"Tis The Season

Princess Amber

Across from a 19th Century brownstone mansion the gates to the Kansas City Museum are open this year to special visitors seeking favor from the Princess.

Dressed in their best finery kids know that you can tell a Fairy Princess all your secrets.

Many Princesses have listened down through the years. First at Kline's Department Store.... and now at Corinthian Hall.

The entryway to the throne room is specially decorated.

Above, Princess Amber, one of four helper royalty this year greets her tiny subjects who think meeting a real princess is pretty cool.

Special needs children have their wishes too....

Princess Amber listens intently as each child, boy or girl, describes their Christmas "needs" and then, with a wave of her magic wand, a chest opens and a gift is revealed.

Mom's and Dad's can take photos or the Princess special Photo Elf will take one for a special folder.

While their pictures are printed the kids can make special decorations.....

Or, above, visit the Princess Shoppe..... but, on the way out, don't forget your cookie (no one does).

Tomorrow is the last day the Princess will be available. Visit the Museum website for location and times. http://www.kcmuseum100.org/fairy.html

Gray Til May

In winter nature sleeps. She tucks her colors away for a warmer day. I don't mind the cold so much, but I hate the endless gray.

Homes For The Holidays - Finis

The home of Patricia and John was built for a Scarritt Family member in 1899. It backs up to the bluff overlooking Cliff Drive and the east bottoms.
The house has undergone extensive renovations by its current and previous owners and has retained a vast amount of its original charm.



A picture, above, of the original owners on the staircase. Patricia and John are lucky to have many photographs from the earliest part of the last century taken in and around the house.

Above, beautiful woodwork throughout. Below, the last stop on the tour the Edward Steven's home built in 1906. Current residents Bob and Jeff embrace the spirit of Christmas decoration heartily.

Above, in the entry hall the main staircase leading to the upper floors.



Above and below the kitchen. There are sixteen Christmas trees in the house.



Floral arrangements were furnished by Mike Stringer.
Guests arriving for the tour.... the Kansas City Museum is directly across the street.
Several residents have already volunteered their homes for next year's tour... I'll keep you posted.

Homes For The Holidays Part 2

In front of the Arts and Crafts home of Bill and Chris a band of carolers greeted guests....
This home could easily be the best example of this type of architecture in the midwest.... certainly in Kansas City.



Above.... I kept thinking "Antiques' Roadshow, Antiques' Roadshow" but I got caught at the door. :)
Original leaded glass above.... below the home of Joanne.... whose company is in the home restoration business...
This home was built for Mr. Townley... of Townley Hardware fame. Features mixtures of wood throughout including mahogany and various oaks.




Above, Kent Dicus docents away... Kent was chair of Pendleton Heights Home Tour this year.... the neighborhoods are very good about cooperation with each other to stage these great events.



Above... the kitchen remodeling is underway but Joanne says it will be ready for Christmas.
Below, the entryway of Steve and Becky's house... one of the best features of the old homes is the beautiful use of woods throughout... this stairway leads to the second floor... which was also on tour.

The master bedroom above and below beautiful stained glass on the landing.... and all throughout the home.






Breakfast room above which looks out over a water feature and Cliff Drive below.
Tomorrow... two more homes.... 1899 and 1906.