hi friend

Sorry, no home tours today.

I'm off having surgery (no fun)

But, I do have something fun planned while I'm away.

I really love going through old photos.

So I thought I would share some of my memories.

As well as answer a get to know you questionnaire that I got through my friend,

 Cassie, from A Serenade For Solitude.

She recently awarded me a token of friendship.

So I wanted to thank you, Cassie, for such a lovely gesture.

And share with everyone my responses to the questions she asked.

on my way to pre-school

my mom made this costume and I won first prize!

my first art show

my best ballerina move

1.  What did you first want to be when you grew up?

A veterinarian.  Loved animals, still do, just can't deal with looking at their insides.  I have freshman year biology to thank for that one - I made my lab partner do all the dirty work for dissections.  ugh.

spying on the neighbors

we look innocent...

had to post this one for that sofa... wow!

2.  Favorite childhood game?

Hmmm...  my younger siblings and I liked to play pretend adventures.  We would pretend we were in the jungle outside and have to go through all of these obstacles to get through it (like crawl on your belly under the swings, climb the monkey bars, go around the trees).  Oh but this one time we took our cabbage patch play house, moved it to the bedroom, and decided it was in the middle of the swamp...  To create the swamp - we poured buckets of water all over the bedroom carpet, completely soaked it.  Guess we should have "pretended" a little more and not try to make it so authentic...

loved that outfit too!

you can see my cake towards the back of the table.

3.  Most favorite Birthday?

One that stands out the most was in Elementary School - A My Little Pony Party.  I remember my dad and godmother working so hard the night before on my birthday cake that they decorated.  The pin the tail on the pony (that I sooo cheated on with my "blindfold").  All of my friends came and I just remember having so much fun.

4.  Something you've always wanted to do but haven't done yet?

Just like Cassie, I would love to take a creative course/ retreat.  One that I've been drooling over lately will actually be held in the Pacific Northwest.  They are called Be Present Retreats and you can find them here.

It all just sounds wonderful to me.

got these from the book fair!!

5.  What was your first love?

Reading.  I LOVED going with my grandfather to the bookstore.  He would always buy me a book and I'd read it that night.  One of my best friends (who is a couple of years older than me) would let me borrow her books too.  I remember sitting in my bed with a 600 page book, just devouring it.  

6.  First musical idol?

Vanessa Williams, Save the best for last... ohhh that was my favorite.  I remember running to get the tape recorder when I heard it on the radio just so I could record it to play over and over and over again.

the first rose Josh gave me.

after a work holiday party.

right after he proposed, yosemite nation park.

7.  Favorite gift?

I remember my husband, back when we were first dating.  I worked at a bank and he was still in college.  One afternoon he left a single rose with a note on my windshield with a sweet little note to be dressed and ready for a date night and he would pick me up at a certain time.  It was a tiny gesture, but it will always be my favorite.

8.  If a theme song played for you everywhere you went, what would it be?

Jeez, my mind just went blank... hahaha more often than not I listen to classical music.

Vivaldi is one of my favorites, so anything by him.

Mendocino, CA

9.  Favorite city to visit?

So I have several because I can't choose just one:

Mendocino, CA

Portland, OR

Hood River, OR

Seattle, WA

Asheville, NC

10.  Just a few more pictures just for fun.

***

Hope you all had fun!  

Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow after surviving surgery.

taking it slow

our little cupcake cottage got her annual holiday makeover.

nothing too fancy, just bits here and there.

thankfully it isn't hard to decorate a three foot tall tree.

surgery tomorrow....  

oh I can't wait for this to be over!

sending you warm wishes this week.

surprise sparkly

so what is the perfect remedy to a bum knee?

why just a little sparkle, of course!

one of my best friends surprised me today with a sparkly treat.

a smiley face ice pack with "sparkles" adorned on the top and a fun card.

it's funny the goofy things that make you feel better.

***

hope you all have a lovely turkey day!

see you all for Friday Pretties.

1211 E 13th vs 5507 Jim Hogg Ave

so I have two homes to show you today.

because I can't decide between the two which one I fancy more.

I'd love to hear your input.

meet 1211 East 13th St:

drool-worthy points:

old courthouse relocated to austin

built around 1890

original hardwoods

14ft ceilings with beadboard

ship lap walls

original moldings

clawfoot tub

huge bathroom with two windows

great natural light 

fabulous front porch and curb appeal (minus the ugly over grown plants and fence)

all images courtesy Austin Home Search

located in a nicer pocket of the "Eastside" (an up and coming area)

2 bed and 1 bath

asking $335,000

***

now may I introduce you to 5507 Jim Hogg Ave:

drool-worthy points:

built in the early 1900s

relocated "school house" from a small town nearby

original wood floors

original molding and trim (including exterior front door and fireplace)

arched doorway to dining from living

original fireplace with marble surround and detailed molding

original period bathroom

original kitchen

original doors and windows

large laundry room with fold out ironing board

fabulous lighting from windows

all images courtesy Austin Home Search

located in central Austin in a small so-so neighborhood (not great, not terrible)
2 bed and 1 bath
asking $279,000

***

both obviously will need TLC
but I'd keep as much original charm as I could.

which would you choose??

developing

view from the kitchen window
polaroid sx-70
click on the image to view larger
 {first image is 10 minutes after developing and second image is almost a full day later}

hello again monday.

today I visit the specialist.

to find out what is going on with my knee.

I'm trying to look on the bright side if I need surgery...

the doctor is cute.

I'll be able to walk normal again.

did I mention the doctor is cute?

better go shave my legs...

Happy Monday!!

***

PS

New goodies in the Shop plus a fabulous Thanksgiving Sale!