Sunday, January 02, 2011

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.

17 comments:

Carol............. said...

I really enjoyed you post! Yes, the front door at our home is also for strangers only......

It's taken a life's journey for me to finally realize "what to leave in and what to leave out".......and at 60 I'll still continue to learn ......."what to leave in and what to leave out"..LOL.

Have a wonderful New Year!

Anonymous said...

Hi Peggy,
I would love to sit and have tea with you.I too love the quiet of my home after everyone is settled into bed. Time to just be.
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

A belated Happy New Year.

I hope it is filled with hours and hours of joy on that back porch. May 2011 be filled with lots of things you want to do rather than those you have to do.

Marian

Granny said...

Peggy your home may not be like one out of a magazine but you must remember, real people don't live in magazines. Your home sounds like one I'd very much like to visit, filled with warmth and contentment.

I wonder how little H will adjust when he goes home. I'll bet he'll be so bored.

lunamother said...

Every word so true, Peggy! Your home is perfect and my family felt so safe and loved when we stayed with you- drinking coffee sitting on the porch with the thunderstorm going right outside the screens was fabulous :)

Mitzi said...

I think I'd love to have you for my neighbor. I too am finally to the stage that I know what makes me happy and I live my life that way. I don't need a showplace-just give me simplicity. Happy New Year.

Kelle at The Never Done Farm said...

I find that as I grow older( mid 40's*wink*) I enjoy quiet times, in fact I crave them sometimes.

You home sound wrm and inviting to me, like a HOME is supposed to be.
I remember in my younger days if I didn't vacuum or sweep everyday I felt as if my home was filthy, now if I get to either of these once a week I'm good with it and although I may no feel my home is as clean as it could be, other people are always complimenting me on how clean our home is!

Thanks for sharing about your home, ours sounds very similar. We had a sick hen who stayed in the kitchen, sh roosted on a step ladder( with a box filled with shavings underneath her. She only jumped out of the box, or off the roost twice and she did poo on the floor, but you know what, we have linoleum and hardwood floors, so it's an easy clean up. It was getting it done before the dogs did it for me that was the problem, LOL! The hens is back in the coop, but run right to us when she sees us, almost like she's saying," Okay I'm ready to go home now!", LOL!!!!

Blessings,
Kelle

Unknown said...

Yours is a home I could feel comfortable in. It wasn't until I was older that I realized the importance of having a home that was warm and inviting and having a picture perfect home. When Theresa was a baby I spent so many hours on my hands and knees scrubbing and waxing floors. Didn't want any germs to touch her as she crawled on the floor. It wasn't until years later that I learned children coming in contact with germs could be a good thing. Loved this post Peggy!

DayPhoto said...

AMEN!!!! I so agree with you! And because you are the way you are, 225 + people follow your blog every DAY!

Love you, Peggy!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Love this post, Peggy... Don't you think that as we get older, our priorities change... Keeping a gorgeous home is not important anymore... I know, for me, I love having my bird feeding area on my deck.. YES--they do make a mess (poop and spilled seed) --but I wouldn't change it for anything... It is such a joy for me.

Great post, Peggy... Have a wonderful day, and if we ever visit, we'll come to the back door...
Hugs,
Betsy

amelia said...

I'm with you Peggy. Sharing our home with five very large indoor dogs and one old (30yrs) cockatiel, you sure know what matters and what doesn't.
You have so much more to do than most people because of your outdoor critters as well and I really don't know how you do all that you do but I like your priorities!!!

Lib said...

I feel the same way you do!:o)
Today was the day to scrub bathrooms, kitchen,the other daily chores also, glad to have it behind me.
I want people to feel welcome, warm and cozy. Ive seen homes I felt like they were saying come in if you don't walk on the floor.lol
Have agreat wk.
Blessins',Lib

Carole Burant said...

Ok, sis, back door...comfy clothes and shoes....got it!! hehe My dream is still to be able to go visit you one day!!!! Who needs a fancy home when you can have a warm and loving home like you have. I'd pick yours over any old mansion:-) Love ya. xoxo

Tracy Bruring said...

I love your home. I have never seen it "cluttered" but even if it was it is one of the most homey inviting homes I have ever seen. It welcomes you with open arms (just like it's owners) and encourages you to sit for a meal on the porch or a cup of cocoa by the fire. I miss you.

Jackie said...

Great post. i especially enjoyed that you said to look for an animal before you sit down!LOL!!

I'm am with you on the home! I LOVE to look at blogger's homes, and what they do to make it special for their family. Mine is by no means fancy, but I think when people walk in, they can tell I care about making people comfortable. I love pretty throw pillows,do-dads, and family pictures.(CHEAP STUFF ONLY) I'm crazy about reproduction fifties dinette.I love to fiddle around with moving this here, and that there .I like to change ,pillows,and curtains with the season..but still,it's just a house that says...people live here. Not "don't touch,don't sit here...."I heard a man tell another friend of mine,"If anyone has a dog or cat in their house,I won't eat there." oh well, I guess he won't be invited!lol!

Hopeful said...

peggy - thanks for posting on my blog. the post is nice but finding your blog is even better! i really, really enjoyed this post and i look forward to going and reading the ones before it. hey, if you were next door, i'd love to come knock and the back porch, have a cup of hot chocolate and sit while petting rusty! sounds like everything a home should be.

Rain said...

so glad to find your blog Peggy-with your charming attitude I'm adding you to my blessings to count. thank you