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!

Weekend Plans

The weekend!

We're almost there, and with it comes
sunshine, grilling, junking and just plain relaxing!

For me?
A combination of all of the above,
as well as starting to get ready for
my next adventure...

Paper Cowgirl Altered Art Retreat

That's right, this non-paper-crafty gal is going to a three day retreat
surrounded by nothing but paper-crafty gals!

Am I going to embarrass myself with my third-grader crafting skills?
( no offense to third graders )
More than likely!
But I don't care, I'm just gonna go with the intention of having FUN!

Just need to get my supplies together, hit up the crafting and scrapbooking shops
to actually purchase said supplies, maybe practice some basic techniques
to get up to speed with the rest of the gals abilities, and then....

PARTY TIME!

But for now?

The checkbook is crying out to be balanced,
and the bed is showing no signs of making itself, so off I go.

And for you?

What's on your plate this weekend?

Oh! One mo' thing!

Have you entered my

CSN Stores Summer Giveaway yet?

If not, there's still time!

Just click HERE to win an $80 CSN Stores Shopping Spree!

Happy Friday!

HANDS

The boy only wanted to give mother something

                                            And all of her roses had bloomed

Looking at him as he came rushing in with them
                                           

Knowing 

her 

roses 

were 

doomed

All she could see were some thorns buried 

deep

And tears that he cried as she

                                                                     tended his wounds

And she knew it was 

love

It was one she could understand

He was showing his love
And that's how he hurt his 

hands

He still remembers that night 

as a child
On 

his 

mother's 

knee

She held him close as she opened her 

Bible
                 
And quietly
                          started
                                            to read

Then seeing a picture of 

Jesus 

he cried out
"Mama, he's got
some scars
just like mine!"

And he knew it was love 

It was one he could 

understand
He was showing his love
And that's how he hurt his hands

Now the boy's 

grown 

and moved out on his own

When 

                Uncle 

                             Sam 

                                           comes 

                                                          along

A foreign affair, but our 

young men 

were there

And luck

had 

his 

number

drawn

It wasn't that long till our hero was gone
He gave to a friend what he learned from the 

cross

But they knew it was love

It was one they could understand

He was showing his love

And that's how he hurt his hands

It was one 

they could understand
He was showing his love

And that's how he hurt his hands

"The Hand Song" 

music and lyrics

Nickel Creek 
please listen...it's hauntingly beautiful! 

(all photos taken by me at Der Stadt Friedhof Cemetery, Fredericksburg, TX)

A Fiona & Twig / CSN Stores Summer Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Is everybody having a fabulous Summer?

Would you like to make it even better?

The fine folks at
CSN Stores

contacted me recently, and have generously offered one of my followers an

$80 Gift Certificate

  to ANY of their OVER 200 online stores!

I don't know about YOU, but that sure would make MY Summer better!

If you're already familiar with CSN Stores,
then you know that you can find absolutely anything
you need in their shops, from slipcovers
to farmhouse sinks to chandeliers to sectional sofas...

These guys have it ALL !

If you've not been properly introduced to CSN Stores,
here's just a small sampling of the chic wares they have to offer...

and SO much more!
Just pay them a visit HERE and see for yourself!

In the interest of expediency and getting this $80 gift certificate
into your hot little hands, let's just cut to the chase, shall we?

You want rules, we've got 'em!

1. Leave a comment on this post-let me know which items you'd spend your $80 on!
2. Be or become a follower for a second entry
3. Blog about this or post on your sidebar for a third entry
4.  Attach a photo of you juggling seasonal fruit for a fourth entry

Ha! Just seeing if you were paying attention on that last one!

 Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.

Oh, and grab the button, too! It's on my sidebar!

Giveaway ends Sunday, June 13 at midnight.

Winner will be announced Monday, June 14th.

Good Luck!