as i was packing up the bookshelves in the blue room, i took a moment to arrange these blocks against the beloved blue background. they're letterpress blocks from my dad's letterpress (why didn't i learn how to operate that when i had the chance?). i think they once assembled to spell the name of some or other horse that i had, and i've carried them around the world with me more than once. they're precious and i wouldn't want to be without them, even if they are occasionally jumbled into a box and not used.
moving brings on such mixed feelings. i'm excited and looking forward to the new house and all that we're going to do it to transform it into the house we'd like it to be. i'm going to love having our own lake and a lawn big enough to play football on (not that i want to do that, but knowing that i could is a good thing). space for a horse and chickens and maybe a truffling pig or two, oh and lambs. i'm so looking forward to all of that.
but i've loved this house too and we did so much to it to make it our own and give it our character and leave our mark on it. when we moved in, it was like stepping into a 70s time warp, even the garden looked like some evergreen-covered churchyard, full of low bushes that even looked totally seventies. we leave it transformed and we will miss it.
but as i said when i posted this picture on flickr the other day, we are not our house and we are able to make a home wherever we go. because the things that make a home are all of the things, packed with memory and meaning, that we take with us. even if it is a royal pain packing them all up.
20 comments:
We were talking about that concept last night actually. A very good friend of mine is off back to the UK next week. her story is complicated and involves a crazy stalker ex-boyfriend, a whirlwind romance, marriage and deportation. It would make a GREAT book. Anyway, she is originally from South Africa and has always thought of it as home. Until she got married. Now she says that wherever her husband is is home. Throw in a few sentimental trinkets and there you have it. Be it a shack or a cute 2-bedroom cottage in the English Midlands. It was such a lovely sentiment.
London? ;=)
yes, you are taking your home with you, and all your memories. and the new place will be a place where new memories see the light too.
hope the packing goes well.
Will be thinking of you and hope the move will go easy for you and your family.
Thake-Care and do not get stressed out!!
Best
Tracy :)
I am looking forward to you moving too!
You've got such big plans it will be amazing to watch through blogosphere as they all come together!
Have fun packing... it's a chance to relive so many memories!
You aren't just moving, but closing a chapter in your life and feeling wistful is to be expected. On the other hand, it's the start of an exciting NEW chapter.
Everytime I read about your new place, I get an image of Hyacinth Bucket answering the phone and yelling to whomever is within earshot "It's my sister Violet! The one with a swimming pool and room for a pony!"
Just found your blog but I think it is awesome. I hope that the move goes well for you!
Best,
Hannah Katy
Good luck with the move. Mixed feelings are natural. Embrace the sadness of leaving that place as confirmation that it was a positive chapter in your life. Hugs.
We drag old memories from house to house and sort of adjust because we must.. Children often take moves much differently. They say they are fine but as the new weeks and months progress, watch for the signs of "missing" friends and such. Many times sadness comes up as the child remembers.
Very well said!! I'll be thinking of you as you make the move to the new house. It will be so much fun hearing about what you do to turn the new house into a home.
I'm crazy about this picture..
I love the photo! I agree, packing is a pain! Hope the move goes smoothly.
I like your thoughts on moving and making a home. I get so attached to inanimate objects, like homes and cars and trinkets. This post is a good reminder that home is where I make it.
I really like the photo. The blue is incredibly beautiful in the picture.
a lovely photo, a lovely thought...you are clearly good at making a home, you have made such a perfect one for all of us to visit regularly, here. you are not your home. but your home is you.
:) Loved this post dear one...
This is entirely true. Our current flat felt like home after a very short time, because we brought all of our meaningful things with us!
Great spirit about it! I am really looking forward to seeing what your new place has in store!
Trina
www.mommeville.com
i'm going to miss photo's of your blue room.
Photographically great shot. I'm really impressed by the addition of the little red spines on the right to add color and balance. Really really great job.
Love you attitude about packing up your home and taking it with you.
xo
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