Salvaged Wood Trees with a Story

 They don't build

them like 

they used to.

 

This is all that was left when I drove by.  As soon as we were in view my husband heard an audible gasp of disbelief and saw my watery eyes and knew exactly what had caught my attention.  His response was "oh, I'm so sorry honey"  an automatic response of condolence, like this was a personal affront to me.  In reality, although I have driven past this house pretty regularly since childhood this was not my house, I never knew the people who owned it or where the family is now, I've never been inside or walked the wraparound porch that graced most of this home.  Even so, to see it like this was heartbreaking to me and even worse is knowing that many more grand old homes are being torn down to make way for fancy new subdivisions.  

I know it's economics, housing for people moving into our area by the masses, people bring money, they find and create jobs, they boost our economy.  But it's just hard having been raised here and remembering all the dirt roads and barns and fields and ponds that have all disappeared and been replaced with houses and shopping.  I get it... I love to shop too. 

Thankfully I had my Hubby with me and we were riding in his big red truck!

 As my sweet and charming husband got out to talk with the demolition crew I sat patiently waiting all doe eyed in the passenger seat while our three year old was singing ' Twinkle Twinkle Little Star ' in the back (in broad day light). 

I saw the foreman look my way and shake his head, apparently his wife is crazy too because just then my hubbs waved me over.   He was sweet enough to walk around the perimeter with us and pulled out any planks of wood I pointed at.  Unfortunately most of the house was already down and carried to the landfill, so all we could see was just a pile of wood.  

We were able to get enough beaded board planks and trim for some projects but not much more than that.  So the other day I fired up the chop saw and went to work.  

 I loved how these trees turned out and that I know exactly where they came from.  Even if I can't save a whole house I'm happy that I can at least make something joyful from the destruction of it.

   *Angela*

My love of Old Homes

      I have no clue where my love of all things old comes from.... but I do know that there is such an odd feeling I get when walking through a home that has lived through so much history.

      To me it feels like an ache in the soul,  that somehow my soul recognizes those that have passed through the same doors, walked on the same floors, and stared out the same windows.  I always wonder what their lives were like, what they dreamed of, if they wanted something more than a life in the country, or if they were content where they where. 

      I'm pretty sure that human nature has us always wanting more... so while I love my little home on a quarter acre in the what used to be country but is rapidly becoming suburbs.  My major want in life is to one day have my very own tangible piece of history in the form of a beautiful "old dame" set way out in the country, where I can raise a family, have a massive garden, and all the horses, cows, goats, pigs, and sheep I want.

      Ok...so maybe the farm animals are a little much (although I really want them), but I'm sure I'd be plenty happy with just some dogs and cats.

So with that said here are some of my favorite things about old houses that feed my soul!

I love the architecture.  

There are so many details with all the peaks and gables, never just a blank side of a house.

I will own this one someday... I'm stalking it =)

Original Hardware / Light Fixtures

Beautiful Foyers

Chunky Mantels / Huge Windows

Walk-in Pantry / Cellars 

Closed in Side Porches 

That lead to charming courtyards

Really just all the little details that make old homes so special

      

      The next time you get the opportunity to walk through a beautiful or forgotten old home like these, take the time to think about all those who have passed the same spot.  Cherish your moment in history. 

*Angela*