I absolutely love the house that we call home. We chose to build our house and moved in over 21 years ago – with only two children at the time. We have since added two more children, said hello and good bye to several well loved pets, changed vehicles, jobs and hairstyles. We have grown, celebrated, mourned and hoped in this home. Our neighbors have become friends, I have a walking route I use daily, a grocery store and favorite restaurant nearby and family is within a short drive. I have always loved decorating each room for each season and holiday, creating memories with our children along the way. Time spent together is treasure here, and I always breathe a sigh of relief when I walk in the door.

I recently saw an article on self care that spoke on the topic of having a special spot for ourselves. I thought about it for about thirty seconds and knew where mine was right away. It’s actually the first room on the left as you enter our home. As you arrive through the front door, you can see the first wall of this room – with the letters H O M E on the wall. Another sign reads “Best Family (in the history of ) Ever. It’s a “den” of sorts, that I have claimed as my spot. In it sits a comfy beige sofa in between 2 dark brown end tables. Each table holds a lamp and a plant 🙂 A wax melter sits on the table closest to the window, and it is always on heating the scents of the current season – today’s scent is cinnamon maple. There is a coffee table that has a lower shelf crammed with books, bibles, journals and more. On the top of the table sits a plump pumpkin that I bought over 25 years ago when I worked at Hallmark. On the wall there is a shelf from Ikea that holds dozens of scrapbooks and photo albums. Twenty eight years of pictures and memories on those shelves. On the opposite wall is a corner shelf that holds skeins of yarn and my knitting looms and supplies. The bottom shelf is where I stack the hats that I knit and donate. Under the window is a soft brown bench that holds – you guessed it – more books, plants and hats waiting to be donated. Daily, our cat Ron sits on this bench, snacks on the plant and watches the birdies that sit on the tree in our yard just a few feet away. There is a basket filled to the top with soft blankets and pillows, unless it is Christmas season. During that time, I place a miniature tree covered with white twinkly lights, causing me to love this space even more. The light pours into this room through the Northern windows, and I rarely have to turn on the lamps, but when I do, the room feels extra cozy and inviting. I sit on the end of the couch by the window and read, write or knit. On the couch next to me, Ruby buries her nose in her “softer than anything I’ve ever felt in my life” dog bed. When I’m on the couch, I can see both outside into the neighborhood, and inside the first story of our home and anyone going up or down the stairs. It truly is my favorite room in the house.

Do you have a room in your house that makes you extra happy? A room that you retreat to when you need to be productive, or just sit for a minute without interruption? I truly think we all deserve a spot like this, and I’m so grateful for mine. Let me know where you go in your home, and why it’s extra special to you!