Posted by Suzanne McMinn on February 24, 2008 @ 5:07 am
Daily Farmhouse Journal
I doubt anyone is even a micro-percent as fascinated with what is happening up on top of this hill in the middle of nowhere as I am, but you can probably at least imagine that I am obsessed with it. It’s my fantasy, my future, and sometimes my nightmare. There is, I have discovered, a reason why people build houses close to the road instead of on top of hills. Or about twenty reasons.
But in spite of every problem, delay, and obstacle we’ve had to overcome (and are still overcoming), I’m not sorry. I love this house. I love the location, on our farm, on top of the hill, in the middle of nowhere. I love the privacy. I love the beauty. I love this house. I just want to MOVE INTO IT ALREADY. ::stomp foot::
Okay, fit over.
Wanna take a tour of the not-quite-finished house?
Come on in the front door…..
I love this room, love it. Look at all the light! There are windows everywhere in this room, including the open dormer window in the cathedral ceiling. The house has an open floor plan with the living room, kitchen, and dining room together in the main living space.
Here is part of the kitchen island. Which is not in the kitchen at the moment. It’s in the dining room, to be moved to the kitchen later. This is Steve-the-Builder. I think he was talking about the Obstacle-of-the-Day and I was saying something like, “I’m moving in on March 8th.” Because I think if I keep saying this, it will come true. He can do magic, I know he can.
This is the master bedroom. On March 8th, I’m going to bring a pillow and move in here.
The office is next to the master bedroom. It has walls of windows….
….and a door to the wraparound porch.
This is, hands down, the cutest room in the house with all its slanted roof lines. It’s the loft bedroom, Princess’s room. This is the windowseat.
Which opens up for storage under the seat.
This inset will have a built-in desk so she can study hard. Because she studies like a maniac. She loves to study. After we move in, I’ll explain to her what the word “study” means.
This is her closet, which has a closet behind the closet–a little door that goes to attic storage. I’m pretty sure this is how she is going to clean her room, by sweeping everything off her floor into the closet behind the closet.
This is the stairway outside the loft bedroom. There’s a neat cutout that looks down over the living room. Princess calls it her spyhole.
Here are the kitchen cabinets out on the back porch. Hunh. That won’t be very handy…..
One of the boys’ bedrooms downstairs.
This is the future den for the boys downstairs, and the current staging area and command center. This is where Steve-the-Builder plans super secret magic stuff to make sure I can move in on March 8th.
Did I mention I’m moving in on March 8th?
5:30
am
Ohhhh…*rapturous sigh*
I *love* that porch. I *love* your house.
In a few years when your oldest is gone, I’m packing my bags, cats and all, and moving in. ‘Cause, you’ll have room for me then.
And you can support me in the style to which I’ve never become accustomed, while I do animal rescue.
-Kim
5:53
am
Oh Suzanne–It is really coming together, and it looks wonderful! However, after living through thre torturous renovations, I don’t see the March 8th thing happening. Though I do know that when you do move in, it will be a great day! Good luck.
5:59
am
location - side of a mountain!
7:18
am
March 8th? I’m no house builder but can the house get finished in that amount of time? Still, she a beaut and I wish I was moving in. Have fun!
8:19
am
I think you March 8th move in date is right on. Everyone knows what is expected and they better get on the ball. I think it could possibly be doable…maybe the basement will still be under construction but the rest I
can see you with your pillow now and princess peeking thru the spyhole. Love that!
8:29
am
After seeing the progress, and having a son who is a contractor, I’m terribly afraid you may have to push out your movein date a bit. I know it looks almost finished on the outside, but you still have tons of finishing to be done on the inside.
Just take a chill pill and know that when it is finally finished, you will have a great house in which to live and work. And you don’t want to get your builder mad at you.
Congratulations on all your success.
8:59
am
I am afraid I am in agreement with most everyone. March 8 will take a miracle. Of course, I am wrong a lot.
Steve-the-builder has done a fantastic job and deserves a pat on the back. The house is wonderful. All that room-WOW. I am sure Princess is in seventh heaven with her window seat AND a spyhole. 
Have a graet day and 
to all.
10:48
am
Hi, Suzanne!
This is my first time to visit you. I hate to burst your bubble, but I think we’d better call Ty Pennington and the Extreme Makeover team if you want to be in by March 8. I love your house! Do we get to come and visit when you’re done? LOL Your web page is charming. I’ll be back to visit again!
Love ‘N Stuff,
Sandy
10:54
am
Aren’t dreams wonderful?? Your home is nothing less than a magnificant dream. I so commend you on your design, plan, patience (?) and FAITH. We moved into our home while still building it. March 8th with a pillow and sleepingbag, campstove, and ONE working bathroom is all you need. Trust Me!!! From a new and faithful reader in Oklahoma!
11:10
am
Are we invited to the move in party? I’ll come help paint!
Gorgeous place!
:J
11:10
am
11:11
am
Wow! It’s going to be fabulous!! I can’t wait to see the end result!
11:19
am
I love the house and that porch is to die for but oh those many steps to go up and down. Good exercise. I think you are wise to build on top of a hill in WV because of all the flooding over there. I can’t wait to see the finished product, it’s so exciting.(this is where I break out into song and dance)
11:30
am
I am soon to take on the building of my dream house. I just had the homesite moved on the property to be closer to the road. It was the road or hill, I chose road because I will put vineyards on the hill. Can’t wait.
11:45
am
It’s beautiful and exciting, Suzanne. Good luck with March 8!
12:08
pm
Oh your house is lovely. Thank you for sharing the pics! If Steve is as much of a miracle builder as you say he is, then I have faith that you’ll be in on March 8th. Or somewhere around that date. LOL
1:01
pm
Very nice! I want to build our own home in the future, but if I’m building, it’s going to be underground. I live in tornado alley and I’m terrified of them!
1:11
pm
I believe in miracles - March 8th it is
I love every room in your house and the top of the hill is going to have the bestest view
2:21
pm
Ooh! Awesome! I want a spyhole and a window seat.
3:00
pm
Hey, sure you can have that house done by March 8th if you have a work bee! Let’s be positive here! Get all those relatives, 52 and his friends, and anyone else you can round up, (maybe some of your blog fans live close enough to help LOL)and get everyone painting, sanding, putting in fixtures, etc… But, if you really want to be assured that everything will be perfectly done like Steve the builder seems to be doing, I would take others’ advice and sit back and chill. I am definitely catching your excitement though, and can’t WAIT to see the finished product. It is going to be SO fantastic!!
3:03
pm
The house is absolutely gorgeous!!!
3:31
pm
Oh, Suzanne! It’s gorgeous! And the office is wonderful! I love those windows. One of the nicest things I did for myself was to move my desk in front of the office window so I could look out on my mountains while I work.
And I love Princess’s room. Perfect for her.
4:00
pm
The house looks GREAT!!!! I love Princess’s little window nook!
THe house is going to be gorgeous! It’s great to watch it coming together!
4:28
pm
March 8th is my birthday so that sounds like the PERFECT day to move in. What time is my party?
Your house is going to be such a wonderful place to be. Not long now!
5:51
pm
We finished a MAJOR remodel last year, we added a new kitchen on the back and a full 2nd story. Obviously we had to move out while it was done-no plumbing, roof or walls. Last April we moved back in and I love it! It’s so great to design a house practically from scratch and make it exactly like you want. There’s not one thing I would change. March 8th sounds ambicious but doable with the right contractor-the last bit goes really quick. Good luck and enjoy!!!
6:17
pm
Your house is my dreamhouse. If I ever win the lottery (which I guess I’d have to play, first), will you please design my house? Or better yet, maybe I can get Steve-the-Builder to bring your plans and come build it for me. I want it exactly like yours. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, you know!
Now, off to find out how you roasted the asparagus, ’cause I got a great deal at the grocery yesterday-YeeHaw!
7:46
pm
Your house looks wonderful. I love all that open space and light.
8:52
pm
It’s beautiful. You should hold a summer week long writing retreat there. I wanna visit.
9:06
pm
My first post here, and my first two words are ‘Oh my’! It’s a great home you’re building for yourself, your family and fur babies, and such a great website to boot! I’ve been lurking around this site for quite a while, thoroughly enjoying it, and I put things aside every morning until I get to see your new posts and pictures! I’m hooked!
I noticed the heater burning in one of the pictures, so I’ll assume you are using propane as home fuel. My question…are you planning on having a fireplace done, or a freestanding one, perhaps in the future? You’d definately have plenty of firewood around.
Once again, your home is beautiful, and I know you’ll get in there on March 8th in whatever way you can!
9:17
pm
Hi, Pam! Well, we are wanting a wood-burning stove, but we are still trying to figure out where that will go and how it will fit etc! But we are also planning an outdoor wood-burning furnace because we do have a lot of wood available!
9:27
pm
Just had to tell you I made your cornbread. It is awesome. I’ve made cornbread for years, but this was the best I’ve made in ages. I even got out the old iron skillet to bake it.
I made Pioneer Woman’s Tomato soup(minus the cooking sherry) and had the two together. Oh my! Oh my! It was sooo good.
10:42
pm
That is a dream house, congratulations!
11:49
pm
This will be a BEAUTIFUL house when you move in on March 8th. Looks like you have thought of everything! Keep us posted on developments. Sure looks perfect for the MARCH 8th Move in … (Let Steve the Builder read our Comments.)
Betty in Oklahoma
10:26
am
10:30
am
Love your blog! Congrats on moving your family to the country! Wish I could do it!!
Mary
11:01
am
Your house looks fabulous! I believe Steve-the-Builder will have you in there March 8th.
11:03
am
This weekend I was telling my husband about the photos you posted of the drywallers. I told him we were coming down to help you out…Anyway, I’m so glad you shared these with us! We are looking at house plans right now and because great minds think alike, my favorite house plan is open kitchen/dining/living/homeschool room and a loft bedroom. Except I’m not giving it to my princess, I’m giving it to me. Looking at this house makes me drool. Because we haven’t even bought land yet. And I want my house as far along as yours is. and I want that front porch. With some spring thrown in. Is that asking too much?? I shall just live vicariously through your house. Keep posting that progress! It is really interesting…can’t wait to see furniture in it…on March 8th.
11:42
am
It won’t be long but to ou I bet it feels a million miles away
11:44
am
You’ll make it by March 8th, no problem! Um…. how do you feel about paint fumes?
1:35
pm
I won’t even dare to show my princess that window seat picture! and the office, that is my goal starting today I’m working towards that office,windows, scenery, walls….
Sending move in vibes <<<>> here you come
anna
3:17
pm
What a gorgeous house!!
4:39
pm
Beautiful house, I love the sweeping staircase outside and the porch. Where are the chickens going to live?
4:57
pm
Hello! I just wanted to say what a beautiful home you have! I came to this site on recommendation of Gayla Trail from You Grow Girl. I am so jealous! And I love how you write, too, and I would totally take my pillow over and move in right away, too! As it is, we just bought a house today and I can’t wait to move in myself - maybe we’ll move in on the same day :). I digress. I love your site and I am totally looking forward to coming back.
Take care!
12:03
am
So what are you doing March 8??
8:40
am
[...] everything and then paint what else we can in a few days–and leave the rest to paint after we move in. Painting is one job we set aside for ourselves, but we don’t want to hold up the work that [...]
6:43
pm
I love it! It is absolutely beautiful and every moment you wait for it will be worth it in the end. What an amazing time for your family!
8:37
am
Is the outdoor siding wood or vinyl?
8:40
am
Hi,
Your house looks awesone! you are so lucky to have such a wonderful house in a beautiful location. But a work of caution, please don’t rush the builders too much. I rushed ours for our almost impossible June 10th move in date, They finished it (we were threatening to sue!) and I am living in a house with some sloppy finish work that we are and will have to fix. Some of this stuff dosen’t pop up until years later, but let them have thier time so you won’t have stuff to deal with later and everything will be perfect! Good Luck
8:44
am
The siding is vinyl!
The way the weather is going here, I don’t think there’s going to be any rushing….. March 8th seems farther away every day it snows!
1:06
pm
About the house you’re building. . .I remember thirty years ago when I redid a post and beam farmhouse in Ohio, my wife (now ex-wife) was confused by all the outlets in the master bedroom, especially the double set on each side of where the bed was going to be placed. I told her it was too late to change them as I had already hung the rocklath and plastered the wall. She managed to fill up all the outlets, though. Code says to have an outlet every 6 feet on a wall. I doubled it and then added some. I didn’t use any extension cords in that house.
The best of luck to you and yours in Roane County. Some dear friends live there.
David
11:54
am
Oh Suzanne— I love what your house! I’ve always imagined having a house with a wrap around porch/deck! I’m so excited for you guys! The 10th is just around the corner! And now that you’ve got the sewer in… YAY!
Cole
3:01
pm
I love your house!!!!!
7:45
pm
What a gorgeous big home with such a wonderful porch…love all the detail…love alot of little nooks and crannies in a home - special little sitting areas, windows..detail. Looks like it’ll have a gorgeous view too, off that porch!