There’s not a house I consider my childhood home more than my grandparent’s house.
From the time I was born until shortly after my parents divorced when I was 10, I lived in the same house. While I do have some fond memories of that house, the house that remains sweetest in my memories is my grandparent’s home.
When I was 6, my Grannie died, but if you’ve ever read any of my stories about her (like this one), then you know that time I spent with her are some of my most treasured memories. While six years certainly wasn’t enough time with her, I do find it amazing how that one woman still came to be a huge part of my life in that short time.
The same is even more true of my grandfather, who as you know, I called Pap. He was the stability I so desperately needed in my life. I latched onto him and in return, he unconsciously taught me the value of hard work, staying strong and loving hard unconditionally. All of those early morning talks in the kitchen, rides through the fields in an ’89 Chevrolet Cheyenne and broken lawnmower belts unknowingly prepared me for some of the hardest times in my life.
Pap was a farmer. His father, his grandfather, his great-grandfather and multiple more generations before him were farmers. They would all grow up working the same land their fathers and grandfathers worked before them.
Pap was also a navy man. After the navy, he worked on the railroad in the city and got married to my grandmother, who was from the same area he was from. They lived in the city and his plan was to stay there, working on the railroad. However, his father-in-law, a farmer too, persuaded him to come back home and farm with him. Pap and Grannie went home and built a red brick house just down the road from where my grandmother grew up. It was there that I dug for treasure, ate more ice cream sandwiches and drank more Bubba colas than I could ever count, and watched countless episodes of Bonanza, The Price is Right and In the Heat of the Night with my Pap.
Let’s fast-forward for a moment. When I left the farm years ago, I didn’t think I would ever go back to stay. I left that small town with my truck loaded down, in a whirlwind worthy of a Lifetime Original Movie. I had to get away to find myself. When I married Andy, he was the farthest thing from a country boy as you could get. He knew I had grown up on a farm, but I had never taken him back home until after our daughter was born. Sometime, in the last five years, the man has learned how to drive a tractor, plant corn, and work cattle. And he likes it. No, he loves it. Sometimes, I think he even loves that farm more than I do.
My uncle is now the owner of the family farm and Andy helps him as much as he can on the farm, but living an hour away doesn’t let us help as much as we’d like to. We’re a family that doesn’t get rid of anything when someone dies, so my uncle also still owns my grandparent’s house, which he has rented out up until just recently.
Do you see where this is going?
Home.
Andy, the Circus, and I are going to live in my grandparent’s house part-time so that we can help out more on the farm. We don’t have any plans whatsoever of leaving the 70’s Landing Pad, we love this house, our neighborhood, and my amazing in-laws are just down the street. Most people have a second home to relax at, us though, we apparently just want more work. 😉 And on top of it all, the Circus loves the farm, so she is going to get the best of both worlds, which I am really excited about for her.
All that being said, my grandparent’s house needs a good bit of work done to it. Here is where we are at:
Living Room
The living room and dining room are adjoining.
This is looking into the living room from the dining room.
Dining Room
Looking into the dining room from the living room. The door on the left leads out onto a screened-in porch.
Kitchen
One of the biggest things I was worried about was that the tenants would have painted the kitchen cabinets or knotty pine paneling in the kitchen and den. I was so happy to see it was still intact. That kitchen just wouldn’t be the same without the knotty pine.
Den
The den is just off the kitchen.
Bathroom
The bathroom is pretty much a gut job.
Master Bedroom
Circus’ Bedroom
The design of this house will be very different than the design at the 70’s Landing Pad. I’ve promised Grunt Labor that he gets a huge say in the decorating and of course, I want the house to give a nod to Pap and Grannie. I’m not too sure they’d like black walls. 😉 That being said, don’t think for a second though, I’m going all farmhouse style. When my grandparents were alive, their decor was nowhere near the “farmhouse” look even though they lived on a farm. With the exception of the bathroom, most of the rooms just need a really good cleaning and some paint on the walls. Stay tuned for the plans!
Kari Wagner Hoban says
I am so jealouse (in a good way) of you getting to live there part time.
If only for all of the memories that will seep through your pores while being in that home.
I cannot wait to see how you renovate it.
Jenna says
Awww, thank you, Kari! Yes, sweet sweet memories. 🙂
Kaycee says
Wow, what a wonderful opportunity for you and your family! I look forward to your future posts about the farm, I know you will have me lmao and drooling with envy with this awesome adventure!
Jenna says
Thank you, Kaycee! It is a great opportunity and we are really excited about it!
Marty Oravetz says
Oh my word, how fun. Another house to makeover. Can’t wait to see it.
Jenna says
Thanks, Marty! We are excited about it!
Uncle Lynn says
OK, I really want to say that Sherry, Elle & myself are looking forward to you all using Daddy & Mama’s (Pap & Grannie) house. I am so proud that Andy wishes to be on the farm more. I am looking forward to watching Landry feed Jasper carrots. I encourage you all to always welcome your parents to visit & stay in the house as well. I am so encouraged by all of the ideas, you all have in store for the house. I realize that my physical help to the remodel effort will be limited, however Sherry & Elle, I’m sure will be very useful. I really believe this is how Grannie & Pap would have wanted things. Sorry so long.
Jenna says
Tell the truth now – you’re really just excited that Landry will be there more. 🙂 haha! I’m kidding! We’re very grateful to you for letting us use the house!
Beth says
awesome!!! Looking forward to the transformation and updates on how the Circus grows up at the farm….
Jenna says
Thanks, Beth!!
Debra Bartels says
How wondrful for you to be able to return to your roots and share it with your little family. Cant wait to see what y’all do with the farm.I share ownership of my family home with my brother. He oversees the rental as he lives close by. I left my southern roots 10 years ago at the age of 50 to move out west. I as write this I can see every glass door knob, my pink girly bedroom, the fireplace where we hung Christmas stockings and my Grandparents home next door with the skelton key door locks. I dont get to visit often, but I have wonderful memories to hold on to. Please share Circus’ adventures on the farm with us.
Jenna says
It is wonderful, Debra! We are very excited about it! Your family home sounds just beautiful! Isn’t it funny how no matter how far away you are or how much time has passed, those memories and places are still so clear in your head? That’s how you know they are good ones. 🙂
Kathy Grey says
How lucky are you?? 🙂 I am so excited for you!
Jenna says
Very, very, very lucky! 🙂
Lou Ann Newell says
WE grew up close to my grandparents and spend alot of time there. It was not on a farm but they had a small garden and then bought a farm that we went to after school to tend to the garden. Lots of memories with the garden, the cows and the lake!! Enjoy your memories!
Jenna says
That sounds like such a great place, Lou Ann! Those kind of memories are the best, aren’t they?!
Gwen says
Well young Gemini lady, just loved this sweet post and how you are blessed to bring part of your past into your present life. How so very privileged your young daughter is in sharing this with you. Looking forward to viewing your future posts about the old homestead.
Jenna says
You’re right, Gwen. We are truly blessed with this project! Happy to have you along for the ride!
Sarah Mansker says
That is great, Jenna! I am SO excited for you and your family! Good Luck!
Sarah
Jenna says
Thank you, Sarah!! We are really excited too!
Patty says
I am so happy for you, I know that home is a big part of who you are.
I can’t wait to see what you do with it. I noticed the hardwood floors look great and the knotty pine looks like it is in great shape.
You are going to enjoy this project and all the memories that will flood through your brain.
Jenna says
Thank you so much, Patty! The knotty pine is in good shape, just needs a good cleaning. The hardwood floors are pretty worn, but I think they’ll do just fine for now. 🙂
Suzanne Melton says
On to another adventure!
Be careful when you remove that bathroom tile (wall and floor). I’ll bet someone will pay lots of money for it.
Except for that one time in the last paragraph, I’m glad to see “Andy” instead of “Grunt Labor.” I know it’s couple humor but I really like to see his first name.
Jenna says
Indeed, Suzanne! I will be careful with the tile for sure. In fact, I may hang onto a few pieces to make something out of it. I would keep it all up in the bathroom, but unfortunately, too many pieces are missing.
Brigitte says
FUN! I’d love to reno a farm house. One of my grandmother’s oldest friends, whom I called “Aunt Kate,” she of the best bread and butter pickles in the country fame, lived in a house very similar to this one. Her kitchen looked almost exactly like your Pap and Grannies’ place! I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Jenna says
Ya know, I think kitchens like that must just have some sort of magic to them. They tend to produce the best food. 🙂
Brigitte Baker says
Omgosh, you are SO right!! Never thought of that before! 🙂
Candy Walsh says
How special it is that you have this “home” to go back to! You are incredibly lucky to be able to go back to your roots and the house of your grandparents that you loved so much. I wish I had some sort of history and “home” to be able to go back to~you are truly blessed.
I can’t wait to see what you do there!
Jenna says
We are very blessed, Candy. You are so right!
Sally says
Wow!! I love it! Congratulations….I’m so glad you are leaving the knotty pine. I grew up on a farm and we had a knotty pine kitchen and living room. I sure miss it and the country life.
Jenna says
Thanks, Sally! Yep, I just can’t quite imagine that house without the knotty pine. 🙂 I think that should be a requirement of farmhouses. haha! 😉
Susan the Farm Quilter says
I love the hardwood floors and the knotty pine cabinets!!! Can’t wait to see what you do with this labor of love! Nothing is better than living on a farm, especially for kids – Circus will have a blast! So very excited for you to get to live (even part time) at Pap’s home!
Jenna says
We are really excited too, Susan! I’m so glad the knotty pine is in good condition! Needs a good cleaning, but will get there – same with the floors!
Emily says
Wahoo!! You finally get to meet Pig!
Jenna says
We do!!!
Stephanie Sheridan says
I can wait to see the out come. I love the blue tile in the bathroon. Wish you could save it. It will be a nice place for long weekends and getting back to basics. Your twin will have fun. I loved going to ny Aunts farm in Tennessee near Nashville. Her daughtet still has it and ny grandmothers childhood house is still standing to this day down the road. Have fun.
Jenna says
Thanks, Stephanie! We’re excited about the project too! I do wish that the tile could be saved, but there are just too many pieces that are missing and broken. I’m going to try and salvage a few pieces though to perhaps make a little project out of at some point.
Lisa A. says
I have slowly unsubscribed to all the blogs I read due to the lack of substance and time constraints….but never yours. I found myself in the middle of an Ikea haul when I saw you in my inbox …. had to stop to read. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the knotty pine and even more so when you said you were keeping it. With your keen knowledge of vintage TV – I know you will understand when I say..”I am Gladys Kravitz”….(although it might be too vintage for you!) You pique my curiosity on a regular basis wondering about your family history and many questions were answered in this post. I think you have a gift for writing and telling a story. How wonderful that this situation has come to your family and you can continue to take us on your design journey and bless the Circus with new memorable adventures in that house and on the farm!
Jenna says
Lisa, I LIVE for comments like this. Thank you so much – your words mean more than you could ever know. I’m so glad you’re here for the ride!
pam says
The 50’s style home! I love that the wood work and the cabinets are still wood and have not been painted. I am sure you will have this looking great in no time.
Jenna says
Yep, definitely 50’s style! I’m so glad the wood work is still as it originally was as well – just needs a really good cleaning!
Melanie says
What a fun project! Can’t wait to see the plans! I’m with you on the farmhouse style. I like it but don’t want it. lol
Jenna says
It is going to be fun, Melanie! We’re excited – plans coming soon! Thank you!
Emily says
I need advice! I just got my grandparents old master bedroom furniture– two night stands, – chest and a dresser. It was purchased in the 60’s in Chicago, and is great quality and pretty good condition. The tops of the tables are a little scuffed, and there are your usual wear-and-tear nicks and scratches here and there. I really don’t want to change the color/style of the set, but I want to do something to cover up those places bits of paint is missing/scuffy marks on the tops etc. Could I use a dark glaze to fill in the nicks to make it look more like intentional aging, or maybe add a stain over top? Whatever I do I want to avoid stripping it or sanding it much because I do love the current paint.
Jenna says
Are the pieces currently stained wood or painted? If it’s stained, I would use a stain pen that matches the color of the current stain to touch up those pieces. If it’s painted, I do think you could do a dark glaze to to fill in the nicks. Just do light coats of it until you get it the shade you want.
Montee Wellman says
Look forward to seeing all you do! I have thought if my grandparent’s stone house up in Clarksville, TN ever goes on the Market, I would love to buy it back. My paternal grandmother was only with me for 8 years, but she was probably the most influential person in my life.