March 02nd, 2021

Way back in 1970, Graham Nash wrote a sweet song for Joni Mitchell.  It was called, "Our House".  It's how I feel out, well our house. It may not be everyone's cuppa tea, but I really do love our home.  Recently, while I've been just doing my usual daily things, I have been noticing specific things that reminds me just how much I love it and why.

We have all spent so much time in our homes over the past year, more than usual.  And since we have recently passed the one year mark of this whole pandemic thing, I suppose hearth and home has been on my mind lately.  I suppose usually I just take my home surrounding for granted.  But lately, it's been very much on my mind.

To start with, our house is hard to see from the road. We have a semi-circle driveway which is awesome for driving in and out, and the middle part of the semi-circle is filled with trees and shrubs (some of which bloom and smell amazing) and the house was, at some point, painted a light green. All of these things make the house nearly invisible.  We kind of like that.

One of the things you might notice as you approach the house is the courtyard which  I really love.  Not sure why, but I've always been a fan of front porches and really a courtyard is a just a big front porch.   It really does feel like another room. An outside room to be sure, but  it is definitely another living space for the house.  

There are actually two courtyard entrances, one is the open entrance that everyone uses. The other is an adorable little wooden gate that nobody ever uses but me.  There is a comfy place to sit and read and have a cold drink or conversation.  My potted garden has taken up most of the table. Sorry about that. 

We recently bought the flowers in the pot by the front door.  The cashier remarked that it was the most unique flower selection she had ever seen.  I think that was a polite way of telling me that the colours didn't "go" well together.  I don't care a bit. I like 'em.

Once you step inside the front door, you are unexpectedly in a front hall of sorts and I really love that.  Most older homes here do not have any sort of foyer.  I suppose since the weather is almost always pleasant, there is no need to protect the rest of the house from cold. But I prefer that little transitional space between the outside and the inside as opposed to walking smack into the living room.  Just a personal preference.  And bonus points,  in late afternoon the sun comes in the front of the house and makes rainbows in the front hall. Love that.

The "wall" between the door and the kitchen, which is the only thing that makes it an actual entry way, has this decorative metal work. I wasn't sure how I felt about it when we first moved in, but once we painted it white, I decided that I loved it and obviously therefore, it has stayed.  I also love that, as small as our little house is, we were able to have a little "landing zone".  A table with drawer for things like sunglasses and a shelf for hats.  There was room for an umbrella stand (which turns out to be very useful in the rainy season) and the mirror that the Minocks gave us which was the first thing we hung in the house.  And I really love the artwork that Tim hung in the front hall which makes it sort of a gallery wall.

I know that you already know how much I love our kitchen.  From the big windows by the table to the massive counter tops, the glass front cabinets and of course my pantry.  I know you have heard me rhapsodize about my pantry ad nauseum so I won't beleaguer it.  Just suffice to say that I still adore it.  Not everyone appreciates a galley kitchen but, while it may not be the only good way to set up a kitchen, it works just fine for me. 

I love the window over the sink with the view of the courtyard, the big deep farmhouse sink and the door at the end that allowed yet more light into the room.   The kitchen is my happy place for sure.

Just on the other side of the kitchen counter is the living room with a comfy red leather sofa, the even more comfortable barrel chairs and the massive coffee table with plenty of room to put your feet up if you so wish.  The big black display cabinet was one of the few pieces of furniture that we brought with us from Colorado. It's probably technically too big for the room, but we don't care.  

I especially adore the bookcases that flank the opening to the family room.  The go from floor to ceiling and I have used every inch of space in them. Books are one of the coziest things you can have in a room as long as there is also a perfect chair to sit and read those books.  

Anyway, those are just a few of the things that I am madly in love with about our house.  Just being in my house is a pleasure. When we are away, even for a short time, and we come home as soon as we step into the courtyard, it's like a hug.  Home is such a small word for such a big feeling.

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