Until I was seven years of age...
...I lived in this house.
It never looked nearly so pretty back in those days though.
In fact...
it looked rather sad as pictured in the old family photos.
I have good memories of my time spent there though...
as does my older sister.
In those days it was a farmhouse...
part of a working dairy farm.
Today it is a house in a subdivision.
Several years ago I met the new owner...
who was so hospitable and invited me in for a tour.
I could not believe how beautiful the old house now was!
Since my sister was visiting from Texas over the weekend...
I made arrangements for us to tour the house together.
Dad was quite eager to join us...
as was my sister Dot...
who spent the first few years of her life in that house as well.
Meet the lady-of-the-house...
and our most hospitable tour guide.
As I recall...
the house was quite dark in my time.
Not so anymore...
everything is light and bright!
The fireplace looked just as it did more than five decades ago.
This was the bedroom that Bev and I shared...
the one where dad told us scary bedtime stories.
And this was the same kitchen nook where we once ate.
It now has patio doors and opens onto a lovely patio.
I'm sure the kitchen has been renovated several times over the years...
but shadows of the kitchen I once knew were still there.
Isn't that a beautiful dining room?
I remember the bow windows...
but they never used to open onto a patio.
An awesome patio!
The dining room features several built-ins with open shelving.
So pretty!
(Judy, Dad, Dot, Bev)
We had a photo taken in the living room...
next to the fireplace...
for the record!
Dot, Bev, Judy ~ circa 1957
Here is a photo from the archives that we had taken at the exact spot...
next to the fireplace...
more than 55 years ago.
And that was our trip down memory lane last weekend.
It was a good trip.
Dad quite enjoyed the tour as well...
and was able to provide a few historic bits and pieces of info about the house.
It is a house that has definitely improved with age!
Bev left for home yesterday...
...back to her home in South Texas.
One would think that she drove here...
judging by the plates on her car.
What are the chances of her being given a rental car in Seattle with personalized plates...
from Texas?
I'll be missing from 'my front porch' for the next little while.
I am packing my bags to leave for Manitoba...
to take part in a Celebrations book signing tour over there.
If you live in that part of the country...
we'd love to meet you!
Have a wonderful Wednesday.
Oh how I would LOVE to tour the house I grew up in. How wonderful that you were able to do that! It is a BEAUTIFUL house. I love to think of all the history that house holds. Enjoy your trip!
ReplyDeleteWOW, what a beautiful house!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your trip :)
That was a sweet trip down memory lane - lovely to see your old house loved and lived in so beautifully. Have a safe trip and lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteOh my word, that house must have had some real good bones for such a great remodel! How great that the new owner let you all come for a visit. I think I have a photo on a oversized stuffed chair like that...
ReplyDeleteYou had me going for a while thinking your sister drove all the way from South Texas!! See you tonight with Washington Plates!
Personalized plates! Ha!
ReplyDeleteThe old houses were so well built. I wonder if the newer houses will still delightful in sixty years.
By the way, what year was your old family home originally built? Guessing 1930s?
I'm guessing it was built in the 1920's. It was 'very old' when we lived there in the 50's...though structurally solid.
DeleteOh my goodness gracious, what a neat post. The house is beautiful and I can just imagine the memories that must have flooded all of you as you wandered through it. The new owner's generosity in letting you guys visit is awesome. Thank you so much for taking us along with you. I love the "then and now" photos by the fireplace.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful for you to be able to tour your old home. What a charming place it is. I love that someone has taken it and made it beautiful again rather than just demolishing it.
ReplyDeleteThe two photos are a wonderful contrast - how time moves on.
Have a wonderful time in Manitoba!
This is so cool to me. I have never wished to return to a former home, yet you have proven that it can be a delightful excursion. What fun to reenact the old photo! You are all so cute!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful house! I could just get lost in there! Just love the decor!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it nice to see your old home become more beautiful with age?
I love the photo circa 1957 compard to the one today. This reminds me of when we visited my childhood home in Brazil after having lived in Canada for about 20 years. So nice when the new owners graciously allow you the tour. Thank you for sharing!
What a wonderful opportunity to go back and see the "house that built you." Most people don't get that chance. Your posts are always so uplifting and inspirational and your pictures are awesome!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love that house. It has character and has been renovated so beautifully. I get to see my old house fairly regularly since it is still all in the family but I would be quite curious to see the homes where we first lived when we got married.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a fun post...I love seeing how they have given it such a new look. It must make your family proud of such a dwelling. I just took the boys last week to our farm where my kids grew up...they had such a wonderful time exploring, knowing where there father played.
ReplyDeleteSuch a neat thing to be able to "go" back in time...sort of!! House is lovely and you and your sisters certainly look like sisters! So cool about the car tag...just a sweet little reminder from our Heavenly Father that He knows where we are ALL the time even when we are a long way from home!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice trip down memory lane and so wonderful that your dad could join you!! The house is beautiful. Judy - have a wonderful time in Manitoba this weekend - I'll be thinking of you all.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post. Going "back" can be so much fun...I liked the line 'shadows of the kitchen I once knew'. What a gorgeous home it has become...obviously loved. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is amazing! What a lot of changes in your former house but the beautiful fireplace is still the same! I love the photo of you girls with your Dad and the one of you girls so many years ago. You all look alike. The current homeowner has decorated the house beautifully and I love the patio! I would love to see the flat where we grew up and I did get my picture in front of the house with my sister last summer. Have a fun trip to Manitoba! Blessings, Pamela
ReplyDeleteI couldn't resist commenting. Exceptionally well written!
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What a nice stroll downn memory lane thsi must have been for you and your sisters and father, Judy. This house is very pretty and so well cared for --it is obviously well loved by the new owner. I was amazed by the beautiful clematisgrowing in her yard --the bush was so full of big flowers!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Manitoba and the book signing tour!