Our Own Miniature Villa Rustica
Villa rustica ("countryside villa") was the term used by the ancient Romans to denote a villa set in the open countryside, often as the hub of a large agricultural estate. The villa rustica would thus serve both as a residence of the landowner and his family (and retainers) and also as a farm management centre. It would often comprise separate buildings to accommodate farm labourers and sheds and barns for animals and crops.
In our countryside villa, the landowner and all his family and animals are Sally, Cassie and myself. Our "farm management" consists of trying to keep the lawn, weeds and pests away, and our main crops are photographs, black raspberries, wild strawberries and domestic harmony.
