I am tired. That cozy, happy, worked-my-tail-off, kind of tired that makes you smile as you sink deep into a comfy chair, snuggle up under a blanket and eat popcorn. And sip port. And watch movies until you can’t stay awake one second longer.
I’ve been working so hard this week, trying to get all my important work done so I could have a break, a real break, over the Easter holidays. And I did it!!! All my articles are written and submitted, all the photo shoots done and edited, and I even got a head start on the mountain of fruit and veg I picked up at the market this week.
Today as I wrote feverishly to meet all my deadlines, I sipped sparkling mineral water mixed with homemade concord grape juice I bottled yesterday. It tastes more like an elixir than simple juice, so thick and rich and fragrant you’d swear it was boozy. Mmm.
We won’t be going anywhere for the holidays because we have all sorts of plans for fixing up the farm and making an office space for me (insert squeals of excitement here!!!) and gardening and a new paddock for the goats and all those sorts of fun work things.
But it will be a wonderful break nonetheless, a break from writing and editing and computerish stuff, from deadlines and assignments and the juggling of many responsibilities.
For the next two weeks I’m just going to be Krista, or “Poppit” as I’m known over here. I’m going to work on my own small piece of the world, organizing and cleaning and sorting and nesting my little heart out.
I’ve been pouring over pictures of places I have visited and loved, trying to see if I can incorporate their warmth and welcoming natures into this dear place of ours.
Like this farmhouse outside Alba, Italy. I love the rambling vines and the overgrown terrace that is such a lovely spot for sunset-watching with a glass of wine, or an alfresco dinner party with dear friends.
This Italian farmhouse kitchen. How I love it. The rich, vivid paint colors, the old bricks, wood timbers, soft light. Wonderful. I’d like to do an outdoor version of this some day with a tiled floor and appliances hidden behind old wooden doors.
And this enchanting reading corner in a beautiful old Italian library. (You can see more of my photos of this exquisite hunting lodge here.)
It is one of the most endearing spaces I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been collecting bits and pieces to create my own version here on the farm.
I’m so glad that we get to dream, to linger over beautiful images that capture the things we crave: companionship, health, peace. It is good.
What do some of your dreams look like?
Wishing you a very happy Easter and spring holiday. I will see you again mid-April!
xo
I love this blog of yours Krista, it is such a special place, I come to read your posts as soon as I can. Enjoy your break “Poppit”, Happy Easter and I look forward to your return. I’m going to spend some of my own Easter break fine tuning some dreams and goals of mine. Cathy xx
Dear, @wanderingsheila:disqus , thank you so much. XO I’m always so happy when I see your posts come through my feed on FB or Feedly. 🙂 A very happy and dream-filled holiday to you too, my friend. 🙂
Dreaming is good for the soul Krista. Italians have a way of living in the moment that I long to achieve since I am always looking to the next adventure, the next anything. Living day to day and moment to moment and be content to do so would be a personal victory.
That is something I aspire to as well, @d58b26e263bfdbd99d844b965c5cbbfb:disqus Living in the moment, savoring it, happy in it. 🙂
What a great feeling it must be to have all your work done and dusted Krista. I hope you have a fabulous Easter and enjoy every minute of your break.
It is a very good feel, @jenny_atasteoftravel:disqus 🙂 A very happy Easter to you too! xo
Happy Easter. How wonderful to have a room of your own
I hope you have a happy Easter and enjoy your time doing the things you love.
Hurrah for being just Krista! And double hurrahs for working on your own office space, that makes SO happy. A break sounds refreshing, enjoy it so. XO
Oh, have a wonderful, wonderful Easter, Krista. You’ve worked so hard, you deserve every second of your time off. xx
My dream looks like this! 🙂
I absolutely love those slabs of time where I can use them to do exactly as you said – to clean, nest and organise. There’s such a fabulous feeling of accomplishment afterwards. Have a lovely break Krista! Oh, and that Italian rustic kitchen is to die for. I wish I had one!
It is going to be a wonderful few days-Enjoy. Just nest and relax.
The hair on the back of my neck pricked up when I saw concord grapes. How I miss picking the grapes that grew wild on the side of the road and then making juice or jelly. Have a peaceful time.
So beautiful – I love those colours!
Have a lovely break my darling!! You deserve it!!
Happy Easter. Love the warm colours of your photographs.
Happy Easter and Enjoy your spring break!
happy easter!
I hope you had a fantastic Easter, Krista… and enjoy some rest and relaxation, you deserve it… thanks as always for sharing your beautiful thoughts with us 🙂
What a beautiful post! I’m so tempted to take off my shoes and start sto,ping on those beautiful Concord grapes. The Manishewitz people would love it lol I hope you had a wonderful Easter and is that Italian farmhouse for sale? Not that I could afford it, but it’s fun to dream. xoxo
I am a newcomer to your blog and can tell already that I will be a regular visitor to your life and travels. Sometimes we do need to feel that deadlines are met, cleaning is done and new opportunities are out there, just have to give ourselves time to daydream about them once in awhile.
There is nothing like that feeling after you’ve just submitted a lot of work, and met a lot of deadlines – such a huge relief!
That kitchen just envelopes me like a nice warm blanket. I could spend hours just lingering at that table, eating freshly baked bread with homemade butter and jam. I’d read a good book, not on a reader but a book I actually have in my hands in that library and drink several glasses of wine with friends on that porch. Ahhhhh, sometimes it’s the little things.
Hi Krista, nice to discover your lovely blog through Jan.
Hope you had a wonderful Easter break and get to accomplish your home projects. Your photos of Italian inspirations are just stunning.
What a lovely scene you paint with your photos and words! It sounds like a perfect way to spend your break. I am so glad to have a 2-week break from work – it meant I got to spend the whole first week travelling, and now I am blogging, puttering and putting my life in order. It’s lovely!
I hope your break was all that you dreamed of–it sounds quite lovely. The photos were gorgeous, too. No wonder you want to bring a bit of that feeling to your own home.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, Catching Happiness. I look forward to getting to know you through your blog!