Where it all Began – A Look Back
There are days when it feels like we will never get all of our farm projects finished. We get so busy with doing, doing, doing, that we rarely take the time to look back at where we started. I mean, we know that we have made progress, but sometimes we forget how MUCH progress we have made.
Today, we are taking a look back to when we first got the farm (back in 2018), and some of our very first projects.
A little backstory first.
When we bought the farm it had been vacant for several years, so everything was overgrown and a little on the wild side. We had only planned on having the farm as a weekend getaway because we had a house in the Dallas area. Once Covid hit, like most people, we started reevaluating our lifestyle and our long-term plans. It was at that point that we decided to fast-track our plans, downsize out of the big house in the city, and live full-time on the farm.
The move to the farm was a substantial downsizing of our home, but a huge upsizing in land and acreage. Shortly after acquiring our place, the land values skyrocketed. In hindsight, the timing could not have been any better.
Our only regret in all of this was that we didn’t have enough time to upgrade and remodel the farmhouse before moving into it full-time! Once we got settled in, the MAJOR renovations started to happen. (More on those improvements in another post!)
One of the first projects we embarked upon was installing a gate. There’s something about a front gate that makes a home feel ‘official’. In some way, it tells people, “I live here. I’m home”.
Before and After
2018 & 2023
The differences to notice are:
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- the gate posts have been painted and the wire fencing was replaced with wood fencing.
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- the Crepe Myrtle trees were planted along the fence, which adds color and depth to the farm.
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- the main barn was added.
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- the driveway was redone.
Another area that has gone through a substantial transformation has been the chicken run. In another month the trees will have their leaves like in the BEFORE photo and the grass will be growing faster than I can mow.
Before and After
2018 & 2023
The chickens, whimsical chicken coops, and the garden area off in the distance really bring this area to life.
Lastly, we take a look back at one of the larger, more expensive projects…upgrading the driveway!
Before and After
2018 & 2023
The original driveway was a mixture of old bricks and brick scraps placed in the dirt. I don’t think the ground was leveled before they placed the bricks, so naturally, over time, they just shifted and became a bumpy mess. In the winter, the dirt around the bricks turned to mud, making it an even bigger headache and difficult to walk or drive on.
We eventually replaced the driveway with recycled asphalt (an almost 300 linear ft run from the gate to the house). It’s not perfect, but it is 1,000% better than the old rickety brick driveway.
All in all, we have made some HUGE strides in turning this neglected property into a more traditional farm space. Little by little we keep plugging away at projects that make this place a home and a sustainable farm for the future.
Keep following along with us as we have some NEW projects in the works. And of course, if you have some ideas or would like to see us work on something specific, drop us a line and let us know! We would love to hear what you think.
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