"Home is the nicest word there is." Laura Ingalls Wilder
I'm afraid if an interior decorator were to walk in the door of our home, she (or he) would throw up her hands in dismay. It might go a little the way those HGTV makeover shows go - the ones where the computer renditions throw everything out the door, and the designer makes everything new.
And I would stand there looking at all the things that have wrapped themselves around my heart and wring my hands - because I simply can't part with any of these precious things. We pared down drastically when we moved into this new house four years ago, and although some of the corners are a bit crowded, these are the things that make it home for us. It may not be "put together" well or have a proper theme, but I can't imagine it any other way.
Dearly loved hands made most of these things - some that are no longer with us. Others have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. They lived in the homes of my childhood and followed me into adulthood.
My Dad carved these beautiful swans. They are the first thing you see when you walk into our home through the laundry room door. All of our children have them in their homes.
My husband, at my request, made this folding table. It isn't only beautiful - it's functional!
He also made this little dresser for our baby girl. She still uses it when she comes home for a visit. The rocking chair in the corner belonged to my husband's Aunt Helen. She passed away years ago, taking a little piece of his heart. I made the afghan.
This embroidered prayer hung in my room when I was a baby. Not only is it special to me - at my advanced age it has become an antique!
This is a what-not shelf. Anyone who has read the "Little House" books will be familiar with it. Pa made one for Ma Ingalls. When we read the books (We didn't discover them until we were all grown up.) my Dad made one for each of us - my Mom, my sister and me.
These two were in my parents' home until they moved into their Assisted Living apartment. They hang over the little dresser. My Mom embroidered them.
Yes - even decorative cross-stitch for the doorknob courtesy of my talented Mom.
This pair of geese grace the night table in the guest room. My Dad made those too.
That's the guest room and the laundry room. There are four more rooms to go filled with my memories and treasures.
To be continued…
Blessings,
Linda
