An old 1940ish metal gate that only swings one way -- into the charming flower filled yard of the Wheats. An old railroad spike assures the gate's one way swing.My definition of a cottage style home in the back-country is several of the following; a vintage house, snugly planted flowers, an old fence surrounding the yard, informality, non-contrived, and a comfy feeling.
A view from the front of the home looks out on what was once tobacco farm land farmed by the Wheat family. Tobacco farming came to a halt for many farmers through government buy-outs a few years ago.
The small yard surrounding the home is stuffed with plantings of all types. Right now the roses are putting on a show of color. The wooden ladder trellis is needed for support by the roses that rise high into the air. The barn in the background of this photo is the old tobacco barn.
Red roses climb the old fence and reach high with the support of the homemade wooden ladder trellis. These roses were above my head.
A quaint shed type addition built to the side of the front gabled home has a charming old side-door
Marvin Wheat and his mother have lived in this home for most of Marvin's life. A covered porch for sitting spreads itself across the front. Before the family moved to this house they lived just down the road. Marvin told me this present home is about 100 years old.Located on a back-country road between Mt Vernon and London, Kentucky -- it's an eyeful of plants placed around the yard over the years by his mother.
When driving down the road about ten days ago, I just couldn't drive by this place -- it's charm drew me in. Marvin was a very congenial man to show me around the yard. Southern hospitality for sure.
So glad you stopped and took pictures! Most charming! And what wonderful roses!
ReplyDeleteVicki -- thanks for the nice comment! So many folks with interesting ways in KY. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulously fantastic cottage and garden, gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteGreat that you grabbed photos :)
Love these kind of little country cottages tucked away on a winding road that suddenly spring out of the surrounding countryside like a bright splash of colour and love.
Caught up on your other posts - I've started seeing stiles appearing here in Oz,too, have seen at least 4 in the past year which is 3 more than my previous 41 years on this earth lol.
Hi Jayne, So I guess stiles are more popular then I figured. I have still only seen the one of which I wrote about but other comments have indicated that many regions of the U.S. have them. I have always been fascinated with stiles since I heard that story about the old woman and her pig. Why? Don't have the least idea. Some things just remain with you from childhood.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the very nice comment about the cottage style home. Marvin was such a gentleman by taking the time to show me around. -- barbara
A beautiful post Barbara. The old gate and the railroad spike made me smile. I love the ingenuity of repurposed materials. What a lush garden, and the roses are magnificent. Seeing a glimpse of the land across the road, made me think of a favourite area of mine in Victoria called the King Valley. It was a tobacco growing area, and now it is home to vineyards and wineries.
ReplyDeleteLiD, I take it that your temp of 0 is Centigrade. Actually where I live in KY, it is fairly mild in the winter compared to the northern states of the U.S. Interesting that you have similar tobacco growing areas -- or I should say did. A clever idea to turn the vacated land into vineyards. Bats keep so many of the non-beneficial insects in check -- it would be a tragedy to lose them. Your large bats must be a beautiful sight!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice comment -- barbara
Yes, Centigrade. Whoops, sorry about that. I forgot to do the conversion. And yes, the bats are beautiful. :).
ReplyDelete