I must admit that writing has been tough for me the past couple of days. Usually, I’m bubbling over with words and ideas and writing a post is very easy. Today, I’ve started three different blog posts and can’t seem to pin any of them down. I don’t plan my blog posts out in advance. I write whatever is inspiring to me or on my mind. I’ve started checking out for the holidays, so there just isn’t a lot going on. I’ve been visiting with family, wrapping presents, shopping for groceries, planning menus, cleaning and going to the movies.
One movie we went to see was The Book Thief.
I haven’t read the book and I didn’t know much about the story, but my husband and I had a kid-free night and we didn’t have a ton of options of movies to see in a small town, so we went for this one. This isn’t a movie review, but I will say that the movie was wonderful. It’s a slow, quiet movie, but very deep with amazing acting.
So, setting the story aside, my eyes were busy trying to watch the action of the scenes and all of the details of the set…everything from the pillow cases with crochet details and striped tea towels…
…to the wool socks, hand painted detail on the accordion and bikes with market baskets in the front.
I’m not into the heavy 1930’s bark cloth and busy wall paper, but most of what was used to set the stage for the story spoke to me. It’s hard to explain, but it all pulled out an emotion…it felt like home. It pulled me back to the world of huge soft pretzels with real butter, schwimmbads, cobblestone streets, volksmarches and climbing pear trees.
For those who don’t know, I spent my childhood in Germany.
It was a beautiful place to grow up and I loved everything about living there.
Seeing that movie reminded me of why I love things from Europe and Germany specifically. Having those things in my home is a part of what makes it feel like home. Those things speak to me.
What speaks to you?
I love the way you connected your own childhood to the story (this is exactly how I think too), and uncovering where your love for European designs comes from. I love the mix of different eras when it comes to decorating my own home, but I always lean toward simplicity due to my Japanese roots (think Kyoto temples aesthetics).
Happy Christmas to you and yours ox
When I was growing up, we had a neighbor who lived in a Japanese style one-level home. She was an art teacher and, I have no idea of why, but she used to invite me over on Saturdays to paint watercolors. The back of the house was all glass. We sat on the floor and painted the trees in her serene backyard. Your comment brought that back to mind. Thank you for that remembrance.
I read the book and just saw the movie this weekend. It was wonderful! My daughter sobbed throughout most of the movie. I actually thought of you when I saw the linens hanging over the stove throughout the movie.
It was in a living room in France that I realized that red really spoke to me. I absolutely loved the red in a certain person’s living room; where I remember it the most was on a very large embroidered sampler on the wall. She had other fun things that I loved, too–her coffee table wasn’t a coffee table, but a children’s table, complete with small chairs in the room that were brought up to it. I loved those things in that room and how I felt with that family.
There are many other things that speak to me, style-wise. I’ve found that most of them are pretty difficult to come by where I live unless I build them or have them made myself. Houses here don’t have molding around any windows (just drywall) and not much around doors or for baseboards, either. My husband and I both love molding, and we’ve added it to our house, but we would add more if we could.
I have also understood that large windows are helpful to me; I like to see the sky and the clouds.
I also like dark woods. My husband and I both had this in common when we were first married, and it’s been very nice to both like that. We differ in some design elements, but in wood and molding we generally agree, which has been rather helpful!
That book spoke to me. I wanted so badly to read it to my daughter but she wouldn’t have it.
Just curious about something. Your eyes look very brown in this pic of you as a little girl, but your eyes seem to be very blue as a grown up. Are you wearing contacts? If so, what brand are they?
No, my eyes are blue. I think it’s just the lighting in the picture that makes them look brown. I do wear contacts, but they are clear and I wear them because I’m blind as a bat without them!
Pinecones speak to me. I grew up in a very small town in the mountains. Hunting was a way of life and the mountains was our playground. I took for granted being surrounded by pine trees until I moved away to live in the city, now I miss it desperately. My children and I gather pinecones when we visit and bring them home. I always have a big bowl of them in my living room. My Christmas tree is covered with them too. They make me so happy.
Small details thrill me…carved wooden handles, window sill that are deep enough to place a pot of African Violets, vintage door knobs, built in book cases and one of your favorites, blue and white china.
I think Christmas brings out a lot of sentiment, doesn’t it? I was just thinking of that when an ornament rolled under the tree and I looked up into the tree from below. I used to LOVE to lie under the tree branches and look up into the lights at night with my big sister and my uncle. There’s something about sweet childhood memories. I shared my memories just tonight. 🙂
http://pumpkinpiepainter.blogspot.com/2013/12/when-baby-jesus-went-missing-from-under.html
I find anything related to the sea or ocean inspiring, as i grew up on an island and water was just part of everyone”s life (in good ways and bad). Anything equestrian related as well as i love horses. Marian that picture of you as a little girl is adorable – you look like Drew Barrymore from ET 🙂
Thanks so much for your blog (and your MMS paint!) – happy holidays.
Your post was so touching! I’m a foreigner living in the US for a while. Working hard to make our house a home for our family, I’m always drawn to what feels European, especially Northern European. Even when decorating for Christmas, which I didn’t do with a specific picture in mind, the result is very European according to my friends! I don’t know how long God will have us here, but the different countries, cultures and experiences are shaping each of us, especially our kids, who may one day decorate their houses with American touches as that has become part of who they are!
I just finished reading this book and loved it! I didn’t realize that the movie had just come out until a friend told me. I can’t wait to see it.
I also lived in Europe for some of my childhood, in Holland and England.
I fondly remember wooded shoes, strap on ice skates, speculaas and wonderful cheeses, lace curtains, lemon curd, squeaky clean windows. I think I know exactly what you mean and probably could go on but you get the gist I’m sure!
I have been following your blog for quite a while now and was really amazed to see the photos you have posted. – It seems that you grew up in my hometown in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany — at least this is where the photo with the mountains in the background was taken. This world seems so small sometimes.
I love your blog and admire your talents.
Frohe Weihnachten to you and your family from Bavaria!
Yes. We lived in Garmisch 2 years then moved to Stuttgart for 4. We also lived in Bayreuth for 4 years but before Marian. We loved Germany and especially Garmisch.
Our son visited last year and as he drove into Garmisch said he felt like he was coming home!
A very special place.
Marian’s Mom.
I’m not a “famous” blogger like you, but I’ve had a hard time coming up with a blog post lately, too! Tired of looking at all the blogs about Christmas and decor. Glad you liked the movie, The Book Thief. I can’t wait to see it. I read the book a few years ago. I had no idea you grew up in Germany. Very cool! I loved seeing your childhood pictures. Merry and blessed Christmas from my house to yours!
I spent 5 years in college in the Aachen/Dusseldorf/Iserlohn area. If I’d known what I know now, I wouldn’t have bothered to return here to completely last semester for American university’s degrees. I love so many things that remind me of my time there, it’s hard for me to put my finger on something. My loves are varied, and totally depend upon the environment at the moment!
On another note, I’ve been meaning to tell you something I think will make you smile. I know the world loves branding and credit where credit is due — particularly when it’s their’s due. Pinterest, Houzz and Hometalk suck me in daily. Hours are lost just loving the rooms and furnishings I see. I thought you’d be interested to know that because I frequently browse your blog postings, even when a photo isn’t branded, I immediately know when its one of yours. You’ve mentioned working so hard to get the pics that show what and how you want your pieces to come across. Well, you’ve managed to create a feeling in your photos, that is evident in your work. It translates into the photos. I think that’s a talent in its own sake. If that made any sense.
Anyway,
Merry Christmas. Stay dry over there! 🙂
Christine
I saw that movie a couple of weeks ago and thought of you!
Truly –
Nature speaks to me – moss, leaves, berries, twigs,
the varied shades of God’s sky.
I met you nearly a year ago when you came to La Porte.
Not a day has passed without keeping up.
Planning to paint a piece over the holidays for my
new grandson. Tricycle Red.
Happy Christmas my lovely friend.
and thank you.
Patti
I grew up in a funky house–my mother would pair 18th century French marble and inlaid wood chests with primitive art she found on the side of the road, and that’s close to what speaks to me these days too! I love old, sturdy, and also borderline strange! I like covered walls, bold colors, things that make a visitor look twice. For the most part, I like the opposite of “model home”. We’re the oddballs next door instead!
What speaks to me is anything that is simple, comfy and cozy. It was a huge part of my childhood and I am drawn to things that bring back those simpler times. In these times in which we live, life seems too busy and complicated, so anything that reminds me of simplicity is what I’m drawn to. I think a lot of us lean that way it seems.
I do wish for you and your family a wonderful and Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our King and Savior.
Christmas blessings,
Sue
Originally I am from Puerto Rico- the foods still speak to me 😉 but it’s England that calls my name in most of how I decorate. I love anything cozy, cold rainy weather, warm blankets & tea. Creating a familiar place with warm memories is all a part of feathering a good nest 🙂 A very Happy Christmas to you and yours!
Anything French has always spoken to me, since I was a very young girl. I used to trace the fleur de lis on my sister’s French dictionary, color them, and hang them on the back of my bedroom door. It’s no wonder I’m a huge New Orleans Saints fan, since that’s what they have on their helmets! I took four years of French in high school and college and have always studied everything I could about France. Then for our honeymoon, my husband surprised me with a trip to Paris!! I was in absolute shock and the whole trip was like a dream! I purchased a few lovely things at little flea markets while I was there and brought them home with me to treasure forever. I now collect all kinds of French items: linens, crocks, tins, typography, and have touches of French decor throughout my home. Maybe I was French in a previous life? 🙂
This is beautiful! The holidays make me feel so sappy and nostalgic for my own childhood in Germany, but one thing that has stayed with me here in the states is the careful attention to detail in household objects. Even the details on your sweet little dirndl! Sehr niedlich.
Fröhe Weihnacht!
First, Marian, I want to thank you for sending out the boxwood wreath in such a timely fashion- it is lovely and a double bargain considering that you don’t add shipping charges.I really love it.
Secondly- I too spent my childhood in Germany,was born in Starnberg, Bavaria, and lived for a few years in Garmisch. I have many wonderful memories, some of which are a cross behind The Sound of Music and Heidi. Obviously these times can’t be replicated, but they’ll never be forgotten.And now- I am Omi to two wonderful little grandsons..so some traditions continue.
Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year!
Dolores in NJ
Merry Christmas and Happy Everything!
Got left off the above? Why, I don’t know.
Comment: YOU SPEAK TO ME.
Oh I know exactly what you mean. There are movies that I love only because of the set.
I read the The Book Thief ages ago and am a bit afraid to watch the movie as the book was so wonderful. But it sounds as if I need to go.
I love your blog. I love your tutorials. And I think you are adorable! Thanks for letting me into your life so freely so I can make my house more beautiful and comfortable!
Merry Christmas!!!
My whole family read the book and loved it, so we were apprehensive about the movie too. But it was wonderful and quite true to the book! I would recommend you see it!
Ok, here comes cheesy, but Marian, you speak to me. I’ve been reading blogs for only a few months. Reading yours has made me a better person (seriously) AND even helps my home look a bit better! You’re a sweet spirited person. I’m working on that. Merry Christmas. Thank you for your blog.
Oh, I was wondering what happened to you – two days with no posts on the blog! 🙂
I am glad you are OK, Marian.
The movie seems like an interesting one to see once it makes it to our neck of the woods. As for European memories, I grew up in South-Eastern Europe, but do not have too many fond memories from that particular part of Europe. Mine are mostly from my travels in France, England, and Ireland. Last time we visited UK, we stayed a couple of days at a B&B close to Heathrow airport which preserved the architecture of the original house (from the 16th century, I believe), with huge ceiling beams, the original fireplace in the living room, grapevine covered backyard patio, and chickens freely roaming around during the day. I absolutely loved it!
All things magical speak to me! I love mermaids and fairies, blues, greens, purples- vibrant colors. I have a very eclectic style- boho shabby romance with magic! I love your style and all of your posts. Have a blessed holiday with your family!
In your photos the fabrics speak to me. When I go to an antique mall I love anything fabric. My mom passed away when I was 14 and I don’t know what happened to the quilts and things that she meant to pass down to us, but I never got one. I used to look at antique quilts but they were too expensive. I ended up learning to quilt and making my own and evolved into making some from old fabrics. When one of my daughters moved to Colorado I let her take a bunch with her, and I feel at home when I stay with her! I have 40 years worth of collected blue and white things too so that is another thing I like about your blog. I love to redecorate a lot but keep old things and move them around. Thanks!
Smells speak to me often. When I combine powdered cocoa with sugar and milk I remember my mother who died when I was eleven and who made the most delicious chocolate pies. When I smell leather I am reminded of the shoe shop in my small hometown where my mother put a purse on layaway for me to pay on (with her money) for Christmas. Little did she know she was making a memory for a lifetime for her little girl. I am so grateful to God that he gave me the gift of smell. It connects me to my mother I loved so much and who left too soon.
Merry Christmas!
Hi Marian, I love the wall amps you have in your bedroom shot in this post. Can you tell me where you purchased them?
Merry Christmas!
I also read “The Book Thief” and loved it. I wanted to see the movie but didn’t get to it before they were not showing it anymore in my area.
My taste is a little different than yours but love reading your blogs just the same.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
the west cakks t I nenkskjhe kbhkkdhheh
My son and I read the book when he was 12, (he is now 14 1/2) and we both absolutely loved the book. We are looking forward to seeing it over Christmas break together.
As you might have guessed, reading books and seeing movies are a few of my favorite things..to do with my kids!
Kim
So many things speak to me. I’ve incorporated them all into my home. Light painted bedroom floors, remind me of summers at the beach sleeping in informal cottages and gauze curtains blowing in breeze. Cotton bedspreads, old art books stacked on the coffee table also set the mood of home for me too. I big one for me is one many people don’t like, my love of ivy growing up everything and spreading so there isn’t a need for, what I think, unsightly mulch. Thanks for the memories haha. Merry Christmas
What an absolutely beautiful child you were….still beautiful of course, but a child is special…thanks for sharing some of your past…..Merry Christmas.
This was a great post. And reading what everyone else wrote was interesting. I like everything that is homey and comfortable from every era and country. Overstuffed furniture, Manchester leather couches, libraries, and cozy footstools. I love 1940s barkcloth, back screened-in porches with daybeds and sunny 1940’s kitchens.
Eastern Europe speaks to me…thatched roofs, storks, hay stacks, horse drawn wagons, hand spun, hand knitted, hand woven, hand sewn…a slow life. I adore Romania, Hungary, Ukraine, Serbia and love traveling there. The grannies in their black dresses, head scarfs, sensible shoes, the men in their felt hats and those funny little hats the men wear in Romania. We’d talked about moving to Hungary but life happened, then death and the move never happened.
I think that’s why I live a slow life now. It suits me, it suits my hands and heart and I have carved a sanctuary of spiritual, physical, emotional peace on this farm. Everyone who comes here feels that same peace and leave renewed, refreshed, restored.
On the other hand, I feel at home in Morocco as well. That was a huge surprise…me, the “wrong” gender, race, religion. I think, because I live “slow”, I feel at home anywhere the women also live slow. We understand food, shelter, clothing and taking care of our men.
I am fortunate enough to have a dresser left by my grandmother. It is well over a hundred years old and has a beautiful marble top; I use it as a buffet. I remember it being in her house as long as she lived. All I have to do is look at it and many, many memories of her come alive. I remember all the talks we had and the fact that she was so much fun to be with. She was a person of wisdom and taught me so much. Her dresser speaks to me each and everyday of the lady I called Mama.
What a sweet memory! My family is Danish, so anything with wooden clogs, the smell of cardamom, little gnomes and Scandanavian things speak to me & warm my heart. Blessings to you!
I think we all kind of wind down at this time of year and like you I have odd days when nothing seems to flow and I flit from one draft to another. I am sure after the Christmas and holiday break all will come flowing back.
What speaks to me at the moment is memories of my dear mother who passed away just over a year ago, this will be my second Christmas without her and I miss her more than ever this year. Everything on my table will have belonged to her, her gorgeous cutlery, plates and even her lovely cotton napkins I have and will be using. I will keep memories of the day by using my brand new camera, yes I got my Nikon D7100 and cannot wait to use it. It is sitting in its box at the moment as I am scared to get it out.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Lee
Colors speak to me. I think that one of the reasons I was first attracted to your blog was the blues as soon as you open the page. The picture of your cow has the most wonderful colors in it too. I grew up in a house of painters, my Grandmother was not afraid of colors and she would change colors in our house all the time. I spent a lot of time in the paint department and would always come out of there with a handful of paint chips, still do and now my daughter does the same thing! I love the color of the grass right after a rain and the way the sky at sunset when there are so many different colors to see. I’m so thankful that God made us so many different colors to look at!!
Merry Christmas
now I want to go see that movie……I am a first generation American my mother was the most wonderful German lady and my father was Czech…….so things from Germany remind me of my mom…….how she decorated, wonderful German foods etc……thanks for the memories…..and Merry Christmas
Thanks for the “review” of the movie..it is one that I would love to see…I love the pic of you!!..How wonderful it must have been growing up in Germany…
Have a very Merry Christmas with your wonderful family!!
Seems like so many things speak to me. My Grandmother was Swiss and spoke German often. I still remember words she used. I worked with a German woman that lived thru the 2nd. world war hidden by her Mother since her Father was in a concentration camp, she never knew her Father, part Jewish, hence her Mother hiding her. She said the American soldiers helped them with food quite often so they wouldn’t starve.
I had a neighbor when we lived in MT that was from Berlin and she told me about the war also. How I would love to be able to go to Switzerland to see what it’s like. The woman I worked with from Germany told me Switzerland has a French and a German side.
I used an expression one day and that’s how I found out she was from Germany. She’s pretty much lost her accent since being in US for many years. I called a purse a geltboitel, (not sure of correct spelling), she asked me where I’d heard that word, she said she had rarely heard that used.
I love the books written by Rosamunde Pilcher, an English/Scottish author. She wrote” The Shell Seekers” and so many others that just take me into the story so much I feel I can see everything and everyone she writes about. She also wrote September and Coming Home among many many other wonderful books.I”m rereading a book of 3 novels in one book right now. I hate to see it end since I enjoy her books so much,
I always seem to enjoy books about England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, the 2nd. world war, how people lived thru all the things they did. Don’t know how many times I’ve read Ms. Pilchers books and will keep reading them.
I’d like to read the book the movie was made from about the “book thief”. Sounds like something I’d love. I am English in heritage, Swiss, French Canadian, quite a mixture. Born in 1940 I have memories of many things and love the era, the clothes, homes, all of it. Love colors, cows, horses.
The scenery behind the photo of you and the woman (your Mother?) really captured me, so especially beautiful.
May you and yours enjoy a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.
I Love that many of your posts make us think about things we might not talk about otherwise.
This is such a great post! I love folk art, especially hillsides with little colorful houses. I’m also drawn to Dutch things like painted wooden shoes and dishes with the little people and flowers – the more colorful, the better. And dollhouses. Love dollhouses. I’m not sure why I’m so drawn to those things, though. 🙂
I’m currently reading the book and can not wait to see the movie.
Decorating with things that are old and things that have a story talks to me. My mother is not a saver. If she isn’t using it she will get rid of it. My last trip home I made sure to bring back with me her old cookie cutters(some were my grandfathers) some brown cut glass pieces(she use to make banana pudding and serve it in those glasses) her silver (she was going to give it to my sister-in-law because she didn’t think I would want it) my fathers machinist tool box and his old camp chair. I would sit in that little chair when he took me fishing. I try not to think of all of the things she has given away over the years. I’m just happy she had enough sense not to give it all away.
I always prefer to watch the movie before I read the book. I’m almost always disappointed with the movie if I read the book first. And there’s only been one time that I can think of that I was disappointed with the book reading it after seeing the movie.
Beauty speaks to me… especially beautiful things that have a history.
We saw the movie too without prereading the book. It was very deep and full of emotion. We have traveled to Germany and it brought back many memories.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
That photo of you is precious… just look at the sweet expression you have too…
what speaks to me is summer nights in North Carolina when the night air smells like honeysuckle, and the crickets and frogs are singing…
Cindy
There is only one word: Beautiful. Thank you,
Sooooooo many things “speak” to me. My grandmother was a tole painter and made beautiful things with her brushes and paint. My grandfather was a carpenter and built most of the things she painted… bread boxes, spice cabinets, door stops shaped like cats and dogs… I am fortunate that my mother kept so many of her things when my aunts and uncles didn’t want them.
I am also drawn to jars and boxes and crates… I think it must have something to do with the keeping of things. Memories, ephemera and mementos, photos… keepsakes have always been on display in my home, not stored away, but I do tend to keep containers around to hold those things I haven’t figured out how to display yet. (I’ve also found that cream-colored Haeger planters are GREAT to have sitting here and there in the house to catch legos and other pieces of boy-toys that get scattered…)
Thanks for this post, Marian – and Happy New Year!!