This is our entryway.  In case you can’t make it out, that’s a dutch hex sign.  It says ‘wilkom’:

Just after you come through the door, this Thoreau postcard we bought at Walden Pond reads, “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be.  Now put foundations under them.”:

This is a view of the foyer/entryway from the stairs.  Those floating shapes are photos:

This is the living room.  At first I didn’t really love the wood paneling, but I’ve come to think of it as kind of warm and homey:

And the dining room, which is kind of an extension of the living room.  The dining room is also the “library” portion of our home–you can see three of the shelves here, but there are six more:

Some of which are pictured here, looking back at the living room from the other end of the dining room:

And this is the kitchen.  It’s a big, eat-in style deal; it doesn’t get fantastic light, though, hence the blurry photo:

The view as you head up the stairs:

And an aerial view of the downstairs:

Our bedroom is the first room at the top of the stairs.  It connects to the office, which might be my favorite room in the house:

Especially in the morning, when the light is really beautiful:

And last but not least is the bathroom. The whole upstairs has these ridiculously high ceilings, but you can only really see them in this picture:

And that’s it.  Everyday it starts to feel more and more like home, which is a feeling I can’t really overvalue–it just feels so good to be settling after the past two years of constant moving, packing, u-hauling.  The past week or so it’s seemed as if I’ve been breathing deeper, as dramatic as that sounds.  It is just… comfort, relief, all of those warm, cozy feelings.

My great grandfather, George, as judge of a springer trial.

I appreciate the dark and mysterious traveling salesman air in this one.

Earnest in the middle.  The guy on the far right is pleased as punch with his hand of cards.

My great grandmother, Louise Heideman, and her mother, Mary Louise Heideman.  I believe all of these are from 1919.

On their wedding day.  June 20, 1928.

In Cuba, 1929.

Patch, Clem and Bing.

Bing and Larry.  This picture makes me laugh.

Larry and Bing.  Tired from killin’ all those birds (also pictured).

My great grandmother Louise Heideman (later Ladd), with her brother Edward Heideman.  My mother still talks about how loving, kind and generous this woman was; she died two years before I was born.

My great-great aunt Clementine, her husband Larry and their dog, Bing.  I love this picture.

James and Victoria Ladd.

Is it terrible that my mind went here?:

 (copyright Grant Wood)

a little?

The aforementioned photograph of mysterious ladies dressed in black.  New information suggests that this is an early photograph of my great-great aunt Clementine, who generously donated all of these pictures to my great grandfather many years ago.  It was taken in 1906; I believe, from right to left, Victoria Ladd (nee Austin), Clementine Ladd, my great-great-great grandmother (unsure whether this is the Austin or the Ladd), someone named Louise, and a still mysterious lady in black — maybe a sister of Victoria?  This picture was printed onto a postcard, from Victoria to her husband, James:

What I can make out reads: Here we are.  Are you not glad to see us?  We thought you might be.  So you will — so look ——— until we come

And here is an alternate shot (with labels):

Victoria Ladd on her wedding day?, 8 February 1898