Writer Carrie H. lives with her husband and son in sunny California.  Raised in San Antonio, Texas, she has lived in California for 28 years.  In her own words:

Our family of three along with two cats, two rats and a goldfish live in a small Spanish bungalow in Santa Monica, California about a mile from the beach.  According to the original deed it was built in back in 1928 for $1500.  Apparently you got a lot more for $1500 back then.  Our house, although petite, is filled with beautiful details such as oak doors, floors and molding.  It also has high ceilings and unique arches throughout.  We all seem to love and appreciate it’s history and charm.

List three words to describe your home:

Charming, cozy and inviting.

What is your favorite room?

I guess I would have to say the kitchen.  Not only is it where I prepare my family, friends, and pets’ favorite foods, but I also think of it as my control center.  I can work on my lap top while doing a load of laundry and dishes, along with simmering a pot of chili while funneling work calls along with doctors appointments, clarinet lessons etc.  I have such a great feeling of control and accomplishment, well of course until there is one little distraction such as the cat hocking up a fur ball or unexpected delivery from the UPS man and then all the plates that I had spinning so beautifully come crashing down.  The clothes in the washer never make it to the dryer, and the dishwasher never gets unloaded and the chili sticks to the bottom of the pot, and I’m now behind on work and have to leave everything in total disarray as dash off to run carpool.

What is your favorite thing (item) in your house?

I love my hundred plus year old dining room table.  It’s a drop leaf table from a small town in Texas that my mother had shipped to me when I first moved to California.  When I lived alone in a teeny one bedroom apartment, I didn’t have enough room to even open up one leaf.  Then when I got married and we moved into our house that we still live in today,  we opened one leaf and it was very comfortable for the two of us.  Then we had our son Harrison and then we opened up both leaves and as our lives grew we even had a center leaf made so we can now seat eight or so for family holidays and gatherings.  It guess we have grown together throughout the years.

What is your favorite color in your home?

I really like darker shades of green.  It feels warm and seems to go with all the Spanish details of our house.   We have large paned windows throughout and I love the way the green foliage from the outside compliments the greens on the inside.

Describe your evening and/or morning routine.

Hectic and more hectic!  My son has never liked going to bed.  And once he started talking, which was about at 11-12 months he never seemed to stop especially at night.  We refer to him as “The Filibuster.”  He quickly learned that if he just keeps talking he won’t fall asleep.  Now that he’s in middle school it’s even more of a challenge to get him to go to bed and an even bigger challenge to get him up in the morning.  We have resigned ourselves that it will be something that we will struggle with until he goes away to college and then he can talk and stay up all night long!    Because of Harrison’s challenging sleep habits it makes the mornings very rushed and stressful.  Most nights we eat dinner as a family and that is a great time to sit around the “old” table and hear about each other’s day.  It’s then time for homework, a shower, and then of course the struggle to get to bed.  Most of the nights end with Harrison saying, “Let me tell you one more thing…” and David and I responding, “Tomorrow, now no more talking!”

What is in your fridge (three items)?

Milk, orange juice, and tapenade– Harrison’s favorite snack.  Weird I know!

Do you recognize anything about your aesthetic style that reminds you of your parent’s home or your grandparent’s home? (or other close relative)?  What is your inspiration?

I definitely have been influenced by my mother and grandmother.  My grandparents were in the furniture business back in the early 60′s so there are some very cool furniture and decorative pieces such as dishes, silver, lamps, little boxes etc. that we have all cherished and used to accent our homes.  My grandmother and I really shared the love for miniature things.  Maybe that’s because she was not a very big woman and neither am I.

What do you pack for lunch for your child?  Snacks?

Harrison doesn’t like sandwiches very much so sometimes I just give him slices of turkey, pieces of cheese, and crackers.  He likes fruit snacks and granola bars and when I have time I’ll buy him California rolls from Trader Joes or Whole foods.  And of course he loves tapenade on crackers.  And he looooves bagels and cream cheese for a meal or a snack.

Your child’s favorite activity, craft and or game?

Baseball and more baseball!  Since he’s an only child he wants us to pitch to him and play catch.  He also likes to cook with me.  We also play some board games, such as The Beatles Monopoly.

What has being a parent taught you?

I knew it would be my responsibility to teach my child, but I have been so pleasantly surprised by how much my child has taught me.

For more information about Carrie, click here.