Come Meet my Sisters & Cele

Today, Wednesday, April 10 is National Siblings Day

 This year marks the 14th annual celebration of siblings, and although the holiday is not as widely celebrated as other family values holidays such as Mother's Day, and is not officially recognized by Hallmark, it honors the life-long friendship found between brothers and sisters. .

In my case, it is only sisters.  But, I am so grateful for these precious ladies and the contribution they have and continue to make to my life.

 Come Meet My Sisters
First there were two.
Elizabeth (Libby) & Virginia (Gingie)

 Then there were three.
Sarah

 Some of the most precious memories are Christmases together at Mom and Dad's.  Dad always loved taking pictures of what he called "The Kitchen Crew."

 This was our last Christmas with our dad, 1994.

 We always look forward to our Sister Weekends together once or twice a year.  We take turns hosting and although we may not do anything special, we so enjoy just being together.

This is our Sister Get-Together Weekend and I can't wait to spend a fun couple days with these soul and blood sisters.

Come Meet Cele
I also want to introduce you to a dear friend's new blog.  Cele, is an excellent cook and loves to entertain.  She is in the beginning phase of blogging her menus and delicious recipes.  Please check her out and welcome her to blog land at:
Everything Family
 

Looking at Open Houses

This weekend while visiting in the Dallas area, we did one of our favorite activities - touring Open Houses.  Actually, Daughter and family are in the market so this was not just a fun outing, but actually had some purpose.

Hubby being a realtor, we naturally had our own interests in sight-seeing these properties.  It is always interesting to see how other realtors stage a home for viewing.

It is hard to believe this room passed any realtor's inspection.

Daughter and Hubby have specific criteria, including price and neighborhood of course, and this is what makes finding that just right house such a challenge.

What would be important to you when looking for a new home?

A home with character in a family friendly neighborhood?

Grand size and surroundings?

Proximity to a golf course and club house?

A well manicured yard and cottage feel in a city setting?

A grand entrance?

Contemporary with spacious open concept?

Grand with customized details?

Designated office space?

A home with a lot of personal touches and details?

What features in a kitchen are important to you?

Spacious Master?  Hardwood floors?

Luxurious Master Bath?

Space for a priced piece of furniture? (I love the little discontinued Southern Living at Home pitcher on the tray!)

 

Family Media/Entertainment Room?

What about outdoor space?

Access to bath?

Various conversation areas?

Pool with water vocal point?

Large pool/spa with low yard maintenance?

 Needless to say, there are a lot of choices out there depending on your criteria.  However, you might find the same problem our daughter has found.  No one home has all of them. 

So happy to again join Carissa for Miscellany Monday.

Back Porch Enclosure Update

Okay, if nothing else, I am true to my word.

I promised to keep you updated on the progress of our remodeling project.

I think in this case, pictures are indeed worth a thousand words

or

at least 30. 

Work was to begin between 8 and 8:30 a.m. Monday morning so on Saturday we made sure everything was ready.  Rug is protecting the built-in cabinet from the weekend rains.

 Monday 5:30 p.m.

Workers came at 9:30 and left a few minutes later because they were missing a few pieces of building materials. We were told they would be back by 8:30 Tuesday morning.

Tuesday 8:30 a.m.

 

Tuesday 11:00 a.m.

Work began at 10:00 a.m. by a great crew of carpenters.  There were a few minor snags that had to be straightened out due to a lack of communication between all parties.  But we got it started.

Thankfully, Hubby oversaw everything that was done.

Tuesday 5:30 p.m.

   First day results with plans to get started and hopefully finish the majority of the carpentry work on Wednesday between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m

Look familiar?  You are right, 8:30 came and went and here it is 4:00 p.m. and nothing has changed.

Hubby and I have a long planned and anticipated trip to Daughter's in Dallas tomorrow for the weekend, so maybe Monday between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. we will again see some progress being made.

It will be worth the wait I am sure when it is all finished and I have decided how to furnish this narrow little space.

My advice to myself!

Before and After - and it Continues

Today I am joining up with a new Blogger friend, Kathryn Ferguson Griffin  

at

The Dedicated House

for

This week I decided since Downton Abby is over, I probably needed to follow suit and put away the silver.  Besides, I was tired of polishing it.  So, let me show you some of the progression for settling on a more seasonal grouping on the end table and coffee table of our living room.

 Before

 These are some of my favorite crystal/silver pieces.  The gravy boat holds some treasured silver spoons that I inherited, were baby utensils and some collected from a trip to Rome.  The silver letter opener was a gift from a precious little lady friend many years ago.

The tea service had to go although I enjoyed having it where I could enjoy seeing it.

 These were the sofa pillows I used all fall and winter.  Time for a change.

After

 The cup and saucer belonged to my favorite aunt and is the only set that has survived these 50+ years since she gave them to me.  The pitcher and gravy boat are from my collection, and continue the theme on the mantel. (A previous post.)

 The coffee table was a process of evolution and may still be.

I started with a Christmas Cactus because it was what I had, but when making a trip to the garden center, I found a plant I thought picked up the colors in the room and was much prettier.

 I decided I didn't care for the magazines and found some favorite books to try.

 The evolution continues....

 and continues.

 The book on top is a book of Poems for Children that my parents gave my sister and me for Christmas in 1951.  It is such a precious treasure.

 The little jade plant on the white tray was a gift to my husband when he visited Korea in 1989.  It is  a delicate little piece and I love it.

I remembered some pillows I had used on my bed at one time and liked them on the sofa.  They lighten it up and continue the other touches of green.

 And this view is toward my future enclosed back porch.  Work starts at 8:30 in the morning.

Do you seem my smile?

I'm not sure I have "Made it Pretty," but I have enjoyed playing at the process.

Have a great Monday, my friends.