Monday, January 19, 2015

Etched Within the Grains





I have mentioned before that we live in a small, one room schoolhouse. The main schoolhouse exists pretty much as it was, with the exception of one wall added to create a bedroom, and the ceiling removed to add a loft. The main living area, tiny, but well used, is where we live most of our day to day lives, and in this space is our table.

If there is one thing in our home that holds the story of our family, our table would be it. Justin and I ordered this table the week after we got married, visiting the workshop where it was to be built to pick the wood, to choose the style of table and chairs, and to decide on the finish. I always knew I wanted a harvest table, a place to gather with my family and friends, a place to plant a current project and bring it to life, a place to enjoy meals with those I love...a place to hold the memories of our story.

This year Justin and I will celebrate twenty years of marriage, I am still not quite sure how that happened, I mean twenty years! As we sat around this table for a meal last week, I saw it, each little mark, each scratch, each dent and I remembered. All the memories came rushing back. The dinners, just the two of us, in the basement apartment we lived in for the first two years we were married. The first time we placed it in our new home, it is still in the exact same spot. The meals and celebrations shared with family and friends. Justin and I sitting at opposite ends studying when we both went back to school in our early thirties. The year I was writing my book, when half the table was always covered with my notes and research. Reece, as a newborn, sleeping soundly in the center because he wouldn't sleep anywhere else. The many meals eaten solo as one of us tended to Reece, or the meals eaten one handed as I nursed my little man. The first time Reece joined us at the table, sitting on his own, laughing and playing with his food. The meals we enjoy now, just the three of us, candles glowing, chatting away about our day, and the days to come. The times we sit around it creating and crafting. Big decisions have been made around this table, little ones too, there are deep conversations had, and lighthearted family stories shared, and it is around this table that we now enjoy family art night, continuing to add to the memories this table holds.

This table is worn, there are marks that can never be removed, but in those marks, etched within the grain of the wood, are the memories of our family, and the love we have shared around this table. This table holds the story of our family, from the very beginning, and every time I walk by it, sit down at it, or fold the laundry on it, I remember.

72 comments:

  1. And a most beautiful table it is too! :)

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  2. Beautiful story- thank you for sharing that. Because of a lack of seating I built us a harvest table from reclaimed wood here on the farm- I love it, although it's not to fancy- I'm hoping it will hold up and we will have these same memories someday.

    www.hollandsreverie.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks you. That sounds lovely. Back when we bought this table, Justin wasn't into woodworking, and didn't have a workshop. Now that he does, I often think I would like him to make a new table for us but then I think about parting with this one and I just can't do it.

      Enjoy making memories at your table.

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  3. Oh, such a sweet post! I love that you live in a one-room schoolhouse! The table is just gorgeous.

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    1. Thank you! It was always my dream home, and Justin found it when I was away on a business trip 18 years ago :)

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  4. Simply beautiful (the table and your words), dear friend. xo

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  5. Beautiful post Kim! If that table could talk...

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  6. I love your post today Kim, it is one that I can so relate to. My table was built by my husband and father in law as a mother's day gift almost 30 years ago. My table has marks for a life time of raising a family and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

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    1. Thank you Tracey. Wow, that is amazing! What a lovely story your table holds. Just think, all those grand kids and babies to add memories to it now too :)

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  7. What a beautiful post... As I read your words, I look at our own thrifted table that we've had since the very beginning. Too small now and we ill need to replace it (4 people pedestal, not fit for a growing family) but still, the wear and tear bring a smile to my face.

    Thank you for sharing such a beautiful glimpse of the inside of your house. So soothing. Have a wonderful week.

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    1. Thanks Yanic. Such wonderful moments to look at something and have all the memories come washing back.

      Wishing you a wonderful week too!

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  8. I love stories about tables. something so wonderful.

    and this is just perfect. xo

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  9. Congratulations on your 20th !!! how lovely is your table and dining area...it looks like the perfect spot. And yes... it's amazing how etchings and worn furnishings can flood us with memories. I like where
    you placed your lunar phase calendar !

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    1. Thanks Erica. We still have a few months til we reach the actual day, we got married in May :)

      The lunar calendar is in a different spot than usual, and we all really like it :)

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  10. What a wonderful way to remember all of those happy time. Twenty years! Congratulations!

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  11. Beautiful memories. Beautiful table. I understand well about the memories in the grains here. Our table is a cheep rickety thing from Ikea and we have thought about replacing it, but it's been with us since the beginning and I just can't bring myself to get rid of it.

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    1. Thank you. It is hard, isn't it? Luckily I don't have to part with this one anytime soon, it will last a lifetime, and more :)

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  12. I love this post. Happy anniversary!

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    1. Thanks! Still a few months til we reach the big day, it is in May :)

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  13. What a lovely post and a blessed testimony of a family that is united and thriving in love. Thank you for sharing Kim... mari

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  14. It's a beautiful table and in such good condition after 20 years - we've only been married for 11 and our table (wedding present from my dad) is in a sorry state and needs a good sanding and oiling!
    I love those chairs too. You have a beautiful looking home, I love seeing pictures of it.

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    1. It is Emma, well worn and well loved all these years.

      Thank you, I love our home, and I feel very much at home here :)

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  15. Beautiful memories, and a beautiful table. We have the kitchen table from Harry's childhood kitchen. His Mum didn't want it when she moved a few years ago, it's elderly and worn, but solid and full of history too.

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    1. Thank you Sally. How wonderful that would be, the marks on it must be amazing, and so many memories. We actually have Justin's grandmother's old jam cupboard. It has makings on it that his dad put there when he was a boy. So wonderful to have pieces so rich in family history.

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  16. Lovely Kim! Tables like yours really are the centerpiece of the home. My mom and dad have a great table marred by many years and four children. It's not the prettiest of tables but I don't think they will part with it any time soon, too many memories. I'm hoping one day to have a harvest table like yours. Maybe one Jeff will build. Right now, we enjoy our pottery barn table by beautifying it up with found treasures and enjoying breakfasts, lunches and dinners there.

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    1. They certainly are, and this one definitely is :) I bet that table from your childhood is just wonderful. Enjoy the memories you are making around your current table.

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  17. Kim, that is fabulous, congratulations on 20yrs of marriage!
    I had no idea you lived in an old school house... I love it.
    Wishing you and your family many more moments and memories around and at that beautiful table.

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    1. Thanks Darcel. We are almost there, our anniversary is in May. We do, and it is wonderful, been here for almost 18 years.

      Thank you!

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  18. That is a lovely reminder of all the memories. Your house is so cozy Kim...I can just envision the three of you sitting around the table.

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    1. Awe, thanks Camilla. I love our home, and cozy is definitely how I like it to feel, so I am glad that comes across. xo

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  19. What a great investment! What fabulous way to have a family heirloom too. Like family scrapbook sort of! Congratulations of twenty years Kim!!

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    1. It definitely was. I knew when we bought it that it would be with us forever. I couldn't think of anything better to use some of our gifted money to buy :)

      Thanks KC, still a few months before we reach the actual day, but still have a hard time wrapping my head around 20 years!

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  20. Congrats on 20 years! I love stories like this. Easy to relate to for me. We have a similar table, one we bought when we were first married, found it at a yard sale. It has seen all of our married life together, our kids entire life, and has even been given a couple of face lifts over the years (light green paint did not flatter this baby).
    My favourite part - the fork marks at the end where the high chair sits.

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    1. Thanks, anniversary is in May :) So you have a table that tells the story of your family too. It is wonderful to look back at each mark and remember. Wishing many more memories around that table for you and your family.

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  21. Twenty years (nearly) how wonderful :). I love your table and the stories that it has to tell, I hope that it will passed on to Reece who will continue to add to the memories. Your home looks like a place of calm and rest.

    We have an old table, too small to be eaten at, which takes up quite a bit of space in our small house but I have made a place for it. It was made from a tree felled on my great grandfathers farm, I am the fourth generation to 'own' it. I wish I could hear the stories it has to tell......

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    1. Thank you! I hope to pass it on to Reece. I think he will be the kind of person who will want it, at least I hope so.

      Oh goodness, what a wonderful piece to have. I can just imagine the stories it would have. Wow!

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  22. Such a beautiful and peaceful room... Your house seems lovely ! :) And I love the story around the table, such good memories... Congrats for the 20th, wow ! (I'm with my husband since 12 years but we got married only for 5 months !! ;) )

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    1. Thank you. Yes, many good memories. I am sure there have been some not go good ones around that table too, but those one seem to have fallen away from the memory :)

      Congratulations to you too!

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  23. Wow twenty years, that's so great and nice!
    What a lovely post, each word you have used to describe your story it's perfect, it makes the whole thing arrive to all your senses while reading it, thanks!

    Lluisa xoxo

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    1. Thank you. It doesn't quite seem like it has been twenty years, but the calendar says so :) Time does fly.

      Thank you for your kind words regarding the post, that is lovely to hear. xo

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  24. happy anniversary! It seems tables are where it's at in most homes, I have fond memories of us all sitting together eating, talking, doing play doh, painting, homework, algebra. Oh it's endless. Your table is beautiful and so are your memories :)

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    1. Thanks Karen, still a few months before we celebrate, anniversary is in May :) I think so too, everyone always wants to gather around the table.

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  25. Beatiful table, beautiful memories..it is always a pleasure to read your words..

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  26. Beautiful thoughts! And your pictures, they breathe so much warmth!

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  27. It all looks so beautiful and cozy there in your schoolhouse. Congratulations on 20 years--of marriage and of table! Good wishes for many more to come with both.

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  28. A beautiful story, Kim. And one that I completely share. Happy anniversary!

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  29. beautiful, beautiful~ a very happy anniversary to you two!
    and so many thanks for the extremely lovely package that found its way to my mailbox just today! xoxo yours will be on the way soon :)

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    1. Thank you!

      So happy to hear it arrived safely. I wanted to let you know it was coming, but wanted it to be a surprise too :) xo

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  30. Lovely post. We also live in a small and unconventional space (a barn loft apartment). Our table too is the heart of our family... we eat every meal there, we homeschool there, I work for our business there and I type this on my computer there as we speak. your post made me realize what a gift this is to have a table that represents our family's closeness. blessings to you in your 20 years!!!

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    1. Thanks Jen. That is so lovely to hear, so wonderful for you to realize what a gift your table is. What a lovely sounding place to call home.

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  31. i think one time, long ago it seems now, i wrote something similar. how so many parents wipe their tables spotless or frown over spills and scratches. but those marks are the stories of your precious days together. we ought to all have wooden tables that mark. ;)

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    1. Precious days indeed, and every mark means something. My hubby used to get a little frustrated with each mark and dent, even before the little man came, but I keep reminding him that we have the story of our lives right here in front of us. He gets it now :)

      And yes, I totally agree :)

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  32. Beautiful. Happy Anniversary this year!

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  33. What a beautiful remembrance of a table full of memories. I would love to see more of your home. It sounds interesting living in a one room schoolhouse.

    My husband and I just celebrated 25 years! It did go by so quickly. We are enjoying our time together as our children are young adults and we ourselves are quite young(44 and 43) Being empty nesters has been wonderful! It is a really good thing to watch your children grow, marry and enter into their own lives.

    Happy Anniversary this year!!

    Happy weekend!

    Janet

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    1. Thank you Janet. It is amazing the memories one piece of furniture can collect. It is interesting, and we love it. It definitely isn't for everyone, and you have to be a little creative with space, and storage (there is no storage space in a schoolhouse), but it works for us.

      Congratulations to you and your husband, that is wonderful! You guys are the same age as us, we will both be 43 in the next few months...what different worlds we are leading right now :) Enjoy that empty nest.

      Happy weekend to you too!

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  34. oh kim, this is so beautiful! what a wonderful way to think about all of those little nicks and scratches. i just love your thoughts. thank you for sharing :)

    also... i LOVE your little school home... so lovely.

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    1. Thanks Jenny. Every nick and scratch is a memory, and I remember pretty how each one came to be :)

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  35. Wow! What a special table and a beautiful story. I find it amazing that back then you wanted a handmade timber table. What a great purchase. xo

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    1. Thank you Julie. It was a wonderful purchase. I am not totally sure what the pull was, I just knew I wanted a harvest table, a place to gather with friends to enjoy a meal, and so we jumped in and bought it. So glad we did. xo

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