Thursday, February 21, 2008

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!

Old houses...what could they tell us? The locals say that this is the oldest home in our county! It's right downtown! Isn't it interesting that it was probably in the middle of nowhere when it was built?!
One sunny summer day while pushing my sons in the stroller, down the sidewalk past this amazing edifice, I over heard the owner tell an interested "passerby" that this home had been in his family since before the Civil War. Fascinating!
I dearly love this home. Over the years, it has been used in Farm Bureau Insurance commercials. I don't know if they were only shown locally, or nationally too. An elderly gentlemen lives here alone. I hope he is able to hang all of his gorgeous ferns on the porch again this summer.

About 18 years ago, a co-worker of my husband reworked this home for his family. It still looks pretty good, I think!
The big red house! Every neighborhood needs one. And isn't it pretty against the blue sky?

OH MY GOODNESS this home is for sale! The front door has a full beveled glass window. See the wrap around porch! In the spring and summer the lady of the home sets out wonderful arrangements of flowers. She has her arrangements color coordinated. They are different every year.
You know, I told you that I would take a picture of the first flower that pops its courageous head through the hard cold soil. Well...I've been looking, and it's not happening, YET! Yesterday the sky was such a beautiful blue with white puffy clouds scattered about, the sunshine so radiant, the cold...oh, so crisp!! I admit that the cold wasn't very enjoyable! But over all, if I just looked up, and looked around, I found that it truly was a beautiful day in my neighborhood!!! I hope you can see beauty in your day today too. I'll be looking for more!
Please tell me which house is your favorite!!??
LOVE, Rachel





26 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are too much fun! I love seeing things through your eyes!

Have a good one!

Karla Cook @ Roads to Everywhere said...

We don't have houses like that out west. At least not around here. I guess this part of the country is too "young" or something. Let's see... I'm going to vote for the red one. I like red!

Ronda said...

What a fun house-gazing trip... Love those houses! I would have to say that the "white" with the wrap-around porch is my favorite!(Is it for sale? ha!)Sometimes our family gets in the car (stops for an Icee) and just goes "admiring" different houses! I think that the big, older houses have so much more character! Fun post! Have a great day!

Tara said...

hands down the house from the civil war--although it has stiff competition!

Anonymous said...

These are all such beautiful homes. What fun neighborhood browsing!

Anonymous said...

You must live in a beautiful community. I would love living in any of the homes you photographed.

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Oh my gosh, you know what I love, HOUSE TOURS! I might have to go do another drive by!

Ok, I think I love the second one the best, but that red one is divine. And so it the white with the porch. They are all fabulous!

You live in a different neighborhood than I do, I don't see many like that in my drive bys!

Happy day!

Joyce said...

I loved seeing those old houses. I have lived in cities in the past with beautiful ones, our last town had wonderful Victorian ones. Here we have "Antebellium" homes as well as the big Plantation homes nearby.
This was a nice visit....thanks and.....
Be blessed
Joyce

The Going Blog said...

Hey, that's my neighborhood :) I have always thought Greenfield was charming and I love the revitalizing going on downtown. It is a beautiful day in the neighborhood albeit cold. brr

Farrah said...

I like the second and third!

We have tons of beautiful old homes in the Spokane area, which is only ten minutes from us. Some of the neighborhoods are absolutely amazing -- streets lined with gigantic, old trees and large houses that were spectacular in their day...and still are! One mansion with an amazing history has been turned into a bed and breakfast. They do high Victorian teas. Some homes also have huge volcanic rocks that were left when they built them to add interest. Then there is the upscale Davenport Hotel which has been restored. It has several ballrooms, and they even made a documentary about its history. We bought it, and one part made me cry. If you ever visit Spokane, let me know and I can tell you where those streets are.

Farrah said...

LOL! Let me clarify the last part of my comment above. We did not "buy" the Davenport Hotel. I wish! Talk about an arm and a leg! We bought the documentary. Haha!

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Hi Rachel,
This is great. I love them all, but the third house (the white one used for the commercials is my favorite). I love homes with porches too and this one's really nice. Gee I think three of my houses would fit inside this one!

They're all beautiful, or I'll take the one for sale - did you pick up a flyer for me?

Happy day!
xo~Tracie

Hope said...

Oh, my favorite thing, old houses!! :) I love them all but I think the Farm Bureau one is more my style. What am I saying?? Old is my style! LOL

The second one looks HUGE! Now if I could just peek inside...

Thanks for the tour.

Hugs,
Hope

THE HOME THAT LOVE BUILT said...

Hi Rachel. Well I like them all but I guess I'd pick number 3. Love the porch! Great photos. Isn't that fun!
XO Brook

Anonymous said...

RACHEL, ANOTHER GREAT IDEA.EACH DAY I LOOK FORWARD TO SEE WHAT YOU WILL COME UP WITH NEXT. YOU AMAZE ME. I LIKE ALL THE HOUSES IN THAT EACH ONE HAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO OFFER. TO CHOSE ONE I WILL TAKE THE OLDEST . KEITH

blessings said...

Aren't they gorgeous?!! We live in a historic area so sometimes, on my way home, I slow down and try to peek in the windows to see how they're living. Ours is a farmhouse but I'd love an old victorian someday too. "too" meaning "also" =) Then I'd have two houses to decorate - woohoo!! Blessings... Polly

Anonymous said...

WoW....some beautiful shots from a beautiful place...lovely view!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I love the big red house....It is my absolute fav! Thank you for the tour :-)
Penny

Anonymous said...

How pretty! Aren't big houses old neat! How fun to go on house tour with you!

shabbyfufu said...

No houses like any of those lovely old belles down here in Southern Florida! My favorite is the one that is used for the farm ads with all of those porches. Would love to be a fly inside! ~ Janet ~

Jen said...

I loved seeing all the houses, but my favorite would have to be the Civil War one. I love to hear and see things from that era. This was a great post!!!

Kathi said...

I love your beautiful photos of these grand homes. I enjoyed viewing them. Thanks so much for sharing them with all of us.

Kathi

Denise said...

Well, we'd have to be in Greenfield, Indiana! It is THE most beutiful victorian town. It's always so encouraging to see people re-habbing when we visit there every year during Riley Days. A close runner up town would be Van Wert, Ohio - GORGEOUS homes there. I think there was a little more wealth there than Greenfield and no details were spared! Thank you for sharing the beautiful pics!

Debbie said...

Your neighborhood is wonderful! I love going back east and seeing all the old towns and homes. I live in a historic district, but not as old as yours, nor are the houses as large. I enjoy walking through the neighborhood and looking at the homes, and seeing what people are doing to them. Thanks for sharing your neighborhood with us.
Debbie

Debbie said...

Your neighborhood is wonderful! I love going back east and seeing all the old towns and homes. I live in a historic district, but not as old as yours, nor are the houses as large. I enjoy walking through the neighborhood and looking at the homes, and seeing what people are doing to them. Thanks for sharing your neighborhood with us.
Debbie

Mommy said...

I love old houses myself. I *tried* to persaude my husband to buy a 1920's house; he wouldn't do it. He said it wasn't energy effeciant, lol! :)