Thursday, August 13, 2009

home

Hello. I am back from my blog break. It turned out to be a bit longer than I expected. The old computer needed some majorly expensive repairs and it just made more sense to buy a new one. They are much more powerful now and all that. You know how it is. I paid a small fee for them to recycle the old one and I'm happy it's getting disposed of properly. I enjoyed my little break and it gave me a chance to think about blogging and how it fits into my life and once again reflect about how it's so important to remain balanced and not succumb to too much of a good thing. It was refreshing to to have that time.

All the old data was all transferred to the new computer, so I thought I'd just share some pictures from around the house that I had taken before the computer crashed. That top picture is a print I got for Ken for our anniversary along with a felted rock I made for him. The seventh anniversary is the "wool anniversary" so a felted rock was appropriate.
All these photos were taken in a quiet few moments while I was preparing dinner one night. I was in the mood to just walk around and snap candid pictures of the house. Ken was outside playing with the little boys so I had a few minutes' peace to walk around and really "see" our home. I'm actually quite pleased with it. Learning to love this house has been an exercise in growth for me. Let's just say it needed a LOT of work when I moved in. Ken had already owned the house for a number of years but was waiting for the right woman to come along to make it a home.
Over these last seven years a lot of work has been done--mostly by Ken but some we paid people to do (like put hardwood floors in the front part of the house). What you see here is still very much a work in progress but miles beyond what it was when we first got married. One thing I've learned about myself is that I'm not a home improvement gal--at all. I'd much rather spend my weekends interacting with the family, cooking, sewing and all that sort of thing.
The thing that I've come to realize more and more is that you can make a home anywhere, that it is the people that matter, and that pleasing others or or trying to "keep up with the Jones's" is truly not worth it or even where my head is at any more.
I'm way more mellow about the whole thing now and just enjoying the slow progress.

I guess it comes down to feeling more confident and finding I prefer a simpler and more heartfelt life. Anyone else finding the same?

21 comments:

MammaNatura said...

your blog is wonderful!! Whats the name of season book on the natural table...please...

Mary Beth said...

Thank you, MammaNatura! It's "Around the Year" by Elsa Beskow.

Unknown said...

Your home is beautiful - i'm always inspired by your photos, especially the children's creations. Having boys - for some silly reason - I hesitate to buy the beautiful wooden rooms & rainbows & other such toys, I have no idea why?! They love their tree blocks & their other wooden blocks are a bit old & tatty so these would certainly inspire a whole lot of new play. Thank you for showing me that.

BTW, don't you *love* 'Apples for Jam' - I can see it in your pile :)

Inoureyes said...

Making a home comes in bits a pieces and its the journey of filling it rather than keeping up with the Jones's. I love the photo of the blocks. I have just had both the fire and rainbow blocks shipped over to australia and everyone who touches them adores them. Glad you are back and hope you are enjoying you new and super computer.
Melissa

MammaNatura said...

Many thanks. I want to buy my baby

Samantha S said...

Good to see you back. I think your home is beautiful. We have been in our house about a year now and there still needs a lot of work to be done on it before it is anywhere near how I would like it to be, but of course time and financial constraints mean the process is going extremely slow. Thank you for reminding me that all that doesn't really matter and to enjoy what I have now. BTW I keep seeing all those lovely wooden toys in your posts and wondered where you get those from, they do look beautiful.

Anonymous said...

this post has so moved me to comment.
im not a home improvements gal either. we bought a fixer upper three years ago and i swear it has taken years off of my life. we had planned for it to be our forever home but now...i dont know. all the unfinished projects stresses me out like nothing else. lifes too short ya know? we plan on putting it on the market within the next year or so.

i love the shots from around your home...especially the book shelves. i love how they appear sort of disheveled, as if you grab a book off of there daily.
love it all. thanks for sharing.

Mary Beth said...

Thanks, everyone. Samantha--a lot of the recent wooden toys are from Nova Naturals (check online). The unit blocks I bought a long time ago from an ad in the back of Mothering. We love the wooden toys!

Anonymous said...

Mary Beth,
I am SO happy your back, I just happened to check today hoping you might have popped in.
Congrats on the new computer, what a treat to get a new one.
And as I have told you before on your flickr pictures, I LOVE your home pictures, they are very inspiring and so pretty! But I totally understand choosing to love where you live.
Welcome back!!!

Oona Nicholas

Little Ol' Liz said...

Mary Beth,
You've hit the nail on the head with finding a heart felt life. It's easier, don't you think?

I was raised by a woman who to this day keeps a home clean enough to make silicon chips in. I tried, really I tried to keep my home the same, but it isn't me and isn't how we live. I do find that I struggle with clutter and how easy I can turn a blind eye towards dust, but I think I'm a more "rounded" person because I have interests in things other than the latest PineSol scent, and I can scratch back or whip up a kids Science Project with what I have on hand.

One thing is true -- if people don't like my "lived-in life," they don't have to participate. It sure cuts down on unannounced visits! Welcome back BTW.

Julie said...

i so agree with you! I love your simply beautiful and heartfelt home!

Anna said...

Had to pop in to give a shout-out to Barbara Pym (in your bookshelf). I LOVE her novels!

wayfarer said...

I have done a 180 since having children. It's when i learned to sew, crochet, knit, etc. I also started caring about what went into my mouth and especially my kids mouths. I started recycling etc. I'm shocked at how careless i was pre-children/marriage.

Your simplicity is what draws me to your blog.

Alycia in Va. said...

welcome back. With regards to keeping up with the Jones's...my attitude is that in most parts of the world- - I am the Jones's and should be grateful. Any National Geographic or Christian Children's Fund episode humbles me very quickly when I feel the need to compare.

Shannon said...

Mary Beth,

I love seeing pictures of your home. You are such a great photographer.

j o n i said...

Hi Mary Beth--I think that a heartfelt life is always more important. Things never trump people and love and kindness and togetherness--these things always, always reign.

Welcome back. xoxo

vincent said...

I feel the same way, and I work on it daily. It just seems so SLOW all coming together. I get bogged down by things, then I read blogs like this and you make me feel like it will really all come together one day... Thank you so much for your great blog!

Denise C. said...

Welcome Back!
Love your blog! Love your photos! Love your home! My husband and I are contemplating purchasing a home again, (our temporary move, has turned permanent for the time being) and while we nit-pick little things....it's the PEOPLE (and pets) that make a house a home. :) Have a great weekend Mary Beth!

Jessica said...

I've said it before but your life is so intentional...it is focused on your values, your family, love and I think it is just perfect! I'm glad you are back, new computer and all!

Michelle said...

Hi there!
I just found your blog by following a comment you left at SouleMama. Happy anniversary!! We just celebrated our wool anniversary too, a couple of weeks ago:-)

What a beautiful space you have here. Just wanted to introduce myself and say that I look forward to following your adventures!!

Cheers!
~Michelle

C said...

"A simpler and more heartfelt life." Exactly.