Oh Happy Happy Joy Joy!

Lists, lists and more lists!

I have been tagged, not once, not twice but thrice! Okay, so that is not a word but I like it anyway. Hmpf. I plan on working on these tonight and tomorrow. Ya'll know I love a good list. Heck, I love any list but these are really good. I have also been tagged to do a fun expose'. The Wendster has let me in on that....it will be fun! I am so sorry I made so many of you cry! I truly did not mean to do that...even Bill called me this afternoon and said he cried at his desk! Uh oh. Big boys DO cry! I had wanted to tie the story in with the *Home Is Best* post I had written. I stopped by the old barn to take pictures that day and it just looked sad...I wanted to remember Beau with happy thoughts NOT dark ones. He was a man who knew what the word *Home* meant didn't he? Sandi asked about pictures....I haven't any! I know, I know...can you believe that? This all happened in 2003, before I went digital. I seldom took my camera and so wish I did have some photos. I am checking with the Dayton Daily News. They did an article about it and there were pictures...maybe I can score some there. It was such an amazing sight! Yesterday was a gloomy weather day but I had a bit of fun stopping to take a few pictures. I drove onto the grounds of Normandy United Methodist Church. The church is situated on a piece of property that was once part of Normandy Farms. The land and home were owned by Richard H. Grant, one of Dayton's outstanding citizens and businessmen. For several years the Grants enjoyed weekends in a cabin on property along Holes Creek. When they decided to build a permanent home in the area they purchased six adjoining farms, totaling 780 acres. The house was constructed in 1927-30, at a cost of nearly one million dollars.

The Grants chose Medieval English Manor style for their new home. Mr. Grant's energy and constant demand for quality, which brought him success in the business world, was directed toward the construction of his home. The two-story tower and staircase with the massive chandelier add historical elegance to the three-story building with its thirty-eight rooms consisting of a main section and two wings. The eight-inch thick concrete floors and eighteen-inch outer walls topped by six inches on the roof gives the house great stability. It was literally built to last for ages. A slate roof and leaden drainpipes also show great attention to durability and quality. The eleven sculptured marble fireplaces, the massive entrance gates, many of the doors, and the stained glass window plaques were purchased in Europe . The beautifully hand carved old wood paneling in the main hall and library was imported from England and dates back to 1603.

In 1984 the Normandy Farms house was placed on The National Register of Historic Buildings.

It is just gorgeous inside!

But today I stayed outside and snapped a few pictures.

Have a sweet weekend dear friends! Love and Hugs, Susie Q