I spent Saturday at my farm with my mom and sister, painting Mama and Papa G’s new house in a lovely shade of light beige. I wear the color well, as my hair and shoes and shirt will testify. The 40 acre farm is about 40 minutes from here, over the beautiful Clinch Mountains, around a hundred winding curves, and past gorgeous pastureland and clear mountain streams. When Stevie bought the land ten years ago, I was baffled. It was part swamp/part very steep ridge and I couldn’t imagine why on earth he would want a piece of property so remote and so seemingly unusable. But, he had vision and after hundreds of hours of research and planning, he turned those wetlands into a 2 acre, spring fed pond. It’s a site to behold. Every time I sit on the front porch of the little cottage he had built for us and look out over this water, I am reminded that love and creative genius always go hand in hand. This little piece of heaven is his love note to us and when I’m here I remember how hard he worked to give us this gift.
The cottage was broken into a few years ago and vandalized so we went through a period of thinking we would have to sell it. Our kids were at the age where weekends away were almost impossible and our plate was full of things we barely had time to tend to. So, when my mom retired, she and Papa G agreed to move up there and take care of it for us, in exchange for foggy mountain mornings, watching the sun rise over the water. It’s been a win-win for everyone. They love it there so much that they’re building their own house on the acreage. I couldn’t be happier for them. And for us. We envision holidays, where there will be enough room between the two places for us all to stay.
The drive over on Saturday morning was nearly a religious experience. The sun was burning off the fog and the trees were dancing with dew drops that sparkled like diamonds. The air was crisp and clear and I was the only one on the road to witness all these miracles of God. He loves us so well.
The last 2 miles of the journey follow the meandering path of Sweet Creek and you always hope that you don’t meet a car coming the other way. Tiny country roads, where the sun has to fight to get through, are right at the top of my love list. And riding through them on a four wheeler? Even better.
When I finally made it, I was so full to the brim with the beauty of the drive, that I wasn’t sure how to transition to actual work. But, my sister doesn’t keep her head in clouds like me, so she helped keep us focused. We painted and groaned and laughed and schemed all day. That little spot between my shoulder blades hates me this morning for those hours holding an extension rod, but just being there for a day refreshed my soul. Their huge wooden ceiling refreshed my soul, too. Isn’t it spectacular?
I’ve said it before, but this land is special and now that our little cottage will be vacant again, my mind is full of possibilities. It could be a writing cabin, a mountain rental, a place for crafting weekends, or women’s retreats? You could come here for the weekend and take in the mountain air. It would be glorious! My friend, Nester, just found her own slice of heaven, so I’ll be watching all her renovations like a hawk. I can hardly wait to see what she does with her farm house. I’ve created a Pinterest board for my cottage dreams, in case you’d like to follow.
Stevie has finally given me the go-ahead to paint the exterior, so I’m pretty sure our little mountain cottage will someday soon be the perfect shade of white, although I’ll take your suggestions if you have them!
Help me brainstorm and figure out a way to use this little house to bless.
Love to you all and happy Monday!
(While you ponder that, let Mumford inspire you, too. I listened to this song on repeat all the way to the farm. It’s my new favorite.)
Wow sounds wonderful! You are truly blessed! I am a new subscriber and what a way to start my Monday morning! Thank you!
Edie-that is absolute slice of heaven. A gorgeous piece of land to marvel at the beauty of God’s creation. I think there must be a perfect shade of white to cover that gorgeous place. I look forward to seeing what you do.
Both homes are charming! Thanks for the song too.
That place looks perfect and amazing! A girls retreat for sure.
I love how you have a house on a pond and you want to share it. What a gift!
Clinch Mountain is my old stomping ground. Thanks for taking me home this morning!
Sounds like heaven. 🙂 I thought of the Nester’s place as I was reading. 🙂
OH, I’m in love. I think a place where your blog fans could go and spend a weekend and maybe even possibly meet you would be the best thing ever! 🙂 I loved all your ideas. One of the top things on my bucket list is to see fall foliage. I bet fall is gorgeous there. <3 Thanks for sharing. I'm having a pretty poopy morning…oldest daughter started junior high today, my son didn't have either of his best buddies in his new fourth grade class this morning (two of the trouble-maker boys are though 🙁 ), and it's raining. Your post brought some cheer to the gloom. xo
Oh my gosh!!! This world is getting smaller and smaller by the minute!!! First of all, I stumbled upon Emily’s site a couple of years ago and thought it was so cool that she was near me in NC and I loved her first book. I have loved The Nester’s blog for years too. I never knew they were sisters and now they are going to have this coolness of a event site in my hometown??? I could burst! I hope I really will get to meet you all in person there one day. It would be so awesome!
Oh, and PS. I have a huge pinterest board for my mountain farmhouse and I love seeing your cottage pins! My husband and I are scheming to make it happen!
Peace and love, Kari
wow that is so cool! how on earth did you get up so high to paint those walls?
P.P.S. I like the idea of the place being used a artistic, spiritual retreat. I second Christy’s vote on getting to meet you there. I think it would be cool to go to a place for a weekend and make homemade Christmas gifts with others etc. Being artistic and blessing our family and friends at the same time!
I wanted to add some kind of element like that to the 31 acre farm we are oogling.
Edie ~
I just took a little mental vacation reading this & dreaming, dreaming of spending some quiet time at a place like this….can only imagine about the wonders would do for the soul! So….if you do decide to share it with others, put me on your list of people to notify! 😉
XO
I, too, was thinking you’d do well to have a place like Nester’s. That’s a beautiful location. A little slice of heaven.
I’ve been reading for a few years and I had no idea you had a secret cottage! How fun!
This cottage just ‘whispers’ refresh – restore – renew.
So many pastors, both inner-city and rural pastors and their wives would love a retreat like this to spend time renewing their faith and strengthening their marriages. I would suggest it as a pastoral retreat for well deserving but nearly burnt out pastors.
~*~Amy~*~
SO cool Edie! I just happen to know a great group of Lutheran ladies who can test it out as a ladies retreat location. 😉
You have a little piece of Heaven here on earth!!!!
so dreamy! you know I have an idea or a zillion up my sleeve! It will surely bless your family and others, if Edie has anything to say about it…
Love your cabin! You could just paint a fiberglass type finish on it (like they used to do to wooden hull boats) instead of paint. It would be stunning! The natural wood would shine through. It would fit right into the gorgeous surroundings and look as though it belonged there. Do some research before you paint.
Oh Edie! Thank you so much for narrating the drive. I could feel it 🙂 It IS a slice of heaven. Just tonight my husband was talking to me about the North Ga. mountains. We LOVE it there. I’m heading to a cabin there for a girls trip in Oct. on a spectacular slice of the Toccoa River.
It’s magnificent- Tennessee is a beautiful state too. I happen to love a dark green as far as a paint color- Unless it’s natural. Crafting retreat house is my vote- Thanks again 🙂 Julia
Edie dear, I have followed your blog for a few years now. You and it continue to bless my soul to pieces. My family and I are missionaries in Cambodia and have had the joy of calling Cambodia “home” for almost 4 years. Your blog has been very often the touch of beauty that this heart stretched soul has often needed. Thank you. Thank you from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet! This blog about your cottage brought tears to my eyes once again as I imagined the place of beauty and rest that your sweet cottage would offer…a healing place for your soul. So my suggestion would have to be up there with Amy’s…to bless pastor’s, missionaries or whomever needs a place of rest, beauty and healing to come and drink of the lovliness. Thank you again for all that you have done, in being you, to offer a slice of beauty to this heart.
Carolyn
Retreats for those in the ministry would be so wonderful! I’ve been counseled to provide them for my future staff – we’re in the process of building a Christ-centered shelter for American children who have survived the trafficking industry. Because of the nature of the evil done to these young girls and boys and its effects, our staff will inevitably face burnout. A place like this would be a beautiful rest for their minds and spirits. Looking forward to seeing where the Lord leads you! Blessings!
lovelovelove that wood ceiling and hanging fans… and your story-telling… lovely, always. xo
I can’t wait to see what you do with your cottage! Cottage style decor is my favorite! Have fun!
love your generous heart….
God will show you exactly what you need to do with that cottage…
Truly breathtaking! The first thought that came to my mind for some reason was to have a place to take some city kids to the country. Maybe like some sort of Bible camp school or something like that. I also like the idea of a retreat for women to meet new friends too. I know you will come up with something truly amazing and beneficial.
All great ideas, Nita!! I can’t wait to get started on it!
Thanks so much!
xoxo
hey edie. just love love your site and everything about you. paige and i are friends so l feel like i know you from her love for you! anyway, a friend of mine in orlando told me he built an extra cabin just for young couples. he was mentoring so many young married couples that could not afford time away. and he felt it was so critical for couples to spend a night or two away from their kids to keep marriages strong. so imagine that as another way to bless others through your house. just a thought! i know it was be such a beautiful space with just you and your family being there and sharing your heart the way you do. congrats!
So nice to meet you, Courtney! And I’m so happy to meet one of Paige’s friends—she’s such a doll baby! What a great idea for the cottage. My wheels are turning on what to do once it’s vacant again!
Sending you much love,
🙂
edie