I know I’ve mentioned this before…..
….but I wake up my house.
Some people might think it’s silly or random or a little odd, and I totally get that.
But it’s kind of my thing.
You see….we are best friends…..my house and I.
In the morning when the sun is peeking its sleepy head around the corner and shining through the vintage panes of the windows and the house is quiet and no one is awake yet to ask where the Captain Crunch is ….
….we have a heart to heart.
And yesterday was no exception. 
Yesterday I walked down the hallway and said hello to the pictures.
I straightened the three letter monogram on the wreath and fluffed the pillow.
And told the hallway it looked amazing.
Then I walked through the butler’s pantry and folded a dish towel.
I pushed the tall basket back against the wall and picked up a pine cone that had fallen out of it.
And I told it that it sparkled.
In the living room I fluffed two pillows, rearranged the chairs and fixed the table.
I picked up a deck of cards left over from last night.
And sighed.
And wondered why cards and monopoly games never seem to pick themselves up.
Then I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a cup of coffee.
And turned on a light.
And started the dishwasher.
And told the kitchen I needed a hair appointment.
Then I turned on the lights in the front room.
And folded the blankets.
And karate chopped the pillows.
And took a plastic ball out of the flower arrangement.
In passing, I mentioned to the front entry that it was about to get stripes.
And maybe a chair with a new pillow.
And I told the architectural pieces no one would ever guess they came from the side of the road.
I saved the dining room for last.
It’s my favorite.
In the morning, the sun comes shining through the windows, making the chandelier sparkle and the burlap curtains glow.
It’s extra fancy.
I picked off several strands of the ivy from the centerpiece and fixed the chairs and started to open the curtains.
The house was almost ready for the day.
The day was going to be amazing.
And as I quietly, almost reverently, walked behind the chairs….
….suddenly I jumped like someone told me there was a sale in the dollar aisle at Target.
Seriously?
What was that in my sparkling, shining, twinkling, almost-woken-up dining room?
And I looked down at the perfectly patterned rug that coordinated with the beautiful gray color on the walls next to my linen covered dining room armchairs seated at my newly painted white table….
….to see dog poop between my toes.
Life lessons from a house.
Some days you are amazing.
And some days you step in it. 🙂
Oh! To funny!... and yet.... have so been there! In spite of that rude awakening.... Sure do hope you and your new little pooch... along with your wonderful family, have the most wonderful 4th of July weekend! Take care!!
ROFL! You are AMAZING!!! I love to drool at your photos and read your posts and laugh. It feels so good to laugh. I love, love, love your decorating style! I'm so happy I discovered you and your blog. You make my day a little bit brighter. Keep on being amazing!
Ben there. Done that. Yuck! It is stinky, isn't it? Never mind. It is cleaned up now.
Best blog ever! One i truly enjoy reading!
Thanks for my first giggle of the day! Always love a tour of your beautiful home too.
totally get it I LOVE my home and do the same thing almost every morning ... sometimes you find something that sets the day off with a laugh...
Beautiful home! Would love to wake up to that every morning! Instead of doggy poop,I am gifted with kitty hair balls!!
Good Morning Sunshine
Oops happen when you have furry family!♥ I love your home. It is so inviting and comfortable and you are so inspiring ! Thanks! Happy 4th of July.
And that's why all of your posts should be read from beginning to end. Thanks for starting off the holiday weekend with a smile!
Your writing makes me smile and I am happy to think of your joyful spirit. Keep your wonderful style.
OMG that is so cute and I sure wasn't expecting the ending. How true is that…Your house is lovely and I love all of it. The door that closes up the stairs is awesome. I haven't seen that in years and good to see some houses still have it. Beautiful house and such a wonderful story...
Luckily (my dog's name happens to be Lucky) I haven't been surprised by my dog leaving me anything squishy to unexpectedly get between my toes first thing in the morning. I have, however, had some first-thing-in-the-morning gooey cat hairball encounters. Love your real-life stories and your house! Have a great holiday weekend.
hahahaha....I was starting to get jealous over your perfectly beautiful house compared to my way too lived in mess, then you stepped in it, and I realized that your home and my home really aren't that different! (only it's usually my husband that steps in it) :0D Debbi
I love reading your blog. I talk to my home too. I chuckled at the last part tho. "Been there done that", so to speak. Lol
I am glad I took the time to read the whole post......... I still have a smile on my face.
Always such a fun read - thanks for keeping it real! I have a question about your chairs in your living room - or front room - the GORGEOUS room with the blue curtains and pillows. Did you buy your chairs (the ones with the blue pillowson them) from Joss and Main?? I saw some like it on their site and was considering the purchase. Your opinion on the chairs would be greatly appreciated! Thanks - from up in Canada!
O my goodness, I laughed out loud. I love how you always "keep it real". Have an amazing fourth of July with your sweet family! Love your blog.
LOL - Momma told me there'd be days like these. I love your style, darlin. Now you deserve more spa time at the hair dressers! :- )
This has already been stated by others but thank you for making us laugh! You have so many talents, writting, decorating, and all the DIY magic you perform. You are so fun!!!
Hi KeriAnne.... I love walking thru your house! So today in your honor I decided I should try some biscuits. I had a small box of Bisquick and used the recipe on the box since it looked pretty easy. Uugghhh..... I had wet sticky dough stuck to my hands and the counter top. But I persevered! After 10 minutes in the oven I pulled them out and split one open to get it's butter cover. While they didn't look very pretty they didn't taste too bad. So I had several of course :) Besides they aren't that good after they cool off now are they?? So, not sure I'll be making biscuits on a daily basis. I hope you and your family are able to enjoy celebrating our Nation's Birthday! We're getting old... which is a good thing. It's not just about hot dogs and beer but we have to remember how we became a free nation. Happy INDEPENDENCE Day!! I'll be back tomorrow to walk thru your house again. Thanks for being YOU!
As usual, a beautifully delivered story. Wish I had a printed collection of your delightful observations and words of wisdom. So entertaining and thought provoking.
I can't believe you smocked those curtains in the dining room!!! You are unbelievable. If I tried that I'd be in a straight jacket after 30 minutes or so. Or else the stitches would be going down hill or up hill or over the hill. Quite an accomplishment! Take a bow, please.
Oh poo! And just for the record, I think stripes in the entry would be awesome. I want to paint sheer white horizontal stripes over the teal paint in my kid's bathroom. I am still jealous of the kitchen in the gatehouse. When I come to visit, I need to take a selfie against that wall. Hope your toes smell better, The Other Marian
Well, I certainly didn't see that one coming - great story to start my day!! Love the morning tour, so different from an a.m. tour of my home which would show dishes in the sink & on the counter, pillows on the floor, shoes strewn about and whatever mess someone left on the table when they decided to have a late night snack. I absolutely love your blog and your posts always make my day - thanks!
Don't you hate it when that happens?!!! Ha ha! Your home is so lovely Karianne, and I enjoy peeking into every corner and seeing each new idea you come up with and share with all of us. Thank you!
I propose that you write a book, 365 Days at Thistlewood Farms, favorite blog stories with photos, and definitely include today's! Love,love, love your blog!
Karianne It is beyond my comprehension how your brain thinks of everything you write! Absolutely makes my day!!!! Yes, your home and style is wonderful but you have been blessed with the gift of WORDS! Happy 4th of July from Oklahoma City! Louanne
Ha ha ha ha ha! Now that made me laugh. A LOT!
You are the best! You always make me chuckle, lol, BUT I do know that the solution to new puppy gifts is called a spot bot. It is the best carpet cleaner. You add the cleaner and water, set it on the nasty spot and presto!! It's gone!!!!! We have 2 puppies, live and travel in an RV and that little machine works wonders!!! I actually own 2, one for the house and the other with us. Good luck, fur babies are such a joy.
I so do that, too! Every morning I walk around opening up the house and saying good morning to every part! And saying thank you to God for a brand new, wonderful day!
Wow I was almost sooo jealous, your photos of your home so clean and crisp. How beautiful. But the ending is what I usually get as well, except it is cat puke. Love your stories, your house, but you can keep your poop. The sign you have of I hope you dance, photo showed up in another post. Can you please share where you got it or how to get it. Its a weeper keeper.
I was waiting for you to go into your beautiful laundry room with no dust balls and tell it how much you appreciate all of its hard labor -- stinky socks and all without complaint. You know I'm pea green with envy about how wonderful it looks. Yep!! That is one hard working room. Some rooms are glamorous without having to do too much -- but that room works hard and STILL looks fantastic. Did little puppy look embarrassed when you asked who left you that little present? I've been there. We were having a large family gathering and as the guests arrived and were walking up the stairs our nervous collie left a loooooooonnng trail of you potty all across our kitchen. Not a fine moment, but at least it wasn't poop -- YUCK!! Big Hugs and Happy 4th!!
Again, you are tooooo funny!!! Tell your kids I said so. Love it when days start out that way; pick it up and go on my friend!!!
Awww too funny!!! Thanks for giving us another tour of your beautiful home!!! Have a safe and happy 4th of July!!!
You are definitely the cutest....the cutest everything! And, I feel so enlightened! I thought all this time I was talking to myself (which worried me a teeny bit), but, low-and-behold.... I was talking to my house! Whew! =)
Love to hear that my house, cat and I are in good company. You made my day!
Hahahaha! So very true.
Thanks for the chuckle this morning Kerri-Anne! Gotta love the imperfections among the blessed perfections in life. Reminded me of one hot summer day many many years ago when I was being a brat and teasing my siblings when my feet slid across the grass as puppy poop filled between my toes.
You've heard "happiness is like jam...you can't spread even a little without getting some on yourself." You my friend, are a big time spreader of happiness! Thank You......
I'm with ya Karianne. I had the same experience in the backyard last night. Oh the perils of walking through the lawn in the dark. You're the cutest!!!
I loved it. I understand Poop. Have an awesome weekend. Happy Fourth Of July.
Well, this certainly jolted me out of my oohing and ahhing and sighing!!! I just love your house! My little dog has a habit of going wee wee on the bathroom floor in the middle of the night if she can't hold it. Seems like the right place to do it until you wake up in the middle of the night to go and step right in the puddle. Ugh! Jane x
In the words of Jimmy Fallon, "EWW" ;) We've probably all been there or close. I opened our bedroom door a few weeks ago and narrowly missed pile of barf on the rug in the hallway. Dog ownership is not for the faint of heart ;) Have a great 4th!
Heh, heh, heh! But ya still love your house AND your little darling, right :) All is well, that doesn't end up down the well! Safe and happy 4th to all.
Ah, but even when you step in it, you are amazing! :) Hoss has done the same thing to me a few times the past couple of months due to his illness...I now look down when I first get up. You have such a gorgeous home...I can tell that it loves you right back! I wake my house up, too, by telling it to please not fall down today. I'm glad it's listened to me so far!
Oh my goodness! You had me cracking up, this is my life story...life with a chihuaua who wont potty train! I only wish my house was as beautiful as yours! Happy 4th! karen....
I always have to go on scavenger hunts for cat gak from the bulimic Siamese before company comes over. Thank you for letting me know that I am not the only one with unsightly "pet products" on the floor from time to time. :-)
Oh. My. Goodness. That was as much of a surprise as finding out NCIS is now on Netflix!!!! LOLOL! You know how to tell a story, my friend!! ;)
Now you do have a gift to tell a tale. Had searched for some Friday yard sales to check out but came up empty handed so ... bit disappointed and settled in my fave spot on our couch and decided to check my emails and SCORE. ..a posting from you. Now totally into your post, loving the pictures of your comfy home imagining my house being totally decorated and ready for company CLEAN, like your sweet home, not regular get by clean, like mine. My family caught me laughing out loud. Oh how I love a unexpected ending. Years ago, I was dancing a hula performance for Indeginous Peoples Day put on by the local Madu Indian tribe. It was a gorgeous sunny autumn day and we were dancing in this beautiful meadow with a good size audience watching. I was totally caught up in the beauty of the day, the moving music and sharing the story through the dance when I felt something between my toes...hmm...what could it possibly be? When I finally had the chance to glance down, nestled in my toes were soft deer droppings. Well the show must go on and certainly couldn't stop but sure got all of the ladies laughing afterwards, as I told them my tale, smile! Thank goodness we have experiences like this every once in a while to keep us humble and a reason to laugh at ourselves. Happy 4th to you and your family☆☆☆
Oh how I love you and your stories....can we be friends??? Ad how soon is your book of short stories coming out...hint hint!!
Oh, Karianne, thanks for "keeping it real"! Best chuckle of the day! I look forward to your posts and love all your gorgeous photos.
Oh, KariAnne, you are such a clever writer. I thought you'd like to know there was. 4-5 mile backup to get on Cape yesterday. Take care! Nancy
Such a lovely story and then....I have absolutely been there! Little Bubba the Pom who weighs in at 4/12 pounds sometimes still has an accident or two. It occurred to me it's usually in the same spot. When he's not the heartbeat at my feet I put down puppy pads in the accident spots! Love your posts! Have a wonderful 4th of July!!!
Yep when some "rooms" give us poop, we step in it, clean it off and keep on going. Praising the Lord it was me, and not a guest, me, and not a kid, (who might not clean it off, BUT keep on going, me, and not hubby, who might kick the dog out with the poop. Yepper life is for the living!!!
What is it about the dining room?? My dog always chose that room, too!
Your house is fabulous. I am so happy when I see one of your posts in my in box. Don't know if it's PC of me to say it ( I'm English) but hope you all have a wonderful 4th July. We are having a heatwave over here. Yes the week that's seen Glastonbury & Wimbledon!
I. Love. You. and Your. Experiences! Karianne, you make my day and I thank you.
Love, love, love your blog, your posts, your photos and your amazing house....not to mention your great sense of humor and writing ability!! Have a wonderful 4th of July! Blessings, Lanita
KariAnne, you are so brilliantly, stupendously honest and I love you for that!! Happy Fourth, Lori Kolecki
You need your own show, home decorating and stories. I'd watch!!! You're a funny girl and I love it!!
I was in awe of your house (as usual) as you were waking it up and then I burst out laughing. I even read parts of this and told my husband what you had written and he laughed and then wondered if your dog was in the "dog house" now. Seriously, your blog is my favorite and I love how you write from your heart and with a sense of humor. I might be following you, literally, in your footsteps in 2 weeks when we'll be dogsitting for our youngest grand dog, Brooklyn. I'll be writing my own blog posting about this 2 day adventure for us and our dog, Miss Molly. Brooklyn is less than 3 months old. Yes, puppies are full of surprises and love!
Ohhhh... this was such a great story and life lesson, KariAnne! I do believe I was grinning the entire time I read this, and could definitely envision this very behavior. While I have not been known to wake my house up with cheerful morning chatter I do regularly (and joyfully) sing random 90's jams. Let me tell you... it's quite a show! ;)
A story as only a master story teller could tell ! So funny, and who out there who have pets , have not been there ! Your house is amazing, poop and all, lol
Beautiful home, endearing stories and the best sense of humor ever! Thank you for being wonderful you. Truly.
Oh, Miz karianne.....I can hardly breathe from laughing so hard.....I knew there was a punchline coming but I had no idea it'd be THAT one! Too funny....and you know how I love reading your blog...
... Wonderful post KariAnne......... gave me a good laugh.... I love your home decorating... so tranquil and pretty... I talk to my house too.... Hugs... Barb xxx
Good morning KariAnne What a beautiful home and hilarious story!! Have a wonderful 4th. I'm going to go now and fluff my pillows.
Love your blog! Your style, your photos, your home, your outlook on life....amazing!
You (precious) nut !
Haha! Love that post KariAnne! You always manage to make me laugh....I love your view of the world. Even if it involves a little poo!
Did you smack the house on its porch with a rolled up newspaper? I know it seems harsh but that's the only way they'll learn......
Your house is beautiful! Oh, doggies. Love them but, not when they have accidents. lol. Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party! Pinned & Shared. Hope to see you again soon.
This is an exceptional post. The writing style. I was swimming in pink dreams, amongst golden sunshine, hearing angelic music and feeling breezes of linen. And just then...you landed me on poop. Brilliant. :)
I love your posts; I always end up smiling and usually end up laughing out loud. Thank you for making each day just a little bit better. :-)
Lololololololol.. hilarious... and oh so familiar!!!!!! :)
You are too funny! I love your blog because while the pictures are very pretty to look at, I don't come here for the pictures - I come here to see what you have to say. And I'm never disappointed. :)
This is the first time I've visited your blog...and will most definitely be back! So hilarious!