Rachel's house.

?

One of my dearest friends, Rachel, recently moved a little closer to home.
She is living out in the sticks, in a house that was very close to being just a pile of sticks itself.
At its last valuation the house was valued at nil (!?) and it hasn't been inhabited for about 15 years. There were/are plants growing through the floor boards, holes in the walls and rats in the walls.
It is so, so beautiful.
We went out to visit yesterday afternoon and I was blown away by how envious I felt. I mean, really, I love my little warm house to pieces but she lives out in the middle of nowhere in this huge house filled to the brim with amazing arty treasures, and she an do whatever she likes with it! No landlords concerned about pin marks, no stress about children pulling the wallpaper off their walls (ta, Aesop!) and free rule of the garden too. It makes me pine for my own home.
But that wasn't the only reason I left feeling a slightly greener shade of pink. Rachie is a jeweller and an artisan in the true sense. She is finishing up her studies with a masters in making objects (you can read about it here because I definitely can't explain it! ha) and while she spends a lot of time writing as part of her course, she spends the rest of her time growing things, fixing her house, knitting, spinning, crocheting.. basically Rachel is seems to have more hours in her day than I, and more talent to fill them.
Granted having two fewer children than me (and one less husband) would free up a few hours and being without the internet at home and television would free up a few more... but unfortunately those are things (aside from the tv) that I just wouldn't be without.
Isn't it always the same? The grass is always greener in someone elses paddock. I have a sneaking suspicion Rachel would trade it all for a nice husband and a few littlies running around. I guess I just need to work on being happier where I'm at! Although I do think I'll steal a few decor ideas..

(more pictures on Rachies house in my flickr stream..)