This house was 1700sf, but I want to "age in place" so I added a first-floor master suite, laundry and a new kitchen. The stairs are narrow, without a handrail, so I didn't want to use the upstairs master (it's now my studio)! The person before me lived here 30 years and had one of those lift chairs until she finally had to go into assisted living. The old kitchen didn't have original cabinets and there was only 1.5 feet (really) on two sides of the island, the cabinets were only 1 foot deep and the 1980s fridge couldn't be removed without removing the island (width of the sink and dw only). The rooms are on a 12' wide scale. So, my new master and kitchen are 12'x12'. My previous home that my husband and I built was over 4000 sf on 4.5 acres. I was an avid gardener (and blogger). I don't have the gardening/blogging in me anymore. I have 1/2 acre here.

Deborah, I'm a few months late, but yes, I think the lovely color combination of Augusta Luise next to Jacqueline du Pre will be perfect. I look forward to photos of the real thing. Diane

Annie, yes, I have made those cookies. Does anyone remember Mr Food? He used to do little segments on TV.....and he gave out that recipe, calling them, The Best Cookie Ever. They really were great. It was in the mid '80's....when I was in my cookie baking prime. I collected cookie recipes and super good ones went in my permanent file. This was one of them. I lost those recipes in the flood. I had forgotten all about this cookie. I think I am going to make them again.

Woodrose, thanks for complimenting the photo of the chickens. I hadn't thought of framing it, but now I'm thinking a nice framed print might be something my DIL would like for Christmas. They're her chickens! Salonva, "my" porcupine was silent (except for munching the apple), but I listened to another on a YouTube video. Definitely squeaky! Chisue, "general deterioration" sums it up nicely. 😊 Murraysmom, my friend's King apple tree drawing is a treasure indeed. It hangs right above my computer monitors, so I see it often. Another of her works hangs in a nearby room. I think this one might have been the original of a book cover or illustration. It doesn't depict anything or anyone of ours, but my friend said she was inspired by the horses, cats, and dogs we had at the time.