There's such magic here. At Freeman House. When you're away you forget, but then you come home and there it is. Oh, hello magic. I'd forgotten where I'd left you.When I hurried away six weeks ago I wasn't excited about coming back. Millie wasn't house trained yet and utilized every corner of this old house as her dumping grounds. Couple that with the fact that this house is still, in fact, under major renovation, and what you get is the desire to get out. Quick. I couldn't pack and lock the doors fast enough.
I put off coming back as long as I could. Then I breezed into town yesterday, dropped Millie off, and headed immediately to the Copperleaf Spa for a back/neck massage and an organic "resurfacing peel". I love, love, love the Copperleaf Spa and all the women who work there. (I was talking to Vickie just before she did my massage and she immediately asked, "Have you read The Shack?!" Yep. That's the kind of place this is. If you ever come to Freeman House I'll insist you head there.)
So anyway, I finally get home and am just dreading going inside. Then I pushed open the door and... WOOOSH! There it was. The magic. The beautiful old rooms. The worn, crooked pine floors. The wavy-paned windows. The fireplaces and clawfoot tub. And that feeling again. That feeling of being wrapped up... that feeling of prayer and grace... that feeling of being home.
I adore this place. I'd forgotten how much I adore this place.
The sadly neglected garden thrived without me somehow. That God's gracey-magic stuff blankets the garden too, I suppose, so there's tomatoes, peas, squash, potatoes, pumpkins and herbs. I picked peas last night after the sun dropped below the crape myrtle... just in time for visitors to come knocking. We drank Cokes and shelled peas in the library and laughed and laughed. It's better than therapy. I'd forgotten how much I adore this place.
Speaking of which, I need to get those peas put up before I head back to the city later. Just wanted to pop in briefly with an "I am here", and wish you all a free and happy fourth. -Brin
What an incredibly beautiful old house and the flowering tree is breathtaking. Hugs to sweet Millie.
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling. Home. So lovely. I hope you are able to rest and enjoy and regroup before your next big adventure.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home! So glad you found the joy of your home waiting for you. There's no place like it. ~Adrienne~
ReplyDeleteWhat is that gorgeous flowering tree may I ask?
ReplyDeleteYour safe return home is a wonderful blessing also :)
Toi
welcome home. i am glad it greeted you with open arms and you climbed right in.
ReplyDeleteNice crepe myrtle viewed through your window panes.. beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMim
Welcome home! I think you bring some of that magic with you wherever you go, and you share it with us. xxoo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brin. May you have a safe and peaceful July 4th also.
ReplyDeleteHome is indeed a magical place. My 2 kiddos and I returned home yesterday after a 5 day siesta of sorts, and I couldn't be happier to sleep in any of our beds. I didn't care which one, I just knew it was home and knew I'd be comfy.
Blessings on your travels,
Jenny
Such a sweet tribute to your home. Nothing like friends, a massage and a couple of sweet peas in your mouth to make you feel you are in the palm of God's hand. Welcome back!
ReplyDeleteWhat a talented writer you are! I could just feel myself standing there in the doorway looking at Freeman House immersed in love. I'm happy for you to be home and how neat to be able to go get your massage. That's a cool looking place. Then imagining you shelling the peas with your friends..wow..what a happy picture!
ReplyDeleteThere's no place like home...
ReplyDeleteGlad you're there!
Oh welcome home! I'm sure I'm not the only one who was glad to see Freeman House again. Hopefully you have a bit of time off now..? Happy 4th of July!
ReplyDelete-Tine from Denmark
Welcome home Brin, you and Freeman House need each other! A house is so much more than windows and floors, and you are blessed to have a sweet haven, I've finally found mine, work and all! Loved the photos!
ReplyDeleteOh Freeman house is most magical. I love that view. It reminds me of some romantic cottage hidden in the English countryside. Couldn't you see Jane Austen sitting prettily underneath your tree, paper and pen in hand? Who knew that Texas could be so lush?? Hey Brin, hurry up with the B&B plans; I want to visit!! Lisa
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, I get that same feeling MOST of the time when I return home to my Durham house (100+) years old.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Home! Beautiful crepe myrtle, something we don't have here. Happy 4th to you Brin & Millie.
ReplyDeleteMN Kathi :)
What a beautiful post to say Welcome Home! Wishing you & Millie a Happy 4th of July.
ReplyDeleteBrin, your home is so beautiful! I know how happy your are to be home again.
ReplyDeletePolly
there's no place like home!
ReplyDeleteHi Brin,
ReplyDeleteTomorrow, I'm off on vacation. No internet for at least a week. I won't miss the internet as such, but I will definitely miss your blog. You have such an eye for things and places, and such a lovely way of sharing it with all your readers. Sometimes I just scroll through the posts and read a random one from perhaps a year ago and it's always enjoyable. As a blog-reader you develop a funny one-way "friendship" with your favourite bloggers. You read about what is going on in their life, you share their joys and sometimes sorrows - and sometimes, you feel like grabbing the phone and calling them to say hi-and-do-you-want-to-pop-over-for-tea-and-cookies.
So, you won't notice a reader is missing but I'll miss your blog for the next 7-14 days. And looking forward to catching up when I get home :-)
Hope your 4th of July is as sunny and lovely as here in DK (where it's just any other Friday)
-Tine from Denmark
I must look at 50 blogs on
ReplyDeletemy weekends at home---yours is
the absolute best!
I can't believe what you've done to that house--it looks beautiful!
What I would give to have all that land!
Happy 4th to you & Millie!
Karen
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ReplyDelete