Trip To England Part One: The Village I Grew Up In

Well, hello there.

 

I have just come back from spending the past month visiting with my Mum and sister back in my childhood village in England.

 

I spent the time from when I was eight, until I left to go to college in the United States at nineteen living in an idyllic village in the heart of England. It had been almost four years since my last visit (the longest I'd ever been away) and my first time there in the summer for nine years and it's as if time had stood still and as if nothing had changed.

 

 

I'm often asked what I miss most about England, and usually I say it's charm. It's understated, a moment in history preserved and adorned with such manicured country gardens.

 

I grew up in a Norman Rockwell kind of painting, with idyllic cottages strewn around farmland and the river Stowe. Many of the cottages have thatched roofs with an ornamental quirk, like this cottage with it's peacock.

 

 

This building used to be a post office, albeit through a window or two but is now a family home with the most beautiful flowers to admire.

 

 

Next to the old post office is this chocolate box cottage, which also has a thatched roof with a peacock.

 

 

This is the clubhouse where mostly the men hang out.

 

 

The Parsonage, where the Reverend used to live is right next to the church and was built in the Georgian times.

 

 

The Church of Saint Mary. The Domesday Survey of 1086 mentions two priests. Centuries have passed and it still stands representing eight hundred years of births, marriages and deaths.

 

 

Many of the old village names are on the headstones in the churchyard.

 

  

 

From Tudor architecture to...
 

 

...Elizabethan architecture.

 

 

My husband joined me for the last week of the trip, and together we accrued a lot of pictures. We were trying to capture every memory possible, and to create new ones with my family and childhood friends.

 

Come back in a few days for my post on by going back in time and re-living my ancestors footsteps.

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Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson SYC #105

 

Home Tour Of 14 Wisteria Road

 

One of my favorite past times is perusing listings, and it's always more captivating when you find idyllic homes like this one. Nestled in the hills of Chilmark on Martha's Vineyard.

 

 

The New England elegance, and the informal cottage style makes me want to pack my bags and move right in, however there's a $1.695 million price tag (ouch!), and 3.8 acres to take care of.

 

 

Imagine lounging in the gardens and sipping on iced tea, the heated swimming pool looks nice and secluded amongst the trees.

 

 

Or a picnic outdoors on the deck, just steps away from the kitchen. The interior is decorated in a chintzy style, it somewhat reminds me of the lovely Susan Branch, she lives on The Vineyard also, so your practically neighbors...right?

 

 

The home would pretty with wide plank hardwood floors and hand painted cottage furniture, don't you think?

 

 

The dining and living areas are spacious, and have a lot of glorious light flooding through the windows.

 

 

As you meander upstairs, the bedroom looks like it's tucked into the attic with it's picture perfect dormer windows. The doors open onto a deck, where you could step out for your morning coffee. There are 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms altogether.

 

 

Oh and not to forget, there's a private tennis court and a pond on the property as well.

 

 

Isn't it a sweet place to hang up a 'home sweet home' sign? You can see the listing here.

 

 

Hope you enjoyed the tour!

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Imparting Grace #101

Edison Park Historic District. Fort Myers Day Trip

Yesterday, we went to Fort Myers for a day trip. My fiance had a meeting there, so I came along for the ride. In the spirit of the impeding celebrations for July 4th, I wore my red dress, striped shoes, and brought my over sized purse.  

 

 

We had our lunch at Joe's Crab Shack. It's right on the marina and has a casual atmosphere, with 180 degree water views. We had an excellent view of the marina and our waitress was wonderful. My fiance had the Surf 'n' Turf burger which he loved and I had the crab salad, which was also delicious.

 

We spent some time driving around the Edison and Ford Winter Estate area. Here is a Spanish revival style church, with it's white stucco and terracotta roof tiles.

 

And a home nearby:

The Senior High School:

 

I adored this yellow house. It was situated on a corner lot, and was the perfect yellow color with the metal roof.

 

Amazing detailing on the bridge.

Windscreen shot:

 

An idyllic yellow cottage, with lots of flowers blooming.

 

Hope you enjoyed my little picture tour of the historic Edison Park district. Hope you enjoy my lunch recommendation. Also would love to know if you've been, where should we visit, or eat next time?