I was saddened to read in the Author's Note about the demolition and burial of the Farmhouse and its parlor organ. I hope all that was salvageable was saved.

Hums with life and the joys and tribulations of a large family ... The story itself is told in lilting text which reads so well aloud, and the accompanying illustrations are colourful and joyous. I loved this book without reservation' Readings Mix in metal accents: Layer in some mixed metals through light fixtures, hardware, and architectural details like railings. Generally, using no more than three metals per room is best. For instance, you might have complementary metals on your appliances, cabinet hardware, and lighting in a modern farmhouse kitchen. The pictures in this book are made of layers. I began with the reverse side of a roll of wallpaper and added floors and walls and furniture, made from scraps and fragments I found in the house. Most of the first layers are invisible now, hidden beneath embellishments and details, in the way that stories become layered as they get retold over the years. Stories about everything, and nothing much, that stay alive long after children grow up and houses fall down, while wildflowers nod their heads in the sun. In real life learning, we’ll often be talking to a friend, reading a book, watching a movie, going about an everyday task, or experiencing a problem, when we see something that sparks our interest that we’d like to learn more about. Then we’ll often research and then try it ourselves. Examples:

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We take pride in providing a comfortable and indulgent retreat for our guests.Each of our 27 bedrooms are designed with your comfort in mind, offering a peaceful sanctuary where you can unwind and recharge. We believe in providing you with the little luxuries that make your stay truly special. For those looking to slow down, step outside of the Farmhouse and find yourself surrounded by beautifulHertfordshire countryside, where you can immerse yourself in nature and explore at your leisure. A. Talking to a friend and them mentioning they made bread from scratch, then researching recipes, or requesting hers, and finally trying the recipe yourself.

A willow sapling grew through a hole in the floor, reaching toward a hole in the roof. Nobody had lived there for a long time. Well, no people, that is. Plenty of animals had taken shelter. Raccoons, judging by the droppings; squirrels, by the walnut shells; swallows, by the nests. Not to mention mice and bats and wasps. It was as well I didn’t know, until a farmer told me later, that a bear had been sleeping in the basement. Welcome to The Farmhouse at Redcoats, a family-owned 2AA rosette restaurant and 4AA star hotel nestled in the picturesque Hertfordshire countryside. Steeped in history, our 15th-century Farmhouse boasts a captivating blend of quirky details, charming historic features, and stylish interiors, creating a truly memorable stay.Modern life moves fast, so we’ve designed our rooms to be a safe sanctuary to slow down. Each of our 27 bedrooms has a personality of its own: whether you're staying in the characterful, charming Farmhouse, our stylish renovated barn bedrooms or our luxury honeymoon suite. You will be treated to comfy beds, indulgent bathrooms and all the little touches to ensure you’ll wake up refreshed and ready to explore. This story falls close to my heart, as it will for many. I hold a deep fondness for old and/or abandoned farmsteads. I grew up on one. I've explored and photographed many, and rescued treasures left behind, and imagined the stories of those who lived, struggled, and loved there.

In the author’s note at the end of the book, Sophie reflects on the splendid confluence of chance and choice by which it all came together:

Incorporate texture: Use a variety of textures to give the look some depth. Mix woods and metals. And combine fabrics, such as cotton, canvas, wool, chenille, or whatever else you like. Because the modern farmhouse style is primarily made up of neutral colors, you'll need a mix of textures to keep the space from looking flat. For example, in a modern farmhouse living room, you could add texture with upholstered furniture, pillows, curtains, and even wall art made of wood or metal. Every year, monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles from Canada to Mexico. Each passage takes three to four generations, and each generation manages to communicate to the next, without language as we know it, the direction and call of the journey as it dies. Along the way, the caterpillars of the new generation feed exclusively on milkweed — the only host plant of the species, the only taste of home for these eternal migrants. Read the non-fiction/skills portion that corresponds, and voice connections + schedule the activity (opt.) I keep revisiting this book and reading it again and again, sometimes silently, other times out loud. Firstly, my favourite thing about this picture book are the end papers. A montage of artwork and photographs of items and materials from the house that inspired the book, it's absolutely captivating. It's like looking at a digital scrapbook of creativity, memories and the passage of time. Look closer and the curtains around the windows are scraps of fabric, look again and you'll notice newspaper clippings, photographs and scraps of wallpaper.