Leap of Faith!!

By the seat of our pants, we just bought 11 acres in the Ozark Mountains. Here are a few pics of our new "home".

WEEEEE, that is beautiful, congrats!

Looking towards the left....

Pet deer?

So happy for you - but you will miss the warm "winters". Lovely area.

Back to the property, looking out

Somewhere on the property looking out, lol

Beautiful!!! So proud for you!!!

Followed you over here MSJen and you are right..spectacular!!

And Azalea is right...you will have to get used to a whole new kind of gardening..it's what...at least 2 zones colder. Brrrr, but still far from brutal. I'm sure you already have lots of plants that will adapt and if you need more, just holler and I'll share.

Mary

Edited to add...OK so it will be a while before you can think flowers...but it never hurts to have some sources lined out...being prepared works for gardeners as well as Boy Scouts. (smile)

This message was edited Mar 15, 2005 8:45 AM

Mj,
How far will you be from me? I was talking to JanetOS earlier today about the zone differences. Of course i'm wondering how the bananas and brugs are going to do, lol.
One of the things i noticed up there are daffs...omg, they were everywhere...
We're hoping by Christmas, but have to face reality. There is so much to do and i know its going to be difficult trying to do it 600 miles away.

I believe I'll be about 200 miles south of you, Jen...not all that far, but I think there is quite a bit of difference in what is hardy for me and might not be for you up there.

Frost does kill my brugs back to the ground, but so far, (knock on wood and take a cutting for insurance) they have come back reliably from the roots every spring since I got my first one 5 years ago. I have unnamed yellow, white and peach ones and an Insignis Pink. The fancier ones may be more 'tempermental', I don't know. I fear that brugs, as well as bananas, (which I don't have any of) might be in the 'iffy' category for northern AR...perhaps Magpye or some other member up that way can tell us...a greenhouse may just have to go up before all else...gotta take care of those plants. lol

Mary

Jen- congrats on your new home. I bet that soil is black as pitch!
OMG- imagine all the tulips and other bulbs you can grow!!!

Good luck on your move. It's looks like God's Land. Soooooooo peaceful.

Nancy Lee

Woo Hoo, looks lovely;. read about moving plants- (hope it is in my future soon) They talked about potting up plants ASAP, to minimize shock-or larger ones-take as much earth as possible. Oh, what trades you will be able to do, once settled-make a list.

I was out in the yard earlier today looking at everything that is starting to come up. I imagine its going to be hard to say goodbye to some of them, but i think most of them will come with me. If Crested can grow naners in NY, I should be able to in AR, right? lol
I am so far off from doing anything, really. I'm sure i'll have this entire summer to enjoy them all, and maybe this fall i'll start potting up and narrowing down what i'm going to take. Theres no telling how long i'll be here. Heck, i dont even have a place to sleep up there, lol.
Now that we've bought it, what are we going to do with it, lol

Build a GH and move in!! You'll need it for the naners, Lol.

That is beautiful land - congratulations! A wonderful new journey for you.

MariaJose

I'm thinking if we move up in the summer we could sleep in the barn, lol. Not sure the girls would appreciate that tho : )

Wow, congratulations, MSJen! Good thing DG is portable, for we'd miss you if you moved away and we didn't see you post any more. :) Looks like there is a lot of horse space there - both for pasture and for riding. Lucky you!

I have to say the scenery is beautiful! Congrats to you!

beautiful place,a empty canvas for you to
fill with love flowers and family .

This is getting rather difficult, lol. Apparantly Bill and i do not see eye to eye on what we think needs to be done in order to get us up there, lol.
I am just so amazed how nice everyone is that i've talked to.
Everything around here just looks so ugly compared to up there,

Here's your song, Jen -

DON'T FENCE ME IN

(Cole Porter)

Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above, Don't fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love, Don't fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze
And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please, Don't fence me in

Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my Cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise

I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
And I can't look at hovels and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in

Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies, Don't fence me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love, Don't fence me in
Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze
And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please, Don't fence me in

Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle
Underneath the western skies
On my Cayuse, let me wander over yonder
Till I see the mountains rise

I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences
And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
And I can't look at hovels and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in, no
Pop, oh don't you fence me in

Ahh .. MSJen ..

Those words pretty much summed up, what and how we felt, back in '96 .. when we found our lil piece of the Ozarks .. in comparing the land/terrain and general demeanor of folks, back in Louisiana - to folks here.

We'd lived and worked .. there in the same spot in Louisiana for 20 years .. with proverbial 'strangers' for neighbors .. and here, folks'd give ya the shirt off their backs! And they don't blink the 2nd time, when there's an obvious need. They'll rally folks up in a heartbeat, and offer genuine aid and labor! Sorta like takin' a giant leap back in time ... when folks didn't have, or need .. to think twice! True, earnest friendliness!

We found too .. that our automobile insurance premiums dropped drasticly - however, the cost of our homeowners made up some of the difference; it increased. Especially so, if you're very remotely located. As, over 5 miles from a Fire Station. Some insurers wouldn't even offer any form of coverage - and one may be 'stuck' with the applicable countys' Farm Bureau, to insure you. There, right near to Mountain Home, you guys may incur no such difficulty, tho'.

There is also real estate and personal property taxes that are assessed and payable, annually. But, all in all, it sure beats the heck of the high tax base we had to contend with in Louisiana .. that, IMHO .. constantly was made, to line the pockets of some of the dirtiest politics that have gone in throughout LA history!

FYI .. Way down south, any type of shin-dig that were put on (for benefits) ..to try to raise money and other forms of aid for folks in a given situation of 'need' - was referred to, as either a Jambalya or Bar-B-Q benefit! And someone usually nipped a hand into the pot, to pay for the ingredients, table rentals, or the cook, etc. But here .. the equivalent of such, up in these parts .. is called, 'pie suppers! So, be anxious to participate .. when there may be a calling for a 'pie supper'! For it'll humble your heart - delightfully so! Also will have a raffle for certain items - that is generally a beautifully handmade quilt, raffled off to raise money or pay toward medical expenses, etc. .. of a burned out family, or death, severe accident, or serious illness .. that can put a family into financial turmoil!

The ol Coot and I .. wish you guys .. the ultimate best of everything during and in your move! .. And a 'hearty' welcome to Arkansas to you .. Jen, family, and all of ye critters!

- Magpye

Thanks Magpye, I'm really looking forward to it : ) Just want it all NOW and hate knowing that there is so much that needs to be done before i can really call it home.
We will be on a gravel road about 20 mins outside of town, but they just built a new fire substation?? on the same gravel road, actually its 1 road over from ours. I'm not sure if they are manning it with a truck and people or really what its purpose is.

Jen,

First of all - beautiful parcel of land and views - wow! Second of all, you're absolutely right about the people. And my Mom- and Dad- in-laws fit right in there because of it. In fact, my Mom-in-law can tell you lots about gardening in the area - she's been doing it for many years. She lives off of Hwy 5, on Tracy Ferry Road (can't remember the number). Anyway - I'll put you in touch with her - just want to ask her first so she won't be confused- LOL! They love the area - as do we - and wouldn't trade it for anything. I wish we could make a living up there in our chosen professions, we'd move up there too, but hopefully we'll retire up there in 20 years! or so......

Congrats - you've got lots of work ahead of you - but you'll have a dream place when you get it done.

Keep us posted!

Marcia

I think the way is take 5 towards town to 62, or is it 63? and head towards the main part of town. At the stoplight that turns left towards midway? bull shores? take a left, take the first right and thats hwy 201. Were out that a way. We have to cross over Lake Norfolk. Gosh its beautiful.
Question......all the daffoldils.....does everyone love them, or do they just grow wild there? I kept thinking....if i only had a shovel, lol.

It's 62 - think 201 is College in town maybe...can't remember....but I know your general vicinity....

I wonder the same thing about the daffoldils....I think maybe they show up at old homesteads...that are now something else. I've never looked into how they multiply. Just don't get caught! LOL!

m.

Hehe, guess i should have bail money set aside, eh?