We moved into our home almost one year ago, on March 22nd, so this was our first year getting to decorate with spring décor. So grab yourself a cup of tea, and enjoy the tour.
When we moved into our home, a year ago, we decided to turn the third floor - would be sixth bedroom - into a family room. Firstly, we don't need six bedrooms, and secondly, this space upstairs is cozy and has the best view in the house of the Moon.
We had a tiny television, it often left us squinting at the screen and turning up the volume to hear as if we were elderly folk in an old folks home. Have you ever encountered that problem? So we knew that we'd have to start saving for an eventual upgrade. Which we just did.
We bring up a tray with tea or coffee, a few snacks, and settle up here in the evenings to watch our DVR'd shows. Our cats, Boo and Milly also enjoy coming and spending time with us up here. Other than an hour or two in the evenings we don't watch any other television throughout the day. How about you? Do you watch a lot of television?
- Family Room -
Here's a sneak peek...
...as you can see, our family room still has a bit of a new home feel. Eventually, I would like to add a country green hue to the walls, frame some maps that we acquired of North America and Europe to put behind the couch, and give it a more lived in feel.
- Video -
The shenanigans of bringing up and setting up a 65" television.
Welcome to our library. Its one of my favorite places to curl up with a cup of Earl Grey tea, a magazine, a book, or a family photo album. Its also one of the first two rooms you see when you come in the entryway, so its also a great place to chat with neighbors and visitors who stop by unannounced. Please have a seat, I'll go put the kettle on, what kind of tea would you like?
Our library is where I keep all my magazine subscriptions, and as you can see I have many issues. I stopped subscribing a few years ago, in favor of browsing with my chai tea latte in Barnes & Noble, but I couldn't part with these. I rotate them seasonally, so that all the current seasons issues are on display and ready for me to page through. My favorites being Victoria, Southern Lady, Romantic Homes, and Tea Time (not pictured). I also have a few vintage Christmas magazines that were my Granny Veronika's that always remind me of her. Do you have magazine subscriptions? If so, how do you organize your collection?
On the bookshelf, is this souvenir my Nana Mabel gave to me. She retired from Rolls-Royce at University of Warwick in 1999. My Mum attended her retirement party where they gifted her a flight experience at a local air field. My Nana always had wings, she always traveled, and one of her favorite travels was to China. She walked the Great Wall of China at nearly 70. On that journey she bought souvenirs for all of us. This was mine, a hand painted from the inside globe which came with a wooden stand and this darling fabric covered box. It sits in our library, and whenever I open it up I'm reminded to step outside the box and spread my wings.
Now I'd like to share a recent project we recently finished, the painting of our mantel.
- Before -
- During -
We used a drop cloth, 2 sponge brushes, and some color matched, semi gloss paint.
- After-
- Video -
Here's a tour of our library, including a peek at our built in bookshelves, books, mementos, and project.
Have you done any home improvement projects recently?
Lately, we've had a lot of what I like to call monumental moments, moments that are meaningful and worth remembering and celebrating.
Moved into our Farmhouse
We received the keys to our farmhouse on March 22nd, the day this picture was taken. In the weeks after, the trees surrounding the house started to bloom and now we're shaded from the midday sunshine under a canopy of leaves. The views out of every window, has to be one of my favorite things about moving further out into the countryside. So peaceful.
40th Anniversary of Joining the Rhodesian Air Force
This year would've been the 40th anniversary of my dad joining the Rhodesian Air Force. He served from 1978-1982 and it shaped his future decades-long career in avionics. In 1989, when I was aged three, my Dad co-founded Inter Avionics where he worked for almost twenty-five years, until passing away aged fifty-four in 2013.
Pictured. Far left, on bended knee.
Also pictured is my Uncle Buffy, who along with my Aunt Diana, recently attended a 40th reunion in South Africa. While there they got together with family and longtime family friends. My Aunt Diana kindly sent me this picture, of the Chomse family whom I've known my whole life.
Left to right: Unknown, unknown, Isa, Alf (who was my dad's business partner at Inter Avionics, Serena, Miskar (my dad's godson), Alf's mom.
13th Anniversary in the United States
On May 5th, we celebrated my 13th year in the United States. As of last year, I've now lived in the United States longer than I lived in South Africa (8 years) or England (11 years).
What monumental moment have you recently celebrated?
We come to Old Salem every year and there's good reason. Its as if you step back in time to the 1700's and 1800's for a day. 🎔 Who wouldn't want that?
Lunch in The Old Tavern.
Cory ordered the bratwurst and I ordered the pot roast. Both were delicious.
The cemetery, affectionately called God's Acre, has scripture and sayings on all the gates and arches.
The house with the mustard yellow door used to be the doctors house.
One of the Moravian gift shops. Isn't it darling?
The sun peeking from behind the houses...
...and coming through the leaves was beautiful.
Below is our video diary (vlog) of our day trip to Old Salem, as well as weeks 9 & 10 of building our farmhouse in the 🎔 of the Carolina countryside.
Thank you. To any of you who take the time to read my blog, or watch my vlogs. I enjoy seeing how other people live - and we all have one thing in common, we like to remember these little moments, because maybe, just maybe the little moments are what matter the most.
Although autumn may not be one of my favorite seasons, mostly because of the shorter days, and early evenings, it is still in my top three. And there's no more beautiful backdrop to our farmhouse than the autumn glow.
As you can see from the pictures, our farmhouse has now finished being framed - yay! They have also installed our windows and exterior doors, and the roof.
Because of the shorter days, it means its usually too dark to go see the progress after my hubby comes home from work, so we usually go on the weekends, when nobody's there to go peek and see the progress.
We went yesterday, and they had poured the concrete on our wrap-around porch, and on three other stoops around the farmhouse. The wood columns are just temporary, we have white columns and a porch rail that will be added a little further down the line.
From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.
Psalm 133:3
See what I mean about autumn glow? We are fortunate our windows overlook acres and acres of uninterrupted forest views.
Last Sunday afternoon we went out for dinner and I took my yellow leather-bound-notebook, and pen along. I like to plan - way in advance - so I started 3 lists; Current home projects, order of moving, and phases once we've moved.
So far our planning has saved us thousands and thousands in picking out and selecting furniture in sales. Not a penny has gone onto a credit card, and I think in todays world, being 100% debt free and owning our current home outright, is an anomaly. We still have a few more pieces we'd like to get, but we'll get them little by little so when its time to move all the big pieces of furniture will be picked out and ready to move in, or have delivered.
To say we are excited is an understatement!
Thank you. To any of you who take the time to read my blog, or watch my vlogs. I enjoy seeing how other people live - and we all have one thing in common, we like to remember these little moments, because maybe, just maybe the little moments are what matter the most.
For many years I would read the daily news online. Eventually, the days news stories would creep into my nightmares and affect my sleep. Nowadays, I don't intentionally read the news, I know it may seem ignorant, but it really is bliss. Whenever I go onto social media I usually find out what the event of the week day is, and take a moment to pray.
Where do you get most of the decorations for your home?
Since we are eight weeks into building our dream home, I have been a busy bee planning out the interior design and decoration. For those who may not know, I graduated from design school which has helped me gain an eye for both style and function.
So far the majority of our home furnishings and décor are from Soft Surroundings, Home goods, Pier One, Kirklands, Value City Furniture, and Haverty's.
What are you interested in that most people aren't?
For as long as I can remember I've always been interested in how other people live. I like hearing about someone's else's day-to-day routine. Maybe that's why I read blogs and watch vlogs.
What problem are you currently grappling with?
Those who've followed my blog for awhile know we've had unexplained infertility for a few years now. We took a year or so break and got distracted with buying land, and building a farmhouse, but are starting to think about and plan on our next steps. We've also had a lot of problems with family who think we're the only infertile people in this world, and show little to no empathy or support.
If you were moving to another country, but could only pack one carry-on sized bag, what would you pack?
My list may have changed a little, but I did just that in 2005. I moved to the US to attend college with two suitcases and sixty dollars. I still have my original packing list and it was one page long.
Now you know a little more about me, maybe too much.
We have been doing well in our little corner of the world. Building a home so far has made us feel extremely grateful for God provision, and humbled that we get to dream, design, and build a home to create memories.
Last weekend we went on a day trip to Pinehurst, NC. We had high tea at Lady Bedford's, shopped for books at the Given Book Shop, and crushed on all the cute cottages in the neighborhood. It's also where we celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary a few years ago.
We've also had a lot of progress on our farmhouse. Last weekend, they finished the framing and we were able to see our plans come to life. With the time change, it makes it harder for us to see the weekday progress in daylight, so we've been going every weekend, which never fails to build suspense!
