HOME SWEET HOME

and how she came  to be ours.

We found the house

about 11 years ago.

We drove by this house often...it was on the way to town.

It was obvious-

no one was living in it.

My husband found out who owned it (at the courthouse) 

and 

approached her about selling. 

She told us NO (later we found out she had been telling everyone no, too).

My husband did NOT like that answer:)

So he asked "WHY"?

"There is too much junk.  

The house would take too much work to get it ready to sell"

How about if we do that? We buy it "as is"?

You would do that?

In a heartbeat!

I'll talk to my family.

Family says -do it Mom!

We met for a showing,

I saw the staircase...and that was it.

I was hooked.

THIS was my dream home.

And as they say
the rest is history!

Well, junk is right...

the whole house and

all 3 outbuildings were full!

Some good junque'

but also a lot of just junky-junk

3 yardsales later we were ready

to start working on our treasure

The previous owners had replaced

the the wood windows with aluminum side-sliders,

closed in porches, and

covered up the siding with aluminum siding.

We uncovered it all

bought new wood windows,

rebuilt porches,

added the turret,

and made it into our dream home.

Someday I'll tell you the story about the gingerbread trim-

it is a post of it's own!

God has provided us with this wonderful place

to raise our family,

to make memories with our grandchildren,

and to never run out of projects:)

Yes, it is indeed

Home Sweet Home

coming home...

Last week I shared the story of our home

the story continues....

This is a story of a yard sale

from a yard sale...

our house circa 1912

As far as we can tell from the old photos

the gingerbread was removed in the 30's.

All of the  original old windows and mouldings from the

redo in the '70's were being stored in the chicken coop
when we moved in.

but no gingerbread

We looked everywhere for it-

in the bstalls of the barn,

in the chicken coop,

in the barn loft

but it was not here.

Shortly after beginning the exterior makeover

we were having a yard sale of our own.

My husband was mentioning to our neighbor lady,

Arlene,

(my favorite go-to- find junque' lady)

about how we really wished we

had the original gingerbread .

She said" I have some gingerbread that I bought

at a barn sale

around the corner a few years ago."

"Would you be interested in it?"

We headed on down to her place

(ran is more like it!)

That kind of architectural salvage

is very hard to come by here.

How much?

"$300.00 for all 3 pieces..."

(my husband just reminded me that it was $100.00 plus stuff junk we traded from our stash)

SOLD!

Quick...let's make the deal.

And get it home and put it up.

My husband is heading up the ladder...

ya, it's dark...told ya, we couldn't wait:)

You will not believe this...

The holes for the nails are in the very same place!

(As in, the holes in the soffit and the holes in the gingerbread)

Hurry, dig out the old photos!

You guessed it!

It is the same gingerbread!


That barn burned down

shortly after Arlene bought these!

Doesn't that just give you goosebumps?!

I've been playing with my new toy

My daughter gave me the updated version of Picnik

I made my new banner and

a project for tomorrow's post.

Cindy is hosting a year in review party

see ya then,

Rene'

winter bliss...NOT!

Attempting

to get out of my driveway

with snow drifts.

After 30 minutes of battle

with the snow shovel, tears and a *few* heated words...

...I surrender


In pulls my husband, unexpectledly.
I ,kid you not, he had that car
out in less than 15 seconds!


All is well!


What was really appalling,
was the amount of
men driving by
in their 4-wheel drive trucks,
watching the lady (in her skirt)(me) and daughter
with snow shovel, obvioulsy stuck.
This is rural America.

Where have the gentlemen gone to?
(off of soapbox now)

tags, awards and such...

This award is from Fairmaiden

She shares perfect peace and beauty from her cottage.

Thank you for the sweet remembrance...

1. I'm short (to quote my daughter)-

the only time I crest 5' is with heels.

2. My career of choice is mothering and homeschooling.

We just began our 23rd year of homeschooling

(that's a long time).

It has become a blessed way of life.

3. I love old architecture.

I've been known to convince my honey

we *needed* to save a falling down house

just for the old door.

Needless to say, that door travels with us

from house to house

and is currently the door to our bedroom.

4. My current collection is old composition dolls

I looked around and thought how did I get all of these?

I guess that's how a collection starts:)

How could you not *love* them?

5.I just started drinking coffee when I turned 45-

but it has to be a mocha.

Have you tried Land Of Lakes dark cocoa mix?

Heavenly!

6. My love of roses, dishes, antiques

and of all things old, pretty and pink

I owe to my grandmother... she took me to antique shows, taught me to garden, and the art of setting a beautiful table.

I think she would draw the line

at all of this white paint, though!

~This is her rocking chair~



This award I received from Gracey and Miss G

Thanks, ladies!

6 things I support:

1. femininity

2. marriage until death-do-us part

3. God -given responsibility to raise our children in His ways

4. children are a blessing, to be received as such

5. honesty, loyalty, and kindness


6. family togetherness...the family that works together, plays together, prays together...stays together.

If you'd like to play along...just comment here...I'd love to get to know you a little better, too!

Merry Christmas to all ...

and to all

good night!

Christmas past and present...

They'll be here in just a few minutes...
We celebrate on Christmas Eve

We begin with dinner

my vintage *rosepoint* dishes
Then we'll all go to candlelight service


And back for
dessert, presents
and maybe a snowball fight!

O Holy Night!
The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He apppeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of HOPE, the weary world REJOICES,
for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;
Fall on your knees,
Oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine,
O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

christmas past and present # 2

It's a PINK christmas...

complete with homemade pink marshmallows

christmas past and present # 3

Tonight is my daughter's Christmas party

I am *almost* finished

putting up The Christmas Decorations.

Just how many pink balls

can one put around, anyway?

Too many, said she.

This is the current state of affairs.



Hopefully I'll get back later with the end results.

Have a great day with all of those last -minute details!

christmas past and present # 4

This is my all-time favorite Christmas gift.
During our early-married days

money was tight, really tight.

We were doing "coupons" for gifts

My dear husband made me 6 of these candlesticks

out of a scrap 2X4!

It goes to show you can always come up with something

to show how much you love.

I will treasure them always.

christmas past and present # 5

Moresweet

Family Memories

christmas past and present # 6

I'd better get busy!

Have a wonderful day,

Rene'