The best peony year I can remember, two nests in the holly and a book set in three of my favorite cities
What an amazing weekend. The weather was the kind I grew up with in the Midwest — cool in the morning, then sunny and warm and just about perfect as the day goes on. There is something about that particular shift in temperature that makes you want to be outside for all of it, which is exactly what we did. Walks, golf, time at the pool. I will be honest that the three o’clock walk on Sunday afternoon was a little too hot and I forgot my water. Lesson learned. But still. What a weekend.
The garden is looking fabulous, if I do say so myself. The creeping phlox is blooming. The hellebores are the most beautiful they have been in three years. And the peonies — I think I am going to have a bumper crop this year. So many buds I can barely count them. There is also one tiny new peony that I am fairly certain grew from seeds that fell last year. It is only two inches high. Is this actually possible? I am not a peony expert and I would love to know if anyone else has had this happen.
After my hummingbird sighting Saturday I have not seen another one, but the yard has been full of birds and I discovered two new nests in the holly bushes. I will be checking on them frequently and I cannot wait to see what comes out of them.
What I Read
This week I finished The Book Train to Paris by Norie Clark and it was exactly the kind of read I love at the pool — Edinburgh, London and Paris, a family bookshop, a mysterious novel with a note inscribed to a lover in Paris years ago, and three women who board a book festival train and find that the journey offers something none of them quite expected. It is warm and bookish and full of the kind of detail that makes you feel you are there. If you love books about books, and books about Paris, this one is for you.
You can find all of my book recommendations at My Bookshop. Most are also available from Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org and on Libby through your local library.
Watched
This week I have two home tours that could not be more different and I loved them both. The first is a behind-the-scenes tour of Chatsworth House in Derbyshire — one of the great treasure houses of England and, for me, the home of one of my favorite people in all of British history: Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. If you know her story you already understand. If you don’t, the film The Duchess with Keira Knightley is a good place to start.
A little history, Chatsworth has belonged to the Cavendish family since 1549, when Bess of Hardwick — another remarkable woman, second only to Queen Elizabeth I in wealth and influence — began building on the site. The house has over 25 rooms open to visitors, including the magnificent Painted Hall with its Baroque ceiling fresco, the State Rooms, and the Sculpture Gallery. The Devonshire Collection spans four thousand years of art and artefacts — Old Masters including Rembrandt, Van Dyck and Veronese, ancient Roman and Egyptian sculpture, and works by Lucian Freud. The gardens alone cover 105 acres, designed in part by Capability Brown, and include a 200-step cascade waterfall that has been running since the 17th century. Nearly 100 of the 126 rooms are still private family rooms. The family has lived there for seventeen generations. Pour yourself something, sit down and enjoy every minute of this tour.
Can you even imagine living in this house? Much less doing everything in your power to keep up with the repairs and to keep it running?
The second is Jane Hollman’s Atlanta home on Homeworthy — interior designer, warm Southern charm, layered with rich textures and earthy tones and a kitchen designed for both everyday living and entertaining. The kind of home that makes you want to go home and rearrange your furniture.
Spring Style~Linen
A little spring style this week too. Are you a linen lover? Me too! A lot of people do not like it because of the wrinkles, that is part of the charm.
This weeks’ outfit is a versatile and classic navy linen dress. Slip it over your head, add colorful sandals, flats or tennis shoes, and a bag. Jewelry and a spritz of perfume is optional.
You can see more of my outfits and classic style on ShopMy.
Click the images below for outfit details
If you missed it, I joined Kim and Juliet for Weekend Meanderings — go say hello.
How was your Easter? Traveling, celebrating or taking the day quietly at home? And has anyone successfully grown a peony from seed? Tell me in the comments — I always want to know.
If you enjoyed this post, I would love it if you shared it. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and X — I would love to have you along.
Have a beautiful week, friends.
You might also enjoy:
Spring Bucket List for Women Over 50
Monday Musings No. 215 | Easter Monday, A New Book, and a New York Townhouse
Monday Musings No. 213 | Beautiful, Itchy and Completely Worth It
On My Radar
