Just a Simple Farm House

Sitting here at the desk enjoying the quietness of the house. H was so busy loading sticks of wood in and out of his wagon today that he fell asleep before 6PM. William spent the day splitting wood and working on saws while I cleaned off the back porch.  It seems that everything ends up on the back porch until someone finds time to put it where it really goes. For some reason after I put things away, sweep the porch, wash the railings, and shake the rugs I feel relaxed. The yard may still be filled with projects or things William needs to put away. The house may still need to be straightened and the floors swept. But the back porch is clean and inviting! Only strangers come to our front door. Everyone else comes in the back door off the back porch so I get antsy when its cluttered or dirty. At least before they see the baby bunny in the diningroom, the parakeets in the kitchen, Kuma sleeping on the sofa, Rusty stretched out in front of the woodstove , seed catalogs scattered on the diningroom table they will see a clean back porch. The 2 hens I had inside for a few days are back in the pen at least. I use to love having my home look like a picture out of a country magazine. I was constantly rearranging and decorating every room. Now my home is lucky to get the floors swept and a little straightening up each day. I rather be getting a orphaned baby bunny to nurse from a tiny bottle, encourage 2 scared parakeets that had to leave their home because the owner couldn't afford them anymore to perch on my finger and sing. I'd rather sit in my rocker by the wood stove and carry a conversation with Rusty (yes, dogs can talk) or sit on the floor with H and play with his blocks and trucks.I'd rather be taking a walk with Baby (our pet turkey that doesn't know she is a turkey) or do the million chores that always need doing outside. I don't care about having a beautiful magazine home anymore. I just enjoy having a home that is a haven for anyone (2 or 4 legged) to feel welcome, safe, and happy. Guess in my old age I finally figured out what really matters to me. Just remember when you visit to use the back door, make sure you check for a animal before you sit down and there is always a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate waiting and don't wear your good clothes or shoes cause we can always use a extra set of hands on the farm.