Leaving Washington...Creating a new life in North Carolina

Happy Fall y'all. I am taking a break from painting the exterior of my little farmhouse today, to finish my relocation story from my last post. But before I do that, - being that I am a nesting type of girl I  recently created pockets of vintage sweetness in the midst of several home improvement projects. I'm making headway but 'oh my' what a job. My little house is not yet picture worthy as a whole, but I wanted to share with you some Farmhouse Fall vignettes that I recently created. I hope you enjoy the tiny glimpses and sneak peaks from the inside of my 'work in progress' vintage farmhouse. 

I really like those 'grown in America' miniature white pumpkins called Baby Boos. I wasn't able to find them this year. A last resort search at Wally World is where I adopted three little legal immigrant plastic pumpkins. Those three little faux Baby Boos show up in each picture below.
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And now for the rest of my condensed relocation story. April 2015, I sold my three bedroom, three bath home in WA state where I resided and did business for fifteen sun deprived years. I couldn't take it anymore and decided to leave WA and make major changes in my life. I purchased a tiny (570 square foot) very old farmhouse in the mountains of North Carolina. It was not on a whim, but it was sight unseen, in a  town I had never been to nor heard of, where I knew no one. Quite an adventure it was and still continues to be. I drove three thousand miles across the United States with my five dogs, one cat and a co-pilot (thanks Aunt Cher.)  It was a five day memorable trip and what a trip it was.
                                                               

Tiny pumpkins & rusty roses usher in the Fall season at my tiny farmhouse

 Before moving from WA I sold some of my furniture, tools and equipment. I still had a lot of personal belongings, furniture and business related items that were moved to NC. I figured that I could sort, sift and downsize once I arrived in NC. I am so happy that I did not rush to sell off my other possessions before I moved here. There was a method to my madness, and it paid off. It allowed me to start a small business soon after my arrival that created an instant cash flow. Not to mention, I brought along so many sweet vintage pieces that are just perfect for my farmhouse, both the interior and exterior. I even hauled a cast iron farmhouse style kitchen sink from WA to NC (just in case) and ohhh wait till you see it. That oh so sweet drool worthy sink deserves a post of its own.



                                                                        

                             


                                                                       
 
I've always been one to march to a completely different drummer and so it was, in this major move. I can tell you that painting old plank walls in this VERY small (five hundred and seventy square foot)  house that WAS filled top to bottom with furniture and unpacked boxes was no easy task. Oh, yeah - add in my fur kids to the mix. Then imagine remodeling and home improvement projects also going on. Oh how fun, NOT! Contortionist, yoga skills and muscles come in handy as I continue to work on and in this tiny farmhouse. Heck, it might have been helpful if I had seen the house (other than online) and through pictures, before I purchased it. However, that was not the case - I prayed, believed God and had faith. Faith means believing in things not yet seen. This move took a lot of faith, prayer, trust in God and hard work. God is AWESOME, and blessed me above and beyond, than what I deserve.


                                                                           

Tiny pumpkins weighing in

                                                   
Many years ago, before old windows and doors were popular I collected them. Their history told a story and I used to imagine what they would say if indeed they could talk. Where did those doors hang? Who walked through them? What kind of home were those vintage windows in? Who opened them to let fresh air inside?  What children peered out of them?  I upcycled vintage doors and windows way before it was cool to do so. I remember attaching legs to them to make end tables, a coffee table, a desk, as well as a dining room table. I  hung old chippy painted windows on my walls instead of artwork.

Later in life, I discovered a whole new world of vintage stuff. I began to really appreciate and admire antiques, quilts, and even my grandmas beautiful lace doily's. I started collecting items from the past and in the process I became a self proclaimed dumpster diva, roadside treasure rescuer, second hand searcher as well as a picker with a purpose- to create profits from my fabulous finds.

       
        
                                                                                                         
                                                                 

Small pops of fall color on top of the vintage jelly cabinet

The bedroom - with old wavy glass windows

                                                                          

Front room in my tiny farmhouse

My comfy down filled sofa

                                                                    

And here she is in all her glory - My sweet farmhouse sink

                                                                      

Three Baby Boos nestled into a vintage soap dish

My sink was a wonderful find for just $45.00 on Craig's list

Galvanized counters and a hand made sink base

My farmhouse kitchen shelves

Farmhouse lace and rust.... what's not to love?

                                                         

  

                                                                     

My handmade kitchen tea cabinet

                                            

                                                                        

           

                                                                                      

                                                                                   

                                                                   

So there you have it.... Welcome to my little slice of farmhouse heaven. She is a work in progress and I continue to feel so thankful and blessed to be a part of history as I highlight the sweetness of this historic little house. When this farmhouse was built there was no electricity or plumbing. The original outhouse is just across the road in the woods. The place my washer and dryer sets is where families of past let down their bucket into the water well and pulled it back up for their daily water needs. Several local old timers that I have met since moving in, at one time long ago lived in my little farmhouse, and I have enjoyed their stories. And that was before a small addition was added to create a few more feet of space in the front room. Mind you, what is called 'the addition' is about the size of a motor home slide out. People did not need or use as much space as we have become accustomed to in recent years.

For me, for now, it is an 'almost' a perfect little farmhouse cottage. From the old original plank floors and walls, the wavy glass window panes, the sweet fireplace, and the wrap around covered porch, to the funky nooks and crannies, I love it. - Yep, she is pretty much a perfect place for me to nest in and call my home sweet home.

Thanks for visiting. I plan to share a few pictures in my next post of the three little pumpkins as they venture outside on a small journey around the local countryside. Until then please remember - It is never ever too late to create a happy childhood. Now go and play......

Blessings,

Tonita