Sorry You Couldn't Make It, Susie

My niece has moved to a new address within their school system. Before she lived near the outskirts of her village, and last week moved to a lovely 1930's Tudor home in the heart of the village. We sisters are so happy for her. This is the house we dreamed of as children. I always wanted to live in one of the Tudors on Central Avenue or behind Aunt Clarie's home. We played in these homes growing up, and loved the architecture and bones of these very unique houses.

Clarie's home is on a quiet street, has roomy bedrooms that I did not photograph (Davey was painting), roomy closets, large bathrooms, and plenty of storage space. The fourth bedroom suite is on the third floor, designed as the maid's quarters, similar to Clarie's sister, Val's home in Toledo. The family plans on settling in to their new home, keep up with the maintenance, and evaluating interior decorators' ideas and projects with time. The house is very livable as is, so there is no hurry to rush the renovations. I spent some time in the kitchen with my sister Annie, and felt very comfortable and at ease prepping food in the existing set up. Of course, Annie was a great sous chef!

I took a few photos of the downstairs for Susie, who was watching Lola, Clarie and Mallory, while Alison had the family car repaired. Hope you too enjoy our wintry day and family time with Annie and Davey, Clarie, Steve, and Katie (Annie II had a volleyball game after school).

Front Door with beveled glass. Love the radiators.

Staircase next to front door. Exquisite woodwork. Dad would have loved it.

Sunken living room next to front door. I should have tried to photograph the detailing on the metal doors
on the window seats. For wood storage? They had lovely birds on them. How original!

Lovely sunroom on the east side of the house. You can see the lights of Blue Ash
at night from this room. Clarie's house is near the top of the ridge and has a nice elevation.

Annie in the very workable, cook-friendly kitchen.

Steve came home for lunch. To his right is a lovely archway into the kitchen.
Dang. I didn't capture that in my photographs.

Roomy dining room right past the breakfast room.
Davey scooted out of this picture too soon.

Downstairs bathroom. The upstairs baths are very similar: roomy with great details.

Now, I need to get back to Val's soon and give her some of my time. Val, start making a list. This weather has made taking care of hens, well, not challenging, but not something that you want to ask your neighbors to do: trek across the ice twice a day to water, feed and gather eggs. We've had to trouble shoot a few problems (doors sticking, iced handles) that I shouldn't leave for our dear neighbors. And I need to get down South and visit with my own girls, whom I've missed over this long winter.