Lately I’ve found myself driving around town and making up stories about the inhabitants of random houses.
That craftsman house I pass almost daily: I bet the owners are close to retirement age. They have grown children and are soon expecting their first grandchild. Their home is cheerful, filled to the brim with memories of the life they’ve led. They host bridge once a week, playing around the same table where they helped their children with homework.
That small wood-frame home with a carport: A widow lives there. The same home she built with her husband while raising their children in the 60s. She spends most of her time in 1 room: the kitchen, because that’s where most of her memories took place. She remembers her son’s burnt batch of brownies and the crowded Thanksgiving dinners. She finds herself staring at the same refrigerator where her children’s grades were proudly displayed.
That friendly 2-story brick house in a sub-division I discovered on a random jaunt about town: I’m positive it’s home to a young family with 2 elementary aged children. The interior is modern yet inviting, the refrigerator covered in art projects and A+ homework assignments. The backyard filled with toys.
What I’ve realized in these daydreams is that every family I make up in my head is happy, loving, and supportive. They are warm and welcoming and exude Southern hospitality. Their homes are well-decorated, each piece of furniture placed lovingly in position and each photo on the wall capturing a moment in time that they treasure.
Maybe it’s because I’m newly engaged that I think about these things. Maybe it’s what happens when a bride-to-be starts to dream about her own house and new family. Whatever the reason, it’s given me focus.
Focus to create a home that is welcoming, warm and full of love. A home that is a reflection of the personalities which inhabit it. A family that cherishes memories, laughs together and plays games together.
A family who makes memories in the kitchen.
meggieslife.com 
Every time we go to Prescott, I make up stories about this big, yellow house on the corner. You might be familiar with said house. 🙂 Most stories involve the house being haunted. Though I’m sure the ghost is friendly and enjoys observing the loving, supportive family.
Why does everyone think that house is haunted? Oh wait. Maybe it’s the whole built on a former Civil War burial ground thing…
I love doing this! A few summers back I worked at a camp and my friend and I would make stories up about every person we met. We chose their relationship status, how many kids they had, the kind of vehicle they drove, the types of music they listened to, on and on and on. Not only was it entertaining, but it was a great creative exercise! Nice post!
I have a random question. I found you through DeisgnSponge and you had commented on the canvas calendar saying you had a set up for making that. Do you still have that? If so would you be willing to share it?
Thanks
Hi Jennifer!
I’m so happy you’ve found my blog! I hope you like what you see! I’ve created a PDF calendar you can use for printing your calendars which you can find here: http://comp.uark.edu/~mvt001/elearning/pdfs/Calendar.pdf
Additionally, if you have an inkjet printer I would recommend printing directly on the canvas instead of using iron-on transfers. This was a tremendous time-saver for me! All you have to do is cut your canvas down to the size of letter paper (or what ever size your printer accepts) and iron freezer paper on the back of it. Then run it through your printer so that it prints on the canvas side.
Good luck! Let me know if you need more tips!
Megan