#onor

Crop of Alexandra Feodorovna, 1912

“My dear Onor,

A thousand thanks for your dear letter - it was an unexpected pleasure. It is so quiet here without you, my dears, and everything reminds one of you all. You cannot imagine how positively beautiful the garden is right now. The leaves are out and a sea of roses of every shape and colour cover the walls - one simply does not want to go back inside. I went out on my own to enjoy this beautiful sight and N.[icholas] and Marie joined me in the afternoon - in-between it poured with rain. The palm area, Africa, that Ernie thought up is currently being landscaped.

I have ventured in to painting roses - it is ambitious of me, I know, but I enjoy the flowers twice as much by having to observe them so intensely. The children are feeling better, their temperatures are back to normal and their throats not so sore any more. I have to say good night now as officers [have] come to play a game of dominoes. May God protect you. I embrace you tenderly, dear Onor, and remain your devoted Alix.

[P.S.] I send Ernie, the children and Wilhelmino love and kisses. - I hope you found some nice kustarni items in Kiev.”

Alexandra Feodorovna with her children and Eleonore of Hesse, 1912