Big Girl Bed

Our little girl just moved up in the world. A lot of people told us that the transition from a crib to the big bed would be one of the hardest transitions we ever endured. Praise the Lord, it has been one of the easiest! She has relished this special new vintage + funky + comfortable big girl bed. The beautiful antique wood bed and dresser were refinished and purchased from Abbe Doll. (Now you, too, can have your very own All Dolled Up creations at The Cottage Collective – conveniently, its grand opening is March 30th!)











This girl loves to read. She is never far from a book!





This is a sweet addition to her big girl room. Took me only two years to compile into this shadow box. I got the idea from my sweet step sister in-law. Can't believe that is really our girl on the announcement. Where did that baby go? Sigh. Good thing we have an adorable big bed to romp and read on and make the time flying years worthwhile.

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time there was a beautiful house. In Peabody, Kansas. It was majestic and charming, full of rooms and windows. Made of brick and adorned with ivy. It has a deep history in our family. It is treasured for that history and all the memories it holds. It is where my mother grew up.

My grandfather traded it with an aunt for a much smaller home in 1957, I think?

As a young girl, my mother got locked out on the balcony by her mean older brothers.

My parents had their wedding reception there, and made a crazy getaway for their honeymoon after all parties thought they'd blocked my Dad's car.

In 1986, my Papa fell off the roof and landed on the concrete on his feet, shattering them. (Miraculously that was all, and he's still walking just fine!)

My brother and I spent many weekends there with Nana and Papa – we would call my folks long distance, play endless card games, "cook" in the kitchen, play the baby grand, take Chrissy dog for walks, and have Nana lovingly wave cigarette smoke away from our faces, saying "Bless your heart..."

My mom's brothers came to town recently and a cousin of theirs has purchased the home and is furnishing it as a bed and breakfast. We are thrilled it's back in the family. Here, a few token pictures from our visit to 501.

Those "mean brothers" turned out to be very nice uncles:




Whenever I see this view of the house I think of the story my Nana told about how she was cleaning and a soliciting woman rang the front door bell, Nana answered, declined whatever she was peddling and went back to cleaning. The doorbell rang again, except the woman was at this side door, thinking the large home was divided into multiple residences.



The Patriarch of the family, Ross the Boss.