I get sooooo excited about our bloggy Sunday reruns!!! Thanks so much to Chari over at Happy to Design for hosting Sunday Favorites."Little Cabins in the Woods"
(First posted 12/19/06
(First posted 12/19/06
These little wooden houses are sentimental to me.
My Uncle Mack and Aunt Farol were dairy farmers in the rolling hills of southern Wisconsin. Their farm was absolutely gorgeous with a creek cutting its way through a deep valley and flowing beneath a large sandstone formation at one end of the gorge. As a girl I spent many hours splashing in that creek beneath the sandstone wall.
Well, the Army Corps of Engineers decided they WOULD build a flood control dam in that area, and said dam was going to turn our beloved farm into a lake bed. Uncle Mack and Aunt Farol had no choice but to sell their farm to the state and move off their land.
Before leaving, they saved much of what they could from their land, their home, and their barn.
These little houses are actually small sections cut out of the barn beams and hand painted. The shingles on the roof are farm pine cone scales each glued down individually. The colors and styles are reminiscent of Aunt Farol's farmhouse.
Now if I just had some of their homemade maple syrup the picture would be complete - - - -
New addition for this post:
A few weeks ago when dad and I visited with my cousin Doug, Mack and Ferol's son, he showed us this little house that I did not even know existed. Uncle Mack made it as a very realistic replica of their own little Vernon County farm house - - - the way it was BEFORE the whole Dam Project.
Front side of the house - which faced the highway, and whose entrance was rarely if ever used.
Back doors - - - the side where we all entered to find the home baked bread and maple syrup goodness.
Chimney side.
14 comments:
What a sad day that must have been when they had to leave their beautiful farm.
At least you have treasures to remind you of the homestead.
I linked you up at Chari's as planned so you can spend your Sunday searching for the kidnapped bears.
You are writing a good children's book. Whether it's worth your time, or possible, to get it published, I have no idea. For example, you'd probably have to get some sort of permission from the shaker makers.
Love your little cabins -- so sad about your grandparents farm!
And wht a neat replica of the house -- so much better than just pictures!
I really enjoyed seeing this! They want to do that with a lake north of here by 20 miles. Many multi generation farms will be underwater. So sad as there's no environmental reason to do so, just some wealthy developers that can't prove a monetary return! Freedom!
Isn't it sad to have to move not because you want to but because you are forced to? Your uncle is very talented and so wise to be able to save a little part of their cabin and memories..Christine
Those cabins are so unique. So sad about the dam.
I'll bet your kin really did think it was a "dam" project! How hard that had to have been for them to be uprooted like that. Neat, tho', to have these as little reminders of the fun times you had.
Have a great week.
God bless.
What a beloved treasure.
Cheri
www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com
come for a visit and there's a give-a-way going on
What sweet treasures to remind you of the homestead!
blessings
mary
What great memories you have. The little cabins are darling. I always feel so bad when families are uprooted because of progress.
Hello my friend...
Happy Sunday Favorites!!! Ohhh myyy...what a treasured keepsake to have in memory of your Uncle and Aunt's home and the fond childhood memories of your time spent there! I guess this is kind of a bittersweet post...sweet to have the charming little buildings but so sad that your Aunt and Uncle had to sell their place! I really can't imagine what that must be like...to carve out a "lifetime" at a place to lose it in such a way...to not really have a choice in the matter!
I just loved the newest addition...the sweet little replica of your Aunt and Uncles home!!! Does your cousin still have it or was it given to you to add to your collection?
Well Girlfriend, thank you once again for joining in with Sunday Favorites...I always look forward to your reposts (although they are almost always new to me! Hehe!)
Have a super Sunday Sweetie!
Love ya,
Chari
Wow! I never would have thought to use pine cones for roofs roves? No
roofs!
They are so cute. I'll try them on bird houses!
Thanks.
Are you back home yet?
These are really adorable, and how special that they are made from the original house and barn. And how neat that you discovered a new one! So sad that they had to leave that lovely property for the damn, oops I mean dam, project! Kathy
I LOVE those little cabins. What a keepsake!
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