As I come to my desk at the end of the day, the picture from this morning seems hours ago and events away. So many of you have said such kind things about the summer I shared, and it's a wonder to me that it all should have been so good. I confess I find pleasure in every little aspect of my day and the people and animals that are a part of it. Simple as morning coffee and left-over muffins sounds, I treasure the time I have to sit and consider all the people who've gone before me in this home. When 10:30 comes around, we have the pleasure of good company and a walk through beautiful countryside where we all remarked on the large thunderheads that were building up on the western horizon...such a beautiful sky. Mica greeted us as we came to the pasture, and when we went into the barn to feed Pippin, too, she came right to her stall and kicked the siding to get our attention! She looks so sweet in this picture, I wanted it for my summer album.
The rest of the day was full in a way that never happens back home...it's hard to explain how that is... I baked brownies for dessert tonight and another batch of blueberry muffins (that's such an exceptionally good recipe...trust me on that one!) The muffins were a small gift to take this afternoon to a birthday gathering at our friends, Gill & John's home to celebrate her mother's 99th birthday! She's still a lovely woman with a timeless face, white hair and sparkling eyes. She greeted and spent time with each guest who came to visit her and share her celebration. As an aside, Lunenburg County has a large population of centenarians and some of the people near her age were in attendance this afternoon. I attribute it to the gentle way of life up here. I took pictures of everyone there, the beautifully set table and the apple-dapple birthday cake!
Shortly after we arrived home, our three favorite neighbors came again for a shared dinner. We're to the point we're trying to use up the groceries, so we had grilled steaks, baked potatoes, David's farm-fresh succotash, and Billy's home grown tomatoes. We carried Dill and the brownies up to their house after dinner for Movie Night. Our final choice for the summer was "Roman Holiday" for all the obvious reasons!
I forgot to mention, we did get a cloud burst in the middle of the afternoon, but it freshened the air, and tonight, nearing midnight, I'm listening to the crickets chirping in the front garden. I don't know if others here stop to think about how charming life is around us...it's anything but ordinary. And it's there for the taking everyday...
Thank you for the time you've taken to leave your comments about "Flat Allie's" arrival and the letter from the Vatican. I'll have to consider taking "Flat Dill" along, too, as some of you suggested... Somehow I didn't find much time to spend at the computer, and I hate missing your photos, but I hope you'll accept my apologies and explanation!
Pippin is a really beautiful horse and I love the name. It sounds like your days are really winding down, but are still full of fun and friends, like all good days should be.
I'm glad you got to spend another wonderful day surrounded by great friends. I'm sure it's so hard to say goodbye, but at least you have lots of exciting things in store.
Your daily journals are enjoyable to read Louise. Mica is such a beaut, and she looks so tame. Don't feel bad about being too busy to comment. My goodness, you have so much to do in so little time. Enjoy the remaining time there.
What a wonderful place to spend your summer. I have enjoyed reading about your time in Lunenburg. Isn't it amazing how you can be both busy and relaxed at the same time?
Remember - if you ever travel between LA and Lunenburg by car - Minnesota is right in the middle and you are welcome here. :-)
Have a great trip!
I have enjoyed your summer so much. I hate to see you leave, but I'm excited for everything ahead of you... isn't there a grandbaby to be born? I have a feeling you won't want for photo ops or things to do. :-) Enjoy and savor the moments. Roman Holiday is one of my favs, too.
Louise I think I have enjoyed your time in Lunenburg almost as much as you. It has been a pleasure to follow your daily adventures. I'm looking forward to the rest of the year :)
Regarding the muffins- I once owned a little lunch bar in Auckland and made many trays of these blueberry muffins daily. There was always a small line of people waiting for me to open the doors at 7AM for their breakfast muffin.
It has been a delight to visit Lunenburg with you as tour guide, hostess and friend. I’ve enjoyed the muffins and brownies, the visits of your friends from far away and down the street, the horses who whinnied their way into your life, and Dill, the star of the show. Travels come soon and I can hardly wait for the next chapter in this book. Life doesn’t get much better than this!
what a busy day it sounds like you had! many have already said it, but it was so fun to see lunenborg through your eyes this summer! definitely on the list of places i want to visit someday!
Dear, Louise! What a wonderful day you have shared with us! I couldn's agree more with you - life is charming and beautiful, it's up to us to open our eyes and ourselves and to see it! Your Lunenburg summer was a pure delight, and i am sure that fall will be even more eventful and beautiful! Tomorrow we are going to the store to pick up some good yoghurt and frozen blueberries - the muffins sound really good right now! It's funny how the place determines the pace of life. We have only been in our new house for a week, but our daily routine is completely different now! Between Nova Scotia and California I think you manage to enjoy the best of both worlds! Leaving is always sad, but at least you can look forward to coming back, while having fun in the meantime ;-) Have a wonderful weekend and keep finding joy in every moment! ;-)
You are so sweet, Louise!! Thank you for your adorable little notes! I've been following Barbara and I am definitely going to let her know that I've tired (and i am sure loved) the recipe ;-) Tao sends his kitty love to Dill ;-) Good night and sweet dreams ;-))
What a beautiful description of a rural way of life where the pace is slower and relationships count for more. It has been a good summer sharing your experiences. But, wherever you go, you find beauty, stillness and good people with whom to share.
Louise, thank you once again for sharing parts of my home with me this summer. I'm sorry you have to leave soon, but I am also envious of your upcoming travels :)
What a beautiful picture!!! two happy, loving friends together!!! You should have this one enlarged and framed to hang in your california home!
I love reading your posts and lokking at your pictures every day, to me it's become a 'cappucino-moment' of the day! Even when I have to work, when I get to school and turn on the computers (for the kids to use) I always check 365 first!!
Fav!! I ADORE this photo of you! I see I've fallen behind on your photos again. ~sigh~
I can totally relate to your thoughts and feelings about how your day is full in a way that it just isn't at home. It probably wouldn't even if you are doing the same things! I feel that way when we are camping. I'm so drawn to the old west and the 1800's and when we go camping and it's just us and the wilderness, it is a truly special experience for me. This is true even though it is really hard work LOL. I love cooking over the open fire, not having electricity or running water, and figuring out how to do without it.
Anyway, I always love coming here and looking at your photos and sharing your extraordinary-ordinary days with you!
This is a great shot of you and Pippin (I did read that right, didn't I?). It's funny how we now decide on pictures as a documentation, isn't it? (That's why I chose to include the pool pic - it's an important tradition that I want to remember.) I look forward to joining you (and Flat Allie) on your European adventures ...
what a lovely day!! and i LOVE this photo of you and mica--i know you will miss her after the summer. roman holiday is such a fabulous movie--i bet it stirred up excitement for your upcoming trip!!
I have a feeling that life is charming around you wherever you are. But I've come to find that Lunenburg is a special place, thank you for sharing it with us all.
I haven't read everyones comments so I dont know if I'm being repetative!
Pippin looks like Mica and She / he is gorgeous!What a happy shot and story, I think ( in a nut shell ) when the kids are all grown up - I wannabee!!
Everyone else has already said it all. The only thing I can add is, "Thank you." Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, your amazing photographic eye, and for reminding someone who badly needed to be reminded that it's possible to be happy in this world. :) Safe travels!
Scrolling through all of these comments and it makes me smile to think that although 99% of us have never met in person, we all seem to have fallen in love with you Louise. I, too, think it would be a fantastic idea for you to make a book using your photos. I know I'd love to read more of "Louise's words of wisdom"!! :)
Not much more I can say that hasn't already been said, so I'll just let you know that I am 'faving' this more for your words than for the photo (though I like the photo too!) :)
you have had a wonderful summer, and by sharing it with all of us, the happiness has multiplied a hundredfold. thank you for that, and we look forward to sharing the next leg of your adventure :)
Louise! You write so eloquently, you should write that book!!!
Great photo and lovely to share your thoughts on your wonderful day with friends.
Yes! It could certainly be the laid back way of life there that has so many people living to a great age.
I'm sorry that I haven't commented lately. I know that your travels and adventures will continue...and I look forward to your life and what else you discover. You won't be in Lunenburg, but you will still have yourself....and that's all that you need to find your next adventure. I can't wait to see where life takes you next. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful world with me!
Louise, I don't always comment on pictures as I am often too busy and tired of the computer, my daily workplace. But I take tiny little brakes throughout the day to check out the 365ers. I read your stories throughout the summer and wanted to thank you for sharing this idyllic life with us. I am sure your life in California will be different but as much fun and interesting as the summer has been to so many of us. Btw. I tried the muffin recipe that you shared a while ago. They are great, especially when you add the blueberries frozen to the batter, and so easy to make. Have a safe trip to your other home.
Oooh. This is a really good photo, and that horse is GORGEOUS! I used to have a horse, but when I started high school I simply didn't have the time or the will to go to the barn as often as I needed to. But I still love horses, and as I said, this one is really pretty. :D
Nice shot. I love the name Mica, by the way; my cat is Micah. I will miss hearing about NS and your friends there, human and animal. On to a new adventure!
I would like to live near to your house to eat your brownies and muffins !!!
Remember - if you ever travel between LA and Lunenburg by car - Minnesota is right in the middle and you are welcome here. :-)
Have a great trip!
Regarding the muffins- I once owned a little lunch bar in Auckland and made many trays of these blueberry muffins daily. There was always a small line of people waiting for me to open the doors at 7AM for their breakfast muffin.
You look so happy
I love reading your posts and lokking at your pictures every day, to me it's become a 'cappucino-moment' of the day! Even when I have to work, when I get to school and turn on the computers (for the kids to use) I always check 365 first!!
I can totally relate to your thoughts and feelings about how your day is full in a way that it just isn't at home. It probably wouldn't even if you are doing the same things! I feel that way when we are camping. I'm so drawn to the old west and the 1800's and when we go camping and it's just us and the wilderness, it is a truly special experience for me. This is true even though it is really hard work LOL. I love cooking over the open fire, not having electricity or running water, and figuring out how to do without it.
Anyway, I always love coming here and looking at your photos and sharing your extraordinary-ordinary days with you!
Pippin looks like Mica and She / he is gorgeous!What a happy shot and story, I think ( in a nut shell ) when the kids are all grown up - I wannabee!!
Great photo and lovely to share your thoughts on your wonderful day with friends.
Yes! It could certainly be the laid back way of life there that has so many people living to a great age.
Linda has a similar friend Louise .. lol... thousands of mile apart