Projects Aplenty

 Hello, Folks!  It has been awhile since my last blog post, I know.  A couple of months, actually.  I wanted this blog to be positive and uplifting.  Even "inspirational".  But, December and January left me with a palpable feeling of....heaviness...on my heart.  All that's been going on in America, Covid-19, or rather the fear of, altering our "normal"... still...and, family members with struggles...significant and painful ones. My daughter, off in the Middle East, sharing her faith and ministering to the hurt, lonely and broken-hearted, but so far away from the family fold.

Barely able to keep myself from succumbing to it and just hibernating in my bedroom for a few months, I did NOT want to bring ya'll down!  I'm sure you've got enough on your plate, Dear Ones!

A glorious sunrise!  Wow!

2020 was a tough one that spilled over a bit into 2021.  I, like many others in the Northeast, suffer with Seasonal Affective Disorder, compounding my blues.  

Thank God for the salon, my wonderful "partner-in-crime", Brittani, who brings her sweet baby along when I need some "baby therapy", and my terrific clients with whom I share wonderful, uplifting conversation!

Reba's little hut.  Yes, she is still with us and doing well!

Now, with springtime just around the corner, my girl, Grace, on her way back to Pennsylvania in JUST FIVE DAYS, and some farm projects recently underway, my sense of positivity and joy is renewed!   (Despite all the darned cloudy days and snow we're getting this month.  Twenty-two inches in 48 hours three weeks ago!  Then, several smaller storms passing through in the following weeks....Aaand, more "wintry mix" days predicted.  Pretty snow cover out there..... but, "Oye".  Reminds us of our years in Homer, New York!)

While we have been pruning the trees, tearing out the dead ones, getting organized for spring, and making plans for refurbishing a couple of these outbuildings, our BIG project right now is converting the old "carriage house turned garage", originally built in the late 1740's or so, into a rustic cottage apartment for Rosie and Grace!

This featured structure captured our attention as much as the idyllic farmhouse porch did when we first explored the property last August.  The farmhouse is three bedrooms, however, at our girls' age, we wanted them to have a greater sense of independence and responsibility, while still living and working on the farm.  And, Don and I are ALMOST ready to be empty-nester, lol!

Isn't the stone just beautiful!  We're leaving much of the stone exposed inside, giving it that authentic rustic feel.  That little hole is going to become a doorway!

A brand new roof had to be constructed for this generously-sized area that will become a cozy bedroom for Grace.

And, this is the humble beginnings of the 10x15 loft bedroom that Rosemary plans to inhabit....

The original goal, have it 90% complete upon Grace's homecoming, has been modified to a "mid-March" completion date.  Don and Will's work schedule just didn't allow them to get started when Don hoped to, and then, the weather held him up for several days.

Glorious natural light pours into the windows of this little cottage!  That is why we opted for a loft rather than an enclosed 2nd floor.  It creates a cozy, yet bright living space.  Open and airy.  All that golden sunshine streaming in makes it feel twice as large!

It's pretty exciting to see our vision coming together.  And, we figure that when that time comes that our girls move away, we'll have a sweet little cottage for someone else....  another family member or two, a family friend or young couple, a missionary returning to the area for a time....only the Lord knows!

More photos of our progress, as well as Grace's homecoming, coming soon.  Stay warm. Drink coffee.  And, laugh often.  And,  wherever you are, join us right here in our "farm revival" adventures this year!