linenandlavender.blogspot.com: intentions

http://www.linenandlavender.blogspot.com/2011/11/infinite-possibilities.html

November Topic Assignment:

Name the thing/person/place you've always wanted to experience.

Dream that money is no object.

Tell the world what you've always wanted to do, but just haven't done yet.

Anyone who knows me, knows I dream of owning an estate in Italy. The location I imagine is on a hillside with an expansive view. The setting offers a feeling of seclusion yet within close proximity to several beautiful villages in an area just outside of Firenze.

Mind you, I don't just want to live there, I want to share this with others and do what I love to do: Create an extraordinary atmosphere for guests to enjoy...the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation. I see a peaceful place that uplifts and inspires; a unique combination of amenities, services and activities born of my own travel experiences and passions.

Rather than leave it as a swirling, abstract dream, I began writing down intricate details describing every aspect imaginable from what types of people would be working with me to bring this to fruition to the features in every room.

I have pages and pages describing the vision I have for this place. In my mind's eye I have seen the view from every window, the food, the festivities, the books in the library. I have sketched elevations and floor plans (it has an internal courtyard) and I have imagined every detail of the kitchen, the baths–even the poolside furniture. I can see what is growing in the gardens, the mature trees and the proximity to the olive grove with meandering paths that lead to meditation spots on the property. —It makes my heart sing to visit these pages!

Though it may seem to the contrary after reading the above, I am open to other locations. I've always been drawn to Italy, but I am looking for properties that inspire me–wherever they might be in the world.

Like many of my fellow bloggers, I adore France and know it would be a wonderful place to realize this dream. I have often said I have a sense of familiarity for many things French and have wondered if this is explained by a past life there? Maybe. Maybe that is why Italia has been calling to me so much in this one . . . new vistas to explore?

In any case, there shall be no absolute conclusions. I am open to France, Italy and . . . who knows where else?

Why put limits with infinite possibilities before us?!

In the hunt for my ultimate dream property, I came across the enchanting historical estate I share with you today called La Tuiliere

Yes. It's in Provence, -no where near Firenze- but twist my arm...I think I could make a go of it here if I really had to. ;)

All images and descriptions provided by Frank Knight Properties

Considered to be one of the finest small estates in Provence, La Tuiliere dates from the late sixteenth century. The house has an unrivaled setting at the head of a beautiful south-facing valley, and is surrounded by over 40 acres of superb terraced gardens, meadows and woodland.

La Tuiliere

Four Reception Rooms ◆ Seven Bedroom Suites ◆ Two Bedroom Cottage ◆ Pigeonnier

◆ 25m Heated Pool ◆ Tennis Court ◆ 40 Acres

◆ Dining Hall Ancient beamed ceiling, terracotta tiled floor,

stone fireplace, access to Circular Staircase.

◆ Kitchen with barrel-vaulted ceiling, excellent range of

limed oak cupboards with granite worktops; circular

granite sink, Lacanche cooker, historic bread oven.

◆ Long Gallery A very large room with an impressive barrel vaulted

ceiling and Louis XV stone fireplace, fitted

bookcases.

Ground Floor

◆ Dining Hall Ancient beamed ceiling, terracotta tiled floor,

stone fireplace, access to Circular Staircase.

◆ Grand Salon South-facing. French windows to terrace

and garden, stone floor, beautiful open fireplace with

carved stone overmantel.

◆ Study French window to formal garden, Louis XVI

fireplace, terracotta tiled floor.

◆ Guest Cloakroom and storeroom.

◆ Kitchen with barrel-vaulted ceiling, excellent range of

limed oak cupboards with granite worktops; circular

granite sink, Lacanche cooker, historic bread oven.

◆ Second Kitchen/Utility Room, larder, boiler room.

◆ Back Hall with Cloakroom.

◆ East Staircase leading to Long Gallery.

◆ Games/Cinema Room.

First Floor

◆ Long Gallery A very large room with an impressive barrel vaulted

ceiling and Louis XV stone fireplace, fitted

bookcases.

◆ Principal Bedroom Suite. Double-height bedroom facing

due south with wonderful valley views. Louis XV

moulded plaster ceiling. En suite bathroom, separate

shower and WC.

◆ Bedroom 2 having en suite dressing room with

ornamental fireplace, and en suite bathroom.

◆ Bedroom Suites 3 and 4, with private bathrooms.

◆ Studio Apartment (Bedroom 5). Independent access to

Entrance Courtyard, Sitting Room with stone fireplace,

kitchenette, Mezzanine Bedroom and bathroom.

Connecting door to East Staircase.

Second Floor

◆ Bedrooms 6 and 7, each with en suite bathroom.

Cottage

◆ Sitting/Dining Room, open-plan fitted kitchen, glazed

door to Entrance Courtyard.

◆ 2 Bedrooms and bathroom, independent heating.

◆ Private Walled Garden.

Gardens and Outbuildings

◆ Walled Entrance Courtyard with Pigeonnier Tower and

Dovecote.

◆ Stone Pillared Open Barn with parking for 4 cars.

◆ Summer Dining Room to seat 14.

◆ Pool House with bed/sitting room, shower room.

◆ Superb 25 metre heated Infinity Swimming Pool.

◆ Spectacular Terraced Gardens with magnificent Long

Borders, ruined Castillon, and 50 metre Formal Canal.

◆ Two Architectural Garden Follies and Obelisk

◆ Extensive Parkland with olive grove, meadows and pine

woods; exceptional distant southerly views.

◆ All-weather Tennis Court.

◆ In all about 40 acres.

.MEMBERS

(click to go to Splenderosa/Marsha Harris (founding member) for a complete list

of participants and links to their posts on this month's topic.

You might also like:
inspired

linen & lavender

visit our new site:

www.linenlavenderlife.com

Sunset view from Santa Monica, image by LeAnn for linenandlavender.blogspot.com

"The Heart Expansion Experiment"

Act I: A heart warming exercise.

Try this today: Send loving thoughts to as many random people as possible. Take a few seconds throughout your day, -wherever you happen to go- and imagine yourself sending love and warm wishes to each person you come across. Do this whether you actually interact with them or should you just see them from a distance. Focus on that person's image and imagine what you are saying to them.

The first time I did this, I decided to give it a concentrated effort for a day. Now let me preface this by saying that I like to think I go out most days with good will towards my fellow human beings; so committing to just a single day focusing on this didn't seem too challenging. However, what I would soon learn was that this little "heart expansion exercise," well...it was -quite literally- exercise.

I had many opportunities with many different people at the beach that day and the little café where I had lunch and worked on my laptop. It was a very eclectic group –people from all walks of life; including tourists from several different countries and many different "dramas" playing out all around me.

Later, as I was driving to the grocery store, a guy in a van cut in front of another car and narrowly missed causing an accident. He sped away seemingly oblivious to the havoc he had just caused. I sent him loving thoughts for a safe arrival at his destination and I focused on all the drivers surrounding the scene, sending each one of them the same.

The check-out woman at the store had sad eyes and seemed distracted. I mentally gave her a hug and wished her well.

I smiled and said "hi" as I passed several different people in the store and later outside in the parking lot as I was walking to my car. Some smiled and said "hello" back. Others looked startled as though they were surprised someone had ventured to speak to them. One woman eyed me rather suspiciously.

I observed people as I drove home. At least half of the drivers I saw were frowning. I sent good wishes out to as many people as I could including the guy sitting at the stoplight next to me who was angrily engaged in a phone conversation and the little old man in front of me who didn't stop at the four way stop, but then did stop at the next green light.

I sent good thoughts to the people walking through the crosswalks in front of my car; some people were absorbed with their cell phone or talking to their companion. One woman passed by on her bike happily belting out a song she was listening to on her headphones.

I saw a homeless man sitting on the corner and as I pulled up to the next stop, there was a guy selling oranges and flowers from the median. –To each of them I sent love.

Throughout the entire day, I sent warm thoughts and wishes for peace and happiness to every person who crossed my path.

A realization I had is this: When I have judged someone in my life...When I have either verbally or mentally labeled them (even with just a fleeting thought of "Rude" or "Grouch") ...In those moments, I wasn't being creative. (This realization really made me sit up and take notice!) And the next connection I made was this: Creativity carves a quick path to compassion.

What might this person's story be?...

Taking that moment to think that there might be more to a person's story, jolts you out of your old (default) label-making mode and from there, you can see there is more to their story. Not only is this an effective method for getting past a negative perception of someone, it is also useful to employ when we find ourselves reducing someone to the seemingly "benign" labels we so often assign.

Our intellect is very adept at categorizing and sorting information for us as we move through this world, but it always needs collaboration with the heart. And the moment I decide to interject that aspect, –to be a little creative and imagine a bigger picture; then that person ceases to be the simple label I initially saw. It is then I can have compassion and send love and good wishes to that person. When I am able to open my heart in this way, I cross the boundaries of all labels and all preconceived notions to where I see - We are all One.

A warning though: The love you send out comes back to you ten-fold. And like Dr. Seuss's Grinch, I felt my heart had expanded to three times its size in one day.—I was exhausted!

It was a good tired though and as I climbed into bed that night I smiled. I thought about all the different "characters" who had played a part in The Heart Expansion Experiment:
". . . now starring as the "singing lady on a bike" and "man in van played by. . ."
As I nodded off to sleep, I thanked each one of them in turn. . . And do you know what?
Every single one of them smiled back.