In the more than a decade that Charlie and I have been married, we have always dreamed about having a farm with lots of rolling hills and having our children grow up in the country.
It's not that we lived in a metropolis. We actually lived in a small town, that most people would say is in a rural area. But it's pretty uptown for us. Charlie grew up on a 120-acre vegetable farm 30 minutes from the nearest town. And I grew up in a rural area, a 15-minute drive from a town or a grocery store. We know rural. So to live in a town where Wal-mart is only 2 miles away, and that's the farthest thing from us in this town, is more convenience and big city than we've ever known. All the best restaurants are within walking distance as are the best shops, including more than one chocolate or fudge shoppe.
Now, the kids will grow up in the country, Lord willing.
Years ago, as I would drive by plots of beautiful acreage, the thought would cross my mind, "I own the cattle on a thousand hills," which is the Lord speaking to David in Psalm 50, though I didn't know the scripture address until recently. But, the scripture always came to mind, and I didn't really know why. It always spoke a personal message that God cares about our dreams, as there are some He stores up in our hearts. Honestly, Charlie and I never expected to afford this dream until after our kids were grown.
But, the Lord made a way for it to happen, sooner than later.
We always thought we would start out with 100 or more acres, and I thought it would to take at least that to have a thousand hills :-). But the auction we found was 23 acres. When we first drove by it, I was a little disappointed- it was all one hill. But we parked and hiked up the hill to where on old house and an old barn, both dilapidated, still stood.
And that's when I felt like I could breathe- for the first time in months. There was the view- of a thousand hills (no I didn't actually count them!). And all the amenities we had listed in our dream place- a creek, a pond, a beautiful home site, three barns, trees and a view.
Something to note about Charlie: he's not a super confident decision maker. So, when he's got a feeling about something, I'm on board. The only other time I know that he had a strong feeling and acted on it, was with me when he proposed...and well, I like how that turned out.
For this property, he found a random auction poster at a bank and had that feeling. When we drove by and then later, walked to the top of the hill, he still had that feeling. He did all the leg work to find out what we needed to get the financial backing for a soon coming auction, and he still had that feeling. I didn't, but he did, so I went with it.
One of Charlie's favorite bands is Third Day, and they have a song called, "These Thousand Hills." One line in it I particularly like says, "the footprints of a Father's love."
We won the auction! (You guessed that already, eh?) There were two separate tracts and we went to the auction hoping to get one tract for what we ended up paying for both together.
I really can't remember if it was that day or within the next few days, I mentioned a name for the farm and he liked. It was easier than naming any of our three kids...
Thousand Hills Farm is now home. And, that's what this blog is about...the farm, the boys, the photography...
so, welcome...stay awhile...and please, enjoy yourself!
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BE. STILL. MY. HEART.!!! Amazing and lovely and so very special!!
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Thank you so much! Thanks for stopping by Beth!
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Gorgeous overload…the boys, the blankets, the photography, the landscape, the frolicking black dog, the blue clothesline…such vibrancy. Thanks for investing the time to enable others to enjoy this. Simply…Wow!
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Linda, thank you! The frolicking black dog belongs to our neighbor, but I’m not sure he knows that
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I was visiting The Mason-Dixon Knitting blog this morning and those temptresses sent me here to check out the trio of log cabin blankets. All I can say is, WOW. These are absolutely exquisite. The photography is marvelous. And the boys themselves are a combination of exquisite and marvelous. What a wonderfully colourful way to start the day.
I have been labouring on the Mitered Cross blanket, which I am enjoying but am only past the halfway mark (I blame my hubby, who wanted a larger blanket). Assuming I manage to finish said blanket, I think that a log cabin might be next in my future. Am in the early stages of a high risk pregnancy. If I make it through the first trimester, I will celebrate by making a blanket for the little one.
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I love your pictures of all you do. You are so talented
and cleaver.
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thank you so much Faye! We miss you!
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Alison, thanks so much for stopping by and for your wonderful words. All the best on your pregnancy and your future log cabin blanket…shew…you’ve got me in tears! -Liz
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Beautiful!
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Thank you Ann for stopping by!
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I’m just about to finish my own log cabin effort – onto the last strip, then the borders this weekend. My kids love it (currently debating ownership rights…). I love the olours in your three blankets.
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boys and log cabin blankets
I’ve got those too
Just lovely!
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I too came here from the M-D Knitting blog. Love the boys and blankets so beautifully captured. Thanks.
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Your shot of your baby wearing his blanket on his head is about the most precious photo I’ve seen all week. Lovely photography, awesome knitting and beautiful children. Happy March 1.
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Thank you! I promise it was a warm New Year’s Day…
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Thanks for stopping by!
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Thank you for providing my Awwwww…. moment of the day!
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Love the pictures…especially tristan all wrapped up!
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your pictures just made me gasp with how cute they are…so much fun, you can’t help but smile…just lovely (both the knitting and the rest of the subjects!!!)
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As always, I am in awe of your talent. Thank you for making my knitting look much better than it really is. And your sources are correct – I just absolutely love my photobook!
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Incredibly beautiful… the knitting… the photos… everything!
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Oh my goodness, those blankets and babies are stunning! What a treat.
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From another set of hills (in the Ozarks):
So beautiful! Thank you for sharing your stunning photos!
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Thanks for stopping by, Ted! I enjoyed perusing your blog as well!
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I found this blog whilst looking for information on Log Cabins however after looking at the pictures, some real nice photos here…you cant beat a nice colourful knitted piece of clothing!
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