6.01.2007

Manor Barn




This Victorian home was truly once a barn; now it is an elegant English countryside home. June, my mother's cousin, has used her magic touch to create an enchanted world. First off, she herself will do anything to make you happy and comfortable. Our every need is anticipated and cared for. And many that we didn't realize we had. She is LOVELY, in every sense.

Family always enters through the kitchen and what a beautiful kitchen! The Aga dominates the room of cream colored cabinets. It's a real cook's kitchen--clean, efficient. And cooking is a never ending process around here. We eat three full meals a day, all delicious, all overwhelming, at the dining room table set to the hilt with blue and white willow china, white linen napkins and silver. "Pudding" after every meal includes lots of cream. And when you think you're done, the cheese comes along. Tea is always served on a tray in the lounge.

Right now, as I type this, the house literally rings with laughter from the party in the kitchen and the children dancing in the garden. Oh, the garden! It is a walled garden, with true herbious borders brimming with roses, poppies, delphiniums, foxgloves, campula, clementis, and more and more and more. One of those golden moments in life came this afternoon sitting in the garden, in the sunshine, drinking Pimms.

June's daughter, Charlotte, has been so kind and helpful, cooking up a storm with her mother. And her son, Stephen, even took my brother-in-law and the children on a ride through the village in the 1950's Bentley. I'm telling you that I have found heaven. Too bad we must leave in the morning!

1 comment:

Breezy said...

Looks like you're exploring a lovey slice of British country life there