Snow Day

Dallas can has one too.



I walked over to Swiss Avenue, to photograph it in all its old, posh, snow-covered loveliness.





Granted, this amount of snow is pretty unheard of in this part of Texas. But I don't get quite so crazy about it after those five years in New York. I am, however, super excited for the kids. I grew up around here, so I know. This is pretty freakin' awesome.



Working at a school means snow days come quickly. I got the alert at 6 am. I'd gone to bed convinced there'd be no issues. I hadn't even bothered to bring home the numbers of the four subs I had coming in today. So when I got that call, there was quite a bit of confusion.



It is a bit hard to believe that it's still coming down. They cancelled the volunteer appreciation dinner at the Arboretum tonight, which is a heart breaker. I was so excited about going. But hot cocoa, Parks & Rec, The Office, and 30 Rock sound pretty nice too.

Artsy fartsy / fancy schmancy

When all you do these days is sit at your desk and work work work, if you're me, you take the opportunity to listen to lots of music. I'm a big fan of music while I work. That's sorta how I discovered the Baltimore band Beach House. Their new album Teen Dream is ever so good. It was just released this past Tuesday.

Not really a video here, just a weird picture of the two Beach House kids, but give it a listen.



In other news, winter's coming back around for an encore. I'm not really a fan, but one must get a proper dose so you have things to think about when it's 100 degrees during those steamy Texas summers.



Also of note, I saw August: Osage County this past weekend at the Winspear (that's it above) and it was amazing. The production seems to be touring about, so if they come to your town, try and catch it. And speaking of the Winspear, here are a couple more pictures of the Dallas Arts District that I took this past fall at the open house celebration for the Winspear and the Wyly. Yes, Dallas has Arts!



I have yet to see the crazy chandelier come out of the ceiling, despite visiting twice. Someday!



There are so many great plays and musicals coming through town that it's hard to pick out what your budget will allow. My friend and I very much want to see Wicked and Spring Awakening, which are both coming through this year. It's not New York, but I'm so glad I get to see cool stuff every now and again. Having some fancy-schmancy venues helps.

Beget, begat, begot

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my neighborhood? I wouldn't say my block, necessarily, as I live at the dodgy end of this particular street. But generally my East Dallas neighborhood is lovely. Specifically Lakewood. And all of its nooks and crannies. And distinct lack of McMansions and little boxes.

So one night, watching House Hunters begat an internet search that begat this article from the DMN last year. Which begat this renovation crush.



The folks that bought the Parks Estate were featured on House Hunters as a couple trying to decide between three different houses, of course. But per the article, it seems they were smitten on this 1922 house from the start. Can you blame them?



Well, it looked pretty bad when they found it, indeed. It had served as the East Dallas YMCA from 1957 until 1999, when the Y moved out and the house fell into disrepair. In 2007, Preservation Dallas took over and started seeking a buyer who could restore the home to its natural beauty.



The Parks Estate is only a little over a mile from my pad. I think I need to walk over there someday soon, just to see it. And what a pretty walk it would be, too.



Holy geeze, the kitchen is my favorite. We saw much more of it on the show. And the Batchelder tiles on the fireplaces. Oooh.



Built in 1922, Mr. Parks had moved out of his old home on Swiss Avenue into this, his new house, which today is just a few blocks away. But at the time, a few blocks distance meant you were just outside the city limits, and could build an estate on 22 sprawling acres. Ha! Bearing in mind we are only about 5 miles from downtown. Ah, such simple times back then.



Don't you just love old houses? Sigh. If you follow the link to that article, you'll find a few more photos and details on the house and its renovation. You know, if you're into that sorta thing.