South Hill Home

We took a little trip. After our brief camping trip to McCall, we continued on to one of our favorite places, Spokane, Washington. We lived there for 3 years while Charles attended law school at Gonzaga. I loved our time in Spokane, it was a magical time for us. (Count how many times I say magical in this post.) I am so glad we lived there for our school experience. It was also magical for me because it was the first time I had ever lived away from my home in Alaska. When you live in Alaska you can become kind of trapped in the state since the lower 48 are so far away. 

When we lived in Spokane it was like a whole new world opened up to me. We traveled as much as we could during that time, just to explore what we had been missing. I also felt like I found myself in Spokane. I think it was being away from family, home, and everything familiar. We were there alone without connections. But we quickly made fantastic friends that were more like family to us. And somewhere along the streets of the South Hill -- I discovered who I was. I traveled those streets, by foot, daily. Up and down the hills I would walk and run. My heart, my thoughts, my Spirit, were all elevated there. And because of that, a part of me will always be left there on the streets of the South Hill. The song, "I Left my Heart in San Francisco," would apply to Spokane for me.  A piece of my heart will always belong to Spokane. 

The streets of the South Hill are lined with homes from another time. You can still drive over patches of cobblestone road, and imagine what life might have been like over 100 years ago, with horse and buggy. I love history, and things from days gone by -- so being amongst the old houses makes my heart happy. Along with the houses full of history are trees that cover the roads -- with branches reaching out, as if the trees are lovingly holding hands. 

It was in Spokane I learned of my love of things from another era. I love the depth of homes that have existed through the ages. I learned that my favorite music comes from the mouths of Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby, and those of the same musical era. I discovered my love of that music while living in our tiny house during law school, doing the dishes by hand -- I realized that any task can be made better with that kind of music. When I listened to that music in Spokane it made me feel like I was living in another decade, another time. A better time. I cannot explain how much I love that feeling. I love the architecture, and the character of the buildings, and quality of craftsmanship. The love and care that people used to put in their homes is astounding.  I was often tempted to just go knock on the doors of complete stranger and ask if I could peek inside their homes that had been standing there for over 100 years. 

That being said, this Spokane trip was about crossing an item off of my bucket list. No, I am not dying. Well, I guess I am -- but we all are. But one of the things I have wanted to do since living in Spokane is to stay in a Craftsman style house on the South Hill. It would be the equivalent for me to staying in a Row House in San Francisco. This trip, I got my wish. We found the perfect house to stay in, and I loved every minute of it. It was a little pricier than staying in a hotel, but the house was the purpose of the trip, so the expense was very worth it. (The house beat out a hotel in every way.) 

We stayed in this house:  HERE

It was fantastic. If you are ever in Spokane, you might want to consider it. 

The view across the street. Love those awesome houses! 

Tree-lined streets were beautiful. You should see them in the Fall! 

Backyard 

It had a hammock, lounge chairs, even a BBQ grill. 

Daniel enjoying the view and the weather 

The living room was very pleasant and cozy. I spent a lot of time there snuggled on the couch looking out the window. 

The dining room became the game table 

Sammi's room. Her bed was really comfy, I tried it out a few times. 

William's room in the upstairs loft room, which I thought was super awesome. 

This was my "Secret Place" in the house. It was a tiny upstairs loft room. I would go up there and hide away from everyone and read and ponder -- it was glorious and magical. My heart was full of gratitude to God for allowing me that moment, just for me. 

The bed that snuggled me while I read and enjoyed the magic of my secret hiding room. It was a room meant for little girls. It allowed me to leave my motherly duties and be a little girl again, if only for a moment. I would love a room like this in my home, but I fear I would never come out. 

My view out of my secret place. 

William told me to take a picture :-) 

William snuggling on the couch after we got home from a late-night walk in the unexpected rain. 

So warm and cozy. This house sang for me. I just wanted to hug it and say thank you. 

Henry loved running around the house. 

Lots of little awesome details, including creaking floors. 

Sammi drinking hot chocolate, reading a book, under a chandelier -- what could be better? 

Sammi is obsessed with The Phantom of the Opera so she particularly enjoyed the chandelier.  I think she was waiting for it to fall. :-)  

Henry waiting for dinner in the backyard

Yummy dinner Charles prepared on the grill. Shish-Kaboobs. 

The kitchen was awesome. I loved their little breakfast nook area. 

The basement was full of fun for everyone. I did not spend much time down there, but the kids enjoyed it.  (While I snuck away to my magical retreat.) 

Henry loves balls, so he was happy to take them from the table. 

They even had a karaoke machine! 

And a piano for Sammi. 

Lots of fun games! 

  

Daniel enjoying his room. 

There were fun little nooks everywhere. 

Game table in action

And there was even a speaker dock, so I could play Nat King Cole while sitting magically in my Spokane. 

The house was over 100 years old, and there was a hint of the smell of my Grandma Lindquist's house when you walk in the back mudroom door -- which I loved.  The rest of the house smelled like yummy candles. It was a delightful house for us. It was updated, but with some happy displays of the past. I could sit there and feel the history of the house in the air. That house had a song all its own. A song of time that has escaped the world, of memories, of people who used to occupy its warm walls. I could imagine times gone by with corsets, top hats, and sophistication I cannot even comprehend living in our time. It was a unique experience, and a beautiful home. I am so glad we stayed there and not in a hotel. 

Another piece of my heart has been left in Spokane. 

Another item has been crossed off of my bucket list.