February 14, 2013

Simple Joys

Would you mind some reminiscing?

Way back when, our family of three traveled to Oregon and I fell deeply in love.  Columbia River Gorge, International Rose Test Garden, Mt. Hood, Powell's City of Books, Portland Japanese Gardens, Saturday Market. Those are the well known attractions, each of them so very special in their own way.    What stands out most prominently in my mind though, is our one-night stay at the Kennedy School.  It had recently opened, a salvaged elementary school repurposed so whimsically into a place of lodging.

I've always loved chalkboards and have fond memories of dusty erasers and the tool that made lines for handwriting.  Do you remember those? What struck me most about the Kennedy School was the chalkboard, still in tact, in our guest room.  It just felt so right, so warm, and so happy.

We recreated the full-wall-width chalkboard in our previous home's guest room.  It was a conversation piece; well loved and well used.  When our house was on the market, one family left us a message the old fashioned way.  Turns out, that family now lives in our home.

Today we have a small board that hangs just above the sink in the mudroom.  It's strategically placed so it's the first thing you see when you enter from the garage.  When hubby's been away on travel he'll always find a message upon return.  When the kids come to visit, loving words of welcome are waiting.    And sometimes, in the wee hours of the morning, hubby writes a little something on the chalkboard right before leaving for work.  That's what happened this morning.  It's a simple joy we share. ❤