Making A House A Home

From Alexandra’s Desk

I just can’t help myself. I’m taking this opportunity to commandeer the Collector’s Guide column this week to hop up on my inspirational soapbox. (Hey, if Bruce gets to do it from time to time, I do too!) Feel free to completely ignore this article for the week if you’d like because it has absolutely nothing to do with the Arts and Crafts Movement. Unless, of course, you’d like to refer to the following quote by Roycroft mastermind Elbert Hubbard, “Life is just one damned thing after another”, in which case, this article has everything to do with the Arts and Crafts Movement.

Headed into the Holiday season, particularly Thanksgiving, I get all mushy and sentimental. I promise I’ll do my best to spare you guys. It’s just that, these last couple of years have been particularly tough on my family. Having lost both of my grandparents on my dad’s side right around the holidays has been a sort of culture shock. Traditions changed. Family visits dwindled. Even the food we were all used to chowing down on this time of year is different. “Whaddya mean we’re not having cheese cookies and spiced cider and green bean casserole?!” I feel like I revert back to a Charlie & The Chocolate Factory’s Veruca Salt version of my 7-year-old self, “I want it NOW, Daddy!!!”

Seems like we all kick and scream for things to go back to what they used to be when we’re faced with difficult situations and drastic change. We long for smooth sailing and familiar activities. And I truly wish I could report that things are back to 100% “normal” in the Fisher Household this holiday season but, let’s just be real, this year is anything but. And I couldn’t be more excited!

Here’s the run down: My brother just had his first child, Oliver, a precious little boy (see top picture…cute, right?!). Only problem is, he’s all the way in Japan where he lives and works with his wife and her family. Luckily, my parents are able to make a month-long visit leaving just after Thanksgiving and coming home two days before Christmas. Unfortunately for tradition-loving me, this means holiday meals will be eaten out in order for the stress of cooking to be taken off my parents’ plates (pun intended). Silver lining? They’re taking place at The Biltmore Estate (bottom photo), which happens to be magical this time of year, all lit up for the holidays with every fireplace (there’s 65) up and running, keeping everyone warm and toasty. But probably most exciting of all, I’ve recently — as in 2 days ago — moved to Greenville, South Carolina and am making a house a home with my partner Ethan.

The opportunity for new tradition making is endless because, well, we don’t have very many anymore! “You wanna go crazy and have Christmas morning breakfast at the Waffle House?” “How about instead of turkey and dressing we do shrimp and grits instead!” “Who needs a stocking on the chimney when…oh wait, we don’t have a chimney anymore…” It’s a little chaotic but hey, like Hubbard said, that’s life. And at the end of the day, we can all be thankful that we’re here in the first place, Skyping with family abroad, eating “weird” food, sharing what traditions we have left, making new ones and turning a house into a home with the people we love.From our humble home/office to yours, have a lovely Thanksgiving (and give thanks that this column will be back to normal next week….) Cheers!