Our New Home ~1928 Forest Drive

Ted and I are so excited about our new house! We found this beautiful home in Camden, in between the Carolina Cup Race Track and the Camden Country Club! Ted and I both said that we should probably move in, after night fall. That way, the neighbors wouldn't know that country had come to town!
It is in a beautiful subdivision, called Kirkover Hills. Most of the homes in this development were built in the 1950's and 1960's. Our home was built in 1951 and we think that it has so much charm and personality, we can't wait for you to visit!



The couple that we bought the house from Ashley and David Smith, left us a beautiful surprise in the refrigerator! They have been so wonderful during this process, so thoughtful and considerate. Ted and I both wish we would have had the opportunity to get to know them, before they moved to Rock Hill! To all my friends in the Ft. Mill and Rock Hill area a great couple is headed your way!

Of course it started to rain on us Friday night, as soon as we started to unload the car!

We have been taking our 10lbs of joy with us, each trip! Miss GG loves the house, and has had such a wonderful day chasing all the lizards and butterflies.

My little sister Rachel came over first thing this morning! Doesn't she look great, you would never guess she just delivered a baby two weeks ago! She loves my refrigerator by the way!

This is my little Breakfast Nook! I love it so much, and I can't wait to curl up here with the Sunday paper and have a beautiful cup of coffee!

The screened in porch! This is what sold the house for us! I have wanted another screened in porch since I left Virginia, and I finally have one! The white furniture is so special to me, I bought it at an antique store in Virginia, and have painted it white. The cushions will have to be recovered, since they are almost as old as Kyle, and he is 18! I am thinking blue, but not sure just yet. Many of you know me well enough to know that I will change my mind 10 times before I finally decide.

This is just a snapshot of the kitchen! I am so loving this beautiful stove! Ted just wants to know when I am going to cook something ! Between packing and school, I haven't had much time for cooking lately.

My beautiful back porch...I love the ivy so much! It reminds me of England and how the houses are all covered with ivy! Love Love Love it!

Ok, so this is a pretty rough picture of us! We are both sweaty and stinky, but we are so happy!

Well that's all the pictures for now! I will try and take some more tomorrow as we move more of the bigger furniture in! Thanks to everyone who helped today, Harrison, Kevin, Joe, Rachel...we couldn't have done it without you!!!

Tilara

Life Lessons from Jayne Eyre

For the past several weeks, I have been reading the classic Jane Eyre. There have been days when I could hardly put this book down. I have laughed, and I have cried with Jane as she has faced some very dark days.

This classic has taught me several things, about life. Granted, several of them I already knew, I just needed to be reminded.

The first is that no matter who, or where you are born, your beginnings do not define your life. Jane was born to parents, who died and left her to relatives who never really wanted her. When the Uncle passed away, the Aunt quickly sent Jane off to a school for orphans. Jane could have wallowed in her misery but no, she put on her big girl panties and became a governess.

When Jane was faced with the fact that she was in love with a married man, she never gave a second thought to throwing caution to the wind, and living a life that she found degrading. Jane valued herself, her reputation, and most of all her honor. She respected herself, and no matter what the cost , she never dishonored herself.

When things did not go as expected and the marriage was suddenly stopped short, Jane made a serious error. She did not have a PLAN B! All women and men for that matter need to have a plan B, just in case plan A doesn't work out too well. Jane walked out into the cold of winter leaving Mr. Rochester behind, with only 20 shillings. In my own life, as a single Mom for many years, I soon learned that you had better have a plan B somewhere close at hand!

All in all I have so enjoyed reading this beautiful classic, enjoying the beautiful words, and poetry that coincide. As I continue in my readings for 2011, I am certain that Jane Eyre and the lessons that I have learned from her will stay with me for quite some time!

Sunday Dinner

With both Ted and I in Graduate School this year, to say our days are hectic are an understatement! We have to say "no" to a lot of our favorite activities, if just for a while. One thing that I refuse to give up, is the Sunday Night Family Dinner. Growing up, Sunday dinner was always a something to look forward to! My Mom would cook on Saturday, so that after church on Sunday, she wouldn't be in the kitchen for hours. We always sat at the dinning room table and used the "good dishes." At the time I didn't think this was so special, but today I realize just how special it was.

This took a lot of effort on my Mom's part, effort that I am certain she didn't always feel was appreciated. Today with my own family, I realize how very important it is, if not but for one night for the family to gather around the table, to talk and laugh, and to enjoy a good meal. Sunday night dinner has become something that now, my kids look forward to. Yes it takes a great deal of effort, however to have my family all around the dinner table together, it makes it all worthwhile.

Tonight, Catie has requested Mexican! (I am sure my Mom never thought of adding this into the Sunday selection) So for tonight, we are having Mexican Casserole and Guacamole Salad, and Strawberry Shortcake for dessert! I am listing the recipes below, in case anyone would like to have a change in your menu for tonight!

Monroe Mexican Casserole

1 1/2 lbs of ground beef 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 bag shredded Mexican cheese 1/2 bag corn tortilla chips 1 can Rotel 1 can corn 1/2 onion (or to taste, Ted doesn't like onion, so I leave this out) Brown all the hamburger meat in skillet, meanwhile in a large bowl, combine canned soups, Rotel, and the can of corn. In a large casserole dish sprayed with non-stick spray, spread half of a bag of corn tortilla chips around the bottom. When meat is cooked and drained, stir into the soup mixture, then pour over the corn tortilla chips. Top casserole with bag of shredded Mexican cheese. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Guacamole 3 large ripe avocados 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lime juice 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro 1 small jalapeno (fresh not canned) finely chopped 1 clove finely minced garlic 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper ripe Roma tomato (chopped) in many areas of Mexico , the tomato is never included. put all ingredients in the food processor and mix. mixture should be chunky! Serve immediately, if you make ahead of time, make sure you put this in an air tight container, the guacamole will turn brown very quickly once exposed to air! oooooh soooo goood! Enjoy!