tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43475625293621714262024-02-29T14:54:10.471-08:00With A Grateful HeartAdriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.comBlogger1013125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-14740766991552346272021-08-29T00:30:00.003-07:002021-08-29T00:30:00.238-07:00Sunday Songs of Grateful Praise - I Will Not Be Afraid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEz3CTQ021P4uGGaeYRzbiV1zUlsp11K-V4uCGy7JYPWSDVqgBA4K2_umaJy630BrwBGoL4v-_r1IyWJ9yuXiM5ZvdxMKnOQQR1PSSffUIo9BLjMxCAdbUVTZzOt8Hl5RtknxTD_Zv3HR/s542/Unafraid.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="542" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEz3CTQ021P4uGGaeYRzbiV1zUlsp11K-V4uCGy7JYPWSDVqgBA4K2_umaJy630BrwBGoL4v-_r1IyWJ9yuXiM5ZvdxMKnOQQR1PSSffUIo9BLjMxCAdbUVTZzOt8Hl5RtknxTD_Zv3HR/w640-h365/Unafraid.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I learned a little hymn when I was a child. The story and song have stayed in my heart through the years. It was true back then - and it's true now.</div><div><br /></div><div>This hymn was written in Occupied China during World War II. It came from the Bible House in Tientsin, China. Before long both Chinese and foreigners in that city began singing it. Then it reached Free China and soon the Christian students and soldiers began singing it, and even the non-Christians took it up. It is said that the soldiers marched to it and the students sang it as they went to school. The song reached American and brought inspiration where it went.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I will not be afraid,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I will not be afraid,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I will look upward, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And travel onward</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And not be afraid.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He says He will be with me.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He says He will be with me.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He goes before me,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And is beside me,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>So I'm not afraid.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>His arms are underneath me.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>His arms are underneath me.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>His hand upholds me;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>His love enfolds me.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>So I'm not afraid.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>His Word will stand forever.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>His Word will stand forever.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>His truth it shall be</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>My shield and buckler,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>So I'm not afraid.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He will give grace and glory.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He will give grace and glory.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>His cross before me,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>His banner o'er me.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>So I'm not afraid.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He says He will do marvels.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He says He will do marvels.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Above our asking</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Or even thinking</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>So look up and praise.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>So we go singing onward.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>So we go singing onward.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>We're pressing upward,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>We're marching Homeward</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>To Him, unafraid</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">"We take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, 'The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?'" Hebrews 13:6 (Amplified)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.6rem;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Song: 'Unafraid'<br />Music: see photo above<br />Reprinted from : Christian World Facts<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>With A Grateful Heart,
<br /><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;">Adrienne
</span>Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-27969233601099133382021-08-15T00:30:00.004-07:002021-08-15T00:30:00.277-07:00Sunday Songs Of Grateful Praise<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fI4o3pXCPlS58XC4IeT2v0Ca9eQADvwHVjzvR7LxK01xmkyP180GPCP-IhgtXCExwqRYHXllcrUhmLio8u1SidkYTJcbNY2CZxCS1GAJ9pvCQWgJftvUGs5P_dDuvyqiVF4g8aFnyKBj/s806/Odell+Lake+6-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="604" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fI4o3pXCPlS58XC4IeT2v0Ca9eQADvwHVjzvR7LxK01xmkyP180GPCP-IhgtXCExwqRYHXllcrUhmLio8u1SidkYTJcbNY2CZxCS1GAJ9pvCQWgJftvUGs5P_dDuvyqiVF4g8aFnyKBj/w480-h640/Odell+Lake+6-20.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />Quite a few months ago I heard this song and it immediately spoke to my heart. The words are so true of my life. I've seen the evidence of God's goodness all over my life - through the years and seasons of my life - in good times and bad. There has been attempts to spread fear throughout the world over the past year and a half but I refuse to be afraid. Because God's goodness is all over my life. He is my strength, no matter what happens and there is no reason to fear. His promises are true and they always will be.</div><div><br /></div><div><i style="font-family: "Libre Baskerville";"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">He [God] </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">nor</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">give you up </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">nor</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> leave you without support. I will not, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">nor</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> forsake </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">nor</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">let you down (</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">relax My hold on you)! </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Assuredly not! Hebrews 13</span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Libre Baskerville"; font-size: 16px;">:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville;">15b (</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">So why should I fear?)</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All throughout my history</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Your faithfulness has walked beside me<br />The winter storms made way for spring<br />In every season, from where I'm standing</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I see the evidence of Your goodness</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All over my life, all over my life</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I see Your promises in fulfillment</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All over my life, all over my life</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Help me remember when I'm weak</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Fear may come, but fear will leave</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You lead my heart to victory</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You are my strength and You always will be</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I see the evidence of Your goodness</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All over my life, all over my life</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I see Your promises in fulfillment</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All over my life, all over my life</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>See the cross, the empty grave</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The evidence is endless</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All my sin rolled away</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Because of You, oh Jesus</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I see the evidence of Your goodness</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All over my life, all over my life</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I see Your promises in fulfillment</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All over my life, all over my life</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>So why should I fear?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The evidence is here</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Song: "Evidence"<br />Written by: Josh Baldwin, Ethan Gregory Hulse, Edward Martin Cash</div><div style="text-align: left;">You can listen to the song <span style="color: #990000;"><u><a href="https://youtu.be/Q6jD7N1HvbI" target="_blank">here</a></u></span>: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With A Grateful Heart,
<br /><span style="font-family: Parisienne; font-size: large;">Adrienne</span></div>Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-55198760348382877622021-08-14T13:38:00.005-07:002021-08-14T13:41:34.840-07:00Change<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYGRyvpOh5wj6vgInbm-dNJqXjj-km9hT6cEE7pSROzSI2xCNLetXkEGpbwZ7L3k8K-YaKSUvrr2w6OlaStKzUGmjvwqB5fKV4MTAJyP6UNcdO6hG8m7nJoFVpus8kCPEJOhI5yT3xYN5/s320/Fruit+of+the+Spirit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="258" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYGRyvpOh5wj6vgInbm-dNJqXjj-km9hT6cEE7pSROzSI2xCNLetXkEGpbwZ7L3k8K-YaKSUvrr2w6OlaStKzUGmjvwqB5fKV4MTAJyP6UNcdO6hG8m7nJoFVpus8kCPEJOhI5yT3xYN5/s0/Fruit+of+the+Spirit.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br />It's been a long time since my last post and a lot of things have changed. So much has happened in all of our lives - and our world - and the word 'change' has become a way of life for all of us. I've missed being here and I plan to begin bringing my blog back to life again.<p></p><p>In the middle of the craziness of the past year and a half my sweetheart and I have had moments to get away and times when we stayed home to 'keep the home fires burning'. We've flexed and changed and made plans for changes yet to come.<br /></p><p>We are grateful that we have stayed healthy and have found ways to make the most of the changes that were required in all of our lives. While at home we've been working on projects to simplify life and get ready for more changes ahead. When things were shut down from our normal routine we quickly realized what was really important in life. That led to setting some new priorities, changing some of our involvements and praying about and looking forward to changes yet to come. In time I'll share more about that and what we've been doing since I was last here, but for now, it's good to be back again.<br /></p><p>With A Grateful Heart,
<br /><span style="font-family: Parisienne; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Adrienne
</b></i></span></p>Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-54749868908425229022020-03-22T08:15:00.002-07:002020-03-22T08:19:23.905-07:00Sunday Songs Of Grateful Praise - I Know Who Holds Tomorrow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYldYPMprEYPsvqOvJSVBLN1F9AMQ82PyVui6OFK9RUuxKyDC04-3-YWw6bX9mFTtp6vgqmf1n3tJWKxqWmD0M435P5vwustbUhvW5rtxQItDFyGBc27fIqpKYQcH99pqdDPcOHj9chOmm/s1600/Oregon+Hilltop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYldYPMprEYPsvqOvJSVBLN1F9AMQ82PyVui6OFK9RUuxKyDC04-3-YWw6bX9mFTtp6vgqmf1n3tJWKxqWmD0M435P5vwustbUhvW5rtxQItDFyGBc27fIqpKYQcH99pqdDPcOHj9chOmm/s640/Oregon+Hilltop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Through these past days - in this time when normal isn't normal anymore - this song has been on my mind. If you could stop by my house (and I wish you could!) you might hear me singing these words. They were written when I was a little girl but they are true - so true - today. I'm not living in fear because I know Who holds tomorrow - and I know He holds my hand. No matter what may come. My prayer is that these words will bless and comfort your heart.<br />
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<i>I don't know about tomorrow</i></div>
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<i>I just live from day to day</i></div>
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<i>I don't borrow from it's sunshine</i></div>
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<i>For its skies may turn to grey</i></div>
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<i>I don't worry o'er the future</i></div>
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<i>For I know what Jesus said</i></div>
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<i>And today I'll walk beside Him</i></div>
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<i>For He knows what lies ahead</i></div>
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<i>I don't know about tomorrow</i></div>
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<i>It may bring me poverty</i></div>
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<i>But the one who feeds the sparrow</i></div>
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<i>Is the one who stands by me</i></div>
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<i>And the path that be my portion</i></div>
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<i>May be through the flame or flood</i></div>
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<i>But His presence goes before me</i></div>
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<i>And I'm covered with His blood</i></div>
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<i>Many things about tomorrow</i></div>
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<i>I don't seem to understand</i></div>
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<i>But I know who holds tomorrow</i></div>
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<i>And I know who holds my hand.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic . . . for the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;">Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">You can listen to this song </span><span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diqk4KlamCM" target="_blank">here</a></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span></div>
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With A Grateful Heart, <br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Adrienne</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Song: I Know Who Holds Tomorrow<br />Words and music by Ira F. Stanphill</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-74582087130853850612020-02-13T14:36:00.000-08:002020-02-13T14:36:11.130-08:00Catching Up And Looking BackGood intentions are always at the top of my list but the reality is that the best of intentions don't usually take priority when life requires a change of plan. That's what has happened here. I have great intentions and then the unexpected - not always bad - comes along and switches my plans. And so, my best laid blog plans have taken a back seat.<br />
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My sweetheart and I will be leading a group of volunteers to Paradise, California next month. Fifteen months ago the town of Paradise was almost completely destroyed by the worst wildfires in California's history. Rebuilding and recovery has begun and we are going to help wherever we can. Recruiting for the team and the initial planning is over. Now we are in the middle of the paperwork part - reams of paperwork, or so it seems. There are a lot of forms for every one of the twenty-two team members to complete and return to us in time to meet the deadlines needed by the volunteer center in Paradise. Finances are being raised by team members and from donors, plus there are the unending logistics for getting us there and back again. And there are the details to consider for our 'down' time when we're not working on projects on location. I will share more about our plans, our destination, what we will be doing and give you some background about this soon.<br />
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We spent a week at a favorite RV park on the Oregon Coast to celebrate our forty-eighth anniversary last month. This seems to have become an annual tradition for us. When we check out at the end of the week my sweetheart reserves our favorite spot for the next year. Our anniversary trip was great this year, even though we had very strong winds that made we wonder at times if we would set sail for parts unknown. The tides were very high and we were all warned to stay off of the beaches for most of the time we were there. Not a problem! We were snug, safe and warm in our cabin-on-wheels and we were happy. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKA_NgrJCgB-7NJDU6qhhFB2ssH2oLYOJxsGL-oXLfDG_yaaRsfEDwwS3AmmpS6pyeT-MyDIRBK4MaIoLVecmIUh6Zp58SJ8WuPGm4DCUiZXx1kKYaz4UXn_0qTjsVYnJWAl2x1Fd36og/s1600/Winter+Sea+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKA_NgrJCgB-7NJDU6qhhFB2ssH2oLYOJxsGL-oXLfDG_yaaRsfEDwwS3AmmpS6pyeT-MyDIRBK4MaIoLVecmIUh6Zp58SJ8WuPGm4DCUiZXx1kKYaz4UXn_0qTjsVYnJWAl2x1Fd36og/s640/Winter+Sea+2020.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
A few days after we returned home from the coast we got a call we knew would be coming soon. Our oldest granddaughter, Abigail, was in the hospital in labor. Her precious baby girl arrived three weeks early. Safe and sound and absolutely wonderful! We headed to the hospital a couple of hours later to meet our first great-grandchild, Miss Riley Suzanne! This picture was taken when she made her debut in the world outside the hospital the next day on her way home.<br />
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So many more things are happening as they do in all of our lives. Things routine and unplanned and things that surprise and bring joy to our days. There is so much more I want to share with you. Places we've been, things we've seen and experiences we've had. I truly hope I can get back into a regular pattern of sharing here because I have millions of thoughts - and perhaps even more photos - to share. I truly hope it can happen. Honestly, I do.</div>
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With A Grateful Heart,<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adrienne
</span></i>Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-5034195108912031072019-11-17T21:31:00.000-08:002019-11-17T21:32:22.933-08:00Sunday Songs Of Grateful Praise - Thank You, Lord<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApkEpuKKf2zO8HqCxGxiuswpuPYrhXtElN5iB52gRsjy_1Fl2-27Try6vn9X88lK7ATsSrnVdwwwtQNDxmfBfIvb2StfjvUI1gVXQdouuQUa08ov8lhDOQLtEtLUvEL0n3VAtarkiwslD/s1600/Autumn+Leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="474" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApkEpuKKf2zO8HqCxGxiuswpuPYrhXtElN5iB52gRsjy_1Fl2-27Try6vn9X88lK7ATsSrnVdwwwtQNDxmfBfIvb2StfjvUI1gVXQdouuQUa08ov8lhDOQLtEtLUvEL0n3VAtarkiwslD/s640/Autumn+Leaves.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
During this month of Thanksgiving my heart turns to songs of thanksgiving and praise. Through the last year I have come to realize in new, deeper ways how many blessings God has given me - things I took for granted. How can I not say thank you? I've been singing this song as I count the blessings of His grace and goodness to me.<br />
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<i> I come before You today<br />And there's just one thing that I want to say<br />Thank You Lord<br />Thank You Lord</i></div>
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<i>For all You've given to me<br />For all the blessings I cannot see<br />Thank You Lord<br />Thank You Lord</i></div>
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<i>With a grateful heart<br />With a song of praise<br />With an outstretched arm<br />I will bless Your name</i></div>
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<i>Thank You Lord<br />I just want to thank You Lord<br />Thank You Lord<br />I just want to thank You Lord<br />Thank You Lord</i></div>
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<i>For all You've done in my life<br />You took my darkness and gave me Your light<br />Thank You Lord<br />Thank You Lord</i></div>
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<i>You took my sin and my shame<br />You took my sickness and healed all my pain<br />Thank You Lord<br />Thank You Lord</i></div>
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<i>With a grateful heart<br />With a song of praise<br />With an outstretched arm<br />I will bless Your name</i></div>
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<i>Thank You Lord<br />I just want to thank You Lord<br />Thank You Lord<br />I just want to thank You Lord<br />Thank You Lord</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text Ps-118-1">Give thanks to the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, for he is good!</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-118-1">His faithful love endures forever.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-118-1">Psalm 118:1</span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-118-1"><br /></span></span></div>
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<br />
Song: 'Thank You, Lord'<br />Written by Don Moen<br />
<br />
You can hear this song <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nsURDc9x3I" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: #660000;">here</span></u></a>.<br />
<br />
With A Grateful Heart,
Adrienne
Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-32211979077609976112019-11-03T16:14:00.001-08:002019-11-06T13:03:42.520-08:00Sunday Songs of Grateful Praise - Great Is Thy Faithfulness<br />
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cross carved from burned tree at Paradise, California church</div>
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mobile home park destroyed by fire in background </div>
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I have always loved this song. It speaks to my heart and calls me to remember the abundant blessings God has showered on me. Three weeks ago today my sweetheart and I stood and sang this song with a small congregation in a church building surrounded by devastation in Paradise, California. Nearly a year ago most of the town was destroyed by the largest, most destructive wildfire in the history of California. This was our second trip to Paradise since the fire but our first chance to join in worship with dear folks who survived. Nearly all of the people in that congregation lost everything they owned - their homes and all of their belongings. Their stories of escaping while raging flames and thick, blinding smoke nearly engulfed them is almost too much to comprehend. Yet, that day as we stood together they sang from their hearts, 'Great Is Thy Faithfulness...all I have needed Thy hand hath provided'. It was hard to hold back my tears. How could I ever complain? How could I not praise God for His blessings to me? The words of this old hymn took on new meaning. Every Sunday morning since I remember and I wish I could be there with them again.<br />
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<i>Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father!</i></div>
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<i>There is no shadow of turning with Thee;</i></div>
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<i>Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not</i></div>
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<i>As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,</i></div>
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<i>Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,</i></div>
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<i>Join with all nature in manifold witness</i></div>
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<i>To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,</i></div>
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<i>Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,</i></div>
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<i>Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow</i></div>
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<i>Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Great is Thy faithfulness,</i></div>
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<i>Great is Thy faithfulness,</i></div>
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<i>Morning by morning new mercies I see;</i></div>
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<i>All I have needed Thy hand hath provided</i></div>
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<i>Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me!</i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion', says my soul, 'Therefore I hope in Him!'</span> </span></i> Lamentations 3:22-24<br />
<br />
Song written by Thomas Chisholm, 1925<br />
You can here the song <span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNZS5H9aNlY" target="_blank">here</a></span>.<br />
<br />
<br />
With A Grateful Heart,
<br />
<i>Adrienne</i>
Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-34487402124673804352019-10-06T00:30:00.000-07:002019-11-06T13:04:04.421-08:00Sunday Songs of Grateful Praise - Whiter Than Snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week my sweetheart and I traveled to the mountains of Eastern Oregon to go deer hunting. The views were gorgeous from the mountain roads. The weather was cold and brought some snow. It was obvious that winter was on its way. As we drove high mountain roads the beauty around us was incredible. I couldn't be still! Songs came to mind and overflowed from my heart and voice. Seeing the snow reminded me of God's promise to us.<br />
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<i>'Come now, let's settle this,' <br />says the Lord.<br />'Though your sins are like scarlet,<br />I will make them as white as snow.<br />Though they are red like crimson,<br />I will make them as white as wool.</i><br />
Isaiah 1:18<br />
(NLT)</div>
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And the prayer of King David came to mind.</div>
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<i>Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;<br />wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.</i><br />
Psalm 51:7<br />
(NLT)</div>
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Early one morning as we drove high on the mountain the words of a song I learned as a young girl became my prayer.<br />
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Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole; <br />
I want Thee forever to ransom my soul. <br />
Break down ev'ry idol, cast out ev'ry foe: <br />
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.</div>
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Lord Jesus for this I most humbly entreat; <br />
I wait blessed Lord, at Thy crucified feet. <br />
By faith, for my cleansing I see Thy blood flow: <br />
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.<br />
<br />
Lord Jesus, Thou knowest I patiently wait; <br />
Come now, and within me a new heart create. <br />
To those who have sought Thee, Thou never said "No:"<br />
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. </div>
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Chorus:<br />
Whiter than snow, yes whiter than snow; <br />
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.</div>
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Song: 'Whiter Than Snow'<br />
Written by James Nicholson (1872)</div>
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You can listen to this song <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rodeSSJuM4s" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: #4c1130;">here</span></u></a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
With A Grateful Heart,
<br />
<i>Adrienne</i>
Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-36742846208330672602019-09-22T00:30:00.000-07:002019-11-06T13:04:21.826-08:00Sunday Songs of Grateful Praise - It Is Well With My Soul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love this old hymn. Although the story behind it is heart-breaking, the truth of the words has stood the test of time. I've sung this song many times at church, at memorial services and when I needed the reminder that it really <i>is </i>well with my soul.<br />
<br />
Horatio G. Spafford was a successful lawyer and businessman in
Chicago with a lovely family - a wife, Anna, and five children. However,
they were not strangers to tears and tragedy. Their young son died with
pneumonia in eighteen-seventy-one, and in that same year, much of their business was
lost in the great Chicago fire. Yet, God in His mercy and kindness
allowed the business to flourish once more.<br />
<br />
In November of eighteen seventy-three, the
French ocean liner, Ville du Havre was crossing the Atlantic from the
U.S. to Europe with three hundred thirteen passengers on board. Among the passengers were
Mrs. Spafford and their four daughters. Although Mr. Spafford had
planned to go with his family, he found it necessary to stay in Chicago
to help solve an unexpected business problem. He told his wife he would
join her and their children in Europe a few days later. His plan was to
take another ship.<br />
<br />
About four days into the crossing of the
Atlantic, the Ville du Harve collided with a powerful, iron-hulled
Scottish ship, the Loch Earn. Suddenly, all of those on board were in
grave danger. Anna hurriedly brought her four children to the deck. She
knelt there with Annie, Margaret Lee, Bessie and Tanetta and prayed that
God would spare them if that could be His will, or to make them willing
to endure whatever awaited them. Within approximately twelve minutes, the
Ville du Harve slipped beneath the dark waters of the Atlantic, carrying
with it two hundred twenty six of the passengers including the four Spafford children.<br />
<br />
A
sailor, rowing a small boat over the spot where the ship went down,
spotted a woman floating on a piece of the wreckage. It was Anna, still
alive. He pulled her into the boat and they were picked up by another
large vessel which, nine days later, landed them in Cardiff, Wales. From
there she wired her husband a message which began, “Saved alone, what
shall I do?” Mr. Spafford later framed the telegram and placed it in his
office.<br />
<br />
Another of the ship’s survivors, Pastor Weiss, later
recalled Anna saying, 'God gave me four daughters. Now they have been
taken from me. Someday I will understand why.'<br />
<br />
Mr. Spafford booked
passage on the next available ship and left to join his grieving wife.
With the ship about four days out, the captain called Spafford to his
cabin and told him they were over the place where his children went
down.<br />
<br />
According to Bertha Spafford Vester, a daughter born after
the tragedy, Spafford wrote “It Is Well With My Soul” while on this
journey.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i></i><br />
<div id="inlyr">
<i>When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,</i></div>
<i>
</i><i></i>
<div id="inlyr">
<i>When sorrows like sea billows roll;</i></div>
<i>
</i><i><div id="inlyr">
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,</div>
</i><i><div id="inlyr">
It is well, it is well, with my soul.</div>
</i><i><br /><div id="inlyr">
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,</div>
</i><i><div id="inlyr">
Let this blessed assurance control,</div>
</i><i><div id="inlyr">
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,</div>
</i><i><div id="inlyr">
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.</div>
</i><i><br /><div id="inlyr">
</div>
<div id="inlyr">
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!</div>
</i><i><div id="inlyr">
My sin, not in part but the whole,</div>
</i><i><div id="inlyr">
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,</div>
</i><i><div id="inlyr">
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!</div>
</i><i><br /><div id="inlyr">
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,</div>
</i><i><div id="inlyr">
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;</div>
</i><i><div id="inlyr">
The trumpet shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,</div>
</i><i><div id="inlyr">
Even so, it is well with my soul.</div>
</i><i><div id="inlyr">
</div>
<br /><div id="inlyr">
It is well, with my soul,</div>
</i><i><div id="inlyr">
It is well, with my soul,</div>
</i><i><div id="inlyr">
It is well, it is well, with my soul.</div>
</i></div>
<br />
<div id="inlyr">
</div>
</div>
<i></i><br />
Anna
gave birth to three more children, one of which died at age four with
dreaded pneumonia. In August eighteen-eighty-one, the Spaffords moved to Jerusalem. Mr.
Spafford died and is buried in that city.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And the peace of God
which surpasses all understanding,<br />shall keep your hearts, your minds
through Christ Jesus.</i>Philippians 4:7.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Song: '<i>It Is Well With My Sou</i>l' <br />
Written by Horatio G. Spafford</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<br />
You can hear a beautiful rendition of this song <span style="color: #783f04;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ovnm-gzLfs" target="_blank">here</a></b></span>.<br />
<br />
When the world seems upside-down, what a comfort to know that it is well with my soul!</div>
<br />
With A Grateful Heart,
<br />
<i>Adrienne</i>
Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-78036191480027808922019-09-08T00:30:00.000-07:002019-11-06T13:04:45.760-08:00Sunday Songs of Grateful Praise - Good, Good Father<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjiX1XyKagLZ6DYP2W1COtE0HLErVFrcZ-USKDrGwnXf69iG2542irv4C-7M3iBkU9qF_X9pEBj_fl-XpUCPfuN7SOeEBCUNG-PnNQzKQT3CL-Vy7o7Zoj3Q1YfcNWoTzmkNDtjjIbB51/s1600/Father+and+Daughter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="954" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjiX1XyKagLZ6DYP2W1COtE0HLErVFrcZ-USKDrGwnXf69iG2542irv4C-7M3iBkU9qF_X9pEBj_fl-XpUCPfuN7SOeEBCUNG-PnNQzKQT3CL-Vy7o7Zoj3Q1YfcNWoTzmkNDtjjIbB51/s640/Father+and+Daughter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
That's me with my dad! I had an incredibly wonderful, loving, kind, gentle and Godly father. He was a preacher and anyone who knew him knew he always lived what he preached. And that's true - what you saw in public was the man he was at home. He was a good father - and I was blessed!<br />
<br />
Quite a few years ago a new song appeared in worship music in churches around the world. It had special meaning to me and I immediately identified with it. You see, the way we visualize God is often influenced by our relationship with our earthly fathers. That was true of me. The Heavenly Father described in this song touched my heart deeply because my earthly father taught me by his example that I can trust my Heavenly Father. He taught me that God means what He says. He taught me that God loves me more than anyone on earth will ever love me and His love will never fail. He taught me that God is good, even when it seems things are wrong or unfair - because God is a good, good Father.<br />
<br />
I've sung this song many times as I've walked through tough times. It's always a reminder and a comfort and it brings reassurance and peace to my troubled heart. As my father was about to leave this world I sat beside his bed in the middle of the night and sang this song. I sang it repeatedly through the last days of my dear mother's life and I sang it again recently as I faced a serious health crisis. The words are true - God <i>is </i>a good, good Father. No matter what things look like. When life is good and all is well. In those in-between times when you don't know what's going to happen. In the hard times that seem as if they will tear you apart. God is good <i>all </i>the time! I know it's true because He has proved it to me over and over again. He's a good, good Father - that's who He is. And I'm loved by Him - that's who I am!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh, I've heard a thousand stories of what they think you're like<br />
But I've heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night<br />
And you tell me that you're pleased<br />
And that I'm never alone<br />
<br />
You're a Good, Good Father<br />
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are<br />
And I'm loved by you<br />
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am<br />
<br />
Oh, and I've seen many searching for answers far and wide<br />
But I know we're all searching<br />
For answers only you provide<br />
'Cause you know just what we need<br />
Before we say a word<br />
<br />
You're a Good, Good Father<br />
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are<br />
And I'm loved by you<br />
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am<br />
<br />
'Cause you are perfect in all of your ways<br />
You are perfect in all of your ways<br />
You are perfect in all of your ways to us<br />
<br />
You are perfect in all of your ways<br />
You are perfect in all of your ways<br />
You are perfect in all of your ways to us<br />
<br />
Oh, it's love so undeniable<br />
I, I can hardly speak<br />
Peace so unexplainable<br />
I, I can hardly think<br />
<br />
As you call me deeper still<br />
As you call me deeper still<br />
As you call me deeper still<br />
Into love, love, love<br />
<br />
You're a Good, Good Father<br />
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are<br />
And I'm loved by you<br />
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am<br />
<br />
You're a Good, Good Father<br />
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are<br />
And I'm loved by you<br />
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am<br />
<br />
You're a Good, Good Father<br />
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are<br />
And I'm loved by you<br />
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am<br />
<br />
You're a Good, Good Father<br />
(You are perfect in all of your ways)<br />
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are<br />
And I'm loved by you<br />
(You are perfect in all of your ways)<br />
It's who I am, it's who I am it's who I am </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Matt-7-11" id="en-NLT-23304"><span class="woj"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Matt-7-11" id="en-NLT-23304"><span class="woj">So
if you sinful people know </span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-7-11" id="en-NLT-23304"><span class="woj"></span></span></i><br />
<div class="version-NLT result-text-style-normal text-html ">
<i><span class="text Matt-7-11" id="en-NLT-23304"><span class="woj">how to give good gifts to your children,<br />how
much more will your heavenly Father<br />give good gifts to those who ask
him.</span></span></i><br />
<span class="text Matt-7-11" id="en-NLT-23304"><span class="woj">Matthew 7:11<br />(New Living Translation)</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Song: '<i>Good, Good Father</i>'</div>
<div>
Sung by Chris Tomlin</div>
<div>
<span class="feat">Written by Pat Barrett and Tony Brown</span><br />
<br />
<span class="feat">(you can hear the song <span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfJrxvVnmkE" target="_blank">here)</a></span></span></div>
<br />
With A Grateful Heart,
<br />
<i>Adrienne</i>
Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-26998608204363827002019-09-01T06:34:00.000-07:002019-11-06T13:05:03.673-08:00Sunday Songs of Praise - How Great Is Our God<h2 class="song-viewer-title">
</h2>
<h3 class="song-viewer-part">
</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The splendor of the King<br />
Clothed in majesty<br />
Let all the earth rejoice<br />
All the earth rejoice<br />
He wraps Himself in light<br />
And darkness tries to hide<br />
And trembles at His voice<br />
And trembles at His voice</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How great is our God<br />
Sing with me<br />
How great is our God<br />
And all will see how great<br />
How great is our God</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3 class="song-viewer-part" style="text-align: center;">
</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And age to age He stands<br />
And time is in His hands<br />
Beginning and the End<br />
Beginning and the End<br />
The Godhead three in one<br />
Father Spirit Son<br />
The Lion and the Lamb<br />
The Lion and the Lamb</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3 class="song-viewer-part" style="text-align: center;">
</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Name above all names<br />
Worthy of all praise<br />
My heart will sing<br />
How great is our God</div>
<br />
<span class="passage-display-bcv"></span><span class="passage-display-version"></span><br />
<div class="version-MSG result-text-style-normal text-html ">
<div class="poetry top-1">
<div class="line" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text 1Chr-29-10-1Chr-29-13">Blessed are you, <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> of Israel, <br />our father </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text 1Chr-29-10-1Chr-29-13">from of old and forever.</span></span><br /><span class="text 1Chr-29-10-1Chr-29-13">To you, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>, belong the greatness and the might,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text 1Chr-29-10-1Chr-29-13">the glory, the victory, <br />the majesty, the splendor;</span></span><br /><span class="text 1Chr-29-10-1Chr-29-13">Yes! Everything in heaven, everything on earth;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text 1Chr-29-10-1Chr-29-13">the kingdom all yours! <br />You’ve raised yourself high over all.</span></span><br /><span class="text 1Chr-29-10-1Chr-29-13">Riches and glory come from you,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text 1Chr-29-10-1Chr-29-13">you’re ruler over all;</span></span><br /><span class="text 1Chr-29-10-1Chr-29-13">You hold strength and power in the palm of your hand</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text 1Chr-29-10-1Chr-29-13">to build up and strengthen all.</span></span><br /><span class="text 1Chr-29-10-1Chr-29-13">And here we are, O God, our God, <br />giving thanks to you,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text 1Chr-29-10-1Chr-29-13">praising your splendid Name.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="line" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text 1Chr-29-10-1Chr-29-13">I Chronicles 29:11-13 (The Message)</span></span></div>
<div class="line" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text 1Chr-29-10-1Chr-29-13"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text 1Chr-29-10-1Chr-29-13">Song: ' <i>How Great Is Our God</i>' <br />by Chris Tomlin<br />You can listen to the song <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKLQ1td3MbE" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
With A Grateful Heart,
Adrienne
Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-47127596299018545672019-08-25T12:10:00.000-07:002019-11-06T13:05:22.278-08:00Sunday Songs of Grateful Praise - Like A River Glorious<br />
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One of my favorite hymns was written in the late eighteen-hundreds by an English lady named Francis Ridley Havergal. She wrote many well-known hymns, poetry and children's books. <br />
<br />
While vacationing she became seriously ill with pneumonia and was not expected to live. Her friends were amazed at how
peacefully she received this information. She survived
and later that year she wrote the hymn "Like a River Glorious". She pointed to the source of her perfect peace: "Stayed upon Jehovah,
hearts are fully blessed, finding, as He promised, perfect peace and
rest."<br />
<br />
Miss Havergal was a devout Bible scholar. She incorporated the truth of Scripture in this hymn where God promises "peace like a river." This hymn paints the picture of this peace. The hymn was first published in its present form with the name "Perfect Peace," in <i>Hymns of Consecration and Faith</i> in 1876.<br />
<br />
This hymn has touched my heart all through my life - from my youth until now. I have sung it often when peace seems impossible. I have sung it joyfully as a statement of what I truly believe - God does us give His peace when we focus on Him!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Like a river glorious<br />
Is God's perfect peace,<br />
Over all victorious<br />
In its bright increase.<br />
Perfect, yet it floweth<br />
Fuller every day,<br />
Perfect, yet it groweth<br />
Deeper all the way.<br />
Stayed upon Jehovah,<br />
Hearts are fully blest,<br />
Finding as He promised,<br />
Perfect peace and rest.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Hidden in the hollow<br />
Of His blessed hand,<br />
Never foe can follow,<br />
Never traitor stand.<br />
Not a surge of worry,<br />
Not a shade of care,<br />
Not a blast of hurry<br />
Moves the spirit there.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> </i><i>Stayed upon Jehovah,<br />
Hearts are fully blest,<br />
Finding as He promised,<br />
Perfect peace and rest.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Every joy or trial<br />
Falleth from above,<br />
Traced upon our dial<br />
By the Sun of Love.<br />
We may trust Him fully<br />
All for us to do,<br />
They who trust Him wholly<br />
Find Him wholly true.<br />
Stayed upon Jehovah,<br />
Hearts are fully blest,<br />
Finding, as He promised,<br />
Perfect peace and rest.</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You will keep in perfect and constant peace<br />the one whose mind is steadfast <br />[that is, committed and focused on You - <br />in both inclination and character],<br />because he trusts and takes refuge in You <br />[with hope and confident expectation].</span></i> <br />
Isaiah 26:3 (Amplified Bible)</div>
<br />
You can hear the beautiful melody of this old hymn are recorded by one of my favorite Pacific Northwest musicians, harpist Bronn Journey, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_A-faZXGjM" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.<br />
<br />
With A Grateful Heart,
<br />
<i>Adrienne</i>
Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-90128795644323264382019-08-18T12:41:00.002-07:002019-11-06T13:05:42.869-08:00Sunday Songs of Grateful Praise - Lord, You've Been Good To Me<br />
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Today I'm starting a new feature on my blog. On Sundays I plan to share a song that has special meaning to me and speaks to my faith. I love the old hymns and some of the newer songs of praise and faith. I hope they speak to your heart as they do mine. I may share the stories behind the songs and a Bible verse or two. I might share how a song has touched my life and I may share how songs have touched the hearts of other people.<br />
<br />
If you know me well, you know that music has always been an important part of my life. I started singing almost the moment I realized I had a voice. When I first discovered my grandma's piano I couldn't keep my hands off of it. I studied music through my growing up
years and through college and taught piano lessons for many years. I've
used my music gifts to serve God in many places. Music seems to be embedded into my soul. I
can't imagine a world without it. If you visit my home you will most
likely hear music playing or you may catch me singing as I go about my day. It's only natural that music has been a part of my life - in the best of times and in the hardest of times. <br />
<br />
During my recent health crisis and through the continuing recovery time there have been many songs that have spoken deeply to my heart. Some were prayers asking God for strength to walk the path ahead. Some were songs of praise and faith for what He has done and will continue to do. Some were songs that brought joy and peace; others were songs that caused me to stop and worship Him. One song that was new to me has become a song I sing often these days. The words are exactly what is in my heart! I hope it blesses you, too.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> </i>Lord You've been good to me<br />
All my life, all my life<br />
Your loving kindness never fails<br />
I will remember<br />
All You have done<br />
Bring from my heart<br />
Thanksgiving songs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
New every morning is Your love<br />
Filled with compassion from above<br />
Grace and forgiveness full and free<br />
Lord You've been good to me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So may each breath I take<br />
Be for you Lord, only You<br />
Giving You back the life I owe<br />
Love so amazing<br />
Mercy so free<br />
Lord You've been good<br />
So good to me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I lift you high in praise, my God, O my King! and I'll bless your name into eternity. I'll bless you every day, and keep it up from now to eternity. God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness.</i>Psalm 145:1-3 <br />
(The Message) </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Song: 'Lord You've Been Good To Me'<br />
Written by Graham Kendrick<br />
Listen to the song <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BA9ol8gY_I" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
With A Grateful Heart,<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Adrienne</i></span>
Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-10789107542367494522019-08-16T12:33:00.000-07:002019-08-16T12:33:47.470-07:00Simply Grateful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a long time since I've shared anything here on my blog. Too long, in fact, but life really came hard and time away was necessary. There are so many things I want to share - and I will. I honestly hope to get back to being here often to share my comings and goings and things on my heart. Today I will just share the big reason I've been away so long. Later I'll catch you up with other things I've done through this year.<br />
<br />
Life can take a major turn when we least expect it and that's exactly
what happened early this Spring. Tests to determine the cause of
continuing upper digestive pain revealed that my gallbladder was one hot
mess! I knew where that diagnosis was leading but I was totally
unprepared for a more serious health crisis that ensued. The ultrasound
also showed that I had a large mass in my left kidney. Consultation with
my doctor led to a CT scan that revealed that the mass was a large
tumor. The tumor appeared to be renal cell carcinoma.
Cancer. Not an easy diagnosis to hear. Your life can never be the same
again when you hear the words 'very high probability that you have
cancer'.<br />
<br />
The kidney was high priority so I saw a kidney specialist
first. Due to the size and location of the large tumor, my left kidney
would have to be removed - cancer or no cancer. Two surgeries would be
required. My kidney specialist would remove my kidney and a general
surgeon would remove my gallbladder. I asked if it was possible that I
could have both surgeries done at the same time. His answer was a
relief. Yes, the two surgeons will coordinate one surgery - one surgeon
and his team will begin the surgery and exit the operating room. The
second surgeon and his team will take over and finish the job. Two
surgeries in one! One hospital stay; one anesthesia and recovery.<br />
<br />
I
had surgery early in May and stayed in the hospital for three nights
while my body began to adjust to life with one kidney. My remaining kidney is
strong and healthy - that's good news - but the best news of all was the
phone call from my kidney doctor with the lab results from my
tumor. He had joy in his voice when he told me - NO cancer. Benign!
The percentage of possibility for this outcome was very small. But many
people were praying for me. I was at peace no matter the outcome because
my life is in God's hands. But this news brought tears. Tears of
gratitude. And such relief. We laughed together on the phone as tears poured
down my face. Because of the type of tumor I had I will have to have a
yearly ultrasound for the next two or three years, but I am healthy and doing well.<br />
<br />
Recovery is long and slow when a kidney is
removed. I knew this going into surgery so we planned for me to live
life at a slower pace as long as I need to. It's amazing how God
created our bodies to handle this situation. A Bible verse I learned as a
child has taken on a whole new meaning.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Thank you God for making me
so wonderfully complex!<br />Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know
it.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 139:14<br />New Living Translation</span></div>
<br />
During recovery my remaining kidney is adapting to life on its own. It's actually
enlarging as it adds more filtration tissue to handle the load it
carries. It's strong and healthy and working exactly the way it should. This could take up to a year. While that happens fatigue is an almost constant companion during this process. I never
understood fatigue before. I have been exhausted in the past but this is
different. It's the feeling that I'm a big rag doll. I can't push myself and I run out of steam quite fast but the fatigue is
getting less and less and one day won't be a part of daily life. It's
beginning to taper off and I'm so
grateful to have a day here and there with no fatigue. I really am doing
great. I'm able to do some simple tasks again - slowly - and, if you could see me,
you would probably say I look good. I look healthy - and I am healthy. <br />
<br />
The support and prayers
and love I've had from my family and friends who have walked this journey with me means more than words can say. My life has changed. I'm different now. I'll never be the same again. I don't take life for granted. Each day I thank God for another day to live and to serve Him. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Your unfailing love is better than life itself; <br />how I praise You! </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 63:3</span><br />
New Living Translation</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There's no way to describe what I feel in my heart except to say that I
am simply grateful!<br />
<br />
With A Grateful Heart,<i><br />Adrienne</i></div>
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Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-7162129985332669202018-11-30T18:47:00.000-08:002018-11-30T18:47:08.761-08:00A New Use For A Gift BoxThe holiday season has begun and it seems to be moving by quite fast. Before I jump into the holiday season with both feet - well, I might not jump, I may try to sneak or stroll in - I want to share a way you can use a gift box in a new way. Something you might not have considered. I certainly didn't but my sweet, little dog gave me the idea.<br />
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Shortly after my dear mother passed away early last year I cleared some things from a storage cabinet in her garage. She had a big gift box that I decided to take home with me. Another thing I added to my car that day was a very soft, cozy blue throw pillow. The pillow fit inside the gift box so that's where it traveled as I drove a few blocks to my house. The box and pillow stayed on the back seat of my car for a few days. A few days later my little dog, Joey, rode in the car with me while I ran an errand. It wasn't long before he discovered the box and the soft pillow on the seat of the car. He must have decided that it was the perfect place to curl up and take a nap. He loves to sleep on cozy, soft things and this was an opportunity he just resist. I'm sure he thought the box and pillow were meant for him.<br />
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After that ride in the car I took the box into the house and decided to let him have it for a bed. Joey is not allowed to have a 'real' doggie bed anymore -
the fabric kind with stuffing inside. He chews holes in the
fabric and delights in pulling the stuffing out. We have tried
nasty-tasting spray made to prevent dogs from chewing things. It works
for a few hours and then he ignores it and chews his bed anyway. We've tried many
times and no soft dog bed has survived. So, when he adopted the big gift box
and soft pillow it seemed like the perfect solution. He doesn't chew on
the box or the pillow and that's a good thing. The gift box and pillow even ended up on the back seat of our truck when we left for our Grand Trip last year. It was a good place for Joey to nap while riding down the road on our long trip.<br />
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Time went by and the gift box began to show wear. Joey had stretched and moved so much that he eventually kicked out one end of the box! My sweetheart did what a lot of guys would do - he fixed it with duct tape! The box held on for a year, then a year and a half and a few more months. Recently, it seemed it was time to replace the box. But where would I find another big, square, sturdy box? Putting on my thinking cap - and arming myself with coupons - I headed to a fabric and craft store nearby. And I found the perfect box. It was more sturdy than my sweet mother's big gift box. It had a lid but that didn't stop me. I knew exactly what to do - and it was just right. So, the new gift box came home, was thoroughly inspected by Joey and then. . .he hopped in and settled down. He liked it! Lid and all. (Notice which box I chose. Perfect, isn't it?)<br />
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A day or two later - when he wasn't looking! - I carefully cut the lid away from the box. He knew immediately that something had changed but he checked it out and hopped right in - yes, he hops in - and he settled right down for a long nap.<br />
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Sometimes he just sits in his new box with his head held high as he watches the world go by. . .<br />
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And sometimes he rests his head and pays attention to the world outside his little box.</div>
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And when the mood strikes, usually when the sun shines, he hops out of his box and climbs up on the love seat to see what's going on outside.</div>
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When there's nothing exciting going on outside he closes his eyes and goes back to sleep.<br />
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So, my friends, if you ever need a doggie bed you might want to try a gift box. If you have an extra big gift box lying around you might try to find a little dog who needs a bed!Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-45051092184623127972018-09-20T13:16:00.000-07:002018-09-20T13:16:24.672-07:00Lost and Found<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="170" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHDokRWqmoqY8PPO4ihmrSDWeQSRRT0FuiFlI3-dp1IrWuupnj5nNHIZjeDHQzszUfeTZ3AO0jOyjhcivD1oqEh-8NYZrwsoAQhoxBPxAF_VHXfY6K-l9Hb8fIVWEQeqZxkXvEVafXfap/s320/Lost+and+Found.jpg" width="320" /><br /><span style="color: #073763;"><a href="http://clipart-library.com/clipart/608959.htm" target="_blank">source</a></span></div>
A lot has happened since I shared my last post. We've made a couple of short trips with our cabin-on-wheels and made more memories to treasure. And - in the middle of it all - my blog disappeared. Again! I shared the loss on Facebook and some of my blog friends questioned why my blog was lost when they have never had that problem. I shared the issues with them and how my blog differs from theirs. Here's what happened. I first started blogging with a 'generic' blog through blogger. That meant that my blog address ended with blogspot.com. Then, a few years ago I decided to purchase my own domain so my blog could easily be found. That's when the 'address' changed to withagratefulheart.com. No blogspot. Just my own blog name. And that's exactly where the issue all came about.<br /><br />This is the third time my blog has disappeared - all because my private domain didn't renew as it should. So - it expired. Thankfully, each time a family member or friend has alerted me that my blog wasn't where it should be. The first time took some serious detective work to get a solution. The second time it happened I had to jump through many, very confusing hoops to get it back. It seemed that the issues had been resolved and this wouldn't happen again. Both times - and this time - they were certain that I received an email notice that my blog renewal was due. My annual payment was set to auto-renew but that didn't happen. Google's Customer Service can be very confusing and I was never able to get back to the online account where I could check my billing and contact information. Then, it happened again. When it shouldn't have. Again I was not able to get into my account so I could do anything about it. Requests for help were sent and no one responded. Then, in desperation I did more research and found that Google is the 'third party owner' of my private domain. So I reached out to Enom, one of several companies who sell private domains, the company that sold it to me - with Google in the middle. I found a phone number for Enom to see if someone there could intervene and help me. I was very pleased to see that they are in the U.S. and based just a few hours north of my home. In the same time zone. A very sweet young lady answered my call. Within minutes she discovered and explained the problem. My email address on file was wrong. It had never been changed as I was told it had - and it had not been set to auto-renew, as it should have been. This sweet, helpful young lady made an offer for me to consider. Since my 'Google' affiliation had expired and Google's policy does not give a grace period, I could renew it directly through Enom and she offered to take care of the details to restore my blog. That means in the future I can deal with them directly. With no one in the middle. I was already impressed with the level of Customer Service she offered and it appeared that their site is extremely user friendly. I didn't have to think about that offer for long. Within minutes she set up an account for me, sent me an email with details about how to pay and where to check to make sure my information was correct and up-to-date. Then, within minutes, my blog was back online. It was found! I am very happy with the decision I made. Not only did she give me kind, courteous help to get my blog back - she emailed me after everything was said and done. She expressed thanks for allowing her to help me! Her thanking me? Really, I was the one who was thankful for her. She gave me her direct line and email so I can contact her in the future if I have questions or need help. So - I'm back! Ready to go and encouraged that there are still people 'out there' who are kind and patient and helpful. And grateful for the chance to help.<br />
<br />Now all I need to do is to sort through and organize about a million photos and get back to more regular blogging. See you here again. Soon.<br />
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I'm grateful to be here and I'm grateful for you, my dear blog friends, who add a bit of sunshine to my day.Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-51364916909047853212018-07-28T13:28:00.000-07:002018-07-28T13:34:00.941-07:00An Ending, A Change of Plans and New PlansOh, my! I really didn't mean to wait so long to write another blog post. But, as you will see, life has been crazy busy around here and things have been happening. Some expected and some not so much. It's all good - really, it is. Major plans had to be changed and once they were we had such peace. We know we're right where we belong these days and we're happy to be here. So. . .let me share a bit of what's been going on.<br />
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I'll begin with the end - an ending we had worked toward for a long time. A lot of hard work and what seemed like endless hours went into the final result. After much prayer and thought and some hard decisions about my dear, little mother's home we knew we should sell it. That was not an easy thing for me or for our kids and grandkids but it was the right thing to do. I was torn about it at first. We had thoughts of keeping her house - the home my father built while I was in high school, the only family home my children and their children have ever known. My roots were there which made the decision harder. But, as we took stock of our needs and how that home and ours would meet our needs we knew selling was the right thing. Then, God brought us buyers that we never could have dreamed possible. Friends!!! A young couple who knew and loved my dear mother. They never got to meet my father but they knew of the heritage of the home and they wanted to continue to build a heritage for their family, following in my parents' footsteps. My mother absolutely adored them and their little girl and I think my mother may have done a happy dance in Heaven about this decision. We have been in their home for dinner and have walked around the yard to talk about things growing there and stories of life on the big back deck and yard. We were thrilled when the day finally came to turn everything over to them. Yes, we walked away with a sense of freedom but knowing that we will always be welcome to return and visit. And we have.<br />
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This photo was taken while my dear mother still lived here. We had to take out the big trees on the left due to disease and we trimmed back the shrubs outside the bedroom area to the left to open things up and let more light inside. We added a new roof before the sale was final and new house numbers chosen by the new owners. Things look a bit different now but the house is still wonderful and is loved by our sweet friends who call it home.<br />
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We had BIG plans for the summer and I could hardly wait to share them with you but shortly after my mother's house sale was final we knew we needed to completely change those plans. We were SO excited about our plans and could hardly wait to leave home and travel north - north to Alaska. For the whole summer! With our cabin-on-wheels. We read every book and pamphlet and brochure we could find. We planned and plotted our trip and we were part of a Facebook group <span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #666666;">of many others who were going north with their RV's this summer. We wouldn't travel with them but it was almost for sure that we would meet up with some of them along the way. This was a <i>big </i>dream on our bucket list - has been for many years - and we could hardly wait.</span><u> </u></span><br />
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But those plans had to be changed for several reasons, The sale of my dear mother's home was delayed almost a month beyond what we had requested. This made finalizing the other business of her estate impossible to complete before our planned departure date. Add to that the fact that the main entry door of our new cabin-on-wheels had a defect that caused the door and frame to be out of alignment enough that opening and closing was becoming a major problem. We had sensed a problem soon after we brought it home and had it back in the shop a couple of times for work that we hoped would fix the issue. In the end, a complete new door had to be ordered. At first we thought we might wait until the new door installed and then leave for Alaska a bit later than planned. We're so glad we decided against that idea! We were told it should arrive and be installed mid-June. At this moment, we're still waiting! We just heard that the factory has just now begun to manufacture our new door. They say it will take four weeks to manufacture and ship to our dealer for installation. In the meantime our dealer's service department was able to do a temporary 'fix' so we can still use the door without much problem. And then another thing happened that let us know we <i>had </i>to change plans. My sweetheart had his routine dental exam and learned that he needed oral surgery and some other work that shouldn't be postponed until we returned in the fall. Once we knew about that the decision was quick. We knew what we had to do and we had total peace as soon as the decision was made. We knew this summer was not the time to leave home and head north. We haven't regretted it for a moment. We're following the adventures of the Facebook group that's up there now and we're making notes of places they have camped and adventures they've taken. Their photos inspire and excite us - and now we have a new plan. We plan to go to Alaska next summer! Now we're part of another Facebook group and we are enjoying the camaraderie we're finding with this group that will make the long trek north when we go. Many from the group that is up there now have met each other - some even camping in the same campgrounds. Fireside chats and dinners out together and stories shared have intrigued us and we hope for the same experience next year. How will we find each other? Simple - we ordered and just received a big decal that will be placed on our cabin-on-wheels. It will identify us as members of this group. Some retailers and RV park hosts have even been giving discounts to member of the group up there this year. When our decal arrived the other day we got excited all over again.<br />
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So, what are we doing since our plans changed? We are working hard to catch up with maintenance and projects around our home and yard. Things at home had to take a back seat over the past few years while we cared for my dear, little mother and her home and yard. Then we spent many, long, hard months of dealing with her belongings and repairs and maintenance to get her home ready to sell. Homes that were built back in the day often have issues that must be brought up to current building codes and that takes time. Now we are free to focus on one home - ours - and it's overwhelming at times. We will be making upgrades inside and out. And there will be adventures in the mix, too. When we knew we couldn't go to Alaska this summer we promised ourselves that we wouldn't just work, work, work. We've spent some days away and we have more short trips planned.<br />
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There is so much more I want to share with you and I know I haven't finished sharing our Grand Trip from last year yet. That will happen again soon and I hope to stay in touch a bit more often than I have recently. Time flies when you're having fun. Or when you're enjoying grandkids or having new adventures. For now, we are at peace with the decisions we've made and we are looking forward to adventures and experiences in the future. And when next summer comes, we may just be the most prepared travelers on the highway north!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiN4Yvwti2EyJP5T7kWQVslnW1rHcuhDKLCJenODr34Kb9SAwq7yflGaWaM658KkPkyCaGnPLGSuIj3_2TF7Ayl1UNmfz7GyghHzAnKjvmg1Zfvez0t68XFsBsuvSgTG0Dl4xUov8kzoJ7/s1600/Adventure+Awaits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="350" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiN4Yvwti2EyJP5T7kWQVslnW1rHcuhDKLCJenODr34Kb9SAwq7yflGaWaM658KkPkyCaGnPLGSuIj3_2TF7Ayl1UNmfz7GyghHzAnKjvmg1Zfvez0t68XFsBsuvSgTG0Dl4xUov8kzoJ7/s400/Adventure+Awaits.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.hobbylobby.com/Home-Decor-Frames/Mirrors-Wall-Decor/Quotes-Wall-Art/Adventure-Awaits-Map-Wood-Wall-Decor/p/80770403" target="_blank">source</a></div>
Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-83682187226132659932018-04-30T21:36:00.000-07:002018-04-30T21:36:10.856-07:00Making Our Cabin-On-Wheels Ours<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few weeks ago I gave you a sneak peek at our new cabin-on-wheels. (Click <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.withagratefulheart.com/2018/03/our-cabin-on-wheels-sneek-peek.html" target="_blank">here</a></span> if you want to see what I shared.) I promised to show you changes we made and how we've begun to decorate it and make it feel like home. Life keeps moving along and we've had a lot going on, including some trips away in our cabin-on-wheels. So, finally, I slowed my pace and took some photos to show you what we've done. I took photos a on a <i>gorgeous</i> day last week. It was sunny and bright - and difficult to get the best photos because of the extra light and glare. But, inspite of that, you can get an idea of how we live when we're on the road. There are more things to do but this is a start. As with any home I think there will always be something to change or rearrange or organize. When I asked my sweetheart what kind of decor he would like in our new trailer he said, 'hunting cabin'. I suggested we do a more vintage cabin feel and not so much hunting. He liked that idea so you will see how we've added the cabin feel to make this our cabin-on-wheels.</div>
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Here's the way the kitchen looked straight from the dealer. I shared that we ordered it without the black, glass back-splash. Soon we will add our own back-splash - and it will be worth waiting for!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CYkav6MiZdmY0hkwDcSyoodjrnLBKjHUBSMMNEbK2Xd0mOXg0OqrpwHJ3ElsOQzEcvPqPYvqScHdRNI7Oi_NwiI639fTbAXSIVa2zc3yLVlAZH7xpIFS8Wrty3ExjxHnV3rGdjV1ncGr/s1600/Kitchen+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1200" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CYkav6MiZdmY0hkwDcSyoodjrnLBKjHUBSMMNEbK2Xd0mOXg0OqrpwHJ3ElsOQzEcvPqPYvqScHdRNI7Oi_NwiI639fTbAXSIVa2zc3yLVlAZH7xpIFS8Wrty3ExjxHnV3rGdjV1ncGr/s640/Kitchen+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is my kitchen with a few things added.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMK5yQPEEM2VH-E4EIxQDqqsRhyphenhyphenVECSt6Z3HC1pxJREseNBtFEX2d6BT8cLXdDs3Di5CI2dlxAEWTWbi75MctSMYDtEPhuaIy-_iaZKMosORdBCfBHtqj_ZDjdjIL4k0N8LGYQyH622nnp/s1600/Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="520" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMK5yQPEEM2VH-E4EIxQDqqsRhyphenhyphenVECSt6Z3HC1pxJREseNBtFEX2d6BT8cLXdDs3Di5CI2dlxAEWTWbi75MctSMYDtEPhuaIy-_iaZKMosORdBCfBHtqj_ZDjdjIL4k0N8LGYQyH622nnp/s640/Kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We eat a lot of fresh fruit so we always love to have a bowl of fruit on the counter. I found this colander at the Goodwill and knew it would be perfect. It holds our fruit but it also adds a pop of color to my kitchen area.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXhyphenhyphenomP4M7qSTKIntjSZ9nNEAmZhbGmAcD8mDXz8LRf4hsa2K87GGffUQGTZ0j9CgFWtSV0V3i98ieyZwtXCLRvezI3QKepHP8RHvajTjb-Kca2qNlDY_5Q2M1KlKcKrTaFX5HAMpotYC/s1600/Collander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="407" height="569" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXhyphenhyphenomP4M7qSTKIntjSZ9nNEAmZhbGmAcD8mDXz8LRf4hsa2K87GGffUQGTZ0j9CgFWtSV0V3i98ieyZwtXCLRvezI3QKepHP8RHvajTjb-Kca2qNlDY_5Q2M1KlKcKrTaFX5HAMpotYC/s640/Collander.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We bought this spice rack at World Market and my sweetheart attached it firmly to the side of the kitchen cabinet. It's so secure that it travels just like this without a problem. I need to add more spices and one of these days I will get matching bottles with cute labels. I decided not to use glass spice bottles because of the weight so I have my eye on some cute plastic containers that I can dress up with my own labels.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeRaZaRya4W3tn-Qy5f2jSGsVp_bazmjz0orGjaiccVie7_EjI98Vnu-2WvsmKVQOgYegE0kEFoICZykbrRk0GIeeRHr-iHOx-i0n1F_nedizV_RtqC64aS53nDUVPSCY2SIao9kbJoHb/s1600/Spice+Rack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="667" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeRaZaRya4W3tn-Qy5f2jSGsVp_bazmjz0orGjaiccVie7_EjI98Vnu-2WvsmKVQOgYegE0kEFoICZykbrRk0GIeeRHr-iHOx-i0n1F_nedizV_RtqC64aS53nDUVPSCY2SIao9kbJoHb/s640/Spice+Rack.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's always nice to have an assortment of handy kitchen tools available. I needed something fairly lightweight to hold my kitchen utensils. When I found this cute grater planter at Hobby Lobby I knew it was just right. I have plans to replace a few of these utensils with some that have more color. I always love to brighten a spot with color when I can.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NsTu2IjpFUomb9UtBktJ_jDO8zqkxktQmBTztBXsL2heEiKfdWN81fFiqawlIai6USRQiIEIAEWNu8YH8q7o4f8Pd749nFRJDKI3W5GeuGfs8tU68eRUvYqidci5un55QOdGlG4J6tDx/s1600/Kitchen+Utensils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1229" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NsTu2IjpFUomb9UtBktJ_jDO8zqkxktQmBTztBXsL2heEiKfdWN81fFiqawlIai6USRQiIEIAEWNu8YH8q7o4f8Pd749nFRJDKI3W5GeuGfs8tU68eRUvYqidci5un55QOdGlG4J6tDx/s640/Kitchen+Utensils.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
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I had a plain stainless steel teakettle on the stove in our cabin-on-wheels. It was practical but it wasn't anything exciting. One day my sweetheart and I were walking through Walmart when he spied this Pioneer Woman teakettle and decided it was just what I (and my little kitchen) needed. I love it! Do you see the daffodils on it?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lSWDf2TNcQJ2QlCQitnUlYHE6uYvg3FA4Ujsfn0ff1q3UCDWfqJIxKxTnioTag1O6MAFjBkhG57Zcta1OAwxq35BFoa4S8HbA9KSWYm6fgLIdlFraNJjTFo7w8y70Qf6XrHrAHhyphenhyphenZNpP/s1600/Teakettle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="641" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lSWDf2TNcQJ2QlCQitnUlYHE6uYvg3FA4Ujsfn0ff1q3UCDWfqJIxKxTnioTag1O6MAFjBkhG57Zcta1OAwxq35BFoa4S8HbA9KSWYm6fgLIdlFraNJjTFo7w8y70Qf6XrHrAHhyphenhyphenZNpP/s640/Teakettle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This sign above the microwave is another Hobby Lobby find.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aZTvPR8grIV2y0E7RFlBGMtMNABsaVwg2bTEN2pS5c4-oznMhtz1tn6aQERMI9WU6VSFwzkGlU1I9z-zzGIzeSm0ej4Scf01jMQkpdmCZ9-1W5s6EIm_5XWhtVW7EfSJWRVWuCaSph5l/s1600/Kitchen+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="628" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aZTvPR8grIV2y0E7RFlBGMtMNABsaVwg2bTEN2pS5c4-oznMhtz1tn6aQERMI9WU6VSFwzkGlU1I9z-zzGIzeSm0ej4Scf01jMQkpdmCZ9-1W5s6EIm_5XWhtVW7EfSJWRVWuCaSph5l/s640/Kitchen+Sign.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And I found this cute magnet at The Dollar Tree as I walked through the store one day. It's a cute addition to my range hood. The directions say: 'Mix well and serve with love'. Tips: 'One cup full of hugs. One teaspoon of kisses'.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5mUadyhFJUBa1fXZVCsLQbkZN0BsXqHlI6CthwkTINcwz_1Hg2PfeYOHnbv-P1fQNBcDp-V5JgCmP_KR2dQdDkLv_7Npszim8WBT3kr3dl-rBKpXv7cEEm_rwo_tjs4LpMOMvJA7kDDX/s1600/Range+Hood+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="847" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5mUadyhFJUBa1fXZVCsLQbkZN0BsXqHlI6CthwkTINcwz_1Hg2PfeYOHnbv-P1fQNBcDp-V5JgCmP_KR2dQdDkLv_7Npszim8WBT3kr3dl-rBKpXv7cEEm_rwo_tjs4LpMOMvJA7kDDX/s640/Range+Hood+Sign.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I always wanted a small lamp on the dining table and I found this on sale at a local store. I knew it would be perfect and it adds a bit more light. It's perfect for soft light in the evening. The cabin piece was a gift to my sweetheart from our daughter.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjBciPFn1qcOcJW_IG2l-m2oCO6wE320NKeCo7ZgbavueKcyY3ii6I6hwOzRvHUkB24XY6tUDDmHQMdn07H9JCFpc0mLWqGiWveGYGw0y2x7_C7wknPc-LEYfafx6Pan_3CcmmiHlE3s6/s1600/Lamp+and+Cabin+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="401" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjBciPFn1qcOcJW_IG2l-m2oCO6wE320NKeCo7ZgbavueKcyY3ii6I6hwOzRvHUkB24XY6tUDDmHQMdn07H9JCFpc0mLWqGiWveGYGw0y2x7_C7wknPc-LEYfafx6Pan_3CcmmiHlE3s6/s640/Lamp+and+Cabin+Sign.jpg" width="458" /></a></div>
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This is the way the dinette and entertainment center looked in the basic model. Since we ordered our cabin-on-wheels we chose some options that we haven't regretted at all.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-ZL1QvnNhytYHU6UqFFtFeKzuIyvcXttVr5MpQEsNfGNyqFNOvHAP-TOsiQVpc4ECh-RBdxZyLrWHaN1BVPgrOtQo-c5Jn5Zqcl0T_CI7AxmpaQu2b-N33aWi-vSKs5lrAEcb3Ts0AOi/s1600/Dinette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1200" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-ZL1QvnNhytYHU6UqFFtFeKzuIyvcXttVr5MpQEsNfGNyqFNOvHAP-TOsiQVpc4ECh-RBdxZyLrWHaN1BVPgrOtQo-c5Jn5Zqcl0T_CI7AxmpaQu2b-N33aWi-vSKs5lrAEcb3Ts0AOi/s640/Dinette.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was something special that we dreamed of having and it was an add-on option we chose. A fireplace! It's electric so we can heat our cabin-on-wheels without using propane when we're plugged into power. We can have the 'fire' on without heat for ambiance, or we can have the 'fire' on with heat to keep us toasty warm. I couldn't avoid reflections on this very sunny day but you can get the idea.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ArQf7bVgoEokepjVfTuwv9kduVeCh185UmDMHcl3ZqLZbqKYEbcN2YS02pVnAgOKwFpUI8NP6dK8txQWJg3nbDgoClpH0xvbhS1jfIAo14AV9fYrBNXFQE80rSysFoUxUfwCL1kTgg6l/s1600/Fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="460" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ArQf7bVgoEokepjVfTuwv9kduVeCh185UmDMHcl3ZqLZbqKYEbcN2YS02pVnAgOKwFpUI8NP6dK8txQWJg3nbDgoClpH0xvbhS1jfIAo14AV9fYrBNXFQE80rSysFoUxUfwCL1kTgg6l/s640/Fireplace.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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On our first trip with our new cabin-on-wheels my little dog, Joey, pulled his doggie bed over in front of the 'fire' and decided that space belonged to him!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb68yN47kx2oSB73KC5eBna1Bz8r1wacUvaj1R44VjdwMk4YGRKFdkTT_5nj35fkacEqiwjdoKe4umugH12WGIb447j7sUCjCQksosjb1dG203nuN4nSzQlcsbQwFahkdbs4ei7xglLRhb/s1600/Joey+and+Fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb68yN47kx2oSB73KC5eBna1Bz8r1wacUvaj1R44VjdwMk4YGRKFdkTT_5nj35fkacEqiwjdoKe4umugH12WGIb447j7sUCjCQksosjb1dG203nuN4nSzQlcsbQwFahkdbs4ei7xglLRhb/s640/Joey+and+Fireplace.jpg" width="536" /></a></div>
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The fireplace has a little 'mantel' so my sweetheart and I decided to decorate it a bit. I added two little battery-operated candle lanterns (a yard sale find!) and my sweetheart chose this sweet little sign on a recent trip to Hobby Lobby. I'm still thinking about ways to hide the cords. I'm sure I'll come up with something.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUPtSlAEIfTUSVJPl2zs57HcQgWdXU76xNEVaubl7wtWZvzDzfZRNefGN9Goif-Fv77Rjbj_Y2wlCgo5L76YKeA-7eB8xEvRtKTCfXaexDYQ8hR9akqgQZMOE_cxQJXGRSNQpDvkF2TCI/s1600/Mantel+Decor+Upclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="786" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUPtSlAEIfTUSVJPl2zs57HcQgWdXU76xNEVaubl7wtWZvzDzfZRNefGN9Goif-Fv77Rjbj_Y2wlCgo5L76YKeA-7eB8xEvRtKTCfXaexDYQ8hR9akqgQZMOE_cxQJXGRSNQpDvkF2TCI/s640/Mantel+Decor+Upclose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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He also found a holder for the remotes (for the television, stereo system and fireplace).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5qvXCJu5EBZK_3CHdOJ29vkotdY3M0qMLxwTPJSlBP7eG0j5G2I5I784GSBTO1lK3zX2khDph1SB05nHH20WHqRATokuRAH0KMZh_71ZdMyK9vegwxZM9Ij5q2WOWynPoOd1TXpFw_Lp/s1600/Mantel+Boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="869" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5qvXCJu5EBZK_3CHdOJ29vkotdY3M0qMLxwTPJSlBP7eG0j5G2I5I784GSBTO1lK3zX2khDph1SB05nHH20WHqRATokuRAH0KMZh_71ZdMyK9vegwxZM9Ij5q2WOWynPoOd1TXpFw_Lp/s640/Mantel+Boat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There isn't a lot of wall space in the living area of our new cabin-on-wheels so I had to be a bit creative. I found these two burlap and metal pieces on the clearance table of a local store so I added them to the cabinet doors above the television.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cGJNRsTkZBGMxcJtUx8fr5giXCvXnO5QcnjNRHzWDv9l5QhoKB3srqvB9zhJh_bxdAkStwT3B4oEGNl9YPBFBhHmhSKyVL8HYwk3VB5gGqbWXJDbcpVC9bkiWvDk1Px4nJQFSir4y_h3/s1600/Cabinet+Decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="825" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cGJNRsTkZBGMxcJtUx8fr5giXCvXnO5QcnjNRHzWDv9l5QhoKB3srqvB9zhJh_bxdAkStwT3B4oEGNl9YPBFBhHmhSKyVL8HYwk3VB5gGqbWXJDbcpVC9bkiWvDk1Px4nJQFSir4y_h3/s640/Cabinet+Decor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This sofa was what came with the basic model of our cabin-on-wheels. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_mHPAbOJ8PXjiPnRAIA8tSbAKsDvBeCvIj9dyF3hCYcICUPaAs1k5KfvD0U-f-lBEd4kaSnChAxhcxXuwLQx7ji3rhi8S8ryEBD45DqoecO2fgz4v1j1oXmqqrbpUhZaYUk-5nLZ5fJh/s1600/Sofa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1200" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_mHPAbOJ8PXjiPnRAIA8tSbAKsDvBeCvIj9dyF3hCYcICUPaAs1k5KfvD0U-f-lBEd4kaSnChAxhcxXuwLQx7ji3rhi8S8ryEBD45DqoecO2fgz4v1j1oXmqqrbpUhZaYUk-5nLZ5fJh/s640/Sofa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My sweetheart and I decided to add the 'recliner' option and we are sure
glad we did. These chairs are pure comfort and we feel right at home
when we enjoy time here.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBMv8yqD-2CHLloc5PW6pBET3yen1kV0c1M8Cggh7Tzv3T3hkFJ__7wXdYPD07sMc-9QIiGYdRTT0bzVaTSK_0_j9HkAIWKQ64-yWA6a5aSGkjyjhrvnZVMXjTKpSXWdHi-qAwYxSQ1q5/s1600/Recliners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="869" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBMv8yqD-2CHLloc5PW6pBET3yen1kV0c1M8Cggh7Tzv3T3hkFJ__7wXdYPD07sMc-9QIiGYdRTT0bzVaTSK_0_j9HkAIWKQ64-yWA6a5aSGkjyjhrvnZVMXjTKpSXWdHi-qAwYxSQ1q5/s640/Recliners.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On the wall beside the recliners (to the left in this photo) is a sign my sweetheart found at Hobby Lobby. We thought it would be perfect here. And it is. It's a good reminder to relax and enjoy our 'cabin'.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuN83HN7DKqJJz5XKlvPsKcOyxrytjDub_LhskQEMBetE8IyCt4S9EeUrgx3eI6cm3n3_14hCaN0ztfuL1SjetKvDhswd7mG-_YoOJXcE_Zx4F0VckrOoq7f0G5Jej03lL5jyjXCIXJ3I-/s1600/Cabin+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1041" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuN83HN7DKqJJz5XKlvPsKcOyxrytjDub_LhskQEMBetE8IyCt4S9EeUrgx3eI6cm3n3_14hCaN0ztfuL1SjetKvDhswd7mG-_YoOJXcE_Zx4F0VckrOoq7f0G5Jej03lL5jyjXCIXJ3I-/s640/Cabin+Sign.jpg" width="416" /></a></div>
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I showed you this control panel that is on the end of the upper cabinet just inside the main door. I wasn't thrilled to see it there with all the buttons and switches and monitors in plain sight. I had hoped it would be a place I could decorate with something welcoming. But it wasn't so I had to be flexible. In each of our other two trailers my sweetheart has wanted a hat rack - a place where he could hang his hats. That wasn't the best idea in my opinion but when he and I talked about how visible this control panel is he made a suggestion and I jumped on it right away. He added two Command brand hooks above everything and - viola- instant hat rack! He's happy and so am I. And it's easy to access the switches when we need them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcSFeaOmXCQoMs_g8OUoUa65Kw8Iux0ob6-nTLBojTC9xs_8mwBQGfD5t9Un_uVROy41T8dOcIKxh5EOBdzPfF8IroGmWiQFfotL2juywhyphenhyphenwTg9F-ocak0r80QY7-vq3gVjnZMnOK-ROC/s1600/Hat+Rack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="489" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcSFeaOmXCQoMs_g8OUoUa65Kw8Iux0ob6-nTLBojTC9xs_8mwBQGfD5t9Un_uVROy41T8dOcIKxh5EOBdzPfF8IroGmWiQFfotL2juywhyphenhyphenwTg9F-ocak0r80QY7-vq3gVjnZMnOK-ROC/s640/Hat+Rack.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I showed you the little bathroom area with the ugly shower curtain that came with the trailer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWUzzi6HJ86gEJAPcZS_04wCX7N5dSo_bO_totaGYXIh4eQXlYh1Zb_PZM5sNQvWYm2xflCHxxHuuTCT7VpVGAcQb3V8k241zdDdPiKJcqJWAxbRJ-ZXMF4bmpvBrj4_5smDePgkq5iNl/s1600/Bathroom+Sink+and+Shower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWUzzi6HJ86gEJAPcZS_04wCX7N5dSo_bO_totaGYXIh4eQXlYh1Zb_PZM5sNQvWYm2xflCHxxHuuTCT7VpVGAcQb3V8k241zdDdPiKJcqJWAxbRJ-ZXMF4bmpvBrj4_5smDePgkq5iNl/s640/Bathroom+Sink+and+Shower.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The shower curtain was one of the first things I changed. I bought it long before we brought our cabin-on-wheels home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVTXNCdL1n2GzZto2-a3lSG6-_Z2FlVTc_mpS5ijQG-n2UBAH5Y_FCpU7nWJCQtCCMcH_02gKx7bCYc-WNsfxua-QakD_FJ2Ui5WJpLpXsv2l55rwYxQ2rzkRgy6_zAV84NlVfVCJLnjF/s1600/Shower+Curtain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="489" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVTXNCdL1n2GzZto2-a3lSG6-_Z2FlVTc_mpS5ijQG-n2UBAH5Y_FCpU7nWJCQtCCMcH_02gKx7bCYc-WNsfxua-QakD_FJ2Ui5WJpLpXsv2l55rwYxQ2rzkRgy6_zAV84NlVfVCJLnjF/s640/Shower+Curtain.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We changed the shower curtain rod, too. We bought an Extend-A-Rod that's made for RVs. The rod has two 'elbow' joints (where I added arrows) so it can flex. It goes in and out of the way when the shower isn't being used. It makes the little bathroom feel a tiny bit bigger and it lets more light into the room through the skylight. (We also added a tension shower rod across the top of the shower so we can hang things to dry. It's great for wet coats when we come in from the rain!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoO8AW_yoeAsLhnMqtHixONRd4lySV8oC5xeSWQeyljYLkAFOl3ejFsFG3YBo4hnXUY1TeAGhk5IurFfhEnLN0xb4H8lspV3n0A5yydycs91EpPhyXK8XLY-KdF-cvmjXs0bsR1zylo5nH/s1600/Extend-A-Rod+Closed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="792" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoO8AW_yoeAsLhnMqtHixONRd4lySV8oC5xeSWQeyljYLkAFOl3ejFsFG3YBo4hnXUY1TeAGhk5IurFfhEnLN0xb4H8lspV3n0A5yydycs91EpPhyXK8XLY-KdF-cvmjXs0bsR1zylo5nH/s640/Extend-A-Rod+Closed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When we're ready to take a shower we move it out and we instantly have more elbow room while in the shower. It's been wonderful!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh80MvhFCNBYQ2bSP5hyphenhyphenbwyStiP9-O7A999BKLUtWh0dB27PtgRz_njqyIQJoBDhPcfKoFrw74aw0S54_keZmUEI9Ck62Wkbt1FltOrgNoq4s_lVcntGHE7H-ObsNE7ZSZsMIQz21ehGc/s1600/Extend-A-Rod+Extended.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="654" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh80MvhFCNBYQ2bSP5hyphenhyphenbwyStiP9-O7A999BKLUtWh0dB27PtgRz_njqyIQJoBDhPcfKoFrw74aw0S54_keZmUEI9Ck62Wkbt1FltOrgNoq4s_lVcntGHE7H-ObsNE7ZSZsMIQz21ehGc/s640/Extend-A-Rod+Extended.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This model didn't have any cabinet or storage area for bath towels in the little bathroom so I decided to get creative. I found the perfect wire and rustic wood box at an outlet store. My sweetheart screwed it securely into the wall and I rolled the bath towels and it works great. I'm looking for a flat metal sign of some kind to add below - something that we won't hit our heads or backs on when we use the potty!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9o3kJyJ4krjF48rogfQzQ0dAyZykOTvxYFO7NAsrFAQwcbvB41I5e8LUTH8bhDrqH5GTItTsNAtyT5Tgvloz6GjqYQokjgC4uPh_7VvE8rbMRR5Iq7p1hAynwEtPD3bBgwRqKv-CdR9pS/s1600/Towel+Storage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="489" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9o3kJyJ4krjF48rogfQzQ0dAyZykOTvxYFO7NAsrFAQwcbvB41I5e8LUTH8bhDrqH5GTItTsNAtyT5Tgvloz6GjqYQokjgC4uPh_7VvE8rbMRR5Iq7p1hAynwEtPD3bBgwRqKv-CdR9pS/s640/Towel+Storage.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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As I shared in the sneak peek before, the bathroom sink is in the hallway across from the bathroom door. You can see it in the photo beside the old shower curtain in the photo above. There is a lot of space in the medicine cabinet but someone didn't space the shelves to allow tall bottles to stand. So we thought about it for awhile and decided to add something to the side wall. This little rustic metal box from Hobby Lobby is perfect! It's handy and things travel in it without falling out. And I still have unused decorating space above it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeSobUiK3HJ9869NjUuSd-JoYJZ7pLjp4PUTIxqGSjxB8WP3Z9kb8CEPMJc_HdIa99hQD2GuRJVGoxkKzzU_vpRR_Ah5pH0a6EX0NpBhlctKTq-ml_e6osDybrd6R1xrxfyfjazU-E38S/s1600/Bathroom+Storage+Box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="489" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeSobUiK3HJ9869NjUuSd-JoYJZ7pLjp4PUTIxqGSjxB8WP3Z9kb8CEPMJc_HdIa99hQD2GuRJVGoxkKzzU_vpRR_Ah5pH0a6EX0NpBhlctKTq-ml_e6osDybrd6R1xrxfyfjazU-E38S/s640/Bathroom+Storage+Box.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Our bedroom really reflects the vintage-y cabin look we wanted. Every new RV comes with a bedspread and most people I know quickly replace it with something else. I spent a lot of time looking for what we wanted and I finally found it - in the children's department at Target! I was really surprised to find a queen-size quilt in the children's department. Notice the throw pillow that my sweetheart found on a clearance table at a local store. We had decided that we would only add one throw pillow on our bed because there's not much space to put them when we go to bed at night. I knew he really wanted this pillow and it adds to a bit of 'hunting' to our bedroom. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwPjD5m4FSEHBqRaL_c6z_SNHWzi1xC5gqjscBeQzWIp0CjNgAyeDNRR9sEUoIXi6TRVtfLGcEohZTAAVmOsOrEkVRnMk0Z2n6aFspDiUo3wfcQ74Fqh5lPVBzIkKOV6q2aKBBiIoZqGa/s1600/Bedroom+Quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwPjD5m4FSEHBqRaL_c6z_SNHWzi1xC5gqjscBeQzWIp0CjNgAyeDNRR9sEUoIXi6TRVtfLGcEohZTAAVmOsOrEkVRnMk0Z2n6aFspDiUo3wfcQ74Fqh5lPVBzIkKOV6q2aKBBiIoZqGa/s640/Bedroom+Quilt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We have big nightstands on each side of the bed. That's something most RV's don't have and we were thrilled to have these. I found this cute little battery-operated lantern in the Christmas clearance aisle at Walmart. It has a timer and it makes a great little night light for evenings when we might go in and out of the bedroom. I wish there had been another one for the other nightstand.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHdMhO6cDfEA4RUNIa8yfWS6KMKlhrhpqMTDM2AIBo_Vtp6lGrAyscAjDDKR5m58SI_e6_Lqwkhl6b3T4ZTS0IbL4uEhcuafY7w4EQo1JuTT5lcdk5jP00zSoOSrSpdxbMW1XHlejxQWS/s1600/Bedside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="579" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHdMhO6cDfEA4RUNIa8yfWS6KMKlhrhpqMTDM2AIBo_Vtp6lGrAyscAjDDKR5m58SI_e6_Lqwkhl6b3T4ZTS0IbL4uEhcuafY7w4EQo1JuTT5lcdk5jP00zSoOSrSpdxbMW1XHlejxQWS/s640/Bedside.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have a bit of decorating on the bedroom walls but there's more to come. We found this cute sign and it didn't take long to decide to hang it on my sweetheart's side of the bed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVNCxFK1VI_oflLKCfeIn9_ZuGoM0VvU2kzUhepFIYg9k-1iBEIQo6-i0BseqYCcKn2NNeXlo4LAvlG5upd71IWl4R095IpHuKvSQjLWXkdqEcHJf7GB9tPhyphenhyphen94cV8og2-K6enZdEzjYs/s1600/Don%2527t+Wake+The+Bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="869" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVNCxFK1VI_oflLKCfeIn9_ZuGoM0VvU2kzUhepFIYg9k-1iBEIQo6-i0BseqYCcKn2NNeXlo4LAvlG5upd71IWl4R095IpHuKvSQjLWXkdqEcHJf7GB9tPhyphenhyphen94cV8og2-K6enZdEzjYs/s640/Don%2527t+Wake+The+Bear.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My sweetheart found a vintage-style poster on canvas on a clearance aisle of a local store. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pW77g_2zaphGtiLBfusJsY1YYFLUUq3muqzVJKCNvheSLlkU9sVeWH2wDTLIKtpmswgUCNlXfRl-TviXNSL8IpswWOLXCZrCweTEv6RLQkyjD4kEe-LQyWNj22vJtq2eBOS1XaFHVjg2/s1600/Alaska+Art+Upclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="489" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pW77g_2zaphGtiLBfusJsY1YYFLUUq3muqzVJKCNvheSLlkU9sVeWH2wDTLIKtpmswgUCNlXfRl-TviXNSL8IpswWOLXCZrCweTEv6RLQkyjD4kEe-LQyWNj22vJtq2eBOS1XaFHVjg2/s640/Alaska+Art+Upclose.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We both loved it immediately and knew it had to go on the biggest wall of the bedroom. It hangs at the foot of the bed and I plan to hang some of my own photos around it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKqYRTkCxhvFSMdln2oH4ekD9prbZQgF0yLAxuTkGWsPUodviyWn3dtH86aywnOPWuYgLnKP9Ru6boLQwWqlQnV7nJadTVA46oaTcYVqd2C2FG3huCfpDsRoelD4S3kY0na_7NWwT-YUo/s1600/Alaska+Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="489" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKqYRTkCxhvFSMdln2oH4ekD9prbZQgF0yLAxuTkGWsPUodviyWn3dtH86aywnOPWuYgLnKP9Ru6boLQwWqlQnV7nJadTVA46oaTcYVqd2C2FG3huCfpDsRoelD4S3kY0na_7NWwT-YUo/s640/Alaska+Art.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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There was one 'prime' decorating spot that I had plans for in the bedroom. When we did the walk-through on the day we got our new trailer I was surprised that this spot had been claimed for something I hadn't expected. But it is necessary. We added a solar panel to the roof of our cabin-on-wheels. It recharges the batteries that run the power we use when we're not plugged into land power.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCouralPOpZpQVDeQx-vVALs5Mk_4X3eafaEiDGf5WFq2RX-lpjD6t2pKMwwnsflVJOTnNI4uoZTznJer_vp0dOn0VTdoGO4Hs0lnEVpMm_ifmJ2gGmpsLRwYxtp5XDzF0npJuqBtuEnVe/s1600/Rooftop+Solar+Panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCouralPOpZpQVDeQx-vVALs5Mk_4X3eafaEiDGf5WFq2RX-lpjD6t2pKMwwnsflVJOTnNI4uoZTznJer_vp0dOn0VTdoGO4Hs0lnEVpMm_ifmJ2gGmpsLRwYxtp5XDzF0npJuqBtuEnVe/s640/Rooftop+Solar+Panel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, I lost the decorating spot between the cabinet doors above our bed. The solar panel controller needs to go inside near panel that's on the roof above the bed. While I lost a decorating spot, it's OK. I'm getting used to it and I'll appreciate it when we are camping off-grid.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QWy1aYUrBwtxFiA_v3EO-wPwaJPCpWUT-KfMUAzmvWLdHNSOGXFufF_EbsLPQLs2OXRA-nMj1zJo1ycNnA9czVLMWRpv-Tme77vtoWwKjMVCqNDBZqydK_p_NtoUzvL0WgxILGjblpDQ/s1600/Solar+Controller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="1600" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QWy1aYUrBwtxFiA_v3EO-wPwaJPCpWUT-KfMUAzmvWLdHNSOGXFufF_EbsLPQLs2OXRA-nMj1zJo1ycNnA9czVLMWRpv-Tme77vtoWwKjMVCqNDBZqydK_p_NtoUzvL0WgxILGjblpDQ/s640/Solar+Controller.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I enjoy having lights that add to the cozy feel in the evening. A girlfriend gave me some battery-operated lights that I added at the top of the slide-out dinette. We enjoy having them on when we spend an evening 'at home' when we're on the road.</div>
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And the fireplace and little candle lanterns on the mantel add just the right mood for those evenings in.</div>
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There are more projects and things to add to the decor planned but - like in any home - things take time. I'll share more when things begin to happen.</div>
Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-59858630823525940872018-04-26T23:08:00.000-07:002018-04-26T23:08:45.377-07:00The Church - Then and NowA few months ago I shared my childhood home <a href="http://www.withagratefulheart.com/2017/09/my-childhood-home-then.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.withagratefulheart.com/2017/12/my-childhood-home-now.html" target="_blank">here</a>. My childhood home was the parsonage we lived in when my father was a minister in Central Oregon. I promised to show you the church where he was the minister. My childhood home has been completely restored and is now a wonderful vacation rental home. The church next door has also been completely restored and is also a vacation rental that would be a great place for us to have a reunion with our children and eight grandchildren.<br />
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Here is a photo taken by my mother when we lived there. You can see a bit of the parsonage where we lived on the left side of the photo.<br />
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Here was the church in winter. My dad was shoveling snow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kp6piZutKk0VRhyphenhyphenAJDTzWYwpRXpgnK0g3kLlkNJKp9OyeFhEjyzOBJZP7PfbOlXaRZ4RIYnq1Un94VFfVXao7ABkq1MoPICMiPKZbPy02CLZPoGhSS_aQwNTM-J_zq0BYXuMT3w9X2sa/s1600/Bend+Church+-+Childhood+-+Winter+Snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="718" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kp6piZutKk0VRhyphenhyphenAJDTzWYwpRXpgnK0g3kLlkNJKp9OyeFhEjyzOBJZP7PfbOlXaRZ4RIYnq1Un94VFfVXao7ABkq1MoPICMiPKZbPy02CLZPoGhSS_aQwNTM-J_zq0BYXuMT3w9X2sa/s640/Bend+Church+-+Childhood+-+Winter+Snow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And here I am peeking out the front doors of the church. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4FkB77dZfB3oMwu4W2Hzbp3fKbjmITJ_D6H5QdKI1qyxs-75CUQEWkGwS2jRiFIkLELtQQV4Wg__GcRLhK0grTLnjq_LtTPmI06MrokymvGkFqHEfI7ZdWdcbiASEzdrziWbsCL7oo7V/s1600/Bend+-+Childhood+-+Church+Doors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="558" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4FkB77dZfB3oMwu4W2Hzbp3fKbjmITJ_D6H5QdKI1qyxs-75CUQEWkGwS2jRiFIkLELtQQV4Wg__GcRLhK0grTLnjq_LtTPmI06MrokymvGkFqHEfI7ZdWdcbiASEzdrziWbsCL7oo7V/s640/Bend+-+Childhood+-+Church+Doors.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The church and the parsonage are on the National Register of Historic Places. The church was built in 1923 - the same year my parents were born. The church was historically called 'The Alliance Tabernacle'. The church is reported to be the first wooden church structure built entirely by volunteers from the congregation west of the Mississippi River. The National Register says it was a modest example of a Craftsman style church with a combination of clapboard and shingle side, one-over-one double hung windows and a small entry vestibule centered on the main facade and the roof boasted a monitor style central window down the ridge of the building. I remember all of those details so well.<br />
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Here's what it looks like today after the restoration.<br />
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It's beautiful! And there's the yellow home where I lived. There was a lot of life lived in these two buildings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUL6FDe6idoBjy_9se8As9plePUGsxPm5O2xarQSD82qcY6q8Fewp0ch9bz1K9KUQQHKnj0YP2_am1XPg1mzZrS-mKx-O4-PeGFmRJ2JtranXOXkA27NpYnMtualG-CmesR-Di-nzfUfJl/s1600/The+Church+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="912" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUL6FDe6idoBjy_9se8As9plePUGsxPm5O2xarQSD82qcY6q8Fewp0ch9bz1K9KUQQHKnj0YP2_am1XPg1mzZrS-mKx-O4-PeGFmRJ2JtranXOXkA27NpYnMtualG-CmesR-Di-nzfUfJl/s640/The+Church+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Come inside with me. When you step inside through the double front doors you enter the old 'vestibule' where I spent time before and after services as we visited with friends. That circular staircase wasn't there back in the day. The doorway on the left went into the old church nursery. There was a door on the right that led to the stairway to upstairs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7LZBQ0VRj7rsWclu0ThJgp2ZshA2kHq9WcJkMjJ3tfSQQYeQ5Nk_nKa2zDvsMOj5bx3RiDnEN1fxv4D58aHkn9hfySCoEXBGFFVcyOVEYyuw-eRVhaGC_uQd4EbAA78mxXLFsH03aKrR/s1600/The+Church+Inside+-+Vestibule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7LZBQ0VRj7rsWclu0ThJgp2ZshA2kHq9WcJkMjJ3tfSQQYeQ5Nk_nKa2zDvsMOj5bx3RiDnEN1fxv4D58aHkn9hfySCoEXBGFFVcyOVEYyuw-eRVhaGC_uQd4EbAA78mxXLFsH03aKrR/s640/The+Church+Inside+-+Vestibule.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
As you walked through the vestibule you walked right into the sanctuary.
Oh, the memories of hours and hours spent here. These are the original
floors - the same floors I walked on way back then. The upstairs has
been opened up but it was closed and there were classrooms up there.
There was no hallway where the stairs are on the back wall. That was a
wall at the back of the platform. There was a door on the left that went
into my father's study. Rows of rather rustic wooden pews were on both
sides of a central aisle. <br />
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This photo must have been taken from where the old platform was. You can
see that a nice kitchen has been added for anyone who rents The Church.<br />
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A nice seating area is across from the kitchen.<br />
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Through the doorway on the right was the 'Sunday School office'. That's where the attendance records were kept and where the offerings from Sunday School and church services were counted. There were supplies and all kinds of interesting things in there. It always intrigued me when I was a kid.<br />
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The ceiling in the center of the sanctuary was at the bottom of the black beams. The rooms upstairs were a fun place for a kid to go for class. Somehow it always felt like a magical place to me. The walls of each classroom were between the sets of windows and we had to walk through one room to get to the next. There was no hallway.<br />
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The master bedroom seems to be through the door to the right - where the old Sunday School office used to be. <br />
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There was no bathroom in the church back in those days but a nice master bathroom has been added. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kejzmCniFvKFARnvI0E51JzjDVS1A6gmzANKaykBm776YqT6-LwcVCdwItkx7Mq7USYMe3tt7MCMy9NYeuRvam2C4QVFPkdDwRAX5FqIuTJ3w1mwMF4_ghrp3tyxPuFdjEuCiHFFkDQQ/s1600/The+Church+Inside+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kejzmCniFvKFARnvI0E51JzjDVS1A6gmzANKaykBm776YqT6-LwcVCdwItkx7Mq7USYMe3tt7MCMy9NYeuRvam2C4QVFPkdDwRAX5FqIuTJ3w1mwMF4_ghrp3tyxPuFdjEuCiHFFkDQQ/s640/The+Church+Inside+10.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
It's a nice addition to this corner of the building.<br />
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There is another bedroom. . .<br />
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And another bathroom on the downstairs level.<br />
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They have created a nice loft area at each end. Here's one end. . .<br />
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And the other one. The loft areas can also provide sleeping areas if needed. I'd like to spend time up here just daydreaming.<br />
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Outside, the building has been beautifully restored and some outside areas have been added. When I lived here this side of the building was a dirt hillside with bushes along the side of the building. I spent a lot of time playing in the dirt here and pretending every sort of thing a kid can imagine. There was a basement that could only be accessed from a little stairwell at the front of the church. Now it can be entered from this side. I can't wait to have a tour some day so I can see what they've done with the basement.<br />
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An outside seating area has been added on the hillside. It looks like an inviting place to spend some time.<br />
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There is another outside area with a firepit in the back of the church. This area was all dirt when I lived here. There was a flat area right behind the building and then the dirt hillside went up toward the next street above the church and the parsonage.<br />
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I was so happy to see that the church was still there and I could hardly believe how beautiful it is now. I have more memories than there is time to share - times I treasure and some times that were hard. There was magic and fun and reality and friends and family and memories to last a lifetime! Oh how I wish my mom and dad could see it now. They would be thrilled and they would have incredible memories to share, too. Someday when I am in that part of Oregon I hope to take a tour of the church and my childhood home, the parsonage. I'm sure I can tell the owners tales they have not heard before and history that's not written down.<br />
<br />Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-73245021413086607502018-03-01T09:06:00.000-08:002018-03-01T09:06:44.553-08:00Our Cabin-On-Wheels - A Sneek PeekI promised to show you our new cabin-on-wheels but I'm not quite ready to show you what ours looks like. I need to take some photos to share what we've done to make it our own. I always decorate and make minor changes so our trailers don't look like every other one on the lot. Until I get a few more photos to share I'll give you a tour from the manufacturer's website. We ordered some changes but the footprint of the trailer is the same.<br />
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Our new trailer is made by Outdoors RV in LaGrande, Oregon. That's on the eastern part of our state where it gets <i>real </i>cold in the winter. The folks in LaGrande know how to keep things comfortable and warm in the winter. These trailers are made to withstand cold temperatures and for cold weather camping. There were several models we liked but this one had all the bells and whistles on our list. Since we've had two trailers before we already knew things we wanted in another trailer. We planned all along to upgrade one more time and this is the one we absolutely love! So, please make yourself comfortable and join me for a tour.<br />
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Our trailer looks like this. Two doors - one on the back into the main living area and one into the bedroom. We have a big awning that makes outdoor living comfortable. The square door toward the lower front of the trailer is a pass-through storage area that can be accessed from either side of the trailer.<br />
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The other side of the trailer looks like this. You can see where the slide-out 'room' is. Slides sure add a lot of living space to a trailer. Some RVs have multiple slides but we are happy with this one. You can see the door on the other side of the storage pass-through.<br />
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This is our floorplan. I'll explain some things as we go along. The 'front' door is the back door. As you can see, it leads into the main living area. The floorplan shows a television in the bedroom. It's wired for it but we've chosen not to add it to our trailer.<br />
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As we step inside you will see a panel of controls on the end of the overhead cabinet to your right. Some manufacturers put all of the controls behind a cabinet door so they aren't visible and, honestly, I wasn't thrilled to have them here but they really do make it much easier to see and control things in and out of the trailer. With the push a button we can extend the awning or pull it back in. Our last two trailers had manual hand-crank awnings. This is so simple. Press another button and the dinette slide moves out to full extension on its own. When it's time to get ready to move down the road my sweetheart asks me to 'put the slide in' and I push that button and it comes inside the trailer and stops in just the right place. When I take photos of our trailer I'll show you what that looks like when the slide is in for travel. Other controls here turn on the water pump for sinks and bathroom water use when we're not hooked up to water. We turn on our hot water tank and can check the levels of our fresh water tank and our holding tanks here. We added a solar panel to the roof and one of these controls turns it on. It's really amazing that we can stand in one spot and handle everything we need to keep things running or ready to move. I mentioned that I wasn't thrilled to have the controls right here. That seemed like a prime spot for decorating - maybe a small bulletin board or a welcome sign. Or something. But not buttons and controls! My sweetheart had an idea and it was good. His idea made sense. I'll show you what it is when I share more photos.<br />
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We chose a different color scheme for our trailer. We have brown leather and different fabric on the valances and the dinette seats. You will see the difference when I show you our trailer.<br />
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The kitchen is on the rear wall of the trailer and it wraps around on the far wall. To the right is our refrigerator. This refrigerator is bigger than what we had in our last two trailers. Next is my stove and microwave. The sink is in the corner and I love the sink covers that are made from the same material as the counter top. They provide extra work space when I need more room.<br />
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We ordered our trailer without the back-splash you see in this photo.
It's made of glass, has the company logo and has a space between the
wall and back-splash that would be a nightmare to keep clean. We have some great plans for back-splash. That will be
added soon. The stove has a folding glass cover that is 'up' in this photo. You can see the manufacturer's sticker on the cover. The cover helps keep the stove top clean and protected from dust when we travel on back roads that aren't paved. When it's down it also adds work space. <br />
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I love the stainless double sink and the pull-out faucet. My faucet is
bronze and matches all of the faucets in the bathroom area.<br />
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The trailer slide holds the dinette that is next to the end of the kitchen cabinet. We absolutely loved this big dinette. We could seat six at the table if we were all friendly and cozy. The table is bigger than most and the window on the side is very large. We've already enjoyed some wonderful views out this window. The smaller windows on each end of the slide are a good size, too. You can see a drawer under the dinette seat. There are drawers for storage under both seats. My last trailer had cabinet doors for the storage area under the seats and I almost had to lie down on my tummy to reach things inside. I was thrilled to see two drawers in this model. <br />
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Here's another view of the dinette. You can see the skylight that lets in a lot of light. The pleated shade is closed in this photo but we keep it open most of the time, especially at this time of year. You can see our entertainment center just around the corner from the dinette. <br />
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We have a large TV and a great stereo system with surround sound
throughout the trailer. When we ordered the trailer we made a change in the
cabinet area below. You will see that when I share photos of our
trailer. The straps you see in this photo are used for security when we travel. I don't leave them attached when we live in the trailer.<br />
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Our seating area is across from the dinette slide. We chose two swivel recliners in place of the sleeper sofa. The
recliners are comfortable and fit our lifestyle well. You can also get a glimpse of our dinette table top. It's made to look like repurposed wood. It fits the style we've chosen for decorating the trailer. The counter under the television and the bathroom sink counter are the same.<br />
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This photo shows a feature we really wanted in another trailer - lots of storage! And we have it. the cabinets beside the sofa are incredible. The pantry is next to the sofa and the two doors to the left of the pantry are a big closet! Three big drawers underneath and two small drawers give us a lot of space, especially when we take long trips. We were determined to have enough closet space and storage so we can live in our trailer for a few months at a time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSt02VPYMpVMA74E9Q1SSGzafEDD3JL5Jr8dGIwT5z-swLdnC-mYh1NabJQQUm_jdbVX9IiF7Xggl3StF7nxH4cvE1Dk_BdNzfaEEh4HZjM6PBRU-jq2pF-LhNBH7aX5hxLSHgKUbBog_/s1600/Living+Area+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1200" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSt02VPYMpVMA74E9Q1SSGzafEDD3JL5Jr8dGIwT5z-swLdnC-mYh1NabJQQUm_jdbVX9IiF7Xggl3StF7nxH4cvE1Dk_BdNzfaEEh4HZjM6PBRU-jq2pF-LhNBH7aX5hxLSHgKUbBog_/s640/Living+Area+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
You can see the pantry, closet and storage area well in this photo. The hallway leads to the bathroom and bedroom on the front end of the trailer.<br />
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The bathroom sink is at the end of the closet, just across from the door into the 'powder room'.<br />
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Across from the sink is the door into the bathroom. It is a little room with the potty and bathtub/shower. Our first trailer had a tub that was so small I could bathe in a few gallons of water - with my knees up under my chin. While I won't be able to stretch out and lounge for hours in this one, it's much bigger and deeper than the first. A skylight in the shower adds height for tall people and it brings a lot of nice light into the bathroom without sacrificing privacy. The trailer came with this shower curtain. It's not my style and I
quickly made a change there. Our new curtain is so much better! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRiGQFeKg5SengOG5-mT93O_p3pPQKGEKdt090LJHhzNCHgjmBI5bXJMmQ-0ObgX-U9coW6-c8NoeAaK2bBohRdmmqAQfrZUH3snCgwy00zSanF47V1vPPKH9xAX_ggTKPl0tPyDO5tq0/s1600/Tub+and+Shower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="590" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRiGQFeKg5SengOG5-mT93O_p3pPQKGEKdt090LJHhzNCHgjmBI5bXJMmQ-0ObgX-U9coW6-c8NoeAaK2bBohRdmmqAQfrZUH3snCgwy00zSanF47V1vPPKH9xAX_ggTKPl0tPyDO5tq0/s320/Tub+and+Shower.jpg" width="236" /></a> </div>
The bedroom is at the front of the trailer. We have a queen-size bed that came with a very comfy mattress. We can walk around the bed which is the only way to go. Nice big nightstands are something we've not had and 'shirt' closets and storage overhead are great. There is storage under the bed where we put extra supplies and things we don't use often. I'll show you that when we tour our cabin-on-wheels. This bedspread comes with the trailers but it didn't stay long in ours! We had a new quilt ready and waiting to add some color and comfort to our bedroom.<br />
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I'm glad I could give you a tour of an 'on-the-lot' trailer like ours. Soon I'll take you on a tour of our new cabin-on-wheels. You may wonder why I call our trailer our cabin-on-wheels. Two reasons. I have a blog friend who has a wonderful cabin in the mountains of eastern Oregon. One day I commented that I wished we had a cabin, too. She replied, 'Oh, but you do. Your cabin is on wheels and it can go anywhere your heart desires.' She's right - this is our cabin. Our cabin-on-wheels. We've chosen to decorate this one in vintage cabin style. You'll see what I mean soon.<br />
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Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-55582054738206754152018-02-27T23:02:00.000-08:002018-02-27T23:02:06.771-08:00Gifts From The HeartSome very special people have given me gifts over the past couple of months and I can't wait to share them with you. The gifts are special because they come from the heart of the people who gave them to me.<br />
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My daughter has a way of finding the <i>perfect </i>gifts for me. This is what she gave me for Christmas. I'm sure you can understand why her heart raced a bit when she saw these pillows. She knew they would be the perfect gift for me. She always seems to find things I love and this time she <i>really </i>outdid herself! <br />
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Our son and daughter-in-law gave us a gift that keeps on giving. This photo was beautifully framed and now it hangs in the family photo gallery in our hallway. It touches my heart every day as I scoot by and see if there. We have been so blessed to have our children and grandchildren close by but the photos help us remember how much they mean to us when we're apart.<br />
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My sweetheart knows me well and, at times, he comes up with the most amazing surprises for me. He had planned to keep his Valentine's gift a surprise until the last minute but when he thought about the possibilities of a snafu, he decided to tell me two weeks ahead of time. The anticipation was almost as much fun as the gift. He saw an ad in the local paper and he knew I would absolutely love the event. He called and got tickets and when he told me I could hardly believe my ears! A concert. I'm a musician and I love music so a concert is always a delight. But a concert of music from my youth? Even better! The evening before Valentine's Day we had a nice dinner on our way into Portland. We parked and walked to a fully restored vintage theater that is the home of many wonderful events. The night was clear and comfortably warm for this time of year. I love downtown Portland and seeing it at night is always a delight to my heart.<br />
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And then we were there!!! </div>
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Johnny Mathis in person! An evening to stroll down memory lane with familiar songs from my youth! The concert began with a few romantic pieces played by the Oregon Symphony Orchestra. They fun and familiar pieces, led by the young associate director. The director wore a light gray suit (black tie and tails), a big red bow-tie and bright red high-top sneakers! He talked and interacted with the audience and explained why he had chosen the pieces they played. Often we heard the stories behind the music. He had a great personality and he made listening quite fun. Intermission - and then what we were all waiting for! Johnny came onstage to the sound of thunderous applause. His performance didn't disappoint. I had a bit of trouble keeping quiet. I really want to sing along with him and I'm sure I wasn't the only one in the theater who felt the same way. Song after song and then it was over. What an evening! But there was one more treat in store for me. Something that wouldn't thrill some people but it was like frosting on the cake for me.</div>
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My sweetheart has been trained as a sound technician. He has been the 'sound guru' at our church for many years. He always loves to see the equipment and the people behind the scenes who make it possible for us to hear what is being sung or spoken. He knows they work very hard and often are unappreciated. True to form, on our way out, he stopped by the sound booth and engaged the sound technician in conversation. Soon they were talking about things that were foreign to me. It seemed like my sweetheart enjoyed that almost as much as the concert. As we said goodbye and turned to leave, the sound man handed me his program notes for the evening. Oh, my - what a treat! To have the list of songs sung and have a souvenir unlike anything others took home made me smile. </div>
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We walked to our car and headed toward home but the evening wasn't over yet. My sweetheart stopped at the restaurant where we had eaten dinner earlier that evening so we could have dessert together. It was the perfect ending to a date that I will always remember! Before we left the theater I bought a two-CD set of forty of Johnny's favorite hits. And I may or may not play them over and over and sing as I work around the house. It's possible that I may be about to drive my sweetheart over the edge with my constant renditions of music that touched my heart when I was quite young. And it touches my heart again in this season of life!</div>
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<i>It's not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.</i>Mother Theresa </div>
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<br />Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-40106030679983096432018-01-16T14:01:00.000-08:002018-01-16T14:01:29.101-08:00Oh What A Week!<div style="text-align: left;">
(Disclaimer: All photos were taken with my cell phone. Quality is what it is! 😊)</div>
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Life has been busy for us over the last few weeks but this last week has been a <i>very </i>busy - and exciting - week in a lot of ways. And we've had some sad memories, too. <br />
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I've shared through the past few years about our oldest grandson who was a high school football and basketball star. He's a fine young man and we are so proud of him. Through the spring and into the summer he was actively recruited to play football by three mid-sized universities and he spent a lot of time talking with the coaches on the phone and in person and checking out the schools. When all was said and done he made a commitment and he signed a letter of intention to play football for Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. He graduated from high school last spring and made a decision that was a hard one, but wise. He chose to stay at home for the Fall Term so he could work and save some money. His plan was to go to Missouri to begin school this month so he could go through Spring Training with the football team and begin to play football next Fall. Part of that decision was influenced by the fact that there will be more athletic scholarship funds available to him this spring than what was available for last term. Last week that plan became reality. Our son and daughter-in-law traveled to Missouri with him to help him move into the dorm and get settled so he could begin classes. We were happy that this day had finally arrived for him but it was hard to tell him goodbye and know he will be so far away. We miss him but we're so happy he is pursuing his education and we know he is exactly where he is supposed to be. Thanks to technology we are staying in touch! <br />
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Last Tuesday was a big day for us. It was a day filled with some sad memories and excitement at the same time. A year ago last Tuesday my dear, little mother walked through Heaven's gates! Our memories of that day will always stay very clear in our hearts and we reminisced and shed a few tears and missed her all over again. At the same time we were very aware how much healing has happened over the past year. That's just what she wanted for us - healing and for us to move forward with life. A few weeks ago I told my sweetheart that I wanted to do something special on that day. I didn't want to sit at home and be sad. Little did I know what God had planned. Only He could have orchestrated the events of that day!<br />
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If you've been following my blog you know about the fire that destroyed our travel trailer last August. Long before we had settled with the insurance we knew what we wanted for our next trailer. We have always planned to upgrade one more time and, in that process, we have enjoyed going to big RV shows in Portland and Salem for several years. During that time we quickly narrowed it down to the dealer we wanted to work with and we ruled out a lot of RVs and amenities that we did <i>not </i>want. We visited our favorite RV dealer often through the years so it was easy to know where to start. Shortly after the fire we began our search. Long before our insurance claim was settled we knew exactly what trailer we wanted. In October we ordered a brand new trailer that was scheduled to be manufactured in Eastern Oregon shortly after the beginning of this year. We ordered it - and then we had to wait! And wait we did. It seemed that it would be such a long time before our trailer arrived but while we waited we planned and bought things we knew we would need. We were getting ready! A couple of weeks before Christmas we drove to the dealership to sign the final papers before our trailer arrived. We didn't need an appointment, we just chose a day and and went in unannounced. The salesman we were working with saw us coming and he met us at the door with news. The factory had started production of our trailer model right after Christmas! In December - not in January, as planned. Just <i>that morning </i>the factory had called to tell them the date that our new trailer would be completed and when it would arrive at the dealership. When our salesman asked if we would like to pick up the trailer the morning of January 9th (the anniversary of my dear mother's passing) I immediately said yes. My sweetheart questioned me - he wanted me to sure of my decision. I told him I was sure - it was time for us to make a happy memory on that date. And I knew if my dear, little mother could talk to me she would say, 'Don't you dare put your plans on hold! You get that trailer and you start going again!' And so that's what we did.<br />
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My sweetheart and I counted the days and then he began to count the hours! And before we knew it, the day came for us to pick up our new trailer. To say we were excited would be the understatement of the year. Our salesman saw us drive into the parking lot and he met us at the door of the pickup. He did a fanfare with his voice and his smile was almost as big as mine! Normally, each day they park the RVs that are being picked up that day behind the service department. I was tempted to run around the corner of the building and look - but I didn't. I made myself wait! We went into the office and our salesman told us it would be a few minutes before we could see our trailer. I was a bit surprised it wasn't ready because we know their normal routine. He said because it was raining he was having one of the service men move our trailer into a service bay so we wouldn't get wet! Give that man an extra bonus!! Within a few minutes he opened the back office door and we stepped right into the service department, turned to the right - and there sat our brand new trailer. In real life! Tears filled my eyes - this was what we had waited for. The trailer was really here and we were about to step inside and see what had only been a dream until now. We had spent a lot of time in this same model on the lot but the interior color wasn't what we wanted, plus we had several optional amenities added. As I stepped through the door all I could say was, 'Oh-h-h, I LOVE it! It's perfect!' And smile and smile and smile. Everything was just as we imagined. Plus a few small extras the dealer had added as a surprise. I know I must have touched every surface and opened every cabinet and closet door and smiled at everything I saw. One of the lead service men did a 'walk-around' with us to show us everything inside and outside, how it worked and how to maintain and handle things. Much of that information wasn't new to us because of our previous travel trailer experience. After our tour was finished we went back to the office to sign the final papers - and then the trailer was officially (finally) ours! We talked to the dealer, to the gal in the office who had handled all the paperwork and financial business and to our salesman. I hugged each of them and told them 'thank you' didn't seem adequate for all they had done for us. In turn they said the thanks was really to us. We stepped back outside - and there was our new trailer - hooked up to our pickup and ready to take home. Even though it was raining I wanted a few pictures of it in the parking lot. Our salesman offered to take pictures with us by the trailer. And he did!<br />
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I couldn't contain my tears as we drove out of the parking lot and turned onto the street toward home. They were tears joy! My heart was overwhelmed with gratitude and it spilled out of my eyes and flowed down my cheeks. There was a sense closure to the long journey from the trailer fire - and there was anticipation of new things to come. I've told people over the past months that, without our trailer, we have felt like we had our wings clipped. The day we drove home with our new trailer we knew we were free to fly again!<br />
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It wasn't long and we were at home. In the empty spot by the driveway where my memory always saw a burned, charred, ruined trailer, now I saw a beautiful, new trailer. And my heart sang! I wouldn't be surprised if I sang out loud, too, because that's what I do.<br />
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We got busy and began to move into the trailer. Things came out of closets and out of storage places and into the trailer. We made the bed with our fun new bedding and set up housekeeping. I'll give you a tour soon. Things are very different from our last two trailers and our decor is different, too. Clue: when I asked my sweetheart how he would like to decorate this trailer, he said, 'Like a hunting cabin!' After discussing that idea we decided to make this the cutest cabin-on-wheels. Not so much 'hunting' - focus on the 'cabin'. We're still in the process of deciding and figuring things out but we have a good start.<br />
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Last year after my dear mother's memorial service we spent a week at the Oregon Coast with our trailer. We went to a wonderful RV park right on the bluff above the sea. My sweetheart surprised me the day we checked out. When we went into the office to let them know we were leaving he reserved a week for our anniversary this year. Never in our lives have we ever reserved anything a year in advance but it was fun to know that we would be back and enjoy the incredible view and the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks below. When we first heard that our trailer model wouldn't begin production until after the first of the year we thought we might have to change our plans. We asked our salesman if he could find out when we might have our trailer so we could change our reservation, if needed. The day in December when we walked into the dealership and he told us when we could pick up our new trailer he said, 'you don't have to change your reservations - you can go to the coast.' So, we had two and a half days between the time we brought the new trailer home and the time we left for a week. That's where we are now - we are watching the winter waves crash on the beach and the rocks below and listening to the refreshing sound of the surf. Here's where we are.<br />
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And our view from the back of the trailer on the driver's side.<br />
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The first two days we were here were gorgeous - almost unheard of on the Oregon Coast in January. The morning after we arrived we woke to sun and warm temps. And this was our view from our big dining area window. (This window is one of two exit windows if both doors are not available to exit in an emergency.)<br />
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A couple of evenings ago we were out for a walk with my little dog, Joey. We stopped and had a good, long visit with some other RVers. Late in the afternoon the clouds had started to roll in from far out at sea and it wasn't long before all traces of sunshine were gone. The cloud cover was getting thicker by the moment and we knew there would be no possibility we would see the sunset that evening. But were we ever wrong! As we stood and talked to our RV neighbors all of a sudden we looked and were totally in awe of the scene we saw. It was obvious that God had taken out His paintbrush and painted the sky!<br />
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We knew that the maiden voyage of a brand new RV can reveal problems or adjustments that need to be made. We thought we had arrived with no issues but when my sweetheart came inside to sit down after he had all the outside setup things finished he discovered something that had happened as we traveled. The big shade on the window behind our recliners had fallen down. It wasn't just the shade that fell down - both of the brackets that hold the shade in place had come unscrewed. At first he thought we would have the dealer repair it when we got home but new neighbors arrived that evening and their living area windows looked directly into that window. My sweetheart decided to look things over and repair the shade himself. The next morning he drilled two more holes in the bracket so he could add extra screws. Then he put it back up and it has worked great without falling down ever since then.<br />
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There were quite a few options we could choose to add to our trailer. There was no question that we wanted to add a fireplace! Early in our RV show experiences a dealer had told us one of the benefits of having an electric fireplace in an RV. Electricity is included when we're in a park with full hookups. He told us it makes sense to use the park electricity to heat an RV instead of using our propane (furnace). We liked that idea, plus I love the cozy feeling of our fireplace. And Joey thinks it's absolutely wonderful, too! I'm sure he thinks we did this for him. (You can see the reflection of the rug I added in the living area but this gives an idea of the fireplace.)<br />
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The best part of our week was yesterday when we celebrated our anniversary. Number forty six! Forty six years and I'm often asked the secret of a long marriage. I always say, 'the grace of God and a <i>very </i>patient man!' We are just a few miles from where we spent our honeymoon all those years ago so yesterday we went there for a late lunch in their wonderful restaurant. We were the only ones there at first so we were given the corner table with the best view. After lunch we drove to a neighboring city to the south where we stopped at an antique mall to browse, made a few other stops, drove to a parking area that overlooks the sea and we ended up at a favorite restaurant beside the beach. We had a wonderful dinner and a decadent dessert - something we don't do very often. It was a sweet day - we were together and in a place we love. <br />
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These mugs were a Christmas gift from my dear cousin. We thought our new cabin-on-wheels would be a good place to enjoy them.<br />
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Very soon I will share a couple of long-overdue posts and then I will return to The Grand Trip so I can share the rest of the journey we took last Spring. And I will give you a tour of our new trailer. When I share it with you I
think you will understand why we are so in love with our cabin-on-wheels. We are appreciating every little detail about this place that is going
to take us to places that up till now have only been a dream.<br />
<br />Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-7657884984207818482018-01-06T17:49:00.001-08:002018-01-06T17:49:53.550-08:00The Winter Trek Toward Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In my last post I shared about a few days we spent with our son and his family at a wonderful vacation house in Central Oregon. When we all said our goodbyes and exchanged hugs we headed different directions to get back to our homes. My sweetheart and I took the northernmost route home over Mount Hood, my favorite mountain in the Cascade Mountain range of Oregon. The roads were clear when we started our trip home. We traveled down a steep grade to the bottom of the gorge where we passed through a Native American reservation.<br />
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Not long after we passed through that little town we drove up another steep grade on the other side of the gorge and drove on a flat plateau for awhile. It always seems as if we're on top of the world here. The sky seems so big!<br />
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We began to notice more snow along the side of the road and we were pretty sure there would be quite a bit of snow on the mountain pass ahead.<br />
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It wasn't long and the terrain changed. We were in forest land - and beginning to climb to higher elevations. The world around us was beautiful. Snow-covered trees stood in the shade on side of the highway while trees on the opposite side stood tall and green in the sun.<br />
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The scene kept changing as we continued to climb the mountain pass. We were definitely in a winter wonderland!<br />
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It wasn't long before we came to a line of trucks and cars alongside the road. A highway sign let us know that tire chains or traction devices were required for the road ahead.<br />
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My sweetheart is a very good driver in snow and ice. He knows how to handle the vehicle - and he's not a fan of putting chains on the tires of our car. But, when it's required, he complies. I felt bad because he wasn't feeling well and there was nothing I could do to help.<br />
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While my sweetheart worked to get the chains on our car I walked my little dog. He's not a big fan of snow - especially when it comes up to his tummy! Across the highway from the chain-up area where we stopped was an area for cars and trucks that had come over the top of the pass to take off their chains. I noticed a family across from us. The father had already taken the chains of of their car and he patiently waited while the kids finished making a snowman beside the road!<br />
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Soon we were on our way again. Slowly we made our way up the mountain pass. The road was packed with snow that had frozen. My sweetheart taught me long ago that it's wise to drive slowly when chains are on the tires. And that's exactly what we did!<br />
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We got to the top of the mountain pass safely and began our descent down the other side. It wasn't long before the pavement was bare. Chains were no longer needed. The sun was setting as we drove down the mountain and into the valley below. Our time away with our family was wonderful and our winter trek toward home had been beautiful but we were very glad to get home again. No matter where we go - there's just no place like home!<br />
<br />Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-18716149687533848132017-12-29T14:54:00.000-08:002017-12-29T14:54:55.663-08:00New Traditions In The MakingSo many of you shared your lovely Christmas decorations on your blogs and I was inspired! Inspired, yes. Motivated to do more than I did, no. This Christmas was different - far different - than planned. It came quietly and here we are facing the end of the year and looking forward to turning our calendars to another new year.<br />
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This Christmas was the first one without my dear, little mother and, even though I knew it wouldn't be easy, I had no idea how very hard it would be! I had plans - oh, how I had plans - but we didn't do any of them. Instead we did some other things. New traditions, perhaps. Good things with family that helped all of us celebrate time together. <br />
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Mid-December found my sweetheart and I traveling to the South Coast of
Oregon to visit my dear cousin and her hubby. We visited them early in
December last year and had such a good time. During that visit she and I
became aware of an annual event in their community that we wanted to
do. We missed it last year so we started planning to do it this year.
And we did! A gorgeous, old silent movie theater in her town has been
restored. The original pipe organ that was played during the silent movies era is still there! It was in need of restoration and many long hours
have gone into restoring the pipes and bellows, the miles and miles of
connections and cables. One Saturday afternoon each December a free
Christmas concert is presented to the community by two organists who
know the old organ very well. And that's where we wanted to be on that
Saturday this December! We arrived early enough to choose good seats. I
played some pipe organ in my college years and I knew I wanted to be
where I could see the organists hands and feet and watch as keys were
played that made the music resound through the pipes high overhead.
There is nothing quite like the sound of a pipe organ - unless it is the
opportunity to play one! There is was. The Mighty Wurlitzer!<br />
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Photos taken inside the old theater with my cell phone don't do the organ or the theater justice. I walked over to get a closer look and the anticipation of what we were about to experience began to seem real.<br />
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It wasn't long before the first organist - a very talented lady - stepped up and began to play. She has a special history with this old organ. She grew up in the area and spent many hours at the theater during her high school years so she could play the organ. She went away to college to study music and then returned to teach music in her hometown. She is part of this special concert every December and has been for many years. The music she played filled the theater with such happy sounds.<br />
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The next organist was introduced. Not only is he an organist - he's the man who has done the restorations so he knows this old organ better than anyone else. His style was very different than that of the first organist and such a complement to what we had already heard. He had an amazing sense of humor that rang out loud and clear through his music.<br />
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After a brief intermission we joined him for a Christmas sing-a-long. The sound of our voices and the mighty organ filled the theater.<br />
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As we shared the rest of the day with my cousin and her hubby, we four decided this just may have to be a new tradition for our holiday season for years to come.<br />
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Soon after our return home we began to prepare for more travels out of town. Our son and daughter-in-law had invited her parents and the two of us to share a vacation rental home in the central part of our state. What fun we had for three days with our dear ones, including four of our grandkids plus our oldest grandson's best friend. The home was wonderful and just perfect for us. Five bedrooms. Four bathrooms. A living room. A game room. Huge kitchen. Something for everyone. Room to spread out and relax. We stayed in the room with the bay window on the left.<br />
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The house had been decorated for the holidays and Christmas music filled all the rooms when we arrived.<br />
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This vacation rental home is part of a large resort. This home sits along the golf course and nearby are other activities - swimming, racquetball, a full-sized gym, fitness rooms and more. The teen grands spent a lot of time in those activities and the younger grands enjoyed swimming and a short game of golf on a smaller course. </div>
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When the older grands weren't out and about they were busy finding things to do back at the house. There were board games and card games and memory games and ideas thought up from below and above.<br />
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And in the family room - a pool table. Hours and hours of pool games. Games perfected. Some not so much. While the younger set was out and about the grandpas ruled the pool room.<br />
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And in the kitchen - food. And more food. Christmas goodies galore. Snacks and nutritious meals. A walk-in pantry temporarily filled during our stay. In the evenings it was interesting to see the grands and some of the adults retreat to the living room for quiet activity. Adult coloring books took center stage. Some handcrafts were on the docket and, of course, a silly game or two. There were treasured conversations sprinkled throughout our time together and the bonds of relationships secured tighter than before. The evening before we left a light dusting of snow began to fall. I will never forget the excitement in our youngest granddaughter's voice when she looked out the window and then turned and squealed, 'Grandma - it's SNOWING!!!' Early the next morning the sun began to shine as preparations were made to head home.<br />
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And just after daybreak, a familiar sight outside our winter retreat home. Deer! Two, at first, and then many. All watching us and not afraid as long as we kept our distance.<br />
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Our belongings were packed away in our cars. Hugs were given and promises to return again. Perhaps this, too, will become a new tradition for our family. That seems to be a good plan. Time away - time together - time to share old memories and make new. Time to step away from the busy-ness of the season for quiet time together.<br />
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Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347562529362171426.post-61058870656233609932017-12-08T00:30:00.000-08:002017-12-08T00:30:33.772-08:00My Childhood Home - Now<!--[if !mso]>
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Before my blog break I shared my memories and photos of my childhood home. You can click <span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="http://www.withagratefulheart.com/2017/10/a-peek-at-my-childhood-home-and-break.html" target="_blank">here</a></span> to see that post. I promised to show you what it looks like today and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gave you a sneak peek at the front of the
house that showed the wonderful restoration that has been done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This home is a vacation rental now and their website describes it like this:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Accommodating up to 8 people Lava Flo is a large three bedroom, two
bath, Craftsman Bungalow located on Lava Road. The neighbors are
McMenamins Old St. Francis school, a rectory, and a church! Flo also has
a large, tiered yard full of lava rock and a hot tub. The front bedroom
has a king-sized bed, the master at the back of the house has a queen
sized bed, and the middle bedroom is furnished with two twin beds and a
Smart TV. The house can easily accommodate six people but comes equipped
with aerobeds upon request for an additional two houseguests. There is
an attached laundry room at the back of the house with a washer/dryer,
and off-street parking for up to three cars.</i></div>
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<i><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></i></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Now, let me take you inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you don't get confused, I've used photos from two versions of their website. Some photos are older than others but they provide a good view of the house. As you enter the house you step right into
the living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The original front door
was an old craftsman style door that was replaced with a different style but I love what they chose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of the windows in the house are the
original windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were in pretty
bad shape when restoration began so the windows were sent out for reconditioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To think that these are the very windows my
childish eyes looked through back in the day brings such pleasure to my
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The floors are all original and
have been refinished.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8OqJ-MZKyI38b73I5gfK3YluR8GuCSP5LSIl3Kl-m84kuzOGNGpLxvliRPry70JvaIBk0rkFuLOD-ZCEPzj7mueZQlk0Lvdy_6lM3Hjzwo5xik-6BjYXldyfGIMQkEGramiAl9SDh-jA/s1600/Living+Room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8OqJ-MZKyI38b73I5gfK3YluR8GuCSP5LSIl3Kl-m84kuzOGNGpLxvliRPry70JvaIBk0rkFuLOD-ZCEPzj7mueZQlk0Lvdy_6lM3Hjzwo5xik-6BjYXldyfGIMQkEGramiAl9SDh-jA/s640/Living+Room+2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Our
floor-to-ceiling ‘natural’ from-the-forest Christmas tree stood between the corner windows every year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was decorated with strings of those old
lights that got hot and burned your hand if you touched them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And tinsel!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was amazing how much tinsel those big trees took, and my mother
insisted that each piece be put on the branches with precision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, how I would love to rent this house for
the Christmas holidays and have a giant tree right there again. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIH0opAcXXFQR3z9JY2D-nOT9eCLXWd8LA08hrw1j-gFGHfDlBKMNZYSrNCgq0GrzhXh_Rl7nfVdKsAOYlFBle7wUYNj3UCf2itA1ahxcoy-XoQl1_AejG5a_uKJ8j9tWpFX00hRJoQCSM/s1600/Living+Room+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1140" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIH0opAcXXFQR3z9JY2D-nOT9eCLXWd8LA08hrw1j-gFGHfDlBKMNZYSrNCgq0GrzhXh_Rl7nfVdKsAOYlFBle7wUYNj3UCf2itA1ahxcoy-XoQl1_AejG5a_uKJ8j9tWpFX00hRJoQCSM/s640/Living+Room+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
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<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span>Looking toward the back of the house from here you can see more of the living room
and the wonderful dining room where many special meals were shared with friends
old and new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a French door between the windows out onto a side porch and yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That door was replaced with this one that
matches the front door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ceiling was
flat when I lived there but I really love the way they opened it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother had a chair and a small table that held our phone where the little table sits beside the side
door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent so many, many hours in the corner
when I was old enough to call my girlfriends and chat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love</i>
the French doors into the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember
them from the photo I shared from my childhood Christmas?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yep, same doors!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the right of those doors sat my dear,
little mother’s desk and that ‘naughty-corner’ chair I showed you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MPCITd7DCx8xhuA_dErZNdUQPIzO2mFIIJ8AJbqucQKuZvY1sxZF-H5W9JntoAoAZO9gyyMhzATnT2HrAxOI6ggYGrHA7TYBvae6RprCoebZQvVxnNhqGJTMG9iaCwtuSJerUrM-C4Se/s1600/Living+Room-Dining+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MPCITd7DCx8xhuA_dErZNdUQPIzO2mFIIJ8AJbqucQKuZvY1sxZF-H5W9JntoAoAZO9gyyMhzATnT2HrAxOI6ggYGrHA7TYBvae6RprCoebZQvVxnNhqGJTMG9iaCwtuSJerUrM-C4Se/s640/Living+Room-Dining+Room.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
Let’s go through those French doors into the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s exactly as it was when I lived
there with a few updates!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thrilled that they didn’t
change it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shed a few tears when I
peeked through the back windows and saw that the kitchen was just as it
was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where my mother and I spent
so much time – time together learning how to do household tasks, cooking,
baking, cleaning and doing dishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was no dishwasher back in those days, so we stood at the old sink below these
very windows each evening to do the supper dishes together – she washed, I
dried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as we worked together we
played a Bible character game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
teaching more than ‘mundane’ household tasks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was teaching me about the lives and character of people in the
Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The window you see looks out onto
the old, enclosed back porch that is now a new, modern laundry room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someday I’ll have to share more of my memories about that laundry
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The little shelves between the
window and door were there when I was a little girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sweet mother had such pretty things on
display there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The door appears to be
the same door that was there in those days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I ran through that door, in and out to the back yard more times than I could
possibly count.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The refrigerator was in
a recessed area behind where the open door is in this photo when we first moved
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few years later the church board
purchased a new, bigger refrigerator that stood exactly where this one is
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The recessed area in the wall was
sealed up, allowing a larger closet in the guestroom that you enter on the
other side of the refrigerator.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpL4lGlyyVPImWubA-9xqQS19NdgDd3X7oznh6xfweC3ErjcSgCOhf2EFMI6bmlxOnN6qyvQnAyt72O_OQ02PjiHfMZXl_iJkcXODExQ1tclLJhXUt_Cdg_UGW7tnujjkSkcmaYG94B1V/s1600/Kitchen+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="700" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpL4lGlyyVPImWubA-9xqQS19NdgDd3X7oznh6xfweC3ErjcSgCOhf2EFMI6bmlxOnN6qyvQnAyt72O_OQ02PjiHfMZXl_iJkcXODExQ1tclLJhXUt_Cdg_UGW7tnujjkSkcmaYG94B1V/s640/Kitchen+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
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Here’s a view of the kitchen from the back door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we first moved into the house a big, old
wood cook stove stood in this corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
remember the curved, black stovepipe that went to the chimney appears to still
be in that corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My little mother had more
escapades with that wood stove but the heat it produced was wonderful on snowy, cold winter mornings when I
ate breakfast at the kitchen table before I left for school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An electric range replaced the wood stove and
we thought we had really come up in the world!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hbfW6QbdR8VgMECBuwPTOKXvGDqw8xoh2e0xcagmgRXPMIJu5o4ip2XoxURdpU3P49KtJku62txZjMSUCYgFvaFPnGfUMwsq-VzzsbzQuYZcw2U-Vn8G-Pc06Xn4QkDM14cL1T28iISL/s1600/Kitchen+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hbfW6QbdR8VgMECBuwPTOKXvGDqw8xoh2e0xcagmgRXPMIJu5o4ip2XoxURdpU3P49KtJku62txZjMSUCYgFvaFPnGfUMwsq-VzzsbzQuYZcw2U-Vn8G-Pc06Xn4QkDM14cL1T28iISL/s1600/Kitchen+2.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
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If we step through the back door of the kitchen you can see
the laundry porch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dear mother
started out with a wringer washer and big, double cement laundry tubs out
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No insulation in those outside
walls and it got <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">c-o-l-d</i> in the
winter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No dryer – she hung the sheets
outside as I shared in my childhood memory photos. Here’s what it’s like today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you see shiplap? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would have loved this. The original door
was like the door from the kitchen into the porch but the new door provides more
security.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rock walls outside the
windows were there and I spent a lot of time playing on and around those
walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my imagination, they became
all kinds of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the top of the
terrace you can see an iron fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
fence in those days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll see more of
this in a bit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVYFfIdqpEXwdGxfeGst3eK3tUStTsYNTNTFhxHM4hvvBhn-cVPMH_YKEyrGO4pNwwD7n4FVDKAEdGTksLpXK9An8RswLGvJ1sjL3mleWKig3ksqJmJRfSUkLM-qNXUS3-MX4KYXMpaBH/s1600/Laundry+Porch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="700" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVYFfIdqpEXwdGxfeGst3eK3tUStTsYNTNTFhxHM4hvvBhn-cVPMH_YKEyrGO4pNwwD7n4FVDKAEdGTksLpXK9An8RswLGvJ1sjL3mleWKig3ksqJmJRfSUkLM-qNXUS3-MX4KYXMpaBH/s640/Laundry+Porch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
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The website for this home indicates that our
guestroom off the kitchen is now the master bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I peeked through the windows when I was there and it brought back such memories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Memories of lying on the ‘big’ bed in the
afternoon sun - d<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>aydreaming of adventures
and making plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Memories of guests who
came and were part of our family for a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And special memories of a very dear friend who became like a big sister
to me when she lived with us for two years. </div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiive-PvNtA-XEEOF_84WYFFSTzAxy4iYdi5VimHA4m34jiQ38s3QKKF_hQ6pP-abnR6tC8os3OevbDW1w2AQlhoblPJcIX_xJ8anJ8-aK343p51ZrntjvdkVWj701d-_umtszXvQhA4NEz/s1600/Guest+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1140" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiive-PvNtA-XEEOF_84WYFFSTzAxy4iYdi5VimHA4m34jiQ38s3QKKF_hQ6pP-abnR6tC8os3OevbDW1w2AQlhoblPJcIX_xJ8anJ8-aK343p51ZrntjvdkVWj701d-_umtszXvQhA4NEz/s640/Guest+Room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The guestroom had a small closet behind the kitchen wall. From the vacation rental's description of this room and after looking at photos of the side of the house I think I've figured out where they added the master bathroom. The guestroom shared a wall with the big walk-in closet in my bedroom. Seeing a small window that's been added to the side of the house and from the photos from the website,my guess it that the big walk-in closet in my bedroom became the master bath. That's a pretty wise choice, I'd say. Here's the glimpse of the master bathroom.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tK02pQzd4y2-2BsDArh21_glql6vavXkbrZJT18QRL2pwIwJ0yOQ-WC6gcwjYHu13RTyoUzDVE0CQXSnfkq9FafM3O_ob3CrYUFZZDNQmCoPwCTQ_SILQCD-YT1ajSWKDjTnZMjCgfO8/s1600/Bathroom+2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="366" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tK02pQzd4y2-2BsDArh21_glql6vavXkbrZJT18QRL2pwIwJ0yOQ-WC6gcwjYHu13RTyoUzDVE0CQXSnfkq9FafM3O_ob3CrYUFZZDNQmCoPwCTQ_SILQCD-YT1ajSWKDjTnZMjCgfO8/s640/Bathroom+2-1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Let’s go back through the kitchen and into the living room-dining room area so I can
show you the bedrooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswFtOslbEyl09AFrNDuo-8GFU43QmioRd8gnsBWOztuXvulzIxKtadjBiX-E_Aq4tG1H4Tq9Jwv_sOOGfmuuk8PMxMyr89E0574i933lMgb5Sn3G9bLAqjP8s7cUHBuvbStjUS8QZ7Gpj/s1600/Living+Room-Dining+Room+From+Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1140" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswFtOslbEyl09AFrNDuo-8GFU43QmioRd8gnsBWOztuXvulzIxKtadjBiX-E_Aq4tG1H4Tq9Jwv_sOOGfmuuk8PMxMyr89E0574i933lMgb5Sn3G9bLAqjP8s7cUHBuvbStjUS8QZ7Gpj/s640/Living+Room-Dining+Room+From+Kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>See that door on the inside wall between the living room and dining room? When we go through that door we are in the hallway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Before we do, I'd like to tell you about a door you can see in the hallway. That door was there when I lived in this house but I don't know what's behind it now. I'm pretty sure it doesn't go where it led when I was a little girl. The door opened to stairs that took us down to the huge, sometimes creepy, big basement. A monstrous wood furnace that heated our home </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">stood in the middle of the basement</span>. My dear father got up more than once a night</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> through the cold winter months to </span>go down those stairs and add wood to the furnace to keep us snug and warm upstairs. I'm not sure if that door leads to the basement anymore - it could be that a coat closet was added during the renovations. It's obvious that a new source of heat was added because I see a thermostat on the living room wall. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1ZCxsh6jrma_0TIwfiP3sDyrJpmvraBtGiNNPSWGllCHFTXxeW211HK8-gGg7_0FvuPWmeRVy-yn5vc1M4DMAX7-GL5qxvSe8i2OGz0TjJhVtv_r_fkUfc2bE-NFpS2FH51H5uM1IHH3/s1600/Living+Room-Dining+Room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="1140" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1ZCxsh6jrma_0TIwfiP3sDyrJpmvraBtGiNNPSWGllCHFTXxeW211HK8-gGg7_0FvuPWmeRVy-yn5vc1M4DMAX7-GL5qxvSe8i2OGz0TjJhVtv_r_fkUfc2bE-NFpS2FH51H5uM1IHH3/s640/Living+Room-Dining+Room+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once we're in the hallway we'll turn to our right, toward the front
of the house and enter what was my parents’ room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not furnished like this at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was cozy with a big brass headboard and foot-board that my dear mother found in the corner of the basement!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bit of polish and elbow grease and it was a
beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you look back into the hall you
can see a bit of the doorway we came through from the living and dining area.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMzWU3GJeXPWkXvzIQG2v8RHGi9o1VA3v4NBL-jpzUPCyIEZSifCivFpZmMRUdWvNHf52ch-Por2XJ17tLvV47Ljc9988oIsXdPLQabJKWG8qSCkptiLMfB5bw4qPDurACa92S1lhYqb6/s1600/Mom+and+Dad%2527s+Room+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMzWU3GJeXPWkXvzIQG2v8RHGi9o1VA3v4NBL-jpzUPCyIEZSifCivFpZmMRUdWvNHf52ch-Por2XJ17tLvV47Ljc9988oIsXdPLQabJKWG8qSCkptiLMfB5bw4qPDurACa92S1lhYqb6/s640/Mom+and+Dad%2527s+Room+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
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The front corner of my mother and father’s room had corner
windows like those in the living room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxFyPrCod9VZIhpCVoIpkDg-KwDOqLzTA3LNtvcqViIk5CjOb-F6EcWnvVLnevvhwKkHc2IWrRCbHPn5epMuXFSyEOpMaz84UROYy1YaGE-Zdj4b33gvEdy9b4Jvh06MprQ4LwM5YRKy3/s1600/Mom+and+Dad%2527s+Room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxFyPrCod9VZIhpCVoIpkDg-KwDOqLzTA3LNtvcqViIk5CjOb-F6EcWnvVLnevvhwKkHc2IWrRCbHPn5epMuXFSyEOpMaz84UROYy1YaGE-Zdj4b33gvEdy9b4Jvh06MprQ4LwM5YRKy3/s320/Mom+and+Dad%2527s+Room+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
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Back into the hall and just to our right we come to the
bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the only bathroom
when I lived here. They have kept much of the character of the room but have
updated to accommodate modern conveniences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The floor was like this and this HAS to be the original doorknob!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We locked the door with a skeleton key – very
convenient if someone locked themselves in and couldn’t get out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone like a small child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My father had several skeleton keys because, for a long time, that’s how
all the exterior door were locked!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTc7dfqbWMi14rxGxhbKEZwMzIBgLUVmD5yjl5BfGONUMhIk6aH05HMj6jNyYQx9jCggNrzj6TjXOYuJWG97ufhLoj4-glHn3cQS9KPDLkREC1XA2YMRK1rxQmZl8QAOCykUAcWK9YyNnY/s1600/Bathroom+1+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTc7dfqbWMi14rxGxhbKEZwMzIBgLUVmD5yjl5BfGONUMhIk6aH05HMj6jNyYQx9jCggNrzj6TjXOYuJWG97ufhLoj4-glHn3cQS9KPDLkREC1XA2YMRK1rxQmZl8QAOCykUAcWK9YyNnY/s640/Bathroom+1+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
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Just inside the door, to the left, is the sink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We had a free-standing sink with no counter but I like the way they've continued the vintage-style tile.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQPr9PwtqFHMPayAmsBYF3unxu6nrf-YRz9ngMBG-Yr7qktPCMd9ZhzyJiculawmg3-pC2g1-JkZA67thTqezJcuFi-W3HQYYs6xOzugkPKgOQ1BYAp3SKXJIyvggPAxIf2L7x3Y3CBnp/s1600/Bathroom+1+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="800" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQPr9PwtqFHMPayAmsBYF3unxu6nrf-YRz9ngMBG-Yr7qktPCMd9ZhzyJiculawmg3-pC2g1-JkZA67thTqezJcuFi-W3HQYYs6xOzugkPKgOQ1BYAp3SKXJIyvggPAxIf2L7x3Y3CBnp/s640/Bathroom+1+-+2.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
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And above the sink is a cabinet like the original medicine
cabinet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if they were able
to refurbish what was there or if this is new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The lights are similar to what I remember.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51Kb-cG6-xtno65f6edvx0q3R-KqVJIxpKZKAVQtKSn3H8xsPP31VMoYXbBGlL7KTu9zK820i_aY9LLKmsk3AnhCuuWVYyGLnZOavJriQPTJcTSgjc3tAcDLpwsZlAEYIOiO-cXJkjwqn/s1600/Bathroom+1+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51Kb-cG6-xtno65f6edvx0q3R-KqVJIxpKZKAVQtKSn3H8xsPP31VMoYXbBGlL7KTu9zK820i_aY9LLKmsk3AnhCuuWVYyGLnZOavJriQPTJcTSgjc3tAcDLpwsZlAEYIOiO-cXJkjwqn/s640/Bathroom+1+-+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
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I must say that I was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very</i>
disappointed that the old claw foot tub where I took my ‘Saturday night’ baths
is not gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe the
bathroom was remodeled and updated in the nineteen-seventies and this wall
and tub were added.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least the
original window is there!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Aqa4ekfOM5HAHmFH1E6M_2TJp0XbKHg5P_QGTLe0POSQWKMpf-LU0PkO7hkB9lsPusz9QmTE7H2_LDqIndydkoTxCspOaV9QA5i4wPDhIN685nuiyCSD2FKZRfzYlBf0VPh9tePuEmyG/s1600/Bathroom+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="700" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Aqa4ekfOM5HAHmFH1E6M_2TJp0XbKHg5P_QGTLe0POSQWKMpf-LU0PkO7hkB9lsPusz9QmTE7H2_LDqIndydkoTxCspOaV9QA5i4wPDhIN685nuiyCSD2FKZRfzYlBf0VPh9tePuEmyG/s640/Bathroom+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Let's go back out into the hall, to the right. At the opposite end
of the hall from my parents’ bedroom – was my room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, the stories those walls could tell!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So much play and imagination and dreaming and
some tears along the way in this room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Giggles and secrets shared when my girlfriends spent the night. This is
my room! Don’t you think it’s appropriate that they chose to paint it yellow?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MGcGu1CsUpbTwNM-W3RURV59R6KWkQeVnV-O7-TZqLcwiY8wqB4H2cobEdHQsVorADowd4gAVt7Aq4s-wnya6TgB8oUavhlCqRfUzue7z1silI40PZfK0oZnDyPt11UYt2iHtQaxQtol/s1600/My+Bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MGcGu1CsUpbTwNM-W3RURV59R6KWkQeVnV-O7-TZqLcwiY8wqB4H2cobEdHQsVorADowd4gAVt7Aq4s-wnya6TgB8oUavhlCqRfUzue7z1silI40PZfK0oZnDyPt11UYt2iHtQaxQtol/s640/My+Bedroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now, I have to tell you a piece of history, trivia perhaps. We did not have a second bathroom back
in the day but there was a bathroom on the other side of my bedroom wall - the wall you can't see in this photo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Back then, that bathroom couldn’t be
accessed from the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the
‘church’ bathroom and was only accessible from the driveway between our house
and the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no plumbing in the church building in
those days and since winters were harsh in that mountain
town, a bathroom had been added to the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We moved into the house on a Saturday. The next morning - Sunday - my mother heard voices 'in the wall' and she about freaked out. After asking a few questions of someone in the church we found out about the 'church' bathroom.</span></div>
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Now, let’s go outside and see the yard and surrounding area.</div>
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Out through the front door and onto the front porch you could have seen the wonderful homes that were across the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Grandma and Grandpa’ Duckworth lived in the
house on the right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were such a dear
couple and they became like grandparents since mine were all in California and
I didn’t see them often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the left is
the home of the owner of the ‘Piggly Wiggly’ grocery store around the
corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These homes are no longer
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were moved across town and
restored for vacation rentals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
three-story hotel complex is across from ‘my’ house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McMenamins bought the entire block where
there are some historical buildings they have restored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their hotel is rustic and very much in
keeping with the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYIJ3DU3Sz544CvB1rlx3OtCwjitcoYFYWW3_OZvkQvLVeqxsid12U6whyGUSGkg8cXKAU8kbcTJ5iFJXmcmRNrxIkFvB-yH938KgvnsS9xg7cMWxm_4HH-qzveCdNMEALnnMoQ17NRvT/s1600/Front+Yard+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYIJ3DU3Sz544CvB1rlx3OtCwjitcoYFYWW3_OZvkQvLVeqxsid12U6whyGUSGkg8cXKAU8kbcTJ5iFJXmcmRNrxIkFvB-yH938KgvnsS9xg7cMWxm_4HH-qzveCdNMEALnnMoQ17NRvT/s640/Front+Yard+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If we walk to the sidewalk and turn left to the driveway you can see the side of the parsonage and the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See the little house up straight ahead and up
the stairs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s where ‘Grandma and
Grandpa’ Morgan lived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were an older
couple in our church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t have a
car – they walked everywhere and they used our driveway to go back and forth
even though their address was technically on the street above ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent many, long hours in their home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had the most wonderful toy box and she baked the
best cookies!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had raised two sons
and were thrilled when a little girl moved into the parsonage! Their little house is also a vacation rental now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1hu-KfaFIPsf8ZH9o9d02nBPcEotUChZHuuEME01jriC8Ce5cSiXWT2RE0dWT-tp9qGB8QXRYIEH8koWvtsgnp_sBFjVK480eoYhdc11KS239E3eRfZcKe3xxEadGfk70Bm0i03DeO0U/s1600/Driveway+Side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1hu-KfaFIPsf8ZH9o9d02nBPcEotUChZHuuEME01jriC8Ce5cSiXWT2RE0dWT-tp9qGB8QXRYIEH8koWvtsgnp_sBFjVK480eoYhdc11KS239E3eRfZcKe3xxEadGfk70Bm0i03DeO0U/s640/Driveway+Side.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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OK, let’s go around to the other side of the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll go through the gate that wasn’t there
when I was a child. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lD-uzQK9W3_P6nsTygknSK7GhYSt9rb6pu1G9T6Se5cI7wyxLxnROftGn_yW73CQFMjw1Tkj2rvsVCJAJjRGZsWivI4gwEz7_AhAHH6SoCDpG4oUqv0Av7DH6VLEVwX1B9PNnQCpDr8I/s1600/Side+Yard+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lD-uzQK9W3_P6nsTygknSK7GhYSt9rb6pu1G9T6Se5cI7wyxLxnROftGn_yW73CQFMjw1Tkj2rvsVCJAJjRGZsWivI4gwEz7_AhAHH6SoCDpG4oUqv0Av7DH6VLEVwX1B9PNnQCpDr8I/s640/Side+Yard+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And into the side yard where we spent so much time living
outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t look like this but I
do love what they’ve done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The side yard
was all grass except for the concrete steps you see that lead from the dining
room door to the yard.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2OzqUYhmmrgP0k8WosRUB0PYOGmsLPA7cI3m6rY1D2FwhbMxoXAjvHxfxCjGMpQbEHeFPKcJ-1j45hLoY_Boc2qRXGb3WoXuEGNyiAafY1Zc8o5PHn4yLd_XC3Cn1xNtprqk0Cdc2NL7/s1600/Side+Yard+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2OzqUYhmmrgP0k8WosRUB0PYOGmsLPA7cI3m6rY1D2FwhbMxoXAjvHxfxCjGMpQbEHeFPKcJ-1j45hLoY_Boc2qRXGb3WoXuEGNyiAafY1Zc8o5PHn4yLd_XC3Cn1xNtprqk0Cdc2NL7/s640/Side+Yard+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This photo gives you a look at the side of the house and the
door to the side yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, there
was no deck, no rock patio, no hot tub!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But lots of birthday parties and gatherings and a lot of play and games
and fun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jURfMu4x8DgD1_Ir-2HaOw2r0VDeXvshO0GtXJi04KQgRrmqA_gE4gR4cJuoFjfwvHSRpdddDWKKQKrks-ZqjpfHM8CUAdSPQDW5UkcoFrY_YRKTjVCMeA0D2CFxFyjmxDDdqnzzfeq-/s1600/Side+Yard+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jURfMu4x8DgD1_Ir-2HaOw2r0VDeXvshO0GtXJi04KQgRrmqA_gE4gR4cJuoFjfwvHSRpdddDWKKQKrks-ZqjpfHM8CUAdSPQDW5UkcoFrY_YRKTjVCMeA0D2CFxFyjmxDDdqnzzfeq-/s640/Side+Yard+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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An updated photo from the website gives another view of the side yard.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiwT8BACQglG4W1cXRwAyLZ9zZJfpeUucFf3jBz7BeGF6Nyhq6tGpytlAqnLs7d_jFe8iH9sMibOvkcH86He8XPq2zVdLw96bGZFNZZSn93HjORDppP6ZkIy_n-z5vIygA8GVhwardtxI/s1600/Side+Yard+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="700" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiwT8BACQglG4W1cXRwAyLZ9zZJfpeUucFf3jBz7BeGF6Nyhq6tGpytlAqnLs7d_jFe8iH9sMibOvkcH86He8XPq2zVdLw96bGZFNZZSn93HjORDppP6ZkIy_n-z5vIygA8GVhwardtxI/s640/Side+Yard+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here are a few more photos that show you the size of the
yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved being out here, no matter
the weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rolled over and over down the hill in
the summer and made snow angels and tried to sled down the hill in the winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindcUJddfnERaMf011yJ0TDgNpk6SC7Ajjmx0i31aG241rPhmNLbLya-cO2QW5H-hzViDoctpeXLMfiJ3KkZ3IVZouWGfFgXsUyznEi9PTf4RDkw2cevHwTFlfYIWeY6D-I0bFQLMwS4jg/s1600/Side+Yard+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindcUJddfnERaMf011yJ0TDgNpk6SC7Ajjmx0i31aG241rPhmNLbLya-cO2QW5H-hzViDoctpeXLMfiJ3KkZ3IVZouWGfFgXsUyznEi9PTf4RDkw2cevHwTFlfYIWeY6D-I0bFQLMwS4jg/s640/Side+Yard+5.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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If you saw the photos from my post about my childhood home
back then, my dear mother’s clothesline was where the table and chairs are in the photo below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, there was no iron fence
around the yard and no wood fence at the top of the terrace. The wood fence on the side of the terrace was built while we lived here. The Catholic Church and Rectory were next door to us. The side fence was added to give privacy to the priests, to give them a quiet place to walk and meditate and pray. When the fence was first built somehow I got my little self up high enough to hang on the top of the fence with my face peering over - and I hung there and watched the priests as they walked and prayed. Well, I did that until my mother found out! It never happened again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RSaFEwHWk11R7XIq2JN5UQJtjwefsXIj5JKAKzGCS14vZK2e89IKabPBIHT69nO4VziGjO2m-oDcchroX1GYEnMUTgZDexE7t9u9It6XNUCfCgw5y6Uzan7jkgWLVsoKc_U6ttddoJys/s1600/Side+Yard+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RSaFEwHWk11R7XIq2JN5UQJtjwefsXIj5JKAKzGCS14vZK2e89IKabPBIHT69nO4VziGjO2m-oDcchroX1GYEnMUTgZDexE7t9u9It6XNUCfCgw5y6Uzan7jkgWLVsoKc_U6ttddoJys/s640/Side+Yard+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The upper terrace is completely different than it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was pleased to see what they’ve done with
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had never been landscaped and
wasn’t used for anything except for playing in the dirt!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmMQL6rdJbWEfX71m0SedjMbqECHyvB8t9GAUBOiDaUEGGhsi9KMLYjRCEjWpqTeKnM_ZUmZFha23i7g0u2UUEICr2xAjaAxh3V-wMeHK7ZDnRGTgJMEaGFHuQ9TQYetSbVfef7F-NLci/s1600/Terrace+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmMQL6rdJbWEfX71m0SedjMbqECHyvB8t9GAUBOiDaUEGGhsi9KMLYjRCEjWpqTeKnM_ZUmZFha23i7g0u2UUEICr2xAjaAxh3V-wMeHK7ZDnRGTgJMEaGFHuQ9TQYetSbVfef7F-NLci/s640/Terrace+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another view from the terrace.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5I_V6fWatzpZhpm_SArExli93aaE_MH-DJq-vXDDopnPR76pH-iYkJuJQ8xCq8V1UnLt6mhZOV5sf5if_6uWU87pN0yVnxUH_L_Hk3oAPYV6pfCeqqlRmF8eMD2I2DhTEHxHlQqlSCHKk/s1600/Terrace+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="700" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5I_V6fWatzpZhpm_SArExli93aaE_MH-DJq-vXDDopnPR76pH-iYkJuJQ8xCq8V1UnLt6mhZOV5sf5if_6uWU87pN0yVnxUH_L_Hk3oAPYV6pfCeqqlRmF8eMD2I2DhTEHxHlQqlSCHKk/s640/Terrace+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is my childhood home! Five-thirty Lava Road in Bend,
Oregon. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsXMHIKaY18uWumVEJo4MAZ1Xxnd4av9DGbMEzLEfr5E1deCvhFviJD29Q4kJtoaGmDNQWSDGg1GAmT9QQ4guxpHPj_fof9FViLoYy08HC76c-WjZxuL1mIgmrUwXVBQeiHEgVgkW10P2/s1600/The+House+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1140" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsXMHIKaY18uWumVEJo4MAZ1Xxnd4av9DGbMEzLEfr5E1deCvhFviJD29Q4kJtoaGmDNQWSDGg1GAmT9QQ4guxpHPj_fof9FViLoYy08HC76c-WjZxuL1mIgmrUwXVBQeiHEgVgkW10P2/s640/The+House+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I loved it back then – and I love it now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would love to design a sweet, little
bungalow home with the same footprint – and perhaps an update and change or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someday I hope to return and take a tour of
the house. Or, better yet, rent it and snoop through every single corner and
nook and cranny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the parsonage
and I must show you the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
been restored, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll save that for
another time. Soon.</div>
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photos from <a href="http://www.lavabelles.com/rooms/lava-flo-vacation-rental/?portorder=menu" target="_blank">Lavabelles Vacation Rentals</a></div>
Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401476871614514660noreply@blogger.com4