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Where do your boots feel most at home?

It's a happy surprise to discover that when you cross the threshold into a home other than your own, or other than the one you used to call home as a child, and discover a deeply welcoming, nourishing and rejuvenating feeling, so much so, you didn't know feeling so grounded and seen and accepted was possible. And whether it is our home that we have cultivated with thoughtful intention or someone else's from whom we can gain insight and inspiration when we do return to our home, that feeling is priceless.

In certain respects, yes, it is the physical structure. As well, it is the thoughtful care of decorating and furnishing and creating both of a functional, but also restful place for the being and the body, but such a powerfully contented feeling of home primarily resides in knowing oneself and having a keen awareness to note when something or someone is not welcoming, fully accepting unconditionally and thus we can never be entirely or at all nourished, let alone rejuvenated and free to explore ideas and wonderings, energized to dream and dare, and brave enough to do anything we've never done before. 

It is when we know ourselves and then couple this keen awareness with courage that we can then begin to cultivate a life and thus a home that is what we need to thrive in our everyday lives. And yes, it is a need. When we are able to return to a sanctuary whenever we need to or simply in our everyday routine, we receive the fuel to be reenergized so we can go out again and live our purpose, pursue our passion and dare to explore what tickles our curiosity. 

It happened recently that spending a couple of days away from Le Papillon, I ventured out for a getaway with my pups, but returned home completely depleted for reasons I will keep to myself. In the past, my homes and houses have certainly been safe, clean and tidy, decorated by myself and places I enjoyed being, but it was Le Papillon's hug and welcome back that rejuvenated me more swiftly and much more deeply than I realized I needed. In that moment I was reminded by choosing to invest in our sanctuaries, whatever and wherever that may be for you, it is always a wise investment. 

In fact for me, Le Papillon upon returning home, in my rest and savoring self-care rituals, I realized the two days away actually not only deepened my awareness and appreciation for what I have cultivated here in Bend, but also revved up my energy to instill even more motivation for projects I hold dear to my heart. So in that respect, as will always be the case in any unwanted moment in our lives, there is a gift, if only we will be patient enough to explore long enough to discover it.

Speaking of one's true home, England will always feel like home away from home, and my most recent trip to the countryside up north in Durham county earlier this month underscored this truth most definitely. I share oodles of details as to why this is the case for me as well as an abundance of photos and specific details of my entire trip in the three-post Travel Diary series below. Be sure to explore becoming a Top Tier Member to gain exclusive access to these posts. 

Along with a handful of posts and episodes inspired by my trip, you will find all of the regular monthly posts you look forward to, as well as two new cooking episodes - one for dinner and one for dessert and both French!, and a return of the follow-up Signature Style post I write after each excursion abroad about what I wore, what worked and what I am polishing up. 

Thank you for subscribing to TSLL's free monthly newsletter, and I do hope you enjoy. Until the final day in November (Wednesday), the 30th, I will see you on the blog!

—Shannon

~To explore every post you wish to read, be sure to become a member to one of the two tiers - BASIC or TOP as non-members can only read five non-exclusive posts a month (it will reset on the first of each month - tomorrow!).