Owlhaven's Monday Challenge!

Mary over at owlhaven has issued a challenge.

Here it is: "Take three photos in your home that are reflections of YOU! What small items or small areas do you have in your home that makes your home your own? What shows your personality?"

This is SO up my alley! I LOVE MY HOME! It is a direct reflection of not only my own personality, but who we are as a family... what we believe, what we love, where we came from, what makes us feel warm and safe and comfortable. It truly is our refuge from the outside world!

First picture: This is the first decorating I did in our brand new home, 6 years ago. We'd moved all the way from Hawaii, and were consequently furnitureless for about 6 weeks. I'd gotten tired of the blank white walls (since painted green)and with what little budget I had after a $10,000 move and $2,000 furniture spree, I went to Walgreens and found these 3 beautiful cards, then headed over to Target for some $1 frames. I had a sample of wallpaper, a scrap of corrugated cardboard and brown wrapping paper on hand for matting. Totally made my day just to put up 3 pictures, let alone pictures that symbolize the fruit of life and an appreciation for our blessings (the scriptural quote on one of them says: "The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord" Psalm 33:5)!
Second picture: This little display is right outside our Master bedroom. These pictures are of my musical ancestry (which includes an opera singer and concert pianist) along with various parts of stringed instruments which I picked up from a pile of scraps at my favorite luthier shop. Music is a huge part of my life and I expose my children to as much good music as possible; I play the violin, viola, a little piano and love to sing. I also love having pictures of our ancestors up in my home. There is a much larger display of them right beside our front door. I feel like they are watching over us as we come and go during the day. :)

Third picture: I am in love with this armoire because it's one of a kind, handmade and was cheap! It holds a good deal of our food storage (which was previously housed under our bed, in our closets, and garage) and serves as a good reminder to us to always be prepared! Plus, it is the newest addition (as in delivered JUST YESTERDAY) to a kitchen that has been a true labor of love. We have gutted out the whole thing and redesigned it ourselves! Our kitchen is a place where good friends and beloved family gather together to laugh and celebrate. So, it is one of my favorite places to be.