Zooming in
Sick with a migraine last week, I realized just how comfortable, how pleasing, how nourishing a place our home is, just as it is.
Yes, there are things we’d like to change. There are things we will change.
But we don’t need to hurry. We don’t need to do it today.
Today everything we have is all that we need, and more than enough.
We have warmth.
We have light.
We have good food.
And good books.
We have soft pillows and blankets.
We have a few pretty things.
And a few things that make us smile.
We have life.
As I wandered around our home with my camera, it was the small details that filled the frame. They always can. It’s a choice that’s always available, the one to look up close, to zoom in on all the little things that shelter us.
Wishing you eyes clear enough to see the comforts that surround you.
Would love to hear all about them.
Dec 15, 2012 @ 13:51:46
Lovely post – and timely in so many ways. I just woke up from a nice nap on my comfy couch, covered with a lap quilt that I made years ago, so toasty and warm. You made me think of my own home today and how I love it. Thank you.
Dec 16, 2012 @ 09:52:56
Thanks right back at you. I love picturing a squishy couch with a quilt tossed onto it. There is almost nothing more delicious to me than an afternoon couch nap.
Dec 15, 2012 @ 15:53:36
I feel the same. We have a small fake Christmas tree up that my kids (4, 2, and 6 months) think is awesome. A few decorations. Nice pillows just I just got at TJ Maxx for a steal. We won’t win any decorating awards, but my family and I love what we have.
Katherine recently posted..Remembering
Dec 16, 2012 @ 09:57:54
I think there is such elegant design to children. During the years when they are so physically (and time) demanding, they are so much more easily pleased with our efforts. We need them to find such easy joy because we’re so exhausted and because it fuels us through sleepless nights and all those mundane (and often icky) parenting chores. When I find myself longing for those years, I remind myself that there is purpose in our mutual discontent now. If it were too easy and pleasing, they would never leave our nest. Or it would break our hearts too much to see them go. So glad to know that you are loving all that you have.
Dec 16, 2012 @ 06:33:10
I love this post, Rita. I have been doing a lot of reflecting just the past 24 hours. With the tragedy in CT, a weird change of events at my husband’s job, news of a friend with stage 3 cancer and just other general life happenings it’s nice to focus on the real life things that are truly important.
Not that I don’t love a good Christmas craft.
Karah @ thespacebetweenblog recently posted..unexplained tragedies, unexpected life happenings and rental property to-do lists
Dec 16, 2012 @ 10:05:07
Hopped over to read your post, and…wow, you have a lot going on. I know your lists will help you through. And the occasional Christmas craft or two.
One thing I love about your blog is that it’s clear your crafts and home projects are part of a nicely balanced life–something that contribute to well-being rather than detract from it. I’m a fan of any blogger who takes time off to be with friends and family.
Dec 16, 2012 @ 07:39:47
What poetry, Rita! The beauty of small things. Happy holidays to you and your wonderful family!
Dec 16, 2012 @ 10:07:25
Thank you, Carolyn. High praise, coming from a poet such as you. I hope you have a happy holiday, too.
Dec 16, 2012 @ 11:38:26
Oh yes. My gratitude for my home, my child is ineffable. I keep looking at my beautiful child and feeling an overwhelming, truly overwhelming sense of pain and gratitude.
It is the small things…always.
Dec 18, 2012 @ 19:49:10
Hope you are feeling less pain and more gratitude. Getting there. Slowly.
Dec 16, 2012 @ 19:18:17
What a lovely post, Rita! It’s always nice to be reminded of how much we have to be thankful for.
Dec 17, 2012 @ 12:16:45
Thank you for sharing your beautiful words and photos. Reading your post has made me so grateful for my simplified Christmas decor and to stop, reflect, and be grateful for the many blessings we do have. I’d rather focus on this rather than the stress and commercialism that seems to surround us this time of year. Lovely post and reminder to us all!
Dec 18, 2012 @ 19:57:48
Thanks for your kind words, Andrea. Focusing on the small pleasures right at home has definitely reduced the stress and noise of this season for me. Cutting the cable and not watching any network TV has helped tremendously, too!
Dec 17, 2012 @ 20:37:44
Oh, my – yes. Have you been reading my thoughts?
I am just now *genuinely* getting to this point… this point where I’m realizing that our home is more than enough for us… just as it is.
Your post was a blessing. Thank you for sharing it!
Jacci recently posted..Monday 1:15pm
Dec 18, 2012 @ 19:58:50
No, I don’t think I was reading your thoughts–but now that I’ve read your blog I can see that it looks like I have! So glad to have discovered you this week.
Dec 18, 2012 @ 21:17:31
Rita, your photos are really pretty. I loved seeing snippets of your home. And, being thankful for what we have at home is always a good thing.
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Enjoy your time off and time together.
Sara Tetreault recently posted..Cleaning Products That Do Double Duty
Dec 21, 2012 @ 06:57:08
Thank you, Sara. Merry Christmas to you, too. I haven’t forgotten the bins field trip. Some calendar things are still up in the air, and nothing has felt right since last Friday. Haven’t been able to see further ahead than the day I’m in. Now that school is out, I hope the view starts to clear.
Dec 19, 2012 @ 11:44:32
I love this post. I’ve really needed some inspiration to slow down, especially so close to Christmas. So much preparation even when we’ve tried to simplify our lives! Just the hosting, traveling, and drama of visiting with family is enough to warrant a major vacation. I’ve scheduled a day just for me with an acupuncture appointment and kids at school all day. Thanks for the inspiration!
Dec 21, 2012 @ 06:57:51
I hope the day for yourself was a good one.