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Monday, July 28, 2008

I don't want all the land, just all the land that borders mine...

pecan tree

We spent the day out at the family farm with my sweet mother-in-law, (affectionately known as "LuLu" by our children) celebrating both my husband's 35th birthday as well as our son's 6th birthday today after church.

After dinner, (in some regions of the country, it's called "lunch" - however, in the South, it's known as "dinner") I took a stroll with the kids and took some photos of the family farm that has been in my husband's family for four generations. (okay, I really took a nap and then took a stroll)

county road

I haven't really shared much about the farm on my blog, and I'm not really sure why. It's rich in character and though we haven't lived on it since we married, we visit it often and store a lot of our "stuff" in the shop. (thanks, Lulu!)

Unlike Pioneer Woman, we don't work the cattle that live on our land. Actually, if you read her blog, she doesn't personally work the cattle that live on her land either. She just takes photos of the folks that work her cattle. We have our pastures leased to a man who runs his cows on them throughout the year. And also unlike Ree, I do not have a digital SLR camera, so this is as close as I get to cows I'm not familiar with. Here, I'd like you to meet a Texas Longhorn, in the flesh: (she's purdy, ain't she?)

texas longhorn

But cows aren't all we have on the farm. We have some gorgeous trees too. That tree in the first shot is one of two pecan trees that live right out back of my MIL's house and they are the trees that our oldest daughter learned her mad climbing skilz on. She also climbed on the magnolia tree (named after my husband's great grandma, "Liller Dale" - all the inanimate objects on our farm have names) which isn't blooming yet, but I love the flower buds just the same.

liller dale

Of course, I love the pear trees too. Not only are they beautiful to look at, they actually produce something that is quite tasty too. They are pretty full and will be ripe for the picking in a just a short while - anyone want to come help me?

pear tree

My daughter took this artsy little shot and wanted me to share it with everyone as well:
pears

We hope to be building our home out on the back 40 acres of the property in the next few years - I've already picked out the floor plan - it's a lodge-y looking home with a huge wrap-around porch. Absolutely gorgeous, and if it never gets built, I am going to be so mad at my husband. (oh, I kid...sort of)

Apparently trees aren't the only things growing in the yard - look at what I found in between the shop and the chicken house:

myron

That truck is a 1967 Ford short and wide pickup named "Myron". It named after a high school friend of my Father-in-law's. According to my husband, it is a classic. Manual, 5-speed transmission with a V-8 engine that is just fine for running up and down these dusty country roads. It belonged to my husband's daddy and my husband has known it all of his life and refuses to let go of it. The floorboards are rusting and the poor thing hasn't been started in at least 13 years. But some things you just don't get rid of.

Apparently this old truck is one of them. I'll admit, it's sort of grown on me over the years. Heck, Myron has just settled himself comfortably in his little spot and has grown where he was planted. Which, technically is a good thing, I suppose.

He's a reminder that we are all still useful and beautiful in our own way, no matter how old and rusted and underappreciated we may feel. I don't know that he feels anything, I'm just sayin' folks.

So there ya have it, your first tour of the old family farm. Of course, I haven't shown you the chicken house or the shop or where the barn used to be, but there's always next week. So what'd you think? Is it everything you hoped it would be? Did you even know we had a farm? Do you even care? I'm interested in these things, you know. Tell me - which photo is your favorite?

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22 comments:

Flea said...

I love Myron, and I love the artsy pear photo. I'd also love to come help you pick pears! I love pears. I love eggs, too.

Yes! I'd love to see the hen house! What was the question again?

Dorothy said...

I love the second photo, the one of the country road with the trees arching over it. Actually, I love the whole farm! No, I didn't know you had one but I wish we had a family farm too! One with pear trees, of course. Maybe I will come help pick yours!

Kim from Hiraeth said...

I enjoyed this post. I think I like the road photo and Myron best. (more because the the feelings evoked from the road and the story behind Myron) But the pears are so very artsy and the composition is wonderful. Your daughter has a good eye!

Dianne - Bunny Trails said...

Sigh. Looks like a lovely place to be. Even lovelier to live there. The stories are so much fun - naming everything, Myron's history. Great post! :D

Antique Mommy said...

Your photos are lovely and very compelling, proving great photos have more to do with the photographer than the camera. Great subject matter helps too!

mzzterry said...

Love the farm I knew you had one, read it somewhere (100 things maybe?) and of your plan to build a home there someday. It is beautiful. Love the photos, all of them. Love the pecan tree, the shaded road, the pears and the pear tree. Love the bud on the magnolia. Beaut of a longhorn. Myron, well, he has to stay put for all eternity, I would say!

Thanks for taking me out to visit the farm, I had a lovely time!

Megan Cobb said...

Your daughter's pear shot belongs on my kitchen wall, and Myron is gorgeous and would look perfect in the family room. Send them on.

And I would be the FIRST to help you harvest those pears, were I not a little um... ripe for harvest.. myself. I love pears.

Ashleigh Baker said...

My husband's grandparents have a farm in Wyoming. I love going out there and seeing the place where my father in law grew up and my husband spent so many happy times... I always get a bit nostalgic. I have a thing for old farms. :)

Anonymous said...

Dee from Tennessee

Love this post. Family history ...good photos...with a blend of good writing....great!

Wonder Woman said...

Hi, I'm new here. Found you through Rock in my Dryer's BlogHer. What a beautiful piece of land you have there. I hope you do get to build on the back 40 some day.

I like the hazy shot of the dirt road and Myron the best. (I love that all the inanimate objects have names!!)

amayzing-family.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Karen,

It's wonderful...an adventure-in-waiting for your babies! And it's obvious from your pictures (loved 'em) your farm will provide PLENTY of blog fodder!

Anonymous said...

I love these pictures. It reminds me of being on my aunt and uncle's tree farm.
Especially the pic of Myron. My uncle has an old truck like that, but it is green and is still in use.

Fresh Girl said...

What a beautiful place! In my younger days, I thought there was no way I would ever want to live on a farm, but the older I get, the more I think being out in the country and having all that beauty around me might just be the thing after all.

Welcome! said...

Stunning farm! I hope you get your cool farm house someday! Because what fun it will be to blog about it.

Karla Porter Archer said...

that photo by your daughter is gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

i didn't know you had a farm! how fun. my favorite picture is of the truck. love the colors!

Jackie said...

I am a country girl at heart, so I love these pictures. I think they are as fabulous as anything the Pioneer Woman has ever posted! :)

Wonder Woman said...

Hey - I subscribed!! I'd better win now, since I went through all the trouble of clicking my mouse a few times. Seriously. I could use $100 to Tar-J.

Monkey Giggles said...

My favorite is the one of the "old dirt road" very cool.

jessicajane said...

your daughter is very talented! love the pear shot :)

Mrs Pretzel said...

My favorite is the one your DEEEEER daughter took!!

Jennifer (mom of four) said...

I love the tour of the Farm!! The shot of the Pears is very artsy!!!

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