Plumb Nilly and its 9 landscaped acres is, on first impression, quite imposing. I felt as if I should have been wearing a bonnet, and been escorted in by Mr. Darcy. But as soon as I stepped through the lintels of the front door, I know I arrived in my own novel, and it would be more romantic than anything Ms. Austen could have written.

Rooms:: It is lovely that you have kept all the rooms in pristine shape, as authentic as today's comforts require. The shine of the floors, and the girth of the beams, the pewter vases of wildflowers and the furniture faithful to that era of 1800 -- all the living rooms were so much appreciated. But it was my bedroom, with the handsome linens, and charming desk, and well appointed art that took my breath away. It was magic to draw away the airy white curtains and look out on the great pasture. Can you imagine when I saw the family of 9 deer, from stag to does to fawns, grazing peacefully at twilight?

Charm:: We cooked in that well provisioned kitchen, inspired to produce feasts both wondrous and simple. We supped in the dining room, all candlesticks a blaze, but we also breakfasted or lunched in the side garden, al fresco, enjoying the birdsong, the herb garden, pots of red geraniums, the views to the pool house. Reading a book, lazing in the sun by the pool, walking the trails in the woods by the running brook -- the house made each of these activities amazing.

But most of all, dear Etan, I will remember the evening we were drawn to the lawn by a faint clicking sound. It was there that we saw from the tops of the trees to the grasses we stood in, a million fireflies courting. It was as if the stars had been pulled down from the skies!! No wonder they believed in fairies. If I hadn't before, I do now. Who else would have created such a miracle? C.Tabora 2009