The Little House on Bonnet Street

~ rabbitpatchdiary.com
We are almost settled at the little house on Bonnet Street.  Of course, now it is the holiday season, and even the most established routines are altered in the season. The only way a place starts to feel like home, is  to live in it a while.  It has to rain, and likewise, the sun has to shine til you know where light and shadow falls  and the kitchen has to smell like supper cooking.  Like every other genuine treasure in life, it takes time.  One day you suddenly realise  . . . you are home.  The little house on the corner is starting to feel like home. 
Mama and I went to see sister Connie the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  She was cooking supper for about fifteen people and with ease, she moved from one pot to another without a trace of worry.  Connie is a sensible person and her feathers are not easily ruffled.  She is steadfast and we are all blessed to call her our own.  It was a lovely time on that perfect late autumn day. 
It was a very short work week, with the Thanksgiving holiday approaching.  I spent Wednesday night at Mamas’ to prepare for the gathering on Thursday.  We spent most of the day in kitchen.  Mama cooked sweet potatoes and pies.  I spent a good deal of time on collards.  I made enough biscuits for the biscuit stuffing-and our supper.  I also rummaged through boxes looking for table cloths.  We were both tired that evening and I went to bed, determined to rise early to peel apples! 
All of our efforts paid off, for when the kids arrived, we only had to cream the potatoes and make the gravy.  It was a brisk and bright day and a lot of us ate outside.  “Baby brother cousin”, Ryan and his “sister cousins”  ran around the yard. (This is how they refer to one another)  What a precious sight to behold-and especially while you are eating pie! 
No one left empty handed that day.  Instead we packaged pie, caramel apple dumplings, collards and sister Delores’ broccoli  casserole, fresh eggs and bread from Connie  . . until the kitchen looked like we had never been there! 
The next day, I decorated for Christmas.  I have always waited til December to do so, but I have not decorated for two years.  Daddy was sick one year-then Julie died last year . . .and there was also all those covid restrictions.  Several of my neighbors had decorated before Thanksgiving and that had stirred me to follow suit.  I loved  the cheerful lights and how happy they all were as they toiled.  I laughed at the celebrations when an old strand of lights worked.  Now this little rabbitpatch is adorned with twinkling lights and ribbons.  I cut cedar from a tree in the yard and made several little arrangements.  I like an almost wild and natural look.  I will use apples and oranges in the house- and candles and soft carols to fill the air.  The tree is not up, but I will work on that, shortly.  First, I must make a trip to retrieve it. 
One afternoon, Brant, Jenny and their families stopped by, for they had not seen the house, except for pictures.  Tres and Sarah came too.  They had helped me move and even they were surprised with the  now, cozy little cottage .  We listened to old Christmas songs-which are our favorite ones, ate cookies that Sydney made and watched the most darling little ones play.  That was a happy time for me. 
I have discovered more things about myself as of recently. I thought that I liked simplicity . . .but I embrace it now, more than ever.   In fact, I am more determined than ever to live as simply as I can.  From food to activities-from possessions to products . . .I am on a mission. 
I like  living in a smaller house. It suits me at this particular season of life.  It makes sense financially, certainly, but there is a lot less housekeeping too.  Also, a big house with vacant rooms feels different-lonelier and hollow, at times. 
I do like old houses.  I just can not convince myself, otherwise.  Of course, new windows in an old house would be even better. . .and more electrical outlets.  I am not swayed so easily by modern conveniences but, I like running water and heat .  I also like to work . “Quick  and easy” tastes just like it sounds.  I derive a sort of satisfaction when I work at something-even if I make mistakes!  Just yesterday,  I worked on an arrangement of cedar for quite a while.  I made a garland with a lantern in the middle of it. When I placed it on the table,  I tried to like it . . and at first, I almost did.  I left it to work on a wreath.  When I came back, I couldn’t deny it.  The thing had gone from “bad to worse”.  I took it apart and what a mess that was.  Still, I had enjoyed working on it.  Work makes me think, whether or not,  I am creating something of beauty or fixing something or cleaning.   It all boils down to    no one enjoys a fire more than the one who gathered the wood, I think. 
I love hearing the church bells ring out the hour.  I love bells and chimes . . not whistles -Sometimes though, I hear the train whistle late at night.  That kind of whistle, I do like.  I do not understand how that whistle can sound sorrowful and joyful, at the same time! 
There is so much to love wherever you go . . but I must declare that I miss the countryside.  I miss the big sky and the sweet air.  There, in the country, are a million stars and the  brightest moons for the heavens own every bit of sky. Silvery , misty fields in the evenings and  mornings are golden when you can see the sun rising   There are  just so many shades of light.  Maybe, I will always favor this landscape, but there truly is so much  to love wherever you go.  I would do well to dwell on this truth . 
For now, I live on a quiet street in a friendly neighborhood and everything is just five minutes away.  Old trees line the streets and the moon rises in a window in the sky just above this rabbitpatch.  Traffic is very light and not constant  . . .and when those church bells ring . . . .well, I just love everything about the little house on Bonnet Street!

 

32 thoughts on “The Little House on Bonnet Street”

  1. Well my friend apparently you sold the Rabbit Patch. I like the look of your new house on Bonnet Street. So happy for you. The house my husband and I live in is small. I like it that way – less housework. Hope this holiday season will be filled with happiness and joy for you and your family.

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      1. Thank you for your prayers. My eyes have not changed for the last 6 months. Still have sight in my right eye. I crossed my fingers for your sale too.

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  2. What a dear little house, Michele. It is lovely that already you sound settled and at peace. I, too, try to live simply, but somehow it seems to take a lot of work to stop myself from being overwhelmed by the demands of life. A small space to live in definitely helps. Our city apartment feels the right size for two old people.

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  3. Home is were the heart is and you seem to have found yours in a new Rabbit Patch that is perfect… of course. I am so happy for you.
    My place was buzzing on the day with 2 of my sons and 7 grands here for the early afternoon meal. My sweet DnL did most of the cooking and brought it here. (long story for another time maybe) The weather turned out better than reported but we had already planned to have separate meals with my sister who now has my parents place down the road. Worked out well. and the weather was a little cool for outside eating any way.
    Since then, Gabriel has shot his first deer for this season…mixed feelings here…but he is proud as a peacock. If push comes to shove we know he can be a hunter gatherer for us.
    Now Christmas will be a different experience with #3 back in the Deepwater but at least he was here for a very thnkful day.
    Im not sure about your new job but hope ypu get extra days off to enjoy your family during the next season of love and giving.

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  4. Oh, so sweet! And the header picture beautifully illustrates it. Truthfully, even an apartment in Brooklyn can feel sweet and comfortable, and the hum of people and traffic has its own rhythm. As you wrote, it all depends on a place being lived in. Anyway… so glad you are settled in. Big old farmhouses have their appeal. I know this for a fact as I grew up in a classic Maine farmhouse with attached shed and barn. The place was BIG. And a heck of a lot of work. My parents just managed to keep ahead of the endless repairs. As they aged, it was time to move into something smaller. This they did. And when my father died, my mother moved into a house that was smaller still. As you noted, at different stages of life, you need different things.

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  7. Some folks live with an angel on their shoulder, and that’s you, my friend.
    Of course when the time came for my charming Michele to leave the beloved Rabbit Patch, she would not move to a condo on Main Street, nor would she find an adequate apartment on West Avenue, and certainly not a loft overlooking the Industrial Parkway.
    You and your angel waged this campaign side by side, as the need to move on pressed you from the farmhouse, and other elements stacked up as challenges before you. Just a little worry and a lot of prayer, and before you know it, here you are, home again.
    No, a two-family on Alden Street or a mobile home in Riverside Village would not be the destiny for you and your angel.
    Who else on this planet would find, through no easy trial, a Plum House on Bonnet Street?
    Even the name suits you.
    It suits you both.

    Love,

    Scott

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  10. So glad you are settling well into the new cottage, Michele. And what a sweet place it is! Transforming a house into a ‘home’ makes all the difference. It makes sense to have less space to care for, so you feel ‘caught up’ on chores more quickly and easily. A good feeling, as then you can take up a book or some other quiet pleasure knowing you have left nothing hanging.
    Enjoy the advent season!

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  12. Michele – I’m so happy to hear you’re creating cozy in your New Place! I’m with you on the simple life. It feels like the difference between LIVING and just trying to PROVE something that doesn’t make any sense. May blessings OVERFLOW on your new hallowed ground! love, in lak’ech, Debra

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  13. Dear Michelle, you have been busy now I know why. Great to hear from you and with a fine lovely story. Congratulations on the new “Home”. I can´t wait to hear more delughtful tales about your new nest. They say changes changes people…you I hope on the brighter side. Warm regards.

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  14. It sounds as if your house is working out for you perfectly! It is the right fit for this time in your life, and I believe you will be very happy there. I admire the way you keep the best of the “old-fashioned ways,” because they often are better. I feel that way too, especially at Christmas.

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  15. Hello, Michele…thinking deeply on your words here, “I also like to work . “Quick and easy” tastes just like it sounds. I derive a sort of satisfaction when I work at something-even if I make mistakes! Just yesterday, I worked on an arrangement of cedar for quite a while. I made a garland with a lantern in the middle of it. When I placed it on the table, I tried to like it . . and at first, I almost did. I left it to work on a wreath. When I came back, I couldn’t deny it. The thing had gone from “bad to worse”. I took it apart and what a mess that was. Still, I had enjoyed working on it. Work makes me think, whether or not, I am creating something of beauty or fixing something or cleaning. It all boils down to no one enjoys a fire more than the one who gathered the wood, I think.” Wow 😮

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  16. Thank you my friend for sharing with us your life and the way you have of writing warms my soul. I love you my. friend. Maybe one day I’ll see you at the Little House on Bonner Street. 🙂

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  17. What a beautiful home, Michele. I had no idea you have moved. I love the name of your street and to me you belong there …. it really fits you. I too am into simplicity yet living through what I did these almost 2 years, made me realize how I can still whittle down and not take what I do have for granted. I live with so much more gratitude in my heart these days and it sure sounds it to me you’ve got that down! I always come away from reading one of your posts with a big warm feeling in my heart. You make the glow, Michele. You really are a very special woman. xo

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  20. The new Rabbit Patch is beautiful Michele! I just gave a big sigh when I saw the photo….I confess….a covered porch always makes me glad.
    I am getting to the place a smaller house would be good. I am just glad we can close the door to the upstairs and then the house is not so big at all.
    Blessings to you in your new home and may it feel like home when you hear the wind blow softly through the trees, see the same moon shining over the new Rabbit Patch and the old Rabbit Patch and may the birds sing as sweetly now as you remember from before. Love to you Michele!

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    1. so happy as always to hear from you. I hope all is well with you. I know you are busy, but you still took the time to let me know you were thinking of me . . .thank you. Your sweet wishes were like a tender melody-thank you again. Merry Christmas! x Michele

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  21. Your cottage is lovely and I know it will be beautiful at Christmas. i wish you many Christmas blessings…Simplicity does have its charms. Maybe, that is because we slow down long enough to appreciate the simple things. Life moves by so quickly, but there is wonder and beauty in so many ‘ordinary’ moments. We learn that very little is ordinary, and much is extraordinary. it all depends on how we look at life and the little bit of heaven God gives us here upon the earth.

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