Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Farm dreaming


For as long as I can remember I have wanted a farm.

Some of my happiest childhood memories come from the long carefree days spent on my Nana's farm. Her simple life, with days spent in the kitchen and in the garden are what I have always dreamed of. Afternoons on the verandah, with a cup of tea and the sound of the breeze through the trees. A view of open spaces as far as the eye can see. The laughter of children.




I've been a little down this week.

Right now it feels as if that dream is slipping through my fingers. Right now, more than any other time in my life, it's seems as if it will never, ever happen.

I have always had a "where there's a will, there's a way" kind of attitude. "If you believe it, then it will be." But today I wonder; will it be my children climbing trees, building cubby houses, collecting eggs and planting my vegetable garden with me, or will it be my grandchildren? 




A year and a half ago I found the perfect little farm house on five acres. I even went to see it. I fell in love with it and cried all of the 45 minute drive home. It felt so right. The workers cottage on the hill, the old weather beaten sheds, the mature trees, it's location (5 minutes out of town), it's stunning outlook over neighbouring farmland and the giant fig tree complete with a tyre swing!



It was not, however, perfect for everyone in our family. It would be have been over an hour commute each way for my husband to work. We would also be swapping our 4 year old, 4 bedroom, 3 living room, no work required house, for a very basic 2 two bedroom cottage with and outside laundry and no garage. The house was livable with plenty of room for extension and improvement, but it was a comprise that not everyone wanted to make.


I have been watching that house on line. Hoping that the seller would drop the price, even just a little bit, we could have maybe bought it and kept both houses for now. I have even taken lotto tickets. I have searched weekly (sometimes daily - yes, I did get a little obsessed there for a while) to see what else is out there in our area to compare it too. Nothing has even come close. Nothing.




But while I was away in September, it has been sold. I had always felt that if it was meant to be, then something would happen and it could have been ours. I am trying to look on the bright side. Maybe this place must not be were we were meant to be after all, but if so, then where?

I know I am suppose to be happy with where I am and with what I have got. I am. I am so very grateful for all that we have, every single day. But this is a longing that just won't go away.


My Nana spent 40 years of her life on her dream farm, a farm she had fallen in love with when she was just a little girl. She created her world on that farm. As many families of the time, my grandparents were self sufficient. She raised her children and grandchildren on that farm. Many family celebrations and our weekly Sunday dinners were part of that world. I am just hoping to recreate a little piece of that for my own children.

How about you? Are you farm dreaming?

I'm sorry, I'm not sure where all of these images came from. But the ones I do know are from: posie gets cozy, bradshaw and sons, notes for my furture farm, me and alice and my villa life.

9 comments:

  1. I totally hear you!! I also dream of living on a farm. I grew up visiting my Pop in the country, not on a farm but a very big house block, with chickens, ducks and big veggie patch...I loved it. With me being single I don't see me living on a farm any time soon...which makes me really sad :( Maybe one day our dreams will come true, keep praying.

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  2. I am with you all the way - but sadly husband does not have the dreams I have - so no farm for me. I love your pics in this post, they are stunning - makes me want it even more. I have started blogging again by the way, pop over to eva mei and me if you get a chance. x

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comments Karen and Karyn. Yes, this farm dream may never happen for me either. But dreams are good, and even if they don't come true, they keep us true to ourselves. We can take what we can from that dream and adjust our lives. We can surround ourselves with things we love: antiques, bric brac or hand crafted treasures, spend our time doing things we think are important: making food from scratch, growing vegetables or sewing. Dreaming is important.

      Karyn, I'm so glad to see you back blogging again. You have been very busy I see:)

      xo

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  3. sooooo understand what its like to see the physical idea of a dream dissolve in front of your eyes ..... its ok ... just means that there will be something better in store .... be patient .... but i know that's hard! the right answer will present itself ...

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    Replies
    1. I know your right, I do.

      Now if Santa could just bring me a little patience for Christmas ... wouldn't that be nice:)

      xo

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  4. I too have dreams of having my own farm and decorating the homestead upon it. Plus all the rest- orchard, huge vegie patch, chooks, milking cow, yabbies in the dam, solar power, farm shop/cafe.
    Sometimes it seems so far away and the savings account seems to grow ever so slowly. But every day brings owning and living on our farm closer so i just keep on keeping on.
    A lovely post with so many inspirational pics.
    xx

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    Replies
    1. Hi Zara, it sounds like we have a pretty similar farm list. Oh the possibilities! I love your advice, I'm going to keep on keeping on. ox

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  5. We moved from suburbs to acreage 1 year ago because like you, we couldn't get rid of the yearning inside us for some land. We have added 30mins to our work commute.
    We love our new place, but I will say one thing that may help you.
    Life still functions the same after you move. We have gone from 600m block to 6,000 and we have more chooks & bigger veg patch. Kids can run around....it's lovely! BUT I have to work more now to pay a bigger mortgage, the kids still have to be taken to school and activities, bills still to pay & general stresses of life....
    I would never move back to suburbia, but our day to day life is pretty much a mirror image of before.
    So although it's your goal, I'm sure a lot of your feel good wishes can be achieved at home. There's no reeason you can't cook & garden all day and sit out front with a cups while the kids play on a smaller block.
    It is nice to dream though....
    Cheers,
    Sarah from Jimboomba

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Sarah, I am the first to admit that I have a very romantic view of what life on a little farm would actually be like. I don't like snakes or dirt, and I'm not to fond of hard physical labour either! For now, there are many things that I can do where I am to incorporate that lifestyle. Bake bread, grow vegetables, mend, craft, shop locally and seasonally, make jam. It would just be really nice if I could do all of that with an outlook out over rolling green hills.

      For me, 2013 is the year of the homemaker. First things first. There are changes in my lifestyle that I can make right now. The farm will come.

      It's nice to hear that you are enjoying your move:)

      xo

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