Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

Henry David Thoreau

Back at the Farm

Friday April 25, 2014
Greenfield Mountain Farm

 

 

Winnona doesn’t get to come but here are the pictures of the farm in the spring time that you requested.  So far it looks as if everything has weathered the horrid winter here.  The truck started up and so did the lawn mower after a few complaints and some work on David’s part.   No mice seemed to have taken up residence despite the cold.  All in all, pretty amazing.

 

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The farm house is 3/4 of a mile down the lane from the county road. The county road is one of those up and down and curving mountain roads you find often in rural mountain and foothills NC and Virginia. We have been snowed in and unable to get out many times over the years we have lived here. All lots of fun actually except the time we had to bring the groceries back on a sled and walk in knee deep snow that 3/4 of a mile.   The picture below is the side that faces the barnyard.

 

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These next pictures are taken on the road as it climbs up past the house.  The road continues on past the house and goes down to our lower pasture bordered by a stream.  The dream always was for Carrie and her family to move into the farm house and Gramma and Grampa would build a little house down in that lower section and everyone would live happily ever after.   But that was before Winnona.   Not sure we’ll ever leave her now unless forced to which given the situation could, of course, happen.  This is one reason we hold on to the farm.  And the other of course is sentimental.  

 

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We paid a song for the property over 30 years ago, rescued it from serious neglect and spent years doing the renovations.  With the help of a local farmer who knew how to do EVERYTHING, David took down the chimney in the original part of the house and rebuilt it inside the house.  Just amazing.  But those of you who have ever lived in a renovation that extended for years, know what a trial that can be.  If you do it yourself there is often no other way.

It is now the family “home place” as they say around here.  We try to stop by at least once a year now to make sure things are still fine.  This is actually the front of the house and has the porch with swing and rockers.   The red buds, dogwoods and mountains are looking very fine today.

 

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Closer view

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Back yard looking toward the pond.  At one time this field had 2 horses, 2 burrows and 6 geese.  25 chickens had their own yard with a chicken house fondly known as the Hen Hilton for its glass windows.   The menagerie also included two beagles and a cat.   All of them lived full and happy lives here before we went on the road.

 

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I guess spring is my second favorite time of year at the farm since the trees look so lovely. Fall is breath taking and even winter with the snow on the ground is a picture postcard. Only summer is hot and humid and difficult.

 

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Carrie will be coming back for a visit this week-end.  We are excited as always to have her visit.

 

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35 comments:

  1. Your farmhouse is gorgeous, as are the surrounding trees and grounds especially this time of year. I can see why you are holding on to it. Is it sitting empty or does someone house sit?

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  2. I understand why you hang on to it. It's beautiful! How lucky you are to have the farm and Winona.

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    1. We are very lucky Judy to be able to keep the farm because it is paid off and to be able to have bought Winnona for a reasonable price given her age. She's 10 years old this year and going strong.

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  3. I dunno . . with a place like that, I might be hard pressed to leave. Glad you can enjoy both worlds.

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  4. It looks lovely this spring. I can see a cute little trailer park in that pasture now all that is needed is a little leveling.... I'll be right there.

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  5. Your farm is a lovely place. I'd think I'd like to "retire" to a place like that someday.

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  6. Ah... beautiful, just beautiful....

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  7. So nice to see the farm in her spring glory. No matter where you roam, I can imagine there is a sweet feeling of solidity knowing those roots are still there. Have a wonderful time with your beautiful daughter.

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  8. Such a lovely place you call home, David and Sherry !!!

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  9. So glad you returned to find the farm weathered the winter just fine!!! It is such a lovely place. Looks very much like the Great Smoky Mountain NP ;o))

    Enjoy your time with Carrie and tell her hello and congratulations for us!!!

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  10. Like others have said, I'd be hard pressed to ever leave, but then I know all about those summers you mentioned. The farm is stunning. Thank you so much for posting the pics.

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  11. You are so lucky to be able to return to such a lovely place. Is there any way to get Winnona down the road to the farm to park?

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    1. Laurie the road at the farm was heavily damaged by the rough winter and sections of it are just too difficult for Winnona. It is a narrow farm lane with over hanging trees so it takes most of any entire day to clear everything back and out of the way so she can travel it without getting scratched. Since we are seldom here more than 2 weeks, it doesn't seem worth the effort. She was here for months before we were fulltiming and there are pictures of her in the barnyard in early posts.

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  12. Beautiful farmhouse, understand your holding on to it. So great you are to have both the house and Winnona.

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  13. What a beautiful place to call home. I'd have a difficult time ever leaving such a place so I can understand why you long to return in the Spring & in the Fall.

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  14. Beautiful. Just beautiful. Enjoy your time there and your time with Carrie!

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  15. Glad everything on the farm is well. Beautiful area!

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  16. The home place is still looking good -- glad it made it through the winter okay. Have fun with Carrie!

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  17. Love the looks of the farm, and the tenderness you share in it's story. So glad Carrie is coming home as well. Nice to have a home base, especially when the mice don't take up residency while you're gone.

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  18. Beautiful farmscape ... no wonder you are holding onto it.

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  19. Wish we had a farmhouse like that...where there is no humidity. John can't do humidity. Your place is so lovely. Thanks for sharing the redbud and the dogwood. I really miss them in the spring.

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  20. Looks like a little piece of heaven to me. I love spring too!

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  21. I'm sure Winona is really home now with the farm a wonderful place of memories to visit. What a wonderful, peaceful place you created.

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  22. I can see from your pictures why the farm has such a hold on your heart! A little slice of heaven on earth. :c)

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  23. Oh my, Sherry -- it's absolutely gorgeous! All of those blooming trees, and your lovely farmhouse. Really idyllic. And….I completely, totally, absolutely understand how you can leave it behind. We've done the same with our home (that we also completely renovated) -- and at this point, we have no desire to return. For the foreseeable future, home is our little trailer and all of the wonderful places we travel!

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  24. Gorgeous - I was one lucky gal to grow up there. I don't live near Charlottesville anymore, but that house was witness to one of the most unique and wonderful childhoods a child could have hoped for - so lovely ... especially in Spring :)

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  25. What a beautiful place!

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  26. Carrie said it all. The farm is what a lot of us dream about. I can imagine the sentimental feelings you have…especially knowing how she feels. How rewarding that must be for you and David. Such a loving family.

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  27. Carrie's testament as Nancy said ... says it all.... absolutely glorious! picture postcard perfect ... and add a WOW

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  28. House looks wonderful,love the green,the trees all in bloom really look beautiful and lush.
    Lots of memories there

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  29. What a lovely home and property you have! Just gorgeous! Thank you for sharing it with us.

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  30. What an idyllic setting for a home! How wonderful that you are able to hold onto it and still have the experience of life on the road.

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