Embracing Home

WELCOME
Hello, friends! My name is Michele and I am thrilled to welcome you to the Blossoming Olive blog. I hope that through each post I write I can warmly welcome you into my little corner of the world, share with you all the little things that bring me great joy, and inspire you in some way to discover the little things in your world that bring you the greatest joy.

HOME IS WHERE MY HEART IS
So for starters - I love home! No matter the size or the imperfections of the places I have lived in over my lifetime, I have always loved home. The pieces that fill the rooms, the kitchen and cooking, the flowers and plants, the light, the smells, the moments, the gatherings and ALL the feelings that go with the idea of home I absolutely LOVE! And, as mentioned, home has never been a perfect or extraordinary place by any stretch of the imagination. Like most, I grew up in a broken home and in very simple and understated dwellings. But regardless of all the imperfections that attached itself to the idea of home, I have always loved home and wanted to be there. I have often wondered why home is so embedded within me and have discovered through time, experience, and exploration, that, for me, home isn’t a physical place as much as it is a deep soul feeling that has always expressed itself as a simple place of comfort, care, and belonging all wrapped up in warmth, joy, and the simple beauty of everyday moments. Home is where I can be myself, find rest and refreshment, gather with others, and just be. And, I realize that for some, home isn’t safe or restful or one of belonging and care. But I believe it should be.

Because home is at the heart of who I am, I have a strong desire for every person to find and experience the warmth, joy and beauty of home - to simply experience comfort, care, and belonging wherever they are. And I want every person that comes into my home or shop or workplace or church to feel at home - to feel that they can be who they are, to feel cared for and to feel that they belong. So I do whatever I can to bring that feeling of home into the spaces and places where I invite others into. A few flowers on the counter or a gift wrapped with just the right ribbon or a blanket to reach for if you need a little extra warmth. Those are just some of the small ways that I enjoy bringing the feeling of home to others.

EXPLORE, CULTIVATE, EMBRACE
So what does home or the feeling of home mean for you? That answer may come super easy for you or it may just mean taking some time to explore it a little more. The feelings and experiences of home will be unique to each of us and therefore will be expressed differently. That’s the most beautiful part of all and I invite you to open yourself up to discovering all of the possibilities. What are those simple pleasures or moments that bring you great comfort, make you feel cared for, and leave you with a sense of belonging? Whatever that is for you, I urge you to explore it, cultivate it and fully embrace it!

Smiles and hugs,
Michele