A girl behind a curtain - My Book

'I once wrote a blog post about a girl behind the curtain.

Like the powerful wizard of oz- who was a man full of confidence and made magic happen.

But behind that curtain facade-  was merely an ordinary man afraid to share his realness with the world.

I would share rooms, vignettes, simple DIY projects and an occasional personal post - though I haven't always felt ready to share more about what was behind that curtain.

A somewhat complicated, always dream- filled girl with her head in the clouds, who found inspiration everywhere and who saw things a little differently a lot of the time.'

Excerpt from my book

When I started writing this blog in 2010-
I started out with an illustrated photo as my profile picture.
My sister was my only reader for 6 months. She is an amazing sister and she commented and encouraged me - and I was a terrible blogger. 

Many of you know the story- how I was searching amid the life changes that were tripping my steps. That I was feeling a little bit lost not knowing who I would be when those changes all happened. 

And my sister suggested a blog and it became a bit of a happy place to retreat to. 

And I found the most wonderful things through blogging. I found a career and a passion.
I met the most amazing brands, I found a bit of my voice.
And I found an incredible community of friends and kindred spirits.

And after awhile,
 I started to feel a bit more comfortable sharing a bit more about me.

I shared my crazy design ideas, our run down house that we were renovating
 and a little bit about my family.
And I took tiny little steps towards big goals and dreams
along the way.

But that first day I started blogging,
I could never have imagined the incredible things taking those first steps would bring.

And it all started with a 1940's house and a dream.

This house.
The little house that could if you will.

This house that was quite frankly - rotting away in the countryside when we found it. 

The realtor said tear it down and rebuild on the property. 

But it was never an option for me.
Because along with the cobwebs and broken windows-
 I saw something special in that shell of a house.

I saw our home.

And over many years, we renovated to make do as we could
 and then renovated again.

And I shared the before and afters here on the blog and on occasion,
I shared a personal post about dreams and chasing them and taking baby steps and more baby steps. 

And those baby steps included doing things I definitely was not comfortable doing. 

Between you and me- I faked confidence quite a bit.
But the more I blogged, the more I  stepped out out of my comfort zone
the more I found myself.

And then one day
I was ready to step out from dancing behind that curtain
and dance on the stage.

And  lots of learning and working and dancing on that stage- and several years later-
 a dream landed in my mailbox.

One I had been working towards and dreaming so much about for so long - it almost didn't feel real.

It was the chance to write a book.  

A book that was about a little old forgotten house and how that house
 showed me so much about myself,
how it helped me to find the confidence to be myself and follow my heart
and how as we renovated that house - it helped me to grow and find myself.
And to dance on the stage instead of behind the safety of the curtain.

And Today
s the day that my first book French Country Cottage is released. 

I seriously cannot.believe.it. 

From where it began with a broken house,
trying to find my footing in the world
to baby steps and big dreams

 to This.

I am more than a bit beyond at this point

and I know this first book moment feeling is a fleeting moment.

So I am simply pausing a bit and soaking it up.

And I am so grateful for this opportunity to share more of my heart and home

 and I just wanted to come on here  on a random but special Tuesday to say

Thank You.

To each and every one of you - you are all part of this book journey.

Without you reading my blog and your support- this would not have been possible.

I am so grateful for your friendship and the many blessings my blog
and this incredible community have brought

Thank you for being here celebrating
this dream come true with me
and for encouraging me to dance on that stage.

Happy book birthday Tuesday everyone.