Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Little Things Matter


I believe that the difference between  . . .
A House & A Home
are the little details, collections, mementos
and favorite objects that we  scatter about us.


The things that tell our story . . .
handmade quilts, pillows, and afghans. 
A headboard created from left over 
pickets from our fence. 




A 43 year old sea shell windchime,
purchased on our honeymoon.
(A weekend in Seattle)


A antique clothes hanger,
a gift from a dear friend.
And a small collection of 
vintage hand embroidered pillowcases. 


Shelves of old photographs 
and little things that mean nothing
to anyone but me :)


An old garden rake repurposed.


A necklace given to me by our daughter
and a cowgirl boot corsage,
a fun craft made one afternoon
with a dear friend.

  I love hats, especially cowboy hats.
This is my favorite, a crush-able Stetson 
with a chin strap.
You can sit on it or roll it up in 
a suitcase and it springs back into shape :)



 This little glass piano jewelry box
belonged to my husband's grandmother.



These little hearts were a sewing craft . . .
one of those you do just for fun :)


Another heart and a yard sale chair
that I distressed and gave a shabby feel.

Yep, it's the little things.

They tell our story and they make
our homes unique and personal.
Things that mean nothing to anyone else,
but bring back happy moments in time
to us.

~~~***~~~
That's my post for today,
thanks for visiting.
I hope you enjoyed yourself.
 ~~~***~~~ 

Keep Smiling!

Your blogging sister,
Connie :)  

56 comments:

  1. Sounds like you have a lovely home filled with love and happy memories.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a home filled with little things that make me happy and that bring back lovely memories :) I think we all have these things . . . I don't like putting them in boxes and forgetting about them, I like remembering the people that owned them before me and the good times they remind me of.

      Delete
  2. Your delightful post inspired me to walk through our home to take a look at all those little things that mean so much to us. It's for sure that home just wouldn't be home without them. I smiled when I saw your hats for I also have several scattered about.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope that you also wear them . . . I do have friends that collect hats, but never put them on their heads. What a same . . . they are so fun and they do a good job of keeping the sun off in the summer and keeping us warm in the winter :)

      Delete
  3. Connie all your little treasures were a delight to see. You are so right its the little things that make a house a home. In answer to your question about Mickey I keep a towel by the back door and give home a rub down as he comes in, that and a good brush daily keeps him quite clean.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He is a beautiful creature and you can tell that he is loved by how fluffy and white his coat is.

      Delete
  4. Wouldnt it be sad if we were all the same! I think we all make our homes up of things that have been precious over the years. I, like you, have necklaces, photos, china...all things that have either descended from relatives or been special gifts. A lovely post, Connie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In my kitchen I have a large crock mixing bowl that was my Mama's. Every time I bake bread I let it rise in that bowl . . . Mama taught me to make bread and it's like she is still here helping me in the kitchen . . . my heart feels comfort when I use her old bowl :)

      Delete
  5. Connie, I so agree with you. Our home is filled with little trinkets and doodads that mean nothing to anyone except for me. They bring me joy. Not for me the cookie cutter decorations and neutrals that seem to be so popular. Thank you for this post. It makes me feel not quite so alone.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Betsy, oh we all like looking at beautifully decorated homes, but if they are without soul and memories they are just boxes holding beautiful furniture. The photos, the mementos, the artwork from our children and grandchildren, little signs that inspire us . . . these are all things that make that box a home. It can also be beautiful, but without these things, in my opinion they can not be a home. Just a place to live.

      Delete
  6. I love all the handmade quilts and afghans! A house becomes a home when we add our personal loving touch!

    ReplyDelete
  7. How lovely Connie. Thanks so much for a peek inside your home, while you showed us your special treasures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jenny you are welcome here anytime . . . I wish that I could have had a plate of cookies and a pot of tea for all my sweet blogging sisters to enjoy while you visited.

      Delete
  8. What a sweet story your home tells. I'm thinking the story mine tells might be a comedy...lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, our home is filled with lots of laughter, too. It's a sad day when you cann't laugh at yourself :)

      Delete
  9. I love your "little things" and of course I'm partial to quilts. I understand about things we like may not mean anything to someone else. I have a drawer full of stuff with memories; however, they'll be junk to my daughters when the time comes...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wonder about that too . . . I do hope she finds some treasures among my junk, one day when I'm gone to live with the Lord :)

      Delete
  10. Connie- your a real gem...lovely sentiments and sharing your home personal items is testimony to you being a lovely person. Regards. KEV.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I absolutely agree with you that it's the personal items that truly make a house a home! Thank you for sharing some of your small, personal items around your home and telling us about them. I think your home is very cozy and warm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melanie, I can say the very same thing about your home. There is so much love in your home and it shows in every room . . . There's a warmth that comes from the heart and not the heater :)

      Delete
  12. Oh Connie ... you love all the things I love also! I am sure we could be great crafting buddies if we lived closer ! Your hexie quilt is just beautiful. Love everything here today my friend Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Julie, I am sure that we would have a great time crafting and quilting together.
      We might even get a good case of the little girl giggles when we work on our projects. I'm sure that you could teach me a lot also . . . it's fun to share ideas :)

      Delete
  13. Hello, Connie~

    Thank you for stopping by the farm for a visit, it's so nice to meet you. I love all your precious things you have around your home and how each one has a special place and meaning. I love your repurposed headboard from the fence posts and all your beautiful quilts.

    I look forward to coming back and learn more about you!

    Blessings from one crafter to another~
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Laura, thanks so much for returning my visit . . . I appreciate it and I love making new blogging friends and sharing ideas. My welcome mat is always out and you are welcome here anytime. I wish that I could have had a plate of cookies out for you visit.

      Delete
  14. Oh I did enjoy reading your post and I couldn't agree with you more!
    My home is full of things that I like and that I enjoy seeing every day,
    I especially like the embroidered tea towels and the way you displayed them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. That hanger was a gift from a dear sweet friend. She was in an antique store and saw them and bought her and I each one. She's the sister I always wished for . . . a heart of gold. It's true the little things scattered about our home tells our story . . . if you have these things you can look back at them and remember how blessed you are. I am blessed :)

      Delete
  15. It is the little things that make our homes, that tell our own story, isn't it. It's the story of each one of us, punctuated with illustrated pages of glorious pictures of personal collections we assemble as we walk through each room. It is those little things which bring to mind beautiful memories of many places we have visited; and our day to day narrative. You have some gorgeous keepsakes taking pride of place in your home, Connie, evoking beautiful personal memories. I particularly love those linens stitched in a bygone era and those hexies......gotta, gotta love a hexie or two. =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know I love all things hand stitched. Until I started blogging I really thought that they were from bygone days, but through blogging I have met so many delightful stitchers that are keeping the art of handmade textiles alive and well. It's a beautiful thing :)

      Delete
  16. Hi Connie, Yes, I have to agree with you! It is hard for me to find the happy medium as I get older. Even our gardens tell our story in how we make them. I love reading your "stories" about your home and garden and art barn crafts! I like hats but feel I don't look good in very many of them and they are usually too big around and want to come down too far on my face. Best wishes on continuing to enjoy your home and life in the retirement years ahead! Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nancy, thank you . . . it's funny how this summer has changed my routine, now that Steve is home each day life is slowing changing. It's nice having him home and we have more time to enjoy our place together and share some of the chores around here. Yesterday I went out to the art barn and did some sewing, it's been awhile and I enjoyed it so much. When I came back in the house Steve had put the clean dishes away and clean up after his lunch. The kitchen smelled wonderful, because we had the crock pot going all day and everything was spic and span . . . it was so nice :) We love this little country home and hope that we will have many, many years to enjoy it and the good health to be able to keep up with the work. I'm sure as we age the garden will grow smaller and things will keep changing, but that's life. It's an adventure, even if you don't leave home, LOL.

      Delete
  17. How delightful. And you know, as I enjoyed each photo, I felt a sense of peace and wellbeing. Thank you for that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda, thank you for visiting, it is always a pleasure :)

      Delete
  18. It really is a composite of all the special little things in our home that make us happy! I enjoyed seeing the special things you shared, like the gorgeous embroidered towels that you have on the hanger, the beautiful quilts you have made, the special headboard... all of it is so delightful and charming. I enjoyed your thoughts today on the special little things, Connie! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Marilyn. Thank you for your encouraging words. I am between cleaning up the garden and getting the Art Barn ready to start sewing again. I didn't know what to post . . . like who wants another photo of cleaning up the garden, LOL. They say that a man's home is his castle, well I think that a woman's home is being surrounded by the things and people she loves :)

      Delete
  19. I know EXACTLY what you mean! That is one my home looks like... lots of little mementos scattered here and there, on shelves, in nooks, tucked in beside a book or box......... everywhere I have wall space or a flat surface, I have little things that remind me of times in my life. I couldn't live in a sterile home... it just doesn't suit me! I love the little glass piano jewelry box and your seashells and the part of the white picket fence! All parts of what make YOU! Hugs.. Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They all have a story behind them. Steve had forgotten that we bought that little wind chime on our honeymoon, it was a long time ago :) That was back when the Seattle center had little gift shops scattered where the food market is today. Then again I haven't been in Seattle in about six years, so maybe it changed again, LOL.

      Delete
  20. Hi Connie. Admiring your 43 year old Shell Wind Chime - that you obtained from Seattle on your Honeymoon...got me thinking..My Partner (Chris) and I have been together 41 years...and I was trying to think about what 'keep-sake' do we have...it took awhile to work it out- it is our Dinning Room Chairs and Table Set....we still use the Wooden Chairs in the Dinning Room and the Round Wooden Table is now on the Back Porch. Odd isn't it- everything else we had in our Flat 41 years ago is no longer. Chris and I met each other at The Leumeah Inn for the first time - we went back there just a week a go for a very nice bistro lunch for the first time in 41 years- we didn't recognize the place - the Inn is totally re-built and completely modern...good memories though. Best Wishes. KEV.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kev, I think it is so sweet that you went back there after 41 years. Things never stay the same, but we hold on to those precious memories.

      Delete
  21. You have some very sweet and dear treasures.
    It is the little things that warm our hearts, and bring a smile to our lips.

    Have a wonderful day.
    ~K.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Connie you have a lovely heart and a lovely home. I enjoyed the visit.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Connie , You are so right We make our houses homes with all our little bits of hand made and collections that we love! Love that you use the fence as a headboard , love all of it you are a great one to spread inspiration for everyone Lisa@ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a lovely compliment coming from someone as creative as you, sweet friend. Thank You!

      Delete
  24. Thanks for sharing so many of the special things that make your house a home. I really enjoyed each of the photos. Happy Fall! Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cheryl, . I love hearing that you liked my post, that's very kind of you. Thank You :)

      Delete
  25. Hello Connie,
    Yes, I agree that it's the little things in a home that reveal history and personality. We are all living a story and our stories intersect with those of others, as seen in the treasures we collect.

    ReplyDelete
  26. we have so many little things around our home that either reminds us of our love ones that either live far away or those that have passed on. It is so special those things that have been handmade and passed down, that mean the most :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I certainly agree and those are the little things that give a home, heart and soul.

      Delete
  27. Hi Connie, you said, "I believe that the difference between a House and a Home are the little details, collections, mementos and favorite objects that we scatter about us." What a perfect way to describe that difference. And probably one of the reasons I enjoy Crafty Home Cottage so much. I thoroughly enjoyed the photos in this post. There are so many ways to approach collecting and you have surely found one of the best. Thank you, as always, for sharing. Your friend on the west side, John :-)

    ReplyDelete
  28. I really love this! I agree wholeheartedly. Little touches are so personal and mean so much. For me, it's photos and memories recorded in stories, books, albums, scrap pages, etc. Meaningful things make such a difference. Lovely post!
    #SYClinky

    ReplyDelete
  29. Yup Connie, it is the little things that reveal the way we feel. Love all of your sweet things! Espcecially your quilts and the pillowcases on the hanger. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
  30. Such cute decorating! What a great place to create in. Love the little glass piano. Just now ran across your blog

    ReplyDelete