chez moi: dare to dream

For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed about my dream home.  I don't know why it's so important to me, but it is.  So important that "my home" is even mentioned in my patriarchal blessing.  I'm embarrassed to say that while growing up I dreamed more about my future home than my future family...  I would fantasize about discovering an abandoned cottage and how I would merrily make it my own.  Much like this girl (a favorite book of mine).  Or how I might find shelter in a safe haven of my own making, much like Miss Honey in Matilda.  Not much has changed since then, other than my age ;)  The dreams are the same.

I've continued my searching and dreaming, only I find it in more grown-up venues, such as Thomas Kinkade's artwork.  Oh, to have my own cobblestone cottage, nestled behind numerous wildflowers, perched along a babbling brook!  Just recently I stumbled upon this planned village, comprised of these fabulous plans.  I want one, I want one, I WANT ONE!!!  I would like both "The Tuly Charming Collection" and "The Truly Tiny Collection" ASAP (aka. birthday/Christmas), just so I can further my obsession.  And Brad has loosely promised that we can build this when we retire.  Isn't he just so good to me to put up with my silly notions?  Yes, he most certainly is.

But in the meantime, here I sit in my "new" home.  It's far from anything I've dreamed of, but it is a blank canvas and it can become something I dream up!  I will now lovingly refer to this place as my cottage in training.  I may live in the desert, far from real trees, or flowing water... but it's my little refuge from the world.  It's where I, and my family (and friends), can hopefully find peace and comfort.  And in my book, that is a dream worth dreaming.  *B

"O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted! Behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.  And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.  And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.  In righteousness shalt thou be established; thou shalt be far from oppression for thou shalt not fear, and from terror for it shall not come near thee."

-- 3 Nephi 22:11-14