LaVerkin, Utah is not exactly the biggest town on the map. Growing up in this small Southern Utah town meant being surrounded by relatives both close and more distant, but most everyone in town shared a common pioneer ancestry. Everyone knew everyone. As kids, we had the freedom to roam the town, and visit family and friends and the few businesses that were found along State Street. It was a wonderful place to be a kid!
One of our favorite stops on our childhood bike rides was the home of our Great-Aunt Ardella. Her home had been built by our own grandfather in 1947 and every decade or so was expanded or remodeled in some way. Walking through the house was a little like going through a time machine. So much personality! We loved that house, but even more, we loved Aunt Ardella and the way she would welcome us each time we came to visit. Ardella was the youngest of our grandmother’s 11 siblings. She was fun and spunky and determined. She dished out wit and wisdom as often as homemade goodies and lemonade. She had a magical gift of making each person feel like they were her favorite. (Of course, we all know who her REAL favorite was. ;-))
Ardella knew more than her fair share of trials and sadness in her life (more on that in a later post) and yet she had such an amazing and cheerful attitude. It was contagious and she used her perspective to strengthen us and lift us up when we were going through hard times. At her funeral, the one song she requested to be sung is called, “Happiness.” It was basically her motto for life.
“I am so grateful that I have always been blessed to choose joy, no matter what I’ve been through.”
Aunt Ardella
As we gathered for her funeral and discussed what would become of the home we knew that it needed to stay in the family. By renovating the home as a vacation rental we hope to share Ardella’s unsinkable spirit and inspirational message with all who will come into her home. It will be a place that is beautiful and comfortable. There will be relics of the past along with the conveniences of the present. There will also be plenty of fun and whimsy plus more than a few unexpected surprises!
Follow along here, as we tell the story of the transformation of The Ardella Cottage and share some of the rich history of the woman who lived there.
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