With a historically English influence here in Virginia, we have emulated the European way of living daily with the things we love, and I am never more grateful for this than in midwinter. I have learned that the path to being surrounded by beautiful things does not have to be expensive but often runs through local classified listings, estate sales, and antiques stores. And motherhood has taught me an additional lesson: When there are children within a household, nothing can be too precious, and certainly nothing can be considered more precious than they are.
