Be It Ever So Humble, There’s No Place Like Home

October 26, 2011

The old farmhouse where I grew up

Farmhouse and barn from the meadow

I have just returned from a trip to my childhood home and farm where I stayed with my 92-year-old Dad who still lives there.  I know that I am among the few 57-year-olds who can still make a statement like that.  I am very aware that each return is one of a finite number of remaining stays in the house of my childhood memories.  Two of my brothers now own the farm land and buildings, and the long-term plan is to eventually tear down the old farmhouse and build a new home on the property.

Sidewalk to the front door

View of the fields from the garden and crab apple tree

Birdhouse near the garden

View out the barn door

The old, square, wood-framed farmhouse is nothing special architecturally or design-wise.  You could definitely call it humble.  On this visit, I made sure to photograph some of its rooms, which have changed little over the decades.

“Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.”
– John Howard Payne

Living room

Living room window

Dining room (We actually eat in the kitchen -- the "dining" room is our T.V. room)

Farmhouse kitchen

Dad's first-floor bedroom

13 Responses to “Be It Ever So Humble, There’s No Place Like Home”

  1. garden2day Says:

    I am so glad you got to return and post these photos. You are so blessed. This takes me back to my home in the country. I’m sad that the house will be torn down. I am sure you have so many memories of this house and farm. Thanks for bringing me along.

  2. sandy bessingpas Says:

    Wow Rosemary-those pictures are great and a keepsake for all of your siblings-some good memories were made on that farm and the pictures capture the idilic childhood we all enjoyed.

  3. Roberta Says:

    Looks like a very special place!

  4. Gretchen Says:

    Thank you Rosemary! I sent the pics to Dad as well. What Rosemary didn’t say is not only did she grow up there, but her dad did as well! (Her dad is my uncle) That makes this especially awesome.

    • Rosemary Says:

      Good to hear from you, Gretchen! I’ll be doing posts from my Minnesota trip for the next week or ten days, so please do check back. They might trigger more memories for you. And hi to Uncle F and Aunt H, too!

  5. Heidi Says:

    Awesome pictures Rosemary! It sure brought back memories for me as well! I love that farmhouse and the land it sits on is just so beautiful. Thanks for sharing

  6. Cynthi Giesen Hrabe Says:

    I love this Rosemary!! Your photos and watercolors are BEAUTIFUL!! What talent!! Also, it was great to see you and Audrey. Hope your visit and time with your family was wonderful!! Take care.

  7. uncle frank Says:

    Yes, Rosemary——–and I was BORN in that house, as was your Dad—-the original version before it burned down. Do you remember the summer I worked for your Dad and ate with you guys on the back porch (which was your temporary kitched?)

    Memories galore! Thanks for sharing yours!

    Uncle Frank


  8. Hi Rosemary! Loved seeing those pictures….it’s been years since I was there….wonderful photos of the place, inside and out…Thanks for making them available for all of us!! sorry I missed you while you were home….also, love your blog : )
    Hugs to you,
    Dolo

    • Rosemary Says:

      I am enjoying the comments from my cousins and uncles, whom I have not talked to in a long time. Imagine, if my blog link taps into my network of relatives, my readership will soar!

  9. Sheba Says:

    I am so glad you got to return and post these photos. You are so blessed. This takes me back to my home in the country. I’m sad that the house will be torn down. I am sure you have so many memories of this house and farm. Thanks for bringing me along.
    +1

  10. Gretchen Says:

    I love reading all these! I posted the link on FB…I’m so glad many read it!! This family of ours is amazing.

    You are so talented with your watercolors, I’m in awe!

    Love, Gretchen

  11. Renee Says:

    Im sure it will be a sad day indeed for many when the old house is torn down


Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Log Out / Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. Log Out / Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out / Change )

Connecting to %s

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 111 other followers