There's no place like home

I've just returned from a mini-vacation...The Southern Man and I travelled to Virginia to visit family...and to take a little time to unplug and unwind...
and now that I am back home in the Pacific NW, I'm reflecting on how important "home" is...no matter who you are or where you live...

We spent half of our time in Charlottesville, a small university town where the Southern Man's daughter and husband live...we hung out at the house, walked around town (admiring the cute homes and charming porches...such as the porch I captured in the opening photo) and soaked up the warm sunshine...from observing the backyard chickens, I gathered we were not alone in enjoying the weather and our surroundings...

During our visit, southern man's daughter & husband learned that their offer on a foreclosed house had been accepted...though the housing crisis has had its share of sad stories of loss...it was gratifying to see this young couple's dream of their first home come to life...under a housing boom, they would never would have been able to purchase this 1930's Dutch Colonial...but given the current economic conditions and being in the right place at the right time, they now own their dream home...and all the excitement (and work!) of making it their own special place.

While in Charlottesville, we visited Monticello, the famous home of Thomas Jefferson (or T.J. as locally noted).  Its an incredible estate with nothing less than an incredible man at the center of its creation...it was easy to understand why T.J. relished this retreat and truly felt at home here.

For the flight back to Seattle, I picked up the June issue of House Beautiful magazine at the airport newstand...and saw my vintage-inspired stairwell highlighted as one of 20 Makeover Ideas...their magazine has the perfect tagline -"We believe everyone has a beautiful house in them".  I strongly believe that one's home should be a welcome retreat and a nest in which to find warmth, solace and peace...incorporating simple ideas such as these 20 suggestions will make your house into your home...

As we opened the door to our house and breathed a sigh of contentment, I found comfort in the fact, that though I love to travel and relish all the experiences that come with it...there is no place like home.