“That house was a perfect house. Whether you like food or sleep, or storytelling or singing, or just sitting and thinking best or a pleasant mixture of them all. Merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear, and sadness.”

-The Fellowship of the Ring concerning Rivendell

A hobbit home has always been a goal of mine. Perhaps trade the hairy feet for some cozy socks and wrap up in a soft, warm blanket in a well-loved chair with a cup of something warm. Firelight flickering atop crackling logs with the scent of fresh-baked bread swirling through the air. Magical golden moments of unhurried contentment wrapped around you like a hug.

My goals have changed somewhat as I became a mother to twins – first sweet little babies and now feral farm children at 4.5 years old. Life has slowed down and sped up in the strangest ways since they came into my world. I still want to put on those cozy socks and wrap up in a blanket on a comfy chair but rather than a cup of something warm, my arms are full of giggling, wiggling children. Fresh-baked bread is few and far in between because there is only so much time in the day when running a farm and orchard and being a full-time mother.

Those magical moments have become sweet little arms wrapped around me or hands holding mine. The heart piercing “I love you so much” when I least expect it from those little faces who have (most likely) terrorized me most of the day. And let’s not forget the not-so-magical moments of a full cup of water spilled over my laptop, or yet another door left open allowing the dog to escape and torment the chickens, or when the sleep deprivation hits and the household chores just seem to pile up.

Yes, my house and goals have changed. But some things remain. Regardless of how messy and chaotic it might be, my house will always shelter and feed my children, and be ripe with stories and songs. My goal is still a hobbit house – even if it doesn’t always smell like fresh baked bread – it will always provide comfort and safety and love. And if some day we build an underground building with a round door and lovely wildflowers growing on the roof, the aesthetic will just be reflecting our hobbit hearts full of joy and warmth and love and song.