Before we built our house, we had to get all sorts of building permits. We had to get our plans approved. While it was being built and after it was built, before we could move in, the house was inspected. So was the barn inspected. We had to have permits for building the barn and it inspected again when it was done before we could move the cows and horses in.
It was fast getting the house built. Amish, Old Order Mennonites, and Englishers help built the house. They got the house up and the floors in one day. It took longer to get the plumbing in, the insulation in, and the walls in. The room that took the longest was the kitchen - cabinets, cupboards in, stove and refrigerator in, vents for the wood burning stove in plus more.
Yes, on our living room we have the pocket door that slides into the wall. It gives us a lot more room during church time or if we have our big family over.
We have a porch across the front of the house and the back of the house. The back porch is screened in where the front porch is all open.
Yes, we have cows, but not as many as we use to. We had close to 300 cows, but one of the reasons Anna and I build this house was to get a smaller farm. John is just starting farming and would have to buy his starting out cows. So as his early wedding present, Anna and I gave him 100 of our cows. We left 100 cows with our daughter and son-in-law that bought our old house and farm. We gave some of our cows to Eli's son that is John's best friend - we called it our wedding present to him and his future wife. Usually, I slaughter them myself, but with the new house, new barn and all, I didn't have time - so I asked David, Jean's husband, to slaughter two and put the meat in the storage area we have in their barn. Last, but not least, we gave a couple to a new young Amish family that just moved here . That left us with 50 cows. Anna and I are happy with amount we have left.
In addition to the cows, we have six horses. Four of our horses, will pull the plow and two of them are buggy pulling horses. They don't both pull the buggy at the same time. The buggy pulling horses also pull the wagon we haul corn, or straw or whatever on.
In addition, we have some chickens. We also have some pigs. In about a month or so, our number will go down as we will slaughter some pigs and chickens to put in our storage area in David and Jean's barn. We want to stock up for the winter.
How much property will Anna and I own when everything gets settled? We don't really know. Today, we got a call that made us very happy. Anna's sister Hannah called to tell us they sold the store they owned in Pennsylvania to another Amish couple. They have some other people interested in their farm, if they can hit a mutual price. So they want the construction on their house and barn to begin. They will be coming and staying with Anna and Hannah's parents. We offered them to come to our house seeing their house and barn was being built next door, but they chose Anna and Hannah's parents, so we didn't argue. When we bought the property,that we thought we owned, we bought the area for three small farms as they are all side by side. Our farm is in the middle. Farms can be started on either side of us. Hannah and her husband decided they want to build on the other side from what they originally said they wanted - which means they are moving from one side of us to the other. That's fine with us.
Our farm is 100 acres plus the front yard and barn area. Hannah's and her husband's land will be the same size. Anna and I are going to hold the third area to probably farm along with the 100 farming area our house sits in front of. I am fussy about who buys the third place to have a small farm. I am not concerned if they are Amish, Old Order Mennonite or Englisher, but I want someone who gets along with our way of life and personally. I don't want to sell it to someone that would cause problems. So Anna and I are going to hang on to it for a while. I did tell David, Jean's husband, it would be a nice place for them to build Jean's one floor house when all the children grow out of the house, but that is a way off. Anna and I know they would be great neighbors.
Well, I guess I answered some of your questions. Please ask them as Anna and I don't know what to write about if we don't have some ideas.
Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer
20 comments:
Good Morning Everyone,
Beautiful sunrise this morning. It is suppose to rain. Hope you enjoy Elmer's post. Still am waiting for Anna's post for tomorrow.
Marilyn
It's so nice to read about folks who work together, I wish more would do this. Tom The Backroads Traveller
Good Morning Tom,
I wish more would do that, too.
Marilyn
Thank you Elmer. Always enjoy hearing from you.:) Do you have dogs? Do any live in the house with you?
Thank you, Elmer for another great post. So glad Anna's sister+brother-in-law will be coming pretty soon. What a blessing! I certainly don't blame you for holding on to the 3rd parcel of land for now. I perceive wisdom in that decision.
You two always have interesting stories and info to share; don't sell yourselves short. I hope you'll be able to share the joy+celebration with John+Sarah's upcoming wedding.
Many blessings to you, your family, and your growing community. In Christ, Carol
Hi Vickie,
I will see that Elmer gets your message. I will let Elmer answer your question about the dogs.
Hugs to Mabel and Henry,
Marilyn and Pierre
Hi Carol,
I will see that Elmer and Anna get your message. Anna promised she would tell us about John and Sarah's wedding.
Blessings to you and yours,
Marilyn
Marilyn - please tell Elmer that we enjoy whatever he has to say about anything! he is very wise, caring, intelligent and funny! he could write about how he shovels manure from the barn and i bet it not only be interesting and informative - but funny, too!
one question i have for Elmer is - we really so not like all of the permits and whatnot that you have to go through to build a house, barn, shed, greenhouse, etc. - it's so invasive and then having to have inspectors come and then have to pay them!!! how does Elmer feel about that whole process?
thanks Marilyn - i know that you will pass on my msg and question to Elmer. your friend,
kymber
Hi Kymber,
I sure will pass it on to Elmer and see what he has to say.
Marilyn
Thank you for your post Elmer you have such a special way of writing
I would love to hear about Thanksgiving and Christmas preparations and traditions, both as a family and as a community
Evie
Hi Evie,
Will see that Elmer gets your message. I am sure that Elmer or Anna will answer your questions.
Marilyn
Marilyn: would like to know if Elmer raised his feed for the 300 cattle or is bought. I can see a lot of work in getting ready for the winter for the cattle feed. Also if he sold his calves by the truck load or at the local auction. I really like his writings and all the others to. thanks, TOM-GA
Hi Tom-GA,
I will see that Elmer gets your message. Glad you like the writings, I really appreciate it.
Marilyn
Hi Folks,
I just got a post in from Anna for tomorrow.
Marilyn
Good morning Marilyn. I really enjoyed Anna & Elmers' posts. That sewing machine photo is a beauty. I'm thankful for electric sewing machines. I have my moms' and I am sewing for a fifth generation on her machine. It is wonderful to read how Anna & Elmer work everything out with their children and between them and friends, are always helping each other. What a blessing that is for all of them.
Hi dynnamae,
Thank you so much for your message. That's great that your sewing machine is fifth generation. I am glad you enjoy Anna and Elmer - I will give them your message. I wish more people helped others.
Marilyn
Elmer, you sound very wise as well as kind! You mentioned a wood burner, I was wondering if you have more than one for a house that size, what if any heat you use for the animals in the barn, and if you cut your wood all off your property or bring it in from another source? Do you use any other type of heat for your home, like propane?
I was also wondering if you have a favorite tool you like to use a lot? My husband uses his utility pocket knife more than anything else now. He used to carry Case knives for years, but now likes a folding utility knife better.
Do you have someone who works on wind up mantle clocks or wind up watches? My grandfather used to work on watches when I was a child. I have fond memories of that. He sang hymns while he worked out of his cedar chest tray at the foot of the bed. That was what he used for a tool box, the tray lifted up when the lid was raised. He was a wonderful man, when I read of your activities, it makes me think of him. I believe he would have liked you very much. He was very straightforward, and simple with a deep faith in God.
I should also have added the reason he worked in the house. Their house was on a hill, with many steps going up to it. They had a basement, but because his hips had been crushed in a rock slide in the coal mines, he was forced to use wooden crutches the rest of his life. They did have a big cook stove in the kitchen, and even though he could not walk well, he still sat and sang to the Lord as he worked with his hands. Seeing the mention of your wood burner brought all this up to mind. I'm sorry if it was too lengthy.
Hi Annie,
You are not lengthy. Elmer and Anna like questions so they know what folks are interested in and they can write their posts. I will see that Elmer gets your questions.
Marilyn
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