A person can change.

by the Artist

I had plans. dreams. A lovely large home. Built especially for me by the Carpenter on a pretty spot of land. Years ago I had even come up with some plans.

We built some larger custom spec homes a few years back and that only fueled my dreams. The last spec home we built was as close to my dream home that I could imagine. The Carpenter and I designed it from "scratch". Even though we built it to sell... I built if for me. And I did get to live there for awhile. And it was a dream. I wanted to stay forever. Not just because of the house but because of the quaint neighborhood where it was located. 

Well eventually you have to wake up. We moved back to our "real" home. I was determined to let that dream go. And I have. I now appreciate my smaller home, and in fact the desire for a larger home is long gone. The desire to live in that neighborhood is gone. (ironically the Carpenter wants to move back in a few years!) Maybe that comes with age. But I also think I've come to appreciate efficiency, smaller organized spaces. Minimalism. I even shop differently. I only buy what I need when I need it. 

And I think part of what has influenced this change in me is the "tiny house" trend. I don't think I could live full time in a "tiny house", but I can appreciate the lifestyle. And the creativity to be able to live that lifestyle. Here is a sweet "tiny house" from Houzz.com that is beautifully designed. http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/70571277?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u3538&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery0

Our company's brand line "Helping you love where you live" resonates with me more then ever now too. Staying where you live, embracing the potential in your home. Making the most of every square inch. Who would have thought that small homes would be trending post decades of bigger is better. That some are downsizing before they have an empty nest. That it's more a lifestyle choice, an intentional choosing of a smaller efficient footprint.

I'm excited about this. Call us if you are too!

Wrapping it up.

by the Artist

It's a short week for our crew. Christmas. The Carpenter made plans last weekend to "wrap-up" the Bridge St project. All he needed was good weather and a healthy crew. It looked doable. It wasn't. Illness, rain and wet snow made a short week even shorter. But he knows how to be flexible. He and the crew pulled all the equipment not being used from the project and brought it over to the next project. Then he sent the guys home to start their Christmas celebrations.

We will finish up the garage gable craftsman architectural beam detail (which they are building custom) and a few odds and ends, between Christmas and New Year's. Despite the warm, wet fall this project is coming in on schedule. Very thankful for that. 

I've been busy keeping the "home fires" going and preparing to host Christmas Day for 23 family members coming to Applewood headquarters! We're having Italian fare (what else for a bunch of Swedes and Norwegians?) Yes... this New Jersey girl likes to shake it up a bit! 

We're looking forward to sharing our little home for Christmas. And these days I don't even mind that it isn't a big home. The more programs I watch about living in "Tiny houses" the more I appreciate my "small house". Why would I need more? It is enough. I don't even worry anymore about accomadating 25 of us in two days. It is what it is. It's more about spending time together and remembering why we are celebrating at all.

From our home to yours.... may you have a blessed Christmas with your family and friends.

See you in the new year!