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Thursday, May 06, 2010

romantic at heart


Last week, I toured Sunnyside - home to Washington Irving. I am always impressed by the tour guides as they so eloquently share snippets of history about Mr. Irving. He merely wanted a place to write, a quiet setting, one that would engage all five senses.
Picture this;
The fragrant wisteria arranged so poetically above the door
the beautifully set table
the hum of the bees
the lovely velvet drape
the image of a life designed to inspire so many.
He was after all a writer, a romantic at heart.
My dear friend is also writing and in the midst of a flurry of edits.
Writing, creating, crafting comes straight from the heart.
Please leave my friend a comment to encourage her to keep writing, editing and working toward her dream of being published.

A few weeks ago, she merely suggested to me over dinner how the death of the heart can be re-lit with romance books. There is something about reading romance that can awaken one's senses and rekindle the pleasure flame.
When you find life is like one big wind storm and you need to stop, to re-connect and to find love inspiration, what books do you read?

16 comments:

  1. I'm a fan of biographies myself :-)
    So jealous you went to Sunnyside ( I know it's not your first time too!) I need to repay a visit to the area -so many gorgeous houses!

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  2. Thanks so much for the words of encouragement as I work away and I'm so glad that you are adding a bit of romance to your life. Please feel free to raid my overflowing bookshelf anytime.

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  3. Though I am personally attracted to historical fiction, I find the most comfort in reading one of my children's books to them out loud. Encyclopedia Brown solving a case of the Pidgeon trying to Drive the Bus in one of Mo Willems books - just puts a smile back on my face.

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  4. Anna Karenina - the greatest story ever. Great post!

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  5. Great post, wonderful photos...very good question!

    For love it would be the Diana Gabaldon series starting with 'Cross Stitch' with Sarah Donati's series 'Into the Wilderness' a close second.

    When life gets too hectic, I always go back to Father Tim in the Mitford Series by Jan Karon. Village life at it's finest :)

    Jeanne

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  6. I too love biographies and autobiogrpahies, howver will also pull out the classics. Oh and I recommend anything by Austen.

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  7. Oh that descripton of Washington Irving's home is just breathtaking -- I can almost smell that heady scent of wisteria.

    Jane Austen, Anne Lamott, Edith Wharton, just about any memoir, biographies, too -- I love to read. So many books, so little time!

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  8. I'd love to tour the home! Sounds enchanting!

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  9. Hi Patricia
    Good to hear from you!!!
    Sunnyside sounds idyllic and tranquil - a perfect setting to inspire creativity. On my recent vacation I read - The Winter Vault, and The School of Essential Ingredients - both love stories at heart, and both excellent reads. They were both a nice departure for me so read as my reading is usually design related.
    Take care
    Patricia

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  10. Just finished reading Letitia Baldridge "A Lady First" - it's always good to read something romantic.
    Love the guidelines too...
    xo xo

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  11. I love when people follow there dreams ....I admire you all.

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  12. Bronte and Austen are my go to reads...they never fail me. Now I need to learn about Sunnyside...beautiful and fascinating!
    xo J~

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  13. Sunnyside is such a romantic place!
    I love the setting, close to the river and the wisteria growing over the doorway...
    And the the orchard.
    For romance I read Jane Austen!

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  14. I'd love to be sitting at that table right now. I picture it as an old, worn farmhouse table with all the nicks and dings that show its history.

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  15. I am so eager to get to Sunnyside! What a perfect day you had.

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