In My Heart I Remember....

Image from Coco and Kelly

Happy Father's Day to all in Aus, and I hope you had a lovely time with family where possible.

I spent time with my Mum in memory of my beautiful Dad who passed away over 14 years ago from Leukemia. He was, is, and always will be a massive influence in my life. A good man, husband, father and friend who had to leave us too soon.

I love you Dad.

In the home I carry with me, you are always present.

Linda. xox

Feeling Nostalgic and Re-visiting A Classic...

It's Friday night here, it's cold, and I'm feeling a tad nostalgic.

I just changed the desktop wallpaper on my computer from a lovely lush green forest to a close up of autumn leaves with a beautiful muted red background. All my favourite colours are featured, golds, reds, oranges, rusts, bronze.

And, it reminded me of one of the first ever articles I wrote for this blog talking about one of the reasons I think I like some of these colours so much. It's an important key to the philosophy of my decorating style, so I'm giving the post a new lease of life and rescuing it from my deepest archives.

I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks also to Liv Lane for letting me link up this post with other blissful posts.

What've Two Fields Of Wheat Got To Do With Interior Design?

One of the most distinct memories I have of my youth centres around fields of wheat. I lived in an agricultural area, and spent an awful lot of time riding my bike.

On holidays I'd pack a lunch, disappear for the day, and ride for miles.

Bliss!

Near where I lived were lots of pine tree plantations, orchards, and huge fields of wheat. A real mish mash of plant life! I'd ride down the rutted dirt tracks the tractors used to take, get off my bike and explore.

Wander through the trees and breathe in their scent.

Pick up pine cones.

Hear the twigs crack beneath my feet as I walked.

But some of the moments I loved the most involved two particular fields of wheat.

Either one, if caught at just the right moment, at the right time of year, would reveal the most breathtaking view. They were both massive, and on a day with a warm gentle breeze, at sunset, it was as if the world had stopped and life couldn't get any better.

Magic.

I'd usually be on the way home from my day of adventuring.

I'd ride up, stop my bike, lean on it, and gaze.

The sunset would slowly spread with the most glorious colours, and light would glint, and sparkle, and roll off the slowly nodding heads of wheat.

And across the whole field an undulating ripple affect would happen, and it would look like an ocean of wisely bobbing heads all swaying to some beautiful, orchestrated, symphony of movement.

There would often be insects humming in the air, and the scent of the wheat, the pine trees nearby (planted as an edge along the other side of the road), and the not too far-away orchards would waft around me.

I'd stay for 10 minutes or so.... breathing deeply, just thinking how brilliant and beautiful the world was. And, then I'd ride on home, feeling uplifted, content, and just plain old happy!

And I often wonder.....

...if those fields of wheat, and the glinting gold, the warm pinks, yellows, oranges, and reds of the sunset, are a big part of the reason I love to use all those colours in my personal interiors.

For many years a sort of buttery yellow colour, or a wheaten sort of colour, were my favourites for walls! I craved the warm, cozy, uplifting, alive, happy feeling they brought me. I'd wrap myself in the colours that brought me joy!

Photos from Country Living

Photo from BHG

Walking into a room with those colours on the walls, plus accents of red, pink, orange, and apple green gave me feelings of happiness akin to drinking in those fields of wheat.

Only a simple field of wheat and a sunset...

From Caranxcaranx via Flickr

and over 30 years ago...

but if I shut my eyes I can see, smell, and feel it like it was yesterday.

A memory that matters - to me.

Ask yourself: 'Are there any uplifting, joyous, simple memories from my childhood that remain as vibrant today as they were then?'

Which leads to: Is there anything (colours, scents, textures) you can take from your memories and entwine in your home's interiors?

Because: Memories matter. Including a reminder of things that matter will comfort and uplift you in a way nothing else can.

Cheers,

Linda.

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Linda. xox

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I've Waited and Waited - The Song I Can Finally Share With You...

Since this blog began (quite a few years ago now), there's been one song.... one single song, that I've always wanted to share with you.

For a great long while however, naughty You Tube wouldn't let me embed the clip here... it said the embedding feature was disabled 'at the artist's request'. Gotta respect that.

Every now and again I'd go back and listen to this song, drink in the words, look at all the little 'secret signs' the video seems to have just for me.... and sigh (and sometimes have a sniffle as well).

Today I went for my semi-regular listen, thinking that I was going to bloody well write this post anyway because the song is so freaking important to me, and I'd just post a text link to the actual video. I was going to do my first ever picture-less post.... just words and a link. Whilst I was there, just for the heck of it (I'd given up doing this a while back), I clicked on the 'embed' button.

Oh. My. Goodness..... up popped an embed code.

Eeeeeeeeeek! Are you kidding! I can now embed the original of my favourite Pete Murray song (thanks VEVO and of course Pete), with all its truly significant words (to me), and the pictorial symbolism that triggers so much for me.

If you know me well you know that trees are a very meaningful part of my life. See the tree in the video? I almost lived in a tree much like that for a long time. So many cherished memories. That is my perfect tree.

And the butterfly on the lamp and on his wrist (not only is it a butterfly on his wrist... it's the 'right' butterfly), well, you know what I think about them. Their significance is VERY close to my heart.

And, the scene when he pulls down the wall and you can see that tree, across a golden field, in the sunset... well.... this post is connected very closely to the feel that scene gives me. I'm sure that memory is one of the main reasons I decorate using the colours I do in my own home.

Plus he writes on his walls and has quotes around the place (know anyone who does that?). And, he sticks his photos higgledy piggledy around the place (blu-tac is my favourite decorating secret weapon!).

At 2.35 mins you get a good look at the flocked wallpaper.... nice and rich and baroque looking. I've got a bit of a thing for that sort of wallpaper..... notice a 'shout out' to it anywhere around here???

All in all, this song, this video, these words, those images......... they turn me inside out just a little bit.

To most people it's probably just a laid back, pretty simple type of song.

To me... it's a revelation.

Hope you like it.



And so it goes another lonely day

Your savin' time but your miles away
Your fly was drownin' in some bitter tea
For seeing lost opportunity

Find your mirror go and look inside
And see the talent you always hide
Don't go kidd yourself well not today
Satisfaction's not too far away

Hold on now your exit's here
It's waiting just for you
Don't pause too long
It's fading now
It's ending all too soon.... you'll see

Soon, you'll see...

Your coffee's warm but your milk is sour
Life is short but you're here to flower
Dream yourself along another day
Never miss opportunity

Don't be scared of what you cannot see
Your only fear is possibility
Never wonder what the hell went wrong
Your second chance may never come along

Hold on now your exit's here
It's waiting just for you
Don't pause too long
It's fading now
It's ending all too soon.... you'll see

Soon, you'll see

Hold on now your exit's here
It's waiting just for you
Don't pause too long
It's fading now
It's ending all too soon... you'll see

Soon, you'll see [x5]

Linda. xox

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What A Way To Fill A Display Jar!

I LOVE this idea!

When I was little, my favourite thing of all was to eat my mum's 'little cakes'. (That's what we've always called them... not 'fairy cakes' or 'cup cakes').

In fact, every Saturday when I go around to visit my mum she STILL (even though she's nearly 81 she can still cook up a storm!) always has a batch of 'little cakes' with yummy icing on them for me to devour with a cup of tea while we sit and chat, or watch the tele.

So this display of colourful 'patty pans' as we call them, is really delightful to me!

Image from La Belle Vie on Tumblr

Lots of colour, and a wonderful reminder of one of the great memories of my youth AND my time spent with mum now!

I'd never have thought of filling a jar with pretty patty pans and displaying it like this.

Genius!

And, so simple.

Even though I don't cook much myself, it's on my list of things to try one day. My kitchen would love it!

Linda. xox

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A Quote Journey Around My Home - Part 3 - A Very Meaningful Fridge!

This is part 3 of the 'quote journey' around my  home! You can see part 1 here, and part 2 here.

After last week's look at one end of my little dining area, I've turned the camera around, and am shooting from a position right next to the soul gardener's quote on the wall, and standing right in front of my 'door of inspiration'.

The first thing I focus on when I walk in my door at night is the side of the fridge! Can you see it further up there?

It has the words 'Welcome Home' on it. And, I always feel welcome and 'at home' as soon as I get inside my little home. I love it!

Also on that side of the fridge, to go with that message, is a picture of my mum and dad. Their presence makes me feel connected to my home. My beloved dad passed away 12 years ago when I was 32, and I miss him so very dearly. He was a HUGE part of my life, (I was a daddy's girl), and we did lots of outside things together like fishing, yabbying, and rabbiting (I was a tomboy and we lived in a rural setting) when I was little.

He also taught me how to ride a horse, and how to drive a car. And, being a mechanic, he basically 'put together' my first car so that they could afford to get me one. Having a picture of my dad and mum (from about 16 years ago) before he got sick is a beautiful momento to enjoy, and just makes me feel grounded.

The card with the butterfly verse on it is there to go with the photo. At my dad's funeral, the minister included a lovely passage about how after we die we're like a butterfly finally coming out of our chrysalis and blossoming into the full potential of our soul. Since then I've always had a real 'thing' for butterflies, and they feature alot in my decorative bits and pieces.

The verse on the card reads....

'Beautiful memories never fly away...
They stay with us
They comfort us
Forever.'

You can see a lovely butterfly magnet on there as well, (and there's more of them on the front of the fridge along with one of my favourite prints from spectacular artist Marisol Spoon on Etsy), and there's another magnet with 2 children hugging that says 'To have joy, one must share it'. You can also see one of the same series of cards from my 'door of inspiration' with the words 'Live Your Passion' on it.

I try really hard to live my passion every day.... that makes me a more joyful person, and then I can try and pass that joy on! It all works together and makes me feel better within myself, and better as a contributor to the lives of others. My mum and dad were the mainstay of my happy childhood and core values, and I hope I do them proud in today's world and with how I'm creating my life.

So, all these little bits and pieces on the side of my fridge go together to welcome me home every day, ground me, and remind me of what's important in life.... family, love, passion, and compassion.

Next week we'll look at some more quotes on the wall right next to the fridge, and the ones I have sitting on top of the sliding door pelmet right near them!

Until next week, live your life joyfully and passionately!

Linda. xox

P.S: It says 'My Supplies' on my kitchen pantry because they were the only words I could make from my diminishing hoard of scrapbooking letters at the time!! LOL. When I get some more letters I'll probably change it to something else. There was a mark on the door I wanted to hide.... so that's what ended up there!!

P.P.S: Guess what's opening next week?!! Finally, yay!

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Magical Memories Of Gnomes.....A Gift From 31 Years Ago...

Image from The Shutter Sisters via Laney Butler

There's gnomes, and then there's Gnomes! This is one of the good looking ones I think. ;)

Very suave little gentlemen he is.

And, I'm a little bit embarrassed to say........... I have a minor 'thing' for gnomes.

Erm, um..... well there it is.

There IS a reason behind this strange attraction to gnomeness however.

When I was little, my mum and dad gave me this gorgeous book about gnomes (31 years ago this December) ...... here it is in all its glory.....

Oh how I loved that book, and still do, completely.

I pored over it for hour upon hour, taking in all the glorious pictures and delighting in the magical, whimsical, and mischievous nature of it all!

I even drew a picture in my 'little book of drawings and notes' because I was so enamoured with gnomes. (You had to be VERY important to make it into my 'special book'.)

My handwriting was never great when I was little though - lol. (And, it's worse today I think - should have been a doctor!)

So, whenever I see a gnome that reminds me of that precious book, (which still takes pride of place on my bookshelf), I can't resist smiling, and remembering my mum and dad, and the gift they gave me 31 years ago.

What have you got on display that brings back wonderful memories?

Linda. xox

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Remember When You Did This......?

Remember when you were a kid and you built a cubby house out of blankets and chairs, and bits of furniture or stuff from around the house?!

Image from The Design Inspiration

Remember what it was like curled up in there, hidden away, in your own secret little corner of the world?

Or, did you read your book under the covers at night with a flashlight, even though your parents had already told you it was time to go to sleep?

Ahhhhhhh..... the gorgeousness of having a cozy, secret, snug place in the world just for you, and to do something you loved.

Do you give that magical gift to yourself today?

Do you spend time creating your own cozy corner of the world and using it to do something you love?

If not.....

....... why not?

What's stopping you?

It doesn't have to be a blanket over a chair (although, who says we can't be 'kids' again)..... it could be as simple as a comfy chair in a corner of the room, some snuggly pillows, a glowing candle, a yummy treat, and a good book.

Time to delight in some simple pleasures again... we all deserve it!

Linda. xox

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Buttons and Buttons....

When I was little, my mum had a tin full of buttons.  I think it was an old shortbread biscuit tin, from memory!

I used to love getting into that tin, oh boy.

I sifted those buttons through my fingers and watched the glorious colours flicker and slide. I loved the texture and feel of them. I sorted them, pushed them around, arranged them in patterns and rows.

Toys don't have to be expensive to be mesmerizing and eductaional!

These pictures strike a chord with me...... bring back very pleasant memories....

We Heart It via Love Shot

We Heart It via Cassia on Flickr

We Heart It

We Heart It via Cassia on Flickr

And, last but not least, my favourite button pic, EVER!

You know how much I love trees.......

We Heart It via Hurricane Blaise

All that button inspiration has got me inspired to head off to the craft store and browse around.

Spotlight, here I come!

Linda. xox

P.S: I'll be back tomorrow with the winner of the 'Year Of The Hobbit' give-away!

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Re-visiting An Old Obsession (Gypsy Caravans), And The Story Of My Birth!

I've long been more than just a little in love with the Gypsy culture and their mystical, magical, other wordly vibe.

Quite a few of my favourite books involve Gypsy characters, but one in particular is Mulengro by Charles De Lint (an author of lilting words and worlds within worlds).

Thanks to a great post over at my favourite forum the other day.... I got drawn back into searching around for gorgeous Gypsy caravans and their modern day colourful interiors.

Here's some to look at....

Images from Eclectic Gypsyland on Flickr (some via Jeanne Bayol)

Now, I can soooooo imagine having one of these in my back yard filled with all my treasures and my old book 'friends' on the shelf. I'd be happy to laze in there all day, cocooned in a world of colour, joy, peace, contentment, and sentimental bits and bobs.

I've always loved nooks and little places to 'hole up' and spend time with myself.

Always......

..... from the moment I was born.

My mum was only re-telling me the story of my birth last weekend....

.... her water broke, she went into labour, and of course to the hospital. After time went by, it got to the part where I was crowning and about to 'pop out' (or so it seemed).

But, at that crucial moment, I decided 'NOPE, don't like it out here', and proceeded to disappear back up the way I'd come. At this point, the doctor (the family doctor for years) decided to 'let me be', and sent my mum home again with her determined little bundle stubbornly refusing to come out.

Well, 2 weeks later, yep... 2 weeks, I was born. They probably wouldn't let that happen now-a-days I'm guessing, as going without any protection around the baby for 2 weeks would be a bit 'scary' for most. But, this older doctor told mum to be careful with her 'determined baby' and they waited me out! (When I finally came out he told my mum he was sure I'd had my eyebrows done the first time I briefly popped my head out a bit, as they were the most distinctive, beautifully shaped eyebrows he'd ever seen on a baby - lol.)

So, I loved that nice, warm, cocooning space alot obviously, and I wasn't coming out on anyone's terms but my own.

Then, when I was still little and playing in my playpen, unlike most kids who can't wait to get out, I used to cry if someone lifted me out of the playpen or lifted it away from me.

It was my very own place in the world.

And I revelled in the security and 'me-ness' of it.

As the years progressed I had many and varied hidey holes, cubby's and secret places. And, my own room was always a place I was happy to spend hour upon hour occupying myself with drawing, reading, dancing, and creating multitudes of crafty things.

And, I've always LOVED stories with cosy rooms, secret places, and magical spots where no-one else can find you.

I think that's partly where my love for trees comes from too..... I used to climb them and spend hours enveloped in their green leafy protection. I'd read up there, eat up there, and 'spy' on people - lol.

And, walking through a stand of pine trees gives me that same feeling I love of being surrounded by a cloak of protection and security... a calm, solid, centred feeling.

Now, as a grown up (well, I 'look' all growed up!), my love for my own little corner of the world is immense. My home makes a profound difference to the way my life unfolds and my day unravels. It's my security blanket I guess, the one spot I KNOW, for sure, I'll always be able to find peace and a measure of inner contentment. It nurtures me, supports me, and cheers me on.

When it comes down to it, it seems a lot of the grown up I am today was implanted from the moment I became 'me' before I was born. Interesting to hear what the 'nature vs nurture' debaters would think about that!

Which leads me, in a round-a-bout way, back to my fascination with Gypsy caravans.....

Given my 'in-born' instincts regarding my surroundings, my intense feeling of connection with them would seem inevitable.

Little places of magic and solace.

Vibrant sources of energy, renewal, and replenishment.

Soul soothing and symbolically protective.

I'd love one to call my own.

What about you?

What is it about 'you' that's always been, and always will be?

And, how can you translate that 'me-ness' of yours into your interiors and your home?

Linda. xox

P.S. Today I'm participating in Melissa's 'link party' over at The Inspired Room. Please visit to see lots of other inspiring links and blogs!

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A Carnival Of Memories...

Sky High Carnival Print Photo from Retrospect Photo on Etsy

I remember when I used to go to the 'show' with my mum when I was little.... all year long I waited and waited for the excitement, smells, sounds, squeal inducing rides, showbags, lolly pink fairy floss, hotdogs on a stick, and those hungry clowns turning their heads from side to side with their mouths open while I tried to get a ping pong ball in there at the right time to win a big stuffed animal prize!

The 'show' was always in November in my home town, and my birthday, and of course Christmas, were in December. So, the end of the year was such a time of wonderment for me when I was a kid. It seemed like an eternity before it came 'round again, and the excitement of it all meant I'd hardly sleep the night before we were due to go.

This colourful print would look just fine on my wall.... and bring back those memories of childhood glee whenever I looked at it.

Wonderful.

For the above print and more lovely carnival/cirucus type prints, visit Retrospect Photo on Etsy.

Here's some more stunning Etsy photographers I love too:
Maria Kallin Photography
Irene Suchoki
Photography by Lori H
Rocky Top Studio

Cheers,

Linda.

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The 'Nurturing Home' Revisited, And A Cute Kitten!

A while back I posted 'The A,B,C's Of A Nurturing Home', a lovely, warm, inspiring list suggesting what truly makes a house a home. Very much worth a re-read to affirm just what really is important in our lives and our homes (and the pics are totally gorgeous too!).

When I saw this brilliant photo, it reminded me of the 'P' entry in that alphabetical list and why they're such a wonderful addition to any home!

Don't you just love pets! Go cat go!

Image from Pure Style Home

Ask yourself: 'Does my home manifest many of the ABC's of a nurturing home?'

Which leads to: 'How can I create a more nurturing atmosphere within my home? What's missing?'

Because: Your home is what you make it..... you can choose to consciously create an atmosphere that cradles, nurtures, and supports you throughout your life.

Cheers,

Linda.

P.S. Here's 2 more adorable kitten pics - because I simply couldn't resist! Imagine holding one of these lovelies in your lap and stroking it while it purrs and snuggles in to you!

Image from We Heart It via The Thinking Tank

Image from We Heart It via Failure By Design

P.P.S.  And just because I love him sooooo much - here's the 'Super-star' cat (as referred to in the comments) of the A,B,C's Of A Nurturing Home post. He's just awesome! You can see him down the right-hand side of the blog too.

Image from We Heart It via Flickr

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Revisit:
The A,B,C's Of A Nurturing Home...

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Atmospheric Storybook Homes...

Image from Pale and Interesting.

Sometimes I think I must've spent nearly a quarter of my life with my nose in a book!

But rather than lose a quarter of my life, this means I've lived much more than just my life..... I've lived other people's lives as well.

I've experienced their emotions, I've travelled far and wide, and I've done things I'd never do in real life!

But best of all, I've seen a glimpse inside homes of all sizes.

Homes of all shapes.

Homes of all sorts.

I've been inside a hobbit hole. I've lived at the top of a beautiful forest amongst the trees. I've wandered through manor houses with mysterious corners, roaring fires, rooms full of books, and comfy armchairs.

I've stayed in old churches, castles, ranches, cottages, penthouse suites, cabins in the snow, tropical paradises, and more.

I really do think the beautifully written words of so many wonderful authors across the years have influenced and moulded the way I think about the word 'home', and what it means to me. In my mind I can visit my favourite storybook homes whenever I like, and the feelings they create are as real and tangible as I imagine they would be were I to really set foot in them.

Image from Pale and Interesting.

I can only hope the atmosphere I bring to homes in this real world, is half that of the descriptions I'll forever pay homage to in books.

So, as I've felt so at home in so many of these atmospheric abodes over the years, I thought I'd take the time to share some of them on an occasional basis!

Every now and then I'll post a short (or long!) 'description of home' from one of the books I love. If I can find a picture to go with it I'll post that too, but the words alone will paint a picture worth imagining, at least they do for me! :)

Image from Fantastic Fiction.

The following extract is from The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge, first published in 1946 by the University of London Press Ltd. This was one of my favourite books as a young girl..... magical, whimsical, mysterious, and joyous!

'The turret stairs ended at a door so small that a large grown-up could not possibly have gone through it. But for a slim girl of thirteen it was exactly right. Maria stopped and gazed at it with a beating heart, for though this little, narrow, low door was obviously hundreds of years old, yet she felt as though it had been made especially for her. For if she had been able to choose her own door, this was the door she would have chosen. It was more like a front door than a bedroom door, like the door of her very own house. It was of silvery grey oak studded with silver nails, and it had a knocker made of the smallest, daintiest horseshoe Maria had ever seen, polished so brightly it shone like silver. ...The door was opened by a silver latch that clicked in a friendly sort of way when Maria lifted it, as though it was welcoming her.


She went in, latched the door behind her, put her candle carefully down on the floor, leaned back against the door and gazed and gazed, with her lips parted and her usually pale face glowing like a pink rose, and her eyes like stars.


No pen could possibly do justice to the exquisite charm and beauty of Maria's room. It was at the top of the tower, and the tower was a round one, so Maria's room was circular, neither too large or too small, just the right size for a girl of thirteen. It had three windows, two narrow lancet windows and one large one with a window-seat in the thickness of the wall. The curtains had not been drawn across the windows, and through them she could see the stars. In each of the windows stood beautiful silver branched candlesticks with three lighted candles burning in each of them.


It was the light from one of these, Maria realised, that she had seen from outside shining through the branches of the cedar tree. The walls had not been panelled with wood, as in Miss Heliotrope's room, but the silver grey stone was so lovely Maria was glad. The ceiling was vaulted, and delicate ribbings of stone curved over Maria's head like the branches of a tree, meeting at the highest point of the ceiling in a carved representation of a sickle moon surrounded by stars.


There was no carpet upon the silvery oak floor, but a little white sheepskin lay beside the bed, so that Maria's bare toes should meet something warm and soft when they went floorwards of a morning. The bed was a little four poster, hung with pale blue silk curtains embroidered with silver stars, of the same material as the window curtains, and spread with a patchwork quilt made of exquisite squares of velvet and silk of all colours of the rainbow, gay and lovely.


There was very little furniture in the room, just of couple of silvery oak chests for Maria's clothes, a small round mirror hung upon the wall above one of them, and a stool with a silver ewer and basin on it. But Maria felt she wanted no more than this. Heavy furniture such as Miss Heliotrope had, would have ruined this exquisite little room. Nor did she mind that the fireplace was the tiniest she had ever seen, deeply recessed in the wall. It was big enough for the fire of pine-cones and apple wood that burned in it, filling the room with fragrance.


But when Maria started to explore her room she found that it was not without luxuries. Over the fireplace was a shelf, and on it stood a blue wooden box filled with dainty biscuits with sugar flowers on them, in case she should feel hungry between meals. And beside the fireplace stood a big basket filled with more logs and pine-cones... enough to keep her fire burning all through the night.


It was all perfect. It was the room Maria would have designed for herself if she had had the knowledge and skill.'

Map from the Little White Horse via Flickr.

Image source.

Apparently they've recently made a movie adapted from the book that doesn't do this lovely story justice.

My yellowed, dog-eared, old copy still sits proudly on my bookshelf..... it'll do me fine. :)

Cheers,

Linda.

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Here's another post featuring maps from some of my most adored books...

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