Up In the Tree House with a Friend

It seems, every single day….someone truly amazes me.

Have you had that happen ? The absolute kindness of a stranger. Or a new friendship that happens almost instantly? An authentic, down to earth friendship and support of a friend…whether they live next door, in another country, or in an all together different way of life.

Somehow ~ this beauty of others just shines through.

Well…I have a friend..We met on TWITTER. Yes, I am madly in love with twitter, and I am not afraid to scream it from the roof top Why ? Because of days like this. Because of the beauty of friends like this. Let me introduce you to

Jessica Gordon Ryan ~ the gal behind THE ENTERTAINING HOUSE.

This is what my friend Jess wrote about moi and my tree house…..

The Giving Tree

It’s one of my absolute most favorite stories. I loved it in my youth and I love it today. I took away one meaning as a child and another, now, as an adult. The tree, completely unselfish in thought, gesture and desire, gives of itself entirely to the little boy, who over the years grows to become an old man. Every time the boy returns he asks something of the tree and his request is never denied. Think of all the tree houses that proud Pappas happily build for their little boys and girls, located high above the ground, scattered around the yards, forests and countrysides. Now imagine a tree house built for you and me? A grown-up playhouse… high above the ground? Imagine a tree house built specifically for relaxing or for entertaining guests? One where you can relax with a warm cup of coffee, curl up with a warm blanket and a get lost in a book? Or where you can sit around with a few close girl friends and sip champagne and nibble on crispy, crusty bread, cheese and divinely dark chocolate? Well such a tree house does exist! This tree house is the brain child of the incredibly talented and super-kind Canadian interior designer Lynne Knowlton.

All photographs courtesy, Lynne Knowlton. I would love to have the opportunity, one day, to meet Lynne, to climb her tree house, to share a bottle of champagne (my gift, Veuve Clicquot, of course!) and to talk about everything and anything for hours at end, to not tire when the sun sets and not to tire when the sun rises… I’ll slide down the slide and climb on to this wonderfully inviting swing. And then I will recite my favorite childhood poem written by Robert Louis Stevenson…

How do you like to go up in a swing,

Up in the air so blue?

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing

Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,

Till I can see so wide,

River and trees and cattle and all

Over the countryside.

Till I look down on the garden green,

Down on the roof so brown,

Up in the air I go flying again,Up in the air and down!

Won’t you please pay a visit to my dear friend Lynne’s blog and read all about her, her family and the amazing tree house in her back yard!

IDEAL WORLD : Everyone should have an adult tree house (lynneknowlton.com)

Lynne

13 Responses

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Leslie says:

January 18, 2012 at 10:16 pm

Lynne! This is amazing! I want to come over and play – woo hoo! Your story is inspirational, fun, silly – I just love it . Tweet or message me if you ever need support or want to share So glad to have met you and I look forward to reading more! xoxo

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Rita McLean says:

September 26, 2011 at 1:19 pm

I just love turning on my computer to have such a wonderful story to read about great friendships:)…. The tree fort is a wonderful place to share some food, a great glass of wine and to wake up to the sun rising with a hot cup of coffee. Thank you for being you!!

- Lynne Knowlton says:
  
  September 26, 2011 at 1:22 pm
  
  I love my fam. Thanks Rita ! And….btw…..a huge THANK YOU for the gorgeous feast you made for us ~ and enjoyed in the TREE HOUSE ! What a great day that was. Love ya. xx
  
Sam says:

September 26, 2011 at 11:42 am

Oh Lynne that’s awesome! I’m so thankful for twitter for bringing you to me!

Now lets get opening that Veuve!

XO

Sam

- Lynne Knowlton says:
  
  September 26, 2011 at 1:20 pm
  
  Sam ~ We will do that for sure, especially now that you will soon be back on this side of the pond. Can’t wait ! Wave hello to France for me- until then. Lynne xx
  
Ridgely's Radar says:

September 26, 2011 at 12:02 am

Isn’t Twitter amazing?!? It crosses land, water and time! We are so lucky to have made new friends virtually! Love Jess’ post and so wonderful you returned it in kind! And I love your tree house! I cant wait to come visit and have a glass of wine with you as we watch the sun set!

- Lynne Knowlton says:
  
  September 26, 2011 at 1:23 pm
  
  It is , it is !! I am writing to you today via email…..and it would be even better to talk in the tree fort…but until then….our virtual friendship is “top drawer”. Talk soon. Lynne xx
  
Jessica Gordon Ryan (@GimletStyle) says:

September 25, 2011 at 10:32 pm

It’s a big love-fest! Cheers! xoxo (I meant every word!)

- Lynne Knowlton says:
  
  September 26, 2011 at 1:25 pm
  
  The only thing that would top our love fest would be champagne in the tree house. Great to have you as a friend Jess. Lynne )))))xx
  
Gail Wyer says:

September 25, 2011 at 8:41 pm

I want to be everyone’s friend…but mainly yours!!! Wonderful, wonderful…loved the story.