Heart of the Home

When I think of the "heart" of a home, I think about the dining table -- where some families gather to begin each day together (if their schedules allow) and others gather at the end of the day to enjoy a family meal. Family game nights are often held at the dining table. And in my home, school (aka The Shoe Academy) is held at the dining table as well.  Our table is truly the heart of our home. 

When we moved into our house in 2000, Brad and I did a lot of shopping at the now-closed Arkansas Grand Showroom in Choctaw. Our dining table and chairs were among the several purchases we made there. And can I just go on record as saying, "Brad, you were right," (I've said it to him, but I'd like to get it out there for the entire world to read) "cleaning the grooves in that dining table? A total and complete pain in the behind. If I had it to do over, I'd choose another table. But at the time, we were 7 years into infertility issues and I was thinking there never would be children...and so I wasn't thinking about cleaning crumbs and yogurt and ketchup and peanut butter and jelly and syrup and little grains of rice and Rice Krispies and sprinkles and...whatever else...out of the grooves of the table. I was thinking about how I loved the stain color and I loved the style and...well, I just liked the table. But you were right."  Anyway...fast-forward to 2009. Saw a counter-height table for the first time. I was in love. I homeschool - do you know how much bending over I do? You don't?  Well, a ton. Counter-height appealed to the homeschool teacher in me. Counter-height appealed to my casual-style self. And a bench? Yes!! That appealed to my Walton's-loving self.  (farm table with long benches instead of chairs? I'm in!!!).  I have looked and looked for a set I like. And I finally found it. I stalked it for a couple of months...until it went on sale...and then jumped on it. I bought it a few days after Christmas and it has received the "we love it" Seal of Shoe Approval. Every single time we sit at the table for anything - breakfast, school, lunch, dinner, games, crafting, work (for me) - someone says, "I love our new table!"

Annie and Harrison sitting on "their" bench, Elizabeth at the far right (only her forearm in the photo) preparing to put on a table cloth (she's such a little mother).  And yes...concrete floor that still needs to be painted. Someday when I can get my kids out of here for a weekend, maybe we can make that happen.

Now the fun part, buying new table linens!!  I love table linens. But let's don't talk about that. I have seven tablecloths that I use year-round and a few holiday specific ones. Look! There's a squirrel!!!! (did that distract you from looking at my table linen hoarding?)

So, we are excited about the new "heart" of our home. C'mon over and we'll sit and visit over a cup of coffee.