Merry Christmas! May 2014 be a masterpiece!
Spinning Christmas records by the lighted star. Now that’s what I call a country holiday!
We’re taking a break from house projects every now and then. And when we do we get really, really festive.
— J. Blandings
I’m happy to report that we survived our first experience shoveling snow at the Dream House. As the snow drifted down and collected on the ground yesterday, I kept looking outside and thinking, “Oh boy, we’re going to have to shovel that tomorrow.” Back at our apartment, I’ll watch the snow fall and think, “I’m so glad I don’t have to shovel that!” But you know what? I kind of enjoyed it. Oh sure, my fingers and toes were cold and the wind cut through my multiple layers of clothing as if I was wearing nothing at all. But the workout felt good first thing in the morning and, as you can see from this photo, the house looks beautiful in the sunlight and snowfall.
That said, I definitely see a snow blower in our future!
— J. Blandings
Image: Mr. and Mr. Blandings
The dream house as it looked soon after it was built in 1917.
When we’ve told family, friends and colleagues about our purchase of the Dream House, the reaction has typically gone like this:
“Wow! Congratulations! Where is the house?”
“In Iowa.”
(Pause. Eyes widening and mouths falling somewhat open.) “Iowa? Isn’t that kind of…far?”
“Well, yes it is. But it’s a very special house. ”
Mr Blandings and I spent our Thanksgiving weekend walking around the dream house, cleaning, working on projects, knocking back Bloody Marys and pinching ourselves to prove that it’s not just a dream. If you had been near the house you might have heard, “We bought a house!” being exclaimed every hour or so.
Now Mr. Blandings has gone back to the city for his day job and I’m staying behind at the dream house to work on projects. After spending the weekend together in the house, it feels empty and lonely without Mr. Blandings. One of the intentions behind the dream house was to give us a place to devote to us. We did plenty of that this weekend, which explains the vacuum of good tiding in the wake of the mister’s departure.
This seems like a perfect time to give you a tour of the dream house. I want to show you all what we’re working with and it will remind me of all possibilities (and work) that lie ahead of us.
