I am so truly excited to have you over to my tiny corner of the world. I am a 40 something year old living in the country with my high school sweetheart, turned husband and our miracle baby thru adoption, Norah Kay.
Welcome to my home and this year’s Christmas Tour!
Welcome, welcome all, …come in! I went for a rustic, cottage vibe this year. Truly, whatever made me feel warm inside is what I did. After the year we’ve all had, I wasn’t interested in whatever was trending…I really just wanted to feel cozy at the end of the day. Here’s a peak at the most coveted seat in the house. We all take turns sitting here ( chair pictured above).
This is the Mantle and our upstairs sitting area. I shared this space in detail a few weeks back. For more details on the mantle, please click here. Aside from the kitchen, this is the most lived in space in our home. Norah plays here, we watch cartoons here, we entertain (pre-Covid19) here… it’s the catch all, for all things. So, I always decorate with all of that in mind. I usually have a ton of pillows that can serve for extra seating if needed, cozy throws, and lots of candles.
More than beautiful spaces, I want our home to be a place that cultivates moments for our family. I want our family to pause and absorb the present and each other. To create traditions, to laugh, to grow together, to do the hard work of family. To press into our relationship with God and the gift of this season.
In each space, I try to keep these key questions in mind – What are the needs of our family? What will help us press in and look up? What will help us to settle into our days and our rhythms?
It was also important to me that Norah feels comfortable in our small home. I don’t want her growing up feeling like she can’t touch the things around her. She helps me in each space and has taught me so much about the true beauty of imperfection…and how in the imperfect, I’m finding the freedom I’ve always craved.
So, as I press into this – Little Women, Pride and Prejudice and Charles Dickens – hybrid Christmas, I’m grateful for two lessons.
First, I can do whatever I want in my own home. How is this a revelation to me? Well, to this people pleaser, I still get caught up in what others think and the desire for their approval.
Second, I much prefer a messy kitchen full of laughter to a stressed out room that’s in perfect order. So, although these moments are tidy and shiny, they hardly ever happen. More times than not, pillows are all over, the sink is full of dishes and pets are comfy, at peace, and snoring.
I’ve loved sharing my home with you this season!
I hope that it inspires you, as you celebrate with your people…
Blessings to You & Yours!
Beautiful as always Jenny. I so appreciate the reminder to not compare or try to make my home pleasing to others. That’s hard sometimes but I’m learning and letting go inch by subtle inch. Merry Christmas!
SO Cozy !! And welcoming 🙌🏻❤️🎄
Love it 🥰
Your home is absolutely stunning! So inviting and warm. Thank you for sharing your home, and praising God in this tour!
Thank you so so much my friend!
You have a wonderful way with words. It’s so obvious that you are writing and speaking from your heart. You are one of my favorites to read and look at, not just because of your words but I feel like I could come in, plop down, and stay forever. I’m what I call a lurker. I love to see what’s being done and how creative women are today. I don’t post because it’s just not my thing or time in life, but with you it goes beyond that. You provide a calm in what seems to me to be a place that calm and peace would be hard to find. The comparisons, competition for product sells, all the things I see on here represent a craziness to me that I’m thankful I never got caught up in. My children are in their 50’s now so you have an idea of my era. They were a handful and I can’t imagine doing life on top of Instagram. Keep being that light I see illuminating out of you; leading people to Jesus and away from the world’s chaos. Don’t ever forget who you are in Him and continue just the way you are.Blessings dear one
Oh friend, what a gift these words were this morning. Thank you for taking the time to send them to me. I’m so moved. Have a blessed day.
Wow! I love every corner!
-Penny
@pennypenningtonweeks
Love this!!! Love you and your heart!
Thank you sweet friend!!
Absolutely Love your house. You are so much better than chip and Joanna.
The next time you have spare time come and decorate my House. Love and miss you Jenny. Your little girl is absolutely beautiful.
Hi sweet Nancy!!! I miss you so so much! You’re such a blessing to me!!
What a wonderful gift we can give ourselves and especially our children, to be fully themselves in their own home. Wonderful reminder friend!
Such a work in progress and always leaning on Him to give me the strength to try harder at doing less, lol
Love your home it is so cozy it just days come and sit down a while. Enjoy following you so much.
Thank you so very much my friend, what a gift your words are
Beautiful just beautiful ❤️ Merry Christmas to your family ❤️
Thank you so so much friend
This post hit home for me as I seem to have always tried to please others. This year has changed my outlook for “what makes home” for my family? I’ve taken many months create a more relaxed, inviting laid back space for our family and fur babies. Although I don’t like to go to bed with a sink full of dishes, you know what? They’ll be there when I get to them. I’d rather focus on time with my family as time is something, once passed, you can not turn back.
It’s such a HARD process!!! But you’re so so right, once the time has passed, it’s gone. Love to you friend