stories

Where I Write

October 20, 2011

I’ve been absent from my posting for a week having taken a mini vacation back home to Ohio.   It’s been 11 years since I’ve seen fall leaves and felt crisp air.  Swaying palm trees, blue skies and ocean views compete in my affection for fall leaves of beautiful russet, gold, and deep red coloring the landscapes and covering the ground.   And my love for pumpkin, well they were everywhere!  The markets were filled with pumpkins for sale; huge pumpkins, mini pumpkins; homes were decorated with pumpkins on door steps and lawns.

It wasn’t just to see fall leaves but to see my family and dear friends.  I’ve missed a lot of years and it was bittersweet in seeing them all.  I returned with a longing for family around me and quite the funk in getting back into my groove.  Thankfully, Cecelia at The Kitchens Garden  wrote a post that sparked my interest.  She shared photos of where she writes and encouraged others to share their writing/creative areas.

My little Villa, as they call it, has a wonderful view of a lake in my backyard and a feel of openness which is not common in most of Florida’s zero lot line homes.   Inside, my living quarters are small, just enough for peaceful, happy living.  I don’t have a formal desk and actually prefer to be right where all the action is….in my kitchen!  So I sit at my kitchen table, laptop open, espresso in the am, a glass of wine in the evening.  The view of the lake is to my left and my kitchen right behind me allowing me to keep on baking and writing all at the same time!!

Where I Read

When the cooler months approach I will move to my screened in patio, but for now this is my chair.  Big enough to sit two people, my Chihuahuas can easily sit on either side of me or on my lap as the fight to get there first takes place before everyone settles in.  Behind the chair are my cookbooks.  Not all as I have another narrow bookcase next to the couch, more in the kitchen and some in the bedroom.  I have my books arranged by theme, or maybe it’s mood, as Italian / Latin books have their own space in the kitchen, veggie/healthy cooking above the frig, more healthy recipes next to the couch and celebrity chefs/destination cookbooks are behind that big chair.  I love to read cookbooks that not only have recipes, but history and stories about their country.  Whenever I travel my souvenir will be a cookbook from that area.

My bedroom holds my “romantic” cookbooks; okay I can’t be the only one with those.  Like Fork Me, Spoon Me, Intercourses, and A Taste for Love among others.  A corner bookcase holds spa cookbooks and actually reading novels and inspiration books.  I do actually read books other than cookbooks!

I love being in the kitchen. Early mornings, soft music, a hot espresso. Easing into the preparation of delicious meals. Glancing through cookbooks, gathering inspiration and planning my day. I look forward to the cycles of the seasons, the pleasures of tasting and savoring and sharing this with those dear to me. Weekends are special to me as my week days are often rushed, but still I create the ambiance, light the candles, set the table and uncork the wine.

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