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Happy Thanksgiving to Family, Friends and Critters!

 

Lady Ponka

 
This is Lady Ponka, my husband's grandmother, she was 88 years old. She was as spunky as they come, sharp as a whip and funny to boot.  She had more energy than any atomic bomb! 

We found out about a month ago that she had  Colon Cancer and it had spread into her liver.  The doctors said she "would not live past the holidays." She was such a good patient, always listening to her doctors, if they told her to eat a banana every day, she ate a banana every day.  She lived simply in a small trailer in a park up near Sacramento.  She loved to do crafts of all sorts.  She handmade all of our Christmas stockings and made the most exquisite "Jewel Junk Christmas Tree" with lights, which I proudly display every Christmas in my home.  

It is heartbreaking to type that she passed away a couple weeks ago. She will be missed by all of her family and her friends, which she had numerous. She was a good-hearted woman with an easy laugh and smile.  When she was in the kitchen cooking she always whistled while she attended to her cooking task or cleaning chores.  When out for a walk she always said, "hello, how are you" to anyone she passed by.   We are happy that she is not suffering anymore but WE LOVE AND MISS YOU LADY PONKA so very much, may you R.I.P.

What types of houses makes your heart go pitter patter and what is YOUR deal breaker?

 
                                            {from Suzie Beezie}

Ahhhh.....houses with window boxes make mine skip a beat...

 

does a house with a white picket fence say "I'm home to you?"....

 

What about classic farmhouse.....with a nice, ample front porch?

 

What about a cutie pootitie bungalow, with a pop up dormer?

 
A nice smallish porch and lush garden?

 

 
 

Yes..House with dormers...absolutely love them!  So charming yes indeed.  This house is currently on the market in my neighborhood.....
 
Do you love having transoms on the side of your front door?

 
 

Brick?  What about Brick?  Is that too common?  Or does it add lots of character? 
 
Or would a stone planter be more your style..what about shutters?

As we contemplate {about what we want in our house as we look to buy}...what are some deal breakers for you...what would you want and what could you give up if you were buying a house today..I want to know!

 
Having a fireplace is something I really would like in my house.  I have never had one in any of the houses I've lived in.  Many of the houses in my neighborhood do and smelling the wood smoke coming out of the chimmeny smells so cozy to me....this could be a deal breaker for me.

 
or would just having a mantle be OK for you?  A place to go to town decorating and hang stockings....

 
                                                {Season of Cannon Falls Riverhouse}

Would you want a beautiful staircase in your home..as I get older and my knees give me the fits..I think I could live without a gorgeous staircase. 

 

 What about a inside laundry room?  I would really prefer to have one of these.  If the house did not come with one..I'd want a house I could some how add it in.

 
How many bathrooms would you need to have?  Two would be nice but is that a deal breaker for you?  I would like two but I don't think I need to have two...

 
                                        {b,h and gardens image}

What about a dining room?  I hear some people say they don't even use theirs.  Hmm...we use ours, it's the only place to eat. 

 
or would a breakfast nook...be ok instead of a dining room....

 
                                                        {PBarn Catalog}

I deal breaker for my husband is a MAN CAVE{aka Family Room}...if it does not have that cross it off his list....

 

Bedrooms? We have to have at least 3!  That is a deal breaker for us....

 
Do you need to have an outdoor space such as a patio or deck?

 
Does having a craft room something that is on your list?

 
Having a pool would be a deal breaker for the girls...I think if the yard is big enough we could put one in.   The size of the yard would be a deal breaker...

there is so much to think about...do you want an open layout, two car garage, a long driveway, R.V. parking, hardwood floors or tile, a big or little porch, lots of windows, do you want a fixer upper or turnkey.....

I would love to hear your ideas and thoughts, what would you want and why?  Please leave a comment.....

El Dia de Los Muertos

In spanish that means the "the day of the dead".  Many people of Mexican heritage celebrate their ancestors that have passed away on this day. 

 

Many families visit the graves of the deceased and leave offerings and flowers.  Some of the offerings are favorite foods of the family members or sweet sugar skulls.

 
Catrina figurines are also set up at these altars. These are doll skeletons. 

 
Recently my really good friend got invited to a "Dia de Los Muertos" dinner party and she dressed up for the occasion. I love her embroidered costume with the lace and flower head-dress and not to mention how fabulous her make is!

 
Her husband also got into costume too!  Love his make up and that hat with the flower in it is perfect!  They set up an altar in their home with some mementos of their ancestors and photograhphs.  I think this is very inspiring since I come from a Hispanic heritage and I need to instill some of those traditions with my girls before they are lost as time goes by.  

 You can find information here or  here if you would like to know more about this tradition or celebratory Holiday.  Downtown Los Angeles has a store on Olvera Street with lots of things for this holiday and many activities are planned for the event.