Hey guys! I hope you had a wonderful week!
The almond blossoms are in full swing in our orchards! Here’s a couple of pictures taken from inside my house. I hope this will hold you over until I can get my butt outside and take some nicer pictures:
This photo was taken from off our second story balcony. Notice that every other row of almonds are blooming. There are two varieties of almonds planted on our property and they bloom at different times. Interesting, huh?
This photo was taken through our second story picture window in the front of our house. This is my cousin’s almond orchard across the street. Most all the farmland in our area are almond orchards. If you look at the horizon, you can see a sea of white that goes on as far as the eye can see (is that enough “sees” for you?). 😀 It is so gorgeous here this time of year, and the smell from the blossoms is absolutely heavenly!
And because I know it will come up – yes, those are train tracks in front of our house. When some people see that there are train tracks in front of our house, they 1. Feel the need to point out to me that there are train tracks close to our house, and 2. Assume that there are trains roaring by our house every 5 minutes day and night.
I grew up on this property, as my parents before me and my grandparents before them. The train tracks were always there as far as I know. My grandparent’s house sat where our house is now, and my parents built their house right around the corner. The trains that went by during my childhood were freight trains, maybe 20-30 cars, and at the time did run day and night (although it was nowhere near every 5 minutes). I grew up with the trains going by and never once was I bothered by them or saw them as some kind of nuisance. One of my fondest childhood memories was putting pennies on the tracks for the train to flatten as it went by.
Because of this, it never occurred to me to build our house it anywhere else on the property than where it stands. So it was really a surprise to me that some people seemed to think of the tracks being so close to our house is some kind of “problem.” It used to bother me a lot, but it doesn’t anymore because I understand that other people don’t have the same perspective about it as I do because they didn’t grow up here.
Perspective is an interesting thing.
So, if you had the same thoughts as above:
- Yes, I’ve noticed 🙂
- The train goes up and back once every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, and it usually 20 cars max. The train goes to the winery that is on the next block over and a cannery in the next town. With that being the only two stops the train makes these days, I don’t know how keeping this line open can be cost effective. I imagine they will probably close this line down eventually. If and when they do, I will miss the train as I like watching and listening to it as it goes by. The traffic on the road in front of our house is far more busy and annoying to me than the trains will ever be.
I’ve also had people ask me if I ever worry about derailment. The tracks are about 100 feet away from the house, but they may look like they are closer to you in the picture. The train tracks are a straight shot (no twists and turns) and the train is only allowed to go at a max of 20 mph through this area. Because of this, the likelihood of a derailment is extremely slim… we’ve never had a derailment in this area. And if it did derail, all the train would do would be to come to a stop or possibly some of the cars may fall on their side. Train cars are extremely heavy, and going 20 mph they would not have enough inertia to actually slide into the house. What we do have a problem with in this area is cars running into people’s fences and even houses because people drive on this road like their butts are on fire. The train tracks have acted as a barrier against cars that have skidded off the road from hitting our house – twice in the 10 years we’ve been here and several times when my grandparents had their house here.
You guys that link up just keep blowing me away with your amazing projects and decor!!! I can’t wait to see what you guys come up with for this spring!
This Week’s Features:
Wine Cork Memory Box by The House On Silverado
DIY Milk Glass Lamp Makeover by Sweet Pea
Ornately Carved Wood Jewelry Box Goes Farmhouse – Updated! by Creative Moments
How To Style a Bookcase… Against The Rules by French Creek Farmhouse
Link Party Rules:
The party rules are super simple! Link up your favorite farmhouse style DIY projects or indoor/outdoor decor inspiration only. No food or recipes please.
I don’t require you to link back to this party, but if you do, I’d really appreciate it! I also don’t require you visit or comment on other blogger’s linkups, but it’s always a nice way to share the bloggy love! By linking up, you will get a chance to be featured here at next week’s party and across my social media. If you pin anything from the party, please pin it from the original source.
By linking up to this party, you agree to give me permission to share your posts and pictures via social media and as features, roundups, etc. with a link back to your post or a link back to this party on the week your post was featured.
Thanks so much for stopping by and and have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks for sharing my ornate jewelry box!! And thanks for hosting 🙂
You’re very welcome Lee Ann! 🙂
Oh.. your almond orchard photos are lovely, Michelle! Love that pendant lamp you have, too! Do the blossoms have a fragrance? Thanks for hosting… did you know you have train tracks in the front of your house? 😉 (I loved reading this WHOLE post!)
Thanks so much Julie! 🙂 Yes, they have a fragrance – it smells heavenly when I first step outside in the morning! I’m happy you enjoyed my post!
The almond trees are breathtaking! Spring has definitely sprung where you are, please send it my way!
Thank you Pamela! It’s definitely the prettiest time of the year here!
I think I would like the sound of trains passing by! Wish I could smell the trees through my screen, they sure are pretty! Thanks for sharing my milk glass lamp makeover this week.
You’re very welcome Paula! I love milk glass and I really love how you made your lamp look brand new!
Thank you Michelle for your 142nd Farmhouse Friday – always a pleasure to visit and join in.
Joy
You’re very welcome Joy! It’s always a pleasure to have you! 🙂
Hello Michelle,
Thanks so much for hosting Farmhouse Friday, and for featuring my Wine Cork Memory Box. I adore your farmhouse style and all the lovely photos on your blog. I was so excited to see my post featured! I’m relatively new at this, so being featured is exciting to me!
You mention in your rules that you’ll share the features “across your social media”. Can you tell me where to find those? I’d love to see that, too!
Thanks again!
-Niky from The House on Silverado
You’re very welcome Niky! I share all the features on my Farmhouse Friday board on Pinterest and I will also share one or two features on my Facebook page and Facebook group DIY Farmhouse Style. You can find all my social media link buttons in the dropdown menu at the top of my blog on moblie and the upper right hand corner of my blog on desktop. Thanks so much for joining us! 🙂
Love your beautiful property views Michelle! Thank you for hosting!
You’re very welcome Amber, and thank you! 🙂
Thank you so much for hosting! This week I am excited to share how to use your vintage treasures as side tables! Hope you have a great rest of your week!
You’re welcome Kristin, and thank you for sharing your awesome side table ideas! 🙂
Thanks so much for hosting each week!!
Hugs,
Debbie
You’re very welcome Debbie! Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂
Hi Michelle! thank you for sharing those wonderful pictures of the trees. I do imagine they smell so good. As for the train tracks. i love the sound of the long, slow trains but that is really close to your house. I think i would be more afraid of a derailment. Your place looks very comforting.
Hi Cheryl! I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures of the trees. As for the train tracks and derailment, I understand why you think that might be a possibility as you don’t have the perspective of growing up near these particular train tracks. The tracks are about 100 feet away from the house, but they may look like they are closer to you in the picture. The train tracks are a straight shot (no twists and turns) and the train is only allowed to go at a max of 20 mph through this area. Because of this, the likelihood of a derailment is extremely slim – we’ve never had a derailment in this area. And if it did derail, all the train would do would be to come to a stop or possibly some of the cars may fall on their side. Train cars are extremely heavy, and going 20 mph they would not have enough inertia to actually slide into the house. What we do have a problem with in this area is cars running into people’s fences and even houses because people drive on this road like their butts are on fire. The train tracks have acted as a barrier against cars that have skidded off the road from hitting our house – twice in the 10 years we’ve been here and several times when my grandparents had their house here. I hope this information eases your mind. Thanks so much for stopping by!