Tuesday, October 2, 2007

What Does Your Dream Home Look Like?












Recently I have seen a few bloggers posting what might be considered their dream home. I think everyone has a style in mind of what they want. Obtaining that look is sometimes a little more difficult than one might like. I have seen gorgeous homes on the web, in person, on TV - everywhere. Do you have your favorite style in mind? Maybe after looking at a few these you may feel differently.

If I was a better blogger, I would be able to rearrange the pictures like I want them. But, I'm not. So just bear with me and I hope that you get the gist of what I'm trying to say. I have always wanted a log cabin. Well, not so much a cabin but a luxury log home! I love the look of the wood inside and out. It's very homey and rustic to me and it creates an inviting atmosphere for all who happen by. But, on the other hand, I so strongly feel the need to live by the water. Going to the beach is my favorite vacation. I love to get up early in the morning and watch the sun come up and the waves come in. My family tries to take a vacation together every 2 years or so. Since there are 17 of us in just my immediate family, that's not always easy. We end up getting 2 condos, ocean front view of course. The kids have a ball at the beach (so do the adults really) and a genuine feeling of relaxation takes hold. My mom and I get up, sit on the balcony with our coffee and yes, our smokes and watch that glorious sun rise over the ocean. My father, husband and sons think we're nuts to get up that early on vacation. But by the end of the week, one by one, here they come. If you have never experienced a sunrise ocean vista, I strongly suggest that you do!

Maybe you're more of a Martha's Vineyard hopeful. And you've experienced this awesome feeling already. Now I have never been to MA. My husband, the weirdo that he is, read where you can take what's called a "Haunted Honeymoon." You travel through New England stopping at different supposedly haunted hotels ending up in of course Salem. No Thanks! I enjoy watching "Haunted Whatever" on tv. And I wouldn't rule out taking a trip like that some time, believe it or not. But I kindly explained to him that on my wedding night the only other person I wanted in my bed that night was him.

Are you a ski chalet enthusiast? I wouldn't mind staying in one. Nice cozy fire, beautiful snow-covered mountains, hot toddy. It all sounds lovely. Now, being that I can't walk on flat ground half of the time without falling, I do not, however, have any desire to go down a mountain standing up! Because I can guarantee, I wouldn't be upright for long. But the whole ski experience might be nice.

And it's nice to dream. We even make out wish-lists in this house. Just for fun. But, back to reality, are you happy with what you have? God doesn't always give us what we want but He does give us what we need. And sometimes it's hard to distinguish the two. I have always maintained that even if Kenny and I had to dig through the couch cushions for change in order to buy ramen noodles for dinner, there's no one else I'd rather dig with. So, my home may not be a luxury log cabin. It may not be situated perfectly on the Atlantic ocean. And it may have a few less bedrooms than I would prefer. But even if it was a shack among shacks - it's ours. It's home. It's where my kids have grown up. It's where we have experienced joys and sorrows. Triumphs and failures. It's filled with photos, personal touches and memories. And whether we stay in this house forever or move some day later, the essence of home will always be with us. Home is where you hang your hat, they say. But I say, Home is Where Your Heart Is. Make you house your dream home by filling it with family and friends. And when you look back and ponder Christmas Eve, Easter Sunday, family game night or even the neighborhood block party it won't really matter what your house looked like because your memories will be filled with love. And that's what makes a home! God Bless, everyone.

Love,

38 comments:

Elle Jay Bee said...

What a beautiful post! So true, and I am happy to say I am finally in the home that feels like home. It is smaller than I would dream of, isn't the physical home of my dreams (I like that pink one in the top corner...but in yellow instead), but it feels safe, cozy and perfect for creating all the wonderful memories you speak of.

You are a really lovely writer!!
Linda

Michelle E. ~ Vintage Pastiche' said...

Thanks for the Birhtday wishes Julie! :)

What a great post, you are a great writer! I'm with Linda, I LOVE the pink house. I've always been drawn to the old Victorians in town but they only have postage stamp size property with it so we couldn't have chickens or anything. I also love the 20's architecture in California and Craftsman bungalows. Actually I could go on and on and on....

*muah*
Michelle

Kristen said...

What a wonderful post! I have to say that in our "neck of the woods" we say, home is where the army sends us. However, we purchased our home here in NNY, and I do love it! It is quite small but so cozy and inviting. The biggest thing that is not good about my house is that it has a tiny yard (I would love to have a large garden) and my neighbors are right out my window. I have lived in so many different homes, and being in the military environment it is important to remember that your home is wherever you are with your loved ones right at that moment, you never know, it could be a hotel or the week before your husband leaves for more than a year! Great post! Loved it!

Supermom said...

Lovely post. I don't really have a dream home. But I just want to be comfortable and happy in the home I am in.

kari and kijsa said...

Oh - a dream home- We believe it is the house you make your own! Yes, there are always houses with better views, bigger bathrooms, and lots more closet space, but it is how you squeeze all your life and love into those encompassing walls. You summed it up perfectly (And yes- we also believe Cape Cod is a little slice of heaven!)
Wonderful writing-wonderful post-

(on another note- thanks for your sweet comments- yes that is Kijsa's studio!)

blessings,
kari & kijsa

Esther Sunday said...

Good morning, Miss Julie! Out of the pics you posted - most definately the pink house. I LOVE that style!!!! And, I would have it by the ocean. But you are so right about homes in general. Our house is definatly a home, a place I feel I feel safe and homey, where I want to be when I don't feel well, etc. Hey, I decorate my guest room in log cabin style - I'll do some profiling on it one of these days! Did your mom tell ya that I got the sign!!!!!! Love it, GF! I'll profile where it will go soon. Love,
Esther

ShabbyInTheCity said...

All of them!!! I could never choose and dream about different ones all the time :)
How about having more than one? Hehe. A vacation cottage and a serious home :)

mayberry said...

A luxury log cabin would most definitely suit me, but I kinda feel about my and hubby like the song says "I'm proud of the house we've built - it's more than sticks, stones and steel." It's the truth. My home is with my family and I'll live anywhere as long as I have them with me.

Back Through Time said...

I really liked this post, but then all of yours are good:-)I am with Super Mom, no dream home for me, I just want to be happy and cozy in the home I am in for now.
Hope you day is great!
Michelle

Mary said...

Hi Julie, Beautiful pictures, great post! I know you can't live in all your dream homes, and I'm sure you're very happy in your own home, but wouldn't it be fun to tour all those beautiful houses?
xoxo,
Mary

Flea Market Queen said...

My dream home,hmmm...
In my dreams I live in an old victorian home with a wonderful porch that wraps around the front of the house. I just want a porch...
Priscilla

Mrs. Cherry Heart said...

Thank you sweet Julie for the virtual hug....I needed that!

God Bless you,
Dolly

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

My dream home is a log cabin on lots of acres in the woods. they are all beautiful though. please drop by at Daisy Bouquet mary

Anonymous said...

To repeat the others: "What a beautiful post" Julie. When I mention to someone that I need a vacation they always say "but you live in a vacation home". It's true...I do. I live on a lake with lots of beautiful land BUT my little dream is an old cottage on the Outer Banks of North Carolina that would definitely be decorated cottage style in aquas and blues where my children and grandchildren would visit all the time.

Bethany said...

We built our dream home two years ago... we were in it 6 months and we put it up for sale because it was too big-- we were always in one room together anyway and it cost a ton to heat it!! We decided a modest size home is the best and having the money to go on trips is much more fun than living in something like that. After we sold it, we lived in a barely 3-bedroom apartment before we found this house and I have to say that I actually enjoyed the coziness of it (not the noise though!). It's not granite countertops and impressive square footage that make a house a "home"...it's definately the love inside it!!!!

willzmom said...

I just wandered over from another blog and as wonderful as it is it's made even better because of the Bobby Sherman song on your playlist! I wrote a Bobby Sherman tribute awhile ago-hee hee. I'll come back and visit.
Peace, love, Bobby Sherman

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

Love the photos Julie-especially the little pink house!! I think it's great you are content with the home you already have! I love my house, although I do love browsing at lottery-win houses!
In answer to your question, I think I'd probably be able to pick the languages up again after a while, it just frustrates me that I used to be good at something, and am not anymore!! Ooh and a bedsit is a 'one-room' room to rent with a nook for a kitchen and a bathroom-like a studio in the States, but much smaller! x

Webmaster said...

Thanks for this post, Julie. I'm not in my dream home, but I've got the house plans all drawn up in my head! :)

Shelly @ thePINKbarn said...

Julie,
I loved your post today! It is true, I wouldn't trade the memories with my family and friends of the time I've had in my home for the most elaborate Palace in the world! Love does make a home. Although, I, too, would LOVE a beautiful luxurious log home!! :-) Thanks for stopping by my blog! It's kind of lonely over there! ha ha Remember to come back tomorrow to enter the birthday giveaway!
Have a great evening!
Blessings,
Shelly

FarmHouse Style said...

The big white one with the wrap around porch suits me. Put it on about 25 acres...room for chickens, horses, goats and a huge garden...yea, I would be in heaven:)
Rhonda

Rebecca E. Parsons/Cre8Tiva said...

julie...i am in my dream home...if it just had a studio...granite countertops and a pool...well, okay is it ever perfect??? but it is where i want to be on this tiny little island in the atlantic ocean...i can be at the beach in 1 minute...and i am creating the memories i want each day...thanks for the post...it was special...blessings, rebecca

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

Hello Dear Julie, What a beautifully written post...you sure know how to put thoughts into words (wish I could do that).

My dream was to live in a farmhouse and thankfully two years ago that wish came true.

Thank you for all of the sweet comments you continually leave for me.

{{{Hugs}}}
Kim

Unknown said...

Good post Julie! I really don't have a dream house.We've lived in the same home for over 20 years and it's where out kids grew up. Loved this post!

Meggie said...

when i was faced with the prospect of selling my old farmhouse a few years ago, i realized that a home is what/where you make it...doesn't matter the style...it's where family and friends feel comfortable. thanks for an inspirational post.

rosemary said...

I always wanted to live in an historically listed home plumbing problems and all. You are right Julie, I'd live in a tent if my kids were next door.

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Julie,

I just took a little tour through my old neighborhood on the way somewhere today and saw a ton of my dream homes. Even though I have a lovely one now, there are still others I would like better.

But that is just the perfectionist dreamer in me. I too feel wonderfully blessed to have my family with me and a roof of any sort over my head. I feel God's undeserved favor in many ways and I know what a gift He has blessed me with.

It is fun to dream! And fun to reflect on our blessings.

Delightful post, as always, Julie!

xo,
Melissa

BellaColle said...

You are soooo right!!!! each one is so unique. How blessed you are to travel and vacation with such an extended family... lovely post!!! =)

BittersweetPunkin said...

Hi Julie....my dream home is an old Victorian out in the country with a big lake nearby....
in answer to your question my surgery is this Monday the 8th!
Love,
Robin

Anita said...

I loved this blog!!
Makes me want to search the internet for a picture to show you my dreamhouse... :)

Anita said...

...You know I love this 'blog'... I meant this post... ;)

Anonymous said...

If I could just see...through the tears...maybe I can get this...down. The ramen noodle sentence did me in. What a beautiful post. May the disturbed of the world read it and be made right.
Alexandra

Anonymous said...

Girl I love all those houses.Lets open that B&B and run it together. As big as they are we can live there too hehe.

Alice said...

Hi, Julie, I just found your blog, stalking you from a post you made on Rhoda's. I'm so glad I did! I live in my dream home. It is not a grand mansion but a big mess of a Victorian. It's ironic but I just posted photos of it today. Hope you don't mind if I start hanging around your blog; I really enjoy your writing.

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