It didn't just happen – this ol' house. Rather, it was with the utmost attention that it was cultivated to be what it is. Like a soft, red tomato hanging from the vine, these last few weeks we saw the work we've put into our cottage ripen. As if it was finally time for it to mature ever-so-slightly out of the gawky teenage years.
Make no bones about it. Our home has been there for many moons.
As much as I wish I was one of those DIY, home-decor, Joanna Gaines bloggers that could flip a house in six months, always pick the right fixtures, never make a mistake in my paint choice, and have all the right pieces in place, I'm so far from that it's comical. Desperately comical.
So comical, in fact, that I finally just finished putting up wallpaper in my kitchen over a year after I started. (Granted there was serious electricity and drywall patching involved by a professional, but that's not the point.)
The point is that our homes quietly breath our essence back to us. What we put in, be it small or big. My “homemaking” skills started as picking out a few new houseplants to have in my rental in college. Yet it still spoke, whispered, of what was to come. The cultivation of “this ol' house” takes intention and time.
I've never been in a home long enough to see the fruits of our labor ripen in this way. Lately, it's been as if our little cottage is a lighthouse calling in the ships from the seas.
Our home has been open to neighbors, running over to grab some farm-fresh milk or bring by a load of fruit from the orchard.
Our home has been open to friends needing a place for their littles to play while they go to the grocery store in peace.
It's served my parents on countless occasions for Saturday morning coffee. And given my sister a place to belly up for a late-afternoon glass of wine.
We've filled the dining room table of our cottage with piano benches, stools, and extra chairs to fit everyone around the large, worn table more times than I can count.
Our home has hosted groups of students, looking to learn and acquire a new skill.
And it's employed farmhands who help to harvest the crops and weed the gardens.
Our home has welcomed our closest neighbor, bringing us boxes of apples, cherries, peaches, fishing gear, or firewood.
I know it may sound a bit dreamy and romantic, but I don't care. I love this ol' house – I am so deeply grateful for it. I love that the kitchen door remains unlocked and the UPS driver leaves the packages inside when we're gone. I love the horrible mess left after another last-minute-thrown-together meal for a crowd.
We built it. And they came. They're coming. Which means my work has just begun. I'm now here, in the lighthouse, standing in a ready posture to serve those who land on our shores.
More times than once these past few months, we've enjoyed a “traffic jam” in the driveway where those coming and those going collide. The FedEx guy parks behind the neighbor's tractor. The farmhand arrives at the same time as the family from errands. A beautiful collision of souls, living life, here at our cottage.
After only five years, the activity our farm life, four kids, and zeal for community have begun to wear down the polish of this ‘ol house. (I've decided I'll wait until my kids are all out of the house before I even attempt to sand and refinish the dining room table.)
Sure, we've had to replace the dining room chairs… refinish the kitchen counter… replace more throw-pillows than I care to think about… buy extra chicken… and roast extra batches of coffee. But so what.
If there's one thing this last year has affirmed to me it's my need for others. I need people. Real people. I need to keep building the type of home that people feel they can come to.
If I could leave you with an encouragement, it would be to learn into the hard work of building and keeping a home. The sweat of your brow deeply blesses your community and the people who seek you.
Be the lighthouse we all need.
*sigh* your words so encouraging, like balm to my weary momma soul. You have been such an inspiration to me over this past year of purchasing and fixing up a10 acre property, deciding to homeschool my three kiddos, and designing my spaces to nourish hungry bellies and foster creativity. I love your videos, your podcast and your posts. Your photography is so beautifully moody and lovely. It’s an opportunity to see your world through your eyes. Thank you for sharing your world with perfect strangers. – Joce
Beautiful. Love how it’s all come together.
I love how you speak of home as a respite from the outside world. What a great reminder this is to use what we have to feed hungry tummies and souls. Thank you Shaye.
I’ve just started reading your blog and enjoying your Instagram photos, but my favorite has to be your YouTube videos. I love your depiction of life in your charming cottage. The children are adorable and the animals are fascinating. I “accidentally” found you on the videos and really love your content. Thank you for the inspiration Shaye.
Your writing is thought provoking and meaningful.
Thanks for sharing.
Let’s love first❤️
The beauty of this light you shine out into the world is helping enliven so many. I found you through the Justin Rhodes Homestead tour. At that time we were fighting for life, caring for our 29 yr. old daughter with ALS, and the extremes of joy and sorrow that go with it. She is safely home with our Lord Jesus just this year. Your family’s mission, kindness and zest for creating a godly, beautiful life stood out. Oh and that Shay Elliott humor, like about her cows and milk, always has allowed me to laugh and helped free my soul! I’ve started listening to the Homemaker Chic podcast and rejoice to get to know you and Angela and feel apart of your great friendship; while being inspired to create some light and beauty of our own. I am on IG as Jeanieroo. Thank you dear friend.
My favorite children’s book is My nest is best. While reading your store I could hear “in all the world my nest is best”! Your home is beautiful but the most important thing is contentment!
This is beautiful, and exactly what we all need in this time.
I’ve lived in an 1850’s farmhouse for the past 20 years and am still trying to finish it. So consider it an accomplishment to have your home relatively fixed up the way you wish for it to be and feel within five years. This home is truly an ‘ol house that I love with all of its flaws. Maybe this will be the year for us to finally get where it needs to be. Your blog will surely serve as a source of inspiration to do just that. Thanks form sharing.
This is what I want for my house! If the last year confirmed anything, it’s that other people are so important! Also, I lost a friend to a car accident in March..she was the ultimate hostess. like you, we would be colliding in the driveway. She used words like dreamy to describe her life too. And, her son’s name is Elliot. I’m remembering her today while reading your post and am encouraged to pick up the mantle she has laid down. ❤️
You were too modest to mention it but your house is also a lighthouse to so many of us for inspiration and encouragement and yes, challenges too.
Ohmygoodness, how this touches my heart. What a blessing you have built! We all need to be a lighthouse especially now. May God continue to fill your home with light, laughter and love!
I think your photos are magazine worthy. I love your quirky ness ❤️. Please take that as a compliment. I intensely dislike everything matchy, matchy. It’s perfect & I think everything seems to be very you❤️
Your words paint the most beautiful picture of hospitality and love for others. So glad I found your videos and blog!
This really resonated with me deeply, so thank you. Thank you for the practical things you share, the dreamy things you share, the inspiration and the grace hand in hand with love and labors.