Thursday, December 11, 2008

Keeping Warm

Literally, of course, that's a bit of a theme for me in the winter. I HATE being cold. So, I buy electric mattress pads and I knit (a verb for keeping warm, as Jill says), and I buy horrifyingly expensive new windows for my house to eliminate (some of the) drafts.

Yet, really, I'm talking about metaphorical warmth. I'm trying to figure out what makes my house a warm home. What makes me smile about it? What comforts and soothes? Candles. They have a "company's coming - you're special" vibe that calms. Music in the background -or the foreground, as the case may be- is essential. My mom leaves the stereo on even when she's not home, to make sure there's a little noise in the house when she walks in. I don't do that, but I get the idea. Solitude can be good, in reasonable doses. But too much silence has a pressure and a heaviness about it. It's not good for people like us, apparently. Books are important. I curled up last night with a book -a book I was reading for pleasure, which felt unbelievably decadent- and was truly happy.

I need a better bathroom -candles, cozy rugs, bubbles, music, the whole girly thing. My bedroom still needs a smidge of warming up, although it's better than it was when I moved in. (And yes, I bought the remaining curtains!!!) At least one guest room needs to be ready and inviting, which right now it emphatically isn't. It's a bit more like Santa's workshop at the moment :( I had a party and we plowed through my modest wine collection (which was all of 4 bottles, but still....), so that needs to be started over.

But whatever I do, I think I have to ask the question "does it add warmth, or light, or welcome?" If I can't make the argument (to myself... and really, I'm not a tough audience.) then perhaps it's not the right thing for me to be doing.

4 comments:

jill said...

Paint. White walls are cold...

Patrice said...

Sent you a very girlie gift for your bedroom! You should have it very soon. Do not open till Xmas!

Roses said...

Dear Madam
Happy New Year!I enjoyed very much reading your blog and i would like to invite you to the social network of "Roses Charitable Association".we are just at the beginning , but we already have some famous supporters as well as inteversting people.Its aim is to facilitate communication between people sharing same interests(aim of association women empowering)as well as support another projects-"tolerance lesson" and a project for single mothers.We would really love if you could post with us as well
If so, we will send you the personal invitation on your personal email address
thank you beforhand
Karina Bagration

Roses said...

Dear Sir/Madam
Happy New Year!I enjoyed very much reading your blog and i would like to invite you to the social network of "Roses Charitable Association".we are just at the beginning , but we already have some famous supporters as well as inteversting people.Its aim is to facilitate communication between people sharing same interests(aim of association women empowering)as well as support another projects-"tolerance lesson" and a project for single mothers.We would really love if you could post with us as well
If so, we will send you the personal invitation on your personal email address
thank you beforhand
Karina Bagration
sheftele@gmail.com