my view 11.10.09

Our town is small. Downtown covers approx 5 square blocks and consists of 4 bars, 3 antique shops, a couple banks, a couple churches, a couple gas stations, 2 markets, a car dealership, a couple auto parts stores, a video rental place, the post office, a movie theatre, a hardware store, a family drug store, a dentist, a realtor, Walmart, Walgreens and McDonalds. Of all of the places we do not have in town, visitors from larger towns/cities might miss a coffee house the most. I have managed without one so far.

One thing we have that most do not is

[ Kitchell Mansion ]

It was built in 1876 by Captain John W. Kitchell, who served as a Captain for Abraham Lincoln both before and during his presidency. The house is at the top of the highest point in our town and and it is said that he selected this high point to look over the city and out onto the Illinois prairie.

The home still reflects the Second Empire design, mansard roof, central tower, and front and side verandas. I am so glad they are my neighbors because this is

|| My View ||


 

my view 11.3.09

We can only burn leaves here every other week so every day this week is being spent clearing as much as possible. I sent My Sunshine and My Angel out to clear the back driveway of leaves. 

Thanks guys but uuummmmmmm

I think if I light that pile right there

we're gonna lose that tree

{ and }

the power lines!

from the kitchen entrance today, this was 
|| My View ||
until I raked them over about 20 feet south! 
 

my view 10.27.09

I bought my house just over one year ago. It is 130 years old. It has had 3 previous owners. It hasn't been maintained or taken care of in the last 20 years. It is going to be a loooong process.

I am trying to get all of the work done on the inside first. In the meanwhile I don't do much decorating outside...no reason to draw attention to my

unfinished 

barely started

hardly thought about anymore

dream house

burden.

Every once in a while I need to drive around the front of my house to remind myself how urgent it is that I get out there. This week I decided to post it here

to make sure someone holds me accountable

to share it with all of you.

I thought it best to edit the photo a little to hide the peeling paint

and the plain old boringness of a house not-yet-painted in many colors.

|| My View ||

I would love to see Your View !

Link it up here.

(open until Sunday, November 1, 2009 11:59PM) 

my view 10.20.09

The 2nd landing on the staircase up to our bedrooms is one of Miss Thang's favorite places to play.

Why?

Well, I suppose it might be because it allows her to have privacy while still being close enough to hear everything going on downstairs.

{ or }

It might be that she, much like her mommy, enjoys sitting in the sun under the very, very large window.

This window looks out over the south side of our property. It is where we can view our 2nd largest tree. I call it my Wizard of Oz tree.

The leaves on this tree fall pretty early and if you blink, you miss the leaves turn from green to golden yellow and fiery orange.

I have realized lately that most things in our life change before our eyes without much appreciation or thought. I think it is really important to slow life down and pay attention to the

{ BEAUTY }

that God surrounds us with. It is easy to pay attention to breath taking, but how about quiet, subtle beauty...

Today's post is one of breath taking beauty.
It is My View from Miss Thang's window.

Each week I will post photos, some subtle, some not so much...

All will be

|| My View ||

Do you have a view worth sharing? I would love for all of you to link Your View here!
(open until Sunday, October 25, 2009 11:59PM)