In earlier American rural life, communities raised barns because many hands were required. These events occured in a social framework with a good deal of interdependence. Members of rural communities often shared family bonds going back generations. They traded with each other, worshipped with each other and celebrated with each other. Barn raisings were an integral part of life and socializing.

In our modern American life, communities don't mean nearly as much as they did back then. It is our family's goal to bring a sense of community back to our lives and those lives that touch ours.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

One Small Thing

   We're moving. Again. This will be the third time in seven months. I'm not sure if we are crazy or just stupid. You are probably wondering why we are leaving the barn and Ranchland. Well, there are many answers to that question. 1. We needed cheaper rent so we can save up to buy a bigger car for our growing family. Turns out that you can't fit four children into a Subaru Outback. 2. Our lovely barn home that kept us so toasty warm in the winter months is now baking us alive. The a/c is broken. We have no shade. Our windows open up to the barn and really, who wants to vent their house out to a barn? Eau de Livestock will not be on the shelves anytime soon, I promise you that. 3. We wanted to be even more remote. Don't ask. There is really no reason behind this. We are not anti-social or survivalists or any of the number of things that pop into peoples' minds when they hear about remote living. We just like room to breathe and stretch and be ourselves. 4. We found the perfect place. It's a couple hundred dollars cheaper and it is on forty acres. Forty acres that are all ours. I can't wait to explore. The goats are going to be in grazing heaven. The children are already making all sorts of plans. We are minutes from a State Park which is mostly made up of a reservoir. And the view. Oh my the view. See for yourself...


View from back porch/dining room/living room.
 I can't wait to sit here and watch the sun go down.
Or sit here with my morning coffee and watch the deer graze.


View from our bedroom window.

View from our deeply covered and shady front porch.

Looking back at the back porch


The new house.
Does this mean that I have to change the name of my blog? I don't think so. Or point is still the same. We still want community. And we technically have to actually raise a barn for the animals now. Even though it will be much smaller than the current barn. So no name changes here. That is the one thing that will stay the same.

4 comments:

  1. So when can I visit???? Still looking to go drown a worm with Matt

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  2. I think this place looks like it'll suit you all better. I love the long porch, and well, that view is made for you. love it all. We do have you beat on the moves still (5x 1 yr). We're done though. Found our home too. How far are you from a town?

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  3. J- we are 4 miles from "town". About ten miles from a grocery store that will work for last minute stuff, and an hour from a Vitamin Cottage. Thankfully, this area is ripe with farms and farmers markets. We should be able to eat very locally. I read your post, too and I soooo want to come visit. That French pastry shop made my heart pitter patter. And the BEACH! When can we come?!

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  4. Thomas- Come anytime! We love visitors!
    PLus we might even have an extra bed... ;)

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