Love is Building a House Together: A Tribute to My Parents, Part II

Love is Building a House Together: A Tribute to My Parents, Part II

In which I continue describing the process of building our house on Minta Lane; this section focuses on moving into the old house that was in front of it in April 1980; completing construction to the point we could finally move in (though there was still work to do), and demolishing the old house.

Read More
Love is Building a House Together: A Tribute to My Parents, Part I

Love is Building a House Together: A Tribute to My Parents, Part I

In which I begin describing the process of our family building a house together from 1979-1981. In this first part, I discuss purchasing the property on Minta Lane in Antioch, the early design stages (which involved a passive solar design), preparing the construction site, and building the foundation.

Read More
My Mother: The One Who Taught Me to Love the Holidays
Dorothy Graham, Crafting, Ornaments, Christmas Tonya Graham McQuade Dorothy Graham, Crafting, Ornaments, Christmas Tonya Graham McQuade

My Mother: The One Who Taught Me to Love the Holidays

In which I discuss the many ways my mother taught me to enjoy and celebrate Christmas - including hand-crafted ornaments, Christmas cards, nativity sets, ornaments to commemorate special vacations and events, hand-sewn stockings and pillows, homemade cookies and pies, and so much more; and I share lots of photos.

Read More