1. What takes you out of your comfort zone?
A very manicured home or a completely cluttered home. I like something in the middle with comfortable places to sit. Driving on snow and ice throws me over the edge. Lying in a dentist’s chair makes my blood pressure go up. Right now because my master bathroom is totally gutted (see photo above) I’m way out of my comfort zone.
2. Your least favorite spice?
This is a tough one for me. I like a variety of spices but not used in an overpowering way. I’ll say my least favorite is curry.
3. What’s a small change you’d like to make?
Flossing so I can use up the 500 free floss containers the dental hygienist has gifted me over the years. BTW: she wouldn’t think this is a small change.
4. Do you enjoy visiting historic homes? What historic home near you is open to visitors? Have you been?
Yes, and yes. The closest historical buildings I’ve been to are located at Bothell Landing. Yes I’ve been to the landing but I’ve only seen the outside of the buildings.
Southern Living rounded up eleven of the best in the southern part of the US and they’re as follows-
Monticello (Jefferson’s home in Virginia), Nathaniel Russel House (Charleston SC), Swan House (Atlanta), Ernest Hemingway’s home (Key West), The Biltmore (Vanderbilt home in Asheville NC), Mount Vernon (Washington’s home in Virgina), San Francisco Plantation (Garyville, Louisiana), Windsor Ruins (Port Gibson Mississippi), Longue Vue House and Gardens (New Orleans), Whitehall (Palm Beach FL), and Pebble Hill Plantation (Thomasville GA)
Have you been to any on the list?
In the early 1970’s my best friend and I made a trip east from Southern California and one of the places we visited was Mount Vernon. I have a post about my first plane ride and all we saw and experienced here.
Our daughter and I were at The Biltmore in Asheville in May of 2014 on a cross country trip we made. I have several posts of the gardens and grounds. One of the posts and photos is here.
If so, of the homes you’ve visited which one was your favorite?
I’ll have to say that the Biltmore was my favorite of these homes.
Of the homes listed which would you most like to visit?
Since I’ve never been to New Orleans I’ll say Longue Vue House and Gardens.
5. What’s something you think will be obsolete in ten years? Does that make you sad or glad?
Dvd’s and dvd players. I’m pretty neutral about it.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
We are having an early family Thanksgiving this weekend. We are going over the mountains and through the woods to granddaughter’s house. She’ll be 8 months old on November 20th. We’re slowly accepting some big changes at this old house. We are finally saying that Dear is retired instead of unemployed. With that fact there are many new choices to consider.
Here we are halfway through November! How did that happen?
Linking up with Joyce From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday Hodgepodge.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Hello, I am out of my comfort zone driving on snow and ice too. I enjoyed all the photos of the homes and estates. Biltmore is one my list of places to visit. Enjoy your early Thanksgiving and I wish your safe travels. Enjoy your day and the week ahead.
…driving through snow is a piece of cake!
Hi Ellen… I’m with you on the snow and ice and the dentist’s chair. Enjoy your early Thanksgiving.
I saw that you mentioned on Bobbi’s Hodgepodge that you were moving. :-0 Still in the Northwest or somewhere else? I’ve always associated you with the NW. Is that the reason for all the renovations?
I agree about liking something between a cluttered home and an immaculate home.
Smiling about the floss collection. I just noticed not long ago, while fishing an old one out, that they have expiration dates. I can’t imagine why, unless they’re mint-flavored or something. Mine was out of date by a year, but I still used it. I was thinking recently, too, that dealing with teeth is important but tends to get lost in the 101 other things we have to do, whereas at the dentist’s office that’s ALL they talk about, so it’s frustrating to go there and hear that they want me to use 2-3 different tools plus a water pik, when I’m doing good to floss once in a great while.
We’ve been to the Biltmore many times – love that place!
Barbara, We are moving to the Northeast corner of Washington State where our son, daughter in law and granddaughter live. And yes, that is the reason for our current renovations. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I appreciate it.
Try a water pic. You will have great dentist visits. Really, they are fantastic!!!
I don’t like curry much, either …
Has it really been three years since your cross-country trip? I’m surprised, I’d have said last year maybe.
Congrats on retirement!
I love renovation, and particularly if I can be part of the demolition crew. LOL I hope you’ll be happy with the master bathroom will be just what you want when done, and that it will go fast. So fun for you to be going to your little granddaughter’s place for Thanksgiving. I hope it’s wonderful! Safe travels.
I don’t do snow and ice, either. I admire you for your fortitude during renovations.
About obsolete things: I think home phones will be obsolete in ten years. And I agree with you on the dvds. They’ll go the way of tapes.
Ellen,
Driving on icy or snowy roads is a bit nerve wrecking. Being in a dentist chair used to do me the same way and although it’s still not my favorite thing, I now tolerate being in the hot seat better. Speaking of which, I have an appointment next week for another post-op follow-up and to repair a chipped tooth. 😦 Flossing is something I need to do more of, too. Why is it I hate that job? I guess it’s because it’s just inconvenient. I think you’re right about DVDs & players phasing out. Streaming media is a whole lot easier, not necessarily cheaper but it’s made affordable with services like Netflix plus it doesn’t take up any space in your home and get dusty. 🙂 Enjoy the early Thanksgiving with the grandbaby. Thanks for popping by, my friend. Have a blessed holiday season!
An early Thanksgiving with 8-month-old Addy sounds lovely! You’re sure to make lots of good memories!
Remodeling projects that last longer than a weekend are out of my comfort zone. I have experienced a gazillion of them over the past 38 years (married a DIYer and moved into an old farmhouse) and now I am over it. Such projects are totally worth the effort when it’s all said and done, but I just prefer if they are shorter-lived these days.
Happy retirement to your hubby! Praying that the Lord continues to direct your paths!
I like your answers for #1. I hope your Thanksgiving meal was wonderful.
Hope you had a wonderful early Thanksgiving! I think we might be retired now too : ) We’ll see.