Goldenrod

This morning we’ll call this series “Looking through my old doorways”.
One of my favorite things about living in old bungalows (besides the beautiful old windows and the amazing light and the massive amount of space) is the views through the multiple doors.
Yes I am aware that they are all slightly leaning but…old houses🤷🏼‍♀️
This original trim is so gorgeous and I’m so grateful that in 100 years no one ever painted it😍
Which view is your favorite?

Random facts about Jen:

1. I absolutely love casseroles! It seems funny that this fact should go first but for some reason it felt very important to me that it be number one.

2. I am a very good piano player. Before I was married the plan was for me to get a full ride to OBU.

3. I used to have a strong southern accent (“Used to??” Some of you might ask)
I worked really hard to get over it when we came to Missouri but it still comes out when I head south or talk to someone from there.

4. I have six stents in my heart and have for eight years now.

5. When I was a new bride (at seventeen years old) I kept a filthy house.
Seriously. I never cleaned or did laundry because I was too scared of being alone and someone sneaking up behind me.
So I watched the same Audrey Hepburn movie (Charade) over and over every single day. If you’ve seen it you’ll know…it did nothing to help the fear.

6. This August is our 30th wedding anniversary and we’ve lived in fourteen different homes in those thirty years.

7. My worst sound and sight in the entire world is someone brushing their teeth.

8. I shamelessly and sometimes shamefully play video games on consoles and my phone.

9. The number one thing on my very short bucket list is to have an Eloise or Kevin McCallister style Christmas in NYC at The Plaza. Years ago I started saving change to get myself there but then weakened one day and decided to use it to get Chick-fil-a.

10. Every single emotion I ever feel is incredibly obvious on my face. You will never have to wonder if I’m sad or mad or glad. It is apparently very obvious and I’m not really sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

This morning I wake up to a thick cover of clouds on a cozy Saturday morning.
I walk down my creaky old stairs to the kitchen glowing softly from the two lamps I left lit last night.
I let the two dogs outside to do their business before they immediately return to curl up for mornings naps after a long night of sleeping.
I pour the cup of hot coffee into the perfect mug that my sweet daughter gave me for Christmas and then fill it the rest of the way with sweet creamer.
Switching on all the lamps throughout the house, I pick up my Bible and take it and my cup of coffee to the front porch.
Not long after Molly brings out her own cup of coffee and joins me on the porch.
We visit for a bit before we both get up to get ready for our days.
After a quick trip to the shop and the library I return home for a piece of spinach and bacon quiche I was smart enough to prepare for the quiet weekend of solitude and rest.
Then back out to the porch with my glass of Arnold Palmer and my newly acquired library book.
I go back and forth between reading and watching the neighbors.
To my one side are the two teensie kiddos searching for and according to the squeals of delight, finding all the roly polies in the mud.
To the other side are one set of neighbors helping another set put up siding on their home.
The birds are making a cacophony of delightful sounds and the air feels thick with their music.
The knowledge that no chores or children need me for the next day and half makes my soul and my mind and my body slip into a state of peace and rest that I haven’t experienced in far too long.
Not all days are like this.
Most are not.
But today is good and I am overwhelmingly grateful for it♥️