We would find ourselves in a place where there would be plenty of large rocks to sit on by a dazzlingly blue lake, just like Lake Tahoe above. Our laughter would echo across the waters as we would divide our time between talking non-stop and simply basking in the beauty around us as we read book after book.Once we got tired of sitting on rock as we read (even though we'd bring cushions, of course), then we would walk over to a garden like this one:
We would sit among the flowers, basking in the sunshine and taking in the slight fragrance around us. Food would be brought to us, and we would eat chocolate truffles or chocolate-covered strawberries when we weren't too busy turning the pages of the books we had been longing to read for ever so long (like A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman, Surrender the Heart by MaryLu Tyndall, or Bridge to Peace by Cindy Woodsmall). Tart, cold, and delicious lemonade would almost overflow from our crystal glasses, and tea would be waiting for later when the temperature dropped even the slightest.
The sounds of a small waterfall nearby would delight our ears as we buried our noses in our books. Not one of us would consider the other rude, because each girl would be happily absorbed in her own books. Occasionally a blissful sigh would rise above the soothing sounds, and each of us would look up and smile, knowing exactly how the other felt.
When we'd finish one book, we'd pick up another one like picking a flower from a lovely flowerbed full of various, colorful blossoms. And our "Reading Retreat" would be a day--or weekend, or week--to remember. It would be that much more wonderful for me because it would be shared with all of you, my fantastic blogging friends!Well, a girl can dream, can't she? ;) Actually, these pictures are from my last vacation (I think my mom and I took them), but I loved coming up with my dream "Reading Retreat" based off of them and my overactive imagination!
Now it's your turn! What would your dream "Reading Retreat" be like?
14 comments:
You've lulled me into a reading stupor, Amber. I'm too mellow to say anything else. LOL.
Oh Amber... I'm at a loss for words... Me! You created the BEST, MOST BEAUTIFUL, MOST BREATHTAKING "Reading Retreat" EVER!!!! You are a true writer, my friend- for only a writer could pull a person into a story like that, and make them NEVER want to leave!!
You put the biggest smile on my face today :D Praying your dreams come true!! Thank you for making us a part of them :)
Blessings,
Amanda Stanley
PS- I'm almost done with "Surrender the Heart" and I'm at a part where I feel like I'm holding my breath against a tidal wave! Praying you get your copy in SOON!!
Amber!!!! How incredibly beautiful!!! You are so my bffl :P I love the pictures! Where's Lake Tahoe at?
My only suggestion would be to include Gone with the Wind somewhere in there, and chocolate, and then it's pretty much picture perfect. :)
Have a great day!
Mary ^_~
Those are gorgeous pictures!!! It makes me wish I was actually going on that reading retreat. I can hear the water just reading your words and looking at those picutres!
*sigh*
It's so hot outside at my house, my reading retreat isn't so wonderful right now! :)
Welcome to my dream "Reading Retreat" everyone! ;)
KAV: Wow! Glad you enjoyed reading about it! ;) It does sort of have a relaxing effect, doesn't it?
AMANDA: Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed a little trip into the "Reading Retreat" of my dreams. ;) I really appreciate the compliment, and if I could I would LOVE to bring all of you with me on this retreat!
That makes me so happy that I could put a smile on your face! :D And I'm so glad you're enjoying Surrender the Heart! Can't wait until it gets sent to me!
MARY: Thank you! I thought those pictures were so pretty, too--they do sort of have an "enchanted" or "exotic" feel, don't they? ;)
Lake Tahoe is in both Nevada and California (on the border). It is so, so blue, and I loved getting to see it on my last vacation! :D
I confess I haven't read Gone with the Wind, but feel free to have as many chocolate-covered strawberries and truffles as you want! ;)
EVERYONE: Thank you for stopping by!
~Amber
Bluerose,
Aren't they lovely? I was blessed to see so many beautiful sights during my last vacation! :D I wish we could all go on this "Reading Retreat," too!
I'm sorry it's so hot where you are. :( I hope just the thought of my dream "Reading Retreat" will help you cool off a little! ;)
~Amber
Dream Reading retreat: In my beautiful Victorian home in one of the double parlors cuddled up on the couch with one of the many fireplaces blazing (only in winter of course) and my Tiffany lamp turned up beside me on the cherry stained, ornatley carved endtable. :-P
XOXO~ Renee
Here's a pic of my dream house! It even has a built in bookcase. *Sigh*
http://www.oldhouses.com/cf/displaylisting.cfm?q_listingid=2058&searchlist=5730,6370,6364,4494,6458,6326,6521,4323,2058,6404,6448,5841,6494,6294,6365,6154,6459,4963,6314,5807,6401,5114,6104,6236,4100,5080,6387,6301,6231,4374,6089,3128,6188,5966,4356,6098,6180,5607,5042,6233,6428,6452,6327,5309,4028,5918,5780,5884,6281,6216,6506,6346,6193,6147,6420,6367,3376,6255,6394,5771,5645,6376,5485,1088,6224,6342,6339,6283&searchname=Listings%20of%20the%20Victorian%20Style&searchdest=%2Fcf%2Flistinglist%2Ecfm%3Fq%5Fstyleid%3D1%26searchname%3DListings%2Bof%2Bthe%2BVictorian%2BStyle%26startrow%3D1%26maxrows%3D25
I like your dream "Reading Retreat," Renee! And that house is gorgeous!!! You would love some of the homes around our county--especially in Ferndale and Eureka--because we have some lovely Victorian homes in this area. :) I must say that the house you picked for your dream house is quite grand!
Thanks for sharing!
~Amber
Renee,
That house looks exactly like our town library!! WEIRD!!! But, it would make for a gorgeous house for sure!
Amber,
You definitely painted a pretty picture, girl! I have NO CLUE what my ideal spot is. Sometimes it's just in my quiet, purple room on my queen sized bed with my blue reading pillow and cat, Buster. Though when he's being annoying and nudging my book because he wants me to pet him, it's NOT! LOL!
Otherwise, I'm really not sure....that's terrible of me, isn't it!? Ah well, I'm sure something will come to me....
Hannah
LOL Hannah! Looks like your library? Well I'd be right at home! :-P
XOXO~ Renee
HANNAH: Your town library must be amazing! ;) And I'm glad you enjoyed the description of my dream "Reading Retreat." Your room sounds like a lovely place to read, but I think I can understand about your cat! ;) At least he sounds very friendly!
That's OK if you can't think of a dream "Reading Retreat," though. It's just something I thought up for fun! :D
RENEE: I know, right? You should go visit Hannah! ;)
~Amber
AMBER~ WOW!! That was amazing, Amber. You made me feel as if I was right there, taking in all of the wonderful sights of your dream "Reading Retreat" with you. I was breathless after reading it through, Amber girl!!!;D
And I know I'm kind of copying Renee but, since we live sort of close to the historic district of Ga, my dream "Reading Retreat" would be this beautiful house we drive by almost every morning, when we drop my sister off at school. It has this amazing garden in the front that has tons of spainish moss on these 200 yr. old oak tress; it looks like you just stepped into the Bayous of N'Orleans with a French flare. To me, it's would be the perfect place to spread out a blanket under the tall tress and just spend hours laying there, reading. *sigh*
RENEE~ LOVE that house!! I think when we went up to MI for that house hunting trip, we looked a few house like that. My mom and I loved them, everyone else......no so much.LOL
I can definitely see you owning that house and when you moved in, you find a rare Tiffany lamp stashed away in the attic.
The lamp thing is kinda of far fetched, but it be cool, right?LOL ;D
HANNAH~ Your library looks like Renee's dream home? That's awesome. I wish more library could look like that house, and less like industrial factories, like they do here. :(
Love Y'all,
Ashley
Ashley,
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! And I love that you called me "Amber-girl"--totally reminds me of Anne of Green Gables when Dianna's great-great aunt (?) calls Anne the "Anne-girl." ;) Sorry if that's a weird thing to say, but it made me happy!
I love your dream "Reading Retreat," too!!! That home sounds absolutely lovely, especially with that New Orleans flavor. :) I just know you're going to enjoy reading Under the Cajun Moon when you get around to it!
Thanks for stopping by!
~Amber
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