And Now We're Turning Yellow!

Posted by Gabrielle

You may remember that recently I posted how we had gone green. Well, that wasn't the end of the story. After returning home from Tennessee, we decided it was time for another color: Yellow! And this time, it's the Living Room!

Before:

As with the rest of the house, the Living room before was painted in a flat contractor off-white. Not very attractive, especially when it's dirty and can't be washed.

The "during" pictures were taken by Elliot with my camera, for yours truly was painting! Here, I'm mixing up a new can of paint.

Here, I'm using both the rollers, one in each hand. It was a fantastic experience, but I wouldn't recommend trying it yourself.

Getting ready to finish the last part over the mantel - nearly done!

A high-five and a handshake over a job well done!

Tobias, Benaiah, and Christianna examining the freshly-painted and taped-off room.

After:

The walls cured and the room decorated (pardon the laundry on the floor and on chairs...at least you can get an idea of what our living room usually looks like!)

Ah...much better. Lovely, isn't it? We actually hung all the frames and finished the decorating in one evening because...well, you'll just have to wait till the next post!

A Weekend Trip to Tennessee

Posted by Gabrielle

Back in September, (yes, I have quite a bit of catching up to do!), we took a weekend off and went on a lovely little weekend trip to Tennessee. We spent a delightful two days and an evening fellowshiping with friends and enjoying the wonderful rural Tennessee sights. Here are a few pictures from our weekend!

Day 1:

Yours truly, caught in the act of taking pictures at one of our rest stops

My beautiful sister Christianna

Benaiah, 'calling' Timothy at home

Jedidiah

Jedidiah and Tobias, 'hanging out' at another rest stop, earlier in the morning. It really was a little chilly!

I love my brother Elliot - he never ceases to keep us amused!

The Hellwig van, and one of its merry occupants!

Christianna reading stories with Anna C. that evening

Thank you Courters for the wonderful dinner and evening of fellowship!

Day 2:

Christianna baking brownies with Anna

2-month-old Nathan - such a sweetie!

After lunch, our friends took us to visit one of their neighbors who are part of the plain clothes people. They are not Amish, but they lived a lot like the Amish, complete with solar power and an outhouse! I wouldn't want to live that way, but it was interesting learning about it. With all the little boys  young men together, they naturally took to feats of daring do on the swing.

And the little boys enjoyed the river and mud bank while the adults talked

 Yep, a good farmer always has his hat and his gun with him!

Day 3:

Tobias (left), Anna C., and Benaiah, with some other young friends at church, investigating a salamander in a hole.

Thank you Courter family for your hospitality and a wonderful weekend!