Linda! I love this post for many reasons: First of all…your sister “waltzing” in. My sister, whose name is Linda btw, lives several states away from me and I would be so thrilled if she was close enough to waltz, saunter, skip, or even trip into my home on a moments notice!
Secondly…I also love to rearrange my things around me. To step back and ask if this or that chair could move to another room, or can I switch lamps all around from room to room.
It’s like shopping in your own house. So satisfying.
My husband does not like it. Change is frustrating to him. I tell him that the change is just temporary and if we don’t like it, we can switch it back the way it was. We never do. Just takes him a beat to adjust, I guess.
Thirdly…I am drawn to writing that is in the moment. Like you did with this post. It grabs me every time. I like writing that way too. And it most often happens for me when I am on my own back porch. Mine is smaller than yours and instead of actual windows, mine is just screens, but I love it. Early mornings, and evenings are the best out on my porch. I’m in Texas, so the screens are required with so many creepy crawlies.
Oh, what a lovely, heartwarming post! Just what I needed tonight, as I am up late, trying to catch up on some blog reading. Yours never disappoints, my friend. Such a blessing to visit with you tonight. I absolutely love your porch, and that table Tim built is gorgeous! What a beautiful, cozy, peaceful place to be and spend your time. I see why you love it so much! God bless you with a wonderful next three seasons, spending many happy hours in your favorite place!
Good morning, Cheryl! I hope today finds you feeling stronger and filled with hope. Thanks for taking the time to chat as you catch up on all your reading. You're the best.
Oh I hope you'll share your story and some pics, Cathy! I just finished a long needed spruce up of our loft shelves and I couldn't be happier as I settle in for the evening surrounded by favorite books and pics and special collectibles.
I do enjoy moving things around especially the little things that make my house neater. With 4 boys and a hubby, papers and things seem to pile up everywhere, and I go around the house finding better solutions to coral it all. I also enjoy sprucing things up in the spring and decluttering. Closets are done, but I sure need to tackle some of the piles!
Cleaning is not my gifting - but sprucing up spaces and re-imagining - much to the dismay of all the boys to men in my house - yes! I'm debating whether to go ahead and move the porch furniture back onto the porch - it's not closed in and some springs are so much rainier than others - but I think it's almost time. I've been reconfiguring, moving out winter and moving spring in - and, oh, how it sooths something in my soul!
You've hit the nail on the head ... this labor of love sure does impact us somewhere deep. Maybe because there's so much in our lives that we can't control and we've been given our own unique, personal place where we can create calm, order, and beauty that helps us to breathe deep and be at rest. It's a God-given thing.
I always love it when you share your spaces, Linda! I'm in the market for a new table cloth for our kitchen that will show off brightly coloured flowers replacing the blue & white plaid that just isn't lively enough for all the celebrations that come with spring & summer!
Porch life sounds dreamy! And I'm with you on homebody status ... I love home, and I love taking care of home! I've been puttering around a lot during the past week, relocating some small objects and marveling at what a difference even that can make. My bigger thoughts are on our yard, as I'm working on convincing my husband to give up some front lawn space for a vegetable/flower garden area (the front of our house is the only area that gets enough sun). We shall see how that goes ...
Nothing very design oriented or anything, just feeling itchy about some things that kept catching my eye and making me feel like they needed a change. I actually moved things around several times, getting a sense of what might work best. It’s great too because it has prevented me from buying anything to change up our space (although I did succumb to the temptation to visit Homegoods recently, where I stumbled upon the perfect spring wreath for our front door … makes me smile, so no post purchase regrets).
Your home sounds so cozy. I spend a lot of time on my porch too, but it's too early to freshen it up here in Wisconsin. That usually happens in May and I really enjoy it too!
I love that your sister is close enough to drop in (or waltz in, depending on who you ask). :-) I'm definitely a homebody too. Lilly is moving into an apartment in a different state this weekend, and I'm sure that will usher in some rearranging. (Not to mention other kinds of processing.) A happy weekend to you, dear friend.
Oh my. This is a big transition for everyone. This is one of those seasons where every emotion will show up at some point. Please give yourself a lot of grace in the process, dear friend.
I just loved reading this post, Linda! Your descriptions made me feel like I was right there with you! I’m a homebody too and thankful to have found you on Substack! Have a blessed day, Friend!
My husband and I both commented just tonight how much we love being at home. We rarely rearrange furniture though, so I admire people who are motivated to do that. :)
I'm more of your sister's kind: keep display items few in number--only those that you really love. Find the perfect place for each, and then live content. Almost all of our home decor has come to us from family or friends, so every piece conjures up memories. I love living with our memories!
Those are the objects that are keepers, right?! Your phrase 'live content' is pure and simple wise counsel. Gathering more and more will never make us happy and can end up being overwhelming.
I'll remember that next time I venture into our free town swap shop!
I've not always been able to live content. I remember nearly turning green with envy as a dinner guest in a friend's lovely new home. Perhaps the ability to live content is one of those gifts God bestows as we grow older!
I used to rearrange furniture often but now I mostly just move the decorative objects around from room to room/place to place and get one or two new "refresh" pieces.
I love that you repurpose your home when spring rolls around. Such a unique way to invite cozy changes into hearts and minds. May you enjoy every moment. Blessings, Linda!
I hope you had a wonderful time with your family and a restful break from blogging, friend. A well-earned and deserved sabbatical. I hope everyone is well and healthy ... I can imagine all the new memories you made together.
Linda! I love this post for many reasons: First of all…your sister “waltzing” in. My sister, whose name is Linda btw, lives several states away from me and I would be so thrilled if she was close enough to waltz, saunter, skip, or even trip into my home on a moments notice!
Secondly…I also love to rearrange my things around me. To step back and ask if this or that chair could move to another room, or can I switch lamps all around from room to room.
It’s like shopping in your own house. So satisfying.
My husband does not like it. Change is frustrating to him. I tell him that the change is just temporary and if we don’t like it, we can switch it back the way it was. We never do. Just takes him a beat to adjust, I guess.
Thirdly…I am drawn to writing that is in the moment. Like you did with this post. It grabs me every time. I like writing that way too. And it most often happens for me when I am on my own back porch. Mine is smaller than yours and instead of actual windows, mine is just screens, but I love it. Early mornings, and evenings are the best out on my porch. I’m in Texas, so the screens are required with so many creepy crawlies.
I love your writing Linda!
Kindred spirits. For sure!
Oh, what a lovely, heartwarming post! Just what I needed tonight, as I am up late, trying to catch up on some blog reading. Yours never disappoints, my friend. Such a blessing to visit with you tonight. I absolutely love your porch, and that table Tim built is gorgeous! What a beautiful, cozy, peaceful place to be and spend your time. I see why you love it so much! God bless you with a wonderful next three seasons, spending many happy hours in your favorite place!
Good morning, Cheryl! I hope today finds you feeling stronger and filled with hope. Thanks for taking the time to chat as you catch up on all your reading. You're the best.
I’m a homebody too. Right now I’m working at painting our loft in preparation for new bookshelves, which is pretty exciting! 📚
Oh I hope you'll share your story and some pics, Cathy! I just finished a long needed spruce up of our loft shelves and I couldn't be happier as I settle in for the evening surrounded by favorite books and pics and special collectibles.
Enjoy the process!
I do enjoy moving things around especially the little things that make my house neater. With 4 boys and a hubby, papers and things seem to pile up everywhere, and I go around the house finding better solutions to coral it all. I also enjoy sprucing things up in the spring and decluttering. Closets are done, but I sure need to tackle some of the piles!
www.chezmirellefashiontravelmom.com
Mirelle, you're right! It's like springtime was made for fresh starts, decluttering, moving things around, and pile-tackling. I'm with you.
And welcome!
I 'm also a homebody and am content to putter around the house.
I still need to tackle the empty boxes in my basement.
Margie, oh those boxes!
* LOL
Cleaning is not my gifting - but sprucing up spaces and re-imagining - much to the dismay of all the boys to men in my house - yes! I'm debating whether to go ahead and move the porch furniture back onto the porch - it's not closed in and some springs are so much rainier than others - but I think it's almost time. I've been reconfiguring, moving out winter and moving spring in - and, oh, how it sooths something in my soul!
You've hit the nail on the head ... this labor of love sure does impact us somewhere deep. Maybe because there's so much in our lives that we can't control and we've been given our own unique, personal place where we can create calm, order, and beauty that helps us to breathe deep and be at rest. It's a God-given thing.
I always love it when you share your spaces, Linda! I'm in the market for a new table cloth for our kitchen that will show off brightly coloured flowers replacing the blue & white plaid that just isn't lively enough for all the celebrations that come with spring & summer!
'brightly coloured flowers'
That's EXACTLY what I need today. A whole big bouquet of them!
I don't have a porch but enjoy our backyard patio and garden area. It's a tiny parcel of serenity in the bustle of the city.
Yes! I can’t wait for spring to arrive here in the Rockies.
Like a little secret hideaway. Sheer bliss ...
Porch life sounds dreamy! And I'm with you on homebody status ... I love home, and I love taking care of home! I've been puttering around a lot during the past week, relocating some small objects and marveling at what a difference even that can make. My bigger thoughts are on our yard, as I'm working on convincing my husband to give up some front lawn space for a vegetable/flower garden area (the front of our house is the only area that gets enough sun). We shall see how that goes ...
'relocating some small objects'
Love this. How do you choose what to move and where its new home should be?
Nothing very design oriented or anything, just feeling itchy about some things that kept catching my eye and making me feel like they needed a change. I actually moved things around several times, getting a sense of what might work best. It’s great too because it has prevented me from buying anything to change up our space (although I did succumb to the temptation to visit Homegoods recently, where I stumbled upon the perfect spring wreath for our front door … makes me smile, so no post purchase regrets).
Your home sounds so cozy. I spend a lot of time on my porch too, but it's too early to freshen it up here in Wisconsin. That usually happens in May and I really enjoy it too!
May will be here before we know it!
Meanwhile, I hope you're having a cozy weekend, Amy.
I love that your sister is close enough to drop in (or waltz in, depending on who you ask). :-) I'm definitely a homebody too. Lilly is moving into an apartment in a different state this weekend, and I'm sure that will usher in some rearranging. (Not to mention other kinds of processing.) A happy weekend to you, dear friend.
Oh my. This is a big transition for everyone. This is one of those seasons where every emotion will show up at some point. Please give yourself a lot of grace in the process, dear friend.
I just loved reading this post, Linda! Your descriptions made me feel like I was right there with you! I’m a homebody too and thankful to have found you on Substack! Have a blessed day, Friend!
It makes me happy that we've connected in recent days, Brooke. I sense a kindred spirit for sure ...
So agree! 💕
My husband and I both commented just tonight how much we love being at home. We rarely rearrange furniture though, so I admire people who are motivated to do that. :)
My husband and my sister would love to live at your house, I'm sure, Lisa. I'll send them down.
I'm more of your sister's kind: keep display items few in number--only those that you really love. Find the perfect place for each, and then live content. Almost all of our home decor has come to us from family or friends, so every piece conjures up memories. I love living with our memories!
Those are the objects that are keepers, right?! Your phrase 'live content' is pure and simple wise counsel. Gathering more and more will never make us happy and can end up being overwhelming.
I'll remember that next time I venture into our free town swap shop!
I've not always been able to live content. I remember nearly turning green with envy as a dinner guest in a friend's lovely new home. Perhaps the ability to live content is one of those gifts God bestows as we grow older!
I used to rearrange furniture often but now I mostly just move the decorative objects around from room to room/place to place and get one or two new "refresh" pieces.
Such fun!
I love that you repurpose your home when spring rolls around. Such a unique way to invite cozy changes into hearts and minds. May you enjoy every moment. Blessings, Linda!
I hope you had a wonderful time with your family and a restful break from blogging, friend. A well-earned and deserved sabbatical. I hope everyone is well and healthy ... I can imagine all the new memories you made together.
These are the good old days.