Here's NW Indiana (and Chicago)

Ed_L · #1 10-22-2001, 01:59 PM

This is our very modest home in NW Indiana. We've lived here for 11 years, and it is not the same house we bought. The neighborhood is well kept, it is a good neighborhood, and we have great neighbors (very important)! When we bought the house, it had 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, bath, and living room (all main level). Upstairs was framed in (no drywall), and I finished the whole upstairs where we now have 2 more bedrooms and another 1/2 bath. I added the front porch 3 years ago, and two years ago we built a 16 X 27 dining/family room on the back. That's where we spend most of our time. We have just short of 1/2 acre so we have a little elbow room. On the left of the photo (unseen) is my wife's woodland garden. In back we have various flowers, a vegetable garden, grape vines, raspberry plants, 2 apple trees, and 2 plum trees. Not too much to show from this immediate area, so I included a shot I took in Chicago at one of the museums (not far from home). The lake is Lake Michigan, and in the distance is Chicago's downtown area, which is called the "Loop". These two images are posted here, and another is posted for you southerners, in the next thread. Couldn't get the file small enough to put them all here.

Ed

Ed_L · #2 10-22-2001, 02:06 PM

Sorry, gotta do something else. Can't post it. Stay tuned - coming soon!

Ed

Ed_L · #3 10-22-2001, 02:09 PM

Here we go!

thomasgeorge · #4 10-22-2001, 02:25 PM

Looks nice,Ed. Privacy but still close to town. With all the remodeling, how'd you find time for anything else? You should bottle that recipe and sell it!! Tom

CJ Swartz · #5 10-22-2001, 02:56 PM

Beautiful home, Ed! Obviously you've done more than just the "grunt work" for your wife's garden; you've taken a house and "built a home". I love porches, especially with railings (I chose my current house because it has a front porch.)

Very lovely image with the fall color in the leaves, the flowers and the greenery.

DJ Dubovsky · #6 10-22-2001, 04:11 PM

Oh those Autumn colors. How I miss the beauty of changing colors of the seasons. Beautiful house Ed. It reminds me of a cozy little cottage home you see in alot of paintings with the gardens and trees surrounding it. Reminds me of my home in upper Michigan.
DJ

Chris W. · #7 10-22-2001, 04:49 PM

Hey Ed,

I think I saw your house in "Better Homes and Gardens"....if not then it sure should be....what a beautiful setting.

And like DJ I too miss those autumn colors.

So Ed, what are your rates for remodeling work???....Lots of people around here need that done and not enough people to do it.

Ed_L · #8 10-22-2001, 05:24 PM

Tom,

I just like that kind of work, so I guess it's not really work for me.

I like the physical work.

CJ, DJ & Chris,

I appreciate the comments, but I really don't think my home is anything special for most people. But I can finally say that I'm *DONE*! Nothing else needs to be done, and I wasn't sure I would ever reach that plateau. We live in an unincorporated area, so there aren't many rules governing how people live their lives. In many places, this might mean that people tend to let their homes go, but around here they're pretty well kept up. Good neighborhood, and pretty well free of problems.

Ed

chris h · #9 10-22-2001, 05:26 PM

And this is the man who claims to 'dabble' at woodwork!

Ed_L · #10 10-22-2001, 05:35 PM

Ah, woodworking and construction are two different animals, even though they might seem the same. I can be off by 1/4 inch on a rafter with no problem, but the side of a cabinet better not be.

Ed

kathleen · #11 10-22-2001, 09:51 PM

oh ed it is picture perfect. i especially love the dormers, and if i read you right, you did 'em - right? and the porch. you should be very proud. wish we could see the garden, but just knowing it's there makes it that much better. just perfect.

the other pic you posted was my old stomping grounds. i can remember walking up and down that walk next to the lake in february with icidles on my nose. youth will make you do crazy things.

all told, you almost make me feel i could live in chi area again . . . almost.

oh - the lap dog looks like you.

Ed_L · #12 10-22-2001, 10:01 PM

Thanks Kathleen. Actually, I can't take credit for the dormers. They were already there. But I've been plenty busy with the other things. Nah, you probably wouldn't want icicles on your nose any more.

I took that shot earlier this year when Sue, the dinosaur, was at the museum. My grandson and I spent part of the day there. Hey, are you saying that my dog looks like a pig?

Ed