It Was Thirty Years Ago Today . . .

That we changed our citizenship . . .

Both Husband Jim and I were born and raised in Missouri

(Kansas City to be exact)

and I'd never lived anywhere else.

Even though Kansas City spans two states

(Missouri and Kansas)

I thought to live in another state you had to have a passport!

But thirty years ago we switched our allegiance

from Missouri -- The Show Me State

to

Kansas -- the Sunflower State

Fort Scott, Kansas to be exact

Which was only 20 miles from where we lived in Missouri

It wasn't like we had to trek half way across the country --

we really only moved 20 miles!

The move happened because Husband Jim's employer

wanted us to move.

I didn't want to --

especially to Kansas

But one blustery day in March (a Tuesday to be exact)

on his way to work, Jim happened to see a for sale sign

this picture was taken in 1924 -- not the year we bought it

on an American Foursquare Craftsman

on National Avenue -- the Main Street in our little town

It was the only house we looked at!

We made an offer, it was accepted

And because we had been to England a year earlier and had fallen in love with the fact that houses had names rather than addresses, we decided this house had the same charm that those

English cottages had and needed a name!

At Husband Jim's suggestion, we named it Linderhof

for the builder was of German descent as was I.

That was in 1988

We've been Kansans for 30 years, we've lived in Fort Scott for 30 years

and we've lived in Linderhof for 30 years

It's the longest we've ever lived anywhere!

And that calls for a celebration!

Using the 1924 photo, we made postcard invitations and mailed out a goodly number

We don't like to do things the easy way . . . 

We were in Minnesota for Mother's Day and arrived home Tuesday night

The party was Friday --

Three days to put a party together!

Jim was in charge of the patio and setting up drink

I was in charge of the garden . . .

And the house . . . 

And the food!

We got it all done in three days -- 

The weedy needy garden was made presentable

(and received many compliments)

The house was clean

The patio and drive were made leaf free

and Jim set up the bar with wine, spirits and beer

And our guests came . . . 

A whole patio full

And then off in the corner were the Pergola People!

It was a perfect evening --

Not too warm, no rain, no bugs

The drink flowed

And the food was in the dining room

Rainbow Vegetable Tray

Fresh Fruit with White Chocolate Dip

Ann's Cheeseball

 Lumpy Dip

Stuffed Eggs

Oh, and meatballs, we can't forget the meatballs even though I forgot to take a picture of them!

Dessert was served in the breakfast room

 Texas Sheet Cake

A classic recipe but a good one

For crowds, it is my go-to chocolate cake recipe

And the good news is that it feeds a crowd.

We were happy to share our home of 30 years with our friends as we celebrated

our 30 years in what we consider now our "adopted" home town.

Linderhof 2018