overnight at the cottage

There is nothing that compares to the smell of a summer cottage.

Equal parts wood smoke, must, sunshine and fresh air,

it calls up memories like few things can.

When I was a girl, the house I lived in each summer was closed up 

the other three seasons.  I loved returning to it each June,

and hated to leave it in September.

I recognize that smell whenever I encounter it,

and I am transported.

This is the seaside cottage of a dear friend and her extended

three-generation family.

Each year when it is her time to have the cottage,

she invites a small group of women

who have been together for over 30 years

to join her there for an overnight. 

I am blessed (for so many reasons) to be part of that group.

There are no granite countertops in this cottage.

No Wii, no wi-fi, no reliable cell phone service.

Instead, there is the peace and comfort

of comfy chairs, old books, new-ish magazines,

and loving conversation.

I was lucky enough to be able to retreat to here

with my friends the day after 

Pokey's death.

How much it meant to me, to be in this place,

with these women.

The fire was a welcome addition, as the nights

are always cool at the waterfront--

especially in early June.

This is the fireplace in the adjoining dining room

My friend's mother embellished many items

in that house:  bottles, lamps, dishes, fireplace screens.

Wonderful!

 A huge table in the dining room, to accommodate the large family.

No need for curtains on the windows.  There are 

no neighbors in sight, and so much beauty right outside that

begs to be looked at, in any weather.

A stove, microwave and refrigerator is what you find

in this kitchen.  Unlike the summer house where I grew up,

there is running hot water, but no dishwasher,

no fancy cooking tools, limited space (and...wallpaper,

which I love!)

Despite the lack of 'updating' here, you wouldn't believe

the delicious food that comes out of this kitchen.

The sun pours in on the stairway, which is the first thing

you see when you enter the house, and which

takes you to the two floors containing seven bedrooms upstairs.

I have taken a million photos of this stairway.  It is magic to me.

There are two bathrooms, and only one bath in this cottage.

People make it work.  Imagine!

It was impossible to capture the little dormer in the room I chose

on the third floor.

All I can tell you is the wall is all one color--

yet the morning sun on the dormer walls was

all multi-layered shadows and brightness.

I slept to the sound of gulls and woke to the sound

of lobster boats heading out for the day's catch.

The stars through this window at night were magical.

The front yard speaks for itself.

As does the ocean beyond, and the peaceful and ever-changing

view down at the rocks at the edge of the lawn.

For some of us, the idea of a perfect summer destination

is paring down to utter simplicity--

making do with less Stuff, while absorbing

the magnificent bounty of what surrounds us.

This house is one of those destinations.

Thank you, Nina!