First, there is the address. Wherever you go people take a second look when you say 'Park Avenue', I assume because of NYC and the songs. Second is the boulevard down the center. Who gets to live on a street with trees and flags down the center? Not many!
Then there are the friendly dog-walking neighbors at all time of day or night. Reliably looking up at the architecture or porches of many more illustrious houses than my own.
But my house, the things I want to document so I can look back some day, is in the details. Details like the front door knob.
Details like the trim around every window and doorway in this place (I think we have 25 windows).
Details like this broken finial (?) that I have refused to fix so it reminds me of my wonderful life, just like the movie.
The fact the house had a lily carved in the newel post and we had a daughter named Lily probably has something to do with us taking this on and gutting it 20 years ago.
Going back outside, there is the sidewalk that runs all the way around the house in a big oval that all the kids could ride their bikes or trikes or scooters around. I didn't grow up with that, but it is a great thing for a family. Details like a porch swing and spindles and this bright red door that came to us this way. Its always the perfect color once a year at Christmas-time.
Details like the windows, some of which I've written about before more eloquently in the past, but nothing is the same. It is all unique. That's how they did it in 1898.
Some things I always wanted in a house include this pocket door that is still in great shape, never refinished, because it is usually hidden away.
My next house is so much smaller, I'm pretty sure it wont have a 'Christmas-tree room' like we have now. Or two stairways, one with room for many more stockings than the 9 we have hanging this year.
Or this nook at the top of the stairs I've always been in love with because of its utter impracticality.
love this picture because it represents our marriage so well. Chuck built this pantry the first year we moved into the kitchen. But one year for Christmas without me knowing it he added a light inside. Something I'd waited a good 18 years for, lol. The pantry was something we added, and are leaving behind for the next owners:
Don't you look back and childhood photos of birthday cakes, and really, what is fun to see, is the counter behind everyone with the pencils and phone and the notepad to take messages on (no one ever used). Or the crazy rec room carpet pattern on the floor. It is the details that bring back childhood, and even though this house doesn't represent my own childhood, it represents my own children's childhood. As my friends know, I'm not particularly sentimental. About pets, or kids going to college, or empty nests. But I am sentimental about leaving this house. I feel good about it. It is time. But I do feel nostalgic for all the impromptu tumbling classes we had in the long front rooms, the coat closet at the back door I would literally throw my weight into to close with all those snowpants and snowboots and mittens. Our chandelier that I once broke, using it as a life ring as I fell while cleaning it. And paid a hefty penny to restore, or so it seemed at the time. I've never made that mistake again (of cleaning it haha)...
This is where Santa visited with a vengeance and backpacks were tossed and tossed, and tossed as they all arrived home from their respective schools to turn on Rugrats and drink their capri suns :)
So many moments here, and I'm just hoping I can remember as many as possible for safekeeping. On to the next adventure (eventually). We don't do anything quickly!
Of all the houses we've had or will have, this is without a doubt the best one for Christmas-y feelings. Last year for it!
