Tuesday, May 21, 2013

feeling at home

I haven't ventured out of my house in two days except for going to
yoga class, and that's just fine with me. As much as I like going out and
doing fun things and being with friends or certain family members, I also like
days at home, with nothing planned except for what I feel like doing at the time.

I take pleasure in creating a home that's welcoming, beautiful and relaxing
for not only myself and my family, but for those who visit, as well. 


 I don't think puttering is a waste of time and energy; I think it's soothing and relaxing
but yet energizing at the same time. Whether it's creating a new vignette, placing
fresh flowers in a vase, fluffing the pillows on the couch, putting clean sheets on
the bed, setting a beautiful table, or even sweeping the front porch of all the storm
debris from the previous night, it's all like a moving meditation.


Don't you find that creating a home is a form of self-expression? Or, dare I say,
even an art form? 
 

There is a saying that eyes are the window to the soul, and perhaps that's true.
But I also think that our home is a window to our soul. You are the one who
made your home what it is; what it tells other people. If your home is constantly 
cluttered and messy, perhaps your mind is cluttered and bogged down. 
If you appreciate art and things of beauty, your house will show that, too.
 

 It doesn't matter if your home is a tiny cottage, a look-alike house in the suburbs,
a modern loft, or a mansion by the sea. If you nourish your home with loving energy,
you will feel it. You will walk in your front door and feel at peace. 


 You should have objects of beauty and interest in your home; things that make
you smile. They don't have to cost much money; for example, everything you
see in the vignette below was from a thrift store ~ except for the "beautiful" picture, 
which I made ~ and the bottles of perfume.


 Even something as simple as a little plant by a sunny window can add
interest and cheer to your home.


 So, tell me...what does your home say about you?


 I hope that your home is your safe haven. I am praying for those who have
tragically lost their home in the Oklahoma tornadoes. 



28 comments:

  1. Melanie,
    I LOVED this post! I agree with you completely-our homes are a reflection of us, the time and care we take to choosing a new pot for a plant, a cup or saucer, sweeping, dusting. Our home is our haven, where we shut the door to the outside world. I suppose our home reflects the love and respect for all of nature and that when you enter you will be nurtured, safe and well fed!
    Happy Hugs-
    Jemma

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  2. Very nice post Melanie . . . I too enjoy my home and letting it tell a story about me and us . . .

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    1. Thanks, Lynne. I'd love to see some pictures of your home, too!

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  3. I totally agree. I'm a homebody too. I like my days out but I can't take too many of them in a row.

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  4. Melanie I love to just be at home and play! I rearrange and fluff and decorate seasonally. I like it so much and I agree it tells a lot about us!

    hugs,
    Linda

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    1. Isn't it wonderful to "play", Linda? I'm glad there are others that get this, too. :-)

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  5. I hope my home just says comfy and cozy. I like the way you arranged your bookshelves. I find it like a meditation to piddle around the house too.
    Brenda

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    1. From what I've seen of your home in pictures, Brenda, your home is definitely comfy and cozy. Thanks for the compliment on the bookshelves.

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  6. I am busy, busy, busy during the week and I love being physically active, but on Saturday morning, I want most to be at my house puttering just like you. I love tweaking and moving and finding the perfect look. I love to walk into my home at the end of the day and see flowers on the table and my garden ahead of me as I look through the living room windows.

    I have talked with people who hate being at home. I love to travel, but I also am content to "cocoon" in the nest we have built.

    Lovely post!

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    1. One of my best friends would rather be out and about rather than home ~ each to their own, right? I like going places too and being out with friends, etc., but I always love my days at home and my quiet time.

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  7. So well said Melanie! I love being a housewife. I love being at home and having the privilege of being able to create a special place for Jos and I. About a year ago now, someone I thought was a friend was very cruel to me with comments about my home. She loves coming here so it cut into me like a knife. I have blogged less and less since then. I just could not get over it. It cut into my soul as if she put a knife in my heart. So I find loving home is really a part of who I am and you worded it very well.

    Hugs from Holland ~
    Heidi

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    1. Oh, Heidi...that is terrible. It sounds like perhaps your friend was jealous. I have always loved your blog. Please, please don't let one person damper who YOU are and what's important to you.

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  8. Love this post so much, it gave me goosebumps.

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    1. That is quite a compliment to me, Rhonda! Thank you so much. It means so much to me.

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  9. Love, love this post, Melanie. I feel the same way about my home. Knowing I have a full day to just be in my home and foof if I want, or rearrange, or clean or organize, or water the plants, makes me happy. A year or so ago, the cable installer came in our kitchen door and said, "This is a happy house. I can tell...this is a happy house." I hope that's what my home says about me.

    xo
    Claudia

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    1. Isn't that awesome, Claudia? That's one of the best compliments you could get. When we had contractors here when our basement flooded, one of them said to me, "You have a beautiful home." I loved hearing that from a stranger.

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  10. Very entertaining post, Melanie. I totally agree with you: decorating, tweaking and styling or staging (for blogs, for example), is fun, but on an every day basis, it is the usual chores, or rather, activities, that keep our houses in order, that I find rewarding. I like a clean, tidy home, it's important for my psyche, as I spend a lot of time in this space. Sweeping and mopping physically forces dirt out of my house and, ultimately, heaviness out of my heart.

    Poppy

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  11. I love this post! You put beautiful words to the way I feel when I "play" with my decorations or clip some flowers for a vase. Beautifully put!

    Kelly @ View Along the Way
    www.viewalongtheway.com

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  12. I feel the same, Melanie. I like nothing better than a day to myself in our house to change things up and rotate the things I love for each season. You've made your home an expression of yourself with your wonderful treasures.

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    1. Thank you for the lovely compliment, Vickie!

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  13. What a wonderful post Melanie! Yes, I love to putter around my home too. It is very calming. Love your herbs in vintage canisters!

    Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving the compliment on our new paint color.

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    1. Thank you so much, Penny. Your new home is beautiful!

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  14. Lovely post! Well said. Everyone thinks my home is organized but that's just trickery. :) Organized chaos is really what's going on. And not even so organized most of the time. Everything looks so lovely at your place. Have a great day. Tammy

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a kind comment - I read and appreciate each one!