Day 2

So for December 2nd the photograph assignment was "something warm". I chose to take a picture of my favorite source of warmth..........hot chocolate :)





And just so you know how much I love hot chocolate, this is MY mug. It stands 4 inches tall and measures 5 inches across. It holds at least 2 regular cups of hot chocolate so I only fill 2/3 of the way up.

I am not sure you can see the steam rising off the chocolatey deliciousness. It makes me happy :D

As for the writing prompt for the day, I read an article entitled, "Welcome Home...for the Holidays" and I wanted to share my thoughts.

Again, I would like to thank so many of the wonderful ladies in my book group who helped to solidify the thoughts in the article for me personally in my home.

The article begins by pointing out how during the holidays our hearts turn toward home, and sometimes in our own homes it leads us to focus on what is lacking in our homes. Carpets that need cleaned, window coverings that are lacking, clutter, worn out furniture.

It does remind that it is not entirely our fault with advertisers picturing the perfectly matched dining sets with beautiful holiday accoutrement. I picture the beautiful living room with the perfectly decorated tree and immaculately wrapped gifts.

I know I have been found guilty, more than once, of feeling my home inferior because of flooring, or needed paint, or window coverings, etc.

But the reminder comes: "a holiday home is a welcoming home -- and the quality of welcome has nothing to do with the quality of the furniture."

I will admit that there is a part of me that would love to have the perfectly decorated house that you might find in a magazine. But with time, I have also learned that I am not willing to sacrifice what it takes to have such a home.

My home is where I LIVE. It is where my husband LIVES. It is where 5 of our 6 children LIVE (and hopefully the 6th feels the desire to visit frequently, and remain a part).

Our lives are CRAZY most of the time, and home is a place where I hope that my family can feel wanted, secure, loved, cared for, relaxed, needed, comfortable.............

I hope that those who visit our home can feel welcomed, accepted, loved ...........

And that is where my wonderful friends helped me so very much.

As I prepare for book group I see the marker on the dining chair that Tegan decided needed more color; I see the Christmas tree that has only 3 ornaments on it, because I just purchased them today and we always decorate our tree together as a family, but we haven't had more than 10 minutes together to get that done ( here's hope for tomorrow :)); I see the two un-matching stockings for Bryce and Tegan and hope that maybe this year is the year I finally make their stockings to match the rest of the family; I see flowers left over from Thanksgiving, not really Christmas-y. I see all the things I wish I could change.

My friends are so complimentary. They see warm and inviting holiday decorations; they see beautiful fresh flowers; they see a home filled with signs of life, life of a family.

To quote the article again,"Yes, there are small children living here, and yes, you can find toys and clothes and Courduroy the bear (or in our case, baby dolls and light sabers) lounging about in odd places. This is a house where life is, ..."

"The welcoming home springs from a room in the heart, not a room in the house."

That is the home that I really want to have. Mind you, it is even more welcoming when it is clean, but I know my house will never be "Perfect".

At the same time, I try very hard to make our home a "perfect fit" for us, as well as all those who come to visit us, whether from across the street, or across the country, or across the globe. And I pray that anyone can feel "welcome".

This year most especially, I am grateful to have a home, that I love. A work in progress.


Just like me.

"A welcoming holiday home. To have one we must refurnish out heart, not our house!"


mk