While looking at the picture site I was marveling at the warm nesting appearance of some of those homesteads! Trens for example. Very very warm looking! I just don't have it! Ha! Must not be a guy thing? Anyway while raising my two kids I realized we needed a SPOT where we could hang-out and kind of share our daily lives together. We hung out in front of the fireplace in the winter and all sat on the front porch in the summer. Do you guys have a spot or does your whole homestead provide the warmth needed for child raising? Boy its really hard to type down your thoughts!!! Does this make any sense at all?....Kirk

-- Anonymous, May 01, 2001

Answers

Well if ya all are looking come join us for chat ! 8,12,4, and 8 est .~Patty

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2001

Kirk, I think that a big ole stone fireplace in your beautiful stone cottage would be the very essense of warmth and hominess. Thank you for saying that our place looks warm, that made my morning. I am hoping that is what my girls will remember, the warmth of home, instead of some of the things that they worry about now, like the fact that they don't have their own rooms with T.V.s and v.c.r's in them like some of their friends do.

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2001

I love anything stone! I think it is very warm! But our front porch is by far the favorite hanging out spot,even in winter.Sit there and shell dry beans.Relaxing.

I have sitting rock in the one garden,too Big long rock on two smaller ones.Room for two.That would fit in for you,too. So sitting in the garden and "thinking" is definitely a gooooood place. Have lots of places around the garden and woods to just park it scattered about. Lounging places essential.

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2001

Hi Kirk,

In terms of child raising, I'm a firm believer that every child should have their own climbing tree. Tree climbing is an essential part of physical and spiritual well being. A perch where a kid can view the world from his or her own perspective and do some deep thinking about kid stuff.

Sure, we have a front porch and fireplace and garden, but a good climbing tree is where small fry can hang out (literally!) in their own world, away from the adults for a while.

(:raig

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2001

I know what you mean, Kirk!! I hope to create the 'warm, cozy' thing when we move, too.... I have this vision of the place being my own little 'sanctuary' - we shall see....

We've always gathered at the kitchen table in my family... Four generations of us so far - working on 5!! Most of my family wasn't big on outdoors, as they spent so much time there working, lol, but I have always loved gatherings on the porch...

Don't worry about the 'making sense' part!! I'm never sure if I make sense either, lol!!

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2001

Hey Sue! I remember those kitchen table warm fuzzies! I was also thinking of how I'd start a campfire and pretty soon The whole neighborhood would show up! Fist the dogs and kids then the adults would come looking for their little ones and end up staying, then people driving by would see the group and stop. Something about an outdoor fire......kirk

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2001

I was thinking about this thread while I was out forking manure. I think Craig is right about the trees, trees have a comforting kind of feel. I really feel like the trees here are protecting this place. We have a big old elm tree and a chestnut that are wonderful climbers, Hey it's not just for kids, I've climbed up into that elm a few times myself! I remember the tree that I had a spot in, in my childhood in Missouri was a big old ceder tree. Inside the house, yep I too think it is the kitchen table, a big old wooden table, in the winter or on overcast days you will allways find a lamp lit on our table. There is just something that says comfort about the glow of a fire. I would love to have a fireplace but since I don't ,the keresene will have to do! Another thing for kids I believe is something to love, kids should have a cat or a dog or whatever, but some little body that is glad to see them and that they can tell their secrets to. What says home more then a pet that is glad to see you!

-- Anonymous, May 03, 2001

Kirk, How do I get to this "picture site"? I would love to see the homesteads of some of the folks who post here.

-- Anonymous, May 03, 2001

Hi Marcia! Try this one. You need to join by writing Patty a little history or just tell her that you participate in CS forum. I know Renee, Tren, Nobrabbit, Jim and I have picts there. Please join and put some homestead pictures on. .....Kirk..

http://communities.msn.com/countrysidefriendspictures/messageboard.msn w

-- Anonymous, May 03, 2001

Marcia leave out that last w. How did I do that? Ha!....Kirk

-- Anonymous, May 03, 2001

Kirk...I can't seem to "get there from here"!! Maybe it's my webtv system. I can get to MSN home, but that's about it. I'll just keep pecking away at my keyboard and see what happens! Thanx!

-- Anonymous, May 03, 2001

Marcia: Try this one.

http://communities.msn.com/countrysidefriendspictures

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001