A BIG SECRET REVEAL AT STONEGABLE
Hi dear friends! I’ve been holding a secret very close to my heart for the last four months. So much has happened because of the unfolding of this secret and today I want to share it with you!!!!!
We have moved! Yes! Can you believe it? Let me say first STONEGABLE BLOG IS HEALTHY AND WELL AND WILL CONTINUE JUST LIKE ALWAYS!!!!!
Stop back on Friday to see more about our move and get a tour of our new home… boxes and moving-in mess and all!
But today, will you linger with me at the home that has been our life for almost 25 years? I hope you will indulge me as I remember a bit…
StoneGable was my dream house. My forever home. You can read HOW WE CHOSE STONEGABLE HERE and see how our home came about and why we love it so much.
I wrote the HOW WE CHOSE STONEGABLE as part of a house tour with other bloggers. But what no one knew, except a handful of blogging friends, was we were in the middle of selling it!
I can’t tell you the tears I shed as I wrote this post! Ugly crying! Very ugly crying! I still can’t bring myself to read it! I’m not sure about spelling or grammar or even how sounds!
This post started what I now call THE GREAT MOURNING!
I cried day and night for a solid three weeks after I wrote that post! Solid! I’m not being hyperbolic!
I’d get up every morning and think, “Why, oh why are we selling this beautiful house? This is my HOME”!!!! And a sense of dread gripped me! And I would cry and cry!
StoneGable was Camelot! Our Camelot!
You need to know before I go any further there is a very happy ending to this story and we are living in another beautiful home I can’t wait to share with you. We are busily infusing it with all StoneGable’s style and memories and blessings and joy! And we are making it our own now!
But just for today it’s about remembering the home that loved our family so well!
I took one last walk through my beloved StoneGable yesterday and took lots of pictures of the empty rooms.
I remember 25 years ago when I walked through this empty house for the first time! We really thought it was palatial! And for us it was.
One of my favorite rooms in StoneGable is its ample foyer! Of course, my two most beautiful memories of this area were watching Jacqueline walk down the stairs in her wedding gown and watching Christopher walk out of the front door to serve his country! Those memories are imprinted in my mind forever and I hold them ever so tight in my mother’s heart!
The foyer was often called into duty for other purposes. The rug was pushed away more than once and the foyer became a most excellent dance floor! Or a drink or dessert station when the house was full of friends. And it was even a driveway when our little Anderson got a push- car for Christmas.
We did use our living room but probably not as much as we should have. Book Club gathered there and friends lingered after a meal. I can see my sister Lisa reading or taking a nap on the sofa!
I adore its long elegant windows! And the light in the living room was so bright even on dreary days! It’s the brightest room at StoneGable.
If you drive down our road you can look in one of the dining room windows right through our home and see out the living room door! For some reason, I really thought that was so unique!
Christmas was when the living room shone most beautifully and brightly! As our family grew we moved the Christmas tree from the family room to the living room in front of the french doors.
Speaking of Christmas there is something I need to confess. We did not spend every Christmas at StoneGable. When Jacqueline got married and it was the in-laws turn to host Christmas I just could not imagine Christmas without her. Christopher was in college and he was my sanity that year!
So I asked the boys if we could go away for Christmas. I could not bear Christmas at StoneGable without our daughter!
Just a side story in a story… that was also the first year we put up a family Christmas tree without our children. It was an EPIC FAIL! Bobby and I got out all the boxes of lights and ornaments. Bobby strung the light and the first ornament I pulled out of one of the boxes was Christopher’s “babies first Christmas”. Well, we both sat down on the sofa and cried so hard we put the lid on the boxes and had a tree with just lights that year! I took a nap and Bobby had a drink! Seriously! NOW, we can laugh and laugh about it!
Back to Christmas without my daughter. So my boys wanted to go somewhere warm and tropical. Are you kidding me? No!
It had to be the most Christmassy place in the world! So we decided on Williamsburg, Va! And yes, it is Christmasland there.
We spent 5 days over Christmas and to my great surprise had a fabulous time! Being in Williamsburg is the best at Christmas! We even had a Christmas tree in our hotel room at the Williamsburg Lodge.
Yes, I missed Jacqueline but it was okay because she was really missing us and somehow that made me feel better (terrible, I know!)!
We dined in the taverns and went to every fun Colonial Christmas thing going on in Historic Williamsburg! And we went to Christmas Eve midnight services at Bruton Parrish Church.
So every other year you will find Bobby and me in Williamsburg having the Christmas time of our lives while the children and their families are at the inlaws! It’s awesome! You should try it sometime!
Enough of Christmas past, let’s head over to the dining room…
I often whisper to my dining room, “I love you best of all” so none of the other rooms hear! The heart of my home is certainly the kitchen but the dining room is the spirit of StoneGable. It’s grand but humble about being the prettiest room in the house. It looks formal but it is all about being welcoming! Welcoming is StoneGable’s buzzword, for sure!
And of all the rooms at StoneGable, I will probably miss the dining room the most!
I love this view looking from the kitchen to the family room! About 10 years ago we resurfaced the green marble tile around the fireplace with brick. What a difference! The fireplace is classic and I’m actually going to have the exact same fireplace built in our new home. I’ll be sharing the progress soon!
Like many family rooms, it was the hardest used room in our home! Relaxing, games, movie nights, reading, talking, kids, roughhousing, family, friends, dogs and more!
The breakfast nook holds breakfast memories! Yes, we did eat all of our dinners here too. But it was our breakfast ritual I loved the best!
From the day we moved into StoneGable we had breakfast together as a family. It was not easy getting up at 5:15 every morning to make a hot breakfast every school day! And it was not easy for our kids to get up a little earlier either! But it was more than worth it!
Our early morning time around the table, day after day and month after month and year after year, started our day off right and built such strong family ties and wonderful memories.
For well over a decade we did devotions as a family and prayed together before we started our day! And we see how God answered our prayers and we are so grateful!
My husband will probably remember the breakfast nook for late-night games of One To Thirteen or Poker or other card games. We are a game loving family! And we taught our children and their friend and spouses to love games too!
Now Hanabi is my card game of choice! When our children grew up the tables were turned and they taught us this amazing game!
The kitchen at StoneGable has gone through one major makeover and two little refreshes. Every cabinet and door was built right in our garage! There is not another one like it anywhere! And I loved knowing that!
The kitchen has always been white. For me, there is nothing so pretty as a white painted kitchen!
The kitchen is where I spent the most time at StoneGable with my apron on canning the bounty of our garden, cooking and creating, and enjoying every minute (almost) with Bobby and our kids!
The first time I met Jacqueline’s boyfriend who would be her husband he was sitting at the end of the island in the kitchen. Jacqueline and her friends came home from Penn State for the weekend to go salsa dancing and stayed at StoneGable. Jonathan arrived later than the rest of the group so when I came down to make everyone breakfast there he was sitting at the end of the island! He never went to sleep. We talked and talked in the quiet of that early morning! I thought to myself, “What an impressive young man”!
When all of my grandbabies were tiny wee newbies I bathed them in the farmhouse sink! I think every babe needs a farmhouse sink bath! And this is how I know, my Nani did the same to me!
When I scrubbed the sink for the last time a couple days ago I pressed my hand into the cold soapstone and closed my eyes so all the memories would be soaked up into my hand and then right into my heart! And again I cried, but just a few tears this time!
I remember the first night we stayed in StoneGable like it was yesterday!
I walked from our bedroom down the hall to our children’s room to check on them before we went to bed and thought, “What a beautiful little walk”. Isn’t that funny! Like I was taking a stroll or something. It just seemed so lovely and long!
Christopher’s room! Oh, my! I could actually write a book about all the antics that went on in there! He was a sweet and hysterically funny child with a heart bigger than the whole world!
At night when I would tuck him in he wanted to solve all the problems of the world! In the dark, I would sit on the edged of his bed and we would talk about the deepest things.
No wonder he became a pastor! I always knew God had a calling on Chris’ life!
Oh, but he was a messy kid! Incurably messy and his room was ground zero! We decided when Chris was young we would pick our battles wisely and just shut his door! Thank goodness for boot camp!
Today he is (for the most part) as neat and organized as they come! Again, thank goodness for boot camp!
What I remember most about Jacqueline’s room were all the American Girl dolls and tea parties and ballet shoes and frilly tutu’s and cheerleading pom poms. Girly to the max!
When she got older my fondest memories were all the late-night talks under the pink gingham covers of her bed about her school days, her dates and her dreams! She would chatter and giggle on and on about teenage life and then college life. And then one day about falling in love with an amazing young man who would be her husband!
The Gable Room is the room that wins the prize for the pretties window! It is the Gable in StoneGable! It’s always been a guest room. And our guests enjoyed it for its most spectacular bucolic views!
Another guest room is the GUEST SUITE. This wing (over the garage) of our home has a large room with amazingly angled walls. It reminds me of an attic!
The guest suite and bath gave rest to missionaries, family and a few other souls who just needed a place to be and be loved for a while!
The porch was my happy place! And the swing is where I met with God, had heart-to-heart talks with family and friends and rocked my grandbabies!
The porch at StoneGable is a gift! A big wraparound gift! Love starts on the porch at StoneGable. You can just feel it! The porch is like giant arms wrapping themselves around the house in a big, huge hug!
The porch has a powerful southern personality! I’ve always wanted to be southern! And lo and behold the porch at StoneGable was! Hospitality is its very foundation! And porch sitting is a must!
For several years we housed and hosted Russian ballet dancers who came to dance in the Nutcracker. Beautiful, graceful, pencil-thin ballerinas and chiseled faced men who did not speak a speck of English!
Cold December evening after every performance found them on the back porch smoking like fiends and guzzling copious amounts of vodka! And wow, could they party! That was the porch’s wild years!
Memories are layered in every wall and floorboard and cupboard and closet and corner of StoneGable. We have bundled them up and have taken them all with us! They belong to us no matter where we go!
So this beautiful, warm, welcoming home is bare! Even though we have taken everything out of StoneGable including our memories we have not left it totally empty! !We are leaving a little bit of the magic! And also a sprinkle of love!
Now another family has come to live at StoneGable. A young, delightful family! We had been praying for them! From the day we knew our time at our beloved home was coming to an end, we have prayed for the next family blessed enough to call StoneGable their home!
Our tale is not ended but continues in new and exciting ways! Stop back on Friday and meet our new home at Tanglewood!
Well, although it is hard, you can look at your new home as an adventure, and God willing I hope you do!!!
Well, I think you will completely surprise your readers on this post! Wow!…..just wow! My heart is hurting for you as you made this difficult season to move from StoneGable! My husband and I did this several years ago. We completely moved to another town because of a job transfer and I grieved for several months. After two years of living there, we moved back to our hometown and 7 years later, we have built a low country farmhouse. I cannot wait to see your new home. God works in marvelous ways. Blessings on your new life as you adjust to a new home. Those memories will always be with you.
WOW…I have followed and enjoyed you for a very long time…moving is always stressful…we just moved from Ohio to North Carolina one year ago…we retired…sold our house in 5 days and moved to be closer to our son and daughter-in-law and their 2 month old daughter…we couldn’t be happier…God has a plan for all of us? anxious to read the next part of your journey???
Hi Yvonne,
Even though I live on the other side of the world and have never seen beautiful Stone Gable, I was saddened to read that you are leaving. For me, it was one of the first blogs that I ever subscribed to and very quickly felt connected to the wonderful stories and images of your home. My heart was with you as you took us through this blog, to say goodbye to such a home full of memories and love. May the Lord bless you abundantly in your new home, just as He has at Stone Gable. Proverbs 24 v. 3 : 4
By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.
Amen, Yvonne. Day 2 and I am still crying as I read the kind and thoughtful sentiments. I often use this verse in a card for the bride at her shower. May I add Proverbs 22:1. “A good name is more to be be desired than great riches: Loving favor rather than silver and gold.” This my sweet friend is your godly testimony.
OMGoodness !! THANK YOU for sharing !!! I wish you and yours the VERY best !!… here’s to the next chapter at Tanglewood ?
?linda
I can’t even……. Oh how I have loved Stone Gable. I am seriously having an “ugly” cry. I too will grieve for this lovely home. May God bless you, Yvonne for again sharing your heart.
How heartwarming is the tale of your home! Actually brought some tears to my eyes. Good luck with building all the new memories, there will be many!
Oh the faithfulness and trust in God is just marvelous. I so enjoyed reading the memories of you, your family, friends and even the open door in your home to strangers, you are indeed a blessing to bless. As I sat on my porch reading your story I felt as if I was sitting listening to you face to face, loving all and especially the babies bath in the farmhouse sink, and the Christmas after the children enter a new chapter in there lives. Awesome memories. as God continued blessing upon you and your family life let me say congratulation and blessing in your next chapter in your new home. Can’t wait till Friday. Stonegable is a beautiful home and I know the new couple will enjoy. Again thanks for sharing your secret.
What a beautiful story! I’m like you. I’m extremely sentimental about places like homes. I still have dreams of the home I grew up in. Bless you and I can’t wait to see your new home decorated for the holidays.
I too have had to leave my home several time. It’s hard and I cried many tears too but the memories go with you and a new adventure begins. God bless you in your new home.
I’m excited for you ! I look forward to seeing your new home. You have the gift of making a house a home. You will fill every nook and cranny with the same love that you shared in Stone Gable. Congratulations!
What a lovely poignant narrative. Thank you for sharing. I think I’ll have another cup of coffee and reread. So excited to see new posts.
Oh, Yvonne! Sending hugs and prayers. You and I are close in age. This is a surprise. But you are so right about the memories and what is in our hearts is always supreme. Can we feel two ways about events in our lives? Happy and sad? Yes, we can. Keep writing, too. Isn’t it therapeutic?
Oh Yvonne,
My heart ached reading your memory walk. So many beautiful memories are created in our homes.
I’m really looking forward to learning from you as you embark on your new adventure! You see, we moved (downsized) from our big fsmily home just 3 months ago and i have been reading back issues of your blog for inspiration! To now be inspired by you experiencing exactly what I am right now is too good to be true!!
Our styles are so similar .. I CAN’T WAIT to learn how you do it!!
Jane from Dallas
What wonderful memories and such a lovely home. But, you get to do it all over again, well for the most part. I assume you are downsizing, but I’m very curious, how far away have you moved from StoneGable? We too are looking to downsize and move, and may choose to move states away. Good luck!
What a beautiful story of your home. The memories you shared are so touching. I’m excited to see what the future holds and the new memories yet to be made. This came to me as I read your post. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:19 NIV B
What a bittersweet post! StoneGable is such a lovely home. Your memories there will always be in your mind. We moved from our so-called forever home 6 years ago, and I still think of where my children were raised and the love in those walls. I’m sure you will do the same. But I also think that very soon you will be showcasing your new home, showing all of us how you put your signature style into it. And you will build new memories there. That new house will soon be home! Best wishes to you. Sending you love and hugs!
My Aunt & Uncle created a beautiful book of the home their father built in 1934 in which they grew up and was owned by the original family till 1964 – it was written in the form of the home telling it’s own story. It gave details of how and why it was built and some of the the special features included in it’s construction – It also had highlighted of a few of the stories of family’s life and historical events in it’s early years. It contained early photos of the home so you could see the changes over time. They presented a copy of the book to each relative and the current homeowner. The last statement of the book “I encourage later owners to continue this historical diary adding information about residents sheltered here and their great stories, additions and alterations. Please keep this diary in a safe place and pass it on to future owners.” When they presented the book to the current owners they discovered that the current owners were not aware of some of the features of the house and the land around it. Nearly 100 years old and still going strong. Looking forward to seeing your new home and wishing you new happy memories.
Yvonne I to know what you are going through. We recently retired and moved from our beloved home of 23 years. It’s amazing how much love goes into a home in all the ways you described today. I must admit I became very depressed at first. I had trouble focusing on unpacking and decorating my new home. Then I accidentally came across your blog and podcast. You were the kickstart I needed. Now I’m enjoying infusing this home with all the things I love. I can’t thank you enough for all your hard work in blogging your thoughts and ideas. I’m excited to see your new home. Thanks for sharing, I love what you do.
Beautiful story brought back memories to me of raising family and creating homes filled with love.
Thank you sharing all your beautiful memories with us Yvonne. I love our home so much, I often remind myself that it’s only our”temporary” home here on earth. If we ever need to move, I know it will be a very emotional time for me. Congratulations and God Bless you in your new home, can’t wait to see it.
What a surprising and beautiful post! I have loved your home and all the stories that go with it., especially the great faithfulness of God. Wishing you the best at Tanglewood!
Yvonne,
I don’t know what to say…..I have tears also, as Stonegable has become a part of my life also, through your blog. That sounds silly, me sitting in Kansas and your lovely home I have come to love, is in beautiful Lancaster, PA-a gorgeous part of the country. But I am also excited to see your new home and how you will lovingly decorate it and make it truly a blessed home. Isn’t it strange that God gives us the ability to be sad, heartbroken, and excited all at the same time? I wish you the very best in this newest adventure in your life. Best, Nancee
Hi Nancee, we are still living in Lancaster County. Only 10 minutes from StoneGable. I can’t wait to share the Tanglewood house with you!
What? Your leaving Stone Gable? Tell me it’s not true. I haven’t been so shocked since Karianne left Thistlewood and moved to Texas. I know you are doing whats best for you and Bobby, looking forward to the new adventure. I’m a little sad?.
Just wait till you see all the decorating and fun on StoneGable the blog now that we are in the Tanglewood house!
Wow, Yvonne! This was so exciting to read. . . and also bittersweet. God bless you as you make this transition. I’m a few years behind you–kids are now 22, 26, and 28. Only one is married so far. We’ve lived in our house since our youngest was 8 years old. This is the house from which all the boys left for college. This is the house where our middle son recuperated after open-heart surgery and later a stroke. This is the house our oldest son left when he went off to Navy Officer Candidate School. This is the house where that same son brought his new girlfriend, who has now become his wife. I can just imagine how attached I might become if I get to rock grandchildren in this house! Yet the HOME is found in the love of our family and the bond we share, I know. . . but still. Weeping and rejoicing with you!
I am new to Stone Gable and your blog Yvonne and I’m sure it must have been so hard to leave such a wonderful home full of so many memories! But I can’t wait to see your new home from the ground up as it were to see what wonderful ideas await at Tanglewood!
Glad it is all getting done. Hope that wonderful
Pls e sells quickly. What fun you’ll have in your new house making it home for you and Bobby and a very special place for your kids and family to come home.
I live just steps away from Colonial Williamsburg and agree that Christmas is magical here! I’m blessed to be able to walk my two Westies on Duke of Gloucester street every morning (headed there as soon as I finish this comment). I hope we have an occasion to meet on your next visit, and would welcome you to my home for a cup of coffee to chat about Jesus and decorating! :). Congratulations and blessings on your new home!
Gerry, I will take you up on that! This coming Christmas we get all the family but next Christmas I’ll be knocking on your door for a cup of coffee!~
Hi Yvonne: Your story about your beautiful home was beautiful, I can tell how much you loved your home and how much you love your family, it is so nice to see and it makes my heart feel wonderful. Best of luck in your new home I am sure it will also be filled with love and memories. Sincerely, Marilyn Petitto
I have gotten so much inspiration from Stone Gable. I have many things in my home that I first saw in Stone Gable. I have done craft projects and made many recipes. I will miss seeing your beautiful home, but I look forward to seeing what you have in store for your future posts. I wish you all the best in your new home.
Wow – I’m stunned. I’m the gal that suggested the “soup stash” in the freezer. I assume you are making a bit of a downsize?? We are planning on the same thing within the next year or so. We have been in our home since it was new also – 25 years. We have done updates (a painter will arrive in 15 minutes to paint the entire interior – eeks). That’s the last in our 3 year plan to do updates, etc., prior to selling. The house is so lovely it will be difficult to leave, but at the same time we are looking forward to the change. Our new home will be in an historic village where our daughter and her family live. Lots to do there – wineries, breweries, restaurants, cultural events, nature trails. I keep saying that change is good. I am also looking forward to decorating our new home. I can’t wait to follow your progress.
Yvonne,
I so enjoy your blog and your beautiful recollection of your home. We left our home we raised our boys in for 27 years and it was difficult. It has always been difficult for us to leave each of our 4 homes. I think is because we put so much love and care into them to make them a home. We have fond memories of each as I know you do. We all have reasons to move on and how wonderful to have a new adventure and creativity to look forward to. It will renew you and I’m hoping you can share that next adventure with us. Thank you for your beautiful inspirations, you make my days fuller with your blog.
Did I miss something, why did you move? I am in shock…
I’m sitting here at work getting ready for a meeting as I cry my eyes out. I can certainly understand all your emotions on leaving your beautiful home but I know the memories will go with you. We are soon to be in the same position as we are getting older and it’s just the two of us at home and it’s getting harder to maintain everything. But I get teary eyed every time I think about leaving the house that has been home to us for 33 years. Like you I know we will find a way to be happy wherever we go because it’s our family that makes a home. I’m anxious to see your new home and I know you will make it a beautiful haven just like you have done at Stone Gable.
This was a beautifully done post. Sharing the love of your home for all of those years and transitions are not easy, especially if you are sentimental.
Thank you for showing us a graceful way to move onto the next chapter while holding dear the past.
Best wishes to you as you get your new home ready as I’m sure it will be homey and lovely.
Beautiful sentiment to your home. You made me cry! Good luck with the move!
Wow! I was not expecting this to be your big news. I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been to make this decision and to actually leave this gorgeous home that has been your nest for so many years. Looking forward to seeing your new home but know that all your followers along with you will miss Stonegable.
Wow, to say I’m shocked would be an understatement. Congratulations on your new adventure. Each season of our lives brings change hopefully for the better. I cried over the story of your first Christmas without your daughter. We have gone through that and are again facing the same this year with the grandchildren living far from us and not being able to return for the holidays. I was vacillating about going somewhere for Thanksgiving to help ease the hole in my heart and now you’ve given me the little push I needed.
Thank you for your wonderful blog. I can’t wait to see your new home to make new memories in.
Oh Yvonne, How I have enjoyed getting up to Stonegable each morning! Your posts are beautiful and filled with grace. In a strange way I am going to miss Stonegable too! You are brave and strong and I have no doubt there is a new adventure and home for you, just waiting for your loving touch! I can’t wait to explore it with you! You are the first blogger I ever read! I know that I would cry too if I had to leave my home, but sometimes God asks us to take a new road, a chance and adventure! All my love and I cannot wait to see how you make your new house a home!
Laurie
Oh what a nostalgic post. Even I cried. I have so loved your home. You left me hanging as to why this needed to happen. Obviously it has a happy ending like you said. Maybe you can help is a little with the why?????
Wow,I can’t believe you are leaving your beautiful home.So many things to love especially the outdoor space looking out at the corn field.Wishing you all the best in your new home and can’t wait to see it.
I so love reading your blog. My husband and I are facing the time when we may need to sell our beautiful, family-sized home and move to a more managible home for the two of us. I too love my home, it was not built for me, but from the moment I entered the front door, it was mine. There is not one nook or cranny that I have not touched. I’m sure when we finally make the decision, I’ll cry rivers. I wish you the best.
Pat
Oh. My. Gosh. You are full of surprises! Congratulations on sharing this life event with us. Moving is by far one of the most difficult changes we experience. Good bye StoneGable, as even I am misty I thinking about your lovely family making this move. But…Hello Tanglewood! I can’t wait to meet you and share your future with Yvonne and her beautiful family and friends. I’ve learned so much from you, Yvonne, and have grown to love you and your ability to share yourself. Good luck, and God bless.
As I wipe my tears away, I don’t know how I will handle the day I leave my home of 42 years. Part of me is wanting to start a new adventure somewhere…yet the thought of leaving my home is overwhelming. I just replaced my kitchen for the second time after 20 years and I cried for weeks as they tore out the counters where I made cookies, rolled cabbage rolls, and corrected years of school papers. My husband thought I was crazy. But I understand your loss. Best wishes for a wonderful new chapter of your life and we will make wonderful new memories…?
This made me cry. I went through the same feelings when we sold our dream home. We built a beautiful log home in the mountains, it was showcased in a log home magazine. For health reasons and age we decided to put it on the market, and we had a contract in 5 days!! The new owners wanted possession in three weeks!!
I am afraid I made life miserable for my dear husband, I cried, cried and cried for weeks. But life goes on, and I feel blessed to have wonderful memories and a very patient husband!
I’m saddened to see your are leaving your beautiful home. I have loved your home! I have followed your blog for years. I loved going through your home with you on all the different updates, and changes of each season.
You have been an inspiration to me. So appreciated all the tutorials you’ve shared over the years.
May God continue to bless you and Bobby on this new adventure,
Looking forward to seeing what’s new in the new home.
Oh my,thank you so much for this post and opening up your beautiful home to all of us.
We also sold our family home and now are living in our vacation home. SOON, we need to make a decision where to live permanently.
I have been praying constantly looking for a little direction.
I hope you will share with us how you came to your decision to move.
Blessings for your new home!
What an exciting time for you and Bobby! Y’all will make new memories in your new home, I can’t wait to see it. I know it was a difficult decision y’all had to make. I started following your blog when you first started. It has been a pleasure following you and Bobby and seeing all the changes over the years. I’m looking forward to your new adventures. May God Bless you in your new home.
Blessing and Love,
Linda
I am crying with you. You have not only shared your lovely home with missionaries, friends and family but with the rest of us. You have always inspired us with scripture and teaching us the word. Thought us so many beautiful things about how to keep a home. Shared beautiful recipes. You are a true Proverbs 31 lady. I look forward to what is to come!!! Blessings…
If I were a millionaire, I would buy your beautiful and relaxing house just because I simply adore it!
Good luck in your new home, which I can’t wait to see!
Big hug,
Charo
Oh, Yvonne, my heart is a little sad, as well. You are my first blog buddy. To say I will miss your beautiful home is an understatement. Can only imagine how bittersweet this season is. I found you through a tables cape and was completely enamored. You have been my constant decorating companion ever since. My prayers will follow you to your new home and wish you God’s very best in all your new endeavors.
Oh my I must say I shed a tear or two or more as I read this post. I have loved every moment of your life at Stone Gable that you shared on your blog. And I will miss seeing this beautiful home in the future. But change is a fact of life. And I look forward to following your new journey at Tanglewood!! Can’t wait for Friday ?!!
Yvonne, I am both sad and happy for you and Bobby! What a beautiful home and treasure Stone Gable is and will continue to be! You have so many, many treasured memories!
Now I look ahead and forward to your introducing us to your new home! I know you will make it as lovely and warm as Stone Gable was. God bless you in your new endeavor!
In fact, and to be honest, I felt a bit emotional reading your post and all the memories you share with your readers.
Charo
Yvonne,
I am sitting here with tears pouring out of my eyes. I have so loved Stone Gable. I talk about you every time I’m in Pottery Barn and your amazing home. You have opened my eyes to decorating with a twist and I have so many things I have added to my home from your inspiration.
I can only imagine how bittersweet this is for you and your hubby. My hubby and I are closing in on this same change. We built our home 31 years ago. Our boys more than likely will not teach here in Minnesota once they graduate from grad school over the next three years. So our plan right now is to love every single day we are here even more than we do now. Because tomorrow may bring a new location so we are closer to at least one of our children.
I had a feeling this was your news. I cannot wait to see your new home. I hope you don’t take all of the pictures of Stone Gable off your blog site. I enjoy going back and looking at your rooms for inspiration.
Well I wasn’t expecting this. Looking forward to what’s in store next
Yvonne, having moved myself, too many times to count, I looked at the walls in your home and the empty rooms and know that this could not have been easy. Before we left to go overseas, I walked through our home and heard the laughter of our children, the splashing and giggles at bath-time, the relaxing by the fireplace, the many family meals, and I wept. It wasn’t a sad cry – just a time of parting. Like leaving an old friend . I cannot wait to see what is next. Step by step, I know it will be beautiful and reveal your heart once again in a new “frame.”
Yvonne I wish you the best of everything in your new home. You had me crying like a baby reading this post with you, going thru each room of memories. Now God will bless y’all with beautiful new memories in your new home. God Bless you ! Hugs, Dorinda
Oh, what a lovely home Stone Gable is! I can see how you loved it there. I can’t wait to see your new home, and I bet it will be fabulous!
I hardly know what to say! I don’t blame you for being sad. I think I felt that way about every house I ever lived in and had to leave behind, but I’m looking forward to hearing more about why you are moving and seeing your new house and how you make it a home. Best of luck!
So sad to hear this, and yet a new adventure can be so exciting! We moved from our beloved home of 20+ years a year and a half ago, and that final walk-through on moving day, all by myself, was heart-wrenching. My husband had always loved the place we moved to, but I never dreamed we’d ever leave the home we built up that had once been a holding barn for dairy cattle, turned into a 4 bedroom farmhouse in 1959, and never updated after that. Like we did, you new home will become your own, your safe and loving space to make new memories in, that can mingle with the life memories you and your family created at StoneGable!
I read your secret and audibly gasped!! And now I’m so very sad and tearful!! Part of it is probably because we built our own home 25 years ago, and our story is similar to yours. Now my husband keeps dropping hints about selling it to retire. I can’t bear the thought!! I’ll be looking forward to seeing your new home and reading more of your latest adventure, maybe giving me some courage and hope!
Yvonne I too shed a few tears while reading that you will be leaving your beautiful Stonegable. So many memories are wrapped up in a happy home. We have lived in our home 39 years ! Moving would evoke so many memories for me too. A small 3 bedroom and raising 3 kids in it we complained about it being too small. Now it is perfect for my husband and I !
Join the club! We moved 6 mos ago, it happened very fast, but we are happy with loft living! Congratulations!
Blessings to you and Bobby and family in your new home! You’re my favorite inspiration and your dining room remains what I’d like mine to look like. Timing is ironic…I just sold my home Oct. 11 and am in temp apartment till new ranch home is built in January. A white kitchen and counters and open floor plan and a dining room inspired by yours!! My story is different, lost my husband of 30 years two and a half years ago, but met a fellow widow who had been married 30 years…we’re engaged now and building a home together. Bittersweet leaving my home but as my son said, mom, home is wherever you two are. xoxo
Congratulations on your new home. What a beautiful post. I even teared up as I just carried and walked my babes down to their rooms for naptime. Such wonderful memories you will always hold onto. Oh and Hanabi is such a fun game. We LOVE it! Can’t wait to see the new place. Cheers! Jordan
Oh gosh, Yvonne, you have me in tears. I’m not sure what precipitated your move, but no matter the circumstance, leaving your Stonegable is heartbreaking. I know because I left my home of 23 years 3 years ago. I can honestly say I cried for the first full year. I also retired in the same 12 month span.
Oddly enough, you were one of the people that helped me find my place here in this past year. It was just about a year ago that I found your blog as I truly struggled with trying to figure out what to do with this house. You commented once on my bedroom pictures that you saw a bit of country French and it made me realize that there really was a way to get this house to feel like home.
Seeing your home with the rooms all empty is so sad, but I look forward to watching you chronicle the process of making your new house home for you and your husband. Also, I want to say that I have been trying hard to figure out where we can go for the Christmas holiday. I don’t think I can face another Christmas like last year, my husband and I alone. So I will definitely be looking into Williamsburg. Moving is not easy (understatement of the year!) but you’ll be settled by the holiday and it will be wonderful even though it will be different. Bless you with this project.
Congratulations on your new home.
You made me cry, leaving that lovely home, but a home can be made anywhere. I loved looking at your home, but am sure your new home will be just as beautiful, with all your special touches, God Bless❤️??
This was not the secret I expected. Nooo! I look forward to watching you turn your new house into a beautifully decorated & loved home.
Oh how sad, and yet the future holds bright days ahead with a new house!
Looking forward to reading more of how you’ll decorate your new home!
God Bless!
What a beautiful, beautiful home! I wish you all the best with your new home and can’t wait to see it.
Congratulations on your move…and the nice thing is you can take all your memories with you! Like Rita C. mentioned below – we downsized and moved to an apartment in a retirement community and it was a BIG decision. We also LOVED our home…and walked from room to room remember the good times and saying goodbye to each room. We were in tears…but we LOVE our new life – and I know you will, too! God bless you in this new stage!
Yvonne, I was VERY surprised about your move–not because you moved, but because I had a dream months ago that you were going to! Isn’t that something? Your story had me in tears because it so reminded me just how I felt, remembering my little ones growing up years. I have always loved your home, but I know your new one will be just as amazing. I wish you wonderful blessings in your new home, Yvonne. Williamsburg was my home before moving to southeastern PA, and that is where we are planning to retire in five years, so we hope you’ll come visit us when we get settled in. You are right that Christmas in Williamsburg is magical; there are always sooo many events, not only then but throughout the year as well. We rarely had snow at Christmas, but when we did, it looked so peaceful with all the C.W. homes and shops all aglow with candlelight. Luckily, it’s a doable long weekend trip, so we go back pretty often. Can’t wait for Friday to see the unveiling of your home!!!!!!!
Yvonne,
To say I’m surprised is an understatement. I never thought you would leave Stonegable! Looking at the photo’s of the empty rooms is something I can relate to very well. My husband and I just relocated and left our beautiful home behind (also in PA). We built our home, raised our daughter there and have pretty much the same memories you have. I also did my last walk-thru taking photo’s of all the empty rooms. I poured my heart and soul into our home. It was a safe haven for us from work, school and the outside world when needed. I often find myself going back and looking at those photos (and photo’s of how it looked furnished for the last time).
We have since landed in sunny Florida for our next chapter unwritten but eagerly waiting. The plan was to purchase a new home and fill it with our beloved treasures. Things don’t always work out the way you expect. So, change of plans, we are renovating (total gut job) a small condo and I lay awake at night trying to picture the finished project and where I’m going to put all my things.LOL
I wish you and Bobby all the best in your new home and I’m sure it will be just as warm, inviting and beautiful as Stonegable. Looking forward to seeing the unveiling. You will soon bring your magic touch to make your new home just as welcoming.
God Bless, Leslie
This is not the big announcement that I was expecting! I will miss StoneGable but look forward to seeing Tanglewood.
What a beautiful post. I, too, shall miss Stone Gable. I have grown to love it so much even though I live in a different country and different hemisphere.However I am looking forward to seeing and hearing all about your new home and new life at Tanglewood.
What an incredible story-teller you are. I read every single word. I understand this so very much as my life changed drastically a few years ago. Change is good, for the most part. Even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time. Growing, stretching, reaching even higher is just something we humans do very well. I cannot wait to hear WHY you moved, but know it will unfold in your next post. I’m imagining a BIGGER HOME because of the growing family, but as I downsized I also know this can be so unburdening in a good way, Will look forward to your next big reveal about the new place and will always follow along with you & StoneGable. I actually don’t comment too often anymore, as I’m InstaGramming like crazy ONLY because it is so much faster. I’m working hard on the little girl’s apparel line & have let my blog kinda drift. But, don’t you dare ever do that !! Sending love to both you & Bobby.
I have read your wonderful blog now for a few years. First, I want to thank you for sharing your home, decorating talent, faith, and life stories. Very inspiring! Second, I want to wish you the very best in your new home……a new adventure. May God bless!
Jackie K. In WI
?I am so seriously shocked, but very excited that you are entering into a new season of life and excited for you! What is more exciting than a new home to decorate! Eeeek! I can’t wait to see your new house!
You have such a gift for writing! I read this several time, afraid I missed something! Stone Gable was a shell and house but you and Bobby turned it into a loving home filled with love and Christian spirit. XOXO
Wow was not expecting this for your news! I have followed you over the last couple of years (also, my first blogger to follow) and look for your post every morning before I leave the house. I have so enjoyed following all your decorating and updates to Stonegable but most of all your heartfelt Christian writing. I wish you many new blessed memories in your next phase of life.
Hi Yvonne, congratulations on your brave decision and new adventure with God. We moved to Reno, NV to retire after 40 year of raising our family in Seattle. We too left a beautiful home but the move provided another beautiful home and much better weather and new adventures with God. My heart was pulled back and forth between the memories of our Seattle home and our new Reno home. At first I missed the familiar but as I got to know my new area I embraced the new possibilities. I can tell you now 2 years later that it gets easier as you make new memories and new friends. It is interesting the attachment we make with material possessions. They are more important than you realize because we associate so many memories with them. I am looking forward to your new home reveal. God bless you in your new home.
I feel like I have been to Stone Gable many times in the early morning hours when I have my coffee. Your home is lovely and has inspired me to renew my own. I wish you and your husband many new adventures in the next chapter!!
I am so relieved to know you are not leaving your blog. Also, really envious for your new adventure! I can not wait to see! I wish you the best!
I wish you all the best In your next adventure. Moving on is hard but also exciting! I can’t wait to see your next chapter, and follow step by step your process of turning your next house into a home.
Sigh. . . will you be changing the blog name?
God go with you through this transition.
You truly surprised me, Yvonne! I was sure your Big Surprise was announcing news of a coming new grand baby! To hear you sold and left Stone Gable was a giant shock… the same as when KariAnne wrote her family was leaving Thistlewood and moving to Texas! Well, her story turned out so beautifully and perfectly… returning to live in the same house she grew up. I know your story will be just as perfect as we watch Tanglewood become your new home… just as we’ve watched KariAnne decorate her beloved new/old home in Texas. I can’t wait until tomorrow’s reveal of where you will be!!! Change is exciting… and I’m so looking forward to watching you transform your new house into a home as lovely as Stone Gable. But, no denying it… I will miss SG photos in your blog… a lot. Such a beautiful beautiful home!! Now I’m going to go back and read this whole post again and slowly browse through all the pix. God bless in your new spaces, Yvonne!!
We Moved out of state sold our forever home 2 years ago. I had to dig deep in prayer to make the transition. God has been faithful and I’m loving our new life.
Yvonne, for nearly nine years I have been visiting Stonegable and enjoying its beauty transferred by you throughout the years. May God bless you and Bobby at your new home, Tanglewood.
God Bless you and Bobby in your new adventure! It is the next chapter of your wonderful life! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home and life with all of us! I am so excited for you, and looking forward to seeing the new place you will now call HOME!
Many blessings & prayers for you,
❤️Beth
I cried reading your blog. I hope you and your hubby enjoy the new home.
Can hardly see to post this comment because I am crying. What a wonderful account of your time atStone Gable, and it was beautiful. Thank you !
I am shedding a tear at this sweet post ~ I feel as though I know you but, of course, we have never met. In our homemaking…we are all kindred spirits. God’s plan and will for your lives will shine brightly through. I have pinned every photo of beautiful Stone Gable. I’ taken by exquisite eye for detail, also whimsical and not too too serious…after all, decor is just “stuff” What shines through is your love. Thank you for making Stone Gable a lovely part of my life.
Hi Liz! Thank you for being one of our StoneGable family! And thanks for pinning! That REALLY HELPS me!
Dear Yvonne, I almost missed this post! My heart, caring, and prayers are sent to wrap around you. Like so many other blogging friends I am sad to say goodbye to Stonegable. We just spent 4 months settling into our new home as we downsized after 41 years. In my case I am not mourning too much as it was time. BUT I am surprised how long it is taking to really settle in and get used to the new kitchen more than anything else. I share this in case the same happens to you. Your farewell post was heartfelt and spoke to my emotions too. Take special care of yourself in the weeks ahead. You are in the midst of such a life change.
Hi Nancy, I am feeling it a bit hard to settle in too! I used to know where everything went and now I’m not sure! It will take time!
This is so shocking to me that you moved from Stonegable!! I cried reading this story of memories. I know how you feel because we moved 7 years ago from a house I loved!!!! But now I love our current location. We have neighbors here and other house was lonely with no neighbors. Loved the other house but not location. When thought of moving and moving and few years afterwards it was heart breaking. But, God knew best! I’m happy here now.
Yvonne,
Speechless! Sad! Empathizing! But also looking forward to all your posts in your new home. I have lived in my forever home for 32 years. I drew the plans on graph paper, a Massachusetts sawmill created our blueprints from my plans, then the sawmill custom cut every post, beam, stairs, ceiling decking, etc.. and shipped it to Texas on a flatbed truck. Even so, the day I cleaned our previous home I cried. Even though I came to live in my beautiful forever home, it felt strange for months. I grieved my old home even though I loved my new home. You may find similar feelings of grief for weeks and months to come. You are not alone. It may just take a while for the new home to feel as comfortable as Stone Gable did for years. Sending you good vibes as you transition to a new home to love…
Judith
Judith, Thanks so much my friend!
Oh Yvonne,
How my heart aches at your “walk” through your beloved Stone Gable…for a move will most likely come for my husband and I before long. As my husband is approaching retirement, and we are getting older…our loghome and 10+ acres are getting to be too much for us to care for. Part of me is excited at the prospect of another new start for us, part is aching at the thought of leaving behind our beloved home with so many memories…both happy, and sad. Thank you for sharing your heart, and your faith over these past months since I found you here. I know God has the right place for us in his perfect timing, and I know He will continue to bless you and your dear husband in your new home. May it be filled with peace, love and sweet content…and most of all, his loving presence.
Thanks for sharing with us about your Christmases spent in Williamsburg. My husband and I also are childless every other year and have been looking for a place to go. I would have never thought of Williamsburg. I do have a question- do you request a Christmas tree in your room or does the lodge put a tree in every room.
The lodge puts a little tree in every room, I think. I’ve seen families who stay there lug in full-size trees!
Yvonne,
I look forward to seeing what decorating delights you have in store at Tanglewood. I can imagine how hard it was to leave Stone Gable. Realize you’re very busy getting settled into your new house, but in touring StoneGable I noticed the checkered drum lamp at your kitchen sink, and I want it! Can you tell me where I can get one? Thank you, and best wishes on your new venture!
Hi, JoAnn, I found the checked drum pendant at Ballard Designs. Look there. They have not had them for a while but you never know when they bring them back.
Yvonne, I feel like I know you! It seems we have alot in common, from our love and style of decorating to our love of God and family and those precious grandbabies. Even our favorite colors, green black and white to add to our neutral backgrounds. I told my husband, I think if you and I lived closer we would be shopping and going to lunch. Lol! My eyes filled with tears when I read how you pressed you hand im you sink to keep the memories of bathing your grandbabies in it. Isn’t it funny how we can fall in love with our homes! I feel the same about mine
They hold so many memories for us.
But we can take them with us wherever we go. Just pack them in your heart and you will add more to them in your new home. I cant wait to see and hear about your new home. I just know its going to be awsome! May God continue to bless you and Bobby and your sweet growing family.
Yvonne: I have followed and loved your blog for several years but did just recently notice the entries about Tanglewood. I have just finished reading several of your posts regarding how moving to Tanglewood came about. I felt like you were speaking directly to me. My husband and I have been through the same experience just recently and about to repeat that same experience again. We recently sold our lake home (not our primary residence) and have “downsized” to a condo in the same area; about 15 minutes away. We loved our house and really had no intention of ever moving but my son has been on us about cutting out some of the “work”. He found an unfinished condo (all you need to do is floors and cabinets – yeah right!) and when we first walked through it I could feel myself living there. We immediately put a contract on the condo and it was accepted. But now we had to sell the house. It sold quickly. The day the moving company came to move the furniture I cried with each piece of furniture they removed from the house. I loved that house and could not understand why we were moving. But once we were partially moved into the condo I realized that it was what God wanted for us. The condo is very spacious and everything is brand-spanking new and to our taste. My husband and I are approaching retirement and once we do plan to downsize our primary residence and move to a smaller house. We found a house that I fell in love with the minute we walked in the door but we hesitated putting a contract on it because we were in the midst of selling and moving with the lake house (too much on our plate at one time!). There currently is a contingent contract on the house but I watch it daily for the status to change. Once we looked at the house I felt like you did about Tanglewood. I’ve become obsessed with decorating the house and feel that this is definitely where God wants us to be. My husband on the other hand, has dug in very deep with “I love our house and don’t want to move”, although he knows that it would be in our best interest to do so. I pray constantly for God’s help – that if this is what God wants for us he will open the door to the new house for us!
Hi Meg, Wow! I know it’s hard to downsize but if we are following God’s will for our lives THAT fact makes all the difference.
Sad but beautiful times with sweet sweet memories. Stone Gable will always be your home as well as your children’s.
Time heals the heart, wonderful friendships and adventures lie ahead and another charming home is yours to put your
Your personal touch upon to make it warm and inviting…sounds like fun to me!
Let God continue to lead and may you continue to lean on him❤️
Thank you Darlene!
Oh my goodness! I just left you a message on your post about decorating your small front porch at your new home. I was so confused because I did not know of your move. Then I just happen to check my spam folder and found about three of your posts, this one included. I’m shocked beyond words. I can’t believe you’ve moved. But I know you well enough from your posts that it was certainly something that was prayed about thoroughly and was what God wanted you and your husband to do. God bless you in your new ventures. I look forward to them. Btw…do you know why some of your email posts were sent to my spam folder?
Hi Jan! The move was certainly in God’s hands! Yes, I know about StoneGable newsletters going to spam folders. It’s your settings in your mail that often sends newsletters to spam folders. Just take one of those newsletters and put it back in your inbox and it should be fine. Thanks for letting me know.
Lordy and holy moley. Christmas slow down, catching up with a few blogs and did not expect to be reading you moved! I for sure will be reading the next post, but I think this one hits home with me. We talk about down sizing, raised six kids here and if I was darn near crying reading your post, not sure I could handle my own move!
I’ve been so busy since the birth of my 4th grandchild that I am just now catching up on your posts . As I read this post I cried. I feel the deep sadness of you leaving your beloved Stone Gable home but also the happiness of moving into your new Tanglewood home. Thank you for all the joy of seeing your SG post and I look forward to all of your future post. God Bless you and your family!
Hi Pamela, to be honest, it was almost like a death! Now, Letting StoneGable go was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done! Now, I’m so happy to be at the Tanglewood house! We are ticking off the changes one at a time and now we are putting in a brand new kitchen to match the rest of the house!
Oh wow! What a truly inspiring heartfelt post. I am behind visiting your post ( which I dearly love). When I read “Tanglewood” I went right on past it, then I stop + say what? I have never been so surprised by anything quite like this before! It is so obvious the love you have for StoneGable…I LOVE Stonegable! Lol….but I will also come to love Tanglewood..it doesn’t matter where you reside, I can still feel the love through your posts! Your talent comes thru in the way you speak of + photograph your beautiful displays. Thank you for taking us along with you + inspiring us to take our own adventures! Always, Joann
Hi Joann! We miss StoneGable and probably always will. But we are so happy here at Tanglewood! I say it’s my second forever home!
I have four children in a house similar to yours. I even painted room sonnet. But my home is big and echoes. I do not like the echoing open concept and the children’s constant noise ricocheting off the walls. I struggle here. I am happy your home was haven. Your attitude makes the home.
Try adding more “soft furnishings” like upholstered furniture and add more rugs and curtains. They absorb the noise.