Hello again

Along the wind-swept lanes of October I return to this online aerie after a long time away. I almost feel I should introduce myself again, it's been nearly all summer and fall that I've been away from here. Rest assured the days have been filled and overflowing with life, with happy newness and old tradition. Walks and food and projects and books, among the many other joys and turmoils that life brings.

So, hello again everyone, I am Olivia, or Liv as many call me. Writer, cook, thinker, sometimes author of this blog. I'm in the midst of my first year in my new home, and enjoying it immensely. The Diningroom is the only place that still needs some work before it can be fully inhabited and utilized, but the rest of the house is cozy in the extreme and just the kind of place I like to spend my days.

I feel like I've been here forever, really. I'm settled in my job, imprinted onto my home. Even as I get ready for my first Christmas here on my own, it is filled with as much familiarity as expectant newness. The myriad plants I've collected over the summer are now huddled around the south window in my library, and my heater is humming away against the late autumn chill.

That's all for today, but expect to see me here again more often now. I plan to blog regularly throughout the Christmas season. Not an official blogmas like last year, where I post every day. Just a season full of sharing the beauties of Christmastide. A little spot to come and be cheered as the days grow shorter, or the days get hectic or slow according to your season in life. Wishing you all hope and brightness in the coming months.

And in the meantime, today, here are a few Before and Afters from making my house a home.

Before:

 

 After:

Before:

After:

Before:

After: