Holiday Home Dreaming & Hope Quotes is a round-up of pretty things (with an added layer of lovely since human hands are involved in the crafting) for the home. (I updated this post from last year, and at the end you’ll learn a little more about how I have been coping – I sure hope this finds you at peace, but if not, maybe the hope here will stir your heart.)
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Handmade Decor Finds, Holiday Home Dreaming & Hope Quotes
Handmade by YOU
Holiday Home Dreaming Inspiration
If Emma of LaRose Cottage doesn’t inspire you to dream of a (romantically decorated with pastels and liberal doses of white) Christmas tea, I don’t know what will!
And I’m always charmed by the rustic, beyond unfussy, and frankly wildish French countryside holiday strokes of genius such as this glowing mistletoe wreath in the Loire Valley:
Another understated French inspired Christmas tree moment proves it is indeed okay to decorate with a restrained color palette:
But the rosy pale pinks are calling my name! Hello Lovely!
Just Right for the Holidays
Clay Beads Made by Hand
Not Exactly Decor…But Looks Lovely in the Kitchen
Chimes
Custom Home Decor With a French Inspired Feel
Handmade Finds for Home
High Quality Handcrafted & Useful
Functional & Lovely to Display
Handmade Lovely Finds
If you Care to Make Your Own Handmade Wreath
If you have a minute to see THIS post, you’ll find slow living ideas and reflections.
Last Year Vs. This Year: Behind the Blogger
A year ago, things were chaotic here. Here’s what I wrote:
We’re waiting on my test results, and I am taking care of our eldest who remains very ill. Please continue to pray that his condition will improve and the pain will lessen. If you have ever been a caretaker witnessing the pain of another, then you know how difficult it is and how long the nights are without rest.
Also, my heart is broken for my family in Arizona fighting through the virus. One of them is in surgery this very moment after coding and being brought back to life. I can’t believe I am typing these nightmarish words. Lord, have mercy on your children and deliver us from all harm.
Sending my love to each of you, knowing you are fighting battles. Sealing this with a hope that we will be transformed, strengthened and softened by these trials.
Right Where I Am
Okay, we’re back to today, in 2021. Unfortunately, people across the globe are still falling ill from the virus as it spreads (as I write this, an average of 6,300 people daily in California), and families everywhere are facing what ours went through. The Arizona family member I mentioned a year ago did not survive, and she was one of the strongest women in my life. We simply don’t know what sort of time we have.
My experience with the virus in September/October was full of suffering. Respiratory and GI symptoms, deep anguish, cramping in legs/feet, debilitating fatigue/pain, and a constant cough with sprained windpipe for 6 weeks. The cough didn’t gradually improve, it completely disappeared all at once as if a button was pushed. What a journey in 2020…we are grateful for our very lives.
I still can’t taste, and my sense of smell is returning. I have had several episodes of relapse with extreme exhaustion, aches, and cramping muscles, and the most recent one took 10 days to resolve. But one thing illness cannot steal from me? SMILES and LAUGHTER.
So very thankful to be a survivor and for the blessing of the vaccine.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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This was such a great grouping of items! Have already ordered several things shown. Thanks for putting this together.
Author
That is awesome von awesome – thank you!
Michele:
I asked you in early July in the comments section what type of lights you would use in YOUR HALLWAY (that currently had can lights) and you gave me some suggestions with links (I can’t find that answer now). What I find so unusual is that your house is considered Modern French Country and all the suggestions you gave me were schoolhouse light looks even linking the Patina Farm.
How does schoolhouse lighting and French fit in?
I’m in a quandary looking for lights for my hallway when in all three bedrooms off the hallway are decidedly different looks, e.g., coastal, farmhouse and modern French. I guess you’re not supposed to do that but ratherhave a cohesive look but I like all those looks.
How to choose? I can’t send picture as I dropped my old flip phone in the washing machine and lost that ability.
Thx,
Author
Hi Paula. I gave you suggestions based on what I would do in my current home which DOES have can lights – always has and no plans to change them. I’d do a super simple schoolhouse light – you see them used well in modern farmhouses but they work in a number of contexts. The reason we love French inspired spaces is because they’re not contrived, and the French maybe don’t agonize as much as you are! It’s more of an intuitive sort of approach that builds from buying what you love and trusting the result will be pleasing. I bet even a Big Box store has something semiflush that is subtle enough. When I combine colors and they almost seem to clash, I think – that’s very French of me, and surely they take a relaxed approach to mixing lighting styles. So the schoolhouse lights may not read French to you but they are timeless to me and when I saw how Brooke Giannetti used them in the French/European country inspired Patina Farm house, I thought it might appeal to you. Guess not! They make perfect sense to me. 🙂
Michele:
I’m not a decorator questioning your choices but rather a novice decorator who needs lots of hand holding. In addition, I grew up in the time where black went with white and you matched your purse to your shoes and no mixing of patterns. I am still somewhat still in that mode (old habits die hard).
So if it appeared as if I was putting down your suggestions, absolutely not, and I wish I could find the comment (July 5th?) where you linked suggestions.
I love your website and wouldn’t follow it if I didn’t. Thx.
Author
Thanks for clarifying, Paula. I totally misunderstood and am sorry for any way I may have been unhelpful. Texting back and forth is never a perfect exchange since we can’t pick up on tone, right? I forget that followers probably don’t realize I’m attacked almost everyday and always trying to recover (not a pity party, just stating a pitfall of blogging). Hopefully this will help! Simple and classic options: https://rstyle.me/+v_4ODF_Psa3YnPbPSR-Yqw I like this in the oil rubbed bronze: https://rstyle.me/+gXrcv6EDEkymc6KhMbMKJw Have you checked out any of the surface mount fixtures at Schoolhouse? I know the Giannettis like the options there and used them at Patina Farm: https://bit.ly/2FMt4GT…I kind of like Newberry and Norfolk. I also like the antiqued brass of this one at World Market: https://rstyle.me/+TQnzRrvKASj_3Q0JZOrZSA
thanks for sharing this is really helpful for me and my upcoming project hope you add more stuff like this in future also.
Author
🙂
Michele,
I am so sorry that your son is ill and that you have family fighting for their lives. You will all be in my prayers at such a difficult time.
Author
Thank you. We are living a nightmare, and feel so vulnerable. We are squinting and can see small little victories. Relying on grace. I covet your prayers and am so grateful.
Michele, I ALWAYS look forward to your posts. I feel your generosity and love.
Please know that your love returns to you: echoes from the Divine Source are with you ALWAYS.
THANK YOU for the beauty you see all around you and that’s you share here.
Author
Let those echoes ring through and through so there can be no doubt we are living in the kingdom with the one who fights for us. Thank you for the love.
Praying for you and your son in Jesus name Amen
Author
Amen. I’m so grateful
You bring so much joy with your positive and upbeat posts every day. With all you are going through in your life right now, you still manage to extend your positive attitude to us and fill us with ideas for making our own little worlds beautiful. Prayers for you and your son.
Author
Thanks so much, Leslee. Longing for healing and recovery to come to my baby boy and my AZ family members fighting the virus. Thankful that a ventilator was available for one of them who is in critical condition and required surgery last night.
As always, thank you for your beautiful post❤️ I love your sense of style and that you can share with us! I also noticed at the end of your post that you are dealing with some personal medical issues in your family. Having experience myself with being a caretaker at one point, I wanted you to know I’m praying for you and your family. One of the things that encouraged me the most during my challenges was knowing how many, many people were praying for us. I belong to a women’s study group and we are all praying for you and your family. Wishing you peace, encouragement and strength!
Author
The prayers are helping – we feel supported by them and God’s grace even when our strength is gone. Thank you.
I have been where you are. My heart hurts with yours…mourn with those who mourn, weep with those who weep. Our creator, the great physician, has been summoned by this Cali gal on your behalf!
Comfort and peace to you.
Author
What a blessing to read these words from you. Thank you for the prayers and encouragement. I’m quite tired today and appreciate the kindness.
Praying for you and your family.You can only do today and sometimes it’s an hour by hour or minute by minute. Stay strong my Lovely one!
Author
Yes, you are right. I’m doing my best and trusting. Thank you.
Many prayers for your family.
Author
I’m so grateful – thanks for the kindness.
Good morning friend, how are you? I hope that you are hanging in their and enjoying summer for soon we will all be feathering our cosy nests for Fall. Love your finds and pinned many quotes.
Author
Having a pretty good day, Elizabeth! So excited for you in this new chapter with the new place! Thanks so much for visiting, and I will make my way over to your beautiful blog and its deliciousness. Can’t wait to follow along this fall as you bake us happy and offer cozy finds!
Good thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Author
We appreciate it so much, and I’m thankful to have you here.
I would like to tell you about what I do. I have fribromaliga, and I’m 68 years young. I have been taking 5,000 iu per soft gel ,Swanson vitamin D3 once daily for over three years. I have been well, no sickness. My husband takes it to. No sickness. I hope you try this for your health. Blessing from me and our loving Savior.
Judy Mearing
Author
Thanks so much, Judy. My doctor feels strongly about vitamin D so I also take 5,000 daily – and I try to get 20 minutes of sunshine when I can. Thank you for your tender heart and caring spirit – love having you here.