This is the Bellingham Farmhouse model of the DuraCraft Doll House kits. Of course, it's a living homesteading model. Notice the chickens, garden tools, farm dog and porch swing (not yet hung) on the front porch. As at any homestead, some projects are still in process - I have not yet added the individual shingles to the roof, nor completed the chimney and the fireplace that came with the kit. I do have two freestanding fireplaces.

A closer view of the front porch items. There's also a baby rabbit that's too tiny to see in the picture.

Notice the cats with the bucket of spilled milk! Mop and bucket stand ready for clean up, but the homesteading wife has to first tend the fire.

The farmer just came in from milking and found the dog chasing the cat up the stairs- again!

The pictures below show the two areas of the living room. The rocker holds the housewife's needlework. She rocks and listens to the bird in the cage sing and then takes a break for some tea on the sofa.

I can imagine the homesteading wife seeking quiet times here infront of the master bedroom fireplace, ignoring the sewing machine that calls her to mending. Quiet moments are few and far between on an active homestead and are to be cherished and savored without guilt. An anniversary clock adorns the mantle and sea shells on the floor remind her of pleasant memories.

The nursery is nestled in the third story. The crib sides move up and down with ease. A rocker and cradle await bedtime and the rocking horse is ready for play.

The little girl's bedroom is loaded with dolls as well as cowboy and work hats, tools and bunk beds, just waiting for city cousins to come to visit the summer away. Beside her room, not shown, is the attic "junk room", which no homestead can survive without. In the junk room is an old trunk and left over furniture and the space for the little girl to sneak away with a flashlight and write the secret things all young girls feel in her hidden diary.

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