Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Oh, some of you will love this. It's a blog called Grandpa's 1947 Farm and at the top, Dawn has 59 pictures of her grandfather's farm which she's now restoring. Tom and I sat here on Saturday gazing at each photo and absorbed ideas galore.

What is it about this place, I wonder? There's an old-fashioned charm, I think... an obvious spirit of making the most of what one has... and I see love of land and family in every square foot. It is a Grandma and Grandpa kind of place--we take country drives and I recognize them and am always catapulted back in time.

Something else? The farm sits in Auburn, CA where not only did I live while a high school junior, but my own grandparents lived there lotsa years. My fondest childhood memories--they are all in Auburn still. Even now I return to the gardener's quarters on Acacia Dr. in my memory to sit with my dear grandparents upon the slate patio when present times get tough.

Be sure to click on "see all 59 pictures." And if you prefer cottage decorating you will love the sweet cottage in Dawn's backyard--she did an amazing job on that old woodshed. (Of course, now I want a cottage in my backyard!)  

The main house, also, is lovely in its simplicity.

Please tell me what you think about this farm. Perhaps you can explain more specifically than I why this 1.4 acre holds more charm than many larger, more extravagant, more expensive farms.


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Dawn mentions a 1940's book called, The "Have-More" Plan. Read about it here. I ordered one from Amazon this morning--sounds perfect. Beyond perfect, actually.


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To view the best grandparents ever, go here.

5 comments:

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Hi Debra, found your blog and just love it! I love the 1947 farm as well. I may ask for that book for my Christmas wish.{: We have 13 acres and I am just starting out try to make something with the land. So glad I visited here! blessings, Kathleen

Anonymous said...

Love the book idea!
Love the farm pics!
I soooooooooooo want a farm/cottage/cabin!

Charity Grace said...

I'm looking forward to checking out the blog you recommended. How wonderful!

I have a quick question. Several years ago you mentioned vintage fiction that you really enjoyed. I'm on the hunt for some good reading material and wondered if you could point me in the direction of that post? I'd love to hear more about your favorite authors, too!

Anonymous said...

Auburn is a lovely little gold rush town with all of the historic charm of that era. I lived in the Sacramento area for tweleve years and would often go antiquing and walking about the historic buildings and quaint town. This sweet little farm has been so loved
through the years and holds memories of families working hard and all of the love and simple happy times spent together.
These are the important components of life and what we remember most.
The rest is just STUFF.

Anonymous said...

Kudos to Auburn CA for allowing people to have their "have more plan" on 1.4 acres. The original Have More Plan called for 5 acres I believe, but it's amazing what you can do with smaller acreage, if well thought out. But of course, it all depends on the zoning....

Here's another example of what can be done on a small plot: http://pathtofreedom.com