First of all I want to thank so many of you that left me the sweetest comments and sent me the most amazing emails!!
As women it is so easy for us to relate to one another.
We don't have to be going through it to feel so deeply for another that is!
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I grew up in rural Illinois.
My parents and brother still live there.
My parent's farm has to be my children's most special place on earth.
It is not hard to imagine why….land, tractors, a dog named Lizzy, trees to climb and places to explore.
As much as I love Colorado…Illinois will always be home.
I love the green, rolling hills, trees and the stunning fall.
I also love all the cornfields, cows and old barns.
I always dream of moving back near my parents and buying our own farmhouse.
I have to admit that there is one specific house that has my heart.
I can imagine my children running all over the land, planting a huge garden, having chickens and probably a few other animals and then holding a yearly sale in one of my barns.
Can't you picture it???
I have also been blessed enough to get to know the owner a little.
She loves this farm and she has so many animals on the land that she rescued and loves dearly.
The owner and I are hoping that my husband gets an amazing job offer and we get to buy her land.
If we are supposed to move I know…I KNOW…that it will work out.
But until I get to have my farmhouse in Illinois I may have to settle for my own chicken coop in the backyard.
If any of my neighbors are reading this…I PROMISE I will give you free eggs:-)
Within minutes of reading Heather's post the other day I was not only quickly writing Heather asking to borrow her photos…I was emailing my sister (because we are both obsessed with wanting chickens) and then emailed my husband in DC and told him I would be his love slave if he built me one!
Have you lost all respect for me???
I don't even care…I need me a chicken coop and chickens.
Preferably a chicken coop that looks as amazing as the one Heather's handy husband built!
Come on…there HAS to be another woman out there that would make the same deal.
Anyone?
Anyone?
Now I am just embarrassed……..
Buy that house! be my neighbor! My mom drove by it the other day. 🙂
Oh, I have a friend who has a chicken. Just one. She keeps the yard clear of weeds and keeps bugs off the vegetable garden. I think I might want a chicken of my own someday. Or maybe two. 🙂
what are the odds I’d get one that lays golden eggs? Then I could buy you that house myself!
Jeanna, Oh yes I would be a love slave for a coop anyday!!
I have a friend here in town with a coop fit for Martha Stewarts Chickens, in fact she has 4 of hers and you can mail order from Martha and they will be delivered to you.
Her coop is made with simple posts in the ground with fencing also a pomegranate tree growing in the coop, the best part of all is her rustic China hutch top that she restyled for its laying coop, it is so wonderfully chic and shabby.
I painted a sign for her to hang outside there gate that simply says “French Hens” they love it (chickens) and she loves it as well,(my Friend Judy)
Yep I am getting Chickens as well, Some day.
Dore
Jeanne .. I am praying that it all works out and that wonderful house and land are yours. It is beautiful!!
I too want chickens .. what is it about chickens? 🙂 That coup is adorable and any chick would be honored to call it home. 🙂
May all your dreams come true my friend!!
Love and Hugs xoxoxo
Delyne
I love that you said, “…one of my barns,” rather than “the barns.” I like to use the phrase, “In the dreamy future…” in regard to projects I plan for “someday.” The house and the coop are stunning. When I saw Heather’s post the other day I instantly sent the link onto my best friend who was recently blessed with some chicks of her own…and a handy husband (of almost 16yrs).
Miracles do happen!
: )
Julie M.
I saved the link to that dreamy coop the nanosecond I spotted it. As for you and your IL revelation…let’s just say I’m crossing my toes. IL and IN are best friends, you know…
Jeanne, you are SO cute…i have so many things that need done around my house…i never thought of using the love slave angle to get hubby motivated…LOL…thanks for the tip…hee hee
your illinois farmhouse is gorgeous…i hope it is yours one day…
sounds like a great bargain on k’s part!!!=) and you’re both happy!=) that coop is lovely…a LOVELY chicken coop!??? i never thought i would put those words together.=) your illinois dream is a good one! i wish i could see the insides of those barns; they look so awesome!
My husband and I were JUST discussing this morning having chickens again! And a wonderful large chicken coop in the backyard… if not just for the eggs, but for the children to enjoy!
And I know what you mean about Illinois… despite being a native New Englander and now living on Cape Cod, I lived for three years in southern rural Illinois and fell in love with it! It still holds a special place in my heart.
Yes, I’d do it, too – but only if he threw in a small bunny hutch, too! :o) Sadly though, I’m afraid the HOA here in our neighborhood wouldn’t understand! B.
That house is beautiful and so is the chicken coop. Guess I am kind of a city girl at heart because I cannot fathom having chickens — though I would like the fresh eggs! Hope you have a great day! Hold on to those dreams! 🙂
It’s good to have dreams…hoping this one of yours comes true:) Who wouldn’t love a farmhouse like that?!
Now that chicken coop is just darling…as is your dream house. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you sweetie. It’s just postcard perfect:)
I can identify with it all, Jeanne! For many years I wanted to move back home. I never dreamed that it would work out like it did but two years ago we moved into my parent’s place and are buying it. Last year I was finally able to get my chickens and I LOVE them. Here’s a picture of their house when it was new…just a cute little house…
http://tinkerverve.wordpress.com/2009/05/02/getting-ready-for-the-girls/
It’s even more fun now that it is a bit ‘seasoned’! Never stop dreaming!
oh.my. why can’t my farm have barns like that?!? sigh…sending farm blessings your way :0)
i saw heather’s post the other day and immediately said to my husband why in the world doesn’t our coop look like that?? maybe i better throw the *love slave* thing at him ;0)
It’s so funny how parallel our lives are. I, too, have been trying to coax my husband into a chicken coop. I have not resorted to the love slave thing…YET (although, really I think that just benefits us in the long run as well. Men can be very short sighted.) This coop is adorable, much cuter than the ones I’ve been looking at. Two of my sisters have chickens and they love them! I WANT SOME! I’m hoping by easter, we’ll see.
I have never been to Illinois. It’s looks beautiful, when it’s green. But you know me and snow. I don’t ever want to live in it again!
I love farm houses!!! When I saw that Chicken Coop on Heather’s blog, I said to my boyfriend, I NEED A CHICKEN COOP!!!!!
He said he would build me one this summer! 🙂
It makes sense to me, Jeanne. You an an Illinois girl. My two sil’s live in Colorado but they are still South Dakota girls, like me. I grew up with roosters waking me in Mitchell, South Dakota…so I don’t realy want a coop!!!
Yes I already tried, as soon as my husband came home monday I showed him Heather’s gorgeous chicken coop and he replied “NO WAY!!” I have been asking for awhile and I thought maybe, just maybe seeing how beautiful their chicken coop came out he might change his mind. 🙁
Oh my gosh Jeanne!!!! As I started to read this post I immediately thought about Heather’s chicken coup and was going to tell you all about it. I should have known you had seen it too:) I was going to do a post about it too!!! I LOVE it! I was thinking about making a similar deal with my hubby for one;)
So glad you are ok, Jeanne. What a scary thing to go through. I turned 39 this year and am now the age my father was when he died from cancer, so your story was very poignant. Take care!
I don’t think I’d make that deal for a chicken coop but I’m sure there’s something out there… 🙂
I love the farmhouse. It’s beautiful. And all that land? It would be so much fun to raise kids there and for them to grow up in. I love it. Crossing my fingers for you.
I did the same thing Jeanne! If that is your parents house I can definitely visiting with you one day! That makes my house look like a shed behind a tenement and my garden a patio deck! Yowza! tell your mom I am an only hour away, I am bringing dinner and moving in. She loves kids, right?
I am with you……….As soon as I saw Heather’s pictures I thought wouldn’t it be awesome to have chickens in the backyard and a coop that looks just like hers……..I know I am just dreaming because my neighbors would kick me out of this development. We can’t even have garage sales much less a bunch of chickens….but it would be so much fun. Oh well I can just dream about it and look at your pictures when you get one. Thanks for the scoop on the coop
Isn’t that the most gorgeous coop you’ve ever seen…ours is much more “farmy”…but love it all the same…and having chickens…is the b.e.s.t.
Well, I have wanted chickens in the past too… but then I had some chicks in my home for a weekend. And now I don’t really need to try that out anymore…. I’m good, so you just enjoy them for us. 🙂
You now have to tell us the story! What happened?
To: jeanneoli@hotmail.com
Jen, this is not my parents home…this is the farmhouse that is for sale in their area that I have had my eye on.
To: jeanneoli@hotmail.com
i think i am already a love slave….i gave it up for nothing! HA HA HA
no chicken coop or anything.
i think i should have used some leverage or something!
crap.
I will be laughing about this all night!!! Fool!!!!
To: jeanneoli@hotmail.com
Yep, me too. I buy all the books, my sister has had lot’s of chickens. She call’s them her girls! I do live in a field, my house has farms around it. But I do want some girls! One day.
Hi Jeanne!
First off.. I don’t know how I missed your post the other day but right now, I have tears streaming down my face. I went through something very similar a few years ago. I think what struck me most about your post was the ending.. knowing that there was a woman in that waiting room who did not get the same news we were blessed with. Her face is still etched in my memory. I pray for her every day and I don’t even know her name. I am so thankful that you are okay. Hugs to you!
On a lighter note… We are getting chickens in a few weeks and when I saw Heather’s post the other day, I immediately showed it to my husband. I made the same deal you did.. he says he’ll try and I say.. no deal until it’s done!:-))))
Take care of YOU!
hugs,
Melanie
Jeanne, the house is beautiful and I am with you – if it is meant to be, it will happen. I adore my chickens as well as the eggs they provide. My husband is wonderful about my love of adding new family members, but often there is a trade involved… 😉
xx
That house is a dream!! Keep me posted!!
Rolane
The Vintage Barn
I think the farmhouse is perfect for you!
I want a chicken coop, too! I love what Heather’s husband built for her. Lucky chicks!
You go get you some coop Jeanne!! And that farmhouse!!
Oh,my–I saw the same post and freaked out sending that same darn image to my hub!!
There’s something about owning chickens that makes a house a home…that and healthy eggs…chickens for me is a metaphor for slowing down and roaming around the yard with the fam.
I can totally see you in that beyond gorgeous farm house. Ya know, it could be built in CO…bet ya could…? You bloom where you’re planted, friend and that house can be anywhere 😉
oxox
Lara
Well, Jeanne, you have really set yourself up this time…what are you going to do after the “shaving above the knee” episode? LOL
what a beautiful farm that is. there are beautiful rolling hills up there by your parents. not down here my me. my son’s friend calls us flatlanders. i think a chicken coop is a wonderful idea!!!
Hey, there are a few things I would make a “love slave” deal for too!
That chicken coop is so cute, but does it get chicken stuff all over it and not stay pearly white?? ha Oh, that farmhouse is beautiful. I grew up as a country girl (no chickens though) and now live in town and miss the country life. Just thinking about roaming the land and the woods and the tree swing etc… puts me in a very peaceful and serene state of mind.
Oh YES! I would do much for a gorgeous chicken coop like Heather’s and some chickens. I know our city just started giving permits, but I think they are limited, and I think our HOA does not allow them. Maybe I need to petition to change that. I also grew up in Illinois and most of my family is there. I love Colorado too, but sure miss the trees and hills. But I DO love the sunshine and DO NOT miss the humidity!
I love it when people appreciate the country (agriculture) life, and all that goes with it!! I use to feel like an outcast because of how much I love being a farmgirl. Not to mention having 3 agriculture degrees.
And that chicken coop is too cool. I wonder how long it will stay that nice. Raising chickens for a few years while growing up, I know how not pretty chickens can be. But I bet a good power-washing can get it shining again.
Wow that is some coup! Nicer than my apartment, I think! 😉
Love your dreams of owning that land and having a farm….I dream of living on a small ranch someday! Dreams are wonderful things and they can come true. Don’t give up!
Mr. we are not having anymore pets will not give into me and let me have the chickens I so desperately want- not even if I said I’d be his love slave!!!!!!
Don’t be embaresses Jeanne I would be a love slave for the chicken coop its devine he would have to pay some one to build it though as his DIY is terrible (hee) shhhhhh don’t say any thing, & that house is the best I would be anything he wanted be to be to get that hee hee.
Our new farmhouse comes with a chicken coop. It’s not shiny and pretty like Heather’s though! And I don’t think we’ll actually use it.
We’ll see…
you are funn-y!! Also, I have a torn out page from a long, long ago Victoria of Bunny Williams Chicken/Dove House-also very lovely. I have hopes getting one sometime!!
& my husband read your post on facebook and dashed upstairs to show me {the anxious heart post} and I was so thankful you’re ok.
hugs,
k
I had chickens when we lived in Maine and I would have them again in a heartbeat if we didn’t live right smack in the center of town. I love chicks! That coop is fancier than my house. Love it!!! I’d consider moving in.
And that house – to die for…I’d be praying really hard. 😉
-FringeGirl
I featured your lovely Ruffle Tote on my blog – Love it!
http://moosette.blogspot.com/2010/03/friday-favorites.html
Also – Love your blog… must add it to my daily list!
What a wonderful dream! I would love a man that would build a chicken house (this is way to beautious to be called a chicken coop). I would certainly be his love slave, no question. A MAN that can build something like that has to be an amazing man. And you want a farm??? Wow girl, I say if you are going to dream you might as well go all the way…….
i saw her post and i showed my kids. i checked out the links and everything. would be fun! i didn’t mention it to my husband yet. i’m still working on the garden beds 🙂
have a nice week. susan
The chicken coop is perfect…I hope your hubby doesn’t pass up your offer – which really, how could he 🙂
I am a Southern California girl who dreams about farms, land, barns & animals, however I don’t think I would ever have the courage to get up and move to a state that offered such wide open living and to leave my safety zone and family behind.
hey jeanne, i get it! my chickys are coming in about 10 days! i hadn’t thought about it until recently – and were starting a vegtable garden! guess with the kiddos almost grown were feeling the need to nurture. stay tuned for my posts – soon! and coop design, have you seen all the chandeliered, wallpapered adorable coops out there! heathers is amazing!
xo heidi
that is truly, the most amazing chicken house I have ever laid my eyes on (pun intended)
when you have over 30, the coop doesn’t really stay all “cute” if you kwim……
and you aren’t the only one wanting chickens in the city……I have been approached my a few ladies on how to do this…..
it is under city regulations (in most cases) that you can have under 10 hens….but the roosters are a different story –
I cannot wait for you to get them, and we can see all your cute chickie pictures
(sorry for the ramble)
I can so see you there…love it…everything would be just beautiful!!! And I’ve think we all have tried to make deals like that, right?
That is a beautiful coop. You should read my post for today…
Hi Jeanne, I just became a ‘chicken momma’ yesterday myself. I went to buy my husband something for his horses at the feed store yesterday and ended up bringing home baby chicks. I’m so excited to keep chickens again.
I saw Heather’s coop the other day and fell in love with it too.
wow. that is the most amazing coop i’ve ever seen! it for sure is worth a life of love slavery 🙂
We JUST bought some baby chicks 🙂 They are ADORABLE! We are lucky enough to raise them until they are grown and then they will go to live on my aunt’s farm.