I travel the world and am truly amazed with the sights, cultures, and people but in my eyes there is no place like home.

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31 December 2012

Cheers to 2013




2012 was an amazing year. I am constantly reminded how blessed and lucky I am. I wouldn’t change a thing. However, I am quite excited to start a new year. It’s sure to be exciting and filled with fun and new adventures. I’m not usually a big “resolution” maker but figured for fun I would throw a few out.

1.       Run a marathon
2.       PR a half marathon
3.       Start attending church regularly again
4.       Be consistent with exercise and make it a priority
5.       Eat healthier/cleaner – more fresh fruits and veggies
6.       Spend less time consuming alcohol and more time improving myself
7.       Continue to always make time for family
8.       Raise chickens
9.       Improve my gardening skills
10.   Take at least one new class – photography? Another farm/garden class?
11.   This is a biggie – get re-elected to Council Bluffs City Council!!!!!
12.   Have a craft/junk fair with my mom and aunt
13.   Travel overseas at least once – London or Ireland
14.   Tackle unfinished home improvement projects
15.   Learn how to build something – even just a table
16.   Utilize my creative/crafty side more often, spend less on store items
17.   Continue to contribute to the community through volunteering and sitting on boards/commissions
18.   Bring more sack lunches – eat out less
19.   Learn to say no and take time to relax
20.   Enjoy every minute of life!!!!

What are your resolutions?


20 December 2012

It's beginning to look a lot like Chrismas!!

I'm hoping to find some daylight for more photos of our freshly fallen 8+ inches of snow. For now a few iPhone snaps will have to do.

Even though it is a mess for driving it is pretty to see everything covered in white just in time for Christmas!

17 December 2012

A Dusting of Snow

As Christmas approaches its starting to feel more and more festive around here. Mother Nature even blessed us with a bit of Christmas snow.

14 December 2012

Thanksgiving Pies

 I know Thanksgiving was weeks ago and Christmas is right around the bend but I finally took time to load photos from my first ever pie from scratch adventure.
I have made many a pie but usually use store crust and pumpkin from a can. This year it was all from scratch! I had pumpkins from our garden (grown merely for decoration) that seemed sad to just toss in the yard waste so figured I would give it a shot.
It may have taken several hours, lots of phone calls to my mom, and one redo, but in the end totally worth it.
The pies turned out delicious if I can brag a bit. Thinking I might have to make a few for Christmas as well.   
Both pie recipes came from the good ol trusty Joy of Cooking. 

12 December 2012

Farm Snaps


A few random images from the farm for your Wednesday. Happy 12/12/12 to all.  

11 December 2012

Chief Standing Bear Bridge

 Gorgeous right?
 Of course would have been prettier had I picked a sunny blue sky day to take photos.
 The Mighty Mo is looking a big sad these days – too much water several years ago – not enough water today. Help us out Mother Nature!

10 December 2012

Another Glorious Niobrara Weekend

Another very relaxing much needed recharge of the system occurred over the weekend. We were even blessed with great (for December) weather until Sunday! Sadly the good camera sat home so you're bombared with Iphone photos instead.

07 December 2012

Deer Hunting

 Several  weeks ago I went on my first ever deer hunt.

(look close in this picture and you can see a TON of turkey)
I loved it! It’s so gorgeous being out there watching God’s creatures do their thing and enjoying the scenery.
Even if it did get a bit chilly! We didn’t shoot bambi that day. Saw many but none that were just right.  I can’t wait to go next year with a bow and try out my skills!

05 December 2012

Homemade Noodles


My mom always makes the best chicken noodle soup! I think it’s partially due to her amazing homemade noodles. Nothing store bought even comes close.
 I decided it was finally time I learn how to make these delights.
I was actually shocked at how simple and easy it was.
 With my mom's assistance I made my first batch and I can surprisingly say they turned out quite well.

03 December 2012

Holiday Home Tour Instagram Snaps

Hopefully I'll get things into gear and mother nature will cooperate with sunlight and I can overload everyone with my holiday cheer. Until then a few snaps from the tour yesterday.

30 November 2012

Historic Homes Tour Sunday

*This is why I have been Missing in Action from the blog - every waking moment seems to be spent on house prep. Hope to see lots of friendly faces Sunday!

Daily Nonpareil Online
Friday, November 30, 2012
Historic Homes for the Holidays Tour Sunday




Five historic homes, a commercial building and a boutique will be featured Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. on the “Historic Homes for the Holidays” tour sponsored by Preserve Council Bluffs.

Built in 1912 for Jean and Inez Bregant, this tiny Colonial Revival-influenced cottage at 517 S. Fourth St. features a diamond-shaped design in beveled and leaded glass windows, an extremely tall chimney due to its position between two much taller houses, and was built to scale for its owners.


The Bregant House was recently purchased by Preserve Council Bluffs and is in the process of being restored.

The Creston House at 215 S. Main St. is actually two buildings. Max Mohn erected them (215-217) in 1884 and operated the hotel until the turn of the century. The building on the south (217) was built first, and had 75 sleeping rooms, each 7 x 9 feet. The building served as the VFW Club after World War II. Notable for its height, striking cornice, relatively unchanged façade, and use of stone, it is the only building in the Haymarket Historic District for which the architect, Frederick Rosenau, is known.

Restoration of the Creston House by Deborah and Pete Petersen was completed in 2010. It houses Petersen Law and Saint Jude Hospice.

Likely architect-designed, this Prairie/Italian Renaissance house at 526 S. Third St. was built in 1916 for Fred R. Davis, president of Pioneer Implement Co. The notable architectural features are the massive hip roof of clay tiles that were recently replaced with cement tiles which retain the same look, the eave overhang, a porte-cochere, iron grillwork on the second floor balconies, porch hood with console brackets, and an unusual double-gabled dormer on the front roof slope.

The matching garage is connected to the house by an underground tunnel. The house served as the Girl Scout Office for about twelve years, during which time extensive restoration, interior and exterior, was accomplished. The current owners are Gina and Chad Primmer.

Dr. Oliver Walker Gordon built this three-story late Italianate house at 1703 Jane St. in 1888 for his new bride. The brick house, with original brackets under the eaves, has inner walls two-bricks thick and outer walls three-bricks thick. On the entrance side is a square bay window with a gable above. A slant bay window with a gable above is on the north side of the house.

The current owners are Carla and Ron Moore.

This Eclectic Prairie School/Spanish Colonial Revival house at 286 High School Ave. was built in its original style in 1916 for Dr. William B. Ash. An extensive renovation in the early 1930s, the front of the house was changed to the style that it is today.

After completing his residency in psychiatry, Dr. Ash went on to study neurology, a pairing of specialties that is common today.

He served as Mental Health Director at St. Bernard’s and Mercy Hospitals, as Commissioner for Mental Health, instructor at Creighton University and St. Bernard’s Hospital, member of the Insanity Commission for the State of Iowa and authored two books. The current owner is Sheila Barak Graham.

Jay C. Aid, a steam railroad conductor, built this Foursquare house at 211 Park Ave. around 1909 and lived there until his death in 1930. His widow remained in the house until 1932. Today it is the home of the VanEverys’ granddaughter, Melissa Head.

The two-story house has a pyramidal hipped roof with wide eave overhang and a hipped dormer on the front roof slope. It has a rounded bay window on the second floor to the right above the porch, which is full-width, and features full-height round posts and square balusters on a wood railing. The dormer has wood shingle siding and may retain original window. The house also features a two-story rectangular bay window on the side.

The Another Christmas Boutique: Built in 1900, this house at 206 Park Ave. has a brick and concrete foundation and wood lapped siding, and a front-gabled roof with lower cross-gabled ell. The two-story dwelling retains narrow-width lapped siding with wood shingle siding and a lunette window in the front gable end, a two-story rounded bay window on the side, and a decorative wraparound porch with turned spindle posts and railing and a wood appliqué in the pediment over the front entry.

The house was built for Swan J. Swanson, owner of the Swanson Music Company. The current owner is John Huggins.

A special treat Sunday is the Another Christmas Bouquet featuring 12 area artists.

Tickets are $15 per person and may be purchased at any of the six locations on the tour except the boutique, which is free and open to the public.

22 November 2012

Thankful


This Thanksgiving my thankful list is very long. I feel very blessed to be able to enjoy the holiday with great friends and family enjoying delicious food. It was fun to bake this year and it brought me great pleasure when others enjoyed my creations. A few mishaps of course (ooops Pumpkin pie needs eggs!) but overall a success. Now time to relax and enjoy this time with family. 

14 November 2012

Niobrara Weekend Fun


After a much needed nice long weekend in Niobrara I feel refreshed and ready to tackle the holidays. A quick glimpse into the weekend via my iPhone pics.

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