I am typing this to you live from my sister's new house... which, I should say is my sister's very, very old house. Built in 1909, it is a stunner, 3 floors, plus basement, massive stained glass windows on the mezzanine landing, floor plan suited to a newlywed young family of turn of the century America. Which, we can safely assume, my sister (the chef) bought for the kitchen appliances (Viking stove, Subzero freezer, industrial grade sink). But it's the massive dining room, with it's Tiffany style chandelier and built in rounded breakfront that's probably the real showstopper (love the breakfront... not so sure about the chandelier).
With this move, our whole immediate family now resides in Westchester County (my sister had lived on the Upper West Side), hence the title of this post. We are a close knit family. if only in the sense that, like beads of mercury, we seem to keep re-forming into one, nearby bead (though it could have something to do with the free child care my Mom provides for her two grandsons on a near daily basis).
Oh, and did I mention the carriage house out back? Probably not.
Yes, as Redstar used to tease me so about in Boston, my sister lives in a mansion. We are a family of mansion dwellers, or mansion preferrers... champagne tastes and whatnot. This will, certainly, do - though my sister has already noted plenty of things that need correction (the kitchen, though lovely, does want for more cabinetry), and I kind of wonder what two growing boys will do when they want to shut themselves off from Mom and Dad, as teens are wont to do. I should be envious at all she has... and yet, I'm sort of mostly pleased for her, impressed with the grown up she's become, not so much wishing it were I - it's really more house than I'd ever need.
For the moment, I am basking in morning sunlight in the computer nook, reveling in the closeness of family and the wonder of the Little Star (my younger nephew, just laid down for his nap). In the next room is a view of the Hudson, and exploring the Carriage House beckons. Perhaps some tea. More later. :)
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