A Haven for Vee

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Loving the Home you Have

Do you remember the first comment you ever received on your blog? I sure 
do. (Not yours, mine! ☺) Melissa @ The Inspired Room was the first to comment here. (Others appear to have commented on posts ahead of her because those comments came in on older posts long after those posts were written.)
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Now it is true that I had been stalking her blog for some time. (That's before I knew that it isn't cool to comment on every single post.) In fact, it was *The Inspired Room* that inspired me to begin blogging myself. As I recall, I had foogled boys' bedroom decor and Melissa had written a post on that very thing. Shortly thereafter, I left my former online site because some at that site began to complain about my "blog-like" posts. Ha!  That's all water under the bridge and is neither here nor there.


Where was I? Oh, yes, Melissa! Truth is that she's  endured my comments through the years, including the ones where I simply didn't understand her problem with the wall color in her new home. It looked just fine to me! =D I also remember my begging her to tell people to get their wall art displayed lower on their walls. It remains one of my pet peeves to this day: some folks hang a painting way too high. However, rules are not what Melissa offers — either on her blog or in her new book — what she offers are lots of tips and ideas.


Recently, I heard from Melissa's publisher offering a free copy of her first book Love the Home you Have. It was a gift with no strings attached. Well the book arrived last week and I have been reading and laughing and learning. Those many thought-provoking questions that she asks really do provide direction. She also is honest to share her own journey, which I appreciated. (She sounds like you and me.) The book ends with a 31-Day Love Your Home Challenge. I adore specifics.


Oh sure, you might find many of these topics covered elsewhere (right at The Inspired Room for starters), still Melissa has done a masterful job of gathering these concepts in a readable, concise, highly enjoyable way. Love the art work! Two thumbs up!
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So while I may not always "love" the home I have, I am grateful for the home I have and I love that my husband was the one who built much of it and who lovingly tends to it shoveling roofs and drives and whatever else needs doing. I enjoy puttering about my home and I am working on having a "purpose" in mind. Melissa's is very clearly given. I'd steal it, but it's taken.  I know this, at the end of a long day, John often sinks into his chair with an "it's good to be home." 
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All the following photos are in response to something I read in Melissa's book. One thing is true: homes are always a work in progress.








(It is so nice having the Easter cactus blooming at Easter time...a first!) Once John asked why I keep "stuff" on the window sills. Good question! I have a good answer: Fioré the cat. I keep two windows in the room cleared for her, the rest are mine because I don't enjoy cleaning windows of kitty *not daily.
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Time to quit. I'm just wandering in circles now. Have a good day!



36 comments:

  1. I love this post, Vee!! Melissa's blog is one that I read daily, for many of the same reasons that you have mentioned. It is full of inspiration (well, duh...it is "The Inspired Room"!), and yet it is down to earth and honest and "I can do this." How cool that she was your first commenter!

    Of course, I have always thought that your home is full of charm and warmth. Beautiful, those words of John..."It's good to be home."

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  2. I have NO doubt I would love that book and her blog. I can't wait to check it out; And how I love your home! And for all of the reasons you Cheryl mentions. And I too agree with John, there really is no place like home. Hope your having a good week!

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  3. This looks like a book I would enjoy! Thanks for the review and the early morning 'chat'! I can start my day now! Sweet hugs, Diane

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  4. Vee, I have always been charmed by your home and decorating style. Thanks for sharing about Melissa's blog and book; I'll check them out! Mildred

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  5. I love Melissa's blog and have read it for years. Your home is beautiful, warm, cozy, with lots of interesting things to look at and full of beautiful color! I love it.

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  6. I have always adored your home and the things you do to create a beautiful space. Thank you for letting us know about Melissa's book. Sounds like the perfect book to make us smile and to take another look at making our homes a place of comfort and beauty.

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  7. Melissa has a lovely blog. I will have to check out her book!

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  8. How cool! I love Melissa. My story about her and our blogging journeys involves a time I asked her in a comment how one could deal with having 70's blue tile in our bathroom...still there....driving me crazy only to have her post a photo from her former upstairs bathroom which showed that very same tile. I felt horrible thinking that maybe she thought I was dissing her bathroom, which of course, I never would do. :-) Ahhh...blogging friendships and memories.

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  9. Love the title of Melissa's book and what a fun history you have with her. I know this old house is a work in progress and I'm thankful I can sit down at the end of the day and be content in it and in it's progress.

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  10. Your home always looks like a cozy "haven"! The book sounds very interesting and I love the title. Our old farmhouse constantly needs repair and it's not perfect but it truly is Home Sweet Home. I remember the first comment on my wee blog - I was in shock because it was from Marg (from Mennonite Girls Can Cook), a blog that constantly inspires me, as does yours!

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  11. I received one of her books as well, but was in the middle of another series and have saved this one until now! I love her philosophy on our homes, and yours too. When our loved ones sigh with happiness to be HOME you have succeeded in making your home a HOME!

    Deanna

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  12. I don't remember who the first person was to comment on my blog, but I do remember how pleased I was to receive a comment! I think that I must be committing some dreadful faux pas though because I comment on most every post of the blogs that I read! How lovely that you received this book and that your friend wrote it too!! Great for you both! xx p.s. love has of course made my home, but as you say, I don't always love the house itself! xx

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    1. Oh that's something that went around back along...stalking and how to identify it...I mention it, but I am not being terribly serious. I comment A LOT myself on most of my friends posts...though every now and then, just to be safe...

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  13. Looks like a great book and I LOVE the way your home looks!

    Yes, we have to Victoria proof the house. Especially plants that are not good for her. And recently she's been into chewing plastic. We have an appointment made with Dr. Lisa!

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  14. Thanks for sharing this new book by Melissa. It looks really interesting. I would love to visit your cozy home as you have so many interesting things to look at and I'm sure there is a story behind each one. I like history in a home. I love all your vignettes even on the window sills. :) Hope the sun is shining there.

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  15. What's not to love about the home you have? It looks lovely! I like the title of her book. Perfect!

    As for my first commenter...I had no idea and had to go back and look. It was my daughter!

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  16. I wish I could change many things about my house, but it is home. Just give me a comfortable chair and some good books and I'm easily satisfied. :) I will go now and check out Melissa's blog. Her book sounds like a good one!

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  17. I too follow her blog...one of the first I started reading and now get her posts on facebook. She was the one I got inspiration from for painting my fireplace bricks white-ish. Your home is lovely, Vee...looks so cozy and warm with many cool things to look at. And yes...someone please tell those folks to move the things on their walls down a bit..one of my pet peeves too!

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  18. I can't wait to buy Melissa's book! Living in a Pinterest world can make us unhappy with the blessings we have. I love how Melissa always gets it "right".

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  19. I'm always walking 'round in circles! Love this post!! Enjoy your perspective.

    D : )

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  20. You my friend, could never 'wander in circles' when it comes to blogging. I have always said this, you have a lovely blog, lovely home and I enjoy coming here. Blessings

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  21. LOL- I LOVE it when you wander in circles-it makes me feel more normal. lol That sounds like a great book and that you are really enjoying it. xo Diana

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  22. I ordered my book a couple weeks ago and look forward to getting it! I love her blog!

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  23. Fortunately, I do love the home I have. We had it custom built just for us in 1993. It's small but easy to care for. Now I can't imagine living anywhere else. The book does sound interesting. I wish Melissa well in her endeavors. ~:)

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  24. Melissa's book sounds like one that I'd enjoy, Vee. I do love my home and being home. I'm constantly tweaking little things around here. To me, there's truly no place like home.

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  25. I love Melissa's take on home decorating - so down-to-earth and practical, with beauty an added bonus. She's one of the first bloggers I started following, too. Home is a great place to be! Yours looks cozy and delightful.

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  26. The first comment on my blog was left by my daughter.
    I love your home. It looks so warm and welcoming.
    I've lived in quite a few different homes over the years and I've loved every one. : )
    Thanks for your comment about my mom. Means a lot.

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  27. You made me curious to see who left the first comment on my blog- I had to go back and check. Of course it was the friend who helped me get started in blogging. She helped me with the set-up, and "held my hand" for a while till I sort of knew what I was doing.. I still go to her for techie help!
    Your home always looks warm and inviting to me. Give me "cozy and comfortable" anyday, over "straight out of a magazine"...
    I enjoy your blog so much Vee. I'm so grateful you're back.... :)

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  28. My first comment came from Heidi in Holland. I was amazed that she found me and her words of encouragement gave me the confidence to keep going. Neat to learn about your first commenter and early years of blogging.
    It sounds like I need to get over and visit Melissa's blog. The book sounds great!
    I enjoyed the glimpses of your home today. It always looks so warm and welcoming.

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  29. Hello Vee, it is do nice to meet you! I came here through my dear daughter, Stephanie. She did a guest post for me just over a week ago and you were so precious to visit, leave a comment and pray for my dad and his health. I cannot tell you how thankful I am for your care and prayers.
    I am just now visiting you dear ladies who have been kind enough to visit with encouraging words.

    You have a lovely place here and I look forward to visiting more often.
    This was a terrific post and I must look into your friends blog and book, sounds wonderful.
    Your home looks very warm and inviting,I can see why when your husband arrives home he is blessed.

    Have a beautiful blessed day.
    Joy! Debbie

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  30. Yes, so thankful for my home. Often I thank God for the blessing of having a home in a world where so many do not, and ask for His help in taking care of it as I should, and making it a refuge from the world.

    Funny story about my very first comment. My daughter started blogging ten years ago and got me intrigued by the concept too. I knew I'd started blogging a few months after she did, so when she posted a ten-year anniversary post recently, I had to go back and look at my first post. Turns out it was in August 2005, and my daughter had commented on it. But here's the funny part: I never replied to her comment! (I've done so now, however!)

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  31. That is so cool that Melissa has a published book on her decorating inspiration and so well deserved! Decorating is always a dilemma for me as I'm pretty much the type that does it once and makes it last for a long time. When we moved to Colorado I sold some of of my Brooklyn furniture on Craigslist and donated the rest to Hurricane Sandy victims. I purchased much of what we have here now from the woman selling the house. It was just easier. It is not all my style but since I have small grandchildren that visit a lot I like that I don't have to worry about them ruining something expensive.
    I'd have to go back and look at my first post to see who commented first --it seems so long ago!

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  32. I will have to check out her blog!
    I LOVED seeing photos of YOUR home!
    My FIRST comment was from my daughter! "MOM!!! You did not tell me you had started a blog!!! I think that is so cool and look forward to reading it often. I love you!!!"
    My SECOND comment was from my husband! "It is an honor to accompany you on our journey through a lifetime of Sundays!!!"
    AND my very FIRST comment on my very FIRST post was YOURS!!! "Every first post needs a comment. Did you imagine yourself to be a blogger who would focus on gardening then? Or did you know that you'd be an eclectic blogger? You've come a long way, Baby! (Now I know that you would never have guessed that Amber would have quads! God is so much fun!)"
    I love you, Vee!!!

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  33. Vee, I just came over from your comment on another blog. I'm going to enjoy perusing your lovely blog and Melissa's (also new to me). I like the idea of loving the home you have.

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  34. I own this book of Melissa's -- think I probably purchased it as a result of this post. It is excellent, but I'm pretty sure I need to go back and do that 31-day challenge again (if in fact I ever completed it!). When we get back from Nevada sounds like a good time. Thanks for featuring this post. Loved it!

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