Contentment

I used to define contentment as being thankful for what you have. I still think thankfulness is a big part of contentment, but I also think it is more. I now think that contentment is best defined by simply wanting what you have!

When tempted to be discontented,  I used to feel guiltly, because I was being ungrateful for all that I had. While that is still true, guilt doesn't solve my heart problem. The positive way to stop discontinted feelings is to concentrate on wanting what I have.

When I want what I have, there is no time to want what someone else has. And, wanting what I have is the ultimate in thankfulness.  

(The picture I chose for this post is our wonderful van and pop up.  Both things I struggled to be content with in the past. )

A Front Porch

One of the things I was really hoping to have on a home was a front porch.  We looked at many houses that did have some great porches, and I held out for awhile, but in the end, I had to give up that dream, for the best location. So, now it is time to get creative.  And what better time to think about sitting outside than when you are stuck inside because it is freezing!

I have some good ideas to feed this need of mine.  For instance, our front yard gets wonderfully shady in the afternoon.  So, I am planning to take advantage of this feature and put a couple nicer chairs, like in the picture below, out front.

Yes, I won't have a porch, but I will have a nice spot to sit and enjoy.  I'd really like to make an effort to be out front because I am hoping to meet some neighbors that way.  We do have a really nice deck out back, but you can't be neighborly that way!  And even if the chairs have to be plastic due to money restraints, who cares.

Image source:  Google images 

Beauty in the Humblest Things

"The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely."

~Louisa May Alcott

"Envying someone else's life doesn't make your life better -- like actually enjoying your own life does."

~Ann Voskamp

Recent Finds

Happy New Year!!  Recently,I was able to go back to my favorite resale shop with Christmas money in hand, so exciting.  I found the perfect cabinet for our powder room, which had no storage.  It was even the right color, although, I was not against having to paint in order to find the right cabinet.

Then we found bedside tables, solid wood, marked down to 2 for $12!  At first I thought I would paint them this spring, but now I like the dark wood.  Besides none of our bedroom furniture is painted.  I do not mind the mixed wood tones.  These tables were just what we needed and had been looking for.

I also bought a replacement spoon rest.  My free one from Good Will chipped beyond repair, unfortunately. This one is Fiesta Ware, made in America.  It will last for a long time.

And lastly, we had been given a lamp, but it did not have a harp or shade.  We finally found the right parts and put it on the desk in the office.  I know the shade is kind of modern and my furniture is more traditional, but I liked how it looked, so that was that.

I really enjoy making a home via the resale shops!  I hope to go again soon, when the weather improves.  I am looking to add to my 1970's Correlle.

I ♡ Antique Malls

I think I've mentioned before that I do not enjoy shopping.  Recently I rediscovered that isn't exactly true. I had forgotten how much I enjoy antique malls.

One lovely fall day, we spent 3 hours walking around, looking at and remembering things we had long ago. Oh, if only I knew way back then that my unwanted junk would be worth so much now!

We did bring home a few treasures. We found an upholstered ottoman,  4 mugs to match our 70's Correll,  and a couple Christmas tree ornaments. My 12 year old son used birthday money to buy a knife. And, many of the vendors gave a 30% discount for cash!

 This particular mall is 40 minutes away, near a favoriye park, making it a good day trip stop. We will be back! I have my eye on a Pyrex bowl set!

Contentment in Nature

My cousin took this photo while out on a walk with her dog one morning.  When I look at it, I feel such contentment, so I thought I'd share it here.

When Dreams Are Put on Hold

Our recent move seemed like the perfect opportunity to realize some dreams, but alas, that was not in the budget.  Our new home, while lovely and very cozy, sits in the middle of a typical newer neighborhood, something I thought I would never do again.

The bottom line was this is what we could afford.  There were no homes on land in our price range that were inhabitable.  Either you had a nice house on no land or land with a house that needed tearing down.  So, in the spirit of this blog, I am truly content to be where I am.

I am thankful we can own a home again, something I did not dare think about too much.  I am thankful to have all that I need and a lot of what I wanted.  I will work to make this home, home.  And truly, if this home were on 5 acres, I would not be any more content.  The 5 acres would just require more effort and perhaps right now a quarter of an acre is plenty.