Shutters Make the Difference Between Rustic Colonial and Victorian

 Buying an old home always brings decorating challenges. . .Families have moved in and out and each time the house was changed to suit their needs and lifestyles. . .which is one reason I love them. . .and one reason there is always decorating challenges for me. . .

And so it was with Heil House. . .While the front of the house was probably built around 1850, it has had three additions and many "updates". . .one of which changed the paneled doors of a traditional Colonial home to Victorian half glass ones. . .front and back. . .not at all with the style of the house, especially inside where I have a mix of prim and rustic pieces more in line with the 19th century. . .I've been bumfuzzled for three years as to what I should do about it without any major door replacements. . .

But. . .it dawned on me one day that a simple "shutter" or 19th century "bars" would change the whole feel of the room and add to the current decorating style. . .Of course I turned to John. . .my master carpenter. . .and you can see the result above. . .

Now, you might be thinking "That's not much!'. . .but look at this:

That's our pantry door in the back. . .complete with curtain that reminds me of the "new" colonial style more popular in the late 1950s and carried over into the 1990s. . .I enjoyed it for years. . .but let's face it. . .in 1850 there would have been no window and no curtain. . .but there could have been shutters at the top of a half door to let the air circulate. . .get my drift?. . .(grin)

By the way. . .the front door in the first photo also had the curtain. . .I'm sorry I didn't get a snapshot of it because it did nothing for the room. . .Now. . .I think the shuttered, barred door is great. . .and love the brightness and simplicity it brings to the living room. . .

To answer your next question. . .Yes!. . .the pantry door has one now, too. . .

And it only took me three years to figure it out. . .(another grin). . .

A Homegrown Country Dinner From My Community Garden Plot

 

Now, this is a country garden dinner! . . Everything you see here. . .with the exception of the sweet potatoes. . .was grown in my small garden plot at the Community Garden here in Ste. Genevieve. . .The Ozark peas. . .relish with green tomatoes, green and red peppers, onions and spices. . .fried squash with onions and sweet potatoes. . .

 Although the garden didn't do as well as I had expected, I was still able to eat all summer from what I grew. . .and I canned tomatoes. . .salsa. . .green tomato relish. . .bread and butter pickles. . .dill pickles. . .I put squash. . .peppers. . .peas. . .eggplant. . .onions. . .kale in the freezer. . .dried herbs on a rack for the winter. Not bad for my first city garden.

I wrote early this spring that I had obtained a garden plot and noted it could be a VICTORY GARDEN such as those during WWII. . .But I think it actually turned out to be a French potager, from a time when sustainable life was a necessity. . .Potagers were year-round vegetable gardens just large enough to supply the household with fresh vegetables and herbs every day. . .I have always relied on vegetables and fruit as my main-stays for meals. . .which makes summer my favorite time of the year. . .

And let me tell you. . .there's nothing like the taste of vegetables fresh from the garden. . .nothing. . .

I won't be participating in the community garden next year. . .because. . .we are preparing a garden in the backyard! . .Complete with a wire garden house to keep squirrels and other "varmints" away from my potager. . .But, if you live in Ste. Genevieve, I encourage you to join other gardeners at the Ste. Genevieve Community Garden next year. . .and grow some veggies for your summer table. . .It's great fun. . .Great exercise. . .Great culinary results. . .as you can see. . .Yum. . .Excuse me while I enjoy. . .

New Thoughts On Decor For Heil House

A couple of months ago. . .(has it been that long?). . .I was working on a photo shoot for a magazine article on Make-Do Chairs. . .I had purchased two of these specifically for the shoot. . .but I fell in love with them for our living room at Heil House. . .They are small and fit right in with the other furniture as accent pieces. . .

The more photos I took, the more I liked this arrangement. . .but there was something I wanted to change. . .although I wasn't sure what it was at the time. . .Now that I have lived with this 'look' for a while. . .I know exactly what I want now. . .Not just for the living room, but for the entire house. . .

I want 'PLAIN AND SIMPLE'. . .much like our COUNTRY FARM HOME . . .lots of light-color neutrals against the rich woods. . .a little  real color here and there. . .but not too much! 

So. . .I'm starting over. . .I do that a lot. . .Seems as if every house we buy it takes me a couple of years of living in it to know just what it needs. . .I know now. . .and I'll be sharing the changes little by little as the months go on. . .Don't miss it!

A Sure Sign of Fall

PUMPKINS! 

It won't be long until these decorative signs of fall will cover this town. . .Every year, Ste. Genevieve goes all out with seasonal decorations but it seems fall brings on huge displays of the harvests. . .From the unique to the absolutely beautiful. . .the coming season is definitely one of the town's favorites. . .bringing photographic opportunities for locals and visitors alike. . .
 

My favorite place to buy pumpkins, squash and gourds is the Mennonite Home Gardens Community Market south of Farmington on old Frederickstown Road. . .I was there a couple of weeks ago. . .They were beginning to bring in wagon loads of the traditional orange harvest. . .along with some very unusual ones. . .Not being too traditional myself, I was thrilled to see something different for my decorating plans. . .

 

By now, I'm sure there are many more selections and the tent is full. . .I will be journeying there soon. . .which is always a fun excursion. . .If you arrive early in the morning, you can see the wagons bringing produce to the market for the day's sales. . .It is quite a sight. . .A step-back in time. . .

 All sizes (including this 200+ pound pumpkin). . .all shapes from the harvest. . .A trip to the country. . .through narrow, tree-covered lanes. . .

Can hardly wait. . .

The Porches Where We Live

I was beginning to think that sitting on the porch, cooling off with a tall glass of iced tea, visiting family and friends, and enjoying the outdoors in general was a tradition that had long past. . .that is. . .until we found Ste. Genevieve. . .Here everyone considers their porches an additional room and a place to socialize with neighbors and visitors alike. . .

I walk almost everyday. . .and along the way. . .I am greeted with a constant barrage of 'good mornings' and 'nice days'. . .stopping every now and then to talk. . .for I have never found a porch that was not friendly. . .Morning or evening. . .it is a unique Ste. Genevieve experience within itself. . .and one I believe only adds to the charm of this village. . .

Homeowners take pride in their porches. . .and display a part of their own personality on them. . .Whether simple. . .comfy. . .artsy. . .fancy. . .

 

 

Porches have been a tradition in this town since the 18th century, when the French and then Spanish occupied the territory. . .Although Ste. Genevieve is situated in Central Missouri on the Mississippi River, the summers can be very hot and humid. . . so many tasks were carried on outdoors or on the long wide porches. . .Not much has changed since then . . .

And if there isn't a porch? . .Not to worry. . .Sidewalks will do. . .

 

Being neighborly. . .visiting with each other. . .sharing a glass of tea. . .laughter and gossip. . .You can't beat Ste. Genevieve for a friendly, good-traditions-of-the-past kind of place to be. . .

This one's for you, DeLois!!! (grin)

Celebrate!

 

It's the 4th and time to CELEBRATE!

Have a good one. . .

Where To Buy Furniture For Old House Decor

I have said before that one of the MANY things I love about Ste. Genevieve is that the residents here--young and old--live in, enjoy and maintain the vintage and historic houses. . .There are a few newly built homes, but the largest percentages range from 1680s-1950s and 60s. . .

Most homeowners prefer to update the interiors with more modern-day decor, fitting in some of the rich history of the town. . .Then there are those such as myself. . .I prefer all the modern conveniences but enjoy living in an atmosphere of the past. . .You've seen that in my posts. . .so this is no new revelation. . .Yet, the photos of our Heil House has brought many questions from others about where did we find the furniture that fits so well with its history, for it has grown harder and harder to find period antiques. . .and the costs of such have sky-rocketed. . .We do have a few. . .but among them we have tucked newly made "primitive pieces" that look as old as the house. . .

 

I have mentioned before that individual pieces in our home are from White House Creations in Bernie, MO. . .but I don't believe I have shown you much of the store itself and the variety. . .Let me tell you, if you like the primitive or farm-style decor for your home, White House Creations is the place to go. . .You'll find none other like it in this area. . .It's a little bit of a drive but we take the back roads (Hwys 61 and 25 South) where there is plenty along the way to keep your attention. . .Not only will the store itself take your breath away, Dottie is a wonderful shopkeeper with much knowledge about the old farm life. . .She, her husband, and her daughter work together, crafting 98% of the furniture that they sell. . .Besides selling their creations from the store at Bernie, they also sell wholesale to other shops in a number of states. . .It is a 24/7 business. . .but Dottie loves every minute of it. . .Her enthusiasm itself will inspire you. . .

Besides furniture, there are many, many accent pieces. . .coverlets. . .rugs. . .signage. . .and just about anything you might want for your older home. . .It's one-stop shopping for me. . .I do suggest giving Dottie a call before you make the drive. . .She is normally open six days per week but sometimes a shop dealer arrives with a trailer and wipes out much her larger furniture inventory. . .There will still be plenty to see. . .but giving her a ring and asking what she has on hand will help you decide what day to arrive. . .

Bernie, MO is on Hwy 25 South. . .Watch for the White House Creations sign as you come into town. . .and follow the arrow. . .Easy to find. . .It's impossible to get lost in Bernie anyway!. . .But if you do, stop anyone and ask where Dotties place is. . .Everyone knows her. . .

Tell her Dru sent you. . .

 

All photos taken inside White House Creations store by Dottie Babb.

 

 WHITE HOUSE CREATIONS

704 OAK ST

BERNIE, MO 63822

573-293-5588

Saying Good-bye

"The turning points of lives are not the great moments. The real crises are often concealed in occurrences so trivial in appearance that they pass unobserved." George Washington

It has been far too long since I have posted and my heart was in it. You see, I lost a very dear friend suddenly and without warning last fall. . .and it has taken me some time to breathe again. . .

I ran across Washington's quote today, and it gave me food for thought. . .Certainly my friend's life wasn't trivial. . .but the loss was a turning point for me that I am only now seeing clearly. . . 

Loss is a part of life. . .My Daddy told me that years and years ago. . .but as I get older, it seems I feel it more. . .especially when I lose someone I knew and loved. . .So for the last several months, my heart has been sad and broken. . .But I have pieced and patched and healed it so that it is beating almost full strength again. . .I have stepped back and reevaluated my life. . .to make sure I'm on the right path. . .It hasn't been easy. . .but it has been the best thing that has happened to me. . .Out of loss, I have learned about life again. . .

So here I am. . .Eager to share my summer adventures with you in this lovely little town of Ste. Genevieve. . .While I must say 'good-bye' to my friend, who will ever remain in my memories. . .I can say 'hello' to the future with an open heart. . .

"Make sure you are doing what God wants you to do--then do it with all your heart." George Washington

A Winter's Day On The Mississippi River

It was one of those nice winter days. . .when the temperatures were warm and the sun was shining. . .that we ventured down the road from our Ste. Genevieve home to forage for naturals and explore Ole Man River. . .For me, it was like many other winter days spent on the river, including during my childhood. . .My family has lived on or near the Mississippi in places south of Ste. Genevieve from 1795. . .New Madrid. . .Little Prairie (Caruthersville). . .Point Pleasant. . .Ruddle's Point. . .Haywood. . .Portageville. . .Blytheville. . .It's my heritage, and I never visit it that I am not in awe. . .of the river and its stories. . .

On the other hand, John was born and raised in Virginia and had never seen this magnificent body of water until I brought him home with me one October. . .We crossed at the Memphis, Tennessee bridge. . .going from rolling hills and cities to the flatland of the Mississippi Delta. . .He was speechlessly amazed and loved it. . .It wasn't long until we left Virginia to settle on my grandfather's farm. . .

I feel very much at home at any point of the river. . .but it was simply a thrill that our favorite French town in Missouri just happened to also be on the Mississippi. . .that our second home was just minutes away. . .where we can dress up as our ancestors and roam around the woods and along the water's edge. . .and pretend for a while that life is rolling as easy as the river. . .

It is an ancient river. . .that dates back thousands of years. . .

In 1758, the French ethnographer Antoine-Simon Le Page du Pratz published The History of Louisiana, in which he wrote that the Mississippi River’s name meant “the ancient father of rivers.” The Ojibwe words that gave us Mississippi (Misi-ziibi) actually mean “long river."

The river’s larger-than-life role in culture was perhaps inevitable. Until the early 19th century, the Mississippi marked the western border between Spanish and American territory, and it continues to give life to the cities that sprang up along its route. . .Mark Twain, the best publicist a river ever had, inspired 150 years’ worth of dreams about floating away from our troubles. And among members of the Ojibwe, Dakota and Chitimacha tribes, who still live on portions of ancestral lands in the Mississippi Valley, a spiritual connection to the river remains strong. . .from the Smithsonian Magazine

 I am never along its banks that I don't think about how it is an important part of this country's history. . .It has always been there. . .It will always be. . .as generation after generation passes through life. . .That's pretty awesome in my book. . .