Photo pinned by Te Castle.

Photo by Maggie not Margaret.

Photo by Tania Sheko.

Is it just me or am I seeing a new trend with Christmas trees?  I’m seeing gold and silver shiny decorations poking out of the top of trees.  Here’s one…

I also kinda dig the bulbs hanging above the fireplace.

Photo by Chris McFarland.

Photo by Michael Gil.

Photo by ktylerconk.

Photo by Joaquín Martínez.

Photo by Frank Kovalchak.

Apparently my family has never been stylish when it comes to houses in which we live.  From Arizona to Arkansas, Kentucky to Texas, we have lived in our fair share of ranch homes.  Ranch homes have been dubbed the “poor stepchild of American architecture” but I can tell you… wait until you get old and your knees and hips start hurting! You’ll be thanking your lucky stars for the absence of long flights of stairs to climb!

Apartment Therapy also talks about the virtues of ranch-style homes,

…ranch house represented an historical anomoly, a revolutionary departure from America’s long love affair with nostalgic “domestic status symbols” like formal entryways, dormers, gables, pitched roofs and porticos (features so popular in today’s new construction). The ranch, with its single-storied, low slung profile, its open-plan interior, attached garage and large windows conveyed a unique diffidence, informality and lack of pretention.

I’ll keep my ranch house, thank you.

I am truly surprised we are not hearing more about people moving into tiny houses. People are downsizing to do more with less – lower utility bills, lower heating bills, etc.  Or perhaps they have lost their house and have converted a shed to live in on the back of their parents’ property.

Nevertheless, if you do live in a tiny house, here are some tips from a guest writer on Steve’s bripblap page,

When you live in a small space, especially a shared space, it can be difficult to find a way to create the appropriate setting for mindfulness or meditation. If you are persistent and creative, you can create a space that will allow you to meditate quietly in almost any location. The key is to discipline your mind so that your surroundings play a small part in your ability to remain mindful for a period.

Discipline. Your mind.

Photo from thistinyhouse.com.