Feels like home….
Construction anxiety….
It has been exactly one week since I returned to Tahilla Farm by way of a birthday celebration in San Francisco and our home, Chateau Mango, in Vietnam. I admitted to anyone who would listen that I was nervous about going back. Call it a case of construction anxiety but I could not help but wonder if I would drive up to Tahilla Farm...and fall flat on my face wondering what we had done.
My faith in the design and people involved with the project has never wavered but it is one thing to see photographs, chase emails and make decorating decisions via Pinterest and another to stand in front of the real deal. I felt like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz...anticipating her greeting at the gates of Emerald City, hoping her quest would be successful.
The drive from Logan...
Would it be as I hoped? The driver who picked me up from Logan Airport, Jerry, heard all about it…for two hours of rush hour traffic. I think he was just as anxious as I was by the time we arrived to Tahilla Farm. We both breathed a sigh of relief as we drove up. He glanced into the rear view mirror, I was in the back seat smiling…I am sure he thanked his lucky stars that he did not have an emotional female on his hands.
A chubby woodchuck...
He transferred my bags to my waiting chariot (Outback Subaru) and he said farewell. I turned toward the house and felt a hushed silence fall over me. I was thankful to be alone, I needed time to process what was standing before me. I looked over to the fields and spotted the blooming peonies above. I wasn't expecting to see them, having thought they were long gone in the wave of demolition last year but there they were…bursting forth with pride. I took it as a sign…a sign that was quickly thwarted when a very chubby woodchuck, the one who made mince out of my garden last summer, dashed out from under the peony bush and beelined it to the fields. I had to laugh.. a strange welcome home..but it felt right.
Up, down and around...
The house was as I had pictured in my mind and more. I climbed up, down and around and finally found a way into the house. I found some parts were as I imagined, some smaller, some larger but as a whole, it was coming together, just as we planned.
The summer rental...
Satisfied, I drove off to our summer rental, a cabin in the woods which I affectionately call my 'cabin retreat'. Stay tuned on this one, it is fab!
 |
| The Cabin Retreat |
By way of Sydney..
And so begins the summer of 2015, my third at Tahilla Farm. Although the house is not due to be completed until October, I know that each and every day will be eventful. The best so far was the arrival of my youngest son, Connor, who flew into Boston from Sydney late Saturday night. I took him along to Tahilla on Sunday morning…hoping he would feel what I feel.
Feels like…
Four words is all it took as he walked through the house "it feels like home". Week one, mother feeling pretty happy. One week down, nine to go, fingers crossed.
Happenings around Tahilla….
Week One
 |
| Mr. H will be happy with his 'Master and Commander' curves. |
 |
| Mrs H. happy to get up close and personal with her kitchen faucet. Newport Brass..even better than I hoped for. It's the little things. |
 |
| Picking a grout colour for the laundry room floor… who knew there were so many colours to choose from?? |
 |
| I got a hex thing going in all the bathrooms…love hexagon tiles. |
 |
| Decisions, decisions, where to put Mr. H's hippo and rhino tiles. Long story... |
 |
| Shades of stone for the front entrance and mudroom. Love stone..with radiant floor heating. |
 |
| Deb, a mighty marvel, builds a stone wall. |
 |
| Tahilla boulder's, red tagged for a 'contemplative' garden. |
 |
| Jeanne has a case of truck envy. |
 |
| Tahilla Farm and her rocks. |
Feels like home.
If you have any thoughts or questions please feel free to pass them on!
I love when you do!
jeannecollageoflife@gmail.com
Daily update here.
Happy Trails!
Jeanne xx
Feels like home. That is the best, best, thing.
ReplyDeleteAgree Lisa… ;)
DeleteJeanne, I am SO pleased that you feel so deep-down thrilled with your growing home. That must have been a loooong ride from Logan!
ReplyDeleteVery looong Quinn! As if the flight wasn't long enough! ;)
DeleteHow exciting Jeanne. The vision is turning into reality, piece by piece. I just know you and your family will make wonderful memories at Tahilla Farm.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the summer.
:)
Thank you Sandra…I hope you are enjoying your winter! ;)
DeleteI laughed out loud at the "truck envy". It's been too many times already that we've borrowed someone's truck to haul this or that. I went to the transfer station the other day and rode in our contractor's truck...I thought I was in a tank! Could barely see over the dash.
ReplyDeletePerfect for driving in a snow blizzard too! ;)
DeleteHi Jeanne -- so delighted all is progressing according to plan and going so well! Really looking forward to all the updates htis summer.
ReplyDeleteCeri x
Thank you Ceri…thanks for coming along for the ride. ;) xx
DeleteWelcome Home! Beautiful photos
ReplyDeleteTruck envy...lol. That might decrease a little after parking one of those monsters. But they are so much fun, especially bouncing down a dirt road.
Hexagon tiles, Yes! I loved hearing my mother's high heels taping on them when I was a little kid.
Wishing a great summer with no construction snafus!
Thank you May…I enjoyed your memoreis around hexagon tiles. I remember watching my grandfather shave, the old fashioned way, in my grandparents bathroom. They had hex tiles, my idea for them came from that memory. Funny how those things stick with us..
DeleteJeanne,
ReplyDelete"Feels like home"...that brought a tear to my eye! How wonderful that this wonderful farm that you found on the internet, and for the most part have created via the internet has become home!
IT looks fabulous so far. I was a bit anxious for you I must admit as you say seeing things on paper and via email are not the same as seeing them in person.
I hope that you have a wonderful summer in your cabin in the woods!!! I cannot wait to her more about the farm.
I cannot remember, is the barn new construction as well or was this part of the original homestead?
Hi Elizabeth, one of the barns is a new construction. The larger one, the carriage house, is on hold for future construction. ;)
DeleteIt looks great, and I'm glad you are there in time to do some of the final choosing of details in person. Also happy for time with your son. It will be nice to involve him I some of the choices.
ReplyDeleteAgree Webb…he is having fun adding his opinions into the mix. ;)
DeleteHooray! It feels like home. That must be joy to your heart. Come December, with your family gathered around, it really will! Your many choices are coming together so nicely. Our third car is a Tacoma that our boys drive. I must admit to liking trucks. Or, perhaps seeing my boys in them : )
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it Kathy…I do not see women behind the wheel of a truck very often. Not sure why…they seem so practical to me, especially in the country. ;)
DeletePretty exciting stuff, Jeanne!! Keep it coming :)
ReplyDeleteWill do Becky, thank you! ;)
DeleteWow! It's going to be amazing when done -- it's already gorgeous, and your son's comment is the best reassurance I can imagine.
ReplyDeleteThank you Frances! ;)
Delete