Sweet and Colorful Friends

Magical.
That's the kind of night we had last night.
A sweet invitation from warm and colorful neighbors we didn't really know... Friends of friends.
Our friends now!

They held a "field" party in honor of their wonderful soldier son, newly returned from Iraq, due to ship back out in a few short weeks.

Their tiny 1770 log home sits beside the road amongst not so charming houses, yet is completely hidden by landscaping.
A treasure box to be discovered.
What an amazing treat when you enter the doorway - starting with the home made banner proclaiming
"Home of The Brave!"

They are a family of folk artists and rustic furniture makers.
They have tons of talent and even more heart.
Their creativity was clear in every.single.corner of their stunning home and yard!
It was NOT like the clear n uncluttered  homes I'm so used to seeing highlighted these days in magazines and blogs.
It was a thousand times more inspiring and warm and inviting and FULL of color and LIFE!
Low beamed ceilings in the original section had antiques or odds n ends hanging down...
Newer areas were made to feel more spacious by opening the ceilings to the higher rafters.
Stairs were stacked with books and gathered treasures.
And as accents everywhere were small lamps, twinkle lights, candle lamps and more twinkle lights.
And LAYERS of family photos that shared their story through time.
It did NOT feel "cluttered."
In addition to their lovely daughter and phenomenal son, they share the cottage with two large Labs, two small Chihuahuas and a cat! It was so cozy but clean!
 I don't know how they do it!

They've lived there for 24 years and worked to update and enlarge the tiny house over time.
They've planted several fruit trees in their backyard, strung them with lights and created seating areas beneath. Quirky items are snuggled amongst plants or rocks... A simple dry stack fireplace/fire pit was built in another area.
I LOVED how they mounted an old chippy shed door w/it's rusty hinges between the sink and toilet to create a narrow partition and privacy in a shared bath.

But my FAVORITE THING EVER was the self portrait their son did when he was seven,  framed and prominently displayed in their kitchen.
He drew himself wearing a green n white striped shirt.
Framed beside the drawing is that same old striped Gap t-shirt!
It seems that shirt was his, then passed along to our other wonderful neighbors three boy's...
For years it was to be seen constantly along our road or splashing in the creek beside...
I sure wish we'd met them back then!

Like them, their party was sooo fun!
Their friends were very kind and interesting.
Several brought guitars and sang.
Their was lotsa music, dancing and kicking up of heels (and skirts)!
My kiddos were the youngest there and everyone looked after them and played and danced with them...
We were all made to feel like family.
We stayed very very late as no one wanted to leave this wonderland!

A memorable evening that made me see my own home and world with fresh eyes.
I'm always striving to cut back on clutter and things all around me...
I am re-inspired now to edit out of my world those things that do not speak intimately to me and yet to layer on more personal treasures into our home.
And as is always said - the most personal decorations are FRIENDS!

As I came down early I saw the sun shining on my sweet n colorful peaches from another neighbors farm stand and was reminded again of our many blessings and the wonderful night.
Today a dear friend visits and later my sweet MIL so that The Farmer and I can do some work on the barn...
PERFECT!

Hope your weekend is full of color and friends!