Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Head For The Country With Me


I headed for the country last week one day. I was invited to the home of one of my friends. It was the last of our yearly Bible Study meetings and one of our leaders invited us to her home for lunch. Now I do admit I live in an area of the world that would be considered mostly farmland, although I do not personally live on a farm. My friend's home is a thirty minute drive from where I live, although because the drive is mostly rural it feels like it is a day trip, with many winding back roads. Driving over this bridge is fascinating to me and the scenery below is beautiful!


When I finally arrive at her home I feel like I am stepping back into history. It is a lovely old farmhouse that her husband's family lived on when he was a boy. It is surrounded by acres of gorgeous farmland for as far as one can see.

This old "welcome" sign and bell were just one of the indications that our friend's warm and cordial personality. This friend is one that could write a book on creative, thrifty living. Her and her family have transformed this old farmhouse. Each room has been torn apart and redone to look like it should belong in a Country Living magazine page.
Our hostess greets each of us with a hot cup of coffee or tea all on a specially designed coffee station. It is the perfect place to have ready for whenever, and whoever stops for coffee.


I like how she lined the shelf below the mirror with any choice one could want for a hot beverage. Simply pick up a mug, add the hot water and grab a chair...


Speaking of chairs...our friend's husband is a "jack of all trades", although his official title is master wood worker. He creates, builds, buys, tears apart and rebuilds wood everything. He built this island for his wife out of old wooden shutters and old doors, then painted them a soft gray, added the laminate(which looks like one of those expensive counter tops) , added a few chairs and she has the island she dreamed of.


He enclosed her porch, creating a lovely eating area. She bought fabric and made the tablecoverings, added glass vases and flowers from her garden. This porch area looked like it was one of the old southern porches of yesterday. But, the best part of the porch is the view...the exquisitely gorgeous view!




If you look in one direction from the porch you will see acres and acres of pine trees...4,000 was the count quoted. Yes, this is the Christmas tree farm where our family has been choosing, cutting and bagging our tree for many years. I was told it takes seven years from the time a tree is planted until it is big enough to be cut for a Christmas tree. So you see this family knows the meaning of hard work.



If you look in another direction from the porch this is the scene you will see...acres and acres of farmland. It is a peaceful, quiet, beautiful privilege to take in this scenery.


Back to lunch on the porch. These delicious hot from the oven, ham and cheese sandwiches were served to us. And yes, true to who she is she made the yeast rolls too. I can remember the taste as I am writing this.


One of our dear friends enjoying her lunch.


Our hostess grows and cans many foods. I thought it looked so nice how she had her canned goods lined so attractively on wooden shelves. Maybe I was so intriqued by this because I do not can food myself, although I have been the lucky recipient of some jars of her canning expertice.



The property of this farm was surrounded by numerous huge old trees creating lots of shade from the warm afternoon sun. And flowers were starting to grow everywhere I looked. Our friend's love of flowers, growing and arranging were evident in her many gardens. I found myself wondering how she does it all. For not growing up as a farm girl, she has certainly learned her trade well. No wonder she teaches classes to young women from all walks of life, on how to cook, bake, preserve food through canning and freezing, grow flowers, clean, sew clothing, shop garage sales and flea markets...basically how to live without spending much money. She has mastered it...I know that for a fact.


As I drove down the road from her house on my way home, I thought about how needed her wisdom will be now and in the future, with the economic conditions as we are seeing them and experiencing now. How helpful advice like hers will be to everyone learning to survive in a totally different economic climate, than the one we have been used to in this country. Her informative classes may have waiting lists.



On my return trip over the bridge and back home, I was thankful once again for the many lessons I continually learn from friends in all walks of life, and how a visit in the country was just the refreshing break I needed in my busy schedule.











































































15 comments:

LisaShaw said...

Hi Judy!

What beautiful beautiful photos! I absolutely loved the coffee/tea area. Mmmm I have to think of a way to do that in my home. I'd probably have to obtain some sort of half hutch or something with a top shelf. Anyway, I like the idea.

Her home and clearly her hospitality is precious. Looks like everyone had a blessed time together.

We entertained people from my husbands job yesterday.It's always a blessing to entertain and love on people.

I'm getting back online slowly today as I've been off line since Friday with weekend events so I stopped by to love on you.

Take care dear friend.

Anonymous said...

Hi Judy, I enjoyed seeing your beautiful photos. Your friend has such a lovely home. I have always wanted to live in the country or on the water. I'm such a romantic LOL I hope you are having a nice day ♥

Stacey said...

What a beautiful drive and a wonderful way to spend time with friends. I agree with Lisa, the coffee bar is fun. I could eat one of those ham and cheese biscuits now. :)

Have a wonderful May day!

Judy said...

Thanks for taking us along on your country outing! The coffee bar is a wonderful idea. It all looks like the perfect place to take a break...and relax with friends.

And all your pictures are beautiful. I like the farmhouse in the distance framed by the bridge canopy in the last photo.

Happy@Home said...

The area that you live in sounds and looks perfect to me. I sometimes think I would like to live on a farm, but in reality I doubt that I'm cut out for that type of work :-). I think what really appeals to me is the peacefulness and beauty of the farming countryside. Travelling along with you today was a wonderful outing. I could almost smell the fresh country air. The destination of the lovely home, fresh cut flowers and delicious lunch was just perfect. I also think her coffee center is fabulous.

Have a wonderful day.

Anonymous said...

My daughters have asked me not to put the interior of their homes or pictures of the children on my blog,because of the young children. It is a shame to have to be paranoid but I guess I have to understand. There are some weird stories out there. Thanks for a lovely day trip.
QMM

Tracy said...

Hello my friend! Thank you for sharing this wonderful, special day with us. Looks like the host did indeed have the gift of hospitality. You're right...the surrounding area was just beautiful! That coffee center is especially wonderful (even for someone who doesn't drink coffee!) I love the way she did that! No doubt all of you enjoyed it greatly. = ) Thanks again for sharing this sweet day.

Blessings each day said...

This was so nice, just beautiful and inviting...I sure enjoyed my "trip." Years ago Idid some canning and it's alot of work for sure. It's amazing that your friend does so much!

Thank you for a lovely journey.

blessings,

marcy

Melanie said...

Ahhhhh...thanks for sharing all of this. Your friend truly looks well to the needs of her family and friends. A P31 woman in the middle of a farm!
Melanie@Bella~Mella

Barb said...

Judy, what lovely and graceful pictures. I surely enjoyed my country walk and ride! Thank you.

Barb

Alison said...

This post was really neat! Where does she offer these classes? Do you have more info on that?

Joanna Jenkins said...

Perfection! I feel more relaxed just looking at your pictures and hearing about your visit. It's lovely.

Wanda said...

Oh, Judy! Thank you, once again, for your darling post! I really like the coffee nook your friend has! So organized and so appealing! It's inspiring!

Lauren said...

Judy, what a great post! Your friend's home and the experience you described sounds like heaven on earth to me. As accustomed as I've become to all the technology that is a part of my life -- nothing replaces the joy of a simple life -- and the overwhelming abundance that it brings. What a wonderful respite for you -- and a gift for us. Thank you for sharing it.

cottage farm villa said...

The countryside you visited is just beautiful! I LOVE love love the first pic of the bridge!!! Great shot~~~

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