Discussion #3 - describing our homesteads

[homesteadmamma]

Lets describe our homesteads. It doesn't matter if its rural, on an acreage or urban, lets talk about our homesteads in this discussion.

~How large is your homestead?

~whats in the south, east, north & west corners of it?

~what buildings do you have on it?

~what would you change if you could?

~is the the homestead you've always wanted or would you like a different one, perhaps larger or smaller?

[QuilterMom]

~How large is your homestead?
1.47 acres. The living area of the house is 1530 sq. ft., the garage is 720 sq. ft. (that includes the sq. footage of the utility room/laundry room as well even though it is a separate room behind the garage - there is a door going into it from the kitchen and we are going to put it under air since it will be simple to do), and a 636 sq. foot back porch. There is also a front porch that goes the entire length of the front of the house, but I'm not sure how many sq. feet it is.



~whats in the south, east, north & west corners of it?
On the southwest corner of the property is a pond with a dock (we will be making it smaller to have more usable property). On the northwest corner is the entryway/driveway. It splits and there is an 'island' in the middle with pine trees and cabbage palms. On the right side of the driveway are some cabbage palms and the pond. On the left side of the drieway are a couple of pines. The house sits back toward the back of the property and is surrounded by huge, mature oaks (not sure if they're laurel oaks or live oaks - I always get the 2 confused. The northeast and southeast corners of the property are empty.



~what buildings do you have on it?
- House
- On the south of the house is a 2 stall type building. It's all open air though.
- Just beyond that is another smaller similar open air type building.
I 'think' the 2 stall type building was used by the original owners for horses. I have no idea what the other building was for (it has a concrete pad).




~what would you change if you could?
We are going to be changing lots! We are planning...
- to make the pond smaller so we have more usable land
- the utility room/laundry room will be put under air
- new flooring all through the house
- both bathrooms will be completely remodeled
- all 3 bedrooms will be completely remodeled and the closets will get organizers
- the kitchen is going to be completely remodeled
- the living room and dining room had been remodeled before we bought the house. There's not much we need to do except paint (just because the colors don't work for us and our decor), maybe add another ceiling fan, and add a recessed light or two.
- the garage will be dh's baby so I have no idea what he has planned
- the fencing at some point will be expanded and maybe changed a bit. We can go 10 feet over on the north side of our property (the former owner didn't because he wanted to leave natural growth there to block out the next door neighbor - we will leave natural growth as well, but can still cut some of it down and move the fence over to have more usable land).
- new windows all through the house
- eventually we'd like to put hurricane shutters on the house, but that's not at the top of our list right now
- put in a garden!
- change the driveway so it doesn't split so we have more usable land



~is the the homestead you've always wanted or would you like a different one, perhaps larger or smaller?
- I really like the layout of the house so I'm happy about that (although after having lived in a brand new house just before this I am spoiled on bathrooms being larger). I would definitely have loved more land, but prices here are outrageous since this is a coastal community and it's the 2nd hottest selling area in the entire U.S. right now. We got as much as we could afford.

[doodlebug]

How large is your homestead?
We have 4.3 acres.

What's in the south, east, north and west corners of it?
South of the house is a steep hill that goes down to the highway, mostly pasture with the driveway running through it. North of the house is the garage and fence. East of the house is the goat barn/chicken coop and then a large wooded area with a wet-weather spring. West is a steep hill, mostly pasture with some white pines, and a grape arbor.

What buildings do you have on it?
We have a ranch style house about 1300 sq. feet. It has a 2 porches joined by a wrap around deck. We also have a 3 car garage that has 2 small buildings attached to it and a small lean-to. And we have a storage type building that was the goat barn/chicken coop.

What would you change if you could?
It's very steep here so I'd make it a little flater. The soil is very poor, mostly shale with very little top soil and even some rock ledges sticking out of the ground; so I'd make the soil rich and get rid of the rock ledges. I'd like to build a pond, a springhouse, a new chicken coop; put up a nice gate at the end of the driveway, and plant an orchard.

Is this the homestead you've always wanted or would you like a different one, perhaps larger or smaller?
We are very content where we are and the size is just about right for us.

[SusieJD]

We own 5 acres.

It's bordered to the south by a state game preserve. North, south, east and west - all woods, no neighbors.

Buildings: our home (1500 sq. ft.), the "bunk house" a 14x14 ft. building. 2 car garage. Our shop - 24x24 ft. building with a 10x10 ft. addition.

I wouldn't change a thing. We love it just like it is.

Susie in MN

[mrscornbread]

Wow, compared to the acreage that you all have I dont compare, but this homestead is MINE! (and some of it belongs to the bank too of course) I have a large lot with no idea how big it is, but compared to other city dwellers, it is big. The garage is in the back. The dog run is next to the garage. Right butted up to the back of my home is the garden, we fenced it off with chain link to keep the fur daughter out.

I have a house that is 1250 sq feet. It is a 1905 Craftsman that was actually ordered from a Sears catalog many years ago. It has three bedrooms, 1 bath, large kitchen, formal diningroom with builtin china hutch in it. The porch goes clear across the front of the house and makes a wonderful place to sit on hot evenings. It is in the heart of Pasadena California, but nestled in a small, quaint community called "Bungalow Heaven" and is now a historic landmark area. The neighborhood is quiet and peaceful.

This is the house I lived in as a child and where both of my parents spent their lives until they died. I feel my mother's spirit in this house and it allows me to remain focused during hard times. My father's spirit is also very near, but I feel closest to it outside. The yard is wonderful although I have neglected the back yard alot since I have taken on the role of sole breadwinner, cook, bottlewasher and maid, but I now love my life and this homestead especially.

[sunshine]

Originally posted by homesteadmamma


~How large is your homestead? approx. 2.5 acres

~whats in the south, east, north & west corners of it? Southwest corner has a HUGE black walnut tree that had a tire swing in it for years-- we finally took the swing down last year. Southeast corner has another large blackwalnut tree. All along the south edge of the property are gooseberry and blackberry briars. Northeast corner has my smaller garden, and strawberry patch. Northwest corner is our parking area for the cars.

~what buildings do you have on it? house, summer kitchen, root cellar, dog builing (old building that was present when we moved here and we gave it to the dog), smaller storage shed that was once dd's play house, metal storage shed for mowers, garden tools, and so forth- barn which houses the tractor, riding mower, tiller and horse as well as some storage, hay, etc. Chicken house and rabbit hutches.

~what would you change if you could? get rid of the underground creek that floods everything periodically and eliminate the poison ivy that has invade my berries.

~is the the homestead you've always wanted or would you like a different one, perhaps larger or smaller? When dh and I both say this place we KNEW we were home.

[forestdale]

~How large is your homestead?
One acre.

~whats in the south, east, north & west corners of it?
Our house faces east so on the eastly aspect we have a large verandah and a very big flower garden that is mostly a cottage garden, but also has tropical plants in it. There is a white timber arbour with wisteria on it at the entrance, camellias all along the front fence and 27 trees. On the north side, our hottest area, is a one car garage. West is the back of our house. We have a large verandah and a brick garden shed at the end of it. Behind the shed is a huge rainwater tank and behind that a greenhouse. Most of the back of the house is taken up with lawn and a vegetable garden. The back border is a creek and rainforest. South is a big shed, which we use to house two cars and dh's workshop.


~what buildings do you have on it?
The house itself, which is brick, a brick garden shed, greenhouse, chicken coop and large shed.

~what would you change if you could?
We changed a lot of things when we first came here. We added on a bedroom and bathroom, the verandahs, put in new floors and a new kitchen. I don't like the shape of our lounge room and I'd change that if I could.

~is the homestead you've always wanted or would you like a different one, perhaps larger or smaller?
We love this home. It's just the right size now but I can see it being too big for us when our youngest son leaves home but I think we'll stay here forever.

[Heather]

How large is your homestead?
8 acres

~whats in the south, east, north & west corners of it?
Our home faces east with the barn directly behind it. In the northeast corner is a shed, once used for the horses' buggy. To the south of our house is land (now used as a dirt bike track for the boys) the whole west side is pasture. To the north of the house is our vegetable garden.

~what buildings do you have on it?
House with patio and pool attached, shed and barn


~what would you change if you could?
Interior of the house-new bathroom, new flooring and a different layout of the kitchen. Not much else. Outside-a workshop for dh and to store tractor and implements.

~is the homestead you've always wanted or would you like a different one, perhaps larger or smaller?
The size we have now is perfect, sometimes we feel too big, but with our market gardening plans now it's perfect. The only thing I would like is that our home and acreage was further in the country. We are at the edge of a small village.