After the tour of her new home in England; talking of books, spiritual seasons and all the things that make a girlfriend’s heart beat with longing, she says, “Let’s go out and get a coffee.”
Hanging my purse over my shoulder, trench coat draped over my forearm I ask, “Will I need to bring my camera along?”
“Definitely do,” she says emphatically.
And so it begins, this winding kindred journey down a country lane with a friend who truly knows me; where the bluebells carpet whisper underneath a verdant forest to those in a hurry. Shhh, pull off to the side of the road and linger. There is beauty waiting for you to behold, wonder to collect and remember.
Pulling to the side of the road she insists I capture the perfect shot as the motor idles. Slipping out of the passenger seat onto the wet pavement, I walk towards a muddy, mossy embankment. Narrowly averting a car swiftly passing, I climb to the top, lean into the wire fence and my scarf snags on the barbs, holding me steady.
What I do to capture beauty, I think to myself while carefully pulling the threads back and forth while chuckling. And then I continue snapping the living blue carpet.
As you press yourself into the weekend, may Sabbath be a beautiful benevolence; a kindred friendship with resting. Laugh at yourself and don’t take life too seriously. Life isn’t a rush but a sweetness to be savored.
Happy Sabbath Friends!
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this is so beautiful, Shelly. Is that your friends home in that image above? I have a fully romanticized version of England that crops up whenever people talk about it–these images make me think my visions are not as fictitious as they have always seemed. 😉 Praying your cup overflows this lovely spring weekend. XXOO
Yes, it is her home Kris and the romanticized version is probably correct in many cases. So much to love about England. Thank you for praying, I do believe He is answering.
Beautiful, thank you for taking me away for just a bit, a mini holiday here at work! Delightful!
What a wonderful thing to say Lori. Yay for mini-holidays at work.
Oh how gorgeous. I wish I were there imbibing the beauty of bluebells with you, Shelly! Forgive me for not getting a chance to write to you before you left, but I have been praying for your sojourn!! What is Nine Wells–the name of someone’s cottage? I know many British name their houses. (We’ve done that ever since our first visiit in 1981). And is that wysteria dripping over the rooftop? Can’t wait to hear all about what transpires. I thnk England is the perfect place to Sabbath!
Love
Lynn
Yes, that is the name of their house. I love the way houses are named and not numbered. I actually talked about that with my friend Helen. She says that postal workers memorize all the houses and have those positions for life because of it. The wisteria is divine here right now, climbing and decorating all the houses.
Yes, exactly. Our friend told us the same thing about the poor postmen in 1981. =] How they ever manage this, I will never know. AFter we got back from England the first time, I named our house Linden Cottage (we had lots of Linden trees on the street, including in front of our house). And then, when we moved here, seven-year-old Sheridan wanted to name the house God’s Holy Pink Crystal Palace! Can you believe it?! She loved pink–her “fave” color, she said! We ended up calling it Ingleside, which means hearthside. We have three fireplaces, and love to share the warmth of Christ.
I know you and H are having a second honeymoon. So happy for you!
xxoo
L.
Ohhhhhhhhh…. love these photos, Shelly! Makes me want to paint them, particularly the one just above where you say “happy sabbath.” The beauty in England seems unending. I’m wondering about “Nine Wells” too… 🙂 ~ Pam, apples of gold, http://wordglow.wordpress.com
I’ve already taken hundreds of photos Pam and we’re only on day 4 of 11. So much beauty here everywhere you look. I explained Nine Wells on Lynn’s comment. Let me know if you paint it.
Wow! What a beautiful spot. I need to go to England! (and France and Italy and…)
I haven’t visited France or Italy but they are both on my bucket list Elizabeth. You really must visit England!
you’ll love France, too, Shelly! Take the underground across the English channel and you will be in Paris in no time! I, too, would love to go to Italy, and especially see all the fabulous artwork!
Shelly, these photos are staggering! All that gorgeous GREEN! And the entrance-way into ‘Nine Wells’? I’m right there with you! Speaking of “all the things that make a girlfriend’s heart beat with longing”, MY heart is beating with longing. Just to go to England, birthplace of my dear Gram. Take that camera with you everywhere you go, and promise to tell more when you get back? Pray you’re having an absolutely grand time on your Anniversary trip! What a place to Sabbath!
Green is the primary color here Jillie, like God had a love affair with the hues of green while experimenting with his paintbrush. I hope you get to visit here someday, I think you would love it. And yes, I’ve taken hundreds of photos already and plan to share more as I have time to post them. (Hopefully more coming on Monday.)
oh may – you took my breath away with these photos. I was just about to power down the computer for the Sabbath and thought of catching up on a few blogs and so glad I stopped, rested and breathed in here on your post. Perfect way to enter Sabbath time. Thanks Shelly
Glad you decided to stop by Jean and happy to know the photos blessed you.
This just brought back a precious memory – driving my then elderly parents (we are Australians) around Wales in May 1990, we stumbled on scenes like this by the roadside. Coming from the dry continent, I discovered the reality of the England I had imagined from beloved books. Every description true.
Lovely – thank you.
Judy, lovely that you stopped by to share a bit of your memory. It is true isn’t it? England is just as captivating in real life as written in books. Such inspiration here.
gorgeous. breathing deeply, right through the screen.
Thank you Diana, honored you stopped by for a moment.