AL: Thanks! I thought people might like to see what I look like, without having to dig through all the old posts to find a random shot. I had a comment the other day asking if I was the person in a pic, and I realized that most people reading my blog probably have no clue what I look like. Not that that’s necessary, but I think it helps know someone better. You’ll have to let me know what you think of the e-mail comments!

AL: It’s called “I have a long to do list and my blog looks like a heck of a lot more fun then the rest of that junk.”

AL: Why thank you ma’am. I had so much fun doing a whole photo session devoted to little old me. Haven’t done that since I got married, and then I had to share the spotlight with Mr. Dan.

My wife will sometimes say, before we have folks over a visit, “we’ve got to get this place cleaned up !” And I say, “Honey, we LIVE here. What should it look like ?!” Her mom got us one of those room partitions for an anniversary gift. You can hide quite a bit behind that thing !

AL: I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one who has these issues. =) I love the idea of a room partition! My husband did something similar in my apartment. Our kitchen had a doorway that separated it from the rest of the house, and he put a curtain rod and curtain there, so I could shut it off and ignore the mess if company suddenly showed up. Or, if I just wanted to entertain and not focus on the dishes. I stayed with a family in Germany that did this kind of thing, closing off the kitchen when company was over, and I loved it. The wife would cook amazing feasts, then after we’d eat, we’d just leave the dishes to sit so we could enjoy each other’s company. She’d “close the door on them.” This was my husband’s attempt to allow me to do that.

Dryers, dishwashers, and ovens also make good hiding spaces in a pinch… just make sure they aren’t on! lol

AL: great point about grandparent’s houses. Makes me think about how everybody today wants bigger and better than their parents and their parents before them. Why in the world is that, when our happiest memories are probably in those same homes. We’re the more, more, more culture. But you’re right about it being the people. visitors aren’t there for the accommodations. They are there for the people.

My senior pastor’s wife frequently has dishes in the sink before people come over. That isn’t her priority. She will try to get to them, but once the guests start arriving, she focuses on welcoming them. Her example to me has freed me for the clutter I can’t seem to hide. I do the best I can, but a perfect Martha Stewart house isn’t true hospitality.

Great job on your efforts!!!!

AL: I really admire people who can feel comfortable inviting others over even if there’s clutter or things aren’t quite perfect. I get a little frazzled if I’m not completely prepared. Recently, I caught myself actually sweeping crud under a rug. Who does that! What’s worse, leaving the floor a little messy or sweeping it under a rug! I’m still a work in progress.

AL: You guys have such a neat opportunity to re-live some memories and figure out creative ways to use your space and limited stuff you have there. Especially since you’re living in a new town, that makes for some even more interesting opportunities to meet new people and use your new home. I love what you’ve done so far to make it homey, with all the artwork especially, by the way. =)

Your post on the Chapman family was a very special tribute. Thanks for sharing it.

AL: Glad you enjoyed my site. Hope you’ll stop by again. Yes, that’s me in front of the painting. My friend took it when we were spending the day sightseeing in Zurich, Switzerland last summer. I thought it gave a good sense of the scope of the painting. Monet was losing his eyesight toward the end of his life, and as a result, his canvases just got larger!

AL: Thanks for stopping by my blog! I admit that I’m jealous of your place of residence. Getting to retire to the French countryside, what a romantic adventure!