Feeling Like Home

Today I put pictures on the wall for the first time since we moved to England. Can you believe that? 

Well, in the North Barn, we weren't allowed to put holes in the 13th century stone walls (understandable). In this house, I've just been busy working and whatnot, and I didn't really have any pictures to put up other than the five we brought with us from America. 

So, this half-term holiday I've ponied up and taken the week to get myself sorted. I printed photos at Boots, bought some picture frames at some charity shops, Tesco, and T.K. Maxx (T.J. Maxx's British cousin), enlisted Pamela's artistic eye and Nathan's brawn with the hammer, and got 'er done.

My efforts were almost thwarted when I realized that I left our Sampley family Christmas picture on a shelf at T.K. Maxx yesterday. Thankfully someone turned it in and I reclaimed it today. I proved myself to be the photo's rightful owner by actually being in the picture.

Pamela and I put them on the floor and swapped them round and round before committing to putting holes in the wall.

Here they are! There's an empty frame on the top right, I realize. I'm going to put a picture of my handsome husband in it. This one:

It's the only one of him by himself without his mouth open. :)

Here's my nieces section. Lorie took these pictures. Here are some more. She always gets a gem or 50.

My sister's fam (by Lorie), a photograph that reminds me of the almond orchards back home (from Etsy), and a picture of MAD's 130th birthday party (thanks Bobbi Jo).

My sweet mom and dad (another gem by Lorie), Nathan and me at my school (with the cathedral in the background), and the almost-escaped Sampley Christmas card picture.

The sailboat picture I bought from a street painter in Romania. I actually bought two similar ones. Then, I got them framed, wrapped them up, and gave them both to Kristi (my college roommate and famous chocolate chip cookie baker) for her 21st birthday. I told her she could keep the one she liked best and I would keep the other so we could have a little reminder of each other in our homes forever. Joel took our wedding pictures, which you can still see online here. I still feel like a movie star when I look at them.

And looky here! It's Nathan's Christmas gift, the painting of the North Barn. Watch him opening it here.

I love our new homey room. Next stop, curtains!

Doing any home improvements this month, readers?