We just had a holiday brunch at our house and I got to thinking, “What really makes a house a home?” Is is the smells from the kitchen, or the knickknacks on the shelf? Is it the way you choose where every piece of furniture should be?? Is it the presentation of your most treasured possessions whether they be an expensive piece of artwork or a drawing of a lion your son did when he was 4 years old? What is it exactly that makes a house a home?      

        Dionne Warwick famously sang that “a house is not a home, when there’s no one there to hold you tight.” And Diana Ross said, “When I think of home, I think of a place, where there’s love overflowing…” So is that it? Is it the love? Maybe that’s all you really need to make a house a home. 

       I recently was lucky enough to go with my really good friend Karen to her childhood home in England & see where she grew up. It was one of the most special experiences I’ve ever had. If you ever get the chance to just go with a friend to where they “literally” grew into the person they are now, I absolutely encourage you to do it. Whilst there, I not only got to see Karen’s home, but got the chance to visit family friends Maggie & Dave.

       It occurred to me after how amazing it is to be so welcomed in to someone’s home with such open arms. From Maggie’s incredible cooking to Dave making his warm, toasty fires in the fireplace. I had the most wonderful time. The thing I noticed about both the houses I visited in England was the wonderful memories & love that lived in both houses. From the quilt Maggie spent years making to the sugar pot Karen found tucked away under the cupboards from years and years ago. I was also lucky enough to not only make some wonderful memories while I was there but some friends too! Carol, Bridget & Rachel are three of my favorite ladies hands down!! 

    So you see, it doesn’t have to be YOUR house that makes it a home. It just has to be A house. And there definitely has to be love. And food…really good food. Perhaps Judy Garland said it best when she said, “There’s no place like home”. It’s where the really “good stuff” is.