Photo Credit Maison Coté via Pinterest
Wanted: Farm for Sale. The wind is howling. It’s January and the colour of the sky hasn’t changed since dawn.But it can’t stop my excitement.”Can’t stop the feeling!”
This. Is. Our. Year.
We’re in the final, final stages of a four-year plan that stretched to five. We went from folks who lived in-town with contraband chickens hidden in our garage to homesteaders on a rental farm. We’ve studied, we’ve got new careers, we’ve saved, we’re still saving (and driving rust bucket POS vehicles to prove it)….
but
this
is
our
year.
We’re buying a farm. I don’t know when… but it’s coming.
I can’t tell you the FEELING this brings me. To know that I am no longer looking down the long barrel of 4,3,2… more years. But, that THIS year I get to farm shop for, God willing, our “forever farm”. My biggest, baby boy is going to be 12 this year. This Momma wants him to be HOME.
I am still beyond grateful for this farm. This “Half-Way Farm” as we named it. Remember this photo?
But we’ve outgrown it for sure.
These little 1400 square feet now have TWO more family members than when we signed the lease. I’m burned out on fighting the hundreds of walnut trees that poison my garden, I’m SICK, SICK, SICK of my landlord who comes by all the time in the summer to tinker in his pull barn and mow the lawn. (Don’t get me wrong, he’s a gem. But if I wanna pull weeds in my bathing suit….it gets a little awkward when I look up and he’s pulling down the driveway). And, I’m ADDICTED to pigs now that we’ve raised them, but the ONE DAY his wife came with him, sure enough, they escaped.
That was uncomfortable.
Little did we know, pigs were the “one animal” she didn’t want us to have. Whoopsie!
I’m tired of a linen closet that’s 24 by 24 inches and rusty pipes that make my bathwater orange.
I love the porches and the greenhouse and the little windows that swing out over my sink, but that does not a dream farm make. It’s time.
Enter: The fear.
Where is it? What does it look like? How much is it? Can we do this?
I’m a planner. A über planner. I dream I scheme, I make lists, set goals… It’s how I get things done. Yo. But where – oh, where are we going to live? Our plan is Door County but I’m encountering some problems as I scour Realtor.com.
- Outbuildings are my love language. I want barns, sheds, coops, pig houses, cottages and lots of them. The more the merrier. And stone. Foundations… fences… paths. Lots of stone, please.
- I DON’T want to pay the mark up for someone’s “Home Depot special”. And by that I mean, I’m glad they’re proud of their shiny, oak wood cabinets and horrid new bathroom vanities but I’m going to just end up yanking all that out and putting it on Craigslist. I don’t even WANT kitchen cabinets for goodness sake. I’ll be fine with some butcher blocks, a workbench and open shelving. And bathroom sinks? Can you say giant copper pots with wall mounted faucets?
- I need indoor space. Just a wee bit more if you please. We have no basement, no den, no proper office (I mean, we’ve got a very successful home based biz these days. Sometimes with six kids, you need to be able to close a door and make a phone call). It will be amazing to have a bit more room.
- I’d like to live close to town. In my dreams, I’d like to be able to go for a long morning run, jump in the lake and run back home. I don’t reallllllllly want to be smack dab in the middle of the peninsula. I do like me a bit of sparkly nightlife. I am Parisienne Farmgirl after all. Sister Bay and Fish Creek are awfully charming on a summer’s eve.
Sadly – we found our DREAM FARM last fall, right before the holidays, but it was simply too soon. Despite its absolute perfection weren’t ready. I heard it “closed” last week. I cried that night.
I’m praying for the perfect space for our family. One where I can go NUTS creatively, cause let me tell you, for a creative soul like mine…. it’s been a looooooonnnng five years. I’m blessed to have been able to do what I did to this rental, but it wasn’t enough. I can’t wait to get nuts. I’ve tried to steer clear of Pinterest the last couple years, simply to guard my heart against discontent. But watch out. I’m ready to burn it up, girlfriend!!!! (Feel free to follow my board “2017 Moving Year”)
Did I mention, I can’t wait to go nuts?
I can’t believe how far we’ve come. From wondering how we were going to make ends meet to actually making a list of what we WANT on a farm? Who does that? It still feels so foreign. Luxurious.
So – this is it! It’s our year. I’ve got decisions to make about how much to garden? How much effort should I put in? I typically go for broke with seeds started, mulching, hauling manure…. when do I decide, “No. I’m just going to rest, buy some colourful annuals to enjoy and pack boxes.”? When do we begin to “put things back to lamo” as requested by the landlord? We rented the dumpster last fall and purged the barns and property. It was embarrassing the amount of crap we got rid of and I got rid of 6 bags from the kid’s rooms the day after Christmas. Yikes, I’m purging my closet, cupboards!
I’m totally ready for my next chapter of life!
I’m simply so excited to go I can’t put it into words, lest I sound ungrateful for our charming little Half-Way Farm. Not to mention the DEAR friends I have in the area. Yea, I cry about that. A lot.
Sigh.
But, I’m ready to go big. And go home.
I can’t wait to share this with you.
Oh my dear Angela, how very happy I am for you all and so very sad for us who will miss you sooooo much!! Go for your dreams and get that farm (and guest cottage so we can come visit!!!). love ya! –Rose
I’m so excited for you guys!! I’m so glad I had the chance to visit half way farm and can’t wait to see where you end up. Love you!!
Angela, we have the perfect farm for you on Europe bay rd, Ellison Bay. From 25 to 120 acres, your choice. Barn restored and repainted, outbuildings, granary converted to studio, beautiful house newer home; optional guest house rebuilt from old farm house. We raised sheep, llama, chickens, geese, hay crops and pastures, about 40 ac mature woods with resident deer, turkeys, etc, bald eagle nests in woods, sandhill cranes each summer, extensive views. We have full history of the farm since original land grant. Also has high speed internet access. Realtor is Chris Cramer. 421-0858 and cramer@mac.com. Based in Ephraim.
Oh man, I TOTALLY know this one. Painswick. Have loved it for a loooooooong time. Is it yours? It’s gorgeous and I could TOTALLY see us there but sadly, even with the smaller lot size it’s a bit out of our budget. But it’s so beautiful. Really. I remember a listing from awhile back, I called Joel into the room and said “they’ve even listed the flora and fauna!” I was so touched.
cant wait to follow your journey! you go girl!!!!
Dear Angela,
I hope you’ll find your dream farm very soon and like we say in France ” ta maison de famille”. I’m going to follow your board “2017 Moving Year”
Bonne chance
Anne-laure
This is so exciting for you and your family. I wish you the best for your search to find your home farm. I think getting your wishes out into the universe, your guardian angels will help you. Im a planner and set goals as well, so I know that feeling of visualising and organising is essential on this journey.I hope you will be able to find something that allows your creative ideas to be fulfilled. I love the ideas you have posted so far on your board, rustic and family loved.
Week! I am SO freaking excited for you!
I wrote ‘ eeeek’, not week. Autocorrect strikes again.
How exciting. We ended up creating a farm in the southern desert of New Mexico because I wanted a farm so bad-18years of wanting.
We bought a run down beat up place~seriously in the middle of nowhere and claimed it as the Double Nickel Farm. The name was our hope as we used almost all our money and only had two nickels left~so to speak, to buy the place. The name was far ahead of the farm part. We have since become better at the farm part but are still in learning curve as the desert is not forgiving. We battle rattlesnakes, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, javelinas, and so many months of over 95 to 100 degrees. We average 9 inches of rain a year. My farm became an experiment in water conservation and survival!
Best wishes on your farm…it is truly one of the best feelings in the world to have one.
I am so glad I stopped by and will be back~
Jennifer
I’m not yours but this Mama’s heart is so proud of you…lots of sacrifices but so worth it with YOUR farm within reach. Can’t wait to see where He leads you…
Angela, This is your year!
I have an idea that might help you find your farm.
Send me an email & I will share my thoughts!
Happy New Year!
xo,
Gail
Congrats! I hope you find everything you’re dreaming of.
Cant wait to get you up here! How do you feel about Gills Rock? Too far from the party? It is much quieter in some ways, but really only in the 3-4 winter months, and even then the weekends are busy with vacationers heading to the Island. 🙂
There is an older farm house for sale on
Yes… exciting!!! Your creativity is so big- it needs a new HOME. Can’t wait to see where you end up.. the beauty is you know exactly what you want & your new place is waiting on you & the whole menagerie. When the time is perfect- then VOILA!!!
Helo im new here, interesting story.. i hope you find your dream farm… with love Janice
I’m soooo excited for you too!! I was shocked to read that your in 1400sq ft, and i have never read a single complaint about cramped quarters. I love that you have been content in your circumstances.
We did not plant a garden the year we moved, and regretted it because it took 9 months for the house to sell. With you renting, I’d say wait til the last minute, then plant if you haven’t found your home yet. Best wishes!!
Angela, Looking back at the painted floors at the half way farm makes me wonder…..how did they hold up? My floors are pine, over 80 years old. The last owner painted some rooms with a sprayer–with no regard to the floor, because they were covering it with carpet. I have neither the budget or patience to get the floors re-done, but love the painted look….so how do yours look after 3 years?! Thanks, Janet
Like I don’t have anything else to do today, but look for houses for you. Some of these are rough, yes. But you could totally handle that. From one old house lover to another!
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3200-County-Road-EE_Baileys-Harbor_WI_54202_M89092-27204
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3821-Eliason-Rd_Sturgeon-Bay_WI_54235_M81947-17781?ex=WI611480947
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/9533-State-Highway-57_Baileys-Harbor_WI_54202_M89254-00623
A good challenge, no?
I am also drooling at all of these. We sadly have nothing of the sort ever come up for sale here. Especially in that price range!
In.The. Same. Boat. I so feel you on all of these issues! We are currently in the process too- the out-growing of the house/ property, searching, planning, packing up, crying (ok, that’s just me) getting things ready to go…just waiting on the word now.
God’s timing is perfect. And His plans are always good. Right what we need, right on time. 😉
Keep preparing and dreaming- and in the midst,
keep Him front and center. Blessings!