Sometimes the Lord chooses to answer our desperate cries quickly! Man, oh man, did this happen fast!
In the context of The Elliott Homestead, this is huge news! And great news.
Ya'll. We bought a farm.
Do you like how before I drop a bomb I always say ‘y'all'? I blame it on my Southern husband.
I'm only going to share this picture of the farm until the sale is final. Because, for now, it's someone else's property and they don't know that I'm a lunatic blogger that likes to broadcast my life to the world wide web and as much as I enjoy this, they might not enjoy having their bathroom made public to such. Over and out.
The farm is located about a mile and a half down the road from us – off a little hidden gravel driveway that we've driven by a thousand times without noticing. Tucked back into the hillside, surrounded by cherry orchards, it's invisible to most any neighbors. I never even knew it was there until I passed the crooked ‘For Sale' sign stuck out on the road a few weeks back.
Curiosity got the best of me and I took a peek. It was total love at first site. Because I'm a dreamer. And I see potential. Not what is – but what could be!
This farm isn't necessary what you think of when you think of farmhouse. And if the plastic decking and hot tub set by the front door doesn't throw you, perhaps the stucco or mismatched windows will. Half the house was built as a homestead back in 1909 – the second half was built sometime in the 1970s.
Yes, there's shag carpet involved.
But beneath the old paint, white carpeted dining room, and dated landscaping, there are bones. Potential. A house I completely fell in love with. Despite the one bathroom (roughly the size of a closet) and the bedrooms (roughly the size of a bed). One bathroom. Teeny bedrooms. Outdated everything.
But…
The living spaces are gigantic! 6 bay windows look out over the orchards, the mountains, a pond, and the Columbia River valley. A brick wood burning fireplace is nestled into the living room. The dining room connects the kitchen and the living room and is beautifully designed for family meals and fellowship. Plenty of room for the 9 foot farm table we're currently building (and more!). The dining room also has slider doors that walk out onto the deck (which we'll remove and replace with a French courtyard).
The kitchen, carpeted and faux oak as it may be, has windows looking out on the garden area (or what will be the garden area), the cow pasture, and the courtyard. It's got narrow stairs that wind down into a root cellar – a real root cellar! – designed for storying home canned goods and root vegetables. And perhaps a few fermenting buckets of home brew or such.
Downstairs is a gigantic daylight basement, currently boasting a 70's style carpeted bar (par-tay!), that will be converted into all-things-farm-kids. Beds, homeschool stations, craft tables, and noisy toys will make their home here. Another wood burning fireplace will serve us well on long winter days.
And outside the home? Well that's where it gets really exciting!
Though the plot of land is less than we have now, just over 2.25 acres, it's flat – useable – and irrigated. Yes please! As thankful as we've been for our 5 acres, because of our mountainous region, we haven't been able to utilize much of it for animals or garden. Not to mention it's super hard for my pregnant ‘ol self to walk up and down and up and down and up and down the hills. There's already green, established pasture land for Cecilia and Lyle (the new heifer we'll pick up this Spring and Sal's son that we're raising for beef). There's another pasture across the driveway, about an acre or so, that is already established as well – perfect for keeping a close, watchful eye on our sheep while they graze. Even the chickens, geese, turkeys, and pigs will have a pastured home, pending lots of fence building and creativity. There is room for all at the inn!
And while it's covered in grass right now, a gigantic plot sits next to the house in the sun, begging to be tilled up for the kitchen garden.
2016 will not be a year of rest for the Elliotts. 2016 will be a year in which we move to our new farm, work our fingers to bloody stumps, and (oh, by the way!) have a new baby. But this time, you see, we get to stay. The farm and the work will be ours.
Much of our homestead will be coming with us to the new farm. Naturally, all the animals. But also the fencing, garden gates, and even the potager plants (which we have permission to come back and dig up in the spring when there's not a foot of snow on the ground). I simply can't believe it was a waste, these past few years on a rented farm on which we did soooo much work. Because we're not leaving empty handed. We've gained a huge amount of knowledge since we started farming.
We now know how to milk a cow.
How to butcher chickens, sheep, and pigs.
We know how to design and plant a potager.
And so much more.
All of this foundational work and knowledge will journey with us to the new farm.
To say it is going to be a lot of work is a gross understatement. The amount of work ahead of us makes me want to either beat my chest and rage forward with a sword and a battle cry… or wither up into fetal position and hide under my bed.
Today it's the battle yell. So it's a good day.
So this year, instead of putting up a Christmas tree, cozying up the home with boughs of pine and decorations, we're packing. Stacks of boxes already line the walls. Georgia told me the house looks ‘ugly and uncozy'. So that's somethin'. Periods of transition can be downright uncomfortable, can't they? But I'm still holding onto our dream. In order to grow – we've got to get uncomfortable, baby.
I'll sleep when I'm 70. For now, I must work!
I've commissioned my brother-in-law to come and stay with us for the month of February to help Stu get fences and gates put into place. And help build the garden bed, naturally. So most of my time will be dedicated to bossing others around, I mean, directing their tasks, and the very first order of business – which is gutting the kitchen.
Girlfriend can't be cooking in a kitchen with carpet. That just ain't gunna happen. Especially when there are cookbook photographs to be taken!
Oh ya. Let's not forget about that little project – which you can now PREORDER!
I'm so thankful to be able to take you on this journey with me, my friends. You've been with our family from our first garden plots, to Alabama, back to another Washington homestead, and now to our very own farm. WE BOUGHT A FARM!
I can't WAIT to share it all with you!
steve
“designed for storying home canned goods” Ha……. a well planned pun or a bit of a freudian slip.. as I know you will be writing stories all bout the veggies going into this cellar! Congrats on the farm. I recently bought a small piece of a farm here in Lynden, moved here from the deserts of NM. My daughter and her family are in SO CAL and want to move up here to live the life. Nothing as big as your place but a bit of the country life for my grandkids. Love you and your family, Prayers for the farm and grand adventure you are embarking on.
Nicole @Little Blog on the Homestead
Oh this is so exciting! I can’t wait to see the pictures 🙂 Congrats guys! Have fun turning it into your little slice of heaven
Angie
Congratulations! Such happy news! The Lord truly works in mysterious ways!
Continued Blessings! and a Very Merry Christmas!
mandy
I am so glad I’m not the only one packing instead of putting up a tree! We moved to Idaho from Oregon less than 2 months ago, just found out we’re moving again, 3 hours further south. And then, once out home in Oregon sells, we’ll move AGAIN when we buy. Oh my word. Congrats! Can’t wait to see pictures!
Sue Taylor
Wahoo!!!! This is great news! God rewards those who work toward their goals and never, never never give up!
April
Yay!!!! I’m so happy for you guys!
Katrina
Super awesome and wonderfully exciting and a ton of work that will be SO WORTH IT!!!!!
Congrats to all of you, critters included!
Katie Mae @ Nourishing Simplicity
That’s awesome Shaye! What a blessing! As soon as I saw the picture on facebook, I thought, “Oh my goodness, it’s lovely, they bought a FARM!!!”.
Rosemary
Oops! I lost connection when commenting 🙂
Congratulations and many many blessings to your beautiful growing family!!!
Rosa DeVoe
Congrats! We just bought a little farm this past year in Washington too. We’ve mostly fixed the house at this point and are working towards more animals and more productivity. It sure is alot of work with the young kids, but also more rewarding because of them. Thank you for taking the time to share what you have learned on your journey. It has been helpful for us in ours. Blessings, Rosa
Jamie
I got teary-eyed reading this! SO happy for y’all (and not a little bit jealous)! Truly, truly exciting! Dear God, please get us to the country soon! 😉 CONGRATS!
Melissa
Congratulations!!! I can’t wait to tell Andy! I love your dreams and that you see potential. So much stinkin potential. You bought a farm!!!!!!!!!
Bobbie
It sounds so much like our farmhouse when we bought it, right down the the 1900s bones and the green carpet and dark panel circa 1975 covering that. We started tearing walls apart and discovered the original log walls in good condition. It took a year to gut and refinish the inside ourselves, and then we started farmin’.
God’s blessing an your family as you embark on this new adventure.
Dev Fox
Congrats! Can’t wait for photos!
Shelly Magee
I’m so happy for your family! You’ll have to let us know your remodeling plans.
Lori
Congrats Elliotts! I guess you aren’t moving back to Alabama huh?! So happy for you!
Marcia Little
Oh Shaye, how exciting. Sometimes the best things are just down the block! Who knew? Good for you girl, and your family and the livestock, get it while it’s hot! So happy for you all.
Rebecca Smith
As an almost 60 year old who bought our first farm last year, I certainly hope you don’t plan on sleeping at 70. You’ll just be getting up to speed. Life is such a journey. I’m so happy for you and your family. Don’t look at your older years as a time to slow down. Look at them as a time to move forward with so much more knowledge and wisdom. Stay safe and blessing to you.
Olivia Watson
Praise God! He is good. Can’t wait to see pictures!
Clare
so much excitement! so happy that you all have found a permanent place. it sounds absolutely lovely. congratulations, sister in Christ. // P.S. a REAL root cellar sounds amazing!!!
Kelly
Congratulations! I’m so excited for you!
Katie S
Wow this is so exciting for you all! I love to hear your dreams and how you envision fellowship, gardens, animals and how your family spends time. I’m stoked for you!!! You’ve been working hard in many aspects, way to get ‘um girl!
Keri
Congratulations!! I am so happy for you!
Haley
Sooooo excited for you and your family! We plan to travel around the US for a year in an RV starting in the spring, but when we come back would love to purchase a small homestead. I will be gleaning everything I can from your posts. The property looks beautiful!
St1ckyBum
Congratulations!
Ally | The Speckled Goat
Congrats! Your story is somewhat similar to mine- as far as how you found the land goes! We saw a “For Sale” sign and followed it to the end of the road… I thought we were lost. We went waaaaay out of the way, and I figured that we’d just have to turn back. And then, over the hill, there it was. A pond, 21 acres of land with a creek running through the pasture, a cute little farmhouse… perfect.
A new adventure begins!! Hope everything goes smoothly in the closing and moving departments!
Amanda
Congratulations! I am so very happy for you and your family. Saying a prayer for you to have an easy, uneventful move to your new place, and hope that you’ll have a wonderful start to your new year there!
Jen Wilmoth
That is so exciting! Congratulations!!! I look forward to seeing before and after pics and hearing all about your adventures!
Jessica @ Too Many Lattes
How exciting! Congratulations! I can’t wait to follow along as you renovate and make this new farm your own.
Erica Lynn
I’m so excited for you! Congratulations! I can’t wait too see how you develop your home.
julie
Oh!! Congratulations! You are truly a whirlwind . . . the kind that makes things happen 🙂
Laura - CaledonAcres
This is unbelievable!!! I am sooooooo happy for your and your family!! CONGRATULATION!
Can’t wait to see further pictures and also read about your adventures (the move in, the cleanup, the setup, etc) 😉
What’s yours is yours and nobody can take that away! 🙂
Allison
AAH!!
I’m so excited for you!!!!
Cori
Congratulations!! We just bought our first farm on friday 🙂 It is odd moving near the holidays! God is so good to answer prayers.
Lauren
What about your greenhouse? Hope you can take it too. Congrats!
Meagan @ Growing Up Herbal
Congratulations! I’m so happy for ya’ll! I can’t wait to see what you make of this perfect piece of land that is your OWN! We live on almost 8 acres of mountain land, and as much as I’d like chickens and a huge garden, I can’t see how to make it happen. 2016 is the year we’re focusing on our landscaping so I may just buckle down and plan it all out… that chicken coop… that big vegetable garden… new herb beds… all of i!. Hey, you never know what may come of those plans! Best of luck mama!
Lady Locust
An idea popped into my head when reading about your boxes. You can stack them in the shape of a Christmas tree:) You could even let the kids ‘decorate’ the boxes w/ markers – how cool would that be? In all honesty, congratulations. What a wonderful blessing to occur at this special time.
Abby Jo
Wow, so much going on! I can’t explain how Happy I am for you to own your own Land, a farm. You will have a blast turning it into your dream property. I have to save my money up right now, two cool bloggers ( you and Angela are both releasing your cookbooks) How is girl suppose to choose? I guess I will need to get both 🙂
Heather
So very exciting!! We too just contracted to buy a farm, 1931 bungalow that was formerly the farmhouse for many more than the 5 1/2 acres it now graces. Our house was gutted before we saw it and the owners are finishing it the way we like. We were just in time to save the chimney they were going to tear out because it took up floor space. There are a few pretty tattered buildings, a huge tobacco barn, a barn with 2 walls and half a floor over a stone crawlspace, an outhouse with 3 walls…, and various old farm equipment buried in the thick honeysuckle… Anyhow, thanks to you and one or 2 other bloggers so generous with your experiences, we are armed with info on how to take care of chickens, milk a cow, plant a potager… now we finally get to put it into practice. Congratulations to your family!!
The Micah Principle
Amazing news Shaye! God IS good, all the time! I know the feeling of finally being able to put roots down after renting for years. It’s a good feeling. One day we’ll be homeowners again after everything we’ve been through in the last few years. Bless your new farm, your new house, your family and everything else on The Elliott Homestead!
Kelley
Congrats! Your drive inspires me to do more around my place with what little time and energy I have 🙂
Emily
Congratulations! I so look forward to seeing all the love you put into your new place.
Jill
Congratulations!!!!! At one point in our married life we’d made 14 moves in 14 years so keep that in mind when the going gets tough! After all, misery does enjoy company some days! I longed for a home where we could grow food, have a few animals and homestead. The minute we drove up our driveway to look at it we knew we were here to stay and we still love it 23 years later! May Gods peace and strength be with you as you plant your roots even deeper in our lovely (although a little too rain soaked right now) state of Washington. Blessings
Deb B
How exciting! …hopefully it’s the ‘good ‘part of your pregnancy so moving and all won’t be too hard on you, overwhelming, at times, I’m sure…. what a Blessing this is!
Raea
From one new farm owner to another, congratulations!!!! I’m very excited for you!!
Alexus
You have inspired me in so many ways. I want to tell you that you helped me to discover my own passion for farming and even tough I’m young (I’m in 9th grade) I dream of having my own homestead one day. I am excited to buy your new cookbook when I save up enough money (I haven’t even bought your first one yet!) Congratulations on your new house!! 🙂
Janet
YAY!!! I’m so excited for you! You are so blessed to be doing this now, instead of at 50 like us!
Peacock Orchard
Congratulations. So nice to have it close to all that you know as well! I am excited to see things take shape for you!
Lady Lee
How exciting! Can’t wait to see some more pictures!
Buffy
Congratulations on your new farm. What an exciting adventure for you and yours as you enter into 2016
Cassidy H
Hooray!! I know what it is like to want a farm of your own and finally purchase one. We bought a 30 acre farm in TN short sale. The house has issues (mainly it wasn’t built to last…so things are falling apart and the house is only 20 years old), but the land…oh the land is incredible! I would do anything for this land! Congratulations! I know you are excited.
Connie
This is great news but all I could think about with your move was that beautiful greenhouse. Do you get to move it too? Congratulations on owning your own place.
Connie
Pam Hanner
Congratulations! We bought our farm 13 years ago and never looked back! Your farm looks beautiful!
Laura Hill
Congratulations! Boney fingers are the only way to roll! Welcome to the Oh My Goodness I love this cute little fixer upper to the Oh my Goodness I’ll never sleep again world! Its a wonderful and crazy place to be! Wouldn’t have it any other way!
Nancy
just got to this email, but CONGTULATIONS!!!!! Your own little piece of earth. Enjoy and have fun making it a home.
ClaireB
Did you buy it or rent it? I thought you’d rented it.