If Walls Could Speak-THE ENTRANCE

So begins another tour of my home.  And since we are at the now beginning of the home, I guess this would be a good time to say that I did name our home.  My husband would often tell me, (when we were first married), that I could make anything sound good.  His words would often remind me of a song, I believe the name of it was "Jesse" but I'm really not sure.  Nor do I know who sings the song, however, there was this one lyric that said, "Jesse, paint a picture about how it's going to be, you could always sell any dream to me." With that thought in mind, and our new home purchased, (back in 1996), I christened our home Paint a Picture Estates or PAPE, (pronounced Paw-pee), for short.  With that said, on with the tour and welcome to Paint A Picture Estates.

 This is the main entrance to the home and shows the new stairs that we have just installed.  Still working on actually as the carpet is on backorder and won't arrive until Jan. 13th.  Hope that's not a Friday-bad omen.  This is the view from the parlor.

This is an upclose shot of the "curl at the end of the stairs."  I'm sure that's what the stair guy calls it, too.  Shows the stain of the wood and how beautiful the banister really is.

My Precious Moments curio cabinet.  More on them in another blog.  But because I love to tell people of all the great bargains I find at yard sales, then I need to mention that the curio cabinet was $15.00.  I don't think it's the best but I do think that it's just about the right size for my stuff.

Here's another great find.  I purchased this at The Mini-Mall for $200.00 and then I found it at a high-end specialty shop for $600.00.  She tried to tell me that is was one-of-a-kind and no one else would ever have one just like that.  I had to laugh out loud!!

My youngest child making the bench look pretty.

One of several crosses that I have in my entrance.  Yep, this one was $1.00 at a recent sale.

Looking up you can see all of the railing from this side of the house.

That ends another tour of another room in my home.  At least until we get the carpet put in and I will add additional pictures to this blog.  With all of the home improvement projects that are going on around here it is really starting to feel like a "This Old House" episode.

  Life is Good, busy but Good.

Emmanuel Christmas Pageant 2010

The Emmanuel Baptist Church Christmas Pageant 2010

Every year our church host a Christmas Pageant to celebrate the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This year my daughter and I were able to be a part of the greatest story ever told. 

 Watch out!  Our camels do bite!!  (And dance).

Some of our children that celebrated Jesus' arrival into Jerusalem.

A sweet palm bearer.

My daughter and I waiting in the back room to do our scenes.  In this costume I am a vendor and she is a palm bearer.

Rejoice!  Rejoice!  He is risen!!

"Angels, We Have Heard They Fly"

Being in the Christmas Pagaent is always something that I have really enjoyed and am thrilled that I now get to share this experience with at least one member of my family, my daughter. 

 Usually, I play the part of an angel and a vendor selling a variety of items through the years.  Being an angel is definitely my favorite thing as I am behind the scrim and "in the clouds."

Behind-the-scenes is always great fun.  My friends Brenda and April make it such an enjoyable experience.  This year we made it a ritual to "fly" as we made our way to backstage in order to get set-up for our scene.  We must have been a sight with our wings spread out running through the EBC parking lot.   April was extremely thoughtful as she brought me a Christmas gift this year.  Here is a picture of what it was:

It seems that if you go the bathroom just one too many times during pagaent, you are deemed a "risk" and worthy of such a gift. 

I've often wondered if Jesus is watching from heaven and what he thinks of our little production?  I choose to believe that He is pleased that we are serving Him and telling others about Him but inside slightly amused at how wrong we are on so many counts.  "No, no that's not how it happened at all."  "Angels don't look anything like that,"  etc.  Still, I feel so blessed to be a part of this and hope that as I continue to age and perhaps slow down on my flying a little bit and increase my use of Serenity pads, (there's a heaven joke in there somewhere), that Jesus will watch me and say, "No, no my child, the angels never looked that old, but I am still so pleased."

If Walls Could Speak-THE BALCONY

I am a person that believes that every room has a story and everything in your home means something to you.  As I take you through my home, I want to share with you my story and the story of some of the items in my home.  As simple as they are, they seem to have a memory for me or perhaps it was the "thrill of the find" that made it special.

Let's start with the snowman since he is the first picture and I don't as of yet know how to alter things. 

You may think that I have a snowman up because it's Christmas or it's winter, but you would be wrong.  He is up year round along with other winter elements in my home.  He reminds me of my favorite season:  Winter.  I love winter and all that it represents.  Warmth, yes I said warmth, family, holidays, delicious foods and crackling fires.  There is something about the slower pace of winter that brings me comfort.  I love heavy quilts on my bed and hot chocolate for no other reason other than it's O.K. to drink some because it's cold outside.  I love watching the T.V. and praying right along with my kids for a no school day!!!  BTW, home school families DO NOT have snow days so it's been extra nice for my boys. 

 Now to the next picture:

This is our brand new flooring and balcony railing that we just put in and it came out wonderfully.  I'm not a decorator or designer so I was very afraid that the combined elements may not work together but I am very pleased with how well it turned out.

This is our accent wall on the opposite side of the railing.  It was painted a faux leather-look by Janie Keeling several years ago and I love that it blends so well with our wall color.  The painting was purchased at an estate sale for $25.00.  It was done by local artist Mel Cox in 1966 and has been in my possession for many years.  I honestly don't think that it's very good but I have always loved that he was from Oklahoma and was depicting, obviously, the Chisholm Trail.  It's a keeper for me.

My Queen Anne sofa table was purchased for $40.00 at The Emporium.

My horse!  When I was 16 I rode and showed Hunter-Jumper horses.  They were my passion and life.  My mother purchased this figurine for me on my 16th birthday and it has been proudly displayed in every home that I have lived in since.  Thank you Mom, I will always cherish it.

This sweet picture hangs above my snowman and yes, it's there year-round as well.  This print is actually an old Sunday School lithograph from Emmanuel Baptist Church.  Some women at the church were cleaning out a closet and started to throw these away.  Another woman said they may be worth saving and her and I began to dig through them.  I kept this one and have another one in my home, as well.  I love the 1950's children playing in the snow-notice the one that looks like a young Marilyn Monroe.

My western elements throughout my home.  I love Oklahoma and am proud of my heritage.  Here is a horseshoe sconce which hangs beside my painting.

You have seen my balcony and I hope to add more pictures of my home as time allows.  Please come again to read about more of my stories.  Walls only speak if we are willing to listen and hear.

This just added:  I had to show you the real reason we love our new balcony floor.

  Hit it kids!

                                         

What are my plans?

So I am randomly searching around and I found this:  a free place to blog and express myself.  Alright, so I am the last person on the block to know that I can do this.  I am so excited.  I can log my life, my family, my thoughts, my frustrations and keep it neatly in one package.  I can even share it with my family and friends.  I've read other people's blogs and often thought, "Wow, I wish I knew how to do that!"  or "That is a great way to put everything together and share."


O.K., I have found this and now the question is:  What are my plans?  My plans are as random as me finding this.  I really don't know, nor do I care.  I just think it will evolve into well, me.  


My home was a blank slate when we moved in and in the twelve years we have lived here it has slowly began to change and have a personality- my personality.  Simple, cluttered, unsophisticated.  No one would ever stand at my door in awe of its refinement and beauty.  No one calls me to ask me to decorate their home and yet, if I were to take my brain out and play with it, I guess this is what play would look like for me.


My blog?  It's my brain and I am playing with it.  It's simple, cluttered, and unsophisticated.


I can't wait to see what this blank slate evolves into.