The Making of a Home

Lately we have been concentrating on our home

adding little details that have been missing since we have moved in. 

After all our home is a reflection of us

and our empty spaces here had make me feel empty.

We have slowly started to fill it with familiar mementos and our own handmade gifts.

One of my favorite things we added was free.

Ever since moving here I wanted a decoration on our door.

Using twigs and branches from our yard I twisted and weaved to make the frame for an autumn wreath.

Using garden wire to hold it together I kept adding.

It looked so pretty with just the ivy on the wreath...so simple.

Then we added rosemary, thyme, acorns and pinecones from our yard...
Taking our early morning walk we collected magnolia leaves, oak leaves and callicarpa berries

The captain used the hot glue gun to add the final finishing touch at the bottom.

I love the thought of turning nature into art... and the best part it smells great!

“We often forget that WE ARE NATURE. Nature is not something separate from us. So when we say that we have lost our connection to nature, we’ve lost our connection to ourselves.” 
~Andy Goldsworthy

Andy is one of my favorite artists..
here he is at work

The captain has been hard at work on a special piece for me made from 

pallet boards...here is a sneak peak.

He said "...out of everything I have created this one is my favorite"

To love something you do what more can you ask for.

I cannot wait for the reveal and see it in our home.

This next addition was unexpected

Our neighbors gave us their sandbox they no longer use.

We made sandcastles all day... the best part it was on her birthday.

We have never felt so welcome by a complete stranger here.

Some of my Instagram pics of home... follow me @almaluz

Some of my favorite pictures from the beach ... our other home

sad to have found a blowfish wash-up on shore

On a beautiful morning walk around or block we met a lovely neighbor
sitting in a shady spot, with all the patience in the world tending to his lawn by hand.
Married for over 50 years, has traveled to most of the continents, and to 47 out of the 50 states.
He tells us he retired 20 years ago and is savoring his life with his family.
How I would love to sit with him and hear his stories.
We often forget how sacred time is and how we choose to spend it...
but do you think about how you wish to savor it ... the last little bits?
At 84 years young Mr. H is my hero.

What things have made you feel at home lately?