I don’t know what it is about country roads.
Small, two lane roads that stretch out
forever, with abundant farmlands
hugging each side.
As a Country girl, these roads have
special meaning to me.
Roads such as these lead me home.
My home was on a farm.
My sweet Mama and Daddy
who are blessedly still with me, live in
the same home where myself and my three
siblings were raised.
The Family Farmhouse.
So, it is no surprise to know that whenever
I drive along these country roads and
see old, abandoned farmhouses… my heart breaks.
Simple, wooden structures with crumbling roofs
and boarded up windows.
I have to wonder what made a family
decide that this home was no longer
where they would call home.
I’m sure it was a desire for updated electrical
fixtures that did not blink, plumbing and water that
did not involve a hand pump… and floors which
were warmly carpeted instead of
creaking, cold, wood floorboards.
I want to share with you “my farmhouse.”
No, I don’t own it.
I have no idea who does.
But, I drive by it often and just sit there,
on the side of the Country two-lane road…
A small part of my heart aches for this
forlorn, wooden structure.
I can’t help but wonder if the soul of this
beautiful, old home does not long for the
laughter of children and the smells of
country home cooking within its walls.
Does it ache for the sound of the screen door
slamming closed, and the feel of wooden
rockers on its front porch?
I especially love the back porch of
“my farmhouse.”
Oh, I know what you are thinking.
What is there to love but junk and debris?
But, you see. I have loved this old house
since I was about 10 years old when my
Daddy farmed this land.
I remember when a family actually lived here.
When a garden grew outside the
Summer Kitchen door…
I remember the old smoke house which has
since fallen down.
I remember playing with the children who
lived there, and the homemade jam
the wife would give us at the end of
the farm season.
I remember when this house was loved.
Maybe one day, someone who appreciates
this beautiful old home will feel the same
way I do… and restore it to its
Farmhouse Splendor.
I won’t lie, I wish it could be me. 🙁
I also had to share the beautiful crop of
sorghum that is growing all around my
farmhouse. Sorghum is used to create
molasses and is also used in flour.
The seeds are referred to as millet.
Yes, as in birdseed.
During the Summer, these beautiful
amber stems are a soft, pale green.
The Summer sun bakes the blossoms to
the golden brown you see here.
Aside from cotton and corn, it is one of
my favorite fall crops.
(I can’t help it I am Southern through and through) 🙂
I cut a handful of these stems a few days ago
to use in a Fall Arrangement.
I have the perfect containers, too.
These are my new buckets which are now
available through my online shop “…details!”
Don’t you just love their vintage “aweshum-ness?”
They are part of my new
“American Farmhouse Collection.”
You can see these Rusty Buckets here.
I have mums, millet, burlap and pumpkins.
I can’t wait for you to see the beautiful
Fall Vignette I have in store.
Stay tuned on Monday.
Happy Weekend, my Friends.
xxoo
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says
Oh, those old boarded up farm houses. I hate seeing them abandoned. The one you love has a lot of junk outside. It looks like someone lives there. Cute buckets.
View CommentNanaDiana says
I do love the vintage aweshum-ness!
I also love that old farmhouse. I hate to see them fall into disrepair like that. It happened to my own old farmhouse when my mother passed away. My brother had married and moved away from the farm and I lived 800 miles from home. I always thought it would be fun to reclaim it someday…but a fire claimed it first. It may have ravaged the building and turned it to ash but the fire of memories still burns brightly.
Blessings to you- what a wonderful post- xo Diana
View Commentmarty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
Oh I love old farmhouses too and when I see one I am always intrigued. How sad to see yours going to decay. Great post with such sweet memories. Hugs, marty
View CommentSharing Shadymont says
Barbara,
These old homes remind me of those we see on our way to our lake house at Lake Seminole (Donalsonville, GA), the most southwestern county in GA. There are huge farms there, and I often see sorghum growing on the side of the roadways. Enjoyed your post.
View CommentConnie says
You can always tell a country girl..the love of time and place shows through. I have shared these feelings so often when passing an old home site and wished that the walls could tell me the tales of the those who lived and loved there. In the spring when old roses and daffodils bloom I wonder about the hands that planted and cared for them. Thanks for sharing this post. I could relate to it so well.
View CommentSandy says
Barb, Love the old farmhouse, reminds me of pictures of this house before the previous owners did the repairs. I love sitting here and just wondering what these walls could tell me if they talked.
View CommentSandy
Sheri says
Lovely pictures and story. Oh how the country roads lead me home… It too saddens me to see abandoned homes.
View CommentStephanie says
I have the same soft spot for old abandoned homes. I think I was about 10, too, when this house that had long been abandoned was scheduled to be torn down. I was so devastated. I begged my mom to let me take a board from the rubble to keep. I still think of that house every time I drive by where it once stood.
View CommentElizabeth says
I share your love for country roads and old farm houses!
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