Last Saturday I took a day off. It was nice.
I went to Longwood Gardens in PA all by myself which meant that I had time for all sorts of self indulgences.
I listened to a book on CD during my drive and spent time reading a different novel at the gardens.
It rained a few times while I was there and instead of racing my children (and their gear) to shelter I walked leisurely to a nearby building, enjoying a little rain on my face. Though, that said, the last storm was pretty much a deluge and I drove home literally soaked through to my underwear and when I decided to stop at an outlet mall I found that the AC was too chilling for my still-damp clothing.
I lingered at the water lily exhibit.
The water platters were my favorite.
I spent time just sitting, listening, meditating, and generally being still which is something that didn't interest me much before the chaos of children.
I listened to part of an organ performance and all of a carillion concert.
I didn't set foot in the treehouses or children's garden.
I enjoyed an array of natural sounds and smells.
I took pictures.
I worked on my lists (and anyone who knows me knows how much I love working on those).
I enjoyed a long, lingering lunch where I got to eat my food while it was still hot and finish everything off with a tangy lemon tart.
I visited all the fountains, something I had yet to do before. I found I enjoyed listening to the water falling even more than seeing it. I also looked through the small grounds house/museum for the first time.
At times I even thought of my family, like when I saw the following tree that seemed to full of fuzzy pipe cleaners. When I thought of my family I mostly thought of how nice it would be to come back with just Andrew.
I arrived home about the same time as Drew and the girls (they had gone out to dinner) so I was able to witness the bedtime routine. While Andrew was changing Lainey's diaper, he cried out "Ugh! Alaina, that's the second time today you've farted on me while I was wiping your butt." Lainey giggled and started singing, "I poo poo pop on you while you change my diaper . . . " Andrew looked at me and said, "We need to toilet train her."
In all it was a lovely day and I can't wait to go back to Longwood by myself, with a friend, with my family. . . .
I went to Longwood Gardens in PA all by myself which meant that I had time for all sorts of self indulgences. 
I listened to a book on CD during my drive and spent time reading a different novel at the gardens.
It rained a few times while I was there and instead of racing my children (and their gear) to shelter I walked leisurely to a nearby building, enjoying a little rain on my face. Though, that said, the last storm was pretty much a deluge and I drove home literally soaked through to my underwear and when I decided to stop at an outlet mall I found that the AC was too chilling for my still-damp clothing.
I lingered at the water lily exhibit.
The water platters were my favorite.
I spent time just sitting, listening, meditating, and generally being still which is something that didn't interest me much before the chaos of children.
I listened to part of an organ performance and all of a carillion concert.
I didn't set foot in the treehouses or children's garden.
I enjoyed an array of natural sounds and smells.
I took pictures.
I worked on my lists (and anyone who knows me knows how much I love working on those).
I enjoyed a long, lingering lunch where I got to eat my food while it was still hot and finish everything off with a tangy lemon tart.
I visited all the fountains, something I had yet to do before. I found I enjoyed listening to the water falling even more than seeing it. I also looked through the small grounds house/museum for the first time.
At times I even thought of my family, like when I saw the following tree that seemed to full of fuzzy pipe cleaners. When I thought of my family I mostly thought of how nice it would be to come back with just Andrew.
I arrived home about the same time as Drew and the girls (they had gone out to dinner) so I was able to witness the bedtime routine. While Andrew was changing Lainey's diaper, he cried out "Ugh! Alaina, that's the second time today you've farted on me while I was wiping your butt." Lainey giggled and started singing, "I poo poo pop on you while you change my diaper . . . " Andrew looked at me and said, "We need to toilet train her."
In all it was a lovely day and I can't wait to go back to Longwood by myself, with a friend, with my family. . . .
2 comments:
FAB pics Jill. Makes me want to get my camera fixed asap, cause I wanna go next time!!!!!
Oh Jill! What a wonderful day for you! If I were to take a day all to myself I would absolutely head to Longwood and embrace the stillness of solitude. You have inspired me! Beautiful photos too.
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