The Surprise

This place I’ve found–our farm–is a dream come true.

It looks exactly the way it would if I had picked it right out the Sears Roebuck Christmas Wish Book. (My source for picking out Christmas presents when I was a youngun.)

I heart the old farmhouse that needs so much work.

And I heart what’s around the farmhouse.

You know. The outbuildings. The farm. The land. The dirt.

Today I’m going to take you on a tour of the outbuildings.

When I was getting insurance quotes, the insurance agent asked me: how many outbuildings are there? when were they built? what is their size and use? and what is their approximate value?

IDK! (“I don’t know”)

You DK? he asked.

 No. I have no idea.

Well, let’s start with the number. How many outbuildings will you have?

IDK.

You don’t know the number?

No sir.

 So let’s just walk about and take a look at these buildings. You count.

 I’ll start with my pride and joy. A barn that was built around 1900. Classic! I LOVE THIS BARN.

 It’s in pretty rough condition. I have no idea what it would take to make this useable again, but I aim to find out.

Here is what the left side looks like.

I can’t walk past this “alley” without going down there, between the line of trees and the barn. It is so inviting, with the trees shading the area and soft pine straw on the ground.

And here is the  other side, the right side.

Look! A corn crib!

This is the inside of the barn at the corn crib.

This is the back part of the building, behind the corn crib.

You know what that is hanging there? Ta-backy, that’s what.

 And here is the very backside of the barn.

Needs a little work, huh?

I’m wondering how many pennies I need to save in order to fix this barn up.

I have no idea, but I bet it is a lot.

Do you see that silo in the background?

I LOVE THAT SILO.

Here’s another view, just to situate the silo on the property for you.

Hmmm, it looks like the leaning tower of Pisa in this picture. I’m pretty sure that’s an illusion. (Pretty sure.)(Hope so anyway.)

Inside the silo is a fern and moss garden.

As much as I like the moss, I really need to get a cap for the silo, which means the moss garden will be a thing of the past.

Now, here is a cute little building behind the house. I LOVE THIS LITTLE BUILDING.

I thought this might have been the original spring house. It is located behind the farmhouse about where the spring comes down from the mountain. I have my eye on this little building for something very special. What? I don’t know yet! But it’s just so adorable

 

“Hello, Blue!”

Yes, that’s a leash. Blue is in the country and still on a leash. I know, I know. He tells me the same thing.

Before I do anything special in my little building, I’ve got to snake-proof it.

Here’s the inside on the day I first saw the farm (has since been cleaned out.)

See that rope-like thing dangling down from the beams? Beside that red thing? Yep, snake skin. A long snake skin. Bleh.

Now let’s head down to the pasture area and I’ll show you some more buildings. Are you keeping count?

There are three buildings that look like this.

A neighbor called them “pole barns.” There aren’t really any sides much, just a roof. I’m not sure what these are for other than parking equipment (which I have NONE). Well, and drying tobacco.

You know what I see?

Farm dinners.

Wedding receptions.

Parties!

 This, I was told, used to be a chicken shed.

Now that I’ve looked at a fair number of chicken coops online and in books, well, this looks more like a firewood shed to me. But what do I know?

Now here’s a shot of where we’re headed to next. Let’s head down to the horse pasture.

In the horse pasture (not my animals, btw) are another barn, a silo and another building, which I call the surprise building.

Because it was. A wonderful surprise.

 I LOVE THIS BARN AND THIS SILO AND THE SURPRISE.

Come on, let’s go inside.

That’s my cute Daddy, btw. I LOVE HIM TOO!

 Now, my confession to you is that I haven’t been in many barns in my life. I don’t know what others look like. I don’t really have an understanding of what each part of a barn is used for. These buildings were mainly used to store stuff and hang tobacco in recent years.

(Thank goodness my Daddy was here–he’s a walking encyclopedia.)

I think the interior of this particular barn is AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS.

What are we going to do with this barn? IDK.

But looky here. Charlotte’s Web.

Here is our second silo.

Now, as with the barns, I don’t know how a silo works. I’ve never been around on and don’t really get them.

But I have always admired them from afar.

And now I am admiring them from aclose.

Look at the interior. I am looking up towards the sky. Yes, this one has a cap.

This is stunning. This is art.

 And here is my big surprise. Are you ready?

Okay, this is the building behind that barn we just went in.

Look inside.

Here’s the date I found on this building.

July 1945

I had no idea what was in here! None! It’s not a pretty building on the outside. Looked just like an old storage building to me.

And then I went inside!

So let’s go inside so I an show you.

Do you know what this is?

 

WOWZER!

An old milk house!!

 I’m so psyched.

 Oh yes, sure, you can see the work we have ahead of us.

But this is going to be a blast!

What a RIDE this farm is going to be!

Believe me, our seatbelts are on.

Until next time, Friends, savor the flavor of life!

Lots of Love, The City Farmgirl, Rebekah

  1. debbie says:

    oh i do see the possibilities! absolutely love it. and that milkhouse would be fantastic. ever think about getting some dairy goats? i love mine!

  2. Ruth Ann says:

    Having grown up on a farm, I am very familiar with all of your photos, most especially the milking parlor with the stanchions (where the cow stands with her head in the contraption to hold her still when we milked her.)Love your new farm, very nostalgic and I know you will love it there.

  3. hobbit says:

    I’m reading this with a heavy heart and a smile on my face.Iwas raised on a farm and loved every single minute of it. We had 3 generations living there at one time,and, I was happy as a pig in……..well you know what I mean.While my brother and I were busy doing the "school thing" my mother "surprised" us by selling the family farm. My father had died leaving her "the city girl" to man the farm and it was too much for her.My brother made it back to farming and I live on the outskirts of town in a semi rural area…….I have one tiny chicken coop that needs as much repair as your barn. My husband,also a city dweller thinks we should plow it down and build something "nice" I can’t let it go and like you I want to fix it not replace it.Good luck with your project. Mine is teeny tiny next to yours but, my motto is "moving forward and never forgetting the past." So happy to see that someone is taking on the bigger projects….pumps me up to move forward on mine.Thank you for the tour.

  4. Ellen says:

    Oh my gosh the possibilities, the mind reels with so many ideas!! I am so excited for you, but to be honest, it would overwhelm me. I grew up on a farm, my father grew up on a farm, sadly my kids, well, they are townies. There is not a country bone in my daughter’s body. Whoever originally farmed there would be so happy to know that someone now loves their place & will bring it all back to life. p.s. I totally have the vision and see a playroom in the attic just like in "Little Women".

  5. Doris says:

    Was that a picture of a (real) little boy in your favorite building? Or was it just a generic picture? I love your farm and am enjoying all of your postings.

  6. RhondaLane says:

    I just LOVE your tour with all the photos of your outbuildings! Even though I am out in the country, I don’t have any barns or "extras". I have always missed having a big old barn so make sure you relish every bit of these pieces of history. Thanks so much for sharing!

  7. Rebecca says:

    As soon as I saw the outbuilding close to the house I had visions of a pretty little "garden shed" all decked out with flower boxes, maybe a little front porch, would be perfect. Good luck and have fun.

  8. kay says:

    Growing up one set of grandparents had a farm in Idaho and the other set had a farm in Montana….spent many days on land that looks like you farm….oh, the memories, so happy for you.

  9. Wow, it’s huge! So many buildings! I’d be helpless, and not able at all to figure out what to do first. Maybe I’d just walk around with a grin on my face, and hold out my arms and spin, spin, spin!

    I’m looking forward to seeing how you and your farm grow together. You’ll put your mark on each other, don’t doubt it. The love you have for it will make it glow!

  10. Junebug says:

    Wow, what memories you brought back to me with this post. I grew up on a dairy farm so that milk house was a delight to see. With life’s ups and downs I did not end up in the country but I’m still a country bumpkin at heart. I’ve enjoyed the tour and I will be a faithful follower to see how your vision comes to life.

  11. Vicky Peters says:

    Hahahaha! Why is it that women see all the beauty and wonder of old, run down buildings and see Possibilities! But men see WORK, and sometimes too much work. 35 years ago we went to see a farm house with 7.5 acreas. It was CHEAP. My husband said there has got to be a reason why it is so cheap. But we went and saw it anyway. Walked thru it and around the out buildings. Talked to the realitor a little more. Got in the car and left. As we were driving away. My husband said well, now we know why it was so cheap. I said with a dreamy smile, didn’t you just love it! Well, 35 years later I am still loving it!

  12. Dianne Beach says:

    WOW Isn’t it wonderful?!!!!!!!!!!!! You know the buildings you might not choice to restore the wood alone would be useable. Blessings to you thanks for the tour!!!!

  13. Joan says:

    What a wonderful LIFE!!! yupper even through all the old/run down/may have to be taken down – can always use it for something else – AHHHH what a wonderful LIFE!!!!

  14. Brenda says:

    I know right away what your surprise building was as soon as you showed the first inside pic. My grandpa was a dairy farmer. How cool are all these buildings. You have your work cut out for you for sure. I expect you have thoughts running circles around in your head morning, noon and night. I would. Happy for you! Pretty soon we will not be able to call you the City Farmgirl……maybe the Countrified City Farmgirl?

  15. Pam deMarrais says:

    What a great farm you have! Two big barns and silos, and several other [lost count!] cool buildings for all sorts of farm critters. You will be a busy lady, but you will fall asleep as soon as you hit the pillow at night! Your daughter must be pretty excited too! What a great adventure. Let me know when you have the barn dance…I would love to come!

  16. Brenda says:

    can’t wait to see what you do with those out building we have a old barn over hundred year old, a block milk house that the boys turn into a house to use to hang their deers when they hunt because it stays cool, a small house that I was told held the milk it has two cement holds that the milk cans were put in till they were used or picked up. I also have a corn crib ,a cement garage and two pole barns one for the horses so that will stay that way, the other we use as a work shed . It does take alot of pennies to fix stuff up inside and out so good luck and waiting to see pictures for ideals . always love reading what you share.

  17. Emma says:

    Oh girl this is so cool I love the old barns. I will be keeping a close eye on the progress of this project. We just inherited property in Lula GA and now we are thankful we haven’t started out house here yet! It is on the Grove River and the property is all up hill. No buildings but it won’t be long. I can’t wait to see how you work this land and buildings. Emma

  18. Susan Ruff says:

    I’m so excited for you!! And a tad bit envious. Your wonderful tour brought back some awesome memories. I grew up on a small bit of land that had a big barn and a couple out buildings. One of those building got turned into a playhouse and I spent hours upon hours out there being Laura from Little House on the Prarie. Thanks for bringing back those memories!

  19. Nancy says:

    Congratulations! You’re right; I see possibilities. Like your husband, I also see tons of work.

    I do covet your silos, though!

    Enjoy; enjoy; enjoy!

    Nancy
    http://www.liveasavorylife.com

  20. Shery says:

    You mean there is MORE to your wonderful farm than your incredible house??!! Wow! Is the tobacco ‘vintage’?…I mean has it been hanging in there for a long time?

    What a piece of history you have on your hands…and a Looooooooong list of plans. Oh, gracious, I’d think you could pay for much of your farm plans by renting out for wedding settings!! That is so popular now. This farm thang is going to change your life isn’t it. What a fun adventure.

  21. Rebekah says:

    For those of you guys who were asking….
    Here is the link to my FaceBook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/rebekah.teal.5

    Gloria, Welcome! I looked for you too and couldn’t find you! Find me and friend me!
    You can also find the Strawberry Bread recipe on my personal blog, http://www.rebekahteal.com

    ‘Tis yummy!

  22. Anna L says:

    How fantastic is this! oh my goodness I am positively swooning over all of those photos.

  23. Denise Ross says:

    Oh goodness Rebekah I just read this post. I must have missed it done where over the years. What awesome outbuildings you have. I love the character and the history of each one. Very special places.

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