Happy 4th!!

WISHING EVERY ONE A SAFE AND HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!!!!!!!


MAY WE ALL REMEMBER THE MEANING BEHIND THIS DAY. TAKE TIME TO THANK OUR SOLDIERS- PAST AND PRESENT.

MAY GOD BLESS OUR GREAT NATION!!!!

~Heather:)

Little Houses

My husband and I love little houses. Granted, we tend to go head-over heals and Ga-Ga over the occasional over sized Victorian or English Tudor. But when it comes to getting serious and looking for a house for our family- we are attracted to the smaller scale houses such a post-war bungalows and cape cods. When I say small-scale, I mean small square footage. We can't help it, it just happens.

I don't know if it is the dreamy images of tiny cottages adorned with lovely gardens, front porches and picket fences or the practicality of cheaper maintenance and lower utility bills. Marc and I both like to feel comfort and cozy in our spaces. We like the smaller rooms that can be easily decorated with the necessities and a few treasured pieces. We like the smaller yards that can be maintained easily and quickly as to maximize time spent with family. Less time mowing the yard= more time playing in the yard.

There is a certain feeling that a little house evokes for us. The feeling of closeness, security, togetherness.........comfort. The kind of comfort that wraps around you like a warm quilt on a winter's night.

Yes, we are perfectly aware of the fact that we have three children. Each of who comes with a huge amount of stuff. Children whose mother also has a habit of accumulating stuff. Too much stuff if you ask my husband!! LOL!!!

However, when we look for homes we always seem to be most attracted by the smaller ones. The larger the house- the more overwhelmed we feel about seeing ourselves there. The smaller the house (within reason) the more excited we tend to get. Our bigger concern is number of bedrooms opposed to the amount of square footage. Well, that and the kitchen. The kitchen has to be the "ah ha" in the house. Or at least have a size we could work with.

When I look at the little houses I tend to notice every single detail that they have to offer. Those tiny details don't seem to get lost or overshadowed like they sometimes do on the large houses.

And then you have the little houses that are completely void of character............such as the one that seems to have our heart-strings for the time being. As I have said before- Marc says I am attracted to the ugly houses. If there is one within a five mile radius I will find it and fall in love. Every time. Guaranteed. This little gem is crying out for some love and attention...........Doesn't she look sad?

I envision light sage-grey siding, dark blue shutters, a plum colored front door, new dimensional shingles and dormers on the roof, a new front porch with white railing, gingerbread mouldings and wicker furniture, window boxes filled with pink and purple petunias and ivy, and the front yard surrounded by a white picket fence with an arbor and a gate out front. A pergola over the garage door would allow for climbing wisteria and a flagstone walkway would guide guests to the front door. OH! And we can't forget about a cute new screen door!

The kitchen sold me on this house. It has the original 1952 cabinets that remain in great shape...

Pure vintage cuteness. Two windows invite the sunshine in all day!

The detail on the cabinets is just too cute!!

And there is even a little nook just begging for a built-in breakfast bench!

The two bedrooms upstairs have the rounded/sloped ceilings and storage under the eaves. The bathroom is also cute with it's original cabinets and bathtub. The inside of the house just needs tweaking: new counter tops, back splash and flooring in the kitchen and bathroom. The carpet would all be removed to reveal the hardwood floors. The basement is full and could be finished easily for additional square footage and a much-needed second bathroom.

The outside of the house needs the most attention. But the possibilities are endless.........

Can you see what I see? Brick-paver patio, a "wall" of hydrangeas, lanterns along the fence line....

You hear so many people tell you these days that you can't raise kids in a small house. My Grandparents raised 7 kids in a little bungalow. It was common back then for large families to live in small houses, having shared bedrooms and even shared beds. Do we really need a bigger house? Or is the answer as simple as-we need less stuff? How much space does one really need to live?

HUGS

~Heather:)

If any of the houses belong to you please let me know so I can give credit to you! Thank You.

They Say the Darndest Things

Kyle's new favorite book is The Ten Commandments. I have read it over and over the last couple of weeks.


The other night I was getting ready for dinner and Kyle was standing on his chair looking over the bar into the kitchen.

Me: Kyle- you need to sit down. You know you are not allowed to stand on chairs.

Kyle: Yeah, you're right Mommy. The Bible says we aren't allowed to do anything!

Mommy chuckles and thinks Kyle doesn't quite grasp the 10 commandments just yet.

Me: The Bible also tells you to honor your mommy and your daddy.

Kyle: What does honor mean?

Me: Umm, it means you need to obey and listen to your mommy and daddy. (sounds good right? This may be the way to get him to listen)

Kyle: Mommy?

Me: Yes Kyle?

Kyle: Was that on the part of the stone that was cracked? Cuz I don't remember that part.

Me: Uncontrollable laughter. He's too smart for Mommy

I LOVE my kids.

~Heather:)

Continuing The Tour- A Drive Through The Village

Today we are going for a drive through this cute little village. You will have to forgive my pictures. My husband does not get the concept of a "stroll" or a "slow drive" so all of these were chance shots while driving at warp speeds of 20 miles per hour. Hey- with this much eye candy 20 miles an hour IS warp speed. Am I right?!? LOL!!

First up I saw one and screamed "There's one for Nikki!" SO Marc actually pulled in a parking lot so I could take a better shot of it for her. It's amazing that he will go out of his way for my blogger friends!!


Hey Nikki! It's 3 shades of pink!!

Marc actually liked this one- and it's purple! He liked the porch and the decoration.

He liked this one too. He has a thing for detail apparently.

So many different houses. All unique from one another.

This was one of my favorites. It is a pale yellow/peachy color and has 5 porches/balconies! Beautiful landscaping and lots of detail.

Most of the houses are so well cared for.

But I think this one needs some shutters...........don't you think.

Now this one is so so very cute. A little green cottage with Better Homes & Gardens type gardens.

This one is getting a major overhaul. The couple who bought it has gutted it completely inside and out. Took off the vinyl siding and repaired the original siding. What a project!

We actually toured this one too. It is adorable! Unfortunately the guy who is selling it completely updated the inside and it is almost void of it's original character. So sad.

And this one is just breathtaking. Original slate roof, curved windows with stain glass, beautifully landscaped and even the garage is adorable!

This one has fun detail. The trim near the top is wood but it looks like tiles!

The village is only one square mile but there is so many cute houses.

This house is actually for sale. The important stuff is updated but the original character was left, as it should be.

I see ferns hanging from this porch.....

Check out the screen door on this house. I want one!

I love the siding on the roof of this porch......

This house looks small but has some cute details.........

I want a front porch.....

I like the detail on this porch too....

Look at this little brick house! It is just too cute for words.

This one has a great wrap around porch..............

This one is hard to see but it had two turrets and the cutest color scheme...

An old farmhouse..........

This big white house had 4 porches/balconies. I love their flags.........

This one had a very beautiful color scheme and the coolest wrap around porch that followed every angle the house had to offer....

Look at all those windows! I bet this little cutie gets a lot of light!

Even the chiropractor's office is adorable......

There is a very nice boardwalk that goes along the back of the downtown stores, restaurants and shops. It goes over the water that streams from the waterfall..........

The cute little downtown area.....

This village was settled in the late 1700's and incorporated in 1804. Most of the buildings are original although their purpose has changed over the years.

I think it's precious.......

These next two buildings used to be part of the old mill and grainery that was built in 1804.

This clock tower has a story as well. The clock was saved from the old Opera house that once stood in this very spot. The Opera House was built in 1889. Due to structural problems the Opera house remained vacant for years and was putting a huge financial strain on the village. They wanted to save the Opera house for sentimental reasons. In 1964 their questions were answered when the landmark was razed. The clock was saved and 20 years ago a new tower was constructed thanks to donations and the old clock found a new home.

This town has so much history and the residents have such a strong pride in the history. It really shows. The entire village is absolutely adorable and I love every inch of it.

I hope you enjoyed the drive! Have a great weekend.

~Heather:)