Most of the photos here at Rabbit Run Cottage
can be enlarged just by clicking on each one!
There you go...see? Easy!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

House Envy?






Uh huh. House envy. It's a real condition from which many suffer. Okay, so *suffer* is a bit dramatic but many of us feel a twinge of Home Envy now and again. I have always enjoyed seeing this house from the road. I pass by it almost every day and it sits so nicely on the lot, surrounded by lovely trees. It has a sweet little out building and even a creek that runs  through the 3 acre property. When the For Sale sign appeared I jumped on line to see what surprises the house, built in 1948, held inside and I danced for joy when I saw the Open House banner! Now, 9 years ago, when we first moved back to the area, this would have been the house we may well have purchased, IF it had been for sale. But now, 9 years later, it's size, and the size of it's yard, makes me leery. Heck, we aren't getting any younger you know! The folks selling are our age and it's getting harder to care for! But oh is it pretty and it so fits...well...me. My style. My decor sensibilities. It's very English country/French country in feel and I could move right in and feel perfectly at home. The wide plank floors are original and just gleam. It has charm, oh yes it does. Bill and I toured the home on Sunday and I wanted to share it with you. Let's begin the tour...

Entering the living room from the foyer...


Looking towards the foyer & into the dining room...


Entering the dining room...


Entering the library from the dining room...
 The perfect spot for an after dinner Brandy and a cigar...IF I smoked cigars and drank brandy!

Now we enter the kitchen...



I am totally loving the kitchen fireplace! Thee were copper pots hanging from the beams between the kitchen and the breakfast room. I just loved it all.
Oh, and yes. That is my handsome husband just coming into the kitchen!


Looking into the kitchen doorway from the den...

That's the doorway into the dining room from the den...

Looking at the doorway into the 4 season room from the den...


The 4 season room...

First floor master with bay window...

Master bath with original tile...
There was a good sized walk in closet (considering the age of the home) and a dressing table.

The small full bath off the foyer...

From the foyer, heading upstairs...

The study at the top of the stairs...

First upstairs bedroom...

It's bathroom...


There was another full bath off the hallway but I didn't snap a photo.


I hope you enjoyed touring this charming gem with me. I know most of you like peeking into homes as much as I do!  Now, here's the rub. Bill asked me if I truly wanted to *think* about this place...putting ours on the market and planning a move. As silly as some of you may find me, I answered no. I am comfortable where I am at this time in my life. I am content. I adore our neighbors and this home has no real *neighborhood* of which to speak, something I would miss very much. At almost 55 with two bad knees and a host of aches and pains, the yard care and cleaning a house this size would overwhelm me! So I will just be happy to look and swoon and sigh.

I hope your week is going well. It has been so Spring like and pretty these past few days but a change is coming! The clouds are rolling in, thunder is rumbling and a cold front is approaching!

Stay well, stay safe and smile! You look SO pretty when you do!









Wednesday, March 16, 2011

A Little Irish...

...soda bread that is!



Ingredients

5 cups sifted all-purpose unbleached flour

3/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 pound (1 stick) butter

2 1/2 cups mixed light and dark raisins, soaked in water for 15 to 20 minutes and drained

3 tablespoons caraway seeds

2 1/2 cups buttermilk

1 large egg, slightly beaten

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter 2 (9 by 5-inch) bread pans.

Stir together the sifted flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Cut in the butter and mix very thoroughly with your hands until it gets grainy. Stir in raisins and caraway seeds.

Add the buttermilk and egg to the flour mixture. Stir until well moistened. Shape dough into 2 loaves and place in the pans.
Bake for 1 hour. Test with a toothpick for doneness. Cool in the pans for 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Enjoy!

May your St.Patrick's Day be filled with good food, warm
laughter & the joy of being surrounded by loved ones.

Rath Dé ort!


An Irish Giggle











Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!



I needed a giggle today and nothing cheers me more than dancing with my favorite Irishman. I am not sure what's in Brian's tankards but MINE is filled with Root Beer!

Can you believe that St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow! Don't forget to be a wearin' a bit o' the green!


Monday, March 14, 2011

When Words Fail...

...we turn to prayer.

 Hear our prayers dear Lord and let our cries come unto you.
 We weep with your people in Japan. We feel the desperation of those searching for loved ones
 We see the devastation & we are overwhelmed by the enormity of it all.

Open our hearts to feel your compassion & galvanize in us the act of continued giving.
Bond us to our Japanese sisters and brothers in need

Comfort and heal the injured, the bereaved, the lost. Strengthen the aid workers and medical personnel

Bolster the resolve of governments and those with power to help.

In Your Name of mercy and healing and compassion we pray...when words fail.

Amen.







Saturday, March 12, 2011

Celebrating Two Special Gifts...

The first week of March is always cause to celebrate in our family. Our Grace and our nephew Brady share the same birthday. My mother has not been well for several months but has been feeling better recently. She had all of us over this week to celebrate 2 very precious gifts...

Grace and her Daddy
Grace with her Uncle Jim
 Daniel with his little sister
Brady & Grace, the birthday kids
Brady & his daddy
Cousins
Proud Grandma with her birthday kids

Again I apologize for being such a bad blogger. Helping my mother and, well, just the every day busy-ness have kept me away from you all. Know I think of each of you often and send you much love.

~The people of Japan are in my prayers as I know they are in yours.
May God be with them all...