This harder AND better than I thought...

I haven't been around (again) because I have been so caught up in this "moving thing"!  It has taken me a while to truly reconcile myself to the idea of leaving our 10-acre property.  This country home was a dream of many years for us.  It has been a joy, mostly, to live that dream.  Now, it is just too much for us to care for properly.  We do need to move on, but it is sad task, you know?

The new house, is 1000 sq. ft. smaller than this one.  It is definitely the right size for us now.  I have finally given up trying to fit everything I have here into the new place; believe me when I say I tried...

"Right-sizing" means I am selling, giving, tossing away a ton of stuff.  These decisions are not easy!  Amazingly enough, I am feeling good about having less "stuff".  In some way, this exercise is allowing me to focus on what I really love, and making a home that is more manageable.  Who'd a thunk?

I am going to try to come here more often as we make this transition.  I'll be looking forward to your comments & encouragement!

Here a few photos of our current place.  I'll post a floor plan & some photos of the model of the new house in a day or two.

Driveway from the county road to our house

House front - early morning

Back deck view

Thanks for hanging in there with me!  Chris

I LOVE Lanterns!

I use a lot of lanterns in my decor.  I love the warm glow they give to a room, even in the Spring & Fall months.  I have been stocking up on the LED-lighted candles.  They're wonderful to use when it's warmer.  Some even have a slight scent.

Here's a sample of some of the lanterns, and one terrarium, that are offered on my AtHomewtihChris.com website.  The lighter finishes feel more like spring and summer to me.  And because I have the LED candles, I can tuck them amongst plants in the terrarium.  I've ordered a terrarium for myself!  I can't wait to receive it and play with vignettes. :)



www.AtHomewithChris.com

I'm going through decor withdrawals!  We're packing to stage the house for sale.  I have to make very specific choices about what I leave out.  I'm told that my "collections, no matter how tastefully displayed" may be viewed as clutter to a potential buyer.  Phooey!

Are lanterns a part of your decor?  Do you have a favorite place or way to use them?  I'd love to hear about it!

How Would You Use This Stand?

Spring has me thinking of “sprucing up” my outdoor spaces. A patio, porch or deck is the perfect place to use pieces that are interesting (funky?) and functional too. This metal flower stand has so many possibilities!




Metal Flower Stand

Here a some of my ideas:

In the bottom basket, add a pretty green fern. Then place a few 2-inch pots of annual flowers in the top to give it some color. Johnny Jump-ups or pretty pansies would be gorgeous. Using small terracotta pots & pony packs of annuals would make it inexpensive. You can hide the pots with moss, and it will resemble a small garden. Tuck in a couple of miniature items an you’ll have a fairy garden!

You could also sit one beautiful orchid or a collection of small succulents in a dish in the top basket. They’d be easy to move when you wanted to add a bowl of ice & a few canned beverages or a bottle of wine for an outdoor meal. Leave the top bucket empty except for a small candle in a cute holder, sit it next to a chair & you have a cool side table to hold a drink. 

Not only for outdoors, the flower stand would be perfect in a powder room. Store extra toilet paper in the lower basket, and rolled guest towels & a small decanter with guest soaps or potpourri in the top.

So...what's your idea?