"Going Home" Guest Post from Jennifer of Rambling Renovators

Well, my stay in New Brunswick is winding down, but I still have a few more Going Home guest posts for you!  Today I am happy to have the famous and fabulous Jen from Rambling Renovators here to share her thoughts on going home.  Those of you who know Jen know she is an amazing designer and blogger, co-founder of Blog Podium, and one of the most kind and generous people out there.  This girl is a giver, and a do-er!!  Take it away Jen...

Hi Wicked & Weird readers. I'm happy to be filling in for Lisa today while she's on her trip back home. I've been following along on Lisa's east coast adventures on Instagram... canoeing, biking down gravel roads, hiking through lush forests, I've been getting a sense of what Lisa's lovely New Brunswick home means to her.

What does going home mean to me? That's a little harder to pin down. I grew up in Georgetown, Ontario for the first dozen years of my life. It was idyllic and a little like growing up in a Norman Rockwell painting... my parents were part of the PTA, we knew all the kids on the street, and Halloween meant trekking out for hours on end, just me and my sister and our pillow cases. Years after we moved away, I still visited old friends and we'd reminisce about playground crushes and riding our bikes down Hungry Hollow. Even now, if I find myself out that way, I'll make a detour and drive down the streets of Georgetown to see what buildings and houses I still recognize. It still feels comfortable and familiar, a lot like a warm hug, still a bit like home.

Our Georgetown home, circa 1980.

After University, I moved to the Philippines. Though I didn't speak the language and barely knew the relatives I came to live with, it felt like a place I'd known my whole life. Life there couldn't be more different than what I was accustomed to in Toronto - pollution, extreme poverty alongside extreme riches, devout Catholicism, overcrowded streets. But there was something in the people, in their kind hearts and generous nature, that made me feel welcome. In that hot and steamy Asian climate, this Canadian girl found home.

Old and new(er) architecture at Intramuros, Philippines

In the years before and since, Toronto has been home. It always will be. I can't imagine living and raising a family anywhere else. These days, home is...
... around the table at Sunday dinners at my parents house
... at the annual street party, where kids spend the day riding bikes and learning to use the fireman's hose while parents lounge on each other's lawns and marvel at how lucky we are to live on this street
... in our basement, building and painting and renovating, alongside my husband
... at the cottage, watching Chloe swim in the lake her dad learned to swim in when he was a boy

I've learned that home isn't a place, its a state of mind. Home is a place filled with memories and dreams yet to be. Its where your shoulders relax and your breathing slows and a smile is brought to your face. Home is the loveliest place in the world.


Wow Jen, you really have a way with words.  I think you hit the nail on the head (and it sounds like you have awesome neighbours).  Living in the Philippines must have been quite an adventure - that is such a great photo. And by your definition, I guess it makes sense that one can have more than one "home" - it is a feeling as much as an environment!  Thank you Jen!

If you missed them, here are the other posts in this series:

my original post,

Barbara from Hodge:Podge,

Kerry from First Time Fancy, 

Sarah from ReDesigning Sarah, and

Brooke from Pure and Noble.

"Going Home" Guest Post: Brooke from Pure and Noble

Hi guys, this post is a bit delayed due to a sad lack of internet here in paradise! Another "internet" friend, Brooke of Pure and Noble is here from Texas to give us her take on going home. Brooke and I met over email eons ago, and although we are at different ends of the continent, we somehow formed a true friendship over email and blogging. Someday I hope we get to meet in person! Brooke has a great perspective on our topic, since she is currently between homes as her new place gets renovated (it will be the stuff of legend when it's done, I have NO doubt).

Hi you guys! Brooke here from Pure and Noble. I am so excited to be here at Wicked and Weird today. When miss Lisa asked me to do a guest post for her while she visited home I was over the moon and completely humbled. I have been reading W2 for a long time and just love everything that Lisa shares with her readers. I’m pretty convinced that she and I would be fighting over lovely things if we ever lived closer to one another and shopped together. For now, I’ll be grateful that we are separated by miles and borders - because it means that I may one day get to visit her amazing home and sit in that awesome nook of hers to drink coffee and chat for hours.

home

When I think of home I’m not reminded of a place or of material things. I don’t know why that is, and trust me I’ve thought about it a lot in preparation for this post. Perhaps it’s that my folks have nothing other than old photo albums from my youth. Maybe it’s because we moved at pivitol times in my youth. I’m not sure really. But honestly it makes me a little grateful because the things that remind me of home can be experienced anywhere.

dogwood

When I was little, we lived in North Carolina. Beautiful trees, amazing weather (with actual seasons - four of them!) and that white stuff that falls to the ground, ummm... snow. Nestled in my front yard, right out my bedroom window, were two of the most amazing trees - a dogwood and a cherry blossom. Any time I see one of those trees I am instantly reminded of home.

texas

In the fourth grade, we moved to Texas. To me, Texas is home and I have come to embrace Texas pride. I love my state and the “little things” that make it home - Tex Mex, lakes and road trips. Texas summers are hot. I’m not talkin’ August heat wave hot. I’m talkin’ all the time, throughout the whole Summer - HOT. Because of that, I love margaritas, especially when they’re accompanied by a patio and a bowl of chips and queso. For you northerners, Tex-Mex queso is a bowl of melted cheese with spicy chilis/salsa mixed in. I could pretty much eat it with a straw. I also love lake life. Ever since I was a little girl I’ve gone fishing with my Dad. He’s a fishing guide here in North Texas and when he fishes... you. catch. fish. It’s so much fun when he finds that honey hole and the fish practically leap into the boat. But I can also remember sitting in a boat for hours with my Dad, poles in hand, waiting for “the big one.” It was boring then, but now I remember those times so fondly.

Lake life isn’t just about fish, it also involves floating for hours with friends (just to cool off), jet-skis and tubing (being pulled on a big inner-tube behind a boat). Nothing compares to a weekend at the lake. Nothing. And because Texas is big enough to be a country (and sometimes we think it is) road trips can lead to all kinds of wonderful adventures... Tiny towns that almost seem forgotten, weekend trips to Austin and day trips all over, it’s awesome.

Since having littles, I have to admit that the Texas heat gets to me. When I was younger the heat didn’t bother me because I was working during the hottest times of the day and then “play” at night with friends when it was cooler. Having littles in the dead of summer can be a chore, but we are slowly learning how to manage our summer days and make the most of it. Ironically, this summer has been the greatest challenge regarding schedules and the like because we have NO home.

Yup, I’m writing a post about “Home” and we have been nomads for 2.5 months while remodeling our new house. This summer, my little family and I have lived in 6 different houses. Six. Packing and unpacking. We are weary to say the very least. This reno business is tough stuff. (I pray that we never move again.) There have been challenges at every turn from city push backs and permits to new cement floors and moving walls. And everything affects the next thing. There is no jumping from point A to point C and then going back to B, without a lot of headaches and more money. If this remodel has confirmed anything, besides the fact that moving and remodels suck, it’s that home is not a place. Home is where your family is - period. And this handsome little group of guys is my home, no matter where we are.

I hope I haven’t bored you to tears today. I wish I could have shown you some amazing interior shots of my home or some precious keepsakes that make you say, “awww” and “ohhhh” but my house is in shambles and our keepsakes are all packed up. If you’d like to check in on our progress and see our journey unfold as we make our house a home, you can visit me at Pure and Noble. I’d love to have you pop by and say “hi”.

Lisa, I can not thank you enough for having me here with your sweet readers today. I wish Canada were a little closer so that we could share decorating tips in person and salivate over amazing jewelry and rugs together. But since I don’t plan on moving again - ever - I will have to be okay with reading Wicked and Weird every day and catching up via instagram and email! xo

Wow, you have some amazing photos of your family Brooke - funny how home seems to always come back to the people we love! Thanks so much for sending this along, I cannot WAIT to see your gorgeous new digs (although I have a feeling your anticipation may be a tad greater than mine...) :)

If you missed them, here are the other posts in this series:

my original post,

Barbara from Hodge:Podge,

Kerry from First Time Fancy, and
Sarah from ReDesigning Sarah.

"Going Home" Guest Post: Sarah from Redesigning Sarah

I am very lucky to have so many friends helping me keep the blog going while I am out east - I hope you are enjoying them as much as I am!  Today the VERY sweet Sarah of ReDesigning Sarah is giving us her take on what it means to go home.  Sarah is one of those gals that I chatted regularly with online and was so happy to meet at Blog Podium, where she was just as lovely and funny in person as on Twitter!

Thank you so much Lisa for having me share my thoughts of what "Going Home" means to me. When Lisa wrote her post about Going Home to New Brunswick it struck a chord with me. It really got me thinking about what "Going Home" means.

I grew up in Toronto where I took the subway to school and walked everywhere. We moved out of the city to the big, bad (well, not really so bad) suburbs four years ago and I still self-identify as being from Toronto when anyone asks. But is Toronto home or just where I grew up? Why am I so nostalgic for the YYZ? Here's a flavour of what makes me smile when I am thinking of Toronto ...

via

I used to travel more than I do now and I remember flying into Toronto and feeling the mix of comfort and excitement as the plane circled the city before landing.

via

The subway. Yep, the good 'ol TTC makes me nostalgic for where I grew up. There is something about the noise, the door chimes and the musty damp smell. Weird - perhaps. But familiar. Although the automated voice announcing the stops is kinda lame. I liked it better when the conductors could put their own spin on things with announcements.

One of the things I am passionate about is making sure my kids know their way around public transit. Several times a year we head downtown on a combination of the VIVA bus, the subway or GO Train. Sure it takes longer but it's an adventure in reading maps, transferring stations, figuring out which platform to go to and consulting schedules. And I make 'em walk too (I love walking!).

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Trees. Toronto has fantastic trees that create canopies in the summer and colourful collages in the fall. I grew up on a street with tons of trees and played in parks that were full of greenery.

Fortunately for me when I moved to the burbs I didn't move to a neighbourhood that looked like this:

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My current street has all the features I love about Toronto trees - big, leafy and gorgeous!

At the end of the day home is where the people you love are. I'm lucky to be raising my little family in such a special place. And I'm lucky that I can walk them to school like this ... that's what going home is now for me.

What a great shot Sarah - I love it.  You hit on so many of the things I love about Toronto, especially all those big tree-lined streets. It really is such a green city, I always marvel at how lucky we are. I'm glad you get to enjoy it in your new home! Thanks so much for your post. :)

If you missed them, here are the other posts in this series: 

my original post,

Barbara from Hodge:Podge, and

Kerry from First Time Fancy.

"Going Home" Guest Post: Kerry from First Time Fancy

While I am enjoying my time home in New Brunswick, I have had the pleasure of sharing a few guest posts from a few of my favourite bloggers.  I knew Kerry from First Time Fancy would have a great perspective on the idea of going home, having just relocated out west.  We were sad to see her go, but what an amazing place to move to - and then there's the fun of having a whole new house to redo! :)

Hi there Wicked & Weird readers! I'm Kerry from First Time Fancy, and I'm so happy to be filling in for Lisa today. Lisa has to be one of the friendliest and most welcoming people I've ever met, so I was more than happy to step up and help her out! When she mentioned the topic of "Going Home" and what that meant to me, I was instantly inspired. Back in April, we uprooted our tiny family and moved from Toronto to the Greater Vancouver Area. It was a big move, and has made "Going Home" mean multiple things to me. Just recently, on a flight from Vancouver to Toronto another passenger asked me if I was headed home or for a visit. I thought about it for a second and then replied, "I guess a little of both", and I honestly think that is the best answer I could have possibly given her. I may no longer live in the GTA, but it will always feel like home for me. From the streets of Toronto's concrete jungle, to my parents small suburban neighbourhood, this is where I grew up and this is the place that shaped me. 

{via pinterest}

I think the only way I could possibly explain this feeling, is the feeling of familiarity I have when I am on the streets of the city. Despite growing up outside of the city, my parents never passed up an opportunity to bring us to different outings and events downtown. As a child, the streets of Toronto intimidated and intrigued me, as a teenager they challenged and invited me and when I moved there as an adult, they embraced me. The hustle and bustle of Toronto, with no shortage of places to explore, I have always loved the city. 

My other half, who is from Boston, told me recently that when he returns it doesn't really feel like home to him anymore. For myself, I can't imagine that Toronto will ever feel like anything other than home. They say Home is Where Your Heart is, and my heart truly does reside in this concrete jungle.

{Rumspringa via pinterest}

Of course, my heart is being pulled in two directions, and I couldn't be more okay with that. Ever since moving to British Columbia, it feels more and more like home by the day. We're slowly filling our new space with pieces that we have transformed ourselves, pieces from our old home, images of our tiny family, and other things that we love. 

If I have learned one thing in these short 4 months since we moved, it is that "Home" is not just the bricks and motor in which we reside. It's not only the pieces that we choose to surround ourselves with. It's largely about the people that we share our space and our life with. It's the people we love and cherish, and the people who hold you up and make you smile when you feel that you can't go on. For me, "Home" truly is wherever these two are...

So, for me, "Going Home" works both ways. Whether I am flying to Toronto or Vancouver, I always feel that I am headed to a place that I call Home. I must say, I feel pretty lucky to have a place I consider home, in two cities that I love very much. 

Thank you Lisa - for asking me to visit, but also for forcing me to really think about "going home". I hope that you have enjoyed your time back home!

Thank you so much Kerry - you are so right that home is more about the people you are with than the things surrounding you.  And little cuties can certainly make any place feel like home!  I can't wait to see how my other guests describe their version of going home.  Barb's post is here if you haven't seen it, and mine is here.  I am learning so much about you guys!

"Going Home" Guest Post : Barbara from Hodge:Podge

While I am visiting my parents for the month of August, a few of my blogging buddies are going to help me out with some guest posts.  First up is the sweet Barbara from Hodge:Podge.  Barbara and I just met in person in February, but I have long followed her blog.  She has great taste and is a DIY queen!  Plus she hosts that amazing series So Canadian, Eh? where she asks thoughtful questions to Canadian involved in design - from bloggers to international superstars.  I think it is one of my favourite reads.  Take it away Barbara!

Hope Lisa is enjoying her time "at home".

So it is my pleasure to share with you what is means to "come home". Our family has moved many times for my husband's former employer. We have lived in two provinces, 6 cities and also lived in the southern US state of Virginia. The idea of going home is hard to pin down. I really felt at home in Virginia,  but I was raised on the west coast of British Columbia so my heart is always there. "Home" really means the fresh ocean air, tall Douglas firs and cedars, leafy ferns and the rain. But my idea of home is also a mix of my heritage, as my parents are immigrants to Canada, hailing from the Czech Republic. So a true feeling of home has bit of that thrown in.

It is hard to explain "home" but I thought I share it with you in pictures!

 The misty mornings by the river.

 The large cedars I walk by every day with my dog. I missed the woods of BC when we lived away.

 The thick and heavy moss covered woods along with bright, green ferns.

The waters of the Pacific Ocean and Burrard Inlet.

I also surround myself with reminders of my heritage, and my first language.

Czech Easter eggs.

Black ink paintings of Prague.

 China from my Czech grandmothers.

There you have it - home.

Hope you were able to get a sense of what "home" means to me.

Lisa, enjoy visiting your home! See you when you get back!

XO Barbara

Thank you so much Barbara! I love seeing the special mix of places that make us who we are, and learning something new about my blog friends.  How lucky to call the coast of BC home - those greens are just so magnificent.  And of course I love that Czech china!  Djekuji Barb!

There are a few more bloggers and friends helping me with this series, you will see their posts in the weeks to come.  If you have any photos or stories you would like to contribute, please drop me a line! xo