What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Monday, January 23, 2023

Tuesday 4...Home Sweet Home

a 1939 Living Room

 http://tuesdaysplace.blogspot.com/2023/01/home-sweet-home.html


Home Sweet Home

Welcome once again to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4, where we hope you will stretch your mind, your imagination and your friendships online by sharing a bit of yourself with others.

This week the subject is Your Home .

1. What kind of home do you have and does it need repair or improvements this year?
We have a manufactured home, which has its advantages and disadvantages. One disadvantage is that it sits up fairly high off the ground, and one has to go up several steps to get to the porch and inside the house. The older we get, the more we realize that soon we will need a ramp to access our home rather than steps. Already we are limited in who we can invite over to visit, as we have some friends who use walkers or canes or have difficulty climbing steps.  I would love to go ahead and add a ramp before we get any older, but it is rather expensive to do so as it needs to be quite long based on the height of the steps.  The ramp needs to be one foot long for every inch in height of the steps. Our steps are at least 48" high, so that means the ramp needs to be at least 48 feet long! That's a lot of ramp to build!

Advantages are that once you are inside, everything is very convenient and we do enjoy the floor plan of our home. We have three bedrooms, and actually there are three bathrooms, because our Master Bath is divided into two separate bathrooms! One has a sink, toilet and a shower. The other has a sink, toilet and a garden tub! Very handy for hubby and I to each have our own bathroom in our bedroom! That was a bonus we did not expect when we looked at this home! The other bathroom is on the other side of the house where the guest bedroom and our son Scott's bedroom is (although he no longer lives here). Our house also has a great room (living/dining combo), and a little den, a.k.a. "My Room with a View".  The kitchen is large and has an island with a breakfast bar top, which never gets used for breakfast. LOL.
   As far as improvements go, we just did the most major improvement we can manage for now...replacing the carpet with vinyl plank flooring in the great room, den, and master bedroom. We are enjoying that very much, as the carpet really needed to be replaced.
Master Bedroom

Living room (Great Room)

Den (My Room With A View)


2. How do you accessorize your home inside and out? Plants, art, books, wall hangings, maybe music in the background?

Oh jeepers,  my home is a mixture of old and older, family heirlooms...yes, there are books, wall hangings...not many plants in the house...This is the extent of the current plants inside...a blooming amaryllis, an amaryllis plant from last year that might decide to grow but I probably need to take it outside and plant it in the spring, and a Christmas cactus that has stopped blooming for the season.

I have posted many photos throughout the years of the furnishings and items in our home that have meaning to me.  Most everything we have came from someone special to us and so therefore we keep it. I teasingly but lovingly call our home the family "museum". 


3. What objects reside on your coffee table? Night stand? Side tables? Kitchen/Dining table?
Our coffee table currently.

My bedside table currently has an alarm clock, a box of kleenex, a fingernail file, some eye drops and a flashlight. There is a lamp that doesn't work, but it's too pretty not to keep it. Just needs a new electrical fixture for the lightbulb...one of those "projects" on the to do list.  Baby Elva's cradle is close by my bed. Lily Grace also sleeps there at night, but she's off playing with her friends right now. LOL.


This is the table in the foyer. (below) There is a guest book under that basket. If you come to visit, I would love for you to sign my guest book. I think I forgot to ask the last few visitors, so you need to come back and sign it! LOL. (Terri, Linda, you know who you are). The basket has cards in it that are waiting to be mailed out to church members for their birthdays. I write them all out at the beginning of the month, but don't mail them until a few days before the actual birthdate, so they wait their turn in the basket. This is a little ministry that I volunteer to do for our church.  
Our son painted the sign for our last home that was in the woods, but it still works for this home. It says: "Welcome to our neck of the woods...where life is good. Fresh Air, Star Gazing, Quiet Spaces".  I wanted him to paint a new one when we moved here that said "Welcome to Still Waters Pond...Where life is good, etc...."  He said someday when he has some time...LOL. I guess I'll stick with this sign and be thankful.

This is another little coffee table, a.k.a. a bench. Our son built this for me a few years ago. Our sweet DIL made the sign for me that says "He leads me beside the still waters" for Christmas last year. The chess board was built by my father many years ago for my hubby.  There are puzzles to put together when anyone wants to stay around awhile...and there is a game of Yahtzee and some Dominoes on this table...because we just played those with our kids the other evening when they brought some pulled pork over for dinner and stayed to play games!

When it comes to the dining table, it depends on the season/holiday/occasion as to what might be found there, but what I like to find there most of all is my precious family, gathered round the table for any kind of meal. This picture was last Father's Day, I think...hence the hamburgers, corn on the cob,  etc.,  We were very casual with paper plates.  But I can dress it it on occasion as well...

(another view from last year Father's day...)

Christmas Dinner 2022 (below)


4. Do you like your kitchen organized and with counters cleared off or do you prefer to have the things you use often out on counters? Do you mind what some might see as clutter or do you hate having to dig out tools and appliances when it comes time to use them? and prefer to have them within easy reach?




above : a 1940's Kitchen.   Oh, I love the look of that 1940's kitchen above! I actually once lived in a house that had the white metal cabinets like that, with a large farmhouse sink. I loved it so much!
There is a picture of it in  THIS LINK https://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2017/04/interesting-places-ive-lived-story-of.html That is a fun story that I think you will enjoy reading if you haven't before.

To answer the questions in #4 above, 
a. Do you like your kitchen organized and with counters cleared off or do you prefer to have the things you use often out on counters?  This is my main kitchen counter beside the stove. As you can see, I have the toaster oven, coffee pot and hot water pot, a crock of cooking utensils and knives all sitting out on the counter.  I won't show you the other side by the sink, because it needs to be cleaned off first. LOL. 

B.  Do you mind what some might see as clutter or do you hate having to dig out tools and appliances when it comes time to use them? and prefer to have them within easy reach?

Well, I really don't mind what others might see as clutter. This is my kitchen, and I have it arranged to what works best for me. I do have things like my mixer and crock pot and other big items stashed away in a cabinet. What you see above is pretty much what I leave out, plus on the other side is my electric can opener. My kitchen is organized for my use. Spices and baking things and cooking utensils are near the stove in cupboards. Serving dishes and plates and glasses are kept in another area. Coffee/Tea mugs are kept above the coffee pot. Pots and pans are in cupboards below and beside the stove.  

This is my favorite counter/cabinet, where I can decorate for each season. Dishes are all stored in the cabinets above and below.


This is an old picture below from last year, but it is a glimpse at the island counter, where the sink is...and the dish drainer because we no longer have a dishwasher. I do keep the dish drainer on the counter because we use it for every meal. 


This is also an old picture, but the island is where the Memorial Garden Rose is displayed when it blooms, next to the picture of our son Matthew.  The rosebush hasn't bloomed in a while, I guess I need to trim it back and fertilize it, when the cold weather goes away.  


And so thus ends another episode of Tuesday 4.  Every week is a group of four different questions about different topics. I hope you enjoyed this week! 

Oh, and regarding our home, one of the BEST parts of it is our Still Waters Pond. We enjoy so much the views we see from the back porch overlooking the pond. It's never exactly the same. There are all kinds of birds, as I've shown you frequently. And then there are the sunsets.  

This was the view last night: (Sunday night)

And here's the view from tonight, same time and place. (Monday night).


God is the Master Designer of our beautiful world around us. He loves to display His masterpieces for us each night. No two are ever the same.
And He is the Master Designer of our home as well. Not just the physical house itself, but the love that dwells within the walls of this home. 

Here's some thoughts from God's Word about our homes...

"For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God."
Hebrews 3:4


Matthew 7:24-27
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Proverbs 24:3-4
"3 Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
4 By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches."

So dear friends, from my house to yours,
Y'all come!

Good night and God bless you all.


Go visit our other Tuesday 4 friends HERE

22 comments:

  1. Oh, Pamela, I so enjoyed this "tour" of your home and kitchen. We, too, keep the appliances that we use frequently out on the counters, but have places to store the others. What helps us so much is having hanging pot/pan holders fastened to the ceiling. Takes so much clutter out of our way and keeps our lower cabinets free to store other cooking necessities.
    I wish we had thought ahead and considered handicap-friendly ramps when we installed our new decks, but alas, we didn't. Praying that God will keep us able to do stairs for many, many years to come.
    Blessings, my friend!

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  2. Ramps are not good for people with spinal stenosis as going up compresses the spine. Going down.. no problem LOL. You can't win LOL. I am sorry the stairs limit you. One thing I found is that if the treads have too many inches between them it can be hard. Making them a smaller distance sure helped me! Your home is warm and inviting. I also love those old metal cabinets and even the old wooden ones. I would so like to have an old kitchen with a 50s table etc. But I am happy with mine. Some things in it actually still work!!! ;)

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  3. Your home is lovely and what a great idea to address cards at beginning of the month

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  4. Enjoyed reading your answers and the photos that you shared. Take care and God Bless.

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  5. Your home is perfect -- warm and welcoming in all the ways that matter! I fear a ramp may be in our future, sooner rather than later. Whoever designed your master bath (I'm guessing a woman - hahaha) sure had their 'thinking cap' on. The first year we were here our church used to send birthday cards to members. I'm guessing they stopped doing that when postage grew so expensive. Did you see, where the USPS just raised rates again to 63-cents per. Yikes!

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  6. Your home is lovely and looks comfy. I know I would enjoy it. But my favorite is Still Waters Pond. I love all the pictures you post of there.

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  7. Pamela, I love your home! I have enjoyed past pictures where I've got a glimpse or two of your home. One of my favorites is your dining table, you've shared so many wonderful pictures of family and friends there. I understand about the ramp, hopefully you'll find a way soon. The scripture is so appropriate for today's Tuesday 4.

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  8. Hello Pamela! This was a fun post. Right now, we live in a townhome that also has two bathrooms right off of the owner's bedroom, and it is very convenient. Your home looks just lovely - very welcoming! I think I would enjoy coming for a visit! I hope your week is going well. See you again soon!

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  9. Beautiful tip to stern. And everything is so cheerful .. I love a happy uplifting home and that describes your’s to a tee! Blessings!

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  10. You really do have a lovely home - such a reflection of you!! But I must admit, the view is the perfect part. Oh my!! Oh, and your floors are beautiful. I would love to have similar flooring on our main level - but that requires a bit more saving!!:)

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  11. That was a very nice tour around the house. Love the rocking chair!! And ofcourse the view on the pond. I can't stop being amazed by how large the houses are that are shown..

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  12. Pam, I have enjoyed your hospitality in both your old home and your current home. I felt so comfortable and "at home" in both. You are an excellent hostess and your home is truly a home (not just a house). I do love your new flooring!! This is a fun Tuesday 4!!

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  13. Pam, your house is so warm and welcoming. Your new flooring does look terrific, and its so nice to have a roomy kitchen. Of course, Still Waters Pond is just wonderful. I saw the book, "The Ride of Her Life", I had never heard of it till a couple days ago when my sister, a librarian, told me she was reading it and it was really good! Carol

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  14. What a nice cozy home you have - just like you! I'd love to have my own bathroom off our bedroom. We share one. The husband used to use the hall bathroom but recently moved his stuff into the master bath room which kinda bugged me. I felt like he as forcing me out. Well I'm not budging! I think he was tired of having to pack up his meds when people would come over, which I wouldn't like that either.

    It was so nice to see where you live. I love your front deck - and yes a ramp would be useful. I like all your decor and as for the kitchen, who doesn't like clear, clean counters? I would love that but like everyone else, it's just us, and we do tend to keep a few things on the counter out of convivence. Hey its clean, that counts for something! Plus when you cook and bake, it's hard to keep having to get things out.


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  15. I love your home. Thank-you for letting us all in! Loved your answers! Have a nice week. ♥

    https://lorisbusylife.blogspot.com/

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  16. Hi Pamela, your house looks so cozy, and I love the new flooring! I have that same colander. Your two bathrooms sounds wonderful!

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  17. I always enjoy seeing your cosy home. I think the vinyl flooring looks wonderful and I love your master bedroom. I'm partial to blue and my master bedroom is also a navy blue on the walls.

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  18. I live in a split level brick home. My mom past away in Jan. 2019 and in 2020 I bought my brothers out of their portion of the house. I lived in a three bedroom townhouse for 28 yrs and wanted to get away from the stairs to the bedrooms, but I was not letting my childhood home go to just anyone. Its about 2000 more sq feet then I had with a large garage and basement. Being here almost three yrs and I still can't get the way I want it. Working on it slowly. However, when I moved I aqquired more stairs. 14 from the basement, six steep steps to the deck and about six to the front porch. And from a flat yard to a hill....I made life a tad harder but I am glad I did. Decor inside, like I said, still working on it but I am one that thinks you can't have a blank wall. I hang things! lol....Being an artist I have several paintings hung through out the house. I have only gotten one flowerbed made since moving here. Keeping this hill cut seems to be more important. Coffee table, I do not use. I find when I have one the collect junk and clutter, and I prop my feet up to much. Side tables, light, coasters, and reading glasses. Same on the night stands.....haha....and from here, I need to do a blog on all this just so I get it all in. HAHA.....please visit my at my blog.

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  19. I love getting to see your home - and the one in Maine, too! I knew you would have a warm, cozy, inviting home and you certainly DO! I always feel like I have sat down and had a real visit with you when I come here! I'm going to go back and see when you started blogging and read some of those posts! Happy Wednesday to you, my Friend!!

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  20. I was here before but realized I never comments on your basket of mail in waiting. I belong to an encouragement group and have for many years. My sweet friend Pam C. started this years ago with her mom's passing. While cleaning her mom's office she and her dad found dozens and dozens of notebooks filled with names & addresses of people needing encouragement and her mom had singlehandedly been doing it for years. Pam's dad encouraged her to take it over and she recruited a bunch of her friends. I currently have about 20 more to get written and mailed. We are going to do Valentine's Day cards for widows and assisted living folks. It is such a joyful thing for me to be involved in. Especially when I feel sorry for myself. I see how many hurting souls are out there and it changes my whole day. Your home is quite lovely and I am so happy I remembered to stop by again. Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. What a wonderful ministry to be involved in! I know there are so many lonely people out there who enjoy receiving any kind of note in the mail. It definitely is a gift of encouragement. Thank you for doing that. I just wish the cost of postage would quit going up up up! It really makes it difficult to keep up with it on a tight budget, but God provides. You have encouraged me this morning to keep going. Thank you.

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  21. Thank you for the tour of your home. I would love to live on a pond or lake, or creek.

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Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.