Day 31 of 31: Home

Often, I like to talk to Brent about our "forever home." 

The window seat I'd love to have one day.

What that kitchen would look like. 

The types of trees in our yard and the rainbow of color they'd be in autumn.

He likes to remind me that our forever home is not of this world.

And he's right, of course.

Ultimately, the throw pillows and crafting spaces, the curtains and the furniture, they aren't so important.

But God did choose to give us a family. A home. 

And what we cultivate within our families and our homes, it should reflect our future Home. It should strengthen our desire and longing for our forever home in Glory.

If there's one thing to take away from 31 Days of Making This House our Home, it is this.

Above my desk, a small silver cross hangs on my inspiration board. Written upon it, in words I need to read every day, is Joshua 24:15:

"As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." 

~This is Day 31 of 31 Days. The final day. Thank you for joining me on this journey! You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

31 Days Giveaway Winner

Thanks for entering the giveaway...comment #4 is Sarah Corbin

Sarah, I hope you enjoy your subscription!!! You'll get an email from me today! Congrats!

Day 30 of 31: The Memory Makers

This is one of my very favorite things.

My Mom gave me this blue and white tea set just before Brent and I were married. She added pieces to it through the years, some of them found on a trip to England. 

These special dishes remind me of the tea room in Biltmore Village where my Mom and I have made so many mother-daughter (and now grand-daughter) memories. It reminds me of a Valentines Tea I hosted for many years with friends while our husbands were deployed. 

It has been used to celebrate baby showers and birthday luncheons. It has delivered soothing tea and conversation to breaking hearts. It is often a respite from a hectic day and harried emotions.

It gleams on sunny, spring days and in candlelight. It prompts tea parties during snowstorms, hurricanes, and Christmas vacations. 

All my life, my Mom told us to "Make a memory." It makes me smile when I see azaleas in bloom or mountains afire in autumn. There are words that accompany those sights..."make a memory."

There are things within a home...and they're just things...but they're also memory makers. Something that makes an ordinary day a little more special. Or an extra special day extraordinary. 

There are things that when used, remind you and those around you that this is special. This is worth remembering. They are special.

I never tire of using this tea set. Of creating new memories to tuck away with the dishes on the shelves of my blue pie safe.  I have to admit, washing these dishes is actually something I love to do.

What are the memory makers in your home?


Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway of a Better Homes and Gardens subscription...I'll announce the winner tomorrow!


~This is Day 30 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

Day 29 of 31: Friends to visit

Today, I'd like to introduce you to three people that continually inspire me in the quest to create a home out of the house we live in. They are currently all living in relatively-new-to-them homes, all for very different reasons. Perhaps one of their situations is similar to yours? 

These ladies are so unique...but all of them have lovely blogs that I look at on an almost-daily basis. 

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The first is the lovely Edie of life{in}grace. 

Last year, her 31 Days was when I first "met" her. She chronicles the loss of a home destroyed by fire and relates the journey of her family through that loss to the rebuilding of their home. I especially love this post from last year.

Edie is writing about hospitality for 31 days this year, and it's definitely an encouraging and challenging must-read!

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Next, my friend Stephanie of Just me, My soldier, and Our 4 little chicks. Stephanie and I first "met" at an online scrapbooking website...only to discover that we went to college together & that she was the freshman roommate of one of my dearest friends! Small world. :)

As an army wife, Stephanie moves her family all around the country, quickly making each new place feel like home. She embraces the change and creatively makes each house reflect not only her personal style but the love she has for her family. They just moved to Rhode Island (for a similar, one-year military school like us!), and the picture above shows their empty home there upon arrival. Her post entitled Full is one of my favorites. 

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And finally, sweet Jen of The Cottage Nest. 

Jen and her family abandoned the suburban life to pursue their cottage dream in a quaint village. She'll tell you (and it's so obvious to her readers) what a blessing this change has been. The cottage life fits Jen to a tee...and I love reading about her village adventures and seeing the way she is currently making their house a home.

All these ladies are also creatives...and their blogs are a great source of creative inspiration as well. I hope you find them each to be as lovely as I have.

Please don't forget about the giveaway! Tomorrow is the last day to enter...and I'll announce the winner on the 31st...so long as we have an internet connection!

~This is Day 29 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

Day 28 of 31: The Nest

Inside, my dutch oven simmers on the stove, full of our favorite French Market Stew. It is a smell that reminds me cold weather approaches.

Outside, the sky is just as grey as it dawned. Clouds continue to roll in. There's a gentle breeze that ruffles the autumn leaves.

This tree that stands so close to the deck has dropped so many of its small red leaves. The top of the tree against the sky looks wintry. I think it's quietly defying the hurricane. Dropping its leaves before it can be stripped of them.

I'm getting our house ready. Water bottles and pitchers full of water. Tuna and soup cans and bread at the ready. Batteries bought and flashlights located. Phones charged and gas tanks filled. Leaves about to be raked.

It's our first real hurricane.

Isabel scared me nine years ago, 15 days away from my due date with my first baby, but when all was said and done in our part of North Carolina, I had seen thunderstorms more fierce. We are in new territory with this one.

So I'm preparing the children...letting them know what to expect without scaring them. Candlelights and reading and boardgames and art projects.

The phone rings, and it's my own Mom...calling with storm updates and concern in her voice and reminders of an open invitation to the mountains.

And I realize that you never stop strengthening the nest or wanting to protect your children...whether they're five or thirty-five...no matter the distance that separates.

And it's not so much the house that makes a home...but the people who make that home special and worth coming home to, who cultivate and protect it.


Don't forget you can still enter the giveaway here!!!

~This is Day 28 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

Day 27 of 31: No More Comparisons

This quote has circulated Pinterest for quite awhile, and I like it.

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In an age where we have almost instant access to so many ideas and pictures and people, it's easy to begin comparing ourselves to the spotless pictures we see.

But I've also been guilty of comparing our rental home to the home we left in OK...and I find that the quote rings true there as well.

I have to be cautious when I look back at pictures of the home we built. We spent almost four lovely years there, so it's easy to not only miss the surface details but the emotional details that come with living somewhere for a length of time.

I remember my baby, sitting on that dark granite island, curiosity getting the best of her as she stuck a chubby arm into a tall cup of ice water. Priceless expression. I remember the friends that gathered around the kitchen for pizza one night after Christmas, precious friendships.

I remember watching my oldest set off for adventures in the fields behind our yard...she would quickly be lost to sight. I miss seeing three swings occupied as I cook dinner or wash dishes or sit and read in the chair that used to be by the window.

And my pantry? That's totally a shallow thing to miss. But I do. I loved having one space for all our foodstuff and all our serving pieces & seasonal decor.

But if I linger too long wishing for what's passed, I miss the joy that will come in this house.

I'm working on treasuring the memories but not comparing my situations. All our needs and so many desires have been met in each place, despite differences.

I'm going to put my focus on the blessings He has given.

No more thieving of joy here.


~This is Day 27 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

Day 26 of 31: Capture Moments

It's easy to get so caught up with big moments, that we fail to observe little ones.

I'm glad I saw this moment.

One front yard. One little girl. One book that's a bit past her reading level. One shady spot.

It will be a special memory of the time spent in this home.



~This is Day 26 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

Day 25 of 31: Exercise Caution

A rental home is a great reminder to use caution in purchasing and decorating.

Early in our marriage, we made a beautiful antique purchase: a full size guest bed with gorgeous curved details, a dresser, and highboy. The dresser had the most beautiful attached mirror...I loved each piece. I loved the bedding we bought for it.

We found the furniture just months before we were moving into a four bedroom house...with only nine-month old Hadleigh in tow.  

Master bedroom. Nursery for Hadleigh. Office. Guest room. Perfect.

The guest room would have many occupants...but it would only be used for six months before the discovery that baby #2 was on his way!

Needless to say, we realized that this purchase was made prematurely, without giving a lot of thought to how our family needs would change. We sold the furniture (the picture above is the only one I have) and this room was filled with a crib and lots of airplanes. :)

It was a good lesson to learn. Slightly expensive lesson, but good.

The house we're in now has more space than we're accustomed to using. Some of our favorite pieces of furniture don't fit (lower ceilings come with multi-storied homes), and we've had to make some small purchases to make things work for the duration of the year.

But we're not trying to fill the space with more.

When I think about decorating here, I think about this house AND past this house. I want this time to feel cozy, but I don't want to invest in future mistakes.

New bedding for the master? Sure, if I find what I'm looking for. It's usable no matter which house we choose.

More seating for an additional living space we've never had? Proceed with caution. Make do.

New centerpieces and table runners for the holiday season? Why not?

Entertainment center replacement due to height restrictions of current piece? Yes...but an inexpensive option so that we feel good about passing it on when we can use our tall investment piece in the next place.

Exercise caution. It's a good lesson to learn!

~This is Day 25 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

Day 24 of 31: A Fall Mantle

I love looking at mantles...but in reality, mine stays much the same all year long. My goal is to change it up a bit this year...here's the beginning of this season's mantle below. The framed tin on the wall was found so many years ago at The Screen Door in Asheville. My sweet handyman built the frame around it, and it's one of my favorite things. 

My plan is to change the color on these pumpkins a bit for November...but orange is good for this month!

Here's some inspiration from my pinterest boards for autumn mantles:

I love the yellow pops of color here...especially the chevron windowpane!

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White pumpkins and books stacked with the pages facing out make me happy.

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I think the mirrored fireplace with candles is genius.

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I love the rustic pumpkins and wreath in this more formal setting.

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And there are plenty more ideas here:

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I'd love to see your autumn mantles! Leave a link in the comments! And don't forget to sign up for the giveaway here!

~This is Day 24 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

Day 23 of 31: Inspiration Giveaway

I love creative inspiration. 

Online and in print.

I've shared my magazine favorites in this space before...but my favorites still remain Southern Living, Victoria, and Better Homes and Gardens. (And yes, I still miss Cottage Living.)

I love the combination of home, outdoor spaces, entertaining, and cooking that all of these offer. (And the travel aspect of Victoria gives flight to my dreams!) I love reinterpreting the ideas found on these pages in our own home!

Today, I'd like to share with one of you a year's subscription to Better Homes and Gardens*.

Just leave a comment, sharing a favorite source for inspiration and you'll be entered to win! I will leave this giveaway open through October 30 and announce the winner on the last day of the 31 days series. Only one entry per person, please. US Residents only.

*This giveaway is not sponsored or paid for by Better Homes and Gardens. Just sharing one of my favorites with you!

~This is Day 23 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

Day 22 of 31: Always Learning

Sometimes, it's nice to have new perspective on our home.

I mentioned the other day how I have been thinking about whether our home reflects us...reflects me.

In some ways, I'd say yes. And yet, I think there's room for growth in this area.

I wish decorating came more easily for me...I know what I like, but it doesn't always translate well in reality.

So when I read about the Creatively Made Home online course created by Jeanne Oliver last week, I was most definitely interested.

I thought about it for several days...kept reading the description...and after remembering that I've loved and benefitted from several creative online courses I've taken, I decided to try it. It's perfect timing really, considering this month's topic of Making this House our Home.

Today the class began (and I think you can still sign up...I did this morning!)...and while I still need to find a spot of time to watch this week's videos and soak up all the shared inspiration, tutorials, and conversation, I am quite impressed with what I see so far.

I'm very excited to see how this new information translates into tweaks and changes in our home.

p.s. Looking forward to tomorrow's post...and a giveaway! Don't miss it!



~This is Day 22 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

Day 21 of 31: The Surprises

Since the summer of 2011, I started saying goodbye to Oklahoma. 

I knew that we had a year or less left. Oklahoma had surprised me with the things that I loved. Things that I miss. I knew I needed to pause and see, at least once more, and take in those beloved gifts.

The evening horizon bathed in color. 

The friendships.

Small town life.

The immense blue sky, almost identical to the Texas sky. ;)

The dark midnight, far from the lights of cities, full of stars and planets.

And the geese. All year long, we had geese. It was new to me. 

I loved hearing the call overhead. Seeing their beautiful form overhead. And in February, every February, they spent a day or two in the field right behind our house.

So this late summer and fall, it has been such a pleasant surprise to hear the geese again...to see them as they fly across the treeline behind our house. To hear their sound before their forms are visible.

Their call across a still morning, silhouetted by the sunrise, will remain a special Virginia memory to me.

What happy surprises have greeted you in a new place and made you feel at home?


~This is Day 21 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

Day 20 of 31: Piercing through the stuff

These posts have spoken to my heart this week about my topic these 31 days...I hope they encourage you and leave you pondering as well.

 belonging by Ellen of sweetwater

 Readying the Hearth with Prayer by Edie of Life in Grace

 When your kids want to live... by Emily of Chatting at the Sky

 The Seasons of Stuff by Susie of The Good News Girl

 True Beauty by Shawna of greener pastures


~This is Day 20 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

Seven

Seven years old today, this precious boy of mine. 

Seven years of adventure, from the very beginning--a helicopter ride at just one day old.

Seven years of the sweetest hugs and joyful smiles. Your bright blue eyes and a tender heart...all treasures to me.

Seven years of stories, spun from that incredible imagination of yours.

Seven years of things that go...from Thomas & Percy and paper airplanes to Transformers and X-wing fighters.

Seven years of building...in the dirt...on the Lego table...with boxes of cardboard and scraps of paper.

Seven years of holding that little hand in mine...and it's starting to feel different now. That little hand is catching up to my own.

Seven years of watching you learn: your mind always at work, absorbing all you hear, catching on so quickly.

Seven. I am so thankful for the blessing you are to our family, Nathanael. It is a privilege to be your mother, to watch you grow in knowledge and understanding. I look forward to all that this year holds for you, Buddy.

I love you. To the moon and all the stars and planets and back again times a million.

Day 19 of 31: Favorites

Blue. Teacups. Books.

Hardwoods. Vintage linens. Poetry.

Hydrangeas. White candles. The Bible.

Family pictures. Fresh flowers. Scones.

Hugs. Little handprints on glass. Overheard giggles.

Musings as we approach the weekend:

What are my favorites? Who do I love? What brings me joy? Does my home reflect this?

Cozy throws. Sweaters. Bookshelves.

Earl Grey. Leatherbound editions. Old letters.

Rainy days. Snuggling little ones. Fuzzy socks.

Piano music. Jesus. Bedtime prayers.


What are your favorites? Who do you love? What brings you joy? Does your home reflect you?


~This is Day 19 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

Day 18: Breaking Habits, Part 2

Checking in.

I'm happy to say that of the six piles shown in this post last Thursday, only one pile remains.

The one on my computer desk. I'll work on that one tomorrow. (Just call me Scarlett.)

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I love lists. Do you?

There is so much bouncing around my brain right now...appointments to be made...groceries to buy...gifts to be wrapped...thank you's to be written...blog posts to write...

My husband was telling me tonight that I needed to use a reminder app on my phone. :) I replied that it's all in my mind. It's not quite that I forget any of it but that finding time to deal with it all is the larger issue!

Yet, I know me. I get so rattled and overwhelmed when there's so much my brain is trying to remember on its own that I often have a hard time finding a place to start. And that is the last thing that makes me feel comfortable or productive at home.

Enter my love for my to-do lists!

I use Teux Deux on my iPhone (love it), and you can bet that you'll find a list or two or twelve if you casually glance around my work surfaces!

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I'm especially loving these two notepads. The kraft one at the top looks so classy. And this one?

This one is just plain honest.

How do you keep track of your to-do's?

~This is Day 18 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

Day 17 of 31: In the Kitchen

It's somewhat of a tradition to share recipes here on Wednesdays...and the one I'm sharing today is one that our whole family enjoys.

When we first moved to Virginia, Brent gave me a wonderful gift...he cooked and did almost all of the grocery shopping during our first weeks here, giving me an opportunity to unpack and organize and start to feel settled in our new kitchen.

And that was such a blessing. I love that we both enjoy cooking so much. But I also realized that for me, part of feeling at home is me being in the kitchen, cooking.

I love serving the unexpected, to both my family and to company. You can probably bet that you'll be a guinea pig when seated around my table...I love to try new dishes when we have guests. (And I promise that I've learned the art of being a discriminating recipe curator!)

Using an unexpected, unusual, or unique ingredient is one of my favorite ways to cook. It surprises guests, inspires me creatively, and usually adds a bit of fun to the meal. Towards the end of the summer (and still), I have been enjoying figs.

Previously, my fig experience had included Fig Newtons. And I wasn't a big fan of those.

But figs are delicious...tender, sweet, and colorful.

This recipe for flank steak with a fig salsa is delicious, found in one of my favorite sources for recipes Southern Living. Despite the quick and easy preparation, the meal is full of flavor and impressive. I hope you'll try it during these last few "grilling" evenings that we have.

Rosemary Flank Steak with Fig Salsa

1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 tsp kosher or sea salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
3 Tbsp olive oil, divided
1 flank steak, about 1 1/4 lb.
3 cups chopped fresh figs (I use 6-8 figs)
1 green onion, minced
2 Tbsp fresh Italian parsley, chopped
2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
3 oz. Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

1. Stir together in a small bowl the rosemary, garlic, salt, pepper, and 1 Tbsp. of olive oil. Rub this over both sides of the flank steak. Cover and chill 30 minutes up to 4 hours.

2. Preheat grill to between 400 and 450 degrees (high heat). Toss together the figs, onion, parsley, vinegar, and the remaining 2 Tbsp. olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste.

3. Grill steak, covered with grill lid, 5 minutes on each side or to desired degree of doneness. Let stand for 5 minutes.

4. Cut steak diagonally across the grain into thin strips. Arrange the steak on a serving platter. Spoon fig salsa over the steak and sprinkle with Gorgonzola cheese.

Enjoy!


~This is Day 17 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

Day 16 of 31: Get Organized

This week, I'm thinking about organizing.

There are some areas in our home that I'm ready to tackle and conquer. It's easy in a new house to just stick stuff somewhere (especially when you know it's just a one-year home). But that means that in the meantime, there are areas that are tough to look at and deal with.

To realistically face this challenge, I'm starting small (focusing on three main areas: the kids bathroom, the laundry room, and my catch-all basement closet) and utilizing my "Organized and Clean" Pinterest Board.

I love this idea to help me SEE what I really want to accomplish. I am definitely a list girl...and I like the ease of this chart...small and focused and easily rotated. I have a feeling that throwing away sticky notes is just as fulfilling as crossing off a to-do list!

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I've had this idea stored for years...and I've found some pieces from The Container Store that will make it possible! The downstairs closet (also known as the catch-all closet) is in for a surprise!

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The kids bathroom has very limited storage...and the space under the sink has quickly become a mess. I am loving this idea below for hair accessory storage, as well as other toiletries!

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And I love this idea...breaking down a TON of jobs into doable, daily tasks. Most of these could be accomplished in 15-20 minutes. I think I could definitely get the kids involved with these too.

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What are your favorite organizing tips? Are there spaces in your house that need to be dealt with? Join me this week in tackling them!

~This is Day 16 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

Day 15 of 31: Re-imagine

Sometimes what worked perfectly in a previous home just doesn't work technically in a new home.

A few years ago, I made two linen pin boards...one as an inspiration board in my creative space and another for hanging necklaces in my closet.

Our old closet had built in shelving, and I cut the pin board to size in order to fit it tightly in place in the back of one of the shelves. In front of it stood my jewelry box, so it was quite convenient for getting ready in the morning.

Our house here has only a bit of wire shelving above the clothes rods...so I was at a loss on how and where to place my necklace board...and as a result, the beginning of the summer I spent necklace-less. Out of sight, out of mind.

I thought I'd share today an easy DIY project for the linen pin boards and show you my jewelry board with its location re-imagined, hanging like a picture on our closet wall.

You'll need:

1 sheet of foamcore, cut to desired size
enough linen or other fabric to cover the foamcore
batting by the yard, again to cover foamcore
regular stapler
decorative stick pins, I love these by Maya Road
ribbon for hanging
scissors
needle & thread

1. Unroll batting and place the foamcore in the center, with enough batting on each edge to fold over onto the back. Open the stapler (as you would if you were stapling a bulletin board) and staple the batting into the foam core about two inches from each edge, spacing staples a few inches apart, or as needed to prevent gapping of the batting. Trim excess batting about 3/4 of an inch from the staples.

2. Using the same technique as with the batting, place the covered board batting-side down on top of your fabric. Fold fabric around the board and allow fabric to extend beyond the stapled batting on the back.  Pull fabric taut and staple the fabric into the foamcore. You may need to occasionally staple the fabric and batting areas.

I stapled the long sides of the boards first, then the short sides. Try to eliminate any unnecessary batting and fabric in the corners, so that the back of the board can lay as flat as possible.

3. At this point, if you're placing the pinboard in between shelves, you're done! Put some pins in (at an angle) and hang your jewelry!

In our new closet, there is about four feet of space between our door and a window on the wall adjacent to the closet door. I decided that it was the best location for the pinboard.

I found a wide, sage-colored grosgrain ribbbon in my ribbon collection and stitched each end of the ribbon to the fabric on the back of the board. There was already a nail in the wall at the perfect height, so I folded the center of the ribbon twice (so the ribbon would be supported well and so it would hang nicely) and placed it over the nail.

It still looked unfinished, so I took each end of the ribbon and made a loose knot right above the board and then tucked the ends of the ribbon into the fold of fabric.

I'll be honest...I prefer my board tucked into my old shelves...it had a built-in look to it. But in this home, a slightly-less perfect spot still offers a solution for my necklace storage.

What do you have that needs to be re-imagined?

~This is Day 15 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

Day 14 of 31: Sunrise, Sunset

I have a thing for sunsets. I love that fading light of day. The glow. The warmth.

I love that no matter whether your view is the still lake of a retreat, the horizon of the plains, the mountain peaks of the Appalachians, or the treeline of a Virginia neighborhood, there is the glow of the sunset.  Even in New York City, the fading light of day can be reflected in the windows that face the west.

We love catching the sunset, peeking out the upstairs windows to capture our own views. I love that I have sunset memories in each of our homes.

And as for that often elusive sunrise, if I lived on this lake point, I think I'd wake up in time to watch the day begin much more often.

~This is Day 14 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.

Day 13 of 31: Retreat

This weekend, I am on retreat with the ladies from our church.

There will be time spent in reflection.

Time spent in the Word. Time spent in song.

Time spent in deep conversation. Time spent in laughter.

Time spent in games. Time spent around good food.

I will spend time in silence, staring at this lake.

I will spend time in fellowship, sharing and learning. Talking and listening.

I hope that when I return home, there will be renewed vision for this season.

~This is Day 13 of 31 Days. You can find all posts in the series here 31 Days of Making this House our Home.