Celebrating 12 Years

 We bought our farmhouse in July 2009.

That means we have lived here for twelve years!

I didn't want this month to end without recognizing our house-anniversary here on my blog.

Our farmhouse is over 100 years old, and has embraced families with a sense of home for generations.

This greatly appealed to me, as I have always had a heart for old homes.

My grandparents fixed up an old farmhouse when I was a kid in the 1990's. Their use of floral prints, antiques, built-in bookshelves, and other authentic elements, had caused that house to leave a permanent etch upon my heart...

This is what home feels like.

"We shape our dwellings, and afterward our dwellings shape us."

- Winston Churchill

Micah, being from Texas, wanted a place in the country. 

He wanted hunting land, trails, privacy and space to roam.

Twelve years ago we found this piece of property, with this old house sitting happily on it, and have been pouring our hearts into this place ever since.

We would not be who we are today if it weren't for our move here.

It has truly shaped us.

It has tried our patience, and taught us commitment.

These old homes need gentle owners who understand it is better to respect their past than to chase modern trends.

That has always been fine with me.

My style is less "new from Hobby Lobby," and more my mother saying, "Aunt Marilyn was cleaning out a cupboard and wants you to have her bowls."

My home is a mix of family hand-me-downs and my own finds from treasure hunting in antique stores.

Remember, I like to use my blog to record family stories and house renovations. So, to celebrate twelve years, I would like to share some before and after photos.

The following is a small collection of photos of what the house looked like in July 2009, and what it looks like today.

I hope you enjoy this look into my home.

We have tried our best to love her well through these twelve years.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

The kitchen:

The barn:

Dining room:

The laundry room:

Bedroom:

Family room:

Front room:

Staircase:

Hallway:

Front door:

Front yard:

Micah built this arch for me for my birthday last summer because it's always been my dream to have climbing roses.

I haven't planted any yet, however, so that will be my next project.

🌹🌹🌹

Thanks for stopping by my blog today, friends.

I hope you all are enjoying your summer.

💐

~ Courtney