going back -- sometimes it works

We call this "quality time."

Visiting, baking, lounging, crafting, photographing, napping, cycling, fire-building, reading, laughing, remembering, dreaming, conversing, playing, and planning.

Being.

This group does it exceptionally well together, especially in the cradle of a centuries-old farmhouse.

Simple felt ornament patterns from OxeyeDaisey 

......................

During the course of the ten years that I've lived in Italy, this is the one place that I have returned to time and again. Richard and I first visited before Young One was born and continued frequent visits until about two years ago, with quite a cast of characters with us at one time or another along the way. Our dear friend who was the impetus for these visits passed away and so did our draw to the house located in Umbria, near the Tuscan border. Timing, good fortune, and simple kindness on the part of the daughter of our friend allowed us to return this weekend. The time there awakened warm memories of previous visits, tucking a small piece of each those characters from years gone by in my heart, and calmed my soul, nurturing important friendships I share today ... I am now ready for Christmas.