"...for we put the thought of all that we love into all that we make" ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

Monday, March 8, 2010

Home Sweet Home

Since I really wasn't able to do much of anything this past weekend (I was diagnosed with pneumonia on Friday and am supposed to rest- a LOT) I decided to make a list of spring cleaning stuff to do around the house. I went into each room. And with each room I grew more and more unhappy with my small, out-of-date house. I was really working myself into a state about it!

So I decided to take some time and think about what is good about my house. And to my suprise, I came up with a much longer list of good than I had of bad!

My house is out in the country. Yes, it's pretty far from everything, but when I look at my huge garden area, or settle down in front of my bay window to knit and watch the sheep in their pasture across the road, I am so happy that I'm not squished onto a city block somewhere, with long lists of things I can and cannot do with my own property.

My house was built in the early 1970's, and it shows. Especially in the kitchen. It's small, has outdated cabinets and what we laughingly refer to as the "kitchen jail"- a row of turned wooden pillars that help distinguish it from the family room.

But you know what? I have all the room I need, really. And everything is just a couple steps away- I don't have to walk far to get to anything I need. I've never had trouble making good meals and tasty treats in my kitchen :) And the "kitchen jail" is really just cosmetic- if we could find time we could change it quite easily!

And lastly, my house is filled with love. We have so much fun here, and with both of us working hard to be considerate and caring towards the other, lovely things happen.

I know so many people who live in big beautiful homes that are filled with stress and strife. I am so happy here in my small outdated home that's filled with love and compassion and caring!

11 comments:

  1. Jennie,
    spring clean up does not fall into "rest a LOT" category!!! Get well first, please. :)))
    It's funny, since I look out my window and see sheep across the road and have plenty of garden space as well, but also tiny almost hallway size kitchen that ends up the center of gathering when friends are around anyway. :))

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  2. Thanks for such a positive, introspective beginning to my day!
    Some people spend their lives looking for the love that you and Richard have--congrats!

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  3. Amen Jennie! As Mary Poppins says, "Enough is as good as a feast!" And it is so true. What you have, you can enjoy. So many people have so much, but work so hard and long to pay for it that they never have a chance to enjoy it. You are wise to realize that, and much happier for it! Good for you! Hope you get better soon...now go rest!

    MGM

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  4. Glad you found so many things you love about your house! Gratitude for what we have is always a good thing! :0)

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  5. Definitely get your rest!! I hope you feel better quickly!

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  6. Sounds like your home is just the right place to be. Happy days.
    Bev.

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  7. a positive way to spend a day...

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  8. I love the way you talked yourself out of feeling blue about things. Reading this post was a great way to start the day with the gray skies and rain outside. Please - do rest and get better!

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  9. Just let me know whenever you want to paint those cabinets!

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  10. Good for you! Older homes rock!

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  11. A bay window is one of my long term dreams...
    you cannot beat a house of peace and happiness.
    All the Hollywood homes ....while stunning, do not make for happy marriages.

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