Houses We Didn't Buy

As you all know, we just bought a new house,
and we're due to close on August 11th.

Yay!

But the road to the house we did  buy wasn't a straight path,
it was circuitous, as most house hunts tend to be.

I thought I'd share with you some photos I snapped
of a few other properties we looked at along the way.

Today I'll be featuring one that almost  made the cut,
but due to a few variables, lost out in the end.

It's still a lovely home, and I could easily have seen myself there.

Enjoy the tour!
And don't forget to click twice on all pics to super-size them!

Another great front door.

And yep, this house is also located
in my new hometown, Fredericksburg, Texas.

I didn't get a really good, head-on shot of the house,
so here's a screen capture of the listing to give you an idea...

It's a darling Victorian, just like the other two,
and has some serious charm happening inside.

Let's take a look.

The owners definitely have a funky decorating vibe going on here,
just look at the Craftsman tool chest being used as a TV stand on the left. Love it!

Charming country kitchen.

Door leading to large covered porch just off the kitchen.

Heading upstairs....

There are two bedrooms upstairs, but I absolutely
fell head over heels in love with the master bedroom....

Get a load of that fabulous exposed brick!

I mean, you can hardly call this just a bedroom....it's like a suite!

And the outside spaces are every bit as charming
as what we've seen indoors...

But the pièce de résistance of the outdoor spaces was this...

An utterly amazing outdoor shower!!!

So there you have it, the house we didn't choose.

I have no doubt that this will make someone a fantastic home,
but there were just certain factors that made it less than a perfect fit for us.

I hope you enjoyed the tour!

Have a beautiful Friday!

One Year

Almost 300 posts.

A year of blogging.

Chances taken

Changes galore

Friendships made

Adventures shared

I absolutely love what this last year of blogging
....my first....has brought into my life.

The people

The experiences

The thrill of discovering new things

about life

and about myself.

I can't say for certain how long I'll keep blogging...

But I can say with absolute certainty

that it's been a thrill ride beyond compare these past 12 months

and I wouldn't trade them for the world.

Love you ALL!

XO,

Illumination

Like so many of you, I am in love with the majestic,
weathered image of an old barn.

Not too long ago, I was fortunate enough
to photograph one locally.

The image above is from that shoot,
and it speaks to me in a way I simply cannot describe.

That's the thing about photography...it utterly bewitches and perplexes me,
and unlike most anything else, manages to leave me speechless at times.

Which, if you knew me, you'd know that's no small task!
I most always have something to say!

And as much as I fancy myself a writer (and have pretty much my entire life),
I find that at times I can communicate more with a wordless image t
han with all the flowery prose in my arsenal.

I just have to trust the image to speak for itself.

To let it say to each of you whatever it will.

Allow it to evoke memories, joy, sadness, wistfulness...to allow it subjectivity,
and in so doing, relinquishing it. 

Giving it to the world, and saying "Here it is, world. Here I am...my art, me...love us both!"

All these emotions are behind a decision I've made.

When I finally re-open my Etsy Shop this Fall,
I want to begin selling my own original photography.

This might not seem like a big deal to you, but to me, it's a huge risk.

Selling antiques is one thing, but daring to sell my own art?

It's being laid bare, feeling insecure, vulnerable, afraid of rejection, ridicule...

Afraid of hearing

"Who do you think you are??? 

Poser. 

Pretender."

But it's a risk I have to take.

And even if I don't sell a single print,
at least I'll feel as though I'm being true to myself.

Following the muse where it leads, if you will.

If any of you choose to follow, that will be the icing!

:-)

Happy Sunday!

State of the Union

Just muddling through the dog days of Summer
here on this end.

Oh, and that, too.

Getting ready!

Still planning on making the big move
to our new home next month.

Our closing date is roughly a month away,
and I'm well aware that the big day will be here before we know it!

The home inspection went well, with only a few minor repairs to be addressed.

We're dealing with a sane and rational homeowner ( a nice change, LOL! ),
so the back-and-forth over who pays for what and how much is going smoothly.

Just a few concerns, though....

Every move is a trade-off in one way or another.

At least it's always been that way for me.

And the trade off here is space.

Internal space, anyways.

In moving to my darling little Victorian cottage,
I will be losing roughly 500 sq ft of living space.

Old homes are notorious for lacking in closet space and storage,
but this little gem comes with something our current home doesn't have....
tons and tons of outdoor storage in the shape of two barn-like structures.

Yep, there's one of 'em right there.

So I actually look at this move as an opportunity to do some things
I've needed to do for years.

Purge

Rid myself, and ourselves, of useless things simply taking up space.

Simplify

If we don't use it every day, out to the barn it goes!

Better yet, it will either be sold or donated.

Get Creative

Re-learn how to organize and store those essentials we use every day.

When closet space isn't an option, look around!
Put the junker's motto...."re-use, re-purpose, re-cycle" into action.

So now we do this...

Ain't that always the way?  ;-)

Thanks so much to the many of you who wished
me and The Mister a Happy Anniversary yesterday!

He wanted to go out, I wanted to stay in, so stay in we did.
I'll feel better about celebrating once the big move is over, I'm sure.

Have a wonderful evening, and I'll be by to pay y'all a visit in the days ahead!

P.S.
I would LOVE to hear from those of you who live in wee little farmhouses,
quaint cottages and teensy Victorian's....how do you manage space?

Tips, advice, words of wisdom?

Three Years Ago....

July 21, 2007

Happy Anniversary to Us!

( & Happy White Wednesday, too! )

The "In -Between" Time

between uncertainty and certainty

between unrest and contentment

between doubt and faith

between what is 

and what might be.

it's a time

not found on the dials of the clock

but very real nonetheless.

it is measured in tears

and laughter

and in the balance between hopes

and

regrets

it's a fine line and a delicate dance

between hanging on

or giving up.

~ it's the in-between time ~

and if you've ever found yourself 

in this alien land, feeling lost and alone

this post is for you.

you are not alone

and better days are ahead!

Winner, Winner!

Time to announce the winner of my wonderful

WELCOME HOME GIVEAWAY!

 

SHERRY from Blessings From Our Nest,

COME ON DOWN! 

YOU are the lucky winner of a $90 Shopping Spree courtesy of CSN Stores!

I'll be sure to e-mail you your gift certificate code this weekend. Enjoy!

Thank you to all who entered, and thank you
for being my friends and followers of this blog.

I'm sure another giveaway is just around the bend, so stick around!

Oh, and be sure to visit Sandi at A Cottage Muse
and Susan at Hometown Girl ...
they're both having CSN Giveaways for a $60 Shopping Spree!
Click HERE and HERE to enter.

Here's hoping all of you enjoy your weekend!

Hugs,

*winner chosen via random number generator*