the country and not the city.
a house and not an apartment.
a well weathered farm house and not a new build.
upstairs not downstairs.
on hard wood floors, not carpet or tiles.
next to a corn field, not a lake.
inland and not by the ocean (I think).
OK, your turn.
I would live in the country, but close enough to a big city.
I would have a beach bungalow or an old farm house, nothing new, either.
I would be surrounded by color, not white and beige.
I would have friends instead of just neighbors.
I would grow my own produce, instead of buying.
I would have shade trees surrounding me & protecting me.
I would live with the great love of my life, instead of searching for him.
Shade trees and a great love – both to shelter and protect. Yes, me too. Love that image.
I used to say the country, but not the city, but now I’d have to say city. God has called us here & I love it!
If I could, I would live…
…in a warm-weather state, not a cold state.
…surrounded by my extended family, and not far away from them.
…in a small house, & not too big of one.
…with a maid. ;)
..with a maid…indeed! That could make any home perfection! ;)
I would live…
In the country, but close to the city
With a garden and chickens
And a route for my runs
An home with an old soul, but newer innards
Near enough to the beach and the mountains, for a short trip to each
An home with an old soul, but newer innards – yes, that’s exactly the kind of farm house I want!
I’m such a city girl. I would live in…
the big city, not the suburbs
a small space, not a large empty house
another country just to have the experience
intentional community, instead of community by default
near water (doesn’t have to be an ocean, can be a river like the Hudson in NYC; born and raised in NYC)
a constant awareness that the Father takes pleasure in the essence of who I am (I forget that way too much)
That was fun. Thanks!
“intentional community” – yes, I love that! Me too, I want that one on my list too!
If I could I would
Live in the mountains not the city
stay home more rather than leave often
Sit on the porch instead of the couch
Walk instead of drive
I was with you until you the bit about a cornfield, not a lake, inland, not the ocean. I used to think I preferred mountains to the ocean. And I do still love mountains, but in living close to the ocean for the past 3 years, I’ve developed a love for the beach that I’ll never shake.
In a perfect world, all my loved ones would be within a close drive, and I would live in southern Maine for the summer through New Year’s, Vancouver for the winter, a row house in DC for the spring, and back to Maine for summer. Assuming, of course, everyone I love comes with me everywhere I go!
Oh, love that – house hopping with everyone else joining along too! I even know which *exact* row house I would want. Let’s just say that I’ve been in love with the Eastern Market region for nearly 16 years. Sigh…cherry blossoms..sigh
If I could I would live in
an older home, not new (but renovated and working!)
in a small town, not big city, (but near the city)
in the mountains, not the beach,
in a place that had four distinct seasons, not just hot or cold.
If I could, I would live in
the mountains, not farm land
next to the ocean, not inland . . .
because I want it all. Ha!
Actually, I’m just waiting on my eternal home. It’ll be perfect.
If I could I would live in a place that had 4 distinct seasons not just 2 -summer and end of summer (HOT HOT humid HUMID and hot :)
Ditto what you said.
I’m living on the very edge of a small town in a rural area on the plains. There are even horses across the road. Love where we live.
The main thing I would change if I could is owning instead of renting. In time…
I would live in….
peace not chaos
serenity not stress
joy not sadness
abundance not lack
fulfillment not longing :)
IF i could I would live in a constant state of awareness…
Aware that Jesus is real an dGod’s love and Grace are enough for today.
I would live from the place in my heart I know is strong and sparkly and I would accomplish and shine everyday.
And you can come visit your if list ANYtime – we’ve got you covered at topoftheworldfarm.com!
Um, that farm sounds amazing!!
On a dusty dirt road not a crowded city street
In the embrace of a home not a box of a house
Among running feet and laughter not stillness and silence
Where four-wheelers and horses race freely not where fences and gates confine
Where wrestling is encouraged not where breakables are perched
Where hearts long to return not pine to leave
Your list is poetry. I love it! I could live in this list and be very very happy.
If I could, I would live in
the country and not the city
with mountains in my backyard and water (ocean, lake, anything substantial) close nearby and not the grassy plains.
a small house and not a big house or an apartment
a room upstairs with a loft and sunrise views and a balcony and not downstairs
hard wood floors and not carpet, only tiles if they are gorgeous
with a big kitchen and not a small one
with bright, happy colors and not neutrals
If I could, I would live in:
A house by the sea in summer, and a home in the mountains in winter.
Be surrounded by rich reds, yellows and blues in my summer home, and warm browns and maroons in winter.
Spend long, summer days outside in the warm sun, with family and friends.
Spend cold, winter days cozied up by the fireplace, with a good book and pot of hot tea.
If I could.
Ooo, I didn’t think of that! yes, me too – I also want multiple houses now ;)
I think I’d keep things the way they are.
I have access to the coast – and the mountains – and rivers.
I get four seasons a year – not two.
I get lush green and rocky brown.
I get the amenities of Portland – and the charm of Jacksonville.
I get good coffee – and a great pint of beer – and the best glass of red wine.
I get Powell’s City of Books.
Yep. I kinda like where I live. :)
Ahhhhh Powells!!!!!! Indeed – you live in a very good place!
If I could I’d live…
In a house full of kids not an empty one.
In a burb close enough to the city for my city love not in a small town.
Near the beach for visits not in the desert.
Comfortable climates not 115-degree heat of summer.
If I could, I’d live…
Near the ocean and far away from the mountains.
If no ocean nearby, a lake will suffice.
In a warm climate where it doesn’t snow.
In a house that is big enough to have a lot of space for everyone, but small enough that it feels cozy.
In a neighborhood that offers up true friendship.
Close to all the amenities I need and close to a God – focused church that is active in the community.
Hmm…for the most part, that describes where I live now. I do wish I was a little closer to the ocean, though. That hour long drive is a bit too long. I’d rather have the ocean view property. =D
If I could I would…
live on our own acre (or so) of land and not in a subdivision.
write for a living not wish for my job every year.
spend every day on the lake and not cooped up in the house.
travel the world not just to Target.
let go of my anxiety instead of letting to hold me.
Hee hee, but I tell you what – after all my travels I sure do enjoy coming back to Target ;)
If I could, I would live…
…closer to my church and my friends.
…on the lake or on the river.
…in a house with more storage space.
…in a log cabin.
if i could, i would live…
*in a small town near a big city
*somewhere it doesn’t snow (or at least snow doesn’t stay)
*in an old, but renovated, sunny house with a big front porch
*without carpet or stairs
*near a beach of some sort, preferably ocean but would take a lake
*next door to my bff
*close to my church
*closer to my God, who i tend to forget is wherever i am
*closer to my God, who i tend to forget is wherever i am
~I love that – yes, me too!
If I could I would live in…
two places at once :) instead of being stuck b/w two homes.
an old country home with lots and lots of character instead of a cookie cutter house.
a house with a HUGE front porch instead of a piddly balcony off of a downtown apartment.
in the “hot zone” from the grandparents instead of 24 hours travel away.
a house with window boxes with flowers.
a town small enough to feel familiar but big enough to have it’s own Target and Sam’s :)
a place where I could be a part of a church family mature and established (instead of starting up a new church… it’s been a great experience, but we’re a little worn out :)
a place with lots and lots of little boys to be friends to my sons… and with mommies to share life with :)
Oh I like these so very much. Yes, we loved our small town but over an hour is just too far to have to drive to a Target! ;)
I don’t know, Lisa-Jo…about the corn field thing. We live next to a corn field and, well, let’s just say SNAKES and MICE live in corn fields. (And, btw, snakes and mice, move and crawl to places next door.) So — maybe we could trade the lake for the corn field. :)
Ha!! You have me chuckling out loud. We lived next to one in MI and fortunately didn’t run into that kind of problem! Yikes!!
If I could…
a place for my kids to run outside instead of our miniscule back yard.
a farm house with character and not conformity.
a place with four seasons, not just hot, hot, HOT!
a wrap-around porch with good friends and sweet tea watching children climb trees.
I could go on and on. Even if I don’t get those things here on Earth, I know my Father is preparing a place for me in heaven. Somedays, I can’t just can’t wait to get there and see it! I think that there will be a Tar-jay close by! ;)
This is my first time here and I’m really enjoying your writing! I’ll definitely be coming back. Thanks for sharing!
Hi there! A wrap around porch? Me too! I would love that. And wide open spaces and a nearby Tar-jay – yes, that would be perfection!!
If I could I would live in:
a neighborhood where I knew my neighbors and block parties were events not novel ideas
a home that we had built
with a spiral staircase (there’s something romantic about a spiral staircase)
death to tile; wood sounds good to me
near a lake so I could spend my sunsets journaling
maybe put my toes in the water every now and again
a swing would be a necessity too
If I could I would live . . .
in a place where deviations from 70 F were predictable and rare
where the ocean could be seen from my window
reasonably close to a major airport
closer to my family or friends who were just like family
where siestas were mandatory
and house help was inexpensive
in a house with enough space to spread out and still feel like there was an abundance of space
where snakes and vermin were banned
Hmmmmmmm . . . guess I’m longing for heaven!
If I could I would live in a travel trailer pulled by a hefty truck and carrying bicycles…with baskets to ride into town for supplies now and then.
I’d work on Mondays & Tuesdays and spend the rest of my time helping people write about their amazing lives.
I would drive to the cemetery at the top of the hill in Elmdale, Ks to listen to the wind through the fields and the cedar trees and read the penciled-in names of visitors in the guestbook.
boy ]]] agreed with all of yours.. ..
definitely…
If I could I would live.. .
close to my best friend… my sister and not several states apart.
in an old craftsman farmhouse with rocking chairs and swings on the front porches..
where i would watch the night come slowly in, drinking my tea.. hearing the crickets call and the lightning bugs flicker.
If I could.. I would have a garden where I grow whatever flowers I wanted and endless vegetables.. and keep my dogs [which i would get several of] roaming free .. . running through my horses’ stable by my house. .. hmmmmmmmmmm.. .mm all this daydream, i quite love.. .
If I could I would live near the ocean
In an old country home
On rolling hills
With cows in the background
With a large large dining room
With a large large table
With windows overlooking the ocean
For family and friends to sit around and visit
And plenty of rooms for them to stay in as well.
Jasmine growing around the veranda
Gum trees too and wattle as well