What Makes Your House a Home

While I'm working on my current project of my sons' rooms transformations I have a renewed appreciation for my house. I have also learned a few things about myself.

While I enjoy the look of contemporary, my personal style is eclectic and cozy. I've been clearing out junk because clutter is annoying plus adds to the cleaning, but I require certain items around because they're pretty. I like my kitchen clean, it so rarely stays that way. I like the counters cleared, they don't stay that way either - but there is nothing as homey as a fresh pie or plate of cookies next to a vase of flowers on the kitchen island.

There are certain things that make this house, or any I have lived in for that matter, feel like home:

~ Morning sunlight in the kitchen, open windows with sheer curtains waving in the breeze
~ Candles
~ Flowers on the table
~ Soft glow of lamps at night
~ Smell of coffee, or cookies in the oven or soup simmering on the stove
~ Sounds of the kids & their friends chatting, the goofy next door neighbor's dogs barking, the football game eminating from the den, the lovely racket of family and friends spilling in the door carrying a casserole of mashed potatoes or the like yelling "Watch out! It's hot!"
~ Snuggling under the blanket my mother knitted as I watch a movie while eating popcorn with my sons.
~ Folding clean towels straight from the dryer
~ A crackling fire on a snowy day

The so-called little things in life are the really important things and mean "home" to me.

What means HOME to you? I am looking forward to reading your lists & make them as long as you like!