Souvenirs With Stories: What I Bring Home From My Travels
When you visit my home, you’ll quickly notice it’s not Martha Stewart perfection or some carefully staged set from Home & Garden TV. Instead, it’s an eclectic mix of who I was, who I am, and who I’m becoming.
Every shelf, every corner, has something with a story to tell. A book. A photograph. A little treasure picked up on a trip. My souvenirs are part of that mix… touchstones that remind me of where I’ve been and what mattered along the way.
When friends stop by, I love being able to pick something up and say, “Oh, let me tell you about the time I found this…” . Because my bungalow isn’t just a house, it’s more like a museum of my life, a place where each object is a conversation starter, a memory keeper.
Today I thought I’d share a few of my favorite souvenirs and the stories they carry with them.
A Little Town in Brazil
During my summer trip to Brazil, I found this handmade piece: a church in the center, flanked by two colorful storefronts. It immediately reminded me of two things I love: my son Mitchell and his wife Daniela’s wedding (held at a venue with an outdoor chapel) and, of course, my lifelong love of small towns.
I’m always drawn to little scenes like this, whether in photographs or, in this case, as a hand-painted wooden streetscape I could display at home. It’s playful, bright, and a perfect reminder that even far from home, I’m still looking for those quiet main streets and the character-filled corners of small-town life.
Field of Dreams
A couple of years ago, I finally made it to the Field of Dreams movie site in Iowa. As someone who has loved that film for decades, standing on the edge of that ball field was surreal… like stepping right into the story.
From the little gift shop, I chose a red VW bus like the one Kevin Costner drives in the movie, and paired it with a print of the ballfield. Together, they remind me not just of that day, but of two things I hold dear: my own love of van life, and the way stories can transport us.
Every time I glance at that shelf, I get a smile.
The Buoy With Painted Lighthouses
And then there’s this one… definitely my favorite. Last year, I traveled to Stonington, CT, for their annual Lobster Trap Tree celebration. Each buoy is painted by a local artist, and after the season, they auction them off to raise money for the event.
It was tough to pick, because there were so many incredible designs… but I bid on this one with the lighthouses I’ve come to love and was thrilled when I won it. Now it sits in my home year-round.
I think what I love most is that it’s more than just a buoy. It represents community creativity, a clever fundraiser, and a small town pulling together to make something magical. It’s a piece of Christmas, yes, but even more, it’s a piece of the town itself.
Closing Thoughts
Souvenirs often get dismissed as clutter, but to me, they’re anchors of memory. They hold stories that photos can’t always capture — the laughter, the landscapes, the people, the heart of a place.
What about you? Do you bring home souvenirs when you travel? If so, I’d love to hear about your favorite one… and the story it carries.
