A Beautiful Day in our New Home

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Our windows are open, allowing the early summer breezes to flow through our new home. The birds are singing sweetly. The sun is shining. We are settling in. Life is good.

We have had so much rain. Today is the first sunny day since our closing on May 22. People here in the Shenandoah Valley are encountering water problems for the first time. We are grateful that our new home stayed dry, even though our back yard had standing water for many days in a row. Early yesterday morning we had a deluge that created a stream in a field behind us that wasn’t there before. So we are happy to have this fair weather.

David and I have been working hard to get our house in order. We still need to paint the bathrooms, hang more pictures, clean the windows, and put up new shades among other things. At least we feel like we can function now.

The saying goes that a picture is worth a thousand words. So instead of describing our home, I will post photos. First I’ll insert this link to the listing for the house we bought. It has a better photo of the front of the house than what I am able to produce.

View from our front porch

 

Entering through the front door

 

Living Room

 

Dining Room

 

Kitchen

 

Looking down the hallway

 

Our office

 

Our bedroom

David is happily setting up his shop in the garage. We will be retrieving his machinery this weekend. In the meantime, he is busily making room for them. The couch and table will be going to our son’s place, which will open up that space for his machines.

This is David’s first above-ground shop ever. And it even has a view. There are more houses being built behind us, hence the machinery back there.

View from garage window

 

Outside the garage

 

View from the back deck

 

David mowing the lawn with his new electric mower

So these are scenes from our new home. We are slowly finding a normal for us. David looks forward to getting his shop in working order, and I look forward to getting back to my writing. We are both ready for this life we’ve been envisioning for months… even years. We’ve been wanting to live simply in a house the right size for us all on one level. And here we are. Each day we feel more at home.

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23 Comments

  1. Wilma on June 4, 2018 at 9:47 pm

    What a wonderful house! And so much light! I love it.
    How happy he must be to have a workshop on main floor.
    Our wish and prayer is that the Lord may give you many more healthy years together!

    Love,

    Wilma

    • Saloma Furlong on June 5, 2018 at 6:03 pm

      Thank you, Wilma, for your blessings. I hope you’re doing well.

  2. Katie Troyer on June 4, 2018 at 10:19 pm

    Beautiful. Home sweet Home.

    • Saloma Furlong on June 5, 2018 at 6:04 pm

      Thank you, Katie. I hope you’re doing well.

  3. Johanna on June 4, 2018 at 10:24 pm

    Was thinking of you this morning. There’s a special insert in the paper for the 300th anniversary of Sunderland. Nice photos. Lots of history. Do you want me to mail it to you?

    Your new house has a similar feel to your Sunderland one. Full of light.

    • Saloma Furlong on June 5, 2018 at 6:11 pm

      Johanna, that is so kind of you to offer to send that article. As per my email to you, I will take you up on that.

      Yes, this house does have a similar open feel to our Sunderland house… especially when we can have the windows open.

      Hope you’re doing well up there in the north country. Thanks for your comments.

  4. Christine on June 4, 2018 at 10:28 pm

    Congratulations Saloma! Your new home looks wonderful. I love all the bright, natural light and cozy feeling the home emminates. Wishing you many happy and healthy years in your new house. Best wishes! Christine

    • Saloma Furlong on June 5, 2018 at 6:13 pm

      Thank you, Christine, for your comments and blessings. Best wishes to you as well.

  5. Botanist on June 4, 2018 at 10:31 pm

    Beautiful home, Saloma. I wish you many long and happy years there. I remember the intense stress of moving, but also the joy of settling into a new space and making it your own.

    • Saloma Furlong on June 5, 2018 at 6:20 pm

      Botanist, I’ve not heard from you in ages… so good to have you drop by. I tried getting on your blog today and was unable… do you still write one? I always enjoyed your perspective.

      Thanks for your comments on moving. I agree: there is joy in settling in to a new place.

      Best wishes to you.

  6. Kris on June 5, 2018 at 12:55 am

    Congratulations! So light & airy! Your neighbors must be tickled to have a famous author living amongst them!! May you make many happy memories in your new home. I like your shed area in the back.

    Our oldest daughter came down from Wisconsin took my husband and I on a mini vacation and then she had a surprise for me. She told me we were going on a mother-daughter outing by ourselves. She took me to Memphis and I got to see Graceland and the Peabody ducks!

    I haven’t been online that much what with putting in a garden and flowers after we got back. Glad I got a chance to catch this post of yours.

    Enjoy your summer.

    • Saloma Furlong on June 5, 2018 at 6:23 pm

      Kris, you flatter me. I doubt our neighbors have a clue that I’m an author, because you see, I’m far from famous.

      What a nice mother-daughter getaway! Except I don’t know about the Peabody ducks. I’ll have to look them up.

      I understand busy, especially when you’re a gardener this time of the year. Glad you stopped by.

  7. Suzanne on June 5, 2018 at 1:56 am

    Beautiful home and neighborhood.

  8. Joan Z. Rough on June 5, 2018 at 2:46 pm

    What a lovely home, Saloma. I hope you’ll have many happy years there. I’m looking forward to meeting you in person one of these days! you’re not that far away!

    • Saloma Furlong on June 5, 2018 at 6:25 pm

      I know, Joan. I’d love to have you come for tea some afternoon. Perhaps later this month? I’d like that.

      Have a wonderful week!

  9. Sonia Roy on June 6, 2018 at 2:42 pm

    Wonderful.
    Its being months I am following your blogs. I dont know why it give me a feel to stay close with nature and stay happy with simple life, which I love most.
    I didn’t got chance to read your books yet but its already in my plan. I found your webpage while search for more and more detail articles on Amish life. Yes I am very much interested in their way of living. On the other hand agree with the issues you have mentioned in your several columns. I was in NY for 5 yrs and one day while commuting for my work I found one article about Amish in NYC free news paper at Penn Station. Before that I was totally unaware of Amish(I am from India and 35 yrs old software engg).Don’t know why I felt a great attraction with Amish way of living and read several books on them. I have visited Pennsylvania Amish country 3 times. It was like sunshine and calm sunset for me when I stayed 2 days(in each of my visit) each time. The Buggy, the 360 degree nature view and living close with nature is the life I always wanted. But due to my job style I yet to reach that dream. But I enjoy every bit of your post, pics-it give me the feel -“stay simple stay grounded live in the life what you have and get away from materialistic life”.
    Thanks Saloma for giving me the most desirable happiness through your writing. Hope someday I will be able to live that life which is close to nature and far away from materialistic life.
    Stay happy and healthy ..lots of good wishes for your life in Shenandoah Valley.

  10. nancy gregg on June 9, 2018 at 7:17 pm

    I t was a wonderful surprise to see you at Polish vegetable stand in Sunderland. My life has changed as of April when Harrison died of Parkinson’s Disease. He had ir for the last four to five year end we managed to live a fairly good life until this fall. We were married 48 years very rich years . Have a greta life in your home. Give my best to David. Nancy gregg

  11. nancy gregg on June 9, 2018 at 7:19 pm

    I t was a wonderful surprise to see you at the Polish vegetable stand in Sunderland. My life has changed as of April when Harrison died of Parkinson’s Disease. He had it for the last four to five year end we managed to live a fairly good life until this fall. We were married 48 years very rich years . Have a greta life in your home. Give my best to David. Nancy gregg

  12. Denise Ann Shea on June 9, 2018 at 8:15 pm

    What a cute home! It looks so bright and airy. I hope you and David have many healthy, happy and creative years in your new hpuse!

  13. Shirley Showalter on June 15, 2018 at 3:34 pm

    Hi Saloma! Great to tour your lovely new home. Hope to visit in person soon. Welcome to the Shenandoah Valley!

  14. Monica on June 28, 2018 at 7:48 pm

    It sure is pretty down there! Your new home looks so spacious and the decor is very “you”! Neat, clean, and classic. Blessings to you and David as you settle into your new life.

  15. Tracy on September 13, 2018 at 6:21 pm

    Just beautiful! Hope you enjoying your new home!

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