Late summer thoughts

I don’t think I’ve ever been as sensitive to the passing of time/seasons as I’ve felt in the past year since buying house in the country . I’ve lived in NYC my entire life and while we of course have seasons, they don’t hit me quite as hard as they do up just a few hours north. In the city it can start feeling like summer in mid-May and continues through late September or even early October, depending. Up there though, looking back at my camera roll, it’s shockingly baren for a good extra 6 weeks or so, and by mid August you already start to sense fall’s imminent approach.

I took a trip with my girlfriends to France two weeks ago, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t absolutely heartbroken to leave the height-of-summer sunny blue skies, green rolling mountains behind and trade it in for the above 100° temps every day extremely dry climate of Provence. I of course, had a BLAST on the trip, and wouldn’t trade girl time for the world-or any of the delectable wines we drank , antique markets we went to and of course, the daily fresh baguettes (I shared our itinerary here) but when I came back, after spending a few nights back at home in the city, I was quite taken aback by how close to fall it felt.

There was a noticeably cooler, refreshing feeling in the air. The leaves had the slightest tinge of yellow to them, my hydrangeas started shifting in color from greenish-white to a soft pink, my apple trees have apples, the sun set what felt like a good deal earlier, and so much lower in the horizon. I probably don’t notice this happening so drastically as much in NYC, building-locked as it is. Obviously this is life, the sun rises and sets each and every day, the seasons change, time goes on. I just can’t help feeling a little sad at this time of year, like a kid when Christmas is over.

If owning this house and developing a connection to the land has taught me one thing, it’s a knowing of just how fleeting time is. It has made me not want to miss a single second, to savour each and every day- and gives me major FOMO when I’m away. I’m not sure if/when this feeling will wear off- does the honeymoon phase also apply to houses? I’m definitely in it if so! I really, profoundly appreciate how this transition to being a part-time country girl is changing me.

Speaking of going away- we’re heading to coastal Maine next week to stay with Sebastian’s parents, as we always do in late August/early September- it’s the absolute best time to visit! I will do another post sharing all my favorites in the mid-coast area if you want me to?! Great hiking, swimming (if you don’t mind the cold), seafood, and I also really love the antiquing scene. My plan is to go with an empty a car as we can manage, and hopefully take some treasures home with me!

I hope you’re having a lovely late summer too, I owe you a renovation update ASAP! xx