Thursday, February 11, 2016

A Happy Home

Your home should be a place where you feel cozy and happy. When you look around you should see people and things that make you smile. 

I admit freely that I am a huge homebody. There's really no place I'd rather be than in my cozy home, or wandering around my property in my country gardens. 

Perhaps it's because I don't have enough time to spend there....we have many social commitments that keep me away as well as that dreaded 4 letter word....WORK. 

I suppose its the quality of the time I spend in my home that's most important, not the quantity of time. 

As I drank my morning coffee I looked around from my perch on the chair closest to the fire and smiled at the place I am so blessed to call home. 

And I did what I am so often compelled to do these days....I grabbed the camera and started capturing the simple beauty I'm surrounded with, so I could share with all of you, my dear readers. 


I was first drawn to the side dining room window. I have been checking the Fiddleleaf  Fig daily to see if there are any signs of new growth since I moved it to this new location. It's certainly happy! I see a new leaf has emerged, which is a great sign. 


While I was there I watched the woodpecker on the suet....for once, she didn't fly away as soon as I went near the window with  my camera. 

Can you see the giant icicle that's also on the suet? It's not stopping the birds from enjoying their little treat, thankfully. 


The sun was lovely streaming through the dining room windows this morning. I truly love this little dining room, it's just such a warm and welcoming space.  


Taking a peek out the other dining room window I spotted this little red squirrel making his way to the flat feeder. 

I caught him mid jump - he's like a flying squirrel!


He made it safely and happily sat on the feeder stuffing his little cheeks with peanuts and seeds. 

I throw a pile of peanuts in the shell onto that feeder every morning along with a cup of mixed seeds. The flat feeder is also a handy spot to put any leftover popcorn or stale bread - the critters eat it all. 


This little guy made his way home with me when I went off the mountain the other night. It's a Money Tree or Guiana Chestnut. Wouldn't it be great if it really grew money? I love the form of this little tree, and the braided trunk. I've never had one of these so it will be interesting to see if it will do well in my home. 


For now, I have him on the bookcase in the living room, but I'm not sure he will stay there. All I know is, he insisted on coming home with me. I kept putting him back on the shelf and he kept jumping back into my cart when my head was turned. I had no choice but to bring him home - what else could I do?


This little Poinsettia is quite happy on the kitchen counter. I don't think I've ever had a Poinsettia that lasted so well after Christmas. I have two others that are still alive in the guest room but are dropping leaves like crazy. Not this one!


Just look at that Pothos trailing down the side of my china hutch - wow! I think he loves the sunshine in the dining room almost as much as I do! 


This Pothos has been in this little rooster pot for years. Probably ten years or so. And it has never been happy....until now! It loves this spot in my kitchen on top of my mail organizer. It gets lots of sun from the skylight in the kitchen and it is just thriving!


The same with this plant - I have had it for eons. I always thought it hated me! I believe this is known as an "Arrowhead Plant" from my research online. I don't even remember where I got it but I have had it in so many locations and it always survived but never flourished. Until now. 

It seems that the houseplants and critters are all quite happy in and around my little home. 

Me, too. Out of the many places I've lived, this home is by far my favorite. 

Which is just as well since I'm never leaving. 

I'm home to stay. 


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Sharing at:

Thoughts of Home


52 comments:

  1. Your plants look amazing and the dining room really does look so pretty and inviting.

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    1. Is it obvious I was a child of the 70's, Marty? I fill every home with houseplants!

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  2. I love the light in your home and how all your houseplants are so happy and thriving! I know that my poor houseplants need more light but sadly my cat likes to snack on them so they have to be up where he does not venture (at least yet). I also think it is so sweet of you to feed the wild critters outside, I'm sure they love you for it! Have a great day and be blessed!

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    1. The poor little critters outside are going to need every bit of help I can give them for the next few days - our temps are now predicted to go as low as -18F on Saturday night. Poor little critters - how on earth do they survive that?

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  3. I too am a homebody. There is no place I'd rather be than home. I dream of getting back home before we leave on vacation!! Your home is lovely, so enhanced by your thriving green plants!

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    1. Ha! I'm the same as you!! When I'm leaving for vacation I make sure everything is spic and span for my return, with clean sheets on the bed, all garbage cans emptied and relined, everything shining and sparkling....no better homecoming!!

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  4. It really is the simple things that mean the most. One of the best compliments I ever received was from a dear friends mother who stopped by this past Christmas to see our ginormous tree. She said, "Lauren, you really have a happy home."

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    1. Well, not only did I have a great time browsing around your site, Lauren, but I have added your blog to my blogroll so I can keep up with your posts! Thanks for visiting me!

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  5. I think if you're happy, your plants are happy. A sort of karmic wonder. I too am a homebody, as you know. And really, I can say the same thing. This home is my favorite, although I've had bigger and grander homes in the past. This place suits me. I too notice each new leaf!
    Brenda

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    1. Your home is beyond cozy and wonderful, Brenda, and it's obvious you are very happy there with your little pupsters!

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  6. Your pictures are so good. I like seeing squirrels and birds. Your plants are happy there. I also think your dining room is wonderful...nice windows to see out and enjoy nature. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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    1. I love watching the wildlife outside my windows, Susie. Even though the critters make a mess on the deck with their shells and such, it's worth it to be able to see them at the feeders. It's not that difficult to blow off the deck every now and again!

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  7. Such a pretty, happy place--I can see why you would want to just stay home. Morning is my favorite time to look around my home and soak it all in. Maybe the fact that I have to leave to go to work makes me appreciate it more...Ha! We just need to figure out how to win that lottery! :-)

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    1. Mine, too, Mimi - the time when I have to just spend 5 more minutes with my coffee before my morning shower....5 more minutes enjoying my home. And then I'm always rushing out the door to work! I guess I should maybe check those lottery tickets in my purse? :)

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  8. I recently found your blog and it's one of my favorites! I so love all the recipes and it so refreshing to see color. Everyone is going "bland" and being an art major I love all your colors, inside and out. You have me hooked on the Thyme's collection, they smell heavenly! Looking forward to the months ahead! Patti

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    1. Awwww, thanks, Patti - that means so much to me! I absolutely love 'meeting' new blog friends and I'm so happy your found my little mountain top world! Sorry about getting you addicted to the Thyme's collection....I do tend to love really nice home products! I just think they make every day chores so much more enjoyable! And color? I can't be without it. I do tend to scale back a wee bit every now and again to give my eyes a rest but the color always comes back out soon enough....I can't live with all neutrals, it wouldn't work for me at all!

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  9. So fun to see wild life up close this time of year. Thank you for sharing it on SYC! Jo

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    1. They are chattering and enjoying the feeders outside my window right now on this frosty morning!

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  10. I can't believe you caught that squirrel mid jump! How neat. :)

    Counting your blessings while having a cup of coffee is one of my favorite things to do. It's good for your heart and soul.

    Thank you for linking with Thoughts of Home on Thursday. Thanks also for always being so sweet and friendly. Glad to have you as a blogging buddy.

    Stacey

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    1. Same here, Stacey, and I wish you much luck on your new link up!! xo

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  11. I love all your houseplants, Debbie! You do have a green thumb. We haven't had real plants in years because of us wintering in FL, but now that we're not doing that, maybe we'll start buying more. I still have our poinsettia on our kitchen counter, also. And I love sitting with my coffee and watching the birds on our two feeders. There's truly no place like home!

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    1. There you go!! Start small, buy a couple of plants, and before you know it? Boom!! You'll be addicted like me!! I've always had houseplants, though, ever since my very first apartment when I was only 19....I remember buying a plant at the local hardware store that was on its last legs in the clearance aisle and nursing it for ages....that one eventually died but I got the plant bug and never looked back!

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  12. You have such a lovely home, Debbie...and obviously a green thumb, too! You houseplants really are beautiful and do so well there. How wonderful you are so happy there, too!

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    1. The only thing that could make me happier would be to hit Lotto, Linda!! :)

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  13. Your home is lovely, and so inviting. I love the plants everywhere - must mean you've got good light. I love a light-filled home.

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    1. Me, too, Leigh! The home I rented before I bought this one was so dark downstairs....that's the tradeoff for having a covered front porch, I guess - it means less sunshine coming into the lower level. My plants struggled there....the ones upstairs were happy, downstairs were not. I think that's one of the things I loved so much about this home - all the light that streams in - it just makes mornings so much more wonderful!

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  14. Your home is lovely and all your plants make it very welcoming.

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    1. Thank you, Magali - it's not a lovely cottage on the sea in Brittany but it is my little mountain top chalet and I love it dearly!! :)

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  15. I'm a giant homebody, too! You have made a lovely place for yourself and your family and you should enjoy it every chance you get! :)

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  16. You and I are more alike the more we get to know each other! I am SUCH a homebody (I drag my feet if I have to leave our cozy home), and I LOVE plants! Sadly, I did not have any room in our new little cozy home for most of my houseplants. I kept them out on our back porch, and hoped they would survive, but sadly, they didn't. However, I still have a few in my office and will probably get more this spring. I had both the Pothos and Arrow plant that you mentioned (although I didn't know their official names, I just called them ivy's, lol!) I love them. They are so prolific with good light and a bit of moisture. I agree that there is no better place to be than at home!!!!

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    1. Without a doubt! I was so lucky to be able to take today off and putter around....but that's only because I'm working the entire weekend so that just stinks!! I'm going to be dragging my feet getting out of the house Sat and Sun mornings....especially with this bitter cold weather coming in!

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  17. HI Debbie! Oh, I can see why you would want to spend more time at home - it's just so charming and cozy! Love all of your light and the way you've decorated too. It's exciting to see all of your 'real' plants. I have one little ivy but need to get some more. You've inspired me! :)
    Thanks for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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    1. Wonderful - I'm glad to inspire you, Shelia!! I just spent some time downstairs puttering around with the plants in the lower level...they aren't quite as happy as they don't get the same light or care but perhaps now that they've been trimmed, watered, and moved around they will do better. If only my daughters would take an interest in them and look after them since they live down there!!

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  18. I am a homebody too. Your home looks so lovely and the plants remind me of my Moms home. She had a green thumb and could grow anything anywhere. Not me though.

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    1. My mom had one plant that I remember, a pothos in the bathroom window - and it was HAPPY!! I don't know where I get this love of houseplants from but it's been going on forever!

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  19. Simple beauty is truly the best. I can't believe you caught that squirrel mid air!


    Thank you so very much for joining Thoughts of Home on Thursday. Your presence really helped to make it very special. I hope you will return again and again.

    Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Valentine's Day!

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  20. You have a green thumb!!! Each plant was prettier than the last! My husband is the house plant whisperer at our house. He waters and pampers. I just try to stay out of the way.;-)
    Those squirrels are the funniest little things to watch. They really keep me entertained. I see you have some squirrels rascals in your yard too!

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    1. I love watching all my little critters and I feel so bad for them on these frigid days! I do what I can to keep them fed, poor things!

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  21. I'm a homebody, too. And, like you, I love houseplants. Pothos is one of my faves. It always looks so pretty trailing down the side of a bookcase or cabinet. I also have that arrowhead plant - or whatever it is! Thank you for sharing these lovely, sunny pictures of your beautiful home. I can see why you get so much pleasure from nesting there!

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    1. The sunshine is streaming in through the windows this morning, Melanie, while the thermometer on the deck reads....get this.....NEGATIVE 20 F - isn't that insane? I don't think I've ever experienced that before! I feel like I'm living in Alaska!!

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  22. You have a lovely home! I, too, love my home and making my home. I've begun to add plants into my home and they make me happy.

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    1. Thanks, Deanna - and thanks for visiting my little mountain top home!!

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  23. Very cozy! I am a homebody as well. :)

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    1. Thanks for visiting me, Holly - I love meeting new blogland friends!

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  24. Beautiful captures of your lovely home. I am like you - being at home is my favorite!

    Thanks for Sharing Your Cup!

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  25. I agree, there is no place like home! I love to travel, but boy after a week; I miss my home and gardens. It's my happy place. Easy to see that your plants are happy in your home; as well as the cute critters! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. I remember being away for 5 weeks once and boy, I could not WAIT to get back into my little home! At that time I was in a little NYC apartment and I must have stayed up all night the evening I came back, puttering, doing laundry, just being happy!

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  26. You definitely have a green thumb with houseplants and such wonderful light for them to flourish in. :-)

    If you didn't know, we now have a group board for pinning one photo from each person that joins us at Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop. We would love to have you follow and enjoy the pins too. Here is the direct link: https://www.pinterest.com/reinventedco/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-link-party/

    Thank you for sharing with us at Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop

    Olivia- Co-hostess
    Reinvented Collection

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    1. I do well with a lot of houseplants but there are some that just hate me - ivy being one, ferns the other, for sure. Oh well!

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