Jan 10, 2015

Where I Grew Up and Some New Farmhouse Art for the Living Room



It's no secret that I love farmhouse decor.

My childhood home
I came by my love for all things farmhouse while growing up on a little farm in the hills of Saratoga, a small town in Northern California near San Francisco. My family lived in a big three story country house with a wrap-around veranda overlooking Saratoga, the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the Santa Clara Valley all the way to the bay. 
My horse, Joey
We had a big barn and meadow where we kept horses, a cow, and a lamb, all looked after by our sheepdog, Lady. Rain or shine and dawn to dusk, when I wasn't in school, I was riding my horse, Joey, all over the Santa Cruz Mountains.

 I can't even imagine a better way to grow up.

When I was ten, my stepfather took us to the dairy farm auction where we sat on bleachers and listened wide-eyed to the auctioneer calling out the sale of calves in the pens below us. We didn't know we'd be driving home with a little black and white not-quite-weaned calf in the back of our pickup. 

We called him Mr. McDougall and taught him how to drink milk from a bucket. He missed his mother and followed us all around the farm like a puppy, so I spent much of that summer sitting on the front lawn under a tree with his head in my lap.

These are my new cows. I haven't named them yet, but I will!



Let's go to a party!

 Between Naps On The Porch
Cozy Little House
The Scoop
  A Stroll Thru Life
Elizabeth & Co.
Savvy Southern Style


Posted by at 11:52 AM
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25 comments:

  1. ANNEJanuary 10, 2015 at 12:08 PM

    AWESOME painting! Great choice Laurel, I love the colours in it.

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  2. MimiJanuary 10, 2015 at 12:29 PM

    I love your artwork, your photos, and your story. Makes me feel a bit nostalgic... :-)

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  3. bobbieJanuary 10, 2015 at 12:41 PM

    Adorable!! Peaches and Herb?

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  4. Enjoying this beautiful life we've createdJanuary 10, 2015 at 1:07 PM

    What a sweet story! I just love cows. I have that same picture too =))

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  5. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2015 at 1:36 PM

    I love the cows too!! Farmhouse is my favorite.

    Kathy

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  6. R @ Rebecca's RoundupJanuary 10, 2015 at 2:14 PM

    Oh my gosh. I don't think I could love a blog post more. I was born in Boise but then grew up in Northern California. My father grew up on a farm in Meridian and I still feel much connection to it and use some "farm" type decor in my home. My maiden name is Dougal and my parents just moved back to Boise by the greenbelt. I don't know how I happened upon your blog but I love it and it is so fun to see the seasons changing in Boise knowing I have loved ones close by to your adorable loft. Thank you for sharing, made my day!

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  7. Art and SandJanuary 10, 2015 at 3:23 PM

    I didn't realize you were a California girl.

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  8. Vickie @ Ranger 911January 10, 2015 at 3:56 PM

    A lovely post about growing up and why you chose your new painting, which I adore! Enjoy!

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  9. Twinkle TerriorJanuary 10, 2015 at 5:25 PM

    I love that picture!! Pretty home and your style is awesome :)

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  10. Brenda PruittJanuary 10, 2015 at 5:51 PM

    Oh his head in your lap? How sweet is that.
    Brenda

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  11. ℳartina @ Northern NestingJanuary 10, 2015 at 6:53 PM

    LOVED hearing about your childhood Laurel and I LOVE your new painting!!

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  12. At Rivercrest CottageJanuary 10, 2015 at 7:03 PM

    the glimpse of your childhood was fun to hear. I grew up North of San Francisco in Sonoma. We had a calf named Triangle. Thanks for bringing back the memories.

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  13. Cranberry MorningJanuary 10, 2015 at 9:30 PM

    What a great story! They can take the girl out of the country, but they can't take the country out of the girl. ;-) Fun post.

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  14. Deb @ Frugal Little BungalowJanuary 11, 2015 at 4:22 AM

    That sounds like the perfect childhood to me! :)

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  15. Karen LakisJanuary 11, 2015 at 5:57 AM

    I love it! It adds so much country charm - absolutely perfect for your home! Your childhood sounds wonderful, too!

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  16. mejamiesonJanuary 11, 2015 at 1:05 PM

    I have the same artwork. Mine are named Clarabell and Lucy reflecting my childhood growing up on a farm.

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  17. The Checkered AppleJanuary 11, 2015 at 3:24 PM

    Laurel,
    I can't tell you how many times I've been to Saratoga! How great to have been raised there and on a farm too! Such a cool town. Your cow print looks great in your home and it's the perfect way to remember all those wonderful memories of your past!

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  18. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.January 11, 2015 at 7:55 PM

    Your new cows are just darling Laurel, but you know it's your story that I love hearing. Sounds like such a wonderful way to grow-up!

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  19. JoAnneJanuary 12, 2015 at 5:03 PM

    Your childhood story brings back memories for me, Laurel. My Dad owned a stockyards when I was growing up and a livestock auction was held there every Tuesday. My Dad was also an auctioneer. I can still hear the sound of his voice even though I could never tell what he was actually saying! : ) Your new artwork is wonderful - I'm sure it will bring back meaningful memories every time you look at those two gorgeous cows!

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  20. Celestina MarieJanuary 12, 2015 at 5:54 PM

    What a beautiful home and place to grow up. Lovely story and your cows artwork is a treasure. They look wonderful in your
    home. Have a great week!
    XO

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  21. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeJanuary 13, 2015 at 8:58 AM

    Oh I love it, what a great painting and a fabulous story. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.

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  22. Jane@Bluebird1959January 13, 2015 at 7:00 PM

    Cute painting and a very heartwarming story. Jane

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  23. Stephanie @ Casa Watkins LivingJanuary 13, 2015 at 10:38 PM

    Hi Laurel,
    Im Stephanie from Casa Watkins blog and I'm stopping by from The Scoop link Party. I love the farmhouse art and lovely story. Your home is so wonderfully styled. Thank you for sharing.

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  24. A Joyful CottageJanuary 14, 2015 at 10:40 AM

    What a sweet story, Laurel. I think the way you grew up is perfect. I'm a farm girl, too. But not California, I grew up in the Midwest. I've lived in the West, though, for a good portion of my adult life. I love this part of our country. Hugs, Nancy

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