Lincoln's Home TOUR

I think it's quite appropriate for me to post this on this day, after all, it is PRESIDENT'S DAY tomorrow!

We have been admirers ( my hubby and I) of the 16th U.S. President even way back when when we were still in the Philippines. From books about him to his speeches, we tried to "devour" anything and everything ABE.

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So about 2 years ago, we were fortunate enough to visit the "Mecca" for Lincoln Admirers like us.. his home in Springfield, Illinois. Take a look..

Where Abe and his family lived from 1844-1861

Corner of 8th and Jackson St.

View from the house - this Presidential memorial inlcudes the 4 blocks surrounding the house

Once you enter, to your left is this room...




Formal Parlor

No kids allowed here in the ol' days but today, my boy is enjoying the sites

This was where the President recieved guests. This was also considered the most well-decorated  part of the house since Mrs. Lincoln was said to have excellent tastes.

Significant sofa and room

To your right and across the Formal Parlor is the FAMILY ROOM...

Can imagine Abe and Mary reading here while the children play...

Stereoscope on the table - sort of like the "View Master we have nowadays

 From the Family room you can see the DINING ROOM...

2 other chairs were placed beside the sideboard to accomodate the railings for tourists

Upstairs are of course,  most of the bedrooms. 
Atop the stairs, this bedroom will be on your left...

Robert & Tad Lincolns Bedroom turned Guest room

Of course, no BLINDS back then!

I really love this room and don't you think the wall paper color (pantone green) and pattern is so in season for this year?!!

Across from the Guest room is Abe's Bedroom...

Abe's Bedroom

Yup, Huge, LONG bed for just him. Mary Todd's bedroom is behind his. Back then I guess it was the norm for couples
to sleep in separate bedrooms!

Don't you love this wall paper?!

A small secretary for the president where I assumed he answered a lot of the letters

Then we have the KIDS BEDROOM...

Willy and Tad's Bedroom

And then downstairs again, you have this bedroom...




Hired Girl's room - take note the word HIRED, because this servant was paid and was no slave.

Kitchen

Back of the house

The Out House - we know what these were for.. ;-)

Some of their stuff dug out from the lot

What the house may have looked back then - vegetable garden, A MUST!

I included here this short YOUTUBE video of a virtual tour of the home if your interested to know more about it.

Hope you enjoyed this short tour of the Lincoln Home!!!

HAPPY PRESIDENT'S DAY!!!



Our Family on the steps of the Lincoln Family Home


Linking back to Make it Pretty Monday, Carolyns Homework & Tuesdays Treasures

CraftStudio APP by Martha Stewart

If you are a DIY-er or Crafter, or just a plain jane Housewife or mom or ALL of the above, then this IPAD APP is for you!

Love, love, love

At $4.99, it's the BEST Craft tool in my arsenal right now! 

The big plus of this APP? NO MESS - No cutting, no measuring, no regrets for the mistakes you make and it's printable in almost every possible way! 

Here's what I've done so far...

Valentine for my son to his classmates

Valentine Card to my hubby

Valentine for my Facebook Friends posted as my Cover Photo

Anniversary Card for my Parents

Stationary 

And another Stationary

When you get the APP, you get the basic stickers, punchers,  stamps, and glitter and you just have to buy the other themes for $1.99 only ( so far I bought the LOVE LETTERS, ELEGANT Celebrations)!

I absolutely love this and I know I'll be using this for a lot of other stuff for years to come!

A Big KUDOS to the creative team of Martha Stewart Crafts, YOU ROCK!!!!

Happy Crafting Everyone & Happy Valentines Day!!!!!

P.S. I have printed this so far in my own printer and color copied some, they still look great. Haven't tried the photo paper yet though and have not tried uploading to Snapfish.


Linking back to Decor to Adore & Serenity Now Blog

Basement Guest room PLAN

We have another guest room in the house. It's this one...

Purple and green palace - not the palate I'm too excited about ...

When we fixed out basement, we also spruced up this room a bit with new paint and flooring.

A bit of PROGRESS....?



A futon and 2 TV tables is not my idea of "inviting". So we really need to fix this space.

Like any other extra rooms, this place is filled with a mish-mash of things that have no proper space for. Like this desk from IKEA, a bit big and would be going to the garage soon.

All the wall frames were hung on previously placed hooks.

Yup, this room needs a lot of work in the decorating department. So here's my plan:

1) Add a REAL bed, the cushy kind - we do sleep here on  Stormy nights (this room is closest to our Storm room)

2) Add a nice Head board to go with that bed. I'm thinking of using this table cloth that I have. I'm thinking of DIY project on the horizon



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 3) Cover that hole on the wall. With something like this.

Not as fancy, but I think it's the best way to cover that hole

4) Add a wardrobe for guests to put their clothes in. Maybe not as nice as this, but I'm thinking of hunting for one at my favorite stores. ;-)

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5) Change those TV tables to real tables

Overall, I think it's not such a tough project. It's the money and time that I have to spend on it is what's gonna make this room happen. So wish me luck!

Have a Great Week!