Thursday, July 8, 2010

house stalking...minnesota style



If you just happen to live in Minnesota...or Wisconsin...and in the last few days saw a tall, dark haired girl standing in your front yard week photographing your house...and then your neighbor's house...and then the house across the street...


it was probably me.

I have a house obsession. I need therapy, I know.

I get home from a roadtrip and find I have 999 photos of complete stranger's houses...and 2 of my sweet husband. That is some thanks I give him since he drives the get-away car on my house stalking adventures!But these houses I had to share. Maybe you won't understand because you were not there to experience the charming little town that went along with these beauties, but I couldn't help but show you some of my 999 photos!

All of the houses in this post were in a tiny little town called Wabasha, Minnesota. It has a little claim to fame as the town where the "Grumpy Old Men" movies were filmed. I can totally see why Hollywood came knocking on the doors of this Mississippi River town.

I parked the car, stepped onto the sidewalk and could have sworn I was thrust back in time to Mayberry USA. A police car went by and I had to check to see if Andy Griffith was behind the wheel. It was wholesome and beautiful, just as Smalltown USA should be.



There was not a speck of dirt on the sidewalks. Each old-fashioned lamp post had a cascading basket of flowers hanging from it. Main Street was lined with cute little coffee shops and diners with an antique store or two sprinkled in here and there.

 I loved every minute of my time there.


I would looooove to have a porch like this one below! I would have a party every night of the week just so everyone could enjoy my view!


If you are not familiar with what goes along with living on the Mississippi River...let me give you a few words.

Gorgeous - Stunning - and Incredible views!

365 days a year you  have sparkling water, orange foliage or snow covered trees out your front window.

This one reminds me of a Nantucket beach house. So charming and simple.


And have I ever mentioned just how crazy I am about metal roofs??

Yes, its true. I love them.

And the lights above the garage door, too!


This one just screamed Minnesota simplicity.

American flag.

 Brick walk.

Perfection.



But this little lady was the highlight of my photo session. She was the sweetest 88 year old woman I think I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I caught her tending to her window boxes early one morning. I snapped a few candid pics before I walked over to say hello.

She was as sweet as apple pie. She told me her husband bought her this house on the river 58 years ago and it will be only in this home that she draws her last breath.

It brings tears to me eyes just thinking about it.



Every morning the first thing she does is wake up to check the river.

She told me her soul is in this house, and in this little town...but mostly in the river view she has seen every morning for 58 years.  

I am always so happy to hear of someone that has such love for their home. It makes me smile even more when she is 88 and her home is so full of memories.



This lovely home made me do a double-take!

It is an octagon shaped house with a room at the top that would make a perfect office for me! Oh, to have a room up in the trees...I would never leave!


And those corbels... *sigh*...is is possible to really be in love with a corbel??

Because I am .

Another subject for my therapy sessions.



But it was the porch that really had me going crazy.

Love it.

That's all I can say.



Hope you enjoyed my little house your of little 'ol Wabasha, Minnesota! I feel better now that I have shared the love.

Oooh...and do you know what I just realized??

This is post #99 for the Urban Farmgirl!!!

You know what that means....right??

A giveaway for the next post!!

Can I get a little "woohoo!" from everyone out there?? You know I am gonna make it something good!