Welome to BlogLand, Check Your Sanity at the Door

It all started so innocently. I had been perusing through design blogs for several months thinking, "I should start my own." Little did I know that I was moments away from creating a monster. Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick wrote a post about it here. She warned against it taking over your life.

PLEASE do not let it interfere with your life. If you have the time, post every day. If you don't -- DON'T.

I didn't think that every thought that popped into my head would be in blog form and I would be putting a title to each scenario throughout my day.  Not only that, but I started comparing my decorating and what we have been able to do with complete strangers. 
I was happy with my home and found inspiration through all of the great blogs I had been following. Then I started my own. Suddenly the seed of discontentment took root and I began to change my perspective from all that I have to all that I didn't. I no longer looked at my home as MY delight, but started wondering if anyone would even care what project I was doing or what I decided to makeover.

So, while I am still wearing the hat at my very own pity party, I decided it would be very appropriate (and, as my husband the counselor pointed out, therapeutic) to write about what I DO love. I will refrain from adding all of the side notes about how each thing I love could be improved if only.....

The Yellow Cottage....

One of the reasons I love our home is because of the yellow exterior.  This was only amplified when we added the green (my favorite color in almost any shade) door.  It makes me happy when I return to it from a long trip or just from a walk around the block.

 The mailbox turned planter that my DIY husband made for Mother's Day this past year.  Since it is right by the front door, it welcomes all that come to visit.
The Kitchen.....

 

Not then.....But I do now.  Come back next week for my post on the kitchen makeover:)

 The Garden....

And the precocious little girl who loves it too....

Yes, that is a snail...she has even been known to consume them, but now prefers to build them homes and find them food.
The Memories....

The little one "helping" Daddy lay down tile in the hall bath.

We don't know how long we will live here, but we will always remember this as the house we brought our daughter home to....

And the home that she continues to grow up in....

Being at Peace when at home....

I have many before and after photos, but not as many I wish....So, I will save those that I do have for another post.  For now, I will CHOOSE contentment and I will go back and read the Nester's post on it here and here.

In one week I will be hosting my first SWAP and, if you don't already know what this is, you can read more about where I got the idea here . (again, a la Nester) So, I will choose to enjoy what I have accomplished instead of what only I will see while everyone else is enjoying the good food and free stuff.

Enjoy your weekend and, as I have to remind my daughter several times a day, make a good choice.

Unwrapped with Emily at: