Snow Day

For the past few years, I have come to really hate snow and winter weather. It is scary to drive in, makes getting to work a pain and is dangerous to walk in... BUT... because this year I am working from home, I have to admit I am learning to like snow again! Especially when it is enough to get Kevin's office closed for two days. It was so nice to have him at home. Also really nice to watch the pretty snow fall, see Cocoa hop around in it, bake cookies and enjoy being warm inside. So I guess that's my thing: If I can just stay inside and watch the snow, I can really enjoy it! I still do feel for people who have to drive (especially people this week who got stranded, got in accidents, etc.)

Here are some highlights from the 2011 Snowstorm






It is strange and exciting to think that a year from now, God-willing, we will have a 6-month-old at home with us. It makes me really glad I am due in summer - sure the heat will be miserable, but how scary would it be to go into labor with terrible roads and snow... and have family driving in this to come visit (or not able to come at all). I'll take the heat any day!

As I like to do, will end with a simple quote about family.
"Then come the wild weather, come sleet or come snow, we will stand by each other, however it blow."
(Simon Dach)

Home

Probably for as long as people have been writing songs, and especially as musicians have been going on tour, leaving behind family and friends, they have been writing about home. Over the years, different songs about home have connected on different levels with me.

As I graduated high school, OAR was very popular and their song “Home” reminded me of leaving behind close friends as we went to college, but knowing we could always come home and reconnect.
I feel home,
when I see the faces that remember my own
I feel home,
when I'm chillin outside with the people I know.
I feel home,
and that's just what I feel.
because home to me is reality

During college, as I actually got much closer with my parents and was constantly homesick, I remember listening to the live version of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Homeward Bound” on my way back to Columbia. It always gave me comfort, especially knowing there was about an 80 percent chance I would be homeward bound in just a few days.
Like emptiness in harmony I need someone to comfort me.
Homeward bound,
I wish I was,
Homeward bound

The summer I moved back in with my parents after graduating college, Michael Buble’s song “Home” was popular. It was a perfect summer song, and one of the American Idol contestants that mom and I liked, Elliot Yamin, even performed it live on the show. It is cheesy, but the song reminded me that no matter how exciting people’s lives seem, there is often nothing better than being at home.
Another summer day
Has come and gone away
In Paris and Rome
But I wanna go home

Last summer, as I was facing some challenges, I fell in love with the movie Away We Go and really enjoyed the soundtrack, featuring many songs from Alexi Murdoch. The song “Orange Sky” is really beautiful (actually also in another great movie, Garden State) and just reminds me of family and the idea that the ones we love are our “home.” It made me appreciate my family so much, especially Kevin, during that time in my life.
When I am alone
When I've thrown off the weight of this crazy stone
When I've lost all care for the things I own
That's when I miss you, that's when I miss you, that's when I miss you
You who are my home
You who are my home

Finally, my latest obsession with a song about home is “Home” from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. What a powerful, beautiful, uplifting song!! And I know it is cheesy again but I love the idea that this song emphasizes that home is not a place. It is a state of being, with the people we love.
Ahh Home. Let me go home.
Home is wherever I'm with you.
Ahh Home. Let me go ho-oh-ome.
Home is where I'm alone with you...


My home:

DIY: Pottery Barn inspired outdoor decor

This is the first full summer that we have a grill at our apartment, and it has been so nice! There is really nothing better than sitting outside, enjoying a meal, people-watching and breathing in the fresh air.

A couple of weeks ago Kevin, Maggie and me were sitting outside. It was getting dark and a storm was rolling in. We just sat outside and watched... and eventually brought a couple of candles from indoors. When I saw these hanging mason jars in Pottery Barn I knew I wanted something similar so we could have some light for our nights outside.




I bought jars and candles from Hobby Lobby. I already had the river rocks, and thought they were probably more appropriate since we live much closer to a river than anywhere with sand! All together, much more affordable than Pottery Barn and actually a lot larger.

Can't wait for another stormy night to sit outside!

Growth

I really do believe that with all life experiences, we grow in some way - positive or negative. I hope with all my family has been through that we grow stronger, more accepting, more appreciative of every day.

In an attempt to grow not only emotionally... but also to grow my life skills, I am trying so hard to literally grow more life around our apartment. Nature has a way of calming, reminding us that life does go on. Yes, I am sad I didn't learn everything my mom knew about growing things - but I will try to borrow from her passion and love and slowly and patiently learn.

Making a house a home

One of the things I admired most about my mom was her ability to (at the risk of sounding cliché) "make a house a home." People always felt welcome. Her home was, and is still, beautiful, well-thought out and organized... but what I love most is that it feels "lived-in" and her own. She drew inspiration from Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, etc... but I honestly don't think she ever bought items from these places. Her home is uniquely her (our) own, filled with personal, welcoming touches from my sibling's art (too bad I didn't get that gene)... to her own creations (see one featured below)... to unique finds from etsy, Craig's list, etc. I am slowly trying to work to make my home (OK apt for now) feel at welcoming as hers. Here are a few of my latest additions.


nest pillow embroidered by mom, inspired by Pottery Barn.



Hyacinth, last flower mom planted, in dragonfly container from Michael's.



dragonfly windchime, purchased at Botanical Gardens when we went last week to celebrate mom's birthday

pretty spring flowers!