So happy you get to enjoy the JOY of snow. I too was a snow baby when a much younger person and living on the farm. Just seemed right to go out to tend the animals and a few snow angels were totally called for. And ahhhh the crackling fire, hot chocolate and warm slice of bread was LOVE. But now at my advanced age and health conditions, I look out the window and REMEMBER, SMILE and go sit by the fire with a hot cup-a something good. Thanks for sharing your JOY. God Bless

Something else I learned about snow as a child in New Jersey and other places as an adult: sun may shine, wind may blow, rain may patter on the roof but snow whispers. You must turn your ears from other sounds of nature and humanity to hear it, but it is a sweet enticing whisper that beckons you to join the concerto silently to appreciate it when snow falls.

SNOW is a favorite of mine too! Watching the snow fall softly, quietly, sooooo beautifully covering our everyday somewhat hum-drum world is relaxing and magical to me. In Dallas we get snow maybe once or twice each winter. This year we got snow on Christmas after lunch (we were ecstatic for the 3 inches especially to have a white Christmas!) and again one January evening a dusting, but maybe we will get a bonus snow yet!
I am so glad you, family, and the animals are getting to enjoy your lovely farm in the snow! Hugs, Mary Beth

Thank you for this post and all the beautiful pictures. i am from a small town not too far from Houston TX. Sometimes we will get a little smattering of snow. When we do, i get so excited. My camera comes out. i feel like a child again. i do not know what i would do if we ever got snow like yours. i think i would lie down in it too. Your pictures are absolutely beautiful. God sure blessed you this winter, Snow Lady!

I am in love with the view from your bedroom! Unbelievable! Not like looking out on houses and a street, eh? Hey, Rebekkah, I wanted to advise you to get some leg gaiters to save your pants from getting so wet. Try REI online if you can’t get any locally. Also you will love flannel lined jeans or maybe snowpants. Here in Utah we are really having a great snow season in the valley, and I too love to go out in it, but being dressed to stay warm and dry will keep you happier and out longer, I promise. Enjoy!

I was a California Girl for 50 years before I got dropped off somewhere in the middle of Montana! I too look forward to the snowfall every year. I will often get up in the middle of the night in the winter just to look out my window to see if it is snowing yet. When it is I am more excited that a 4 year old on Christmas morning. I never tire of it. Enjoy your snow days- may they be many!

I love the snow too and we have only had 1 decent snow, but I would like one that came in on Friday and left on Sunday. I love walking in the snow and it doesn’t feel as cold as the temperature says it is. Cats love the snow too. You have a beautiful place.

Oh Rebekah, you didn’t say, but have you experienced nighttime, a full moon, no wind and snowflakes drifting down on your face? For me it is a magical experience. The stillness, the peace, the feeling of being surrounded by gentle loving "snow kisses"…ahhh, nothing like it!

Get a pair of long johns, carhart bibs the winter ones, and boots that go to your knees. And layer your clothes. Than enjoy the winter, oh also get hand warmers and socks with the warmers in them! And good earmuffs so you can wear your cowboy hat!

Too funny, I have a picture of my boots in the snow on the way to the hen house on last Fridays blog post. I kinda thought I was looking at a picture of my own boots on Facebook and then looked again, nope not my picture. Lovely pictures, love the mountain stream! Glad you are enjoying your snow, I on the other hand may not be even able to think of one year in my life that there was none. Maybe as a child in Indiana, maybe one.

Rebekah- I wish there was not most of a continent between us because we are kindred spirits. Thank you for your kind words on my facebook post about the passing of my grandmother. They touched my whole family. Hugs!

Rebekah,

This is just beautiful!! I just love the size of the bathroom. Fascinating the things you find behind walls! I live in an old house as well, 1875. I have a clawfoot bathtub and I call the bathroom, "my office" when I take a book and unwind in the tub. There is such a peaceful feeling about having a bathroom as a bit of a sanctuary so to speak. Yours looks wonderful, inviting and warm. Love reading your posts! Snow dancer looks happy!!

Rebecca

OMG!!!! It is all looking so beautiful and farm housey!!! I love everything you’ve done… A+++++++++!!!!
Keep up the good work… and give Snow Dancer the Unicorn a pat for me!
love Deb

Fabulous! What a wonderful retreat from the world! It’s too bad you have to cover the window by the tub. I was hoping you could convince the church that you’re re-enacting John the Baptist’s activities each day with an immersion baptism–uh, bathing.

How awesomely beautiful!!!!! What a great job I love it

I love it. Thanks for the tours you give us of the house. I LOVE those old boards. And you find brick behind the wallboard, so maybe you shouldn’t whitewash the fireplace brick. Brick could be a random repeating element in the house, like the other old bits you find behind the sheetrock.
I discovered that if I close the bedroom doors in the hallway that the living room keeps warmer. Also with a curtain to the front door hallway. I think I"m getting used to colder temps, tho, because I don’t notice it as much. Well, it’s back in the 40s now. It’s a different story when it’s down in the 30s. I hate to think if it drops to the 20s, which it does now and then.
Oops, TMI. Your house story gets me thinking about my house story.

I have the perfect mirror for your bathroom. Its in Michigan. It is an old mirror with a picture frame of flowers carved into it. I don’t have room for it in my apartment but I just couldn’t get rid of it. Boy it sure is heavy too.

When you paint your bricks, take sand paper to each brick, it gives it a old look. I saw this done on Restaurant Impossible, it looked good.

Smile!

If you are looking for some small tables you should consider some nest of tables,
I purchased a nice set from ikea and thought they were
really useful

Good job Rebekah, I love it! If you find that money tree, send me a cutting!

Rebekah:

It is truly beautiful – I wanted to let you know how much I love reading your posts – I live in West Columbia, SC and love to garden, junk, and just got a vintage Beeline camper named Buttercup – thank you for sharing your life with us – you always send such inspiring words and cheer – the room is absolutely beautiful – I have a 3 year granddaughter (London Abigail) in San Francisco who loves horses – she lives near Golden Gate Park and has become friends with the retired service horses there.

Keep the wonderful posts coming!

Sharon

What a beautiful addition! I love that you honored the original house by keeping the wood siding for the wall and your view out those windows on the far end is just gorgeous! May you and yours "keep" for many happy years here.

What color are your walls? I love it, too! I should turn my small little living room into a keeping room. It gets no use as it is and we have a family room or maybe I should change my family room to a keeping room? I adore yours.

Absolutely beautiful! I’m glad you kept the siding! Well done! 🙂

It is magnificent…love that you kept the old wood siding. The stone work is beautiful. So glad you can build a fire and be warm and cozy while reading a great book or looking out at your farm dreaming dreams. Smiles…..

Wonderful! Beautiful!

Oh, hee hee, every time you described the work going on, I thot, "I hope she kept that." And you did. I too have siding in my house. The house part is joined by an addition to the old South Beach Post Office part. In the various additions and remodels over the years, after being the PO, brilliant people kept some of the siding, which is from the 1950s. I love it. But your siding is fabulous.
The addition fits right in outside and looks great inside. Why can’t you get the other fireplaces to work?

Rebekah, that is such a seamless addition to your farmhouse, and you created such a cozy room with traditional flair. Can’t wait to see it furnished!

I am jealous in the most positive way…..beautiful home in a beautiful part of the country. I love your changes to the old property and staying true to the old house. You get it! You go girl!

hi,love what you have done,I am jealous,I can,t aford a decent house unless I marry it,I will never be able to earn enough for my dreams and its depressing.carol

WOW What a beautiful room. So happy for you and your family. Don’t you just love the view through those big windows. Your Hubby had a beautiful vision. xxoo

Rebekah,
I, too, live in an old farmhouse that we have been renovating for almost 20 years. We’re not done yet! You’ve made great progress on yours & it’s looking great! My favorite view out the window is looking at my peacocks perched on the barn door. Happy New Year!
Jeanette

Hi Rebekah,
Oh WOW! What a great way to start the New Year, with a wonderful blog from you. Your new home is so beautiful and the renovation is coming along so well… love it all.

For us, our big project will be to finish our back deck, put a ‘for sale’ sign on this place and find our ‘forever home’ on up the mountain. There are so many things we want to do, but we say, ‘save that idea for the forever home’.

Thanks for all your New Year inspirations and looking forward to seeing your finished project.
Take care & get some rest,
Marcie

Thank you so much for the mini tour! It is looking beautiful and warm and homey! So happy that you were able to go home for the Holidays, even for a little while. May you and yours have a Blessed New Year! Look forward to your posts.

Happy New Year Rebekah and family and farm and house and all the animals. What a great tour of your lovely home – wheweeee you have been BUSY and doing such a wonderful job breathing life back into the ole girl. I miss ‘going home’ for the Holidays, so happy you got at least a quick trip. You sure got my juices thinking about the TO DO’S in my life – going to get on that today. I did start today making a Thankful jug, which is a big jug/jar that I am going to put colored pieces of paper in with a jotted note of Thankfulness for every day, then next New Year’s Eve we will read them as a family. So best get going now and get to that list – but first I’d best do what is at hand – Love and God Bless you and yours.

You’ve done an amazing transformation and should be congratulated. There is still much to do but your changes are wonderful so far. You go, farmgirl!

I absolutely love every aspect of your farmhouse. So original and beautiful and your placement of furniture is just right. I know how you feel about getting a lot of stuff into a smaller place and then deciding what you can use and what you can do without. My circumstances are different, but the feeling is the same. We live in a very small house and recently decided to move my elderly mom in with us. She lived in a 2 room apartment with lots of neat things and with a small amount of time to move them, 3/4 of it came to our house; in a spare bedroom,in the garage, in a storage unit, and some incorporated into our decor to make her feel at home. We do what we have to do and rejoice in the fact that we have a choice to do it. So much fun to look at your home and in my mind escape to where you live in that wide open space. Look forward to more posts as this new year goes on.

Love the changes you’ve made. Looks great. Love love your front stairs – awesome. Glad you stuck with your color plan for them.
Dining chandelier looks great, don’t worry bout the box and if they’re not crystal. Zips the room up
Cheers happy 2013

Hi Rebecca,

I love your posts as well as the photos. The picture above the mantel that you love so much but looks out of scale, you can get another frame that is larger, hang the photo on the wall and place the larger frame over that. If the frame is decorative it will look charming and make your photo look as though that is where it always belonged. 🙂 Happy New Year all!!!

Love love it! So elegant and yet farm-ish! Love the painted steps. I too would swing the couch around so it faces the fireplace, the chair too, maybe a coffee table. For your treasured picture I would use a bigger frame with a matt behind it to give it some weight. Everything looks great, thanks for sharing with us.

Your house is beautiful! I’m not surprised you’re tired; it’s clear that you’ve put in a lot of work. I can tell you this – downsizing is only really difficult when you’re doing it. Change and letting go of things is hard. But when it’s done, it’s done. Then you can see and live the dream. What you let go of doesn’t matter anymore. What you end up with is exactly right. Your house is absolutely charming. Anyone can have even floors, but your view, your horses, your unique and special home, the peace and joy that comes from living in beauty? Priceless. Thank you for sharing as you go. Not just pictures (I love those, too), but the reminder that dreams can come true and be as wonderful as we hoped.

I’m so in love! Two staircases! I grew up with two and hope one day, as you, to have them again. What a wonderful job you are doing-it’s such an encouragement. Old homes seem to want something done all the time, but seeing others’ success gives hope. (Our current home was ‘born’ in 1936.) Thanks for taking the time to share you home, your thoughts, and your ideas.
OH…btw, if you do ever tire of the wood panelling, (we eventually did in one of our former homes), there is this awesome thick wallpaper that goes easily over panelled walls. There are many designs to choose from and they are paintable! In fact, the patterns are raised, so they can even be painted in two colors…Like very close, but slightly different whites, etc. Maybe you already know about the paper, and maybe you won’t ever elect to try it, but just in case…
Thanks again for sharing your ‘stuff’…Such important stuff it is, too. 🙂

Oh my dear – you are doing so well! This place is a works in progress as you know. What you have done is great – keep sending us the photos. I love love before and after photos! It gives me hope for my orange counter-top country kitchen.

Rebekah, you are one in a million. I loved everything you said it is so true.

Thanks for such a wonderful and insightful read. I hope you and your family have the most joyful Christmas ever; it sure sounds like you are well on your way.

P.S. I look forward to seeing your tree at the White House or maybe even Rockefeller center someday!

May all your dreams come true!

Such truth and insight. I too, have been thinking these things. I know in this world we WILL have trouble….our world is Dark…I am called to be light and show the peace that lives IN me, the Peace that overcomes the world. Thank you for the reminder.

Oh Rebekah! I’m printing this entry off and putting it on my work desk. (I work at a University) You never know what people are feeling, there are so many pressures here, and it just reinforces my philosophy to be as kind as I can to everyone. It comes back to you in the most amazing ways.

Thanks so much! Many blessings to you and yours!

You are an inspiration! Thank you for being you and sharing with the rest of us. Peace unto you and yours.

Good Morning From The Ozarks,
Our hearts and prayers go with each one this holiday season.
At a time when tragedy struck, I got a call from our daughter who was
holding her newly adopted baby boy in N. Carolina. Her and her husband left work in Tulsa and drove straight thru to hold him in their arms, tiny at 4 pds.
My heart was rejoicing, and my heart was sad a the same time, here we are
given this precious angel for Christmas and 20 angels were taken from our nation. We strive to make sense of it all and come up without answers,
except to create peace in our own homes and lives hoping that it will spread
all thru the world.
Merry Christmas to All From the Christmas City, Noel, Mo ~hugs Diana~

Merry Christmas to you & your family, Rebekah. Good ideas for all of us.
I forget that everyone does not act in the same manner as I do – these type of things seem to be second nature & I do forget.
Thanks for the reminder.
Peace & JOY to all this day & forward.

Rebecca- YOU are an ANGEL sent from GOD. You always know just what to say and how to say it. You GO girl- you are so INSPIRING! Merry Christmas and Peace to you and your family!

Hanukkah ended Saturday and all of us in the Congregation Sherith Israel sent prayers and many blessings to those suffering in Connecticut. Christmas will never be the same holiday but its promise of peace will help all of us heal. Thank you for the wonderful words.

Merry Christmas Rebekah……

Amen, Rebekah, amen. May everyone find PEACE and JOY this holiday season and all the days to come…..

YOU are beyond my word power – Thank YOU!!!
Peace
Love
Joy
God Bless!!

Rebekah you are truly inspiring. I think too that peace begins with our own selves and how we live our lives. We do need to be aware of and reach out to those who need hope and inspiration. As we spread this peace and kindness may we in some way make our world a better place.

Thank you for your blog of peace at this time that we celebrate the Prince of Peace. Merry Merry Christmas!!!

Loved this post. I even took the time to read the comments and I ditto every one of them. Concerning the special tree you found, I get it. I’ve had favorite trees on every piece of property we’ve ever owned and would often seek them out while I was out walking, pat them on their trunks and wish them well.
Merry Christmas Rebekah to you and your family! Hope it’s wonderful!

"Snowflake, Sweetie Pie"! I have a feeling that Sweetie Pie will end up being the name you use the most. It kind of just rolls off the tongue. I do like Snowflake also! Having more than one name is a good thing. My dogs, kids and Husband have many! I am so happy that you have started to straighten out the unnecessary complications! Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas! Look forward to hearing more about your horse education.

I remember calves sucking on my hand as a young girl on my grandparents farm in Montana….what fun calves are and cows in general are my favorite farm animal…course I love chickens too. Not much of a horse person, think it is because they are soooo big.

Enjoy your horse of many names…….Happy Holidays!

I would name him Sweetie Pie, since that is what you have been calling him and he seems to be one too! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Sometimes it takes awhile for herd politics to re-organize. Your Snowflake was asserting himself and letting whomever might bully him know that is isn’t going to take it anymore. He just might work his way to the top. My dad’s old gelding did that years ago when he was moved to a new location (new pasture). One by one, he elevated his way up to ‘Boss Hogg’ through about a dozen pasture mates.

Keeping livestock is tuff on the tender-hearted. *Really* tuff. Over the years, I’ve grown callouses where needed, they came by way of tears and heartache.

For some of us, the many anxious places between livestock and possible deadstock is named Dreadville. Prayer is my #1 coping tool with all of the animals we are stewards of. "The righteous looketh well to the care of their beasts". Praying your way through farming is as ancient as the lifestyle itself.

Love the name Snowflake. Just like people, horses also find themselves in a state of re-inventing themselves when they land in a new home. Sometimes the adjustment is slight. Other times they require of us more patience, probably discipline … and 4-sure confidence. You’ve got good help available and determination being a core trait in you will get you to the other side…JOYJOYJOY!! Happy Holydays to you in your new home.

Name him ANGEL! Or KNIGHT! He’s beautiful!!!
Keep on flying by the seat of your pants and enjoy the heck out of the flight! Happy Thanksgiving and Happy horse owner!
Blessings from Idaho, Cathy

I would call him Dreamcatcher! Your dream was to have a farm and this beautiful horse! You have been able to "catch" all your dreams and make them come true! So very happy for you and your family! So much to be thankful for this year!

I love your story, Rebekah!
You are becoming so educated on country living, and there’s nothing like it! 🙂
I have to agree with Diane…Sweetie Pie seems like a perfect name for THE horse!
Blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving….you all have so much to be thankful for! (don’t we ALL?!?!?)
Hugs from Oregon,
Bonnie

Dreamcatcher is beautiful, but maybe something more personable. The sweetest cat in the world who lives with me is named after cute old Dr. McCoy from Star Trek…. McCoy called Coy for short. I Think you have to talk to the animal and try out some different names and he will help you know when it’s right. I just love your posts and your adventure. Good luck with all!

I loved your story. You are a great writer and I felt like I was right there with you o yur fence adventure. You have a beautiful horse. And while I live in the city, I love to read about the farm life. My husband grew up on a farm, so farm stories are the best. As for a name for your horse, I am suggesting "Hi-yo, Silver!" after the Lone Ranger’s horse. May make him (the horse) feel important with a name like that!

I think you already named him Sweetie Pie. Or Sweet. Or Pie.

Sweetie is a name that would sound good when you’re calling him in from the back pasture. Sweeeee – ty. Come Sweeeeeee – ty.

I thought Nancey’s idea of a family Christmas photo was a good one. Unless you have a few extra wrinkles or grey hairs to hide, you might want to pose in front of him so he doesn’t photo bomb your faces. The picture of your husband is hilarious!
Btw, I’m liking the name Sweetie Pie too. Sure looks like it fits him.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Deb

I love to read your farm news. It’s exciting to read of someone else enjoying the everyday things of farm life. Have always enjoyed it, altho didn’t grow up with horses or cows, just cats and dogs.
The name is Sweetie Pie seems a good one, but so does Lancelot. Just go through names when you are around him, and see what seems to fit. You’lll get it!
Happy Thanksgiving.Thanks for sharing!

I’m thinking Cloud because of his color and shading, and he looks so dreamy. He is absolutely beautiful.

Love your blog! I too am a lover and owner of horses, six to be exact, well two of them are Mimi’s and moste of them are rescues. There is an adjustment period and your new horse will find a best buddy to pasture with on his own. There was a wild house named Cloud on the PBS station as a series a few years ago. He was a beautiful white horse!

If you ever need any equine help, just email me and I will lend a helping hoof!

Victoria

I have loved horses since I was five years old. Not having room to own my own horse I have instead taken some riding lessons over the years and whenever my husband and I travel, we try to incorporate a horse ride into the itinerary and see a place in a more personal way. I have now ridden horses in through vineyards in Tuscany, Italy, around the beautiful lakes and castles at the Killarney National Park in Ireland, along the beach and in the ocean in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and through the pampas grasslands in Argentina gaucho style. I also love ancient Egyptian art so I always thought that Ramses would be a proud name for a horse, but you must fit the name to the horse not the other way around. So after learning a bit of your personality through reading your wonderful blog, and looking at the photos of your new steed I have decided that White Christmas would the perfect name for your horse, Chris for short. I love living vicariously through your experiences as you live your dream on a farm, thank you for sharing.

I love this post! Yes, the courage to transform is something I am very well acquainted with. After divorcing two years ago I found myself handling life situations that I would NEVER have believed I could handle. I am a completely different woman now…and I like me. A lot! Whether it’s staring down a big spider, or staring down any other number of personal demons, the courage is the same… no, you cannot stay and rule my life. Be gone! I also pared down my life to where I don’t need the things I thought I needed before. This alone is SO freeing, isn’t it? My father always carried his pocket knife with him, as well. He was a whittler and a fixer, and he was never without that knife. I remember him peeling an apple in one long beautiful strip. That always delighted me! I thought he could do anything!

I love your blog, Rebekah! You speak from a place that resonates with me. I so love following your farmhouse updates. You are living a blessed life!

Oh my, the spider thing. I used to freeze. Yes I slammed a great big white one about three weeks ago and it not only crunched but it splatted a brown goo all over the porch wall that I waited to show to my hubby to prove I’d taken care of the beast. It’s cleaned off now. I love when you do something I am just doing too, happy farming. Xox Nancy

Thank you for taking us along on your journey and not waiting for the destination.
Yes, white wash the fireplace. It will transform the room to complete serenity. Love, love. love what you are doing with the farmhouse. It will be worth the wait. Many blessings…

I’m so enjoying your journey. You are living my dream of the country life. So I will be one faithful follower of the ride!!

I know you have the courage to continue your transformation on this journey and can and will do what ever you set your heart on doing. Keep it up! Your courageous is contageous and helping me to face some decisons and changes I have known were necessary but was too afraid to face. Thank you!

Hello Rebekah, things are looking great. I am enjoying the journey with you. I did my old fireplace in a taupe color, (so the soot and smoke do not show up so much), it goes well with anything the whitewash would go with. Just a thought….. keep up the good work. cant wait to get to the final destination one day with you. Be Blessed. Vivian

Very inspiring Rebekah! I know you’ll withstand and overcome anything that comes your way…..

I knew you were strong enough- you just have to WANT IT that badly. And the spider crunch- its gross. Every time. EEEWWW. Loved your post- your enthusiasm makes me thankful I am a farm girl!

Thanks for your beautiful blog Rebekah. I love that you took the risk in following your dream. This is the first time I’ve read your blog. I love it. Keep enjoying the journey God bless

Have you thought of facing the brick wall with some repurposed barn boards? These could be white washed or left natural in their "grayed" state. Then in the future if you wanted the brick back, it would only be a matter of removing the facing…best of both worlds! Love your blog, my hubby and I made our move north, dropping out of city life 30 years ago and have never looked back.

I never doubted you for a minute!!! I love the new you!
One night in the middle of the summer my husband found grass on my pillow as he was leaning over to kiss me goodnight…
He laughed and said, goodnight farmgirl…Must have fallen out of my hair. I’ve been known to show up and the grocery store with leaves in my hair and dirt on my shoes and face after a long day of gardening. I personally love the journey… that’s what life is all about!
Sending love and oh, here’s a little courage for white washing that fireplace! I think it would look great like that!

Rebekah, that is quite the lady like horse call! I am sure that the horses love it….and the sweet feed. By the way, doesn’t sweet feed smell good? My daughter had a horse….I love the way so many things about a horse smell. I love the smell of hay in the barn, the leather of a saddle, and the general scent of a horse. Ahhhh. Best of luck to you in your horse quest. I hope that you find a big sweetie.

I just know you will find your horse. I am so happy for you, the farm life really suits you. Love the horse yeller clip…Sweet Feed!

I second the suggestions from Monique! This thing called horse ownership can get very expensive very fast! If your trainer would allow you to lease a horse for a year to see how it goes, that would be a very smart idea. If you fall in love with that horse maybe it could be a lease- to- own kind of deal. Take it SLOWLY!
Do you have a farm sitter who is horse savvy if you want to go away for the weekend? or a Holiday? You cant just let them fend for themselves while you are gone- thats when they get themselves hurt. There are MANY things to consider before you jump in with both feet. Lastly, it is not hard to buy a horse. But if things dont work out, for whatever reason, it can be VERY hard to find him a new home. What if he becomes injured and can no longer be ridden? No one else will likely want him, so you will be responsible for his care for the rest of his life.
Lastly, I think it was Winston Churchill who first said "The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man"- he was right on! Good luck and think this through from EVERY angle- its not like having a dog.

Rebekah — I loved your new blog and the horse yell == how cute is that and to see those horses come running — oh my what joy they caused in me and an excitement! I always loved horses too but after get bucked off an old mare (that was her name too) I was too afraid to ride another one and that was when I was young! Now many years later, I still love them but maybe the children’s horses going in a circle are more my speed!

As for the barn — if you want to leave the tin on — couldn’t you put on a metal primer on and have scenery painted by you or someone else — like maybe horses running down a hill to get their sweetfeed???

Hi Rebekah,
When we lived in Central Texas we becane friends with the mother of a ‘horse whisperer’. Eric Clarke trains horses and their owners. He has moved back to TX and has a ranch where he has workshops for this training. Please see his website, eququest.com One time we were invited to watch Eric work some horses that had never been broken. I was totally in "awe" with his technique. He uses a round pen to do all his work. The idea is to keep the horse going in a circle while training. Eric worked several unbroken horses one morning, one at a time and each one had a rope around its neck and was kept trotting around the large round pen, until it tired and then he pushed it some more until it calmed down. Eric would walk up to it and stroke the rope over the horse’s back and neck and head and if it was still frightened he would make it trot again. Once the horse accepted the rope, Eric would start to put the blanket on its back and then the saddle and finally, he was able to get on and ride the horse. This was an amazing thing to witness. As Eric says, "once the horse licks its lips, you know it is accepting what is happening". You will find lots of good info on his site, plus Eric is a super guy.
Thanks and good luck, Marcie

Rebekah, Love the horse yelling. lol. It sounds like when I call my chickens and they all come running. My husband and I have been watching this movie on netflix. Well, let me start over what I thought was a movie about women running a ranch, turned out to be a series with 224 episodes, we watch 2 or 3 a day. (my son teases us and says it is our Australian soap opera) HA! It is based in Australia. I think you and your daughter would enjoy it. the name is McCleod’s Daughters. WARNING! It is addicting. the good thing is no commercials. Anyway keep searching for that horse that will become your best friend. Keep us posted, as I cant wait each time to see what new things are going on at Rebekah’s Farm. Be Blessed

Keep up the faith. Over the past year, I have found more than a dozen free horses on Craigslist. We now are home to five of them. Each of them are special and unique in their own way. Sunshine and Roxie were our first two. The former owners did not know if they had ever been ridden, but thye are beautiful. I have been riding them both bareback for over a year. Next came Tuscan. Tuscan had a baddly broken hoof (the part that is like the nail and it had been gouged out.) She is very independent (and very tall) but loves to have a hug and her neck and back rubbed. (and the hoof has healed). Blue can next. He is a funny fella. He is actually white with grey spots and definately a man’s horse. He will take treats very nicely, let me scratch his nose and give him kisses, but will not let me any where past his head. Finally, Bullet came to vist and has stayed. He was the smallest of all when we got him, but suddenly he is taller than Roxie and Sunshine and quite full of himself (and lves to escape the pasture.)

Unfortunatley, my riding days are limited right now. While riding Roxie, she reared up and tripped down a hill and landed on top of me and then step on me as she got up. Fortunately she is OK, but my back is broken in 9 places. This absolutely was not her fault and I still go to the pasture every night to give treats and kisses. I always give Roxie and extra hug and tell her we will ride again in December. (Maybe not this one, but most postively next one!).

So the point of this whole tale, is to keep your eyes and your heart open. You want to look not for the horse that you want, but one that needs you.

Keep us posted.

Debi
herb19355

Hey, My FB Horsey Friend !!!
U r Hilarious and very entertaining as usual !!! You make me laugh alot with your Grand Humour…

Take your time…You will find each other…Hang out with your instructor and learn what you can and Love on those beautiful horses you have taken under your wing…u r amazing…

Think i’ve found the horsey for me…i have to wait…he’s still available and they aren’t in a hurry…Time will tell !!! Hang n there, Patience is of the GrEaTEsT essence…

Hugs from FL…donna
Enjoy the Season u r In !!!
Ur Farm is awesome !!!

I had 6 horses during the BEST time of my life! They were all great, even when they were all work! Getting hay, grain, grooming, feeding, shots, etc. (can you give a shot? You’ll need to learn. What if one has an injury and needs a daily shot?) But there was nothing better than watching them kick up their heels and tails and run and prance around like race horses! Talk about "unbridled joy"! Saddest day of my life was when I had to give them up and find homes for them (I’m still working on the forgiving the ex part! Not sure I’ll ever be able to do that) Wait until you fall for goats and chickens next! They’re sooooo much fun, too! Next you’ll take up gardening, if you haven’t already! LOL!

Hi Rebekah,

I know what it is to have an achey hankering for a horse. I began riding as a toddler. I am now 56. For most of the middle of my life, I was horseless. When I thought I was ready to own one again, I wasn’t … not really. My life wasn’t ready and neither was I. And, I had yet to learn how to wait *patiently*.

Life made me wait and although it was hard, it was best. Taking a horse into your life is a huge committment … or it should be. If you don’t see it as such, it will never be a satisfying partnership. If the rest of your life isn’t prepared for your new ‘marriage relationship’ to take place, then that part of your life will suffer. If only I had a dollar for every time I knew of a marriage ending or kids learning to loathe horses because of a horse crazy mom/wife. Truly, it is epidemic in the equine community.

"Now I’m grown up & have my own life … I WANT A HUSBAND!"
No smart girl would utter such a thing because it sounds like a recipe for a wreck. So, my thoughts for you are based on mistakes made by others and by myself. Since you are 50 not 30, you don’t have time to make some of the mistakes youth is more tolerant of. More now than ever before, be a good listener of experienced horsefolk … sages that speak softly and realistically.

Read about horse behavior, how horses think BEFORE you dive into owning one. Dr. Robert Miller, DVM has one of the best books there is on the topic. His approach will be very easy for you to ‘get’. I know you’re no stranger to doing research (being an attourney). You owe it to yourself and to the horse who will one day own you. For one thing, understading the creature will help you HUGELY while you look at possible equine pardners.

Logic is crucial, that said, I am a hopeless romantic and I believe in chemistry. A horse that will be mine (yours) needs to qualify on the BIG items (safety, a good fit, soundness, etc) … but after that, you really need to ‘click’. If you don’t feel it, it isn’t there. If it is there, don’t ignore it. FEEL is what ultimately takes a person from merely riding/having horses into true horsemanship. And, you don’t have to be an advanced horse person to get your first taste of it. It can start in the beginning of your experience. At that point, it is just a little spark … but it can be there. It is a hunger. It is the difference between wanting a date for prom and seeing yourself growing old with someone … loving their wrinkled hands.

You DO have the place. And I foresee the horse of your dreams fitting into your family like it was always meant to be. Just don’t be too eager to get a horse and miss that next ad that would take you to the horse of a lifetime. When you meet that divinely appointed creature, it may surprise you to feel as if the horse has also waiting for YOU. Happy hunting. Every day gone by is one day closer to running your cold wintery fingers under his or her mane … and knowing that one more item on your bucket list can be checked off.

Well,well,well, … your words take me to my youth & the feelings I had then & still cherish, pertaining to the horse, & the yearning associated with them. I have read some wise words here, from others who have shared their hearts with horses most of their lives. I wish to add words of wisdom with a wee different twist …. like people, ALL horses are different looking & have different personalities, & deal differently with as many people as they meet. Concerning the barn, paint it, white wash it, put your door in & leave it. The same with the trees; they provide shade for the horses in the summer & PROTECT the building in the winter, as well as provide a wind barrier for the horses & the building. I hope that you will not permit "FEAR" to rule wisdom. And don’t think or treat your horse like a "people" … they are NOT anything like us!!! They DO NOT need blankets on them in the winter, UNLESS they are ill & it’s storming out, OR , you are transporting them around the country to different climates for show purposes, & need their coats slick. Horses have been my life for the better part of 59 yrs. Care for them, protect them, teach them, watch them, and you will learn more than any book or one person can tell you. They are THE most AMAZING animal God created, in my opinion. I wish you well in your search. Gwendolyn

I am so happy for your and I couldn’t agree more! Home is where your heart is. I too made a big giant move last year; I took the leap and chased my dream. I hit a huge stumbling block last spring that almost sent me to the funny farm (really) and I almost put the for sale out! But I found a way through it and it is beginning to feel like home! My house and barn was in such bad shape that the day I took possession of the keys I was by myself and I was actually very afraid to even go into the house. I stood at the back door with my holy water and smudging stick and talked myself into it, I said to myself "this is your home now you can’t live in it by standing outside looking at it ….you have to go in" So in I went although very reluctantly. One year later I still have some minor things to do but I can’t believe how much work we did in such a very short time. Thanks to my son and all of his hard work. Good luck to you and I look forward to following your progress. Your words help inspire me as I live this dream out. Rene’

Your post is so touching! Indeed home is where we feel comfortable and loved with our family/pets around us. The personal touches of decor enhance all of this, but you have the core right now in all its simplicity. Mary Beth

It is so great to hear your love of home. I also am a real homebody. I think that what makes home is what makes you happy. Our house is decorated in things that most would find out-dated or silly. I love boyd’s bears (remember them), country things, and just cozy house stuff. I also believe cookies made at home make a home, opening your home to family and friends, having things around that mean something to you rather than things that make you magazine perfect. But family is the top thing in your home. We live 400 miles away from our family but they visit often and that helps. We also have lots of things in NC that remind us of Pittsbugh and PA even though we’ve lived here for 35 years.
Someday we may go back up there but for now we try to bring as much family and home as we can into our much loved house.

Wonderful, just wonderful. That’s wisdom right there. We have lived in our home as we built it…yeah, I mean the first time we laid our heads down to sleep in it, we could see moonlight through the roof:) It was beautiful. After 15 years, we still don’t have baseboards….I have come to believe they are really not that important:) As I was reading your sweet words, it made me miss those days of living like gypsies. (I have always been drawn to the gypsy life secretly..shhh) You have so much freedom right now with your husband and daughter and pets. We let our big, beautiful Golden Retriever have a litter of 13 puppies right in our dining area (future dining area) and they lived with us until they all had homes of their own. Yeah,I did that! And I am Miss Picky..lol My two adult children will never forget those memories of puppies running all over our home on plywood floors. I tear up just thinking about it. You will never be the same with this freedom from *things* and you and your family will be so much better for it. Oh, on the outside animals not being indoors? Good luck with that. We had a baby mini donkey snuggle right up to the fireplace. Well, it was our future fireplace, at that point it was just a freestanding propane heater with a duct tape square on the logs behind it of where our fireplace would be one day. We now have that fireplace of our dreams built by our own hands. It was so worth the wait. So, thanks so much for your update on your fireplaces. I’ve been waiting for the last guy’s opinion and I like his better;) Breathe in every moment, Rebekah…….Raynita

Oh, Rebekah, your five points are so spot on wonderful!!! I too am teary eyed. If only everybody could create a home environment like you describe. I already try my best. Thanks so much for putting it in words.

Rebekah: To me, home is where I feel loved, wanted and needed. A comfortable chair, a cup of tea, my kitties, my husband of 50 years and our favorite "stuff". We are lucky to own our home and that makes it special. It’s ours. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’m really a home body too.

I love that you’re still living out of boxes. July 31 I finished moving 15 miles to my "new" rental house. It used to be the old "old South Beach post office" that has been attached with more rooms to the postmistressed house next door, built in 1959, I think. I wind from one end of the house to the other because of the odd rooms and doors. But the winding is more so because I am still living out of boxes. As I gradually unpack, empties stack here and there. I too am living more simply, though I have all my clothes because they stayed in the chests of drawers.

And there is that smell. It’s damp here, and mildewy smelling and it used to have some other darker smell. Dogs? I struggle with that. It is getting better, but I don’t like it.

I’ve been trying to figure out how to make this house home, too. I moved back to the Central Oregon Coast four years ago, after my mother died. That was always the plan. But it has been a struggle to make anything feel like home, even though this is stunningly beautiful country, with ocean and spruce trees and beaches.

The house is fun, with slanting floors, and the sorting rooms of the old P.O. are still there, sort of the "garage". (No garage.) I’ve been spending most of my time building lasagna beds over the weedy, grassy and sandy yard. Also eating some of the edible weeds. My kale seeds from someon on Freecycle are sprouting. Also my garlic. I keep acquiring stuff for the beds, it’s wonderful. But my old cat and I spend a lot of time in our bedroom (the front office of the P.O., we think.)
I might inherit some pet chickens in a couple of weeks, and I’m trying to figure out how to bring my bees home from the farm they live on inland. I have a very complacent and calm landlord. He thinks urban farming is great.

I’m still not sure how to make this home, except by prayer and use.
I love reading about your adventures on the farm.

Nan

HOME??? I think you have IT for sure, you made me feel right at HOME and I loved being there. And thank you for ENJOYING – even that which isn’t quite so enjoyable.
God Bless y’all and LOVE!!!

Rebekah,
I think you are home. I can tell from your posts how happy you are. Isn’t it strange how the feeling of home does not come from matching end tables or fancy curtains and perfect furniture arrangements. There is not one piece of new furniture in my home. My home is decorated in "Early Depression" and " Southern Wisconsin Landfill"! Some of the pieces I re-furbish and some I leave as is. I love that each one has a history and a story. I also have some heirlooms from my Husband’s family in the mix. I do have a ivory colored couch and dogs! Slipcovers are great and washed weekly.
I do believe you have found your tree, now you just have to feather your nest!
Love this post, you have made my day,
Diane

Hi Rebekah! Oh how I love reading about your exciting farm-living adventures! I love your zeal and delight around every corner! I love your answers to what makes a home! I wholeheartedly agree!! In fact in a project that I’ve been working on I wrote something similar: "A house can be magazine-gorgeous but if the folks and kids who live there are constantly complaining, ungrateful and emotionally unavailable, what good is it? As women, we set the tone in our homes. If we are griping, irritable and self centered…our family will follow suit. To the contrary, if we’re cheerfully encouraging, making the best of each situation and counting our blessings (Aloud so our families will hear!), not only will our family harvest the blessing of joy, we will too! Let’s intentionally talk about the goodness of the Lord to our family every day. A thankful heart is a happy heart. A mama with a happy heart makes a happy home." You are a mama with a happy heart and you’re creating a happy home! Yay!!