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Good morning friends, did you have a nice weekend? It was absolutely gorgeous here, sunny but with a slight breeze, and not too hot or humid. Perfect spring weather that we have not seen in this area for years. The last few years Spring felt as if it lasted for 2 weeks and then it was summer and along with it the hot, and humid weather that seems to last until October.
We spent Sunday afternoon with our 90 year old neighbor eating bbq and sharing stories. His name is Laurence and he is a Southern gentleman. When we moved here 13 years ago he came over everyday for 6 days and rang the bell to introduce himself, the first 5 times I did not answer because I had no idea who he was, finally he was lucky enough to catch my husband. The irony is that for the past 13 years, he has had a very busy life, as did we, and every once in awhile he would stop and say we need to get together for a drink and it never happened. Until a few weeks ago when my husband said we better set a date because we are moving! We have decided that we will get together every Sunday rain or shine for dinner at our house until we move and it has been a lot of fun. Sadly Lawrence says every time we see him that he wishes we had done this sooner and that he is really going to miss us. I keep reminding him that we are not gone yet and even then we will be back to see him.
No updates on finding a house, not that I haven’t tried. Desperation will lead you to consider all sorts of things you never would have. Last week I presented my husband with a list of prospects including a gentleman’s farm on 46 acres and a 6000 sq. ft house from 1801; a converted fire station with a 70 seat restaurant on the first floor; a gorgeous house with a stream, and a pond on 18 acres, 28 minutes from anything(no neighbors either) in the mountains and a 9 bedroom house(that is fabulous) on 6 acres that is currently a bed and breakfast. As crazy as all of these places sound there is a small element from all of them that I like or have thought about in the past. I love the idea of a bed and breakfast, my husband not so much, he wants to retire in a few years(he is 11 years older that I). I love the idea of living in a historic home but nothing rural, especially in the mountains where I might encounter a bear. I could see myself living in the fire station and having a tea room/chocolate house but again my husband was not too keen on that idea, he thinks it is too much work. All of that said, if I told my husband that I would move to Montana or Texas he would be dancing a jig. He previously lived in a cabin in Montana when he was a pilot and he loved the “big sky” and the unspoiled land. As for Texas he dreams of having a ranch and a bunch of long horn cows.
I am still searching so if you missed my previous pleas for prayers and help we are looking for a house in Pinehurst, NC. Ask your friends and family if they know anyone there selling a house. We have a temporary place to live that will be an adventure in itself and although I know in my heart it is all going to work out but it is still scary.
How do you feel now that the world is opening back up? I am chomping at the bit to travel but I am probably not going to go out of the country this year. I think there is still a bit of uncertainty with cases, and strains, not to mention that everyone else in the world wants to travel as well and I think things might be a little congested. If you have a trip planned please share the details so that I can live vicariously thru your adventures.
I made my all time favorite chocolate chip cookies( I will share them with you soon) to give to Lawrence as well as some cinnamon rolls and my favorite dessert Banoffee pie.
I read These Tangled Vines this weekend from Amazon First Reads have you read it? Do you take advantage of the First Reads thru your Prime Membership ? If not you should, it is just one of the perks, there are many more and I think most people either don’t know about them or probably forget about them.
I’ve also gone back to reading a page a day from Simple Abundance, I read this book the first time abound 30 years ago and soaked up every page. In late 2019 it was updated and republished and I gave several copies to friends and family for Christmas gifts. I recently unearthed it from a pile beside my bed and I am enjoying the wisdom, quotes, and simple pleasures and more.
I hope that you have a great day!
What did you do this weekend?
Are you planting a garden this year? Is it warm enough to put your plants in?
What have you been cooking or baking?
Friday Favorites No. 518 from Creme de la Crumb, Britney Breaks Bread, The Curious Plate and More
Friday Favorites No. 517 from Creme de la Crumb, Simply Delicious, Easy Cheesy Vegetarian and More
Friday Favorites No. 516 from Foodie Crush, Minimalist Baker, Feel Good Foodie, and More
Friday Favorites from Cooking for Keeps, the Forked Spoon, This Savory Vegan and More
It is wonderful that you are getting to spend time with your neighbor. Good luck on your house search!
All of the house options sound so interesting. The firehouse especially! Good luck on your house hunt.
Thank you Marie!
Keeping in contact with neighbors and friend s is a good thing! Hope you find a new place soon
Lawrence is blessed to spend Sundays with you. Still praying for the perfect house that will surprise you…who knew you could find all of those real estate offerings?! Happy Tuesday!!!
Sounds like a great weekend! We will be cleaning g out my mom’s house in Texas in the months to come. It won’t be ready to sell for quite a while. Texas is a great place to live. I’m ready to travel too, but like you, we won’t leave the country for a while. I also love Simple Abundance!!! Loved the post!!
How wonderful you spent time with your 90 year old neighbor. Hoping you have luck finding the right home.
It’s always so true when it comes to neighbors and friends that our intentionality for spending time with them only increases as one of us is about to part or move on. Love that you have a standing date with Laurence. And I totally forgot about Simple Abundance. I went through it 20 something years ago. I’m going to order a new copy and start again.
Good luck with the house search.
The right place will appear, like magic. One perfect for you guys. Quit looking at fantasies as they are not gonna happen if hubby doesn’t like. You can make an older home look beautiful with enough hard work & planning. For me, there is no other place but Texas. Not leaving the country this year, going to Wimberley with my daughter for June . Love love love
Pinehurst is a beautiful town. I live about an hour from there. Golfing, horses & shops!
Lawrence sounds like a love. I think I’ve got “Simple Abundance” around here somewhere. Have to look. I think I could live in that cabin in the woods your husband still dreams about. Yes, I do take advantage of Amazon’s first of the month reads. I’m putting them now on my iPad because each finger surgery will have me limited and I find it hard even now to hold a book.
Brenda
HOW SAD IT TOOK HIM SIX ATTEMPTS………….sounds like you could see him through a window?
THIS SAYS SO MUCH ABOUT OUR SOCIETY NOW!
SHAME THE WORLD IS FRIGHTEN TO OPEN A DOOR!When it’s an elderly man………..
ALL YOUR PICKS SOUND WONDERFUL TO ME!YOU AND CINDY H. have your work cut out for yourselves!
BEST LUCK WITH THE HUNT!
Hi Elizabeth,
What a challenging time for you to go through, not having a home yet to move into. You are in my thoughts and prayers that you will find something that suits you both.
I feel for your neighbor Lawrence dealing with, my friends are moving away. It’s always so much harder for the person left behind. I have been on both ends. Lawrence sounds like a very special person. It’s so nice that you bring
him home baked goodies. That probably means the world to him.
A friend sent me a note pad that had the following message on it, and I thought you may like it. “When you can’t
put your prayers into words, God hears your heart.”
Sending you a joyful day.
Here in Texas, I have been planting since March – before it gets so hot and miserable no one wants to be outside. I wish you the best of luck finding your new home. This housing market is crazy.
Wow, those are some pretty unique homes, but I’m sorry you’re having a hard time finding a place. I wish you the best of luck on your hunt.