Part Two

(Yeah, I know, Thanksgiving is really over and done with. But my story isn't. I suppose you could skip this post until next November, if you'd like.)

My Grandma Vera was an honorable guest at our humble apartment Thanksgiving Day. She was wearing a charming outfit complete with lariat necklace (like this only better).

She was bustled in for some Whole Foods coffee, which we have found to be delicious. Served in our Fuel mugs, which we have had for a few years and are full of fond memories of Mount Vernon, IA.

She was given the grand tour of our two bedroom apartment. And she seemed delighted. "Of course Hope would have a game room!" "Ah! There's my attempt at abstract art, which failed!" And my favorite comment of all: "Your apartment is so comfortable!" or "Their apartment is so them!"

My Grandma Vera really knows how to be a gracious guest, as much as she is usually the charming host. I adore her apartment, it changes subtly seasonally but it also has many things that never change. She obviously has put a lot of thought into the details, and a lot of herself.

To hear my Grandma Vera, the person I look up to when home decorating as in so many other areas, compliment my home... best feeling ever.

Bob and I both agreed, after she was whisked away by my parents, that the best compliment we could receive was that our apartment is comfortable. It is a common goal we share. That our apartment can be welcoming, even rejuvenating, possibly someday inspiring, but also very personal to us. To complete that balance of a safe haven with a balance of our personal expression. So that anyone can feel at home, but it is still definitely our home.

Bob and I had the best conversation about all this, and about other mutual dreams we had never before discussed for how our home would be decades down the line.

All the while my brother prepared the turkey at my parents house, and we were away from the stress of it all. Then we arrived just as it was coming out of the oven.

We contributed: stuffing, mashed potatoes (sticky), gravy, and Brussels sprouts. I think I won over a few more people with the Brussels sprouts, an under loved vegetable in my opinion.

I couldn't have asked for a better day!