Rewards of Hard Work

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The winner of the Operation Beautiful necklace is…

emilyrena said… Wow! That’s such a thoughtful gesture. I think one of best qualities are that I`m really caring about my friends and family. More often than not, I put them first, before myself.
 

I’m having a lovely time house-sitting for my in-laws.  Everyday I wake up here, I feel like I’m in paradise! 

We had breakfast on the patio:

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I made us omelettes:

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The omelette had pepper jack cheese, red peppers, onions, and tomatoes stuffed inside.  Mmm!  I hardly ever "go" for eggs for breakfast, but I was definitely craving it today.

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Plus, cherries:

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And some toast:

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Tour of My In-Laws’ House

 

I thought I’d give you a short photo-tour of my in-laws’ house.  What’s SO impressive about my mother-in-law is that she raised my Husband and sister-in-law as a single parent.  She worked 60+ hours a week, was smart with her business decisions and money, and created her own fortune from nothing.  She’s pretty inspirational!

 

She also did all the decorating in this house on her own.  She literally painted all the walls and laid down all the hardwood floor and tile!  BY HERSELF.  And she sewed all the curtains! Crazy.

 

"Our" room:

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Dining room:

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Hallway:

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Big grandfather clock that chimes every hour:

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Kitchen:

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Gorgeous, isn’t it?  The old-world, European style isn’t my personal taste, but you can’t deny how gorgeous the house is.  I think my style is more arts and crafts (like, comfortable cottage).

 

If you could decorate your house in any style, what would it be?

{ 39 comments }

 

  • Errign August 22, 2009, 5:42 am

    I think I'm with you Caitlin, arts and crafts. :] That is one pretty house though!

  • runjen August 22, 2009, 5:47 am

    Gorgeous! I am more of a clean clines, contemporary girl. Love the arts and crats style too. I just never tend to do it.

  • Anna August 22, 2009, 6:00 am

    Um, HELLO Better Homes and Gardens! What a gorgeous place. I'm with you- it's not really my style, and I also like the arts & crafts/craftsman style. that's the style we just redid our house!

  • lookingforserenity August 22, 2009, 6:00 am

    that house is so beautiful!! 🙂

  • leslie August 22, 2009, 6:01 am

    your mother in law has impeccable taste and style! i love the grandfather clock and the pieces in the hallway. just gorgeous!

  • HangryPants August 22, 2009, 6:12 am

    Holy crap – I would move in!

  • Jocelyn August 22, 2009, 6:18 am

    wow I really love the dining room! The curtains are so pretty!

  • Andee (Runtolive) August 22, 2009, 6:19 am

    Beautiful house! I would definitely go for the modern, edgy look

  • traveleatlove August 22, 2009, 6:21 am

    What a gorgeous home! Its like a lovely inn. Congrats to your mother in law for working for her dream home!
    My style is warm and comfy, kind of Mediterannean.

  • Thinspired August 22, 2009, 6:38 am

    Your in-laws have a beautiful home! Your MIL sounds like a cool lady. I can definitely see a British influence in her decor…reminds me a lot of my in-laws, especially the bedroom and dining room 🙂

    I like what my mom calls "French Country"–kind of shabby chic meets colonial. Lots of white! 🙂

  • K from ksgoodeats August 22, 2009, 6:44 am

    My style is more Tuscan style – marbles, dark reds, etc. However their house is gorgeous!

  • Niki August 22, 2009, 6:51 am

    The house really is gorgeous! It kind of reminds me of a fancy bed & breakfast. Very pretty!

  • Marisa (Trim The Fat) August 22, 2009, 6:53 am

    Wow, what a beautiful home! Your MIL did a great job – love the kitchen the best and the grandfather clock!

    My favorite style is Mediterranean/Tuscan although, each room in my own home is a different style! A reflection of how my tastes have changed over the years.

  • Jenny August 22, 2009, 7:07 am

    wow the in laws home is gorgeous! i am so excited to decorate my own! i literally want eacsh room to have a different feel.. modern, vintage, warm and cozy – i will have a very diverse home 🙂

  • Susan August 22, 2009, 7:08 am

    That house is bee-yoo-tiful!!!

    I'd say my style is sort of "Hippie-ish." I love bright, mismatching colours and patterns and a lot of homemade things.

  • Kath August 22, 2009, 7:10 am

    Love that clock!!

  • haya August 22, 2009, 7:11 am

    what a beautiful house and a great story to go with it! wow.

    i'm still figuring out what my style is. i like modern/simple/clean – not too formal but not too busy with lots of prints and stuff.

  • Susan August 22, 2009, 7:29 am

    I looove that patio! I think I would spend a lot of time there. Major congrats to your mother-in-law for all her hard work. Many people say it can't be done (or maybe they're lazy? who knows), but working hard, setting goals, and being responsible go a long way. Awesome.

    I like styles that aren't too formal…I hate when people have a living room that they never use because it's formal and stuffy. I want comfy couches! And pictures. I grew up with pictures around my house of family, pictures my dad took while traveling (back in the day!), and artwork that my dad did in college. Fun!

  • platipus329 August 22, 2009, 7:34 am

    Wow, that house really is impressive. I like things more contemporary with stainless steel and loud colors, but I definitely appreciate antiques and the old world charm that house seems to have

  • Adi August 22, 2009, 7:40 am

    Beautiful home!

  • April August 22, 2009, 7:55 am

    Your mother-in-law and I have the same taste, I love traditional type decorating. What a pretty home!

  • littlemissminny August 22, 2009, 8:11 am

    omg, this house is sooo beautiful!
    hm, I don't know how I would decorate it. Maybe some minimalistic futuristic style. Or comfy romantic. It would definitely be a hard decision to make 😀

  • Lori August 22, 2009, 8:15 am

    Absolutely stunning. The sun room is my favorite (patio?)

  • Deb (Smoothie Girl Eats Too) August 22, 2009, 8:21 am

    Wow, your MIL sounds like a remarkable and inspiring woman. I know your hubby hails from the UK, like mine does. 🙂 Did she raise him here or in Britain?

    I love clean, modern/Ikea-type look because it FORCES you to be neat and orderly- NOT my strength! 😀

  • Julie August 22, 2009, 8:30 am

    Wow the house looks so regal!

    My dream home is modern, without a doubt. Cherry cabinites, granite countertop and stanless steel in the kitchen and hardwoods and clean lines throughout.

  • Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) August 22, 2009, 8:45 am

    I love the kitchen! I have always wanted to decorate my kitchen with marble countertops, copper pots and pans hanging from the ceiling and actual tile instead of the linoleum we have in our apartment. One day…

  • andmarie August 22, 2009, 8:51 am

    That patio looks wonderful! I could sit out there all day!

  • Shannon August 22, 2009, 8:51 am

    Look at that kitchen! What a beautiful home. Your mother-in-laws story truly is inspirational. Good for her. Enjoy your weekend in paradise!

  • Kayla August 22, 2009, 8:54 am

    What a beautiful house! The story about your mil motivating me to get to work. Lol. The bf and I have really been trying to save our money lately.

  • tracik August 22, 2009, 9:25 am

    That trail looks great and love your in laws pool area! My personal style is modern/contemporary/clean lines. Your mother-in-law sounds amazing and truly inspiring.

  • Anne August 22, 2009, 10:43 am

    It's so funny – when I look at pictures of houses on American blogs, every once in a while someone says 'European style', while all I could think while looking at the pictures was 'that's so American!' (I guess it's the curtains, you don't see 'em like that over here.)

    Your mother-in-law sounds like one hard-working woman, wow!

  • Brooke August 22, 2009, 10:44 am

    What a beautiful house!! I love inspirational and strong women… we need more of them in this world! 🙂 I love shabby chic and just eclectic mod stuff! I would ADORE to design a house!

    Have a good Saturday!!

  • Jolene - EverydayFoodie August 22, 2009, 10:46 am

    Wow!!! What a house!!!

    I think my style is more clean and modern, but I do also like old and antique with a darker feel too, so I guess I will have to have a house in both styles at some point!

  • Lizzy August 22, 2009, 12:54 pm

    OMG that is the most beautiful place ever!!!! such a little oasis! love

  • Jenna August 22, 2009, 5:13 pm

    her house is so cute…a perfect lil florida home!

  • Ali August 23, 2009, 5:50 am

    WOW! She is amazing! The house is great! I can;t believe she did all that by herself! If I where to decorate mine I would like it to be modern country (in the heart of a city hehehe). Oh, and with a BIG kitchen and home gym 🙂

  • Penny August 23, 2009, 1:02 pm

    Wow. You're MIL is incredible.

  • RhodeyGirl August 24, 2009, 8:14 am

    I was thinking the same exact thing- not exactly my style, but absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!! What an inspiration.

  • Beth @ CrossBorderCravings August 24, 2009, 11:43 am

    What a beautiful house! It looks like a castle.

    Talk about girl-power – raising 2 kids and creating a fourtune. Way to go to your MIL!

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