Welcome to my Little Home

  

Welcome to my humble home. Sorry about the view of my next door neighbors open garage door, but I wanted to get in a view of my whole front.  I need to get some kind of welcome sign for it, but haven't seen one yet that suits I suppose. 

One thing I fell in love with when I found this place was the way the front storm door looks like an old fashioned screen door, not to mention the Veranda across the front. 

   

The plants in the garden were already here when I moved in. Hosta's and lilies.  I am so not a gardener. Because of my osteo I am unable to get down on my hands and knees for gardening.  

I am thinking next year I will get my son in law over and have him help me dig everything up, lay down some kind of garden barrier that will prevent things from growing back and then either cover it with stone or wood chips and then just have maybe 3 large planters.  

I do like my hanging baskets and of course a hummingbird feeder was a must.  I adore hummingbirds. They are such fun to watch.  I actually adore bird watching of any kind.  

 

 

This is the view when you come in the front door. It is not a very big place really, but it suits me to a "T."  I don't need big with just me.

 

There is this open living/dining area, a galley kitchen, a bath/laundry room and two bedrooms, one small and one larger.  

 

When I first moved into the place, I had my bed (which I had purchased in bits over the winter months), a dresser which had been my mum's and a folding metal chair.  I managed to get other bits in time,  and I was really lucky that I was able to get reduced prices on everything as they were floor models, or ends of line.   

My real extravagance was the rug, but I fell in love with it.  It was so bright and cheerful and, well . . .  me!  I am a Leo so I love bright colors.  Because everything else is kind of muted, I thought the rug would go well. 

At first when it arrived, I thought wow!  Even the delivery guy said that is quite a colorful rug, but my eyes adjusted to it and I love it.  It says, "This is a Happy space!"  

The little rocking chair was another indulgence. My sister had one at her place and I thought how sweet it is.  I saw this one and scooped it up. The few homemade dolls that I managed to salvage are sitting in it, and the little wooden stool that is in front of it is one that my middle son Doug made in shop back in high school.  I painted it back then and I feel so blessed to still have it.  

There are family photos on the corner bookcase and a few books I cherish. My Susan Branch ones, Flower Fairies, etc. 

My sister brought me over a box of Knick-knacks that had been gifts which I gave to my mother through the years. She had forgotten she had them and thought I might like to have them.  I feel so blessed to have some family treasures now that I can hand down perhaps. 

It also feels a bit like mom is with me. Always a good feeling. 

The covering on the sofa is a lap quilt I got on Amazon. I also got one for the armchair.  Just to protect them. I am planning on having a pet of some sort.   

The crochet shawl on the back of my armchair was one that I had crocheted for my mother and was a gift to her the Christmas just before her passing. I wanted her to be warm.  She was such a tiny woman and really felt the cold. 

The large painting over the sofa was a free gift from the people at Photowall.  I love it and the colous go so well with the room, as does the size. I love Monet. 

My curtains are flat single bed sheets. I only just recently put them up. I hung them on clips.  Perhaps not the most elegant thing, but they work and afford me some privacy after dark.  The birds I managed to bring over from the UK and they didn't break!  

They are created by an Etsy Artist in the UK called Simon Aldersey. He does beautiful work. I had first bought one, a robin for my mom a number of years back.  It was so lovely and she loved to look at it.  It was buried with her. 

I then got a robin for both my sister and myself, and that started me collecting all of his birds. I may not be able to afford stained glass windows (which I love) but I have these lovely little glass birds which not only remind me of England which I love, but also birds which I also love and they glow when it is sunny out.  Little rays of joy. 

 

I decided to frame these two cards that I got from friends. I loved the sentiments on them and thought they would be nice framed.They are the first things you see when you come in my front door.

The one on the top says, "home is that precious place where your heart feels safe to live, love, grow and simply be safe." The bottom one says, " the heart finds peace and happiness where God remains a welcome guest."

They just seemed so right for framing, and look very much at home where they are now. Reminders that I am loved and cared for, and of the feeling I want for and in my home.

I never thought I would end my life alone, but it is what it is. Many, many people are in the same shoes.  

I need to hide those wires.  I was able to get myself a television, and a stand to put it on. The stand was also a floor model and serves a dual purpose in that it is also a Heater. 

I will surely get good use from it next Winter. It has flickering flames.

There is not much stored inside at the moment.  A few picture albums and some candles.  

I was lucky and got the tv for a really good price. Its a Roku. I got it on Amazon and it cost me less than $300, but I see now it has doubled in price, so I got really lucky!  The Windows of Heaven and all that! It is a smart tv and so I can watch whatever on it.  Netflix, Prime, etc.

 

This little cabinet was another floor model I found and it sort of serves as a divider between the dining area and the living area. 

I needed something to hold my food props, etc. The tray is completely separate and a bonus!  I got the glasses at a yard sale and my friend Jacquie gave me the large salad bowl. I bought the other bowl at Winner's Home Plus for real cheap and my friend Noelle gave me the sweet tatted collar which looks nice there. 

The two paintings are prints I bought last Winter when I was at my sisters.  The top one of the Savior is by Simon Dewy, "Lead Kindly Light", and the bottom one is called "To the Rescue," and depicts the Savior walking across the waves to his disciples in the boat. 

If anyone needed rescuing and light in their life it was me, and they perfectly exemplify the spirit I want in my home. I want it to be a place filled with light and joy and love. 

 

This is the dining area and where I work/write from most days.  The table and chairs were another floor model. (I was so lucky!)  It also has a bench and so can actually seat six people comfortably.  I have dreams of one day being able to have my children here.  

The bookcase I built myself. I was pretty proud of doing it as well.  I have more things of my mom's on the middle shelf, and some cookbooks on the bottom two. I hope to have my mom's teacups on the top two shelves eventually. 

Of course mom is always with me.  This portrait of her was done when she was about 19. I love it and it is the perfect spot for it.  On either side are prints from an artist called Annie Henrie Nader. 

The one on the left is called, Forget Me Not.  "As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." - Joshua 1:5

It depicts a woman kneeling in a field of forget me nots, and held in the comforting embrace of the Savior. 

The one on the right is called, "Loves Pure Light."  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." - Luke 2:14 

 This painting is symbolic of two different scenes. Initially, this represents a tender moment between Mary and her infant son, the Savior of the world. Angels watch over in love and worship, and all are encompassed by heavenly surroundings. 

On further consideration, this painting further represents any mothers pure love toward her child, while watched over by angels, both those on earth and those who have passed on before us. It serves as a reminder of peace, harmony, and the continual outpouring of divine love. 

One way which I like to show my love for others is in being able to cook for and feeding them.  I expect, and hope that I will be able to do that many times over my remaining years of life, bringing both joy to them and to myself.

My father dropped by for lunch yesterday after his haircut and I made him a grilled cheese sandwich.  This is the kind of thing which makes me really happy.

I never thought I would see my father again.  Being able to see and spend time with him, to cook for him is the silver lining on all that has happened. I am blessed.

This is where the magic happens. My little Galley kitchen. It is not a large space and there is no window, but it is large enough for me.  I bought the rolling Island on the end, again as a floor model, to hold my baking supplies/tools. 

Much of what happens in this kitchen is due to the generosity of others. I will forever be grateful for the many gifts of love that were shared and given to me.  For the dishes, glassware, kitchen tools, etc.  It was very overwhelming and I felt so very blessed by everyone's many kindnesses. 

I pinched myself every day, thinking I was dreaming.  I wasn't sure I deserved any of it, but I was so very grateful for all of it. You all know who you were. You were angels on earth and I bless and thank you for your many kindnesses.

This is my stove. It was provided with the apartment/house. This along with a refrigerator and a dishwasher.

I bought the toaster oven and the microwave.  I thought I would use the toaster oven much more than the stove, but so far I haven't done much but cremate things in the toaster oven, haha.  

I am trying to get used to it and in time I hope to master it.  I refuse to let it beat me! If you have any tips on toaster oven cookery, I would be most grateful!

This is the view on the other side.  In the UK, I bemoaned the fact I had no counter space. Here I have plenty of it and I am so grateful for it!

I hope that I never clutter it up with stuff that I can't or don't use often enough to justify having them.

That is one good thing about the extreme manner in which I downsized in November of last year.  Starting off with nothing again, means you can invite into your home only what you need, love and can use. It is a much happier and less stress filled way to live!! 

 

This is my bath/laundry area. Not much to say about this area. I did have to buy myself a washer and a drier.  I got a good deal on the pair of them, thank goodness.  There is plenty of storage in here for my necessities such as towels, etc. and of course toiletries and cleaning supplies.

There is a large jet tub (which I will probably never use) and a nice walk in shower.  It is perfect for me and for my needs.  I am borrowing the ironing board and steam iron from my father with the promise that I will iron his shirts when he needs them doing. 

This is my bedroom. I bought the mattress last Winter shortly after I moved into my sister's place.  The mattress on my mother's bed was almost impossible to sleep on.  Then later when I went to move into this place I bought the bed frame to go with it.

They are both Endy and so comfortable.  It was easy to put the frame together, my BIL did it in about 10 minutes. Buying the frame was more practical than bringing my mom's old bed over and it also meant that my sister didn't have to buy a bed for her spare room. 

She gave me one of mom's night tables and a lamp to use and I have mom's highboy dresser. 

There is another longer lower dresser with a mirror, but I probably won't be bringing it over. I have no real way of getting it here and to be honest I don't really need it.  

My sister will probably use it more than I ever would.  I don't have a lot of clothes and stuff, just what I could bring over in my suitcase and it all fits in this one dresser. I have never been a slave to fashion!  

There is a walk in closet at the far end of the room with some built in shelves, quite roomy.  

There is also one smaller bedroom, but I didn't bother to take a photograph of that because there really isn't anything in it. My printer on a tv tray, my sewing machine.  My light box for photography and some boxes with my  art supplies in them from the UK. 

Eventually I hope to be able to afford to get a sofa bed or trundle bed in there so that my kids/grandkids will have a place to sleep if they come over, but to be honest, even a couple blow up mattresses and sleeping bags would work just as well, for the amount they would be used.

I also have a garage to park my car in which is nice and roomy.

And that's it in a nutshell!  My Home Sweet Home! My little kingdom.  I hope you've enjoyed the tour!  Thanks so much for visiting! Do come again. Next time I promise to feed you!

This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan at aol dot com  

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