The Barn: Before.

Lots and lots of photos and words ahead.

The process of renovating the barn and making it my home is finally moving along. I could not be more excited about it or feel more grateful for the opportunity and experience.

I have to say that I have had so many mixed feelings about how much to share about the project in fear of what people would think. I know there are probably many people who may think of me as a spoiled twenty year old with rich parents who are building her a house. Yes, my parents are helping me renovate this barn into something amazing. I mean I am only twenty so my savings just can’t possibly be that big.  But my family’s not loaded (how can you be with seven kids?), and I will be paying rent. We just work hard…well, some of the brothers like to play equally hard.

It’s definitely something that I am sure is hard not to think “Oh, she’s just living off her daddy and breezing through life”. In fact I am pretty sure I would assume the same thing.

My situation is very unique. While most of the kids I went to middle school and a little bit of high school with are off at college right now, doing what college students do. I am cooking, baking, photographing and struggling like crazy to try to be a sub par writer, doing what I truly love. I chose to speed through college and get my degree before starting this blog because school is just not my thing, never has been. For the first time in my life I am genuinely happy with where I am at. Most of the time I am a total basket case and stressed out, but I would not have it any other way.

When I started Half Baked Harvest, I did it because I loved cooking for my family and being creative in ways that also benefited other people. Did I think anyone would ever read it? HECK NO. I never in a million years would have thought that this is where I would be or what I would be doing at twenty. Doing something that I love, that I am passionate about and makes me happy (well unless my brain is malfunctioning and incapable of thinking of good recipes, that’s the worst).

In starting Half Baked Harvest I also discovered a new love of photography. Ok well, sometimes I love it and other times I hate it, but I love learning and trying to be better with every photo I take. I am not a person who wants to sit at a desk all day or who even physically can. An example, yesterday I had tons of computer work to do, so I sat looking at my screen all day. By five o’ clock I just could not focus any longer. I actually started jumping all around my brothers trying to annoy them. They thought it was so weird, so not me and so bazaar. It was.

Anyway, my point it that I am more than a tad different from most and even though I personally do not feel that renovating this barn is something I have earned, my parents do, and they want to help me do it. Sure, I could most definitely get an apartment, and have thought very hard about that, but why do that when I could do this? That would be just plain stupid. So from here on out I have decided to try (I say try because it is impossible for me to completely not care about what others are thinking) to be confident with who I am and what I am doing. To try to not think too much about the future and what could happen or could not. The biggest hurdle for me, the “what if I fail”. So much easier said (written) than done though. Maybe if I write it and say it enough, I will actually think it.

Alrighty though, about the barn now! Plans have been drawn and  I have the picture in my head. It is something so unique and so amazing. I hope to share the drawings with you soon, but for now I have the before photos of the barn. We are applying for all the necessary permits now and if all goes well, building will start in June and end in September…if all goes well! I hear these building projects can hit snags, so I am trying not to get September stuck in my head as move in month… but I’m hoping!

Above is the outside. That garage door is going to become a beautiful door, and that door leading to the upstairs will be one big window allowing for tons of light.

A creepy, but cool, post that I am hoping will be incorporated into the final plans. All the little details obviously have not yet been finalized, but we’re getting there.

Behind those gates will be the kitchen with one giant island. My goal is tons and tons of counter space!

That’s dad. AKA the guy who helps me the most (READ: dishwasher) and surprisingly has great ideas for this place.

Where that cool door is, the big farm sink will sit. So excited about this sink.

Welcome to Spring right? I took these photos yesterday. UGH.

Snow please stop, so I can show you all the pretty views I have from the sink.

This giant room will be the pantry. Also so exited about this. It is going to be a very cool pantry and I cannot wait to show you my ideas for this space.

This is the upstairs where my bedroom will go. It’s going to be small, but I am good with that. As long as I have my kitchen!

So there you go. It’s hard to truly tell the size from these photos, but over time you’ll get the feel. If you have any ideas and or suggestions fire away. I would love to hear them!!