Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Dream Home Realized


This weekend we went to brunch and bid a sad farewell to one of my best friends who has moved to Beijing for at least the next couple years.  After lunch, in a semi-haze resulting from my friend's departure starting to sink in coupled with trauma over listening to Bebe Winans talk about Whitney Houston on the car ride up, I popped into Anthropologie aka happy place to regain my composure and instead almost hit the floor.

Look at what greeted me.

Manifest destiny.

Tepee dreams come true.

Every since I was a kid I've always wanted a tepee.  When my family went camping, I wanted to pack a tepee.  We didn't own one thereby explaining how that never happened.

Growing up on the Prairies in Canada we were surrounded by wide open spaces, and experienced the four seasons in a very real and practical way.  My family lives on a farm and my dad and his dad before him were both farmers.  Was my dad a cowboy?  Well, he wore the cowboy hat and cowboy boots but was never much of a horse rider, so I guess that's kind of a no.  What my dad is and always has been is a Johnny Cash fan.  That and an avid reader and watcher of western books and movies.  Louis L'Amour, anyone?  We only had 3 channels so, more often than not, my dad spent Saturdays telling us how much we were going to loooooove the upcoming cowboy movie.  Uh, what?   

I've been thinking about my childhood a lot lately, and wondering if my natural attraction to Native American culture--in Canada we refer to this people group as First Nations--stems from all the cowboy movies we watched.  Hey, it's a theory.  But likely not the only contributor because we also have a large Métis population where I grew up.  In school, part of our Social Studies curriculum included learning about the Inuit and  Métis people and I was always fascinated by their history.  Superficially I'll admit I loved their fur boots and hats, and all the wonderful handmade goods they gave us access to.  

Next time I talk to my mom I'm going to ask about the tepee status and see if I can get some follow-up on a lifelong request.  Until then I've placed the above photo into the 'future dream home' file.  Or vacation home.  Either would work.

I've been joking around for weeks about wanting an indoor tepee, so it was pretty ironic to walk in and find this staring me in the face.  Perhaps it's a sign? 
I think I'm gonna work that angle. Ha!

29 comments:

m_b said...

i was always fascinated by native american culture growing up too. we learned about the wampanoag people mostly - being from new england - and i recently read an AMAZING novel about one of the first wampanoags to graduate from harvard in the 1660s. so interesting! (caleb's crossing by geraldine brooks, if you're interested.) and yes, teepees are incredible! i want one too!

Rissy said...

clearly this is an indoor teepee dream sign! haha how funny. you are such a great writer btw.


CarissaExplainsItAll

Closet Fashionista said...

SO cool! We used to have a plastic teepee made out of plastic fabric ;)
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

Anonymous said...

Funny, you are such a free spirit I can totally see you loving tepees! Anthropolgie has the best displays. xo

RosaLovesDC said...

I think you are right, it's destiny! I bet blanket would find this tepee to be the perfect home too. XO

17 Perth said...

Definitely a sign---- and I doubt your cats would complain.

Lisa - respect the shoes said...

I think you should just set up camp in That particular teepee and live out your life in Anthro wonder bliss.

Courtney Erin said...

You just made me really, really homesick for the Alberta Prairies...let's but that teepee and set up shop somewhere.

Courtney ~ http://sartorialsidelines.com

Tiffany Kadani said...

I waited for the line that said, "And then I bought it!"

You so deserve it. If you've wanted it for longer than two days then it's meant to be.

Joyti said...

A teepee would be fun, and that one is particularly stylish.
I didn't realize you were from Canada :)

Bonnie said...

If you don't buy this tepee for yourself, I will buy it and mail it to you. That's how strongly I feel about you owning a tepee now.

http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88

Lisa Griffin said...

total sign! i think you need to set up one in your living room and watch the bachelor from inside in your techni color dream coat...just a thought
in dramatic fashion

Anonymous said...

There are a few places here where you can rent a teepee. Roman Nose State Park would be my choice.

Anonymous said...

I'll take it for a vacation home. Actually it could just go in the garage since it's about to empty with no car and all.

TheChambrayCountess said...

It is a sign! I think your living room might need a little teepee makeover ;)

Marie a la Mode said...

I would love to have this in my living room. If only my ceiling was a little taller! I hope your dream comes true one day Carrie!

Josie said...

Carrie... I think you should get one. Not that I'm encouraging the ridiculousness factor. Except that I am. I feel like it would probably fit into your living room really nicely.
xo Josie
www.winksmilestyle.com

Ashley said...

When I was in 2nd grade, we had a tepee in our classroom. And every day during reading time it was one person's turn to read in the tepee. When my turn came around it was always the best day. 2nd grade was amazing.

A Crimson Kiss said...

I was fairly obsessed with Native Americans, particularly the Lenape of NJ and the Nipmuc, which family lore says we're a part of. Until I went to summer camp where there was a morning session in a deer skin tepee complete with fire. Nothing like a smoke filled meat shelter to kill the interest real quick.

Ashleigh said...

Sooo cool. I want them to give this to you when they're done with it. Of course, you would have to find a place to put it but it sounds like it would be worth it. My great grandmother was Cherokee Indian - I swear I think that's why I like feathers and fringe so much!

Amber said...

I've been trying to convince my husband that we need a teepee in our basement. He things its a kooky idea, I think it would be magical.

Stop by and enter my Vedette giveaway!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I think you totally deserve a tepee! I've seen the cutest tepees for kiddos and have been tempted to score the dude one!

Callie Grayson said...

This is very cool! I would love to have one in my back yard with a fire pit in the middle.
Xx
Callie

FRANKIE HEARTS FASHION said...

Carrie i definitely think this is a sign. Meant to be yours.

Maybe Anthro needs a tenant for that baby. Just sayin'.

BrendaC said...

That's fantastic! My boys have a teepee in their playroom. They love it! It's from Land of Nod. You may need to get it ;)!

Caitlin @ Candyfloss & Persie said...

aw, I like you trying to figure out what draws you to native american culture. Perhaps a love for your animals and natural earth??? Simple pleasures??

I love seeing everything you find for it though, I definitely love it as well but you find much better items with your passion.

Polly said...

And it is a very pretty teepee at that.

Gorgeous Glam said...

maybe it is a sign ;) what will they do with it after they are done with it? You might have dibbs on it! lol. I'm native and I think it's beautiful that you are drawn to those things. I know many people get offended or touchy on the craftmanship use in our society today. But, I think it's a important way to not be forgotten and to be admired. xx -Taj

Tracy D said...

So interesting to hear your perspective, now that you live away from it. Being in a large city where you see the less than desirable side of the First Nations people, my view is a little different. It's a nice reminder of the history of a culture that is so steeped in tradition.

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