

The exterior of the house had not seen a coat of paint in as many years as it had been standing, and we set to work to scrape off the remainder of the paint. We accepted any volunteers we could get. My dad who was 76 at the time even he scraped and painted. My mom made some suppers and brought them to the farm so we could continue to work.

The back yard really wasn't a back yard at all. The people parked willy-nilly where ever they liked. It nearly drove Terry mad. The barns were in need of as much repair as the house inside and out. That first year is a bit of a blur. Its amazing what you can do when you have a vision and a drive to work hard. It is amazing what you can do when your friends and family step up to offer their help and support.
That summer, the boys learned to work. Stuart was 13 and Terrence was 15. They worked in the barns in the morning and in the afternoon helped to make the house livable.
Daily we saw small improvements and slowly our dream began to emerge.
When we talk about raising our family we always speak in terms of before the farm and after the farm. It really was a pivotal point in our lives. Terry worked hard for those first few years. He got up at four in the morning, went to work, came home early in the afternoon and worked in the barns until nine or ten in the evening. While the work seemed endless most of the time, it was such satisfying work. We saw daily improvements and we began to appreciate the lifestyle of country living.
I don't have many pictures to show you of the interior, next time that I post the "moving to the farm saga" I will show you exactly what I showed Terry.

The back yard really wasn't a back yard at all. The people parked willy-nilly where ever they liked. It nearly drove Terry mad. The barns were in need of as much repair as the house inside and out. That first year is a bit of a blur. Its amazing what you can do when you have a vision and a drive to work hard. It is amazing what you can do when your friends and family step up to offer their help and support.



I don't have many pictures to show you of the interior, next time that I post the "moving to the farm saga" I will show you exactly what I showed Terry.
I'm off for my 30 minute walk. Later on today, my friend Monica is coming over to tell me her story. I plan to post a part of it tomorrow. Have a wonderful day my friends.
Love the post and pictures you have shared! Lots of charm in the home as well as memories! Blessings to you and yours..
ReplyDeleteMindy
Having seen the before in person, I know you really did have to have a 'vision' to even attempt to make the run-down farm the invitingly beautiful 'estate' that it is today.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to spoil your 'before' saga but you do have to tell what was being raised in the barns other than chickens!!!
oh Julie, I was just thinking about that. I don't have any picutres . .(who would want to see them anyways) but I thought I might post the details amidst flower pictures. That way if you don't want to read, at least there is something pleasant to look at. too funny.
ReplyDeleteI admire you for taking on such a project! I am not a do-it-yourselfer, but I can see how people get satisfaction out of transforming something. May you enjoy many more years on your beloved farm.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see pictures of what the house looked like inside.
ReplyDeleteGood heavens, what WAS being raised in the barn, besides chickens????????
ReplyDeleteHadn't visited your blog for a while, and man, that house really has gone to pot! (probably hosted a few plants too in its day) Then, what relief to see its a historical document on the life changes of your estate! You have come a long way!
ReplyDeleteI love HGTV and seeing the before and after pics of renos...so fun! Thanks for the trip and entertainment...I can't wait to see the inside of this place too...!! This was a great idea Julie had...love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat an undertaking! Thought I know from experience that making something old, new again is so exciting and fulfilling. Now I am curious. What were you raising other than chickens?????
ReplyDeleteThe first time we did our own 'drive by' to see the farm and house you had bought we both said that this was certainly a job that Terry would be able to manage. He is so detailed, organized and tidy. He is a hard worker and we had no doubt that a big transformation was in store. He really does a great job of anything he sets his mind and hand to. What a sense of satisfaction you all must get as you look back and now take a look at your inviting home, gardens and farm. WOW. My hubby was in on some of the 'barn fun'. Men kinda get into that stuff. You all might hear about the barns, or maybe curious minds will always be left wondering. Kathy
ReplyDelete