Let's photoblog, since I have time to do nothing else. And please, forgive my absence from these pages for a while, since I have SO MUCH TO DO in the next week. But I knew you needed JUST a little more, so here are some shots from yesterday, the day Lala and took possession of OUR HOUSE.
(Hang on. I'd like to say it again, please. Our House. Ourhouse. OURHOUSE. The house that is ours. Day-um. I'm fanning myself.)
Anyway. My little mama was adorable and said that she really, truly wanted to drive up from the Central Coast (a four-hour drive at 65mph that, for them, always turns into an exhausting nineteen-eleventy hours in the car) to see the house in its bare-bones ain't-nothing-in-here state. And bless her, she was right. It was like breaking a bottle of champagne over its bow, only without the wasted alcohol. Mom and Dad and my sisters and practically-related-Becky and Lala's brother and sister-in-law came, too, and the almost the whole dang family was there to wish us well in our new home. It felt just right.
No, I'm photoblogging! Sorry, I forgot.
Here you go:
I think I have about nine different favorite spots, but this is from the glassed-in front porch. What a place for wicker furniture and a basket of sock-yarn, huh?
Coming in from the sunporch, that'll be my writing/knitting room. That's the wool room. Hooo boy.
Turn to the left, and that's a little dog in a big room. You can see the hallway that leads to the bathroom and the other two bedrooms (ours in the back, Lala's in the middle).
I love this one. (She has a can of 7-Up in her hand that we found in the fridge. She held it out and dubbed it the most expensive can of 7-Up we'd ever bought.)
I can't stand the pink. Really. HATE it. It's more mauve and it gives me a headache, even though everyone else seems to really like it (including Lala, and it's kind of her to humor me in this). We're going to do yellow instead. Yay!
Oh, yeah.
Kitchen. Laundry-space (vacant now) to the right.
Back yard! New deck! Can't you see a hot-tub? And my other fave place is down there at the bottom of the yard -- that gate opens and there's another little fenced in area, overlooking the creek. A secret garden. We'll have another little table down there and a place to write and drink coffee. Oh, oh, oh.
Harriet is well chuffed.
Red walls. Heck, yeah.
Well, hello there!
The 'rents out front. I love how the little mama dressed to match the house.
Hangin' on the stoop.
All of us. I love this one, too.
House! Our house! Hoooooooray! Thanks again for the well-wishes, you darlings, you. Now, to pack and then unpack. Wish us luck. See you in about a week!
Oh, you are so cute. And the house fits you two to a TEE. Perfect. I agree about the yellow. And the red bathroom. Did you know we have a red bathroom? Also, if you're looking for a lime green for anywhere... I highly recommend Behr Tate Olive. Gorgeous. And nice with brown and yellow. Mmmm.
Posted by: indigirl | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 19:31
Oh, it's soooo be-yew-tiful! And those are the BIGGEST grins I've ever seen about a can of soda!
I'm so happy for you and also really really jealous. :p
Posted by: Nina | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 19:37
Congratulations. This house is so cute and lovely I just want to hug you both to bits.
Posted by: M-H | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 19:39
This just made me so damn happy to see you BOTH so happy! Congrats to you grrrls!
Posted by: Scout | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 19:40
BEAUTIFUL!!! some nice salt sprinkled above each door, old romany blessing for only good things to enter...I send you both hugs...
p.s tell that Bethany girl to write something on her blog, yes? and hi to her, too...
Posted by: caroline | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 19:51
It's gorgeous. And I love that when you sit knitting in the sun porch you get to look at a hot pink house.
Posted by: jodi | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 20:21
I LOVE IT!!! I love all the character it has!! MY kinda house! So happy for you both :) Love the sunroom, the black and white tile (in the redone bathroom, bonus!) and all the character details older homes have. I SO want you to take us on a tour again when you have moved in and decorated!
Posted by: Amy | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 20:23
OH! It's a beautiful house. It's perfect. I'm so glad you got it and it's yours. Together.
Posted by: Karma | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 20:25
That back deck is sayin' "party at Rachael & Lala's" to me. You?
Posted by: claudia | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 20:28
your house leaves me speechless. have a beautiful life, you two, OK?
Posted by: laurel | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 21:10
That is one gorgeous home. Sun porch for knitting? Secret garden? Coordinating mom? Love it.
Posted by: Iris | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 21:10
What a cute little house you bought! I like yellow for a living room. It's so cheery.
Posted by: Abigail | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 21:15
Oh man, you have a *deck*! I'm so jealous!
Posted by: Becca | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 21:51
OMG, love the house! (sorry to say, the pink walls too!)
Posted by: Janet | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 22:06
Gorgeous house! Congrats to you both!
rlm
Posted by: robyn | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 22:34
Little Mama is a cutie!! She reminds me of my little m. She's all of 4'10.5. And she's the tall one from her family! Why did you call little mama, little mama?
Posted by: kitkatknit | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 22:45
Thanks for the photo blog. The house looks great and I love the last picture.
Posted by: Danielle | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 23:21
Wow, this really is the begining of the most awsome time of your life !! A home TOGETHER is the best kind to have :)
Posted by: Gina Silva | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 23:56
Cutest house EVAR!!!
I covet your archways.
CONGA RATS!
Posted by: Kel | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 00:00
OMG! I love it, especially the black and white tiles in the bathroom. I always wanted a bathroom like that!
Posted by: Jon | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 00:01
I love it! A coat of paint and it'll be perfect.
Posted by: Nadia | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 01:30
Oh it's beautiful. I can understand why you fell in love with the house! I especially love the shade of the hardwood floor! In our rental house in Milpitas we had an orange plush carpet *YIKES*
Well have fun making this house your home!
Best wishes
Petra
Posted by: Petra | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 02:09
I love it! So happy for you two!
Posted by: Siow Chin | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 02:17
Perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Posted by: Rachel H | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 02:55
I love it that your family is there to celebrate your new house with you! I'm so happy for you I feel all teary. Blessings to you both!
Posted by: Julie | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 03:06
LOOOOOOVE the house! Congratulations! May you have many gloriously happy years in it. :)
Posted by: Kathleen | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 03:44
the house is so very cute. i love that bathroom. why can't i find a house with a bathroom like that around here? why?!!
Posted by: maryse | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 03:47
Wicked! I'm a big fan of red walls too. Gotta be bright. Oh yes...
Posted by: Ellie | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 04:10
So cute! I love it's litte bits of character! Congrats again!
Posted by: Jenn | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 05:03
your house looks so beautiful! congratulations! i wish you many happy years there :)
Posted by: wendy | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 05:30
omg...love that fireplace...and the bathroom tile. the backyard (typed backyarn) looks perfect! yea for your new house!!
Posted by: Kathleen | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 05:31
oh Rachael, it's perfect! It's so awesome, and having all those folks there with you to celebrate is even more awesome. YAY HOUSE.
Posted by: Carrie | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 05:31
Thank you for the tour--it's just lovely!! But gee, cheer up, would you? You're bringing me down, here . . . (just kidding--all those smiles are wonderful!)
Posted by: --Deb | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 05:33
Oh, my heart just grew several sizes looking at your whole family celebrating your new home and new beginnings!
That house will echo with love and laughter, and what else could possibly make a house a home?
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Posted by: Liz Cadorette | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 05:40
Oh, many many years of happiness for both of you in the new place! Cute mom! - and what a great family turnout. Yay, house!
Posted by: Cassie | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 05:42
So sweet! I'm happy for you both!
Posted by: Wanda | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 05:52
Excellent! Now you have to change your cell phone ring from the home number. When my husband calls me from home, the ringer is Our House by Madness. :)
Posted by: Cara | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 06:01
Thanks for the house tour! I really almsot felt as though I were there.
It's lovely, you both deserve it, and the only way it could be better is if it were in MY neighborhood. Um, better for me, that is. : )
Posted by: Margot | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 06:08
Gimme an H! Gimme an O! Gimme a U!
Okay, you get the point. Just fulfilling my role as cheerleader. Congratulations and all the best in your new home!
Posted by: Carole | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 06:43
I LOVE the back yard and the porch! I can't wait to see that bathroom with red walls, too, the checkered floor is awesome. Congrats once again!
Posted by: sarah b. | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 06:57
Wow! How amazingly wonderful. I LOVE the fire place and the wood floors. The bathroom floor is too much and red will be perfect. Congrats again!
Posted by: KT | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 06:59
OMG! I looooove YOUR house. It's so beautiful and perfect. You need to post pics again once it's proper colors. :) Lovely!
Posted by: Phae | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 07:26
Oh my god, it's PERFECT. Except for the pink, but you'll fix that. I wish I could walk over and help you paint!
Posted by: Em | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 07:31
It's perfect, I love it and am insanely jealous that you and LaLa are homeowners.
Posted by: Kate | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 07:32
Wow, GREAT pad!!! I have to agree with you, the pink leaves a bit to be desired, but everything else is fantastic! Lucky, lucky you! (though I'm sure luck didn't have that much to do with it)
Have fun moving, and remember to take a break from time to time! ;)
Posted by: Carry | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 07:37
WOW. Your new house looks *fantastic*. Love the bath, and that faucet looks tall enough to get one's head under for a quick shampoo! Beautiful greatroom, kitchen and amazing backyard! Sweet, sweet family reunion pictures on the stoop. Congratulations, guys!!
Posted by: meg | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 07:51
Oh, congratulations, Rachel (& Lala)!! Hot diggity damn! Enjoy making your house a home.
Posted by: Cher | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 07:53
Oh, it looks wonderful. Congratulations! It looks like you are well on your way to making this house a home.
Posted by: Jean | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 08:04
I. LOVE. IT.
I just showed Bill all the photos -- and he loves it, too, but was more interested in "Which one's the musician?" since he can't get enough of the Whoreshoes CD. Anyway, congratulations again. I'm going to want to take my coffee at that little table in the backyard when I visit, OK?
Posted by: alison | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 08:32
*sniff* you all looks so perfect and happy in that moment on the front stoop. congrats, you guys deserve it...your very own house. together. :)
Posted by: jeni | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 08:41