It was one of those weekends that by its very ordinariness became special.
Piero made Jamie Oliver's shepherd's pie (from HERE) on Saturday and we invited a few friends over to enjoy it.
(All photos by Lisa Borgnes Giramonti)
The next morning, we enjoyed the luxury of unfurling on our own schedules (Luca had slept over at a friend's house so there was no need to be at our posts by 7am) and when we came downstairs, the light from the sun threw commonplace objects into sharp relief.
Things seemed to shine with a luminous beauty.
The flowering branches I'd bought the day before seemed to be actually growing out of the wallpaper.
Piero whipped together an omelet with avocado and fine herbes...
...while I sat at the kitchen table and leafed through cookbooks.
I ended up making the raspberry, almond and cardamom cake from Scandilicious and it couldn't have been easier or tastier. (This is what it looked like just out of the oven, before powdered sugar and fresh berries.)
The day unfolded in the same uneventful way. Luca arrived home that afternoon a combination of happy/cranky, having played Legos since 4 am. For dinner, we ate leftover shepherd's pie and the cardamom cake and all went to bed early.
It was an average day.
Nothing momentous happened.
Life ticked on.
And yet when thinking about it now, it seems suffused with an enchanted charm. Now this may be just the poetry of memory and if it is, well, then all the better. Because it's worth remembering that it's us who create meaning in our lives and that sometimes the warm glow comes from us and not just the outside sun.
A perfectly perfect day! Hope your week is as lovely, Lisa.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to start the week. I would say my weekend was equally uneventful yet full of that peace we often search for. I don't ever find my self bored in silence, I embrace it for it's often hard to find!
ReplyDeletehave a lovely day/week/month/year/life.
www.houseofhemingway.com
I so admire your behold on life as you create and nourish your spirit as well as those around you.
ReplyDeleteA home and it's inhabitants are the comfort to create a cozy haven.
pve
Love this post Lisa. Another reminder that it's the little things that are really the big things in life.
ReplyDeleteKim:)
I'm fairly new to this whole blogging world, but stumbled across your blog via my love of all things 'Bloomsbury' and have been both captivated and inspired by your beautiful images and words. I look forward to reading many more of your old and new posts. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI will definitely buy that cookbook of Jamie Oliver! You had a glorious and lovely day. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteShepherd's Pie like so many dishes, is often so much better the next day. Comfort food at its best. Or as we called it at home: nursery food. Nothing finer, and the most suitable for your charmingly described day.
ReplyDeleteOh, I so agree! How many days go by, seemingly without much to tell, and yet, we make them special by just enjoying the moments of quiet, a stolen walk, sitting together talking of this and that or letting the time flow! Cooking something delicious is always special!
ReplyDeleteYou captured these moments!
A lovely post Lisa, I particularly loved your choice of Shepherd's pie as its the most English of comfort foods. Such Sundays are to be treasured too..
ReplyDeleteIn a quiet home now in the Worcestershire countryside I often on a winter Sunday look back with fond memories of such times of my life.
Thank you.
Beautifully said and illustrated Lisa. I am on a crowded train to London at the moment, reading this post was pure delight. :)
ReplyDeleteThe infinite pleasure of exploring and delighting in the kingdom of one's own home! One of my favorite kind of journeys... There's something so Wind in the Willows about burrowing down into familiar digs and having a feast and a nap and maybe a bit of scribbling. Teacups and pillows are the main landmarks of the day to chart the course. Heavenly!
ReplyDeleteHow divine!
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly the way we are trying to live right now.
Simple pleasures that make the heart and soul feel full.
my favorite, shepards pie! Those are the best kind of Saturdays -where nothing happens.
ReplyDeleteOften, the ordinary becomes the extraordinary. Particularly when life becomes more complicated.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had one of those weekends.
This sounds like the ideal weekend - great food, good friends, and the time to enjoy both! Funny how everything looks better when one takes the time to slow down and enjoy. Thank you for sharing your special moment, Cynthia
ReplyDeleteI like so much the pictures. Were they made with Hipstamatic for Iphone? Which lens?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, the whole idea was beautiful, to share such warm and intimate moments. Congratulations, you seem a happy and fulfilled woman. Just like me:)))
The stuff life and dreams are made of...you've shared the beauty of the simple, the quiet, and the mundane (which s anything but mundane) in such a precious, and very pretty way...here's to many more such days, especially when needed!
ReplyDeletexo J~
Yes, the little pot has a great new home. :-)
ReplyDeleteSmall pleasures,nothing better!
ReplyDeleteJust saw you over at Apartment Therapy. I thought to myself, I recognize that gal. This blog world is getting smaller. Love your house!
ReplyDeleteWe seem to be on the same highway of life....the road is open for the taking. Love your posts SO!
ReplyDeleteLovely blog! Just wanted to let you know I'm a new follower!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Anne ♥♥
Reminds me of a day in Our Town!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful and true post. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGood and another post from you admin :)
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