You know, there aren’t many children who can say that they literally do go ‘over the river and through the woods’ to get to their grandparents’ home. But mine can!
And as you go through the gate…
Down the narrow road covered in leaves…
And up the steep driveway, the anticipation builds.
It’s then that you get that first peek at it through the trees.
Can you see it there nestled among the old growth forest?
When our parents decided to purchase a home in Oregon, they definitely embraced the spirit of the Pacific NW.
And while, on the outside, they’re home might look like a ‘cabin’ in the woods, on the inside it is light and bright and filled with elegant touches.
My mom has managed to seamlessly blend the more rustic elements of their home with a more modern flair and it all comes together in the most warm and welcoming way.
When they sold their home in Arizona, the new owners purchased all of it’s contents…furniture…towels…bedding…right down to pictures on the walls! Crazy, huh?
So, starting from scratch has been a bit of a daunting task.
But not only have they completely transformed this home in a very short period of time, my mom also managed to get it all decorated for Christmas prior to leaving to spend Thanksgiving with Heather in Georgia!
Everywhere she has lived, my mom has always made all of the pillows and draperies. She’s an amazing seamstress who, until recently, was still using the same sewing machine that she used to make her wedding dress almost 50 years ago!
But, this time, she decided to try out some ready-made pillows for her living room.
These beauties come courtesy of the new ready-made pillow line from Online Fabric Store and added just the right touches of color to her neutral furniture.
Not only are they so incredibly well made (even my seamstress mom was impressed!) but they are incredibly reasonably priced!
Mom went neutral in her Christmas decor and the colors in her new pillows blend in perfectly.
The tree absolutely sparkles and my kiddos were pleasantly surprised to find some presents under it with their names on them.
Each year my parents give them a new ornament and they were thrilled to have a little bit of Christmas fun even before Thanksgiving!
After I took these photos, we sat down for an early Thanksgiving dinner together. It was such a sweet time of laughter and fellowship.
Later on, as my mom and I stood in the kitchen slicing up the pumpkin pie, I found myself reflecting on the fact that while I’ve never lived in this home, it still feels strangely like coming ‘home’ to me every time we are there.
Save for this little Nativity scene (which was the same one we had growing up!), there is nothing that is from my childhood.
Not the same furniture, not the same dishes and not even the same Christmas decorations.
Yet, it still feels like ‘home’ to me.
And I realized in that moment, that my sense of going ‘home’ had nothing to do with an actual house, or furniture, or dishes or even Christmas ornaments.
My sense of being home has everything to do with the two people who raised me.
They are my ‘going home’.
Because we all know that the feeling of being at ‘home’ has less to do with a house and everything to do with the people who live in it!
“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”
Maya Angelou
Here is just a sampling of some of the other ready-made pillows you will find at Online Fabric Store!
And be sure to take advantage of their awesome Cyber Monday Sale!!
If this is not appropriate, please feel free to delete. Your sweet mom and I went to high school together. I was at her bridal shower (I was out of town at the time of her wedding) and remember how impressed I was that she was making her own wedding gown. Coincidentally, my grandchildren also go over the river and through the woods to grandma’s house. We have recently reconnected through Facebook and I love seeing what her family looks like as well as enjoying your blog. Her home is simply beautiful. I enjoy mixing a little rustic along with the sparkle as well. I hope your family enjoys a blessed Thanksgiving.
Please say hello to your mom 🙂
Beautiful home! Looks like such a warm and welcoming place! Life to the full! Melissa
What a beautiful story. Thanks so much for sharing! Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
We lived in the same house for 20 years and each grandchild loved that house and hated it when we built a new home in the same town. BUT they soon realized that the new place felt like Grams and Grandpa’s place too…and now 8 years later they have adjusted to it…and we are planning yet another move. All of the 11 grandkids are age 15 on up to 24 now…except for our 7 yr. old grandson…so this move will not be as hard on them as the last one.
Home is where you make it, and how you put yourself into it! Your parent’s home is lovely…and your mom certainly has beautiful taste in decorating! I love her neutral Christmas touches…and my tree looks very similar!
I enjoyed my visit here today!
Linda H. @ Truthful Tidbits
As adults we appreciate going to our parents homes so much more. Enjoy those days as much as enjoy your children because the end of that comes way too soon.
What a beautiful home!!
Very pretty home, so inviting!!
That’s such a nice picture of you and your Mom, Vanessa. It was funny to read that they went the other way in moving – from Arizona to Oregon. A lot of people would have gone the other way. : ) I’m sure it is great having them nearby now. Your Mom’s home looks great. My husband says if we ever move again, especially out of state, we would just sell everything and start over. I don’t think he realizes how hard that could be!
Your parent’s property reminds me of a lovely woman I used to know back on Long Island. She taught me a lot about plants and such; she was like a third grandmother to me. She had a driveway very much like your parents and I always felt like I had to put my foot down on the gas pedal to make sure I got up it!
What a wonderful post. I loved everything about it – and seeing where you and your sister get your pretty looks – the apples didn’t fall far from the tree.
What a cozy and comfortable home! Happy Holidays to you!
I love seeing a picture of the woman who raised you and Heather to be the fabulous women you are!!! When I get around you girls all I want to do is hug you… and now your mom! The apples do not fall far from the tree!!! I love your mom’s decor style!!!
Beautiful home… beautiful post!
Such a special and loving post. Your mom has done an amazing job decorating her home. Beautiful.
What a lovely and secluded place. I love your mum’s style too. Thanks for sharing, Vanessa!
Alison
Nancherrow
I miss your mom and dad here in Arizona…She is so talented,It’s not surprising that the house has the beautiful and homey feeling to it. You have colored leaves, what a great change. I’ll be in Georgia next week as well, maybe I’ll get to see them while I’m there.
This brought a tear to my eye, Vanessa! I know what you mean about coming home and Christmas seems to be that time when all of our memories come to the surface. I no longer have my parents and our family home is now “home” to someone else. I do have a small collection of old ornaments that would appear every year to grace our Christmas tree. They are precious to me!
The “cabin” is simply gorgeous. I thought you were going to say at any minute that your mom was an interior designer. Just lovely!!
Jane xx
Love this story…family is what we are most thankful for. We moved from the northwest to Nashville to be near our daughters and get to spend the holidays together. Now we aren’t the only empty driveway in the neighborhood!
What a beautiful post! Enjoy your parents and include them in as much of your life as possible. I surely miss my Mom and Dad and treasure many moments with them. Thank you for sharing so much of yourselves (your sister too!) God bless you all…
Vanessa- you have such a beautiful soul. i love this post and your mama sure did raise you and Heather just right! Happy thanksgiving!
I loved this story! We raised our family here in the Willamette Valley and then one daughter moved to Georgia. So we’re an Oregon/Georgia family too. We too have moved homes from when the kids were little and I do hope they feel like they are “coming home” when they all come here for an event or just to hang out! (although it’s downtown and not over the river and through the woods). 🙂
Such sweet and heartfelt sentiments about your parents. You are so right and the sweet picture of you and your mother is very special.Cherish each phone call, visit and any communication with your parents. I lost both of mine at age 33 and it has been 30 years. Your post was so touching.
Their new home is beautiful. I enjoyed the tour very much. Precious nativity!
Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Your parent’s home is beautiful…I can see how you and Heather got your love for decorating…I so love the photo of you and your mom…Beautiful post Vanessa….I held on to every wonderful word from your heart…..as my granddaughter says, “home is where you are loved” . . .
Such a beautiful home and a great photo of the two of you. I know you have to be thrilled to have them close by.
Your parents have a beautiful home and I love how your mom decorated it for the holidays. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Blessings,
Linda
Vanessa, I loved seeing the photo of you and your mom together! I know you are delighted having your parents nearby. Such a touching post!