The House That Built Me 3

Our Third house in our series of "The House That Built Me" comes from Annie ~ Chickadee Primitives.  

Annie says ...

"The house that built me belonged to my grandmother, Deedee. Well, it didn’t really belong to her. She rented it after she and my grandfather lost the house they built due to illness. But Deedee made it a home. This is the home that built me.
The house was no more than 600 square feet. It was nestled inside the mountain she grew up on, and was surrounded by flat acreage for gardening, and deep woods for exploring. It was here that I learned how to chop wood, use a chainsaw, and stack it properly. She taught me how to run a tractor, and plant potatoes in mounds. As a child, I dreamed of the weekends with Deedee, in her old, beat-up truck, learning how to grow and harvest sugar baby watermelons from dirty seeds in overall pockets, and catch fireflies to put into jars. These are the lessons that built me.

We’d go out, into the forest behind the little house, on her jalopy of a snowmobile, with a rusty, metal sleigh attached for gathering wood. I loved riding on the back of that snowmobile, or better yet, driving, Deedee on the back, with her arms wrapped around me. This is the way to live, I think. These were the days the built me.
At Christmas, the whole family would gather at this tiny abode. My grandfather and I would sit at the piano together and play chopsticks for hours it seemed. He also played the accordion, which was always a treat, and was sure to get my grandmother out of the kitchen to join in on her harmonica. This was the music that built me.
When it came time to build my own house, I tried to reflect on Deedee’s little place in the woods. I made a conscious effort to create a home, not just a house. I wanted Star Flowers, Lady Slippers, and Princess Pine, in the woods all around me. I wanted to wake up to the birds, and sleep to the song of the Katydids. I wanted guests to feel at home when they visit, and eagerly await their return. I wanted to find peace and solace in my house, and to feel loved when I’m home, as I always did in the house that built me. "

Thank you Annie for sharing with us, The House That Built  You !