A surprisingly lovely day

Yesterday was one of those wonderful, unplanned days. I really was thinking to myself JUST that morning that we needed to get the kids out of the house to PLAY. We all have been crafting, doing projects, play video games, etc. and they just needed a FREE day. While I was taking out the trash, of an acquaintance of our stopped by and asked if we would like to come swim and his pool with his granddaughter and him. My first impulse was to make up an exuse, I didn't know him that well and wasn't up to small talk. Then I thought, my kids have got to do something fun and they love to swim. So I accepted the offer and a few hours later we took our kids and our neighbor to his house. What a treat we had in store for us!

He lives about fifteen minutes from our house, off of a side road. When we pulled up the driveway, I was so excited I brought my camera. Before I even saw the house, the pool, the land, the view, we were greeted by beautiful flowers.

And this sweet sign

We walked over to the pool area, which was enclosed by a flagstone patio and flowers everywhere! There was ponds with fish, a solid wall of super tall bamboo. The kids were instantly in love with the pool, and me with the bamboo!

Carly and the diving board

Carly standing next to the bamboo

A Lotus plant in one of the ponds

I then noticed a path cut through the bamboo. I asked the gracious owner if I could walk through the path to the house. He told me to go for it, adding there was an outhouse that he just restored out back. I was giddy, I tell ya!

Bamboo path, included flagstone and a sweet bench

The working outhouse

Next I spotted the AMAZING view and the back of the house. Look at that bedswing!!

At this point, the owner, who built this house with his own two hand in the early 70's!!!, asked me if I wanted to look around the inside. I tried not to run and jump into his arms. I calmly said yes, clutching my camera.

The inside, believe it or not, was even more amazing then the out. The front part of the house was made up of THREE old house. The front was built in 1773! I know, crazy!!! When you think three houses, you are probably thinking huge. Remember they did not make houses big back then!

The front

The inside is filled with history, antiques, beautiful art, rustic walls. Sigh. I was in awe everywhere I looked. He later built a breezeway to a new "old"addition. This included several small and big rooms, the biggest closet I have seen and an amazing bathroom.

The breezeway

The newest addition, including the gigantic outdoor fireplace

The bathtub, the wood siding came off of a house built in the 1800's, original milk paint.

He also breeds and cares for labs. This, my blog friends, is their kennel. I may try to get a room there one day.

The kids visiting the dogs. What a fun day for them, too!

I know my pictures do not do this experience justice. There I was worrying about small talk and actual socialization, and I had the best time. The host was so easy to talk to, filled with fun stories and humor.

One last shot before we headed home.