Things have been pretty crazy this week, as in more than usual. I’ve been stretching out of my comfort zone in covering some of the films and events for the imagineNATIVE blog. I have stacks of notes and pictures and video to edit for 2 different articles, this is to be a working weekend indeed.

Also, hey! Christmas came early this year with the delivery of our long-awaited dining room furniture. My friends, this has been a long time coming. For years, we’ve been using the rickety set that I bought used back in my college days. I know. Feeling very grown up, kind of sort of. As someone who loves to cook and entertain, this is big. I’ve dreamed of having a big harvest table. To me, the hub and heart of the home…

For some people the hub is the T.V. room, for me it’s the dining room table. Warm and rustic, made of reclaimed wood – it can seat 6-8 peeps, 12 when expanded. Plush, comfortable chairs beg to be sat in, lingered in long after meals are over, for conversations and lively debates. Wide and solid, this is a table that will see years of not only gathering and eating but of board game nights, craft sessions, puzzle-making and wine and beer tastings. (Okay, quaffing). LOTS of writing will be happening. Coffee sipping and reading.

I see friends and family hunkered around it, with guitars and ukes out – voices rich and elated. The ultimate kitchen parties are to be had here, with the open concept style of kitchen, dining and upper living room areas we’ve knocked out walls to have. Slowly, we are bringing to life all that we have dreamed of for our home and all I can think of how blessed I am, conscious of those who have much less. To have real furniture, that isn’t wobbly or falling apart (or none at all) may not seem like a big deal to some, but for this woman…it feels almost like this is not my life.

I haven’t always known living like this. We’ve worked really fucking hard to get here, to provide these things for ourselves and our family, but a large part of me will always be that girl who jumped from apartment to apartment, bed to mat, table-less floors to group home kitchens, streets to streets.

Someone, pinch me.

So, if you, like me are sitting at your table with a cup of hot coffee about to engage in some reading and mucking about on the internets…won’t you stop by some of the places we’ve been this week? Your readership means the world to this small dreamer.

On DB:

Top 10 Halloween Activities To Do With Your Baby & Toddler 

Creepy Cute: Handmade Zombie Plush Dolls & Toys To Un-Die For

Spookie Cuties: 24 Halloween Baby Shower Cupcakes

On the Babbles:

The Reading Times of A & W: Picks of The Week

7 Ways That Having Toddlers is Kicking My Ass

Toddler Friendly: 24 Carve-Free Pumpkin Decorating Ideas

Happy Reading and have a lovely weekend!

xo