{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}~ November 22, 2015

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{Pretty}

We awoke to our first dusting of snow Saturday morning.  It soon melted, but it was exciting while it lasted!

I think winter sunsets are the prettiest of all.  The black outline of the trees is striking against the colorful sky.  This sunset was predominantly purple!

Sorry for the glare.  I took it from inside because, well, it was cold out there!

{Funny}

Dave said McDonald's has released its Advent cup a week early.  We hope it won't cause a controversy since it's not just plain purple but has a wreath and all . . .

We spotted this while getting a jump start on our Christmas shopping.  This is what I don't want for Christmas!

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{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}~ November 15, 2015

{Pretty} and {Happy}

Last week I showed you our newly painted bathroom.  This week I will give you a glimpse into our newly painted, completely pointless, glorified hallway we call the conservatory.

This room was built for growing plants.  That is its raison d'etre.  My father-in-law even had tomatoes growing in here, but I harbor no such ambitions.  Houseplants, fine.  An indoor vegetable garden, not fine.  Mostly we walk through this room to get to other places.  Nevertheless, since it is here, it may as well look nice.  I forgot to take any before pictures, but this will give you an idea of the color it used to be:

This shows the three colors we were contemplating.  The aqua is the original color we wanted to cover up.  Here is a part of the room post-painting:

I love the big fig tree!  There is plenty of natural light for the houseplants, which are to the right and can't be seen in the photo.  We have big plans for this room which I will share once they are realized.  Right now, I'm thrilled that it is painted.  And now I realize that the futon is completely the wrong color.  You can hardly see it! Steps will have to be taken.

I had a little money set aside, which I used to buy this terrarium.  I'd had my eye on it at Hobby Lobby for months and finally took the plunge when it was marked 50% off.  A few plants, a little sand (scrounged from the garage), and it looks fabulous!

I think once we are finished, I may decide this room isn't a waste of space after all!

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{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}~ November 2, 2015

I took pictures this week!  Hurray!

{Pretty}

We had some painting done at the end of October, which I will reveal little by little starting with the master bathroom.

As you know, we are living in my in-laws' house.  (My father-in-law died in 2014 and my mother-in-law, by her choice, is living nearby in a retirement facility.)  Their taste in colors was . . . shall we say. . . exuberant. The brighter and more intense, the better.  But, hey, it's their house and they liked it, so . . .  Nevertheless, we had the three brightest rooms painted to suit our tastes (with my mil's permission, of course).

Here is the best picture I could find to show you the wall color that used to be in the master bath~

That saturated red-orange was pretty intense, especially in such a small space.  Here's what it looks like now~

The blue is different in each picture, and in reality it's a little duskier too.  Oh, to be a better photographer!

Elizabeth made this wreath last summer for a housewarming gift.  The gray looks great against the blue!

New cabinet knobs make a difference too.  Half-price at Hobby Lobby!

{Happy}

We had visitors from two different quarters this week.  (This was after Dave was in St. Louis most of the week.)

First, Dean from the AALC national office came for dinner on his way from St. Louis to Kansas City.  Here, he and Dave are talking theology.  It's always a pleasure to spend time with Dean.

Dean (left) and Dave (right)

 And here are fellow Missourians and Potter's School teachers, Bill and Lisa.  It's a lot of fun when we get to meet in person folks we've known on-line for years!  Plus, they are a very entertaining couple!

From left to right: Bill, Lisa, yours truly, and Dave.  Photograph courtesy of Hannah

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{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}~ November 1, 2015

Happy All Saints' Day!  I don't have a lot to share this week because I've been sick.  As in emergency room trips.  Two of them.  It turned out not to be serious, though at the time, we weren't sure.  That was the first time I'd ever been to the emergency room as a patient.  It was long and drawn-out and unpleasant, though I *am* grateful for their help and expertise.  I'm also grateful to be feeling better!

{Pretty}

This young fella came into our yard last week to eat corn that had actually been left for the geese~

The picture is not great.  I took it through the window and was lucky to get that.  He was wary as it was without me opening a window or actually going outside.  The geese did not get their corn.

{Happy}

Now that Arane is three, she is getting into the swing of holidays.  She and her sister dressed up as flowers.  Arane had a great time trick or treating . . .

{Funny}

. . . though I'm not so sure Verity, one year old, did, judging by her quizzical and concerned expression!

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