We have houseguests coming this weekend, so I'm going to be trying to make the place look as attractive and inviting as possible today, so when my guests arrive they'll feel comfortable and welcomed.
The inside of the house is certainly looking clean and pretty, but the outside....well, that's another story. We have chicken wire, fencing wire and redwood boards sitting in the driveway, compost, wheelbarrows and old tomato cages sitting around the side yards, and other things pertaining to various and sundry projects hanging about, yet to be determined.
In other words, we're a homestead, or a hobby farm, whatever you want to call it. I was looking at old photos of this house, before we bought it, and the woman who had it before us did no homesteading activities of any kind and, therefore, the place was spotless. The garage was clean, the driveway was swept and had nothing (other than cars) in it. The lawns went on forever and were bright, healthy green.
But our home is not simply a place for relaxation and delicate enjoyments, it works for us. It grows food for us, takes care of our livestock, and functions for efficiency rather than looks. At least that's what I tell myself, anyway. I would be less than honest if I didn't admit that some days, I pull into the driveway and wish it looked a little more like it did before we lived here....organized, clean and minimalist.
Just one of the
advantages of living in wine country. Rose-colored wine goggles.
 |
| How it looks before cabernet |
In other words, we're a homestead, or a hobby farm, whatever you want to call it. I was looking at old photos of this house, before we bought it, and the woman who had it before us did no homesteading activities of any kind and, therefore, the place was spotless. The garage was clean, the driveway was swept and had nothing (other than cars) in it. The lawns went on forever and were bright, healthy green.
Oh, what a difference a few months can make!
But our home is not simply a place for relaxation and delicate enjoyments, it works for us. It grows food for us, takes care of our livestock, and functions for efficiency rather than looks. At least that's what I tell myself, anyway. I would be less than honest if I didn't admit that some days, I pull into the driveway and wish it looked a little more like it did before we lived here....organized, clean and minimalist.
So I don't know what our guests will think of our
outside mess. Hopefully nothing. But then again, we live in wine
country, so whatever state they find us in, after we hit a few wineries for
some tastings we'll doubtless return to find the whole place effused with kind
of a golden glow, looking bucolic and peaceful, not ramshackle.
 |
| How it looks after |
No comments:
Post a Comment