Did you love all the Peter Rabbit tales when you were little? I did. In fact, I was
quite determined to be like Peter’s good little sisters and have blackberries and
milk. And, I definitely knew better than to get into Mr MacGregor’s garden!
When we were in the Lake District of England, we stopped by Hilltop and saw
the wonderful gardens where Peter Rabbit hid under the pots, & we feasted our 
eyes on the beautiful pastoral scenes below Hilltop that inspired Beatrix Potter
to purchase and later give England thousands of acres of land for a national trust 
that became a huge contribution toward forming Lake District National Park.
Alas, we were such early birds that we didn’t get in! It didn’t open until 10 am. 😦
Not wanting to be bad little rabbits, we didn’t hop over the fence and check out 
the gardens, but we did wander along the paths at the hotel right next door and
took a few minutes to imagine what it might be like to live on a hilltop in this
very scenic area of England. What do you think? Would you enjoy living in a 
home like this? The message at our chapel Sunday was on learning to grow past 
envy by being thankful for the good things we have. It’s only realistic to mourn
loss of health or wholeness, chronic poverty or lack of privilege, but God does ask us to trust Him to care for us and find peace in who we are and what we have. Truly, “godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Timothy 6:6).
P.S.—If you’re looking for more information, there is a truly delightful 2006 production called Miss Potter that tells a cheery tale of her life and touching romance.
I just loved this! Really sweet post. Love the way you tell stories with the photos. I can see its very hard to figure out what to cut. Just put them all and tell the story as you go. Love it!
The only way I could live in a house like that is if I had enough money to pay staff a good salary to care for it and someone to oversee the staff. Gorgeous home but I find more joy in tending my simple dwelling.
Peace of Christ to you,
Alexandria
You and I are kindred spirits on this one! I really wouldn’t want the care of a big home and expansive gardens, even though I love to look at them! I actually prefer our simple “Tanglewood Cottage.”
The cottage really does look charming. But it’s the flowers and gardens that make it. And no, I would not like to live there, what with draughty windows, no insulation against heat loss and probably damp spots all over the place. And the Lake District – it rains there all the time! I think, you and I are probably better off staying where we are! 🙂
Your pictures are marvellous as usual! Love Sarah
Sounds just about right, Sarah! I remember staying in a beautiful stone house when I worked in Scotland one summer. It was cold, dark, and damp…not at all what I’d expected.