A few months ago, Steve's sister Shelley told me that she and James were considering moving out of the big city and buying a farm and sent me the link to the real estate site listing.  I was so excited for them!   I called Juls right away and we oohed and ahhed over all the photos. 

*Etienne with his cousin Ethan

*Simon  (Shel's middle child) who looks so very much like my Jeffers.

*Ethan

*Madeleine

I was so thrilled when all the pieces fell into place and they were able to buy it!  They are living a dream, an absolute dream.  James is from Australia so they named the farm after a place in Australia.

*Shelley

They now own many many acres, I have no idea how many but it is a lot--enough that James went hunting this year on his own property.

They cut down their Christmas tree from their own woods.

*Ethan and Eti in the living room

They have two, maybe three ponds.

There is a long path that leads to a clearing where they are talking about  building a large fire pit and clearings for tents.

One of their fields they use for making hay.

The farmhouse is one hundred, maybe one hundred thirty, years old.  Some of the rooms have the original wide plank floors.

The neighbor brought over a very old black and white photo of the house along with some stories, another neighbor brings them fresh eggs.

They drink their milk from a local dairy and it comes in glass bottles.  I mean really I did not even know you can still get milk this way anymore.

*View from the kitchen window

They are raising alpacas--James built the fence.  He probably chops his own wood for the fireplace too.

I told Shel that they are Laura and Almonzo--seriously.

The whole thing just feels so right, and like one big adventure.

*Steve's dad says they look like a Dr. Suess character

*typical for Steve

*My beautiful sister reading with her son.