Snowy Day & the Story Behind our New House

It is a very snowy day, here in New England! (Speaking of, GO PATS!!!!!) I went out into the white silence this morning to snap some photos, our house feels so cozy when it's snowing! I thought I'd share with you.

First I'll share the story behind it.

Last winter it all started after we sold our NH house and moved to my mom and dad's temporarily so we could take our time and find THE house. We looked at so (so) many houses! We were a little on the baffled side because we weren't finding anything even close to what we liked. Well, one. But too far.We had learned so much about what we wanted (and didn't want) from our old house that we were a little picky. But I think there was also a lack of houses on the market. Just when we thought we may take a break from looking we came across the listing for ours. Jon said he'd like to look at it but when I asked a week later he had changed his mind so I put it out of my head.

One Sunday we were driving around looking at open houses and happened by the road it's on. I saw the sign and said "Hey! Lets drive by the house on this road and see what it looks like in person." We fell in LOVE on the drive down. Its a beautiful country road that takes you under a train trestle. We  loved the other houses and the farm fields and the wide open space, surrounded by hills. Very quiet and spread out nicely. Not too many houses crammed in one space. The river ran along the back of the fields and the road way was all lined with budding-flower trees and large maples. Just beautiful. 

The we drove by the house and fell in love more. It was really sweet and wonderfully kept. We decided we needed to make a showing immediately. Sadly it was a Sunday and we knew we'd have to wait a few days. (We even contemplated putting an offer in immediately to hold it but decided that'd be unwise...lol.)

Later that week we looked at it, made an offer that day and the entire process went so incredibly smooth we knew it was right where we were supposed to be. It was confirmed when we found out we were the first to look at it and they still excepted our offer immediately. That normally just doesn't happen.

Fast forward a few weeks. You may remember I have a sister that lived in California... we found out that month that her and her family were going to move HERE.....(sorry, remembering my excitement when hearing this!!) and that they'd be coming in a few months. Our soon to be house just happened to be two family! SO not only do we have a lovely home that we adore. My sister, her hubby and their two boys now rent UPSTAIRS!!!! It's been incredible to say the least. Some may think it'd be odd to have family members as tenants but its been nothing but sheer joy for all of us and we're enjoying all the time we have together. I can't tell you how many times Sister and I have found ourselves texting each other when our kids are sleeping and the hubbies are snoring away. We'll be wide awake and like "Let's watch a show and pig out!" Hah!!

Best of all our two girls have a great place to live, with lots of yard to roam and play, and cousins right here to make a life time of memories with. I couldn't be more blessed.

Here's a look around..

 

I wasn't able to pull it together for this year but plan to have a wreath or swag on all the windows next Christmas. We did put candles in all the front facing windows and that looks really special. I think Colonial houses are especially cozy during the Holidays!

 

Here's the end of our drive and as you can see there's a considerable amount of snow coming down today. My hubby had yet to plow.

 

Looking down the driveway back towards the road. We live on a giant half-loop, rectangle-ish road. Our house sits on the corner of the north end. Across the street they have a horse with a colt (LOVE) in a fenced area and then beyond that is a cul-de-sac of houses.

 

I've never had a garage. Ever. (LOVING it...it's the simple things folks :).)

We have to give it all a pressure wash come Spring, don't mind the grunge.

 

 

I cannot wait to paint this fencing. And the little shed. I've been eying this photo on Pinterest that I'll probably draw some inspiration from...

 

 Though the two sheds look nothing alike, theirs being MUCH cuter, but I love the monochromatic look of theirs. I want to recreate the same feel, maybe even extending the same color to the fence. Hmm. We'll have to see... :)

 

 

A lot depends what we do on the other side of it... we plan to remove the pool. Jon wants to put in a big pond here. He loves fish and did a great job caring for the little pond we had at the other house so I think it'll look really nice and blend in much better with the surroundings. Its kind of back in the corner of the property so it'll make a nice relaxing area back there.

 

 

A little further to the right is the orchard area. Its super pretty, my favorite part of the yard! There were lots of apples this year but we didn't have them treated so they got yucky quick. Bumpy with lots of bug holes. We're told if we have it pruned and sprayed they'll be beautiful. We'll have to look into it. See what they have if any for kid & eco-friendly sprays or treatments.

 

 

And over a bit more are these birch trees. One broke off in the bad storm we got in early December. We have yet to get out and cut it off...brrrr....

 

 

This little structure came with the house and Avie and the boys looove the slide...

 

 

No fear, head first ;)

 

 

 

And to the right of the structure is this open yard back towards the road. (The house & company you see is on the left side of the road after the corner, just so you get an idea of the geography. The turn in the road is where our property ends and theirs begins.) 

 

My favorite place to be this summer was out on the covered porch! The trees offer a wonderful shade and the fields bring in a slight, constant breeze so it's pretty dreamy.

 

The left side (Seen here) and back of our property is surrounded by sod fields so its vast lush green most of the time. Our actual property is 1.5 acres but it feels so much bigger due to the surroundings. When they cut the sod there's peculiar patches of perfectly square soil so that can look odd but certainly worth the lack of close neighboring houses and the spectacular green while it lasts. And I can't complain about the sound of the farm equipment, tractors and such. I grew up next to my Grandpa Ripley's farm and heard him out on his tractor all summer so it brings back this sweet nostalgia for me that makes it that much more homey.

 

Over all we simply love it here and are so thankful we didn't jump into anything else we came across. We've settled right in and have made it home.

 

That's enough writing for now...whew!

Thanks for visiting :) Have a great day.

Amy