A Barefoot Contessa cookbook is sitting on the tray on our ottoman in the living room and I have been poring over it, drooling at the glossy photos of divine concoctions, all weekend long. I don’t know what it is, but Ina Garten is some sort of inspiration to me. The wind beneath my wings, if you will. OK, maybe that’s a little dramatic, but allow me to explain.
In her cookbook she writes about the things she does to make her house feel like "home". She says it took her 38 years of trial and error to find what works for her and her husband and how she’s finally pinned down a style and rhythm for life that makes her comfortable and peaceful in her home.
Steve and I are blessed to live on the most beautiful lot (in my humble opinion) in all of Summerland. We have an unobstructed view of the placid lake, the golden hills of Naramata across the watery divide, and hundreds of rows of apple trees lining the hills of the land. Really, there is nothing I would change about our view and I am thankful for it everyday when I look out my window. Our house is about 40 years old and was built during an era where less was theoretically more. While stable, it is basically a box, and is lacking in the character department. There are so many things I would love to do to make this house more of a home but these things require either time or money, neither of which we have in excess. I still haven’t hung any curtains in the kitchen or bathrooms, I haven’t bothered to strip the 1970s metallic wallpaper from the bathroom, or repaint the lavender (sad, but true) porcelain of the toilet and tub and sink downstairs.
I don’t really know where I’m going with all of this…basically I don’t feel like my home is everything I want it to be, and I wonder how much I am able to change it now and what will have to wait, you know? And also, I know it’s possible to create a beautiful and simple home on a limited budget. I am OK with never having a dream kitchen with granite counter tops or a fridge like Adele’s or a walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom added onto our master bedroom. There are more important things in life, and those are the things I want to hold as my priority. I don’t want to be dissatisfied, but I do feel the pull to keep up with Joneses as many of our friends are building their dream homes and renovating to their hearts’ content.
In the flurry of my pregnancy nesting urge I sewed curtains for Avelyn’s nursery. They turned out HIDEOUSLY. But I hung them up anyways. They are too short, the stitching is all buckled (tension, shmension) and I didn’t know you were supposed to iron the material prior to sewing so the wrinkled, pathetic panels are the eyesore of an otherwise cute baby bedroom. That experience didn’t exactly give me the confidence to tackle the window treatments needed for the rest of the house, so the windows remain bare.
Man, I haven’t had a post this rambley for a long time. No direction, no plan. Sorry.
Oh yeah, I really want to go to BlogHer. It’s in Chicago this year and I checked out some flights and the cheapest I could find would still run me over $600. I think that meeting Whoorl and Leah would totally be worth the cash, but Steve isn’t convinced.
11 Comments
I wish I could go too. I’m already saying “maybe next year” and this year’s hasn’t even passed yet.
we bought cheap, unlined, canvas curtains and I love them.
Also, home is all about what you bring into it. For me, it’s homemade quilts covering the furniture and our coffee table that doubles as a giant crib board that Cory’s grandfather made him. It’s not fancy, it’s definitely not magazine worthy (I call it cottage-style, keeping in mind that I mean like a real cottage, not a magazine one!), but it’s full of stuff we love.
I feel the same way about my house..we moved into a new house last year and its so gray and empty. I haven’t hung anything on the walls or anything but I lack the time and money (and desire) to do anything.
Blogher would be awesome…why don’t we have a imitation mini one in Vancouver or somewhere cheaper easier to get to? We could maybe tempt some of our American friends to check out V-town…don’t ya think?
I completely understand what you are saying- and it’s particularily difficult when everyone and their dog is build new, elaborate houses- custom designed and sparing no expense. It’s true though- you do have the most beautiful lot in the most beautiful town I’ve ever seen and the greatest deck I’ve ever had the pleasure of lounging on. AND – the curtains you made aren’t hideous at all.
1. At least you have a house.
2. I would LOVE to see you at BlogHer. The conference itself is not the important thing–it’s the “cocktail hour” meetups and the late-night gigglefests where all the good stuff happens. It’s like camp without any rules. If you end up being able to afford the flight but need to save $$ on the conferences, I’d highly suggest just registering for the “social events.” Also, hook up with a roomie to cut hotel costs! Also also, Simon might come too!
BlogHer would be great. Hope you get to go, at least.
And you DO have a great lot. Your deck and view are fabulous! And the painting, etc. you did upstairs look amazing! :)
I know how you feel about the new house thing. The way I look at it is anyone can go to the bank and borrow loads of money, and can have a large brand spankin new home. But it all comes at a price:having to work full time, being in debt for the next 40yrs etc. I have friends who live in a fancy neighborhood in Penticton, have a boat, a trailer, and travel at least once a year but they have to be slaves to their jobs to maintain this lifestyle. I really want to go on a trip somewhere but I know I will enjoy it far more when I can go and not be in debt when I get back. It is impossible to keep up with the Jones’ so I don’t even try.
Oooh! I feel you on BlogHer, though I am not one of the cool girl bloggers out there (relatively unknown and obscure.)
Still, I could gawk at the legends from afar!
I don’t know why I always thought BlogHer was a Northern California conference? My parents are from right outside Chicago, but I generally stay away from large groups of girls – too many junior high flashbacks.
I will second and third the idea that a home isn’t about the stuff you have, but the feeling you evoke. I used to live in a showplace – we’re talking should-have-been-photographed for magazines what with the original art and the designer furniture and the space-age touches, and my problem was always trying to make it seem like people *lived* there. Maybe it’s because I never really did.
Now I live in a two bedroom apartment in a fourplex filled with crazy people, but it’s more home than anyplace has ever been. Paint (I know, hard to do for you now and not baby-friendly in the slightest) or fresh flowers (my favorite), or just going through your photos and finding ones to frame and put around your house – those will all make a difference. However, I LOVE overhauling places on the cheap. :)
Hi Amanda, Brad and I have talked a lot about the whole keeping up with the Joneses thing. It is way too easy to feel the pull of that here and I think we all fall victim to it. I know the feeling though, to have a beautiful house or lot and not really feel like its yours. I just think we need to all keep things in perspective, as I know you try to do. But hey, you’ve got the worlds greatest dog, so you’ve pretty much got it made.
Hey, Amanda, you don’t mind if I use your website to spank Meg and tell her that she IS one of the cool girls, do you?
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