open the doors and windows....

oh yes...it's spring on cape cod today ...

let's open those doors and windows!!!

pinterest

great windows and doors have always gotten to me

pinterest & mrs french

they are the big beautiful eyes of a house

pinterest

and without words express the feeling of a home

anthologymag.com

take a few minutes to enjoy these

{me}longings

they are fabulous!

 

materialicious.com 

enjoy the day!

sue

 

spring day dreams...over the top

for now the spring rains have stopped, the bulbs are starting to bloom and the temps are warming up (slightly).

and my spring day dreams have started...

our home is a 1970's ranch,  if we added a second floor,  we would have this view..

yes..over that roof top,  in the distance,  is cape cod bay

the way my roof is constructed, it's not happening..so I'm dreaming up a way to get those views

on Cape Cod they're called  widow's walks

A widow's walk is a railed rooftop platform often found on 19th century North American houses.

A popular romantic myth holds that the platform was used to observe vessels at sea. The name comes from the wives of mariners, who would watch for their spouses' return, often in vain as the ocean took the lives of the mariners, leaving the women as widows. 

 These two are more like roof decks, but they still serve the purpose

Widow's walks are in fact a standard decorative feature of Italianate architecture, a variation of the Italianate cupola

This beauty belongs to one of my favorite beach house's on cape cod, full photo below,

it also has stunning views of Nauset Inlet....dreaming...

Beyond their decorative use as viewing platforms, they had another use.  they were frequently built around the chimney of a home, creating easy access to the structure. this allowed the residents to pour sand down the burning chimneys in the event of a chimney fire.

I'll have to file this last bit of info away...it just might help my 'want' argument!

I'm sure you must have a few spring day dreams yourself....share a few with me, in comments...
c'mon I know you do :)

 Happy spring dreaming everyone

Sue

dutch door dilemma

julia from hooked on houses has done it now..she has my head spinning today! her " hooked on today post" is about dutch doors. i have always wanted a dutch door. no, that's not strong enough...i have craved, yearned, longed, would be better. almost..i was so close..to having one in our last house and then... we moved.

photo from citynoise.org

we're in the planning stage of a bedroom addition and bath reconfiguration
oh ya, you'll be hearing much more of that project. i have been trying so hard to get that dutch door into the bathroom to lead to an outdoor shower.
problem: must open out...where does one put the screen?
i will take any and all suggestions..please!

photo apartmenttherapy.com

hmmn...tomorrow is saturday, (mr."this is the last project") will be home.
maybe, just maybe, i'll find a door that absolutely would work!
after all, i did find this helpful article on making one for him...must i do all the work?

have a wonderful friday, let me know if you come up with a solution for me

sue

To Portland or Bust

I will have to interrupt my postings on Cape Cod for a few posts.
Today we leave for a trip to Portland Oregon.
Portland is quite the experience!
Wikipedia states "Portland is a city located near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in Oregon. With a population of 568,380 it is Oregon's most populous city, and the third most populous city in the Pacific Northwest.The city and region are noted for strong land-use planning and investment in public transit. "
It is attracting and capturing the hearts of our youth and families. A visit there gives a glimpse of the why. Portland is one beautiful city with an exciting blend of historic and modern architecture (I will have to do another post devoted to the architecture, it is wonderful). Vistas of Mt. Hood and the Willamette River, stately Douglas Fir trees, beautiful flowers and roses. It is a study in contrasts. Combined with great art, farmers markets, waterfront festivals and a diverse population, you have one very exciting city.

Some highlights, I experienced on a previous visit.
Some of the best small local dining establishments, I have ever had. The neighborhoods are more like small towns. You can walk (and most do, a wonderful site to see neighbors outside and greeting each other) to a cup of coffee, a grocery or one of the many quaint shops. Yet you are only a 10 minute drive to the city proper.
Did you think I would just mention the shops in passing ? No, no, no, that will be a post in itself. The shopping was just as exciting as the city.
Back soon, have a wonderful Tuesday.
Sue

Some parts taken from a previous post.