Houses in my neighborhood

I was recently reading a blog entry at Cottage state of mind. Dawn was telling the history behind her house. I find that kinda stuff very interesting. It got me to thinking about the history of my house and the block we live on. Our house was built in 1920 by a very wealthy family the Bellamy's best known for the fact they started and owned a little local telephone company. They actually owned the whole block and in each of the four homes were occupied by various family members. There was ma and pa Bellamy who lived in our house and then two brothers, and I guess the grandparents lived in the largest brick house. Behind our house was grandma's gardens and as our neighbor behind us Shirley (who eloped with one of the brothers) told us they had to wait for grandma to die before they could tear out the garden and build their home. So a lot of the old timers call it the Bellamy block. I guess back in the day they were all very wealthy and they actually had they're own parking lot and tennis courts across the street (they're are now houses there).




This home sits across the street but supposedly was on our block at one time.

This house sits next door to us. It is the oldest on the block built in the late 1800's. It was originally one story but during the 1920's the house was lifted and they made it two story. One of the brother's lived in it. It is also the house everyone tells me if they won the lotto they would buy?! I would probably go for the brick one personally. That's just me.

This is the big brick beauty the grandparents lived in. Let me tell you it's yard is always gorgeous!

This is our home where the parents lived and raised the two boys. I just think it is so fun to find out the history of homes and the people who once lived there or as my boys swear might still live there!

I WON!!

I was very elated to find out yesterday I won a giveaway over at http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/. Sandy is a real sweetie so, if you havn't seen her blog yet wander over and say Hi. I will be sleeping on my porch next to the mailbox for the next few days. If I don't blog that is where I will be! Haha!

my nieces

Wow did last week fly by! My darling nieces arrived from CA. We took them to Pella. A very picturesque town and got them some awesome baked goodies they loved!
My niece sure got a kick out the rainstorm we had one day. she insisted she had to dance in the rain. My sister-in-law and I managed to sneak off to go to a store I love in Pella. It is a furniture store bout they have lots of accessories too. We modeled the adorable red gingham aprons with crocheted roosters dangling from them. Unfortunately we couldn't justify the $59.00 for them.

We took the girls to the Iowa State fair one day too. I don't know how Holly could look so cute eating a pork chop on a stick?! Katey looked adorable with her hat in the wagon! My husband snuck off with Holly and to our surprise put her on a camel to ride! She loved it!

We ended the week by taking the girls to Mall of America. My older niece loves to shop! You can tell she is already a fashionista queen wearing her sequined hat with pink sunglasses. I think we wore out the younger one! We couldn't believe she was actually sleeping like that! All in all it was a really fun and busy week! I miss them already!!

My Sunroom

Well I have been busy today! Sitting here posting this is the frist time I have really sat down. I have been trying to finish up some projects I was working on and cleaning because only two more days til my darling nieces will be here from CA! (Of course I'm excited to see my sister- in- law and brother-in-law too!) I have been working on my sun room. I recovered my cushions with a green with delicate creme polka dot material. I stuffed some pillows, and covered them in a delicate pink ticking fabric with roses. I also added some more plants to my ladder and around the room. The little desk my husband brought home awhile back and kept harping about I should paint it. I decided I liked it the lavender color. It adds some whimsy to the room. I recovered my chandalier shades in the green fabric too. I have too say I'am very pleased with it so far. Sorry, I had to have the shades closed because, for the first time it got into the 90's today so, that makes that room feel like a really hot sauna! Well everyone have a fabulous weekend! I have to get back to cleaning and giving orders out to my family if I can find there hiding spots! LOL

Life is unfair!

As I tossed and turned for the last two hours in bed dealing with a heavy heart. I decided to get on and try some stress relief writing. I just found out my beautiful cousin is in her final stages of her battle with colon cancer. She is a mere 36 years old. Just recently remarried. Has four beautiful children. I remember when she came into my life. I was around nine years old my uncle was going to marry her mother. She has two sisters. I was so excited to have some new cousins and girls! I only had one other on that side of the family. We had so much fun growing up together. I will always remember her as shy, loved to read,very funny,she had the most beautiful long dark hair(I was so jealous of),amazing complexion, great confidante and sweet. She lost her mother at the tender age of 13 to cancer. (also one of her sisters passed away at the young age of 24 to cancer) When she was 18 she had a falling out with my uncle so, we lost track of each other over the years but, had just recently reconnected through emails. We had spoke of getting together but never did. My heart aches for her and her family! They are trying to stabilize her enough so she can go home and die. She is currently incoherent and it doesn't sound like she will make it home. I just ask that everyone say a little prayer for her family, to prepare them for their long hard journey and the possibility of losing a wife, mother, sister, and friend.

Kitchen

Okay, with much trepidation I'm showing you pics of my kitchen. This room is a sore subject! I would love to rip everything out and start over while hubby tends to think we could start small with new counters and backsplash. Possibly some new flooring. I just don't see it. Anyway Keep in mind this house was built in 1920 and over the years people have done just that leading me to this hodge podge kitchen. I did some small things like paint the cabinets and change the knobs.Changed out the sink and faucet. But I have visions of (nice) white maple cabinets with marble counter tops and hard wood floors. WELL MAYBE SOMEDAY! I realize it could probably be alot worse! I guess I will just keep dreaming!

Here is the quilt I snagged recently. I spotted it and himmed and hawed about it. Then my sweet hubby went back and got it for me. I'm sure he felt ridiculous walking through the store with a flowered pink quilt! He must really love me! Anyway, I thought it would look perfect in this room and I do love it! I added some yellow checked pillows I've had for awhile (purchased at a consignment shop). Overall I think my nieces will enjoy the room I have prepared for them.

I recently purchased this vanity. I have always wanted one with folding mirrors ever since I can remember! I prepared it to paint it a soft yellow.

So here is the finished product. I placed it in my guest room I have been manically working on because my two nieces four and seven are coming to visit in ten days. I always get insane when people are coming my whole family cringes and hides around these times. Anyone else get like that?