the road traveled
~ ~ ~
For 3½ weeks I haven’t driven, chopped herbs, sifted, stirred or baked.
For nearly a month now, not a load of laundry, a trip to the mailbox or a bill paid.
No garden tended, no floor swept, no counters wiped clean.
No phone ringing, door-knocking, no dogs wagging. (I did ache for the wagging!)
Familiar comforts, left behind. Rhythms and patterns, well-established, set aside.
In exchange, there was to be newness in every step. “Knowing” suspended. Curiosity indulged.
No apron. But a heavy camera around my neck. And from my shoulders, a weighty loaded pack.
Miles upon many miles of footfalls, blistered and tired (but ever-willing) feet.
Ears perked. Eyes wide. Body stooping, reaching, climbing.
And a bursting happy heart!
~ ~ ~
And now, it’s home again, home again. Happy to be.
I’ve so much to share with you, but need a day or two first to gather it together.
There will be many pictures
and a few words to go along,
and always & ever (you know) Food!
~
Hoping this finds you all well! I’ve missed you…
love,
Spree
cooking-spree 
Looking forward to seeing all the pictures and hearing about your adventures! And I’d love to do no laundry for 3 1/2 weeks! 🙂
Thanks Karista!…but keep in mind that also meant wearing the same clothes again and again (and again!) : |
Did you take that photo? I love the cobble stone road, old buildings, with just a touch of color in the plants. Excellent!
Yes, the photos here are mine. Thanks for the comment! This trip was one visual feast after another and there’s lots to share…
Could hardly wait for your first post! Thank you for the first glimpse into your time abroad – you always capture the moment :). I love that, eyes & ears open, for every blessing that came your way. I know what you share will keep the wonderful memories alive. Xo
Hi Deb! Yes…alert to the blessings! 🙂 Excited to share, and excited to see you again my friend! Have missed you! xo
Looking very much forward to the upcoming shares! And welcome home!
Thanks so much Don! 🙂
What a perfect vacation. I can’t wait for pictures. I love you, my sister!
Twas nearly perfect Claudia, even more than I’d hoped for! and I love you too dear sister!
Welcome home, Spree, I’ve missed you! Looking forward to hearing about your travels.
I’ve missed you too Mar! Thanks for the welcome!
My senses need fulfillment. Looking forward to photos and gustatory delights.
It is going to be SUCH my pleasure to hope to satisfy your senses! Stay tuned, Pete!
Home at last chick, you have been away for AGES! .. c
ages upon ages! 🙂
have a good sleep see you soon.. c
We’ve missed you too!
Glad to have you back!
Thanks Pablo! Now at last I can try to catch up on some of the great posts I’ve missed while away! (Yours included.) 🙂
a surprise encounter with fresh green on a well-established path of stone-certainty!
“stone certainty” – nice – you should be a writer! 🙂 (I know…you already are!)
Welcome Back – cannot wait to see and hear about your Adventures! Happy Hump Day:)
I appreciate your welcome! Thank you!
Such a beautiful photo. We’ve all missed you so! Can’t wait to see what you have up the sleeves of your fresh from the closet shirt. (I bet there are a few pieces of clothing you could say good-bye to forever. 🙂 )
Thanks Ashley! As to the clothing comment – here’s the weird(est) thing – those clothes became second-skins to me – can it be they’re actually hard to shed? 🙂 (But you,re right, I was happy to see my closet and realize I actually had criteria for choosing other than whatever-is-less-dirty.)
Simply can’t wait Boo Boo 🙂 Glad you had an awesome trip! Bring on the pictures! I’m excited!
Thank you so much for that Kelly! 🙂
Bless… what a gorgeous summary! Looking forward to your tales xx
Lesley – world traveler – it will feel so good to share with you! xx
Thanks for the wonderful pic. I couldn’t access the text.
Love, mama
Sent from my iPad
My own dear Mama! I was so happy to see a comment from you! And then, oh no, what’s gone wrong…I’ll call you! 🙂 We’ll get this figured out! love you!
It’s so nice to have you back where you belong! I hope you enjoyed your time away, Spree, and cannot wait to see the photos and to read all about your adventures. 🙂
Hah! back where I belong eh? And all that time I was believing I belonged in the rolling countrysides and cobbled streets of France! 🙂 Thank you John, we had such a good time away and I appreciate that you’ll let me share it with you!
Let me just join the chorus of those welcoming you home. I too anticipate seeing your pictures and hearing your stories.
Thank you Joe!
Rah, rah, rah
Sis boom bah.
Spree is back, Spree is back,
Rah, Rah Rah!
i just KNEW you were a cheerleader Ronnie!
Oh, spree.. that photo evokes such wonderful imaginings for the future here! Welcome home *open arms* ! I can’t wait to see the photos you’ve taken for us.. and the food, I can’t wait to see your food again! I’m so glad you’ve had a safe and exciting journey. Right now you’ll be asleep.. sleep tight, spree!! xx
Barb! ahhh! (of course you can’t know the “real time” of this reply, so I’ll just clue you in…there is a long sweet silence, no keys tapping, as I take this * open-arms-welcome-home * in.) so dear. I wish I’d gotten your “sleep tight” before falling asleep. My body is still a bit confused as to where we are, but she should catch on before too long. Happy to be connected with you again Smidge! xx
Looking forward to seeing the pictures. I did wonder where you’d got to. That street could be in our nearby village in the rain this morning.
Roger, many times on this trip, with my camera pressed to my cheek, I wondered: wouldn’t Roger think this was a rather “ordinary” scene? I was repeatedly stunned by the well-worn and “ordinary” beauty of it all! How lucky for you that your eyes can feast on that at will!
Is good to have you back Spree! Looking forward to read all about it 🙂
Thank you very much Natalia!
Welcome back – it´s good to travel but it´s also wonderful to be home again isn´t it?!
Thanks Tanya. Who knows that better than You?! 🙂
Ha, I thought you were on your travels, that is what happens when you read posts back to front!
So welcome home!! Europe on foot is th ebest way to go, despite tired feet, it really is my favourite way to see it all!
And welcome home to you too! I agree about seeing on foot…you can’t see as “much” … But I never quite saw the point in that. Seeing more deeply feels better, to me anyway. (next time though, it’s bona fide hiking boots for these feet! Even if they don’t pair well with my skirt!)
Welcome back!
Looking forward to the pictures, the words and the contagious smiles and joy that shine through your posts 🙂
Fabulous! Lucky you:)