Sunday, August 21, 2016
What's In A Name
Every farm needs a name. Every farm has a name, and ours needed one now too. The home was built in 1895, and was previously known as Engle Switch Manor we believe, but it was time for the home to have a rebirth of sorts, and reflect us and all of the transformation that she had seen in the past two years before we purchase her. Having remained in the same family for several decades, the home went in to decline with the previous owners, and needed a complete overhaul. That's where the wonderful contractor came in to the picture and restored her to the beauty she is today. I can't take credit for the remodel but I can tell you I would have done it the exactly the same way. The contractor kept as many original characteristics to the house as possible, while bringing her in to the current century, and did a beautiful job.
We used to call our small rancher the Funny Farm because no one had as many animals as we did in our suburban neighborhood, but that name did not seem to fit the new place, so we decided to come up with a name of our own. We decided to name out farm Engle Switch Farm, and the blog to be entitled Bright Yellow Farmhouse after the color of the house.
I believe that the exterior of the house was originally white, but was painted a bright, warm, yellow color during the restoration. Honestly, because my husbands favorite color is yellow and this house and all of the out buildings are yellow helped seal this deal. I'm not really a yellow fan, but this color is so wonderfully happy that I love it. There is nothing like pulling in to the driveway and seeing that inviting yellow drawing you back like a warm hug.
So that's the story behind the name of our new/old farmhouse.
Cheers!
Joanne
We used to call our small rancher the Funny Farm because no one had as many animals as we did in our suburban neighborhood, but that name did not seem to fit the new place, so we decided to come up with a name of our own. We decided to name out farm Engle Switch Farm, and the blog to be entitled Bright Yellow Farmhouse after the color of the house.
I believe that the exterior of the house was originally white, but was painted a bright, warm, yellow color during the restoration. Honestly, because my husbands favorite color is yellow and this house and all of the out buildings are yellow helped seal this deal. I'm not really a yellow fan, but this color is so wonderfully happy that I love it. There is nothing like pulling in to the driveway and seeing that inviting yellow drawing you back like a warm hug.
So that's the story behind the name of our new/old farmhouse.
Cheers!
Joanne
What's In A Name
Every farm needs a name, and ours had one once upon a time, but since it has not been used as a farm for many years our taking ownership and turning it back in to a farm seemed to perfect time to rename it. Our property was once part of a large apple orchard and has a few remaining second generation apple trees that we are trying to bring back to life. Our goal is to add to those trees, and plant some peach and cherry trees as well, along with a large garden next spring. As far as animals are concerned, we brought our flock of hens with us from our previous home and added goats about a month or so ago.
The home was built in 1895, and was previously known as Engle Switch Manor we believe, but with all she has gone through over the past few decades, years of neglect, and then a complete restoration, our home is in many ways, a home with a fresh start. Having remained in the same family for several decades, the home went in to decline not with the original family but with the one after that. Two years ago a contractor bought her and restored her to her glory, and gave her all of the bells and whistles of a modern home while maintaining her charm. I can't take credit for the remodel but I can tell you I would have done it the exactly the same way. The contractor kept as many original characteristics to the house as possible, while bringing her in to the current century, and did a beautiful job.
We used to call our small rancher the Funny Farm because no one had as many animals as we did in our suburban neighborhood, but that name did not seem to fit the new place, so we decided to come up with a name of our own. We decided to name out farm Engle Switch Farm, keeping part of the old, but making it us by adding "farm." The blog became Bright Yellow Farmhouse because of the color of the house.
I believe that the exterior of the house was originally white, but was painted a bright, warm, yellow color during the restoration. Honestly, because my husbands favorite color is yellow and this house and all of the out buildings are yellow helped seal this deal. I'm not really a yellow fan, but this color so wonderfully happy that I love it. There is nothing like pulling in to the driveway and seeing that inviting yellow pulling you in for a warm hug.
So that's the story behind the name of our new/old farmhouse.
Cheers!
Joanne
The home was built in 1895, and was previously known as Engle Switch Manor we believe, but with all she has gone through over the past few decades, years of neglect, and then a complete restoration, our home is in many ways, a home with a fresh start. Having remained in the same family for several decades, the home went in to decline not with the original family but with the one after that. Two years ago a contractor bought her and restored her to her glory, and gave her all of the bells and whistles of a modern home while maintaining her charm. I can't take credit for the remodel but I can tell you I would have done it the exactly the same way. The contractor kept as many original characteristics to the house as possible, while bringing her in to the current century, and did a beautiful job.
We used to call our small rancher the Funny Farm because no one had as many animals as we did in our suburban neighborhood, but that name did not seem to fit the new place, so we decided to come up with a name of our own. We decided to name out farm Engle Switch Farm, keeping part of the old, but making it us by adding "farm." The blog became Bright Yellow Farmhouse because of the color of the house.
I believe that the exterior of the house was originally white, but was painted a bright, warm, yellow color during the restoration. Honestly, because my husbands favorite color is yellow and this house and all of the out buildings are yellow helped seal this deal. I'm not really a yellow fan, but this color so wonderfully happy that I love it. There is nothing like pulling in to the driveway and seeing that inviting yellow pulling you in for a warm hug.
So that's the story behind the name of our new/old farmhouse.
Cheers!
Joanne
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Moving On
Greetings! So, I thought I would start my first official blog post with a little background on the name of this blog. For ever, and mean FOREVER, it has been my dream to own a farm. Ever since I was a little girl watching Little House On The Prarie, I wanted, no, NEEDED to be self sufficient, live off the land, and have lots of animals. Like most things in life, we don't always have or get what we want without a little effort and a lot of time, so it's no wonder that it took me 52 years to finally get my farm.
After successfully flipping several (I think 11) homes in my adult years, I was always looking for "the one" that would pull at my very heart strings and make me want to stay forever. My loving, caring and supportive husband told me a couple of years ago that if I found it, he would consider it. Well, I found it, and we just moved in to it a little over a month ago. I really didn't think he would go for it because it added quite a distance to his commute, and requires significantly more upkeep than the small brick rancher we left behind, but after we toured the property he just looked at me and said "Well, you did it." I still am not sure if he was happy or not about that, but here we are.
When I found the house on the internet, I seriously could not sleep the night before viewing it in person. In my head, I had every piece of furniture in place and I was already living there. I just knew In my heart of hearts that THIS was "the one" that would be the forever house. Believe me, I have never said that about any house I have ever been in. After owning so many homes, I had really narrowed down my priorities when it came to a property, and knew that I could do anything with the actual house, but needed the land to be perfect. I have owned big homes on small lots, and small homes on big lots, and knew
We pulled in to the long winding driveway and I was actually salivating I think. The tall old trees, the inviting front porch, the land...the entire thing was just perfect to me. I think I had memorized and zoomed in on every aspect of the house so didn't really feel like I needed the in depth tour of "my" house, I just needed to get in, get out, and go write the contract before someone else swooped in. Within 24 hours our offer had been accepted, and we were getting our house listed for sale. We saw the house on a Monday, and our house sold in record time by Friday. Now we had 30 days to get financing secured, home inspections done, and moved in to our dream home.
Looking back, I'm not sure how we did it, but we did! After a 13 hour 20,000 pound move, because not only did we move our personal items but my business inventory as well, we were exhausted. We moved 16 chickens, 5 dogs, 2 cats, 1 bearded dragon, and one cockatiel as well as three vehicles, one trailer and one tractor. Let me tell you, this was no small feat! We hired movers for this move and had someone move the chicken coop for us from the old to new property, but the rest was on us.
Well, it's been a month in our new surroundings, and we are loving the entire situation. We are adding to the menagerie this week with goats, and may even get some more chickens come next spring. But for now, we are content with the peace and quiet that comes with country life, and just feeling blessed to be where we are and to be here together. We have made a deal though. No more moves. This is it. Life is complete now that we are in our Bright Yellow Farmhouse.
Cheers!
Joanne
After successfully flipping several (I think 11) homes in my adult years, I was always looking for "the one" that would pull at my very heart strings and make me want to stay forever. My loving, caring and supportive husband told me a couple of years ago that if I found it, he would consider it. Well, I found it, and we just moved in to it a little over a month ago. I really didn't think he would go for it because it added quite a distance to his commute, and requires significantly more upkeep than the small brick rancher we left behind, but after we toured the property he just looked at me and said "Well, you did it." I still am not sure if he was happy or not about that, but here we are.
When I found the house on the internet, I seriously could not sleep the night before viewing it in person. In my head, I had every piece of furniture in place and I was already living there. I just knew In my heart of hearts that THIS was "the one" that would be the forever house. Believe me, I have never said that about any house I have ever been in. After owning so many homes, I had really narrowed down my priorities when it came to a property, and knew that I could do anything with the actual house, but needed the land to be perfect. I have owned big homes on small lots, and small homes on big lots, and knew
We pulled in to the long winding driveway and I was actually salivating I think. The tall old trees, the inviting front porch, the land...the entire thing was just perfect to me. I think I had memorized and zoomed in on every aspect of the house so didn't really feel like I needed the in depth tour of "my" house, I just needed to get in, get out, and go write the contract before someone else swooped in. Within 24 hours our offer had been accepted, and we were getting our house listed for sale. We saw the house on a Monday, and our house sold in record time by Friday. Now we had 30 days to get financing secured, home inspections done, and moved in to our dream home.
Looking back, I'm not sure how we did it, but we did! After a 13 hour 20,000 pound move, because not only did we move our personal items but my business inventory as well, we were exhausted. We moved 16 chickens, 5 dogs, 2 cats, 1 bearded dragon, and one cockatiel as well as three vehicles, one trailer and one tractor. Let me tell you, this was no small feat! We hired movers for this move and had someone move the chicken coop for us from the old to new property, but the rest was on us.
Well, it's been a month in our new surroundings, and we are loving the entire situation. We are adding to the menagerie this week with goats, and may even get some more chickens come next spring. But for now, we are content with the peace and quiet that comes with country life, and just feeling blessed to be where we are and to be here together. We have made a deal though. No more moves. This is it. Life is complete now that we are in our Bright Yellow Farmhouse.
Cheers!
Joanne
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