gifts from the camera...

Today, the digital camera's contents were downloaded to the computer and my heart sang with unbridled joy when images of the California Vine Street house came up. Simply put: I'm overwhelmed with love and gratitude for opportunity...for time and effort spent on this house...for the privilege of being one of the many caretakers of it...at the same time wishing I could have done so perfectly. It remains a continuing effort, with precious friends watching over it. My prayers surround it: for its future owners...for the oxygen of the grace of the Holy Spirit to fill every room...for it to be permeated with warm light of love.

So now, I am ready to joust with Blogger over picture-posting (why can't a picture posted second actually show up second??? and the third, third? etc..etc...) . Soon to follow: a post with breathtaking views from the 'Heartland' rectory in Warsaw (interior shots must wait for more unpacking bedlam to cease)!!!

A view through the lavender hedge

Van Buren side of the front yard.
The double, weeping Mrs. George Roeding oleander
flanking the sidewalk on the left had the best year ever,
constantly blooming and delighting.

Continuation of the above corner: driveway foliage and path

Looking from the driveway to the distant lavender flanking Vine St...

Entry showing the gleaming oil-based blue paint
on the inside of the front door and the window frame.
Thanks, Joe!! Oh, and Martha Stewart...
for featuring Fine Paints of Europe in her mag years ago!

Kitchen, with the new double ovens.
No - I don't regret not having the chance to try them out...

The airy living room with a glimpse of the entry and a fanciful peek at the front porch

Peony pink dining room with two of my mother's Monet-reminiscent paintings.
After this, I finally figured out how to get a truer color.

The other end of the dining room, with J's paintings.

First landing, with another of J's painting.
A peaceful place? Not when Lucy parked herself at the window
and barked at whoever was passing by...

Second floor laundry room, with a view of the upper level of the garage.
The counter never looked this neat when I lived there!

Third floor room with a rooftop view...ahhhh...

Lucy patiently waiting for me to descend to the laundry room

Second landing: J's self-portrait...
rumored to spark a bidding war during the first open house.

Backyard deck, picnic table, hammock bed, newly lined pond.

"Patio lawn"
Boy, will this look great when some groundcover grows between the stones.
Rocky waterfall in the background is working as of today!

Side porch...'portal to the future'
in Miz Minka's photos later that night...

Front door flanked by ivy's...

Movers amongst the lavender...

Dining room chandelier that night...
illuminating the majestic emptiness of the house during 'one last dance':
Thank you, Rachel, Jonathan, Rebecca!