They don't make homes and churches like they used to. Eyebrow windows and huge porches used to be commonplace. Wood trim, one variety being called gingerbread, decorated and/or scrolled itself around the eves of the building. Shingles along the coastline weathered beautifully and yes, I know it had to be replaced and that isn't economical or energy efficient, but it is still lovely to look at. Stone houses that you never see anymore had the character of an old sentinel that had already withstood the test of time and loyalty. Houses could be round or spread its arms out across a rise. Some reached for the sky with room after room of beautiful wood floors and pocket doors that opened to dark wood stairs to climb up high.

Churches used to be gothic with tall stained glass windows that told stories. I was told that that is where the word for the stories of a building comes from. Cathedrals had stained glass windows that told Bible stories with the story starting on the ground floor and "reading" upwards. Most people couldn't read so they learned the Bible visually. One story. Two stories. And up. I don't know if that story is true but I liked it and thought I would share the mystery of it.

I have pictures of places I like, a couple of churches and homes I got close to. I hope you like them and will look for your own architectural favorites in your community.