“It all began with the front porch,” Kay Howse said as she stepped outside her maize and blue home.

Despite living in Lansing since 1969, Howse always knew she was a diehard University of Michigan Wolverines fan.

From the maize and blue picket fence to the Wolverine statue, Howse marvels at the thought of being in Ann Arbor.

“My father was always a Michigan fan,” Howse said. “So a year ago I decided to begin painting, starting with the front porch.”

But the theme grew much further than the front porch. Howse said her daily amusement stems from watching pedestrians snap pictures or drop off green and white balloons at her home.

“The funniest story was when a group from California knocked on my door to take pictures,” Howse said. “They even asked if there was a U-M gift shop inside.”

Howse’s home was recently declared the ugliest house in Lansing on channel WMQ 99.4, and despite her adoration to University of Michigan, Howse said she is also still closely affiliated to MSU and Lansing.

“I work for the Michigan State bussing system,” Howse said. “So I will admit, last year I wore half MSU gear and half Michigan gear. It was quite the scene.”

As an avid football and basketball fan, Howse hopes to make the trip to Ann Arbor sometime soon.

“For now I will continue to expand my home by finding random Wolverine things at garage sales,” Howse said. “Not to mention the random gifts strangers drop off — they are currently decorating my kitchen!”

Despite watching angry Spartan fans from her living room window, Howse said she loves her little patch of Ann Arbor. Howse plans to continue expanding the theme, and eventually honor her loyalty by making the trek to the Big House. For now, she happily resides in her “Big Howse.”