With the holidays looming upon us, I am rearranging furniture all over the house..........taking muted tones of fabric and making hearts and having so much fun adorning them.............adding rugs for warmth..............
but sometimes it takes getting out into the garden, and tearing out all the dead plants into the compost pile to spark that drive to actually do something.........
it had been terribly cold and rainy here for the first half of autumn......but now.....it's warm and not keeping my hands as idle as they were..........and idle hands aren't good.......for anyone around here..........
Grays.......whites............off-whites...........my heart and soul rests within those colors.......and my Potager is very much centered around that idea..............and that is where I receive the most pleasure...........
but..............
i live on a farm.......and my Na-Da Farm style encompasses every part of this area within me and my home..............from the red barns, to the browns of the prairie.......to the never-ending blue skies above..............
I do not have the luxury to turn my home into all those serene colors...............not the whole home that is........after all.............I have 5 children.............
that last one is huge to me.......the 5 children............they bring so much liveliness to my life........
not always peaceful.......but always colorful.............
and even though I run them to football.......church events............friends houses............dance practice........our home is kissed by color through my children's vibrancy..........
I realized that last night, when I was setting our 'winter rug' in the living room......and as soon as the room was cleared and the rug was put down.........the sparks, laughter, and color was bouncing everywhere...........interestingly enough, I can still hear their laughter and see their vibrancy with black and white photos..............
these children are my focus..........my life...............and I love it...........
it delights me to tears..............
some could argue this is what happens with a home without a tv.........if so.....then thank God....
So......How to find a home within your home?...........for me, it was being kissed by my children's vibrancy within their lively spirits...........
after all.......inspiration comes from both nature and people.........
~have a fantastic weekend~
Children certainly do add so much to life, don't they? What a nice post!
ReplyDeleteAnne Marie, you are so inspiring. This post makes me smile. I can also hear the laughter of happy blessed children. You have chosen the best of life.
ReplyDelete...what a blessing...5 children, a colorful atmosphere...love....what more do you need....love your blog...Gypsy xx
ReplyDeleteHi Anne Marie.
ReplyDeleteI meant to comment on your original post about your ponderings on redesigning your living space with more serene colors, but time and the needs of little ones prevented me from returning.
So when I saw today's post, I just had to take a moment to share with you my thoughts.
I think that you found the perfect compromise; the serenity of whites in the Potager and the vibrancy of color inside your home.
I, too, love visiting blogs and websites that show beautiful rooms and vignettes dressed in shades of white, but when I look around my own home, I most happy when surrounded by the warmth of color.
As a life-long Midwesterner, I have grown to love the colors of the prairie and Great Lakes. I spent every summer in Michigan and have lived in Ohio, Missouri, and Kansas (my husband was born and raised in Iowa). I feel like my home represents all that is good and beautiful about the heartland of America and the Great Lake states as well as all that is good about raising two beautiful, miraculous gifts from God.
Perhaps, when your children are grown, when the nest is empty except for the occasional squawking of grandchildren, you can change over your color palate to reflect your inner beauty and love of serenity.
Many blessings to you from Kansas,
Val
P.S. My Benjamin couldn't figure out where the sounds of birdies were coming from!!! He loves the sounds of nature.
Anne Marie,
ReplyDeleteI can feel the fun just by looking at your children.
(from my last email)
Now, just pretend that these images were of another family that you photographed. Imagine how delighted the parents, grandparents would be to receive them.
Go girl, get out there and start!!!
You already have a huge portfolio.
xxxx Coty
They are so darling! Reminiscent of the Von Trapp Family children, I think!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Anne
Definitely all about the kids here, too. Their noise, busyness, artwork and activities.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely home you have created, and I'm talking about your family. Everyone looks so happy!
ReplyDelete"Not always peaceful, but always colorful." Love it! That could be my life theme.
ReplyDeleteI love how you grasp the most important thoughts and illuminate their significance.
A beautiful post Ann-Marie, xv.
ReplyDelete