cff February 2016 | Simple and Serene Living

Monday, February 22, 2016

SPRING GLORIOUS SPRING

No, there hasn't been a time warp, but on Saturday for one glorious day it felt like there had been. 


The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the temperature hovered around 72 degrees in the afternoon. 

PERFECTION!!!

How wonderful it was to toss boots into the coat closet, snub my nose at a jacket, and head out into pure bliss. 


Kids were out skateboarding and playing basketball in their shorts and tee shirts, and adults were riding around in convertibles with the tops down. 

It's amazing how a rise in the temperature accompanied by sunshine can lift your spirits. 


Yes, this week will see a return to some winter weather, but for one wonderful day it was spring glorious spring. 

March is just around the corner. I don't know about you, but I can't wait.

How is the weather in your neck of the woods?



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Monday, February 8, 2016

WHAT WOMEN WANT IS THEIR OWN SMALL SPACE HOME

I have talked with, listened to, and read about how many older women are searching for a way to afford their own home. 


This is adorable
For many of us, over the age of 55, owning a home seems out of reach.

There is also a severe shortage of affordable rentals for older women. There are subsidized apartments for those who are over 62, but the waiting lists are long, and while I see news pop up constantly about senior apartments that are being built, those apartments are financially out of the reach of many of the women who are baby boomers. Also, they don't help women who are between the ages of 55 and 61. 


Yes please. I love this.
I love the tiny house movement. I have reached an age where I just don't need all of the things I have had in the past, but I have found that most of the small space homes have lofts, which I know I will not want to climb up to as I age, or are still very pricey. I am hoping that there will be more floor plans that will accommodate the needs of older women.

I recently came across these tiny houses that are being built in Serenbe in Georgia. 


Love the screened porch
Serenbe is an upscale community not far from Atlanta that focuses on well being. I have visited there a couple of times and love it. 

Architecture students at Rural Studio, at Auburn University, wanted to design homes that someone living below the poverty line could afford, that anyone would want, and that would provide a living wage for the construction workers.

The materials for each of these houses cost just $14,000. The actual houses cost $20,000. Although these houses are prototypes, they are working on how to get them out into the marketplace. 

I think these are wonderful and can see them having a wide appeal for older women. You can read more about them here

I would love to see small communities of these houses, for women, where there are communal gardens and a sense of community. Communities where women can be proud of their homes. Communities where friendships are formed. 

What are your feelings on these small homes? Can you see yourself living in one?

Photo one courtesy of: Wind River Tiny Homes
Photo two courtesy of: Creative Cottages
Photo three courtesy of : Fast Company