Thistle Hill Ranch

So, why the long wait between posts? Well, we moved to the country!

I can't believe it, but our dream of country living actually came true. We had talked about it off and on for years; but, there was always a road block. Suddenly we were out looking at properties for giggles, and then it happened...the perfect property! It was close enough for my husband to commute to work, in fact, the same distance he was driving before. It had a modest barn, and home that wasn't too fancy, as to drive up the cost. But more importantly, it gave us goosebumps!

 

It was PERFECT!

The property has trees everywhere, a pond, a spring fed creek winding through, beautiful wildflowers and wildlife. We were sold!

Only one problem, we had to sell our house, pack, and move in less than 2 months. Well, we sold our house in a week, I was packing like a maniac, trying to finish up our homeschooling for the year, all while my husband was being moved to a new community and therefore, couldn't take time off...UGH....double UGH!

But, we made it!

It was bitter sweet leaving our home of over 10 years, but we were ready for our new beginning in the country. I had us moved in on a Saturday, unpacked, pictures hung and settled by that following Tuesday afternoon. But, I couldn't have done it without my sister Heather helping me unpack all day that Sunday, and my boys taking load after load of broken down boxes, and stuff for storage to the barn. We have been here enjoying country life for almost a month.

Yes, Miss Bonnie, (on the left), and Mr. Darby,(on the right), love it as much as we do! Getting used to seeing cows and a donkey...well, that may take time, Ha!

{We have plenty of space in the backyard, but I had to put the chaise and coffee table I built, out front under these two trees. I actually use it a lot. The shade is perfect and being up on the little hill, it gets the most perfect afternoon breezes.}

We bought some Charolais heifers, ie. female cows, and one "Jenny", otherwise known as a female donkey.

 

I am somewhat new to all these terms. It's funny how quickly it became part of my everyday vernacular.

We named our donkey Daisy, and she watches over the herd and loves my boys...and the treats they give her doesn't hurt the bond between them. We couldn't believe when she got delivered, having been bought sight unseen, that she was white in color like our cows and incidentally our dogs too! Funny how life works out, I have monochromatic animals, with the exception of our cat, Miss Scarlett our tiger cat. My husband jokes that I was trying to decorate the outside too, LOL! We may be crazy, but not nuts, Ha!

 

Life is more quiet, and moves at a much easier pace. We know it will take lots of work to get this place back up to speed. The property was owned by one family for over 150 years. The family built a "new" house in the 80's. It really is in great shape, and the 90 year old owner had put in granite in the kitchen and master bath to update it. She is just amazing...I'm not convinced it's not something in the water around here...everyone looks and acts MUCH younger than their age. Maybe it's true what they say about country living...or I just need to drink out of the creek... that was my friend Marla's idea!

 

We are trying to get used to a new way of life, new responsibilities, and the fabulous morning view has been a dream! I will post pictures of our new RANCH soon...I was out voted on using the term "Farm". We drove up to the Ranch after we had purchased it, and the hill was covered in purple thistles, large and small. Glen and I were married at Thistle Hill in Fort Worth...I literally about cried. To me, it was just one more sign that this place was meant to be ours. So we named it Thistle Hill Ranch.

 

So Welcome to Thistle Hill Ranch! We will be raising Charolais cattle, 2 boys, a donkey, 2 Westies, eventually some horses, and (not necessarily in that order), and hopefully in the next year or so, building our dream farmhouse.

I hope you check back, to see updates on improvements to the ranch, (inside and out), ranch shenanigans, and balancing it all while homeschooling. Our Thistle Hill Ranch website is still in its developmental stage, but there, it will have our cattle information.

 

Happy 1st Day of Summer and Stop by Thistle Hill Ranch Again Soon!

 

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Farmhouse Love!

I am in love with farmhouses. They come in so many shapes and sizes. To me, they have personalities, that evoke emotion. They can be calming, nostalgic, adventurous, and charming!

When I picture farm living I have a few things that come to mind...

 

1. John Denver singing, anything from his greatest hit album..."life on the farm is kinda laid back.."

2. The fact that I know people might think we would look a little out of place...

 

3. But, I know something a lot of people don't know...we will really look like this...

 

 

So, if we get our wish to some day live life on the farm, here are some of my favorite farmhouse exterior and interior designs.

 

It's no secret how much I love older homes, and the character the have. This has the symmetry I love and character. I think it would look great on farm land.

This home has the stone and wood exterior, that gives it the look of character that has evolved over time.

I love this home because, I'm a huge fan of cupolas and lookouts! I love the corbels under the roof line, and the wrap around porch, is just perfection.

This is just simple and charming.

I would love this house if it had a screened in porch on the back...maybe it does! It's just classic, simple, and elegant all at the same time.

This room is a HUGE want, because of the openness and light filled room.

I had to add the "signage"...it's just too cute!

Now.............Cue the angel singing...."Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

 

This is my FAVORITE!!!

I know it's not what most would consider a traditional farmhouse, but I'm anything but traditional. I found out recently, that I had pinned almost all of the rooms in this home and had no idea it was all from the same house!

The architect is Group 3 from Hilton Head, South Carolina. This home was featured as a Southern Living house plan. They did such a beautiful job with this home. It is a modern home, with character of a historic home. It's ME to a tee!

 

Huge front porch with great stairs, metal roof, and could it be?....a screen door? Oh yes! It's the house for me!

Screened in back porch with a fireplace. Holy wow!

This is the entrance hall...I actually used this picture, as inspiration many years ago for a kitchen redo.

I found the hutch on Craigslist in the homeowners area, and she already owned the sideboard.

Again, is just so funny how much I loved this home and only new of the rooms...so neat they are all from the SAME house!

 

Isn't this kitchen just breathtaking? The two story ceiling, the Bermuda shutters on the windows for shade and yet, so much light!

Seriously? Could this Subzero 700 series refrigerator be any more perfect?

 

This breakfast room with banquet, is what on the plans is labeled "office". It is behind the sink in the kitchen, which is the window you see. I wouldn't change a thing!

 

 

The screened porch looking into what on the plans says breakfast nook, but the designer turned into a sitting room....it's perfect!

So now, I need to find a farm...PLEASE!!

* all of these pictures are from my Pinterest page Farmhouse Love.

 

Have a great week! And Happy Farm Dreamin' Y'all!!!

 

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A Dash of Spring & St. Patrick's Day Decor

 

Every year, I do just a little bit for St. Patrick's Day, while trying to start bring in some splashes of Spring. This is our breakfast table, with our leprechaun and touches of green.

I switched out the urns full of pinecones and winter sprigs for a white beverage container filled with faux carnations. I'm not sure the exact reason why, but they make me so happy.

Here is a different angle of the dining room.

The table by our staircase, I love using greenery from the yard, or in this case, these were greenery from my valentine rose bouquet. They last and last...I just keep changing the water and trim a little off the stems in between.

The entrance table I keep simple with more greenery, and added for St. Patrick's Day, a little shamrock candy dish for Spring treats.

 

I'm getting excited about getting all my Easter decorations out...so check back soon, for more Spring decor.

 

Happy Spring Decorating!

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Whirlwind Week Recap ~

The last week was so jammed with "STUFF", I had no time to breathe!

This was extremely evident by the 5 loads of laundry I finished on Thursday night....WOW!

Do you ever have those weeks where someone asks, "What have you been up to?", and you really have no clue...but, you know it was busy? I start to feel like I have memory loss, when people ask me and I can't remember...but I know it was busy!

Then, I sit down and realize what ALL I did, and get tired thinking about it.

So, what did we do?

Here is my very random post of events!

Preston will die if he finds out I posted this picture...

Preston, poor guy, had 4 teeth pulled, to make room in his mouth. Here is the AFTER. Less than thrilled!

 

Then, we had more ice! It looked like it wasn't going to be a major event, but ended up shutting things down for a day and a half! This was it, just beginning...

 

During the cold, I had a moment where I saw Preston in his flannel, and it reminded me of a picture I had of my Dad in college. As they get older, I think the both look so much like my Dad.

 

 

Sometimes making time for grocery shopping feels like a huge chore....albeit necessary!

While out doing errands yesterday; after going to the math tutor, schooling, and golf lessons, we made a quick stop for groceries at my favorite store Central Market. As we were quickly maneuvering the aisles, we were stopped and asked if we homeschooled by one of the vendors.

{ I guess it's a dead giveaway, when your out-and-about, before schools out for the day.}

Turns out he and his wife also homeschool! We shared stories of how much we both love homeschooling our kids, and that was all while my boys were falling in love with their Happy Tomato salsa.

So a big shout out to Happy Tomato Fresh Salsa! As you can see, it's going fast! It's only been 1 day...

 

Finally, I'm sharing a few pictures of my pets. Sometimes in the hustle & bustle of the day, it's nice for me to just stop. And watching these crazy characters, keeps me smiling!

While the boys were busy with their school work, I was catching up on lesson planning and emails. Then, I looked over and saw all of this going on in plain sight...yet, oh so covert!

Scarlett our cat, acts like she hates Bonnie chasing her, yet....she taunts her!

Bonnie is trying DESPERATELY, to ignore the urge to chase her!

Scarlett hides from her...in obvious places.

 

And yet, both dogs know they aren't allowed to chase her...while Mom's around...so they watch...and WAIT!

 

It's hard to ever get mad with these cute faces staring back at you! Darby is the Yin to Bonnie's Yang. They are really so sweet together.

Darby could care less what Scarlett does...Bonnie is obsessed!

Thank you for letting me ramble off my crazy, not so important week.

Now back to more laundry...does it ever end?

 

Have a GREAT weekend!

 

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Throwback Thursday:Hawaiian Heritage

On this a Throwback Thursday, I wanted to share my Hawaiian family heritage.

My grandfather encouraged me and the rest of the family, to register with OHA, the ( Office of Hawaiian Affairs). There has been a movement to register all native Hawaiians. It is a race of very few; yet what it lacks in number, is rich in culture and pride.

I was so proud to register me and my boys. I wanted them and their children to have a legal legacy of Hawaiian lineage to follow.

So for Throwback Thursday, I wanted to share a few pictures of my Hawaiian family.

On the far left, my Great Grandpa, William Douglas Freeth, (part Hawaiian), on the beach with friends with a lei on...so precious!

Left to right: My Great Grandpa Freeth, Great Grandmother "Tutu Freeth" (Hawaiian, Chinese, Caucasian), my Dad, my Grandmother "Tutu Freeth-Borthwick" , my Grandpa Borthwick, my Auntie Karen, and my Uncle Dougie.

My 4th Great Grandfather Captain Sam Nowlein, of Queen Lilioukalani's Guard, (Hawaiian).

My Tutu Freeth-Borthwick, dancing the hula.

My Great Grandmother, Tutu Freeth, placing a lei on Eleanor Roosevelt.

My darling Dad...little Hapa Hawaiian boy!

My Great Great Grandmother May Freeth.

My Tutu Freeth's brothers. They were born in Japan, while their father was there on a work assignment. They too are Hawaiian, Chinese, and Caucasian. I love the mandarin collared shirts.

The beautiful gate at the Royal Hawaiian Cemetery on Oahu.

My card showing I'm officially a registered Hawaiian!

The faces of Hawaii today are so diverse. We are very proud to be Hawaiian! I was even more proud to show them their Hawaiian heritage and history, this last Fall. (Duke Kahanamoku statue in Waikiki, our cousin by marriage.)

Aloha & Happy Throwback Thursday!

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