Home is where the heart is...

Built in 1857 by Joseph Strader,  this home was a gift to his wife.  Having once owned so many acres where this house sits -- early maps show the "Town of Strader" between Osseo and Augusta.

When we found this home in 2006, it was on a whim -- a Saturday drive looking at homes in northwest Wisconsin.  It was empty & open...and in need of some TLC --- actually in need of LOTS of TLC.  We owned it on Tuesday -- deciding to "take a jump off this cliff". 

We spent the next 9 months literally camping in the house every weekend -- as our other home was about 2 hours away -- and we worked.  We painted or wallpapered every surface.  From the roof to the well -- from the windows to tuck pointing the bricks -- from electrical to heating --- the house kind of arrived at the Emerald City.

I do remember tears rolling down my face just after dark on our first night in the house wondering what I had gotten us into.  Could we really bring this farm back to life?  What ever were we thinking?  Was this just a combination of empty nesting and mid life crisis?  Our friends, Jani & Norm, visited in one of those first weeks -- and kindly waited until they left to also wonder aloud (Jani I think you may have mentioned shuddering in disbelief) at the task that lay ahead for us.

And, so here we are today --- 4 years ago this June we signed the papers as curators of this farm.  Four years ago this month was that evening of tears.....and now I look about in awe at this farm.  I feel in so many ways that she was just waiting for us to arrive.  She embraces us every day.  Thank you, Joseph, for this gift.