Decision, Decision, Decision

UPDATE: I received a total of 117 votes on roof color. THANKS Y’ALL!

The comment/email selected was number 40. I used random.org:

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Here are your random numbers:

40

Timestamp: 2010-06-29 20:51:36 UTC

That’s you, Laura Lea Laws, so email me with your address for your goody! Use the link over on the right!

I’m actually usually a pretty good decision maker. With personal decisions, I mean. I’m usually pretty good; not great, but good. (Now professionally, I’m a very strong decision maker. Split second, never look back. For some reason, that’s easier for me.)

It’s true. It sometimes takes me a while to mull things over. To think about it. Consider all the angles. But usually not this long. I don’t usually be-labor it the way I have be-labored this one. Why am I so stuck on this? I have no idea. You’d think it was a huge decision. It’s really not such a big deal.

Yes, this decision has gotten the best of me. I have spent months obsessing about it. And just now my hubby announced:
Continue reading

  1. O'Dell says:

    Hi Rebekah,

    Well, I’m used to deciding for my OH…very indecisive guy…the most! I choose Mint Frost….hopefully it will keep you all cooler….Sure wish we were in our new place in Maine already…..way too much getting in the way here!
    Happy Summer…..nonnameme

  2. Black roof 🙂 Hard to tell from pictures but probably Moire Black (I love white farm houses)….. and barns and silos and, and, and 🙂

  3. Ardis Eckel says:

    Definitely the PEWTER. But they’re all beautiful colors. I’ll be interested to see what shade wins. Ardis

  4. Cathy says:

    slate blend or tile red blend
    Oh WOW awesome setting for a white farmhouse. I like green
    roofs but with all the natural green surrounding the house,
    I vote for the tile red blend or for something sutle the slate blend

  5. Debbie says:

    RED…. I vote RED……….I think the tile red is the brighter of the two… a red and slate mix could be interesting too… but I’m a red girl and I love a red roof on a white farmhouse tucked away in the hills or mountains.. A red roof is always welcomed surprise in my book because most people aren’t brave enough to do it!
    What does a red roof tell you about the inhabitants of the home? I think it says plain and simple… we love life and like to have fun! What’s more farmgirl than a red roof on a white farmhouse?

    Good luck and don’t keep us in the dark too long about which color you choose!!!

    HAPPY ROOFING!
    Deb~

    ps. I think a paint called farmgirl red would be perfect idea! If I created it, it would be bright enough to be cheery, but deep enough to give you that old fashioned step back in time feeling, and GREEN because farmgirls are busy, efficiant types, and expect quality vs. a quick fix in all their home projects!

  6. Rhonda says:

    I’m so feeling the Pewter!

  7. Staci says:

    The green!!!
    (We’re not really helping, are we?!?)

  8. Becky says:

    I would chose either of the reds. I love white farmhouses with red roofs or green roofs but I agree there is so much green already with the trees that the red would be perfect. Good luck!

  9. Jamie says:

    I believe you should pick mint frost. It would look so good in any season.
    Season 1. Spring time, it would remind me of the leaves coming to bloom
    2. Summertime, it would remind me of some cool mint chip ice cream to
    keep me cool on those hot days.
    3. Fall, It would remind me of the beautiful season to come with the
    frosty mornings.
    4. Winter, the decorating of the greens.
    That is how I would picture it anyway! But ultimately it is up to you and your man! Have a blessed day.

  10. I like the pewter as it has various color shades in it for some variety, then I see where the girls are saying RED and I said with a big wow,,,,yes!!!!!

  11. cindy says:

    Hi
    Evergreen Blend with a white house is classic country. I love that with green or black shutters and green doors with white screen doors. Speaking of screen doors, they are great for air circulation too. Good luck with your new project, your little country farm is just to beautiful for words! I am so glad that it belongs to you because you appreciate it, care for it, and love it so much. It’s so sad to see the amount of county places in Georgia that are covered over by weeds with the porch and roof all falling in. Good luck with your project – whatever you choose is going to look great! Cindy

  12. Sylvia Sawyer says:

    I vote for the timber blend. I think blending the house in with the surroundings makes it even more a part of the landscape. As an aside. We put on a metal roof in a lovely shade of green and I love it. It improved our home 100%. I don’t know why you aren’t getting one now if you really want one as ours was no more expensive than a regular roof when you figure in the lifetime costs. Of course each family has to do what is best for itself. You could match the trim on your home to your roof as well. I suppose you have already thought of that lol. Seeing all the different "decisions" your blog friends have made for you–are you sure you were right in asking???lol Can’t wait to hear about your final choice.

  13. julia hayes says:

    Instantly it was pewter for me. No hesitation whatsoever. What an AMAZING spread!! I’ll also add that pewter was the color of roof we just put on our new house. Totally biased!!! Can’t wait to hear what you’ve decided. ~julia

  14. Mary says:

    I have enjoyed the evergreen blend on our house for many years now. Many people questioned my decision initially. I have changed the roof color from black to green and the house color from white to a soft butter yellow. I think it looks like a Happy House. I enjoy the change and have had no regrets. Good Luck.

  15. Marlene says:

    Green. I like the idea of our buildings blending into the surroundings. Like hobbit houses.

    It doesn’t look like we’re being overwhelmingly helpful. Six comments counting mine, and you have five colors. At least that means that one color got two votes! And for the record, red would be my second choice, if I decided NOT to blend in!

  16. Amy says:

    I totally understand about the difficulty in making such a decision. So much so, I think I might start my own blog just so I can do this, ask for others to vote and make my decisions for me! Okay, now for my thoughts — before viewing the colors I thought I’d go for some shade of red, as I too love a red roof on a white farmhouse. However, I didn’t really like the reds shown. My gut instinct, absolute first hit, was for the evergreen — most dramatic of all the options. And when I get stuck in making decisions, I often try and remember back to what my first instinct was. Now I shall ask you: what was your absolute first gut hit?

  17. Sandy Michalik says:

    I vote for a light color; mint. Things to consider: do you have mildew on the shingles that you have now? If so, you would like a color that will hide the mildew.

  18. Cindy says:

    Definitely the pewter. The color is a little blotchy looking to give it an aged look. Black would make your house alot hotter in the summer and even though red would be nice I don’t think the setting is right for it. Not too many old farmhouses with red roofs.

    Cind

  19. Becki says:

    I have to say,I love the green, it would blend in well with the trees ,and look so homey… good luck on the choice!

  20. Genevieve says:

    I think the evergreen might be too much green, what with the expanse of grass and trees. And I think the mint would look a bit out of place. I really like the slate blend because you want the roof color to bring out the beauty of the mountains behind it. The slate blend is such a nice palette of blues and grays that the new roof would look right at home.

  21. Nancy says:

    If "Slate Gray" is the one that looks like real slate, with variations of black and gray, that’s my vote. (the little samples on the website are a little hard to be sure) When my husband and I change our roof and siding in the near future, that’s our choice. I love the slate look, If the tin roof is out.

    I enjoy reading your columns, keep up the great work!

  22. Julie Wemken says:

    Oooh, I think the Mint Frost is so 30’s and it will keep the house cooler. Good luck my friend!

  23. Kristy says:

    RED!! It would look beautiful during every season of the year! Second choice, GREEN. What a charming place; it would be hard to mess it up!

  24. Karen Scribner says:

    If you love the current look, keep it the lightness it is. Since you have no AC, choose your three favorites and put them out in the sun for a day then feel underneath to see which one is coolest. Insist that your roofer put in a ridge vent or comparable roof ventilating system since you don’t have an attic. It will extend the life of your roof and keep you cooler in the summer. The extra care at the beginning will cost more but the roof will last longer and keep the house cooler. Keep asking questions. The roof will still need checking up on for all those little things that can go wrong (chewing rodents, hail storms etc.) We used Certainteed on a low slope with improper venting and it lasted five years – our own installation error (we were very young!) Certainteed is an excellent product and be sure to have him nail for high wind, those little microbursts can cause trouble.
    Your farm is so cute.

  25. Jennifer White-Mandujano says:

    My first choice is the Evergreen and 2nd choice is the Maple Red. (We have a Brick Red metal roof now and befor that it was a Dark green) I think the green would look nice year round.

  26. Carol in NC says:

    I’d go with the Moire Black since it would be more versatile should you ever want to change your paint color. Although one of my favorite houses here is white with a very, very dark green, almost black roof. It looks awesome! Keep in mind that light colors show stains pretty quickly. Good luck! Are you sure about not getting metal now?

  27. Lu Anne says:

    I vote for the red blend. All color are beautiful, but I am a sucker for red.

  28. Cathy Harvey says:

    I like nickel gray. You live in the Smoky Mountains so I think a Smoky color would be suitable and blend your house in perfectly with the background. It’s a lovely place, by the way. Also it wouldn’t be so hot in the summertime.
    How about the prize being Jamaican Me Crazy, haha!

  29. Suzanne Sorenson says:

    Definitely the Evergreen Blend—-and the Cinnamon Frost is quite striking as well!

  30. Annie says:

    Pewter. You say your house is white. or if you really like it eyecatching red is nice also.
    What color is your door and windows?

  31. Heidi says:

    Slate gray, because it has lots of varigations in color, the solid colors are dull and being as you can’t get a galvanized or sage green metal, i think you need to stay with a "rustic" look. I do have a source for the kind of corrugated metal that rusts, it is not as expensive as you think, just put it on a pergola and it is wonderful with galvanzied round gutters, looks like it has been there for years. I had my heart set on it but it was too expensive, thanks to the wonderful world of the internet i was able to have want i wanted, and if you love something i think you have to look at all the years you will be looking at something. If it makes you happy and doesn’t totally ruin your finances. And in saying all that i think you should trust yourself, whatever you pick will be "right".

  32. Emmy says:

    I love the green!!

  33. kay says:

    Weeeeelll……I have a green metal roof, for snowy winters, but since that’s out, I go with the pewter……☺

  34. Molly says:

    I like the Evergreen Blend the best!!

  35. April Woolley says:

    I think you should go with evergreen. It will be a nice contrast to the white and look great against a blue sky

  36. Jo Gill says:

    I vote for the slate blend. It reflects the color of the mountains in the background. I’ll be waiting to see what you decide. Jo Gill

  37. Ann says:

    Why not take a picture of your home and then use a program all good builders have where you can put the color of the shingles on the roof and look at what it will look like when it is completed. Then you will know if you truely will like the way the roof looks when completed. That is what I would do. But her is my choice if it were mine with what I could see. Good luck as I know first hand how important this is.

    Keeping with the time of the homes age I will say Evergreen

  38. Rene Foust says:

    I really like the weathered wood.

  39. Julie says:

    I think the mint frost would look great! Second choice is Evergreen blend.

  40. Laura Lea Laws says:

    I think the pewter would remind you of a traditional farmhouse and be similar to what I see now. It’s getting a lot of votes for a reason. It’s not just safe it’s the color that looks rather old as someone else said so it wouldn’t scream new roof color. But if you really want your house to call out to you then I would say Maple Red. It will be cheerful in summer and spring, a winter hit and if you get lots of fall colors it will sing there too. The evergreen is nice too that would be my third and final choice as it too would look good in all seasons and blend a bit with all the greenery. You have a lovely farmhouse and I can see why the mere idea of this accessory that you’d see from near and far would baffle you. Go with what you love and you’ll be happy. Look in your closet, what things do you accessorise with that make you really happy, the belt you reach for over and over or if you’re a shoe girl that favorite pair! It’s really about what makes you say, "Home Sweet Home!"

  41. Sarah Beth says:

    I like the evergreen! i have an old farm house too but mine has a metal roof. Good Luck!

  42. Tammy says:

    I love the red. I love the pop that red adds to anything. I have been seeing more red on homes around Missouri and Kansas and I love it! Good luck!

  43. Jo says:

    I like the pewter. I backed up from my monitor as far as I could, and it seemed the pewter looked more like a metal roof. I don’t see shutters or trim on your house, so any color you choose will be just lovely in your setting.
    JO

  44. Shiralyn Yates says:

    Definitely Evergreen.

  45. Marcia says:

    Mint Frost; it even sounds beautiful!!!

  46. Mary Frances says:

    Mint frost by a landslide for my choice!

  47. Pam deMarrais says:

    I live in the neighborhood of the Great Smokey Mountains. I love your home place! My vote is for green, so that it will blend in with the rolling hills and pasture. Good luck with this. I love your blog!

  48. IMAGINE….. Your country family farmhouse set among natures finest greens.A backdrop of amber blues and grays.Enriched with the purest of white detailing every inch of frame.A red maple rooftop….feel it in your heart..the heart of your home.It is so clear,WELCOME!This is your family farmhouse..SEE IT….FEEL IT!..AND RED IT!!

  49. Terrye Lenzini says:

    I vote for the maple red blend. It will stand out in a good way! I love the evergreen but when I saw the house, there is already so much surrounding green of the same shade that it fades into it. The white house with the red just seems perfect!

  50. kathy says:

    Red blend

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What? Me? Contrary?

The other day someone asked me a question that “flew all over me.” It was this: “Why in the world do you bother with a garden?”
Bother? I did not like that choice of word. I just don’t understand it. What kind of question is that? What in the world should we all be “bothering” with, if not a garden?

Continue reading

  1. Debbie says:

    Don’t get me started!!!!!!!!

    I’ll tell you " why bother gardening "!!!

    Mind if I just add to your list? It’s a great start!

    15. I love dirt too, the smell of it and I remember actually tasting dirt when I was 4. I was out in the shady flower bed on the side of our house and I couldn’t have been happier smelling and tasting that rich dark dirt!

    ( for the record, that was the last time I ate dirt ) 🙂

    16. I would rather be outside than in! I love all aspects of gardening. I love when the first inspiration hits me to try something new in one of my flower borders. I love to paint with plants in my garden.. All the while I am digging and weeding I can imagine to my hearts content what more red would look like here or there or if some deep purple would compliment such and such in my garden or how the silver leaves of russian sage look next to the deep green leaves of cone flower or near an oak leaf hydrangia…

    There is more wonder to be had in a garden! If people only knew!!!

    17. To eat healthier and from our own soil…There is nothing like the taste of a home grown well, anything!

    We have a small veggie garden at the lower end of a large flower border! This years entries so far: 2 kinds of squash, peas, pickling cuc’s and pumpkins… I still have two unplanted rows I’m saveing for lettuce and peppers!

    18. IT’S FUN…IT’S WORK… IT’S FUN WORK…and rewarding from the inside out!!!!

    I love to say, " put down some roots, you’ll just feel better!

    19. Because even when I’m not IN the garden I can READ about gardening!!!!!!!!

    GARDENING IS GOOD MEDICINE… THAT’S WHY!!!!

    Great post!

    Deb~

    ps. congratulations on your progress with the " snake phobia"!!! Keep at it Rebekah!

  2. Cindy says:

    Your snake story cracked me up! I can picture it! 🙂

  3. Jane says:

    Why do I "bother" with a garden??

    Long story short-I come from a family of gardeners…from way-yy back to the farmers in the NYS family in the 1800’s (at least that I know of…and before-my mothers family came to this country in the 1600"s!! I am sure they gardened or farmed!)
    My great grandmother, grandfathers (both sides) and mother all boasted beautiful gardens both food and flowers
    I have been growing things since I was a teenager–in my ROOM! Even trying tropical house plants (guava for one.
    I can not imagine not growing something…anything, even if only in a pot on the windowsill if that’s all I had! .. and have been organic (veg and flowers) since 1971…
    It is relaxing, rewarding, and just plain fun..what fun to out a seed in the ground and watch it grow (if you can keep it away from the squirrels!) into something to put on the table…! It never loses that magic for me…(and 20 years ago I added chickens to the mix…can never go back!)

  4. TJ says:

    I love gardening because my nearly-3 year old daughter walked up to me yesterday and said, "I tink dis is a fwiend of yours, Mommy" and handed me a seed she had found.

    Because my kids garden with me, they are learning that food comes from the dirt (or the woods) and that it takes work which is good for you, and that it tastes delicious when you "helped" God and mommy grow it!

    My other child is my 4 year old son, and they "fight" over the bay leaves or chunks of garlic in food I make, and sometimes grab handfuls of broccoli florets or carrots out of the fridge even before breakfast. Their eyes sparkle and they’re healthier than horses and have (sigh) gobs of energy…

    Gardening is good for my kids, and it’s good for my husband and I too!! Thanks for your post!!!
    ~TJ in zone 5

  5. Genevieve says:

    Because gardening is MAGIC. To plant a seed and then watch it turn into a leaf, and then into a bigger leaf, and then one day pop little buds all over the place?

    That is pure magic, it never gets old, it never ceases to amaze me, and I never lose that feeling of astonishment that it actually "worked". We’re participating in a creative process that is rarely replicated elsewhere in life.

    Sounds like the gardening naysayer just sees gardening as a chore that people do for appearances only, or because they think they "should." Maybe you should invite her to join you in your garden for a day in the sun so she can see what all the "bother" is about!

  6. Mary Frances says:

    Gardening is medicine for my body and mind, (grin). I have two apple trees in my big back yard. I don’t spray much. Last Fall I was gathering apples by the bucket. Some were going to a friend with horses that love the "dropped ones". Most apples needed a boo-boo cut out of it somewhere as NONE were perfect. A neighbor asked "what on earth are you doing?" I answered, "gathering apples; do you want some?" .. She looked HORRIFIED and said, "Why BOTHER when I can just run to the store and get perfect ones?" … I didn’t know what to say to her. She will never understand why I BOTHER, so why bother thinking of a good answer? I can see that YOU know exactly why I am bothering. …Good article with good thoughts! .. I am glad you "bothered" to write it up and share with us!

  7. I think I would have had to reply "Why in the world do YOU NOT garden?"

    Yesterday my Grands and I ate tomatoes and green beans, cucumbers and squash … fresh and raw from the garden. Our toes were in the dirt, our hearts were happy…

  8. Nancy says:

    Hope you don’t mind, but I think that question is rather snotty!!!! I was born & raised in a large city, but I always loved to hear my Dad & my maternal Grandfather(Pop-Pop) talk about when they were kids. Not that they lived in the counrty, but each had a small farm(lol a acre). When we bought a summer house down the shore, we started am large garden with tomatoes, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, tomatoes, radishes & did I say tomaotes…My whole family loves fresh from the garden tomaotes. Only thing better than picking & eating a ripe, red tomatoe off the vine, is a fresh, slice of juicy, red tomaotoe on two pieces of whte bread slathered with mayo, a little salt & pepper. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!!! Or when either my Mom or my maternal Grandmom(Mom-Mom) would fry up a batch of crusty, crisp tomatoes. Yum!!! Anyway…Why do I still plant a few tomatoe plants each year?? Not just for the great taste but for all the memories of my family. And now when Spring comes around, my kids & grandkids know "Mom would love some plants for her birthday(Easter..Mother’s Day…etc)especially tomatoe plants"…Yum…Nothing is better than Jersey tomaotes. Thanks for reminding me why I "bother"!!!! >^^<
    O

  9. Svenska says:

    Answer with a question: Why do you think it is a "bother"? I’d be interested in her answer to that question. I guess my answer would be: "Since when is wholesome food a bother?"

    Hehe, another question/answer!

  10. Kari says:

    you are right on target with everything. I garden to escape everything else. I garden to enjoy the fruits of my labors. I garden so I can play in the dirt. I garden so I can be outside with purpose. I garden because I love the it. That’s it. I garden. Hugs from ND, Kari

  11. Marcie says:

    I can relate to the "lower red-clay clump" because that was phase 1 of our garden, but we kept tilling in handmade compost until it became a garden. Phase 2 was a rabbit wire fence and then I planted. Now we have a jungle (maybe I planted too much) but the reward will be worth the ‘bother’ because we love it. Gardening is what we do… it’s what makes us who we are. I cannot imagine not gardening. This is why we chose a place in the country. Bother? why not! And for the snake, thank you for covering it back up and not ‘bothering ‘ it. You’re a good person Rebekah.

  12. Roxann Bowker says:

    Why bother? What if everyone thought why bother? We all be slightly starving. Our country was founded on working( Farmers) men and women. I so appreciate people like you that stand up for what they believe. Thank You for your post. Roxann

  13. Peggy Beck says:

    I too love to bother. All the reasons you give plus I lost my life partner in December of 2009 and am using my time in the garden as therapy and rebuilding a new life without him.

  14. kay says:

    It’s amazing to me that I plant a seed and it grows….that’s why I bother…oh and I would
    rather be outside than inside.

  15. Cheri says:

    TOOO ironic- with a fullt time job a teenager that is really involved in the commuity and 3 horses-I LOVE TO GARDEN- in fact i pulled a muscle in my left index finger this weekend- noticed it monday. Can only ascertain that i must have done it weeding over the weekend. No kidding- i pulled a muscle in my finger from weeding.

    I like to work in the garden barefoot. Canned my first batch of strawberry jam last week and still find green army men in teh garden from when my now 20 year old was younger. I do not remove them, but just leave them to remind me of how much fun it is to have a legacy.

    People who dont garden dont get it. I traded a load of old aged manure for tomato seedlings. That is how it works.

  16. Heidi says:

    Gardening for me is a way of being optimistic in a pesimistic world. It provides something to look forward to, and something beautiful to look at. My labors are always readily rewarded with food that I can cook with and eat or a beautiful border to look at. The visual delight is what I most love; the colors, the textures. And it’s easy. Anyone can garden.

  17. Carla says:

    I have been gardening since I helped my grandpa plant in our backyard at 2 or 3 years of age. That makes it over 50 years, I haved gardens in pots on terraces in Spain, vegetables growing in flower beds in military housing, planted one at my parents house when I lived in an apartment for a couple of years, pots of vegetables in Georgia, and finally for the last 12 years or so in my own yard.
    I have to play in the dirt every spring, summer and fall. I think it is part of who I am.
    Spring greens are over flowing on the deck right now so it will be a salad night for supper here. Herbs, vegetables, strawberries on the the vine,fresh at its best.
    I am also a regular visitor to the local farm market.

  18. Diane Van Horn says:

    Why "bother" to garden is like saying why "bother" to breathe.

  19. pam says:

    I can’t say I love Dirt! In fact I’d rather not get dirty and sweaty, I do appreciate the benefits of exercise but I can’t really say I always enjoy it…But I do love, love, love to garden… I didn’t really care for working in the garden growing up…My generous next door neighboor shared a "mess" of her wax beans and several quarts of the canned ones,and now I’m hooked, and am only constrained by space and time…I love knowing that I can grow and preserve my own food if need be…and those home canned tomatoes and greenbeans are definetly better than the tin can grocery store variety…I can taste summertime in every bite.

  20. Sheri ~ Wildpansyflower says:

    Why bother? Because it’s no bother at all, it’s a must and love!
    Some one once said to me regarding recycling: "I can afford not to recycle". Like you, I jumped on the defense cycle. "Our earth can’t afford for us NOT to recycle", is what I wished I had said.

    Sometimes the reasons we do things are just not understood because the eyes of understanding aren’t open.
    Sheri

  21. KimberlyD says:

    Plant on the outside of your garden marigolds…it will keep the rabbits out. I love garden too, but sadly I am like you use to be, I only have a small spot in front of my half of the yard in front of my apartment. But I plant tomatoes, one year, onions, another, green peppers (I rotate for its small spot and don’t want to depleate the dirt)
    And a spot for flowers.

    So keep planting.

  22. Paula says:

    Great blog. I too am very protective of my gardening hobby. I decided long ago not to care if people get it or not. I always enjoy coming here for like-minded fellowship. We are out here! Keep gardening!  

  23. Lida says:

    I garden because it connects me to the women in the world who garden and the women of history who gardened (like my mom). I garden because it gets me outside where life is so very real. I garden because it is meditative and productive at the same time. I garden because it tastes good.

    I pray that I never reach a point in life when I can’t always have something growing nearby. I visited a gardening woman in a nursing home with no growing things in her room, no signs of life. So very sad. There was a dead plant on the window sill. She can no longer tend growing things and there is no one who cares enough to tend them for her.

  24. Janey says:

    Gardening is cheaper than a psychologist. I feel so at ease after a few hours of working in the garden. The rewards are great. I’d be contrary if I didn’t garden!

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