1. First things first, clear the space. Remove the phone, the iPhone (stop looking so shocked. You won't die), the tv, the laptop, and the kids.
Make the bed, so the sheets are smooth and the doona fluffy. Pile up pillows and head-rests into a kind of mountain.
2. Assemble the necessities. A good book (or preferably, a big pile of them), a cup of tea,
a book-seat if you have one, some good lighting, and your glasses if you need them.
Some munchies if you MUST. (these tend to get very comfortable in bed, and settle on your stomach and butt, refusing to budge, so be careful.)
3. Prepare yourself. Take a bath or a shower, apply some pretty lotion, get your nightie on.
4. Climb into bed and get very comfy. I recommend propping yourself up, so that this doesn't happen
however, take your chances if you prefer to read flat on your back.
5. Bliss out.
I agree 100% with all your steps Toni ... there is just something sooo 'decadent' about having a good 'read in bed' LUV IT !!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's the most luxurious luxury I know.
DeleteI tend to skip step three altogether, since I'm usually reading in bed after having woken up at 3am.
ReplyDeletemy first and foremost rule is don't spill the coffee.
Well, if you HAVE to be awake at 3 am, reading is the only way to make it bearable.
DeleteI didn't think I actually needed reading in bed instructions, but I see I have a lot to learn about setting the scene!
ReplyDeleteReading in the BATH on the other hand ...
And it's weird that the quote about reading/pleasure is from Nabokov!!
Oh, reading in the bath is even better. It involves candles and wine....
DeleteBeautifully put. Bed, bath, or on the sofa in front of the fireplace with wine, tea, or even a nice Scotch. You've captured with so much finesse one of my favorite "down times".
ReplyDeleteIf I had a fireplace, I'd be a permanent feature in front of it!
DeleteReading a good book has to be the BEST downtime there is.
A delightful post, Toni.
ReplyDeleteI love your "tea book" picture and the comment about where the snacks settle.
I'm a bath reader myself - thus all my books tend to be a little warped. ;-)
I finally have a bath I can read in. True, it takes about half an hour to run (low water pressure) but it's so worth the wait!
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