Home: Autumn Style

Home. Just the word home makes me feel all warm and cozy. Pretty sure I am extremely old fashioned when it comes to my home and my family, but I'm ok with that. I am a true believer in "his roles" and "her roles", I know in certain circumstances these roles need to be shared but for the most part I take great pride in domestication. My husband has never cleaned a toilet, very rarely changed a load of laundry, always comes home to a warm cooked meal, a clean and inviting home, and a stack of clean, ironed clothes. In turn, he goes out in the cold, cruel world everyday and works hard to earn a living for us. He handles all yard and car issues. He is my built in repairman. I am sure there are some of you that shake your head at this. However for us, it works. If I needed the help, he would do it for me in a heartbeat, he is more than willing. Its just always kinda been "my thing". I get so much satisfaction and happiness from creating a home for my little family.

I have so many memories from when I was little. The smells I would walk into, our house always smelled like a mixture of vanilla and cleaning products. I remember walking home from a friends house on crisp, cool, nights. My hands were buried deep in my pockets, my head bent to keep the wind out of my face. I would let myself in through our garage. My house would be lit up with porch lights and lamps seen through the windows. I would walk in and immediatly be flooded with warmth. The smell of a hearty dinner was always in the air. I would take off my shoes and go into our half bath in the downstairs hallway. I would wash my hands and feel the warm water flowing over them. I would dry my hands with the hand towel my mom had just placed there. Clean, and layed out perfectly. Not one wrinkle. How did she do that. I would walk up the stairs, little accent lamps turned on everywhere I looked (ya know, to set the mood). Everything was perfectly clean, and straight, and decorative. My mom would be standing at the stove, she would always turn to greet me with a big ol' smile on her face. I was home.

I am trying so very hard to recreate this for my children. The breakfasts she would lay out for me every single morning, burying my face in my freshly cleaned sheets that smelled like fabric softner, watching her carefully water each and every flower pot in the summertime, the music that was always softly playing, the candle that smelled of vanilla and cinnamon. I loved her home, I loved the feeling that it gave me everytime I walked through those doors. I was safe, I was loved, I was cherished.

For me, home is a big deal. I pour my whole heart and soul into it. I know I don't need decorations for every holiday, or for my floor to be so clean you could eat off of it. However, for me it is a sense of accomplishment, the chance to create something that will build lasting memories for my children. I don't work outside the home, not much anyways, my job is my home. And I truly take so much pride and happiness from it. To me, these upcoming months symbolize what "home" is all about. The warmth, the coziness, the love. We are approaching my absolute favorite time of the year. I wave my holiday freak flag like crazy. The holidays are coming...and I can't wait.

Just a glimpse of my home as we get ready to welcome fall. Its in the air, can ya feel it. Those crisp, cool mornings. Chilly nights. The leaves are changing. I am craving soups, stews, cobblers and all things pumpkin. I swear just the thought of all this leaves my heart beating just a bit faster. Candy corns, autumn harvests, hot chocolate, snuggly flannel jammies and blankets. Bring it. Can't wait.

Happy Fall all!