Sweet Home Chicago…

As you have probably figured out by now, this blog is a work in progress – just like life. Last night, I completed the “page” Sweet Home Chicago with lots of photos of our small condo in the community of Ravenswood in Chicago. Sweet Home Chicago “lives” on the right side of the blog under the title PAGES…along with a few other works in progress. While our main residence is on an acre and a quarter in a countryside development next to a farm and cornfields, we enjoy our time in Chicago with our two youngest sons and their families.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved decorating. Over the years, I’ve subscribed to Country Living, Country Home and Southern Living – just to name a few. I love coming up with decorating solutions for spaces. This condo allowed us to do just that. Check Sweet Home Chicago out here.

Today is my birthday. I was born in a small town in the Delta of Mississippi, the youngest of four daughters. When you get to be THIS old, you become a little nostalgic about your life: your family…what you’ve accomplished – or didn’t accomplish – and whether or not you should just toss the proverbial bucket list. I’m blessed. I know that beyond a shadow of a doubt. I have a wonderful husband, amazing children and grandchildren. I have precious family and friends scattered throughout the states.

We are happily settled in our apartment in the Chicago neighborhood of Ravenswood. My youngest son and his family is a short 3 block walk away from our apartment. Tonight, we will be there for my birthday dinner. Quaint shops – and a Starbucks – are just a short walk away. Thanksgiving dinner was here in our small apartment- all eight of us. Doug and I cooked the ham, turkey and cranberry salad and everyone else brought the sides. My three and five year old granddaughters decided they would rather be at the “grown-up’s table”. We moved them there and everything was perfect.

Doug’s ninety-seven year old mom went home to be with the Lord on October 10th. It was a beautiful service in the Lutheran church where Doug grew up. She would have loved the amazing blanket of Autumn flowers – accented with yellow roses – that covered the casket. We miss her.

I’m in the process of taking photos of our small apartment and will be sharing them soon. In the meantime, we are enjoying our time with our family here before we head back to Iowa for a few weeks.