Makeovers and March rays

Since my last post, I got inspired to do a kitchen makeover. My dream is to one day add on a bigger kitchen/dining area, but that will probably be several years down the road. We've never updated the kitchen in our six years of living here, so I decided it was time for a new look. Ideally I should've started this project during the winter because now spring is just around the corner and as soon as it's warmer I'll want to spend every possible minute outside! Generally I'm not an impulsive person but sometimes when an idea hits me I pounce on it. This was one of those times! Enthusiastically I started ripping off wallpaper but soon realized it wouldn't come off without a fight. After much scraping and trying different methods I finally figured out what works best. In the process I nicked and tore the drywall in some places, much to Cliff's annoyance. His level of enthusiasm for the project was quite a bit lower than mine but he's been a champ and come around. There's still quite a bit of wallpaper to tear off but I'm hoping we can both work on it this Saturday. I'm having fun dreaming up new decor and looking at paint samples.

The spring peepers are here!! They make such a lovely night sound that means we've made it through winter and the earth is waking up. Near our house there's a swampy area where the sound comes from, getting noticeably louder every night. Robins are hopping around and in the morning I hear their song of spring. This time of year makes me yearn for my greenhouse days - the smell of fresh, wet soil and growing things, dirty hands, and warm sun beaming down on my neck.

When I explored my yard this afternoon I saw the deer have once again been devouring my plants. Ugh! I feel like I'm in a losing battle with those creatures.

Today was my much needed day off. It flew by too fast of course, but overall I had a relaxing day. This afternoon when the sun was streaming through the patio door I got an urge to lay down in that patch of sun. Ahhh, such bliss! The warmth and light felt heavenly on my skin, although I felt a little cat-like lying there.

My fresh line-dried sheets are waiting for me, so goodnight!

What's your style?

Recently my mom, sisters, and I were discussing home decorating on our chat. Some of us struggle with knowing how to create a cozy, beautiful home environment. Others don't worry about trying to be "in" and just use things we like to make our homes attractive. I love decorating but I certainly am not one who periodically redecorates with the latest fad. Farmhouse style? Nah. I don't live in a farmhouse so why try to make my home something it's not? Beach/tropical? Nope. I don't live in a beachy, tropical part of the world so that's ridiculous. Same goes for lake/cabin decor. The thing about fads is they quickly become outdated. Remember when Thomas Kinkade was all the rage? Not long ago, painting walls with vibrant colors was considered ideal. Now the neutrals have come back with the farmhouse style. I remember when neutrals were the fashion before. There's always a little different twist, just like with patterns and clothes, but the old becomes new again. Several years ago, country style decor was the trend. At that time, I was more into following the "in" thing, and my home probably reflects that style the most. However, I have a low tolerance for clutter and have never been one to cover every surface and corner with "stuff." I'm not very sentimental either, and don't have a problem getting rid of things. If you don't love it, why keep it?

I haven't read the wildly popular book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, but have read some about the KonMari method and like what I hear. The rule of only having things that spark joy is a great way to make decisions. Occasionally I see something that instantly grabs me and I know it's perfect. That's what I think sparking joy is about. When I'm changing some of my decor or rearranging, I try different things until I hit upon the one that makes me feel the happiest.

I'm also not a fan of anything fake, although that doesn't mean there's no fakes in my house! Why buy a new item that's made to look vintage? Give me the real thing. Imperfect, scratched, rusty items have character and reflect the real struggle of living. Old items passed down through generations are far more valuable to those who know the story behind them. I treasure anything that was used or made by my grandmas. Several years ago at a Swarey reunion, we had an auction and Grandma sold a few of her things. There were several serving bowls that I remember eating browned butter noodles out of and I am happy to now own one! Recently I got a handmade rag rug from Grandma Byler that will always be cherished. Somehow I came into possession of a little suitcase owned by my Amish great-grandma, which I filled with old books. This is beginning to sound like I'm sentimental after all! As I get older, I value things I remember from my childhood because they are associated with good memories.

Having a classic, timeless style and surrounding myself with things I love is my goal. I want my home to be cozy, welcoming, and relaxing. In the larger scheme of life, these things are unimportant, yet I think we all want to make our homes a refuge and an "island of joy."

of Irish and Amish

Since St. Patrick's day is tomorrow, I've been thinking Irish! I'm lucky enough to know a little about my Irish heritage. In the book Rosanna of the Amish, the story is told how Bridget O'Connor and her brothers John and William came to America. Bridget married an Irishman, Pat McGonegal, and four children were born to them. Before Pat married he worked in Pennsylvania and boarded with an Amish woman. After their marriage, Pat and Bridget lived with this Amish woman, Elizabeth Yoder, until they were able to find a home of their own. They remained friends with Elizabeth, who taught Bridget many homemaking skills. Unfortunately, Bridget died after the birth of her fourth child, Rosanna. During her illness and death, Bridget was cared for by Elizabeth, who also took care of her baby. Pat decided to take his three oldest children to live with relatives in Philadelphia and leave Rosanna with Elizabeth. From time to time, Elizabeth would receive letters from Pat, but eventually they stopped coming and she felt something must have happened to him. When Rosanna was nine years old, her older brother William came to visit and confirmed that Pat was killed while working in a gravel mine. William intended to take Rosanna back with him, but Rosanna did not want to leave Elizabeth, whom she called "Momly" and the only home she had ever known. So she stayed and was raised as an Amish girl. At some point, they moved to the Amish settlement in the Big Valley (Belleville) where Rosanna married and had children of her own. Rosanna was my great-great-great-great grandmother. Her youngest son, Joseph, wrote the book Rosanna of the Amish, which is a very interesting story that gives a true view into Amish life.

When I was in 4th or 5th grade, my teacher read us this book, and it was arranged for our class to make a trip to Belleville and see some of the landmarks associated with Rosanna. One of the houses she lived in is still standing, and we also visited her gravesite. Afterwards, we went to my Grandma Byler's for a traditional Amish church meal of bean soup, moon pies, white pickles, and cold cuts. I grew up eating this food whenever we visited Grandpa Byler's, and to this day, I consider it delicious. To those who didn't grow up with it though, the bean soup can be rather off-putting. It's made with milk and white beans (no meat) and you put chunks of day-old dry bread in it as you eat it, along with a sprinkle of allspice, if you like. Moon pies are basically half moon shaped dried apple pies. My grandma makes the absolute best! 

I've always wanted to go to Ireland, and recently decided I'm going to do it! We're hoping to go sometime next year. I want to see Killarney, where my ancestors came from, and experience the Emerald Isle. 

According to legend, St. Patrick explained the holy Trinity using a shamrock, or young clover. It is rather disappointing that this missionary's life is celebrated among the world by drinking and partying. 

I'll end with an Irish blessing.

winter wonder

Yesterday morning we awoke to a white winter wonderland. Every tree, branch, and stick was coated with a puff of snow. To see the sun shining on all that whiteness was dazzling! Believe it or not, I'm actually enjoying winter this year. It's a slower-paced, cozy season. There's no outside work (Cliff takes care of the snow removal 😊) and long, dark evenings to be at home. In the past, that would make me depressed, but I've gradually come to see the pleasurable side of winter. One thing that has made a big difference in my feeling towards winter is having a warm house. Being cold makes me cranky. When our wood stove is going, it's often around 80 degrees in the house. We have to open windows because it gets too hot but I consider that a blessing!

I've been making an effort to go on a walk at least 5 times a week. It can be challenging with my work schedule and the weather, but I've managed to accomplish it! Getting outside and exercising is so much more appealing to me than walking on a treadmill or going to the gym. I believe the fresh air does wonders to clear your head and maybe even your skin! It's always invigorating even though some days I feel like I have to drag myself out there. It seems the air is beginning to have a touch of spring and the days are getting noticeably longer now. Soon the dark winter evenings will be over!

One of the pleasures of living in Pennsylvania is getting to experience all four seasons. My favorite is still spring, but I've come to love them all. Each one has a distinct smell, sound, and feel. In the beauty of nature is proof that God loves us.

Now, I'm going to get my walking shoes on and get that fresh air in my lungs before I have to leave for work!