We're Almost There (Our New Home? )

What does this photo say to you?

It's the front door of the house we're likely
going to make an offer on soon.
And I'll tell you what it says to me at the end of this post.

I did promise shots of all the houses we toured yesterday.
And they're coming, slowly but surely.

But it was such a long day.

We looked at FOUR marvelous homes, and I can say

without reservation

and

without hesitation

and with only the wee-est amount of trepidation,
that I have fallen hard, fast, and I'm just embarrassingly, downright

silly

over one house in particular.

This house...

The facts:

It's in Fredericksburg, Texas

only 20 miles away from where I currently live and work

Located in the historic district

Only one street over from all the amazing downtown antique shopping

Built in 1910

2400 square feet

Wood floors and beadboard ceilings (both in excellent shape)

And---get this...central air! No melting in the 100 degree Texas Summers!

Word from the seller's agent is that the sellers are motivated. Like, ready to sell yesterday.

Just a couple more outside shots for today, than it's off to Trade Days in Fredericksgurg.

 You're looking at the side of the house here.

An addition was built in between the original house and garage
which blends seamlessly...it's a HUGE two-story loft space with panoramic windows.

It says "studio" to me.

You see?

Original garage to the left, house to the right,
and the seamless loft addition in the center.

It's a gorgeous, light-filled space.

But back to the question I posed at the beginning of this post.

I asked what this image says to you...

To me?

I think it says home.

:-)

p.s. more pics to follow next post!

One Step Closer...

...to my dream

...to our dream

An entire day tomorrow will be devoted
to touring prospective new homes.

Well....new to us, that is!

We have a list of wonderful, glorious, stately,
chippy-charming old houses to view,
and
guess who's taking her camera with her
to document the process?

In fact, the image above ( and my new header )
was taken by me two days ago inside one of the front-runners.

Dreamy, huh?

Wish us luck

Send us good thoughts

Tuck in a prayer

Keep ya posted!

XOXO,

It Breaks A Mother's Heart!

Oh, my sad, pitiful fur daughter!

Formerly named Belle, re-dubbed Conehead of late
to better suit her current plight.

Conehead had to have some minor eye surgery last week,
and will be sporting her ceremonial headpiece for a few days longer.

It only slowed her down momentarily, she's now navigating the yard,
her food and water bowls,
and the back steps like she was born with the thing on.

She's even been getting extra treats simply for looking so darn pitiful.

Causing this guy...

(aka Mr. "OMG, I think I'm starving to death all the time, feed me, feed me NOW!")

to wonder what he might be able to pull off to land a cone of his own!

Have a tail waggin' night!

The New House Chronicles, Part Two

Here we go again, folks!

You all were lovely and gracious enough to weigh in
on the fantastic house I posted about the other day,
and for that I sincerely thank you!

But as you well know, the journey to a new home rarely ever ends with the first
(or even second) property you fall in love with.

So, with that in mind, I present to you yet another fantastic property I have my eye on.

This one is in the same city as the previous house, 
but at less than $180K, it's a good $70K less,
which is always a check in the plus column, right?

In some respects, I think I might even like this house better.

Let's have a look, shall we?

Well now, that's pretty, eh?

Here's the listing:

Charming, one of a kind, 1917 home!
This stately 2 story features formal living & dining, kitchen and breakfast area
and large master suite with separate sitting or study area.
Swarovski Crystal chandelier in dining.
Updated roof, water heater, gutters, windows, appliances & kitchen cabinet facings.

Shall we go in? (that's obviously a rhetorical question)

I do believe that chandy has my name all over it!

A ballroom?

Or a dining room?

Heck, who says it can't be both?!
See my Jane grab button over on my sidebar?
She votes for ballroom.

Loving the molding over the door there on the left.

I do think this house compares favorably to the prior one, don't you?

I actually have a couple of blogger buddies that live in the town
these houses are located in, so that's a plus.

On the previous post, I had a few comments that were along the lines of

"Why are you asking us what you should do?"

Why?

Because it's FUN !

Obviously, my husband and I aren't going to make any
life-altering decisions based on blogger comments,
but since you guys have become such a huge part of my life this past year,
it would feel disingenuous to exclude you from this part of my life.

So there!

As soon as I locate our next home contender,
you can count on me posting all about it right here.

After all, I figger a good bunch of y'all will end up being houseguests,
so it's only fair that you get a vote!

Have a beautiful Tuesday!

Stuff About Me You Don't Know

I still sleep with my retainer on

I can fold my tongue in half, not to be confused with taco tongue

I have a shameful addiction to this show

I skipped the first grade

I sing ever so quietly, under my breath, all the time

I have an irrational fear of being buried alive

My first love was Mighty Mouse

I don't pray as much as I ought to

I absolutely, positively cannot dance. At all.

I've never been to New York City

I've been told that I drive like a guy

I really believe that Uncle Rico is a philosopher for the ages

I had my first and only manicure the day before my wedding

I get squicked out by sitting in the big cushy chairs at bookstores. Ew.

I hate the smell of cinnamon, but love the taste. Unless it's gum

Babies almost always like me

So do dogs

It's situational with cats, however

My favorite smell is fingernail polish

Have a happy week!

CSN Summer Giveaway Winner!

Time to find out who the lucky winner is of the
$80 Shopping Spree courtesy of CSN Stores!

And since I've seemingly mastered doing everything blog related
with the exception of a simple screen capture, y
ou're just gonna have to take my word for it!

According to Random Number Generator, the winning number is

 comment  #223, which is...

ELIZABETH of My Tattered Rose

 

Congrats, Elizabeth!

I'll e-mail you the gift certificate code
so that you can get busy shopping!

Have a wonderful week, and never fear faithful followers, 

another giveaway is just around the corner!

Let's Put it to a Vote

There are lots of changes going on
behind the scenes of mine and Mr Twigs' life...

As a science teacher, he has decided to make a change this next school year,
and has been testing the employment waters in other school districts.

With this, comes the possibility of relocation, and being the
opportunistic enterprising
wife I am, I've been scouting out homes in other areas.

So, also being the thoughtful, inclusive blogger that I always aspire to be (hehehe! ),
I'm putting this next decision to a vote.

Yep, you, the faithful Fiona & Twig  readers,
can help Mr. Twig and I with this next decision.

I found this home. In Texas. Not all that far away.

In a word, it's stupendous.

And it's less than $250K.

Get a load of this...

Without giving away the exact location, here's the listing:

Attention University Parents, Bed & Breakfast Owners and Lovers of Charm Galore! 

This fabulous 6 bedroom, 4 bath home was built in 1907 and received the prestigious Historic Landmark Preservation Commission's Award for Excellence in Residential Restoration. 

A fabulous property that you must see for yourself!

Squeeee! There's more!

Doesn't this blue room just scream photography studio???

Pretty stinkin' incredible, right?

Oh, the possibilities...my mind just reels thinking about them all.

It's a longshot, but not entirely out of the realm of possibility.

Besides, what's life without having dreams and goals, right?

And what fun is it if you can't share those with your friends?

That's what y'all are, after all!

Lemme know what you think.

Although I do believe I know you people well enough
to know what the consensus will be!
And stay tuned....if you don't like THIS house,
I have a plan B already lined up!

Have a lovely Sunday!