When I think of the word home, it brings to my mind many things: gatherings, food, playing games, support, encouragement and good times. I always want our home to be a place where people feel at home and welcomed.
This month, will be five years that we moved to our home. When we moved, I remember pulling up to the house on moving day, my parents had the kids and my in-laws were with the moving truck. As I walked into our new home and turned the corner to the kitchen, I saw a banner with the words “Welcome Home” hanging in our kitchen and I started to cry. The woman who we bought our house from, decorated our new home with this banner to welcome us and also left us a lovely letter sharing important things about the community and wishing us the best. It meant a lot to me that she took the time to make us feel welcomed in our home and in our new community.
In our home, I enjoy decorating. For the past several years, I have been interested in design. One of my favorite people is Pam from Little Red Porch. I met Pam at a vintage market and bought my first sign from her a couple of years ago. Since then, when I am at vintage markets I see if Pam is going to be there to buy more decor. Once you buy one sign, you want more!
In our kitchen, is this sign which has a Laura Ingalls Wilder quote :”Home Is The Nicest Word There Is” I recently bought this piece at the Broken Oak Barn Sale in Rolla, MO. The boys and I have started to watch the Little House on the Prairie series along with reading the books. We have been comparing the similarities and differences between the two.
Growing up, we had gatherings at the holidays. We lived in a small house in the city and I have to wonder how we had about fifty people in our basement at gatherings. Usually, people would eat, talk, watch family videos on the projector and sometimes play games. As time has went on, I miss those gatherings but have fond memories of those good times.
I read a book that said we all need back door friends. Back door friends know to come in and get a soda and feel welcomed. We all like to put a facade on at times. The author parallel how people try to make their front porches look good or front entrance which is great, but we need to drop the facade at times and have those real life connections. I bought another of Pam’s signs “Yay You’re Here!” for our back door for our back door friends and entrance.
In the entryway of our home, hangs “It is Well With My Soul” As I walk by that sign, it gives me some peace to know it is well on a daily basis.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Written by: Horatio G. Spafford 1873 and Phillip P. Bliss 1876
“This Is My Happy Place” is outside my sewing/art room. When I go there to work, it is my happy place where I get to be creative and design.
Our boys bring much to joy to our lives. The other night we were watching The Late Late Show with James Corden which featured Paul McCartney on the Carpool Karaoke segment. I told Drew and Luke to get ready for one of the songs they were going to play. When Paul McCartney started singing and playing “When I’m 64”, what do the boys do…they hook up the karaoke machine and started to sing along. They love the song “When I’m 64”. When I see them smiling, singing and dancing, that is what I want home to be about. Like the sign says, “Home is the nicest word there is”.
If you are looking for beautiful decor, check out Pam at Little Red Porch: