It’s time to put away winter decorations. Goodbye Mardi Gras. Goodbye Valentine.
It has taken me a while to get over my fear of creating a home.
Home is a motif that has reverberated throughout my life. I have lost “home” more than once. The fear of losing it again is a hard thing to overcome. I wandered the globe for a few years in order to avoid attachments to people and places and things.
But we’ve been on this little bayou for over a year now. I feel roots growing. I bought a new sewing machine last week. It’s time to jump into home again. I’m excited.
I’ve made the living room more spring-like with these touches of green. 
In the dining room, I’ve stored away the cut glass of winter and taken out my Old Leeds Spray china – very springlike. (And there’s a story behind that, but it will have to wait for another day.)
I’ve also unpacked my French Quarter house canisters. This set is one of the few things from my wedding shower that Katrina didn’t clobber. They were a gift from my mom.
As I look upon these feminine touches of home, strangely, I’m not nervous anymore. My mind knows that things come and things go. My heart tells me that I had a home even when I didn’t have a house and junk to fill it.
Welcome, Spring.
So wonderful, and how beautiful… I can relate to your writing here entirely. As a former Army brat, that preconceived notion of “home” was always elusive. But one finds it regardless. 🙂
True words. FeyGirl. I wish I listened more carefully to what the universe tells me. I’m hardheaded. ❤
Dearest Stacy,
It is hard for regaining that trust that you will be able to stay put in a peaceful and safe place.
When we got robbed in Indonesia, that was a very sad experience. The entire bungalow ransacked, and everything taken… except our books and slides. We just arrived ‘home’ from our job in India, and there was no home anymore. The bedlinens, down duvet and pillows, all got stolen… So I know your feeling in a way, it sticks to your unconscious for quite a while and you are very reluctant.
But you do have a lovely home now that you can once again call your ‘nest’ a place with warmth and personal touches. So glad you still got you Mom’s French Quarter house canisters, giving at your wedding day.
Enjoy the spring time and feel relaxed.
Hugs,
Mariette
Unfortunately, I understand that kind of loss, too, Mariette. Our home was burgled when we were newlyweds – and that was extremely unsettling. To think that your sanctuary can be stolen from you.
I will enjoy this year if it kills me! Haha ❤
Dear Friend, I totally understand the feelings expressed. I like to think in “turtle” terms… we carry our “homes” with us wherever we go. I didn’t experience Katrina’s wrath, but I have certainly experienced a number of home based challenges. Sometimes home is a cup of coffee that reminds us of times we sat and held space with special friends, and sometimes it is in a special flower that is planted in our space. Always, home is a feeling that we allow to surround and nourish us. I look forward to sharing space with you again in whatever shell you inhabit!
I know you understand, Claire, and the thing is – the loss of home during Katrina was not the worst of losing “home.” It goes back even further than that.
Looking forward to that cup of French vanilla with you. It’s been too long. ❤
What a lovely home you have, too. Love those embroidered mantel cloths, and that wood burner!!! I swoon when I see one like that. I’ve never been one to change decor with the seasons but it sure does freshen up your surroundings, doesn’t it?
Yes, Sue – “freshen up” is a good way to describe it. I have the tendency to stick to brown (my favorite color), so to give the eye something different, I swap colors with the seasons – though I do stick to neutrals in winter (my favorite season). ❤
I love your thoughts on home and all of your pretty spring touches, Stacy! Your mantel is gorgeous on that stone fireplace and your dishes and sweet canisters are wonderful. I love your ‘Home Sweet Home’ framed needlework, too! I have never lost my home in a disaster, and I can’t even imagine the emotions connected to that. I am glad that you are healing and can finally start to relax into the joy of ‘home’. There are so many lovely little sayings about ‘home’ that are so true, but I think the one that says it best is, ‘Home is where your heart is’. I am glad that you found your heart once again. xo Karen
Thank you for your kind words, Karen. You always have the right words to say (write). ❤
Beautiful! And glad that your house is becoming home.
It’s cliche, but for me, home is where my wife is.
No, it’s not cliche, Guap. It’s wisdom. I’m just slow to figure out that home has been right by my side for three decades. ❤