Wednesday 31 August 2011

Home

I will confess when I am not at work I am very much a homebody.  That's not to say I am unadventurous.  It's just that I love being at home.  We don't eat out alot these days and I tend to decline invitations to fancy events.  Some would probably tag me as boring but I just prefer, in my very small amount of spare time, to be at home with my family.  There really is no better place than home in my world.

When I spotted this vintage tear sheet on Full House blog recently it really struck a chord with me because I would love to take a week or two off to spend at home just pottering around the garden and the pool, cooking for my boys and taking some time to really enjoy what it is that we have....time to stop and smell the roses so-to-speak.

I also think that as much as I would like to NOT talk about the slowing economy and as much as I would like to ignore it, it would be remiss of me because the reality is that we are smack bang in the middle of tough times.  Please don't get me wrong, I am not writing this post to try to depress you...quite the opposite.  I am writing this post to try to inspire you.  Tough times shouldn't mean the cancellation of fun but they do make us think a bit differently about how we spend our money.  So here's one way I think we can save on money but not on fun...

With the arrival of Spring here in Australia it's hard not to think about holidays because that's what we all do when the weather gets warmer, we plan holidays.   Instead of thinking about grand plans for an expensive holiday overseas or interstate I think it could be a wonderful idea to think about grand plans for a happy and relaxing holiday at home.  Pretty up the house, add some cushions, get into the garden, read a book, take afternoon naps, cook lovely meals, play scrabble with the family and enjoy what it is that you have because what we all have is really so very much...

xx
Anna

21 comments:

Kate said...

Click your red sequinned heels and revel in the fact "there's no place like home". Oh how right Dorothy was!!!

Karena said...

Anna loved the thoughts in your last paragraph. Summer is soon to end here, though the changing of the seasons brings more beginnings and appreciation for what we have and hold dear.

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

One of my Hobby Blogs said...

you are so right Anna, I'm in the middle of "re-doing" a few of my rooms, I'm sure it's the Spring fever, tho I'm not admitting that! We aussies usually have a pretty good life, can't complain, but can always work on saving money better, it just seems to evaporate sometimes!!!

tableandtop.com said...

I love the colors used in this piece!!

'Please visit our new website www.tableandtop.com'

Brown Button Trading said...

gorgeous post anna, sounds like my kind of holiday, at home. stunning tear sheet also!!!! x

pve design said...

My parents have lived in the same home for over 50 years and as a teen had a pool built in - and they always say it has been the best investment. The economy has always inspired me as an artist and an individual to reflect on what we do have.
I am grateful for my family, friends, my home and all the lovely inspiring people like you who devote so much energy to making a home sweet home.
As always, thanks for your heartfelt posts. I can hardly wait until our renovation is complete and I can pretty up my home. I do hope you will be my guest one day.
pve

ATTITUDEINABUNDANCE said...

Sometimes you just can't beat being at home :)

Christina Perraki said...

Hello Anna!
Speaking of the economy crisis here in Greece things are getting much hurder every day. Summer is ending and it was the first time me and my husband didn't make plans for a vacation. Instead we stayed home with our boys enjoying every single day by going to the beach until late in the evening. We are quite lucky because we live on an island. And we are VERY lucky because we have each other!

Will @ Bright.Bazaar said...

Not boring at all. I love nothing more than being cosy at home with loved ones.

Full House said...

Anna, I think you are spot on...if that is what boring is all about then sign me up. What is life all about anyway, ya know?

Hope you get the opportunity to savor every moment of the impending Spring/

xx - Christina

Mummaducka said...

I am a homebody too. Being a school teacher I have lots of holidays which means that I have learned not to want to travel too much, besides any big holiday away from home would have to meet very rigid criteria. I am not exactly athletic so am not into mountain climbing or the like. 5 star and Air-con for me. Sometimes though I have to put my wants aside to do things the family like. Next holiday expedition involves a tent and Utes! I hope the weather will be comfortable. We somehow manage to get a nice balance!

Krystal James said...

That is so true, my husband and I are in the same boat.We run a retail business and any chance we have to have a break we jetset away... but the truth is I love being at home. Rather than sqeezing the things I enjoy on my days off it would be wonderful to have an entire week to do it.
www.serenitynursery.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I completely agree, "there's no place like home" x

Karen said...

Oh Anna
I so agree. I'm a really a homebody I find it amusing if you say your going on holidays and your not going away people seem so disappointed for you.
Kind Regards
Karen

4Land.com.au said...

You've a friend in me. I like to stay in the house during the holidays but it's not unsavoury time as most people would like to think. I do many chores at home and after that, turn on my PC and surf the web. It's exciting actually.

house and land packages Perth

Hey, It's me...Jessica said...

Beautifully said.

Naturally Carol said...

Hi Anna..your thoughts here are just so inspiring to me today. Thoughts of being contented with where you are and making the most of what you've got and just adding some extra zing to your life makes me think 'I can do that!' Thank you.

Daryl Wark said...

Anna,
you are so right, the economy is so hurting retail and many other service industries, (travel too),
I say travel local, (meaning at our door step and nationally) our world is so beautiful down under. I am the first to jet off OS given half the chance. But home in these hard times really is begging me to stay here. The simple things in life like a lovely house that feels like a home. And that lovely home hold many more memories in our lives than jetting off for a 2 week action packed holiday.
The one's I remember most were as a child. The simple one's spent with family and friends at home or on a Aussie beach.
If we all support each other the cash has a way of being there for everyone right here on our door step. If we all stop spending out of fear and not logic the cash stops flowing for everyone. I think it is a time to be careful but not fearful.
Great post Anna.
warm regards,
Daryl

Trudys Emporium said...

Well said, I have been homey latley. I do get itchy feet but by the time night rolls around I am happy to sit on my lounge & do absolutly nothing. x

Shannon Fricke said...

Here, here Anna,
We're lucky to live in a country that lends itself so beautifully to holidaying at home...
Sx

Peta Rudd said...

I couldn't agree more Anna. In fact it has always been my view to try and introduce more of the things that are alluring about OS travel and specific destinations and incorporate them into our daily lives. Not necessarily every day but by bringing these things into our lives and being resourceful and creative about how, you would find that life can be a lot more inspiring and rejuvenating for very little $. I could even be inspired to set up my own gauzy tee pee, cushions, iced teas and cook an exotic feast for friends and family this summer! Great post & spot on as usual xx