the Dining room
Although this room doesn't get used very often, it is still one of my favorites! When we have family over for birthdays or holidays, it is a nice place to eat, but for us, it is mainly a pass-through from the kitchen to the upstairs! And the kids seem to enjoy running circles through here when they play! Even so, it is a room full of sentiment. The table and chairs belonged to Dan's Grandparents, and it was refinished for us for our wedding, after his brother and his wife had used in their own dining room. The 'buffet',which is actually an old stereo cabinet, belonged to Dan's Grandmother, as well as all the china in the room. It might not be the china cabinet of my dreams, but I do love seeing it and knowing that his grandparents probably cranked it up in the day and listened to some great music!
{from the Mom's Devotional Bible}
Our Share in Hospitality
We haven't finished painting yet. We don't know what to say to people. Nevertheless, we have everything we need to become hospitable.
We tend to view hospitality as a kind of pass/fail performance. When someone invites us over, we feel compelled to reciprocate - but do it better. But rather than an elaborate show of pretty possessions, fancy food or talented talk, true hospitality is simply sharing ourselves and what is ours with someone else. Our home. Our family. Our personality. Our sagging couch and mismatched dishes. Our hand-made tablecloth passed down from our grandmother. Our cans of soup and our cherished stories of our own traditions.
After all, folks are most comfortable in a place where they can feel at home. Better a happy guest who notices our dust and chipped dishes but feels truly welcome than a guest who heaps praise on our beautiful home but inside only feels inadequate in comparison.
Let's keep it simple. True hospitality is sharing ourselves and what is ours with another.
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9
Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13
If you'd like to see more of the Manor, visit here.
{Updated here}
Oh how beautiful! You certainly have a gift for decorating. Thanks for sharing that with us. And I love the thoughts on hospitality. So true!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Melissa, well, when we first moved in about 6 years ago, we used to eat in here, because we didn't have a kitchen table or barstools! Sometimes I wish we would sit there, but, it is easier to clean up in the kitchen!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, I especially love that table the dark wood is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI thought about borrowing your idea and inviting people in my home and then remembered that we just bought this house last August and are still decorating it. When mom and DD moved in we did decorate the living room so that we could use it has a family room for the four of us since they moved into our big family room.
We did do Marissa's room in Nov but it's not completley finished. Ruben's room is going to be done in Star Wars for his birthday. His God mother is in charge of that project though.
I can't wait to see the kids rooms and your room, is that on your list to show next? :)
My mom and aunt has dubbed their little space in our home Chippewa(the street we live on) Manor, everytime they say it I think of you :)
I on the other hand call it Chippewa Assisted Living because I think that is just too funny. lol
Anyway, I'm rambling. I have had a migraine today so it's the drugs talking :)
Amen. People come to see and spend time with their friends, not their homes.
ReplyDeleteLove the dining room. In the first picture, what is the dark framed thing behind the table (to the right). It looks like a big picture frame with lots of little pictures in it. Is that what it is?
Thank you for your sweet words. If only I greeted my husband as enthusiastically as our dogs do, lol!
Absolutely beautiful! I love the dark wood table and the rug under it. Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteSo simple yet elegant...love the colors, the weather vane, the family history of the table...
ReplyDeleteLet me know when you start taking reservations...I could use a vacation in an inviting and calm place!
Carrie - I happened upon your blog a few weeks ago and have been lurking. :) But after seeing your awesome home tour, I just had to comment. I love the way you decorate - so warm and homey, with beautiful colorful touches. I think you could be featured on one of those HGTV shows you say you like to watch!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you're from my home state - I miss it! I still love coming back home to visit my parents a few times a year.
Your family is lovely - it's nice to meet you. :)
I envy the dining room. When we built our home eleven years ago, we needed a guest room more than we needed a dining room because of our parents visiting often. Our kitchen is large and eat-in, and it is the heart of our home. Still, I often think I'd like to have a 'real' dining room. One of these days....
ReplyDeleteBut I also think the kids will have much fonder memories of time spent with their grandparents than they would have had of the china I dream of owning! ;)