Family members often tell
me that I am just like my grandmother, which, trust me, is a huge compliment. This week, my family said goodbye to this wonderful woman that I
was so fortunate to call “Grandma” and while I feel completely defeated, a
special person in my life said to me “I never got to meet your Grandma, but I’m
pretty certain I see her everyday”. In this moment, I’ve realized that my
grandmother has left a legacy in all of her children, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren, which is a pretty incredible thing.
As I thought of all the
things I loved about my Grandma, I instantaneously started thinking about my
Nan; two incredibly brilliant women who brought so much to this world. As my
mind started filling with beautiful memories, I was brought comfort by thoughts
of their warm and welcoming homes that I spent so much time in as a child. These
were places of absolute happiness.
I’m sitting here, looking
around my apartment and I realize that I have re-created a “home” here based on
what my Grandma and my Nan have taught me. My Grandma was an amazing cook and
always had something on the table to offer. I have her old recipe cards and I
truly believe that my love and passion for cooking is attributed to her. My Nan
was the woman who knew how to embrace and nurture you in a time of sadness or
despair. No matter what was going on outside in the world, my Nan had a way of
making her house feel like the place of shelter to weather any storm. Together,
these empowering influences on my life have helped define what “home” is for
me.
No matter your age,
gender, religion or beliefs, every person can feel the sense of comfort
that comes from creating a warm space filled with good memories.
With the help of two beautiful women, I bring you:
5
Simple Steps to Home-Making
1. Pictures
Put pictures up everywhere. Load a file of pictures onto a CD or external hard-drive and have them printed in all different sizes. Print pictures of family, pets and friends or of anything that reminds you that you are loved. Buy frames and mount them on the walls or better yet, make DIY frames.
3. Memorabilia
I am one of those annoying, keep-everything hoarders because I attach sentimental value to inanimate objects way too often. You don't have to take it to that extreme, but surround yourself with things that remind you of loved ones. I have my Grandma’s homemade quilt on my bed and I snuggle with a stuffed Lamb Chop that my Nan gave to me. Leaving these kinds of items around your house will bring you a sense of comfort.
4. Holiday Decorations
No matter what you choose to celebrate, embrace the holidays that mean something to you and your family and take every opportunity to decorate your house. I have somehow managed to allow Christmas to wreak absolute havoc on my walls. I've even bought red pillows and blankets for the couch (refer to previous point). You don't have to be as insane as I am or take these points to an obsessive level like I like to do, but just embrace the holiday spirit.
1. Pictures
Put pictures up everywhere. Load a file of pictures onto a CD or external hard-drive and have them printed in all different sizes. Print pictures of family, pets and friends or of anything that reminds you that you are loved. Buy frames and mount them on the walls or better yet, make DIY frames.
2. Cook More Often
I have made a real
effort to make sure I cook a good meal at least once a day. It doesn't matter
if you don't think you're good at it… do it anyway— follow recipes or get a
friend to join you. The more you cook and bake, the more your home will soak up
the smells of home-cooked meals and comforting, fresh baked desserts.
I am one of those annoying, keep-everything hoarders because I attach sentimental value to inanimate objects way too often. You don't have to take it to that extreme, but surround yourself with things that remind you of loved ones. I have my Grandma’s homemade quilt on my bed and I snuggle with a stuffed Lamb Chop that my Nan gave to me. Leaving these kinds of items around your house will bring you a sense of comfort.
4. Blankets, Pillows & Fluffy Rugs
There is nothing
better than snuggling on the couch, wrapped in a cozy blanket, while being
practically suffocated underneath copious amounts of pillows. I have 6 pillows on my
bed, several pillows on my couches and chairs, blankets absolutely everywhere
in my house, a fluffy rug beside my bed, a fluffy rug in my office and the
fluffiest of fluffy carpets on my hard-wood floor in my living room. It always feels
so homey to be able to wrap yourself in a blanket, cuddle beside a pillow and bury your toes in a cozy carpet.
4. Holiday Decorations
No matter what you choose to celebrate, embrace the holidays that mean something to you and your family and take every opportunity to decorate your house. I have somehow managed to allow Christmas to wreak absolute havoc on my walls. I've even bought red pillows and blankets for the couch (refer to previous point). You don't have to be as insane as I am or take these points to an obsessive level like I like to do, but just embrace the holiday spirit.
Whenever I walk into my house, I feel inclined to put something comforting in the oven, wrap myself in
blankets and watch a Christmas movie snuggled beside Lamb Chop. This is home to me.
Dedicated to: Lorraine Pulvermacher & Donna Bennett
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