Hi, I’m Ann.

Welcome to This Place I Belong. Come on in. I’m so glad you’re here!

I am mother to five kids. Ages 23, 22, 21, 18 and 15. The oldest a boy and four girls.

All of those children were born at home.

I have two bonus kids, born in my heart when they wed my children.

For twelve years I was a home-school mom.

I’ve been fortunate enough to see and experience places around the globe and I’ve lived in a couple of them.

My fifth child was born in the Netherlands.

If I had to survive on a single food for the rest of my life it would be hot, Yorkshire Gold tea, taken the English way with milk and sugar. Yes, I know tea isn’t really food.

I am an entrepreneur.

I am re-habber and flipper. It really is an addiction. I just can’t help myself.

I love interior decorating and design. The difference is subtle but real.

I am an avid reader.

I love to cook.

I love to entertain and believe hospitality is becoming a lost art in our fast-paced, screen addicted culture.

I believe beauty is not a luxury, but an essential part of how we were created.

I was obsessed with Little House on the Prairie as a child. I wore a bonnet and apron for my second grade picture and still have the complete set of books I got for Christmas the same year.

I believe connecting with others is as essential as breathing and without vulnerability real connection can not happen.

A friend’s daughter once drew a picture of me standing at the stove stirring a pot with one hand, wielding a hammer with the other, and a child at my feet. That just about sums up the last twenty years of my life.

My little farmstead is home to  two dogs, 30 some chickens, two cats and two horses. From time to time there’s been a couple of goats, bunnies and a couple of calves as well.

I can operate a swather and run a tractor and baler.

As a child I could never decide if I was a girly girl or a tomboy. I eventually realized I didn’t have to choose!

(If you want the longer introduction, you can find it here.)

I created this blog out of a desire to experience and help others experience beauty and real connection. Through rehab/flipping, decorating and craft ideas, recipes and entertaining ideas, and musings on life.

It would be an honor to have you join me. There’s always room at my table. By completing the form below you will receive all new posts directly in your email.