Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Home


Come August 30th, this is the 1937 Cape cottage that Mr. Magpie and I will call home.  We found out on Monday that the offer we made on it was accepted, and we've been scrambling all week to finish the loan paperwork and get the ball rolling on the million and one things that need to happen before we close.    

All that matters to us now, though, is that we've found our little corner of the world, surrounded by gardens and grand old trees.  This is the the third time we've bought a home, and as the old saying goes, the third time's a charm.  We looked at several houses, and bid on a few that we failed to get, but the moment we stepped into the backyard of this house, we knew why.  This was the place we were meant to find.  Yes, I believe some things are meant to be, and I don't question those things.  A little faith can go a long way in a wicked world.  

It feels right to be closing during the same month that Mr. Magpie and I will be celebrating our 18th wedding anniversary.  During all those years, we have called ten different places home, and I've loved each house, apartment, and condo where we've laid our heads, but honestly, I just feel blessed that every night we've had a roof to keep us dry and walls to keep us safe.  Home for us will never be a mansion.  It will always be the place where meals are shared and memories made with each other and with the people and animals we love.  As the English poet Robert Southey wrote, "There is a magic in that little world, home; it is a mystic circle that surrounds comforts and virtues never known beyond its hallowed limits."

I'll be sharing much more about the house in the weeks and months to come.  It has been a long wait for this place, and I feel like Dorothy after far too long a stint in Oz.  I can't wait to kick off my ruby slippers and leave them by the kitchen door.  

xo Gigi  

46 comments:

  1. my friend, this is just beautiful. i know how happy you both will be there.
    i send you many blessings and love.
    xo

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    1. Oh, Christina, how special to get a note from you on this post in particular. I've read so many of your beautiful posts on home and family over the years, so I know we value the same things. Thanks, my friend. xo

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  2. Wow! My mom always told me when a house was meant for you- it wouldn't pass you by. It's beautiful, it's a home. Congratulations! Xo

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  3. Your mom is a wise woman. Thank you, my sweet friend! xo

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  4. what a little gem you've found. and topping it off with a magical garden! congratulations!!

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  5. That is just the home I picture you living in - so beautiful! Wishing you much happiness in your new home and I can't wait to read all about your new journey. Hugs and love, sweet friend. Xxoo

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    1. You're just the best, Cathi. Thank you, my friend. xoxo

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  6. Yeah! What a charming cottage. I am so hapy for you! I cant wait to see and hear more.
    Congratulations on this new adventure in you life!
    Xx
    Callie

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    1. Thanks so much, Callie! I love that you call it an adventure, because that is exactly how it feels to me. xoxo

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  7. So happy for you both...it looks like a storybook cottage, gorgeous!
    xx

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  8. Oh my, it's like a fairy tale! Absolutely GORGEOUS, Gigi, and it has you all over it!
    I am beyond thrilled for you. Honestly, this kind of magic reassures my heart, and gives me hope for our own journey.
    You know, looking at this little house, I just know, deep in my bones, that some day I will step through the gate and into that garden, and see your dear face at the door. I will!
    Warmest congratulations to you both! I cannot wait to see more pictures, and I look forward to future blog posts on this.
    C xxx

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    1. Yes, Ciara! That's just what I said to Todd when we saw it: "It looks like a fairy tale cottage!" And, yes, I know you'll step through my garden gate, too. And I will step through your next garden gate as well.

      Sending you best wishes for your adventures, and fear not, I will be sharing lots of photos and likely be asking for lots of advice on paint colors and such! :) xoxo

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  9. Your new home is absolutely lovely, definitely worth waiting for. Congratulations and every good wish for your future there.

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    1. It was worth waiting for, indeed, Marisa! Thanks so much for your warm wishes! xo

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  10. Oh Gigi it is beautiful with that little pop of colour at the windows and those trees...just wow!!! I agree third time is often the best so I wish you many happy happy years here and look forward to seeing more of it. Julienne xx

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    1. Jules, you totally get it, of course! That's just how I feel about the sweet red shutters and the beautiful trees. Thanks very much, sweet friend! xo

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  11. Oh, Miss Robin, I have to tell you that your own posts about your new place were a big inspiration for me as we embarked on this adventure. I believe you are so right about falling in love with a house! We had a love at first sight experience with this one, and it just grows deeper every day. I'll share loads of photos and crazy adventures as we dive into making it our own, and I'll keep visiting your place for more about your gorgeous new home. Thanks for always inspiring me. xoxo

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  12. Congratulations on your new home! Finding that one perfect-for-us place is so exciting. I love your new sunroom, the curved arch over the front entrance, and the skylights--and the wonderful trees and leafy hideout feel to the yard! I can't wait to see more details because I know you will create an enchanted cottage here! I am so happy for you!

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    1. Thanks so much, Linda! The details you picked out are just what drew me to the place, too. It is a leafy hideout, indeed! xo

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  13. Hey Gigi, your new home looks perfect and lovely! I can feel your excitment ~
    and you're so right, a little faith can go a long way in a wicked world. All the best to the Magpie family.

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    1. Aw, shucks. You are a sweetie. Thanks, my friend. xo

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  14. Such a gorgeous home Gigi..........it is absolutely adorable and I know you will do good writing there. It just looks like a place that will inspire you. I have been keeping my eyes open for a beautiful cottage but no luck so far.......they are hard to find! Thought of you yesterday as I just finished a book based in Mexico, Maine. I think you would like it. Congratulations!! Will look forward to seeing the inside. Much love XO

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    1. You're right, Sande, they are hard to find! Thanks for your sweet words. Now I'm curious to know the title of the book you read! :) xoxo

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  15. Congratulations on finding your new home! I am so excited for you!

    Beautiful quote, I think it is one I will save...

    Liz

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    1. Isn't a good one, Liz? Thanks very much for sharing in my enthusiasm about the house. Having friends near and far share in this makes it even more wonderful. xo

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  16. Beautiful, I was born in Maine and I never stop dreaming about it; you will be so happy there.
    Diana

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    1. Thanks for your comment, Diana. I was born here, too, and even though I have lived many other places, Maine always draws me back. It's a magical place.

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  17. I am so excited for you! The house is lovely in every way.
    I can imagine many happy days of writing from within it.

    Congratulations a million times over!
    Keri

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    1. Yes, Keri! For Todd and for me, a big priority was finding a perfect place to write. I'm looking forward to spending countless hours there with my laptop and notebooks! Thanks so much! xo

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  18. How very exciting! It is very sweet and I know what you mean about stepping into one after looking for a long time and knowing it was meant to be. The house I am in was like that and it was also the backyard that sold us. Can't wait to see more from time to time with those red slippers sitting there. Also loved the quote!

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    1. I love that your backyard was what sold you, too, Marilyn! I'm not surprised one bit. Thanks, my friend. xoxo

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  19. Sooo VERY HAPPY and very excited for you & Mr. Magpie, Gigi... It looks like a dream house...this place is so sweet! I can see you there... Wishing many, many happy years to come--happy anniversary. And welcome home! :o) ((HUGS))

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    1. You always know just what to say, Tracy. Thank you, my lovely friend. Big hugs.

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  20. Oh, I'm so excited to see you settle into this new space! Congrats, again, my dears!

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    1. Miss M., we can't wait to show it to you . . . and to have you and the guys come visit! xoxo

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  21. Congratulations it looks so gorgeous and in such a beautiful setting.

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  22. Congratulations, Gigi! It's a beautiful cottage. As Anne of Green Gables would say, there looks like there's "so much scope for the imagination." Lots of inspiration, I'm sure! You'll have lots of new things to discover and write about! And, of course, there really is "no place like home." :)

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    1. You are the sweetest, Megan! I love Anne of Green Gables, and that quote captures my feeling about the house exactly. Thanks for sharing it. Sending you a hug. Hope you're having an inspiring and adventurous summer! xoxo

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  23. oh oh oh!!! this is truly meant to be your home ~ home sweet sweet sweet home ... *sigh*
    i love that you and todd will be resting your heads here ... : )
    while it couldn't be more perfect to the eye, because your hearts will be there, this is what makes it your home.
    soooooo! your mind must be whirring in anticipation and excitement of where all your treasures will be placed ... eeeeeeeeeee! and i am thinking with such a glorious yard, there just must be a faery or two to charm you both!
    over the moon thrilled for you ~
    hugs and kisses
    pg

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    1. Whirring in anticipation describes my feelings exactly, pg. I think there will definitely be faeries there, and in fact, you've inspired me. We sometimes build faery houses with our niece when we're out hiking, but now I think we will have to commission her to build us a faery house in a special corner of our yard this fall!!! Thank you, my dear friend! xoxo

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  24. Of course. Of course you have found your very own enchanted cottage for you and Mr. Magpie to enjoy your next 40 years. (Congratulations on the 18th, by the way.) I am delighted and excited for you. And, I can't wait to see and hear more. YAY!!

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    1. Thank you, sweetness! You are the best. You really are. xo

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  25. From what I can tell in this photo your new home already has charm and coziness and beauty and warmth....I can only imagine what your touch to it will add! I am so happy and excited for you and will be watching for your new home posts!

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