December Starts

Some backyard loungers

Lots of walking these days and taking care of the house.

It was sunny to the south.

My friends dinner went off beautifully even though the timing of so many dishes still thwarts me with anxiety. The lobster soup with white chocolate was successful, but I'm guessing I can never capture the incredible setting of my first taste of it. The salmon, potatoes, and asparagus were nice, but true to my Italian heritage, I made too much and will be eating leftovers for awhile.

The first Christmas party of the year - a hike and party at the top - happened, but without me and 45 other attendees. The weather was rainy and windy and that did not appeal. From the pictures, it looked like 7 hearty souls attended in full wet weather gear. I stayed home and watched The Wonder on Netflix with hot chocolate and Baileys.

Yesterday my friend Annette and I headed to the Berkshires and Edith Wharton's house, The Mount, for a holiday excursion. We toured her home and learned more about this American author and I'm now inspired to read her autobiography. The setting is gorgeous on little Laurel Lake with the house positioned among the woods and gardens she built. 




Edith's Library

The (With)Drawing Room

Edith's Boudoir

We had a 2 hour gap to fill between the house tour and the NightWoods sound and light display, so we set off to Lennox for a bite to eat. We stopped in a little shop looked after by a hysterically funny, irreverent woman who engaged us in a rambling conversation about oven sweaters, wine, and youth. When I got a word in edgewise about where to find a bite to eat, she grabbed her cigarettes and coat and walked us towards The Heritage House. She waved us off with a "Thanks for the therapy session!", and we found the only hopping place in town. We had a nice warming pub meal and a glass of wine accompanied by 70's music.

Back to The Mount after sunset, with a small swarm of other brave souls, we were delighted by the walk through the grounds lit up by various artsy displays and new age-y music. I was captivated by it all and will try to get back in a few weeks with my daughter. It was not Christmas themed at all, which I quite appreciated as that is pretty much all that is usually on offer this time of year.



The Lane

The Mount amid the stars.

The Italian Garden


Hot cider and ginger cookie by the heater.


Comments

  1. MargaretDecember 6, 2022 at 7:31 PM

    Such beautiful photos! I love how active you are and wish I had your social life. (although I'm lazy and probably wouldn't participate in many things)

    ReplyDelete

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