Our House of Dreams

Party!

2008-05-28T09:14:00.001-07:00

We had our graduation party before the boys actually graduated on Saturday. If you only knew how hard it was to pick a day and time that worked for our family.... anyway, here are some random pictures taken at our home. Enjoy!

High School and Older Kids haning out in the cabana.

Middle School and Younger Kids eating at a table.

MY Pampered Chef, in his own apron, because HE wanted one, that's why.
"Food anyone? We have barbecued meat, my wife's to die for chili cheese dip, and her famous lemon-limeaid punch!"

My brother Troy, his new lab puppy, Bella, and Javier

Friends and Family
More friends and family

Family

High School aged friends

And now, the following picture may seem very very odd to you:

He is not blessing our food, the boys or anything religious at all. Yes, his hands are folded, he is slightly bowed and his eyes are shut. I assure you, he is NOT praying.

He is begging.

Begging his graduating grandsons to let him SKIP their ceremony and go to a football game.

Not just any football game, but one that would allow him to see one of his other grandsons play in the big indoor arena before our state's arena football team plays. It is as big of deal as it sounds. It's HUGE!

And after enjoying their Granddad's show, they let him off the hook, wishing they could go to a football game instead of having to put a button-up dress shirt on, slacks, dress shoes AND a cap and gown....

And that, my peeps, is how we roll. We understand each other, we give and take and sometimes give more than we get, but that's okay. Because we love each other and those grandsons KNOW their Granddad loves them and that's what really matters.

The Orchard Part 2

2008-05-06T20:21:00.000-07:00

Long ago, I brought you The Orchard. Here is the spring version:

"A Walk in MY Park"

Apple Tree

Apple Tree, pre-pruned

Same Apple Tree POST pruned

Now, here are some "artsy-fartsy" pictures I took. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking them. And I enjoyed them lots. Lots and lots, peoples.

" The Lone Branch"

Wait, this isn't art. This is Roy hard AT work! We're not at the "pruning fruit trees IS an art, thank you very much," stage. Next year, a similar shot may be art - not now.

Apple Blossom

A different apple blossom. From a different tree, thank you. No, it does NOT look the same.

Yet another blossom. From yet another branch.

Not an apple blossom. Peach Blossom. Our lone peach tree.

Pruning trees is addicting. When you see so many more that need pruned, it's really hard to stop and leave the little guys untended. And yet...

Enough for today, Honey. We have tomorrow.
I made him quit. Til tomorrow.

Coming Soon - Gardens, Islands and more, oh my!
Pop on over to Joy's other blog: El Mundo de Mamacita

Mr Sandman

2008-02-22T12:45:00.000-08:00

Mr. Sandman, bring me a drive (bung, bung, bung, bung)Make it the best
priced that I've ever seen (bung, bung, bung, bung)Give it two lanes
like roses and clover (bung, bung, bung, bung)Then tell me
that my long muddy drives are over. Sandman, I'm so at
home. Don't have a drive to call my own Please turn on
your magic dumpster. Mr. Sandman, bring me a drive.
~Adapted by Yours Truly~

Yes, HELP is on the way!

Our drive has become an absolute muddy hole. People have a hard time navigating it and we're ruining what drive we have so....

One of many truck loads of road mix and 3/4 mix for our much larger than we thought drive and parking areas. Edited to add: 7 truck loads of 3/4 mix and two loads of road mix for a total of NINE truck loads. That's a lot people.

Snow Snow Snow

2008-02-06T14:31:00.001-08:00

I just love our drive. I am able to love it since I have 4WD in my big ol' Suburban. My son, Troy, does NOT love our drive. That's because he drives an awesome El Camino that slides all over the place! Today is gorgeous. Reminds me of winters past and why I love winter, or think I do til it's grey for weeks and muddy and windy. That's for another day 'cause today could not be nicer!!! The sun is shining, the wind isn't blowing and our world was blanketed in white again overnight.

Here is ONE of the piles of evidence my dear hubby has made so I can navigate our drive. There are many of these around our place right now.

More evidence from dear hubby who slid off the drive into my fence with the skidster. Broke it good. :( Thankfully, I have two strapping young lads who will fix it for me as soon as they can dig some post holes!!!

3rd Annual Progressive Dinner

2008-01-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

For the third year now, those of us kids who live here, get together for a Progressive Dinner. We have the salad or appetizer at one home, main dish at another home and dessert and the last home. Our parents don't bring anything but enjoy time in each of our homes.

This year we started at Mahlon & Laura's, had soup at Roy & Joy's and then dessert and Mahlon's birthday at Larry & Steph's.

"Kids Table" in the kitchen

Dining Room

Dining Room

Mahlon's Birthday cake

1st Christmas

2008-01-09T09:53:00.000-08:00

Uncle Troy & Javier
Nana and her gorgeous quilt made by Aunt Laura

Granddad & his new antenea for remote cell phone access

Family View

Another Family View

Trimming the Tree

Our HUGE tree!

The View

2008-01-09T09:50:00.000-08:00

We are so blessed to have this amazing view from our front room each day. Here is a picture Roy took Monday morning.

We got hit by a snow storm yesterday and the schools closed so Paco is out enjoying some snow time.

Sorry

2007-11-15T09:16:00.000-08:00

Well, I have not been good about keeping this updated. :(

We are working on the house... I just don't take pictures of what we did or else it seems to minimal to post about, I guess.

Come see what we've done!

Fruit

2007-09-04T12:49:00.000-07:00

Remember when The Orchard was spring time? Well, now it is harvest time!!

Plums anyone? Actually, we don't have that many, it's just a pain to pick, wash and cut them all up. A nice pain, though.

The birds and bugs got most of our fruit this year. I have a plan for next year though, so no worries! I'm buying #2 peaches for CHEAP and will be canning soon! Hip Hip Hooray!

The Island

2007-09-04T10:54:00.001-07:00

Saturday was a work day for us since it was LABOR day weekend. For some reason, the kids thought it was a vacation weekend but we sure proved them wrong. We informed them that it was LABOR Day so that everyone would have time to work at home.... while they didn't buy it, they did work, whether they wanted to or not.

Here is the "entry" to the island (above). You can see the tracks in the ground.

This is the view facing South, aka the "point" of the island. Future home to a purple Butterfly Bush.
Here is the entry after we planted 44 lavenders on each side of the path. We almost had enough to do half the length of the path. It's 80' long so obviously a work in progress.
Between the two rose bushes is future home to a bench, arbor maybe and perhaps some sort of water fountain. This area is to the (East) right of the path, about 6 lavender plants down the path from the entry (so close to the entry).
Here is the view looking South. This is as far as the lavender went and we had 3 flats. $$$We'll work on this in stages.$$$

Here is my Island on paper. The lavender will eventually be 3 rows deep on each side of the path. Looking at the paper above, my new weeping cherry tree will be on the left, my new Rose of Sharon, on the right and the yet to be purchased Butterfly Bush will be on the point. At the bottom left, my rosemary is growing, some grass bushes and weeds, for now. Everything in here is perennial and eventually self maintaining. YEAH!

Stumps

2007-07-25T14:47:00.001-07:00

Early morning digging.

Our lawn had too many too count stumps so after renting a digger, the guys got to work VERY early on the hot (105) Saturday!

HOLES - everywhere. And we thought the gophers made a mess?!?!

More digging

And a bonus - we have baby quail. They are so cute!

Obviously, we have done more than this site shows. I'll try and be better but man alive, I'm busy!!!

The Orchard

2007-04-10T18:17:00.000-07:00

We finally know what kind of fruit trees we have! With a total of 15 fruit trees, we have our own little orchard!

8 apple trees, 5 pear, 1 peach and a lone apricot tree that I (Joy) is fighting to save.

Here are the trees in the back - view from our Spanish patio

The lone apricot tree that Roy wants to chop down for our shop entrance. We WILL wait until this year's harvest and research getting starts from it and seeing if that is an option. Otherwise, I'm afraid this little tree; which is so pretty right now, may be history.

Living Room - aka "The Big Room"

2007-04-10T14:32:00.000-07:00

Notice the very large gorgeous picture over Roy's chair. The picture does NOT do it justice. It's just beautiful and was perfect for this wall. It has colors that just stand out in our room and the golds and reds are perfect. This picture was above our dear friend, Doris', bed for YEARS and when she moved to Washington, it couldn't go so it got a new home with us. We're sad that she's not here but honored to have such a gorgeous piece to remember her by.

The shelves as you walk in the big room from the foyer. Getting closer to being done but not quite yet. wink wink

Our Foyer

2007-03-05T14:37:00.000-08:00

Here is our entry way, the first wall you see when you come to our new home:

Now, about the pew - it is VERY special indeed. It is an original church pew from the original (long ago torn down) Star Friends Church! Thanks to a friend who salvaged it from rubbage years ago, it is now safe in our home. I grew up attending this church (the rebuilt one) and this pew is really icing on the cake for me. I can't wait for you to see it in person as this picture does not do it justice.

Here is what we began with in the foyer:
1) We (Dad, Mom, who knows who else got roped into working) took off the wallpaper. Discovered there was not a finished wall under the paper so the guys took care of that for me. 2) Dad and Roy primed the wall, I think and then I finally was allowed in the house to do some color meshing!! Here is what one of our Friday night dates was spent doing:
We took three colors and with a lambs wool "woolie" I meshed colors together for our final product:

Internet, Updates and More

2007-02-27T20:03:00.000-08:00

Let me just say, it's not easy finding high speed connection out here in the country! Thankfully, we are set and I am surfin' like I haven't had a chance in weeks!!

The bills are finding us at our new address...for some reason I thought it might take a few days but here they come, ready or not!

Enjoying and LOVING our new home. Everyone is actually. We've had a constant fire going since last Saturday I think. So toasty on these windy winter days and nights.

The wind blows out here. Hard. Loud. Wakes me up several times a night!! Ahhhh, no neighbors to block the wind. No neighbor lights shining in my windows. Love it all!

Update on rooms:
1) Antonio's room is all but done and should be ready for pictures this weekend.
2) Girls' room is all but done and will be ready for pictures very soon.
3) Nursery - Getting there! My niece Mandy came and helped me work in it on Monday and boy did we make headway! If baby actually came now, we'd be fine! Praise the Lord.
4) Kitchen - LOVING IT! I love that I have a deep wide sink that will hold my Pampered Chef big baker in it!! Love my new dishwasher that cleans and dries in less than 90 minutes!
5) Favorite new appliance - washer and dryer! The dryer actually keeps up with the washer, allowing 4 minutes to change loads!!! Never thought I could be so excited about laundry but I have to say, I look for things to wash now. It's a Maytag Neptune and oh so pretty.
6) Dining Room - coming right along.
7) Master Bedroom - Finally painted and dressers moved in. Toilet hooked up and running so that is HUGE when it comes to using it every hour all night long....
8) Main Bathroom is ready for some pictures to be hung and we're set there. It's a beautiful blue that I hope comes through nicely in the pictures we'll post.
9) Shag Room - Slowly but surely we're making progress here. It's not a room I see daily so sort of "out of sight - out of mind." A dear friend gave us some awesome big comfy chairs to go in it that really make a difference in the layout. Thank you, Jimbo!
10) Foyer - almost ready to post a picture... it's a beauty!

When I can't sleep in the night now, I come out to the living room and watch the lights of Caldwell and beyond and think how good God is. I have a great view of Bogus and love seeing the snow on the mountains. The Owyhee's are gorgeous right now, too. So, I just take it all in. When you're in the neighborhood, stop by and see us! Just ignore boxes here and there and a remember we're a family of eight now!

The Boys' Room

2007-02-20T08:59:00.000-08:00

The blanket we made for Troy for Christmas.

Troy's side of the room.

Reggie's Blanket

Reggie's side of the room.

Thank You, God!

2007-02-20T08:54:00.000-08:00

This picture was taken last Sunday from our picture windows in the living room. It just took my breath away and reminded me what's really important.

Here is the view from the foyer looking East. You can see the big windows glaring against the far wall. To the right is the dining room and to the left is a odd little cubby office area.

Moving Day Pictures

2007-02-20T08:46:00.000-08:00

The kitchen table packed with kids eating pizza! Yummy!

Adult table in dining room. Friends and family joined in to help us move. Thank you everyone!!!

Brady, Troy and Brianna moving more items over on Sunday. More kids were in the rig with Roy.

We're Moved!

2007-02-17T19:58:00.000-08:00

Well, I've tried uploading pictures several times to show you our moving day but Blogger just isn't letting me. Bummer.

We've been in our home for a week now. Yes, boxes still abound and paint fumes linger as we work to finish the last few rooms in need of paint.

Let me say, I love our new home. It's wonderful. A God-Send. A Dream.

Things happen and change everyday. With some rainy days this past week, Roy and Dad were able to paint the upstairs bathroom (one more coat to go), the laundry closet, doors for our rooms (very important!!!), texture and prime our master bed and bathroom and countless other projects.

Our new appliances arrived yesterday and I can't wait to run a load of laundry in the new machines!!! Supposedly the dryer can keep up with the washer - we shall see!

Our friend Jimbo has given many of his possessions a new home with us and that happened today - very exciting. I can't wait to share a picture of the foyer... I'll keep you in suspense.

As a family, we are doing well. Please continue to pray for us as we adjust to a new home, new ways of doing things, 4400' ft to clean... life in general with a very pregnant Moma. Need I say more?

Until next time, hopefully, with pictures!

2007-02-05T07:48:00.000-08:00

A Home Blueprint

Home - a world of strife shut out,

a world of love shut in.

Home - a place where the small are great,

and the great are small.

Home - the father's kingdom, the mother's world,

and the child's paradise.

Home - the place where we grumble the most,

and are treated the best.

Home - the center of our affection,

round which our heart's best wishes twine.

Home - the place where our stomachs get three square

meals a day and our hearts a thousand.

~Charles M. Crow~

Pantry #1

2007-01-23T09:46:00.000-08:00

Melynda and I went out to the house yesterday and cleaned out one of three storage/pantry areas. Two are actually pantry spaces and the other is more of a "storage room."

We decided we were not going to paint this room right now so we got to work scrubbing shelves to put some food on. (We were given several boxes of food and didn't want to move it twice so we brought it on out to the house and that is what you see in the pictures.)

The shelves are along three walls. There are doorways across from each other at the end of the shelves and along the fourth wall there is a nook for a freezer and the door leading to the "storage room."

Comments

2007-01-20T09:01:00.000-08:00

Hopefully, I have made the correct changes so you (anyone) can comment! Thanks for the e-mails of congratulations and well-wishes!

First Dinner in New Home

2007-01-17T15:57:00.000-08:00

We treated ourselves to a gourmet dinner from KFC and took it out to our new home for our first meal there.

R to L: Troy, Reggie, Melynda, Antonio & Taylor

There are 3 rolling chairs to go with the pizza booth seating at our built in kitchen table.

We can easily seat 8 with the option to squeeze in one more or pull up another chair so come on over!

Above photo you can see more of the kitchen. The wall you can't see, where Roy is standing to take the picture, is more cupboard and cabinet space (THANK YOU, LORD!). The refrigerator is along that wall, as well. Between the counter you see in the left is a door that leads to the formal dining and living rooms.

In this photo, you can see the little stove to the right and beyond that is the laundry closet. To the left of the closet is the bathroom for upstairs.

Behind Troy is the top of the stairs that leads to either 1) outside or 2) downstairs. The stairway winds along the wall the kids are sitting against.

To the right of the laundry closet is a doorway that leads to the hall where the bedrooms are located.

We had a most enjoyable dinner and was one meal Roy and I for sure won't forget. How good God has been to us.

Home At Last

2007-01-17T15:48:00.000-08:00

We are homeowners!!!

For the first time in either of our lives, we own a home! We are excited to share with you some photos of what our home looks like now and are even more excited to share with you the changes that will be made over our lifetime.

Above photo is taken from the drive and is the front of the home. Front door faces North. You keep driving to the left for the circular drive or take the "Y" to the right for the shop area.

I love this photo showing our Spanish style deck and patio below. Standing on the deck, you can see to the South & East. Great views, too! Taking this picture, you are looking West. The big windows you see are to the living room. Below them is the family room. The patio doors are off the family room.