The Fox Den

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I’m a homeowner again – as in, fare thee well, all of my dollars.

But for a most worthy cause.

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A few weeks ago, I traded the little sum I got from the sale of the Shotgun in Denver for a 1916 – farmhouse? Bungalow? Victorian? The official style is unclear, since different elements of the house favor different trends – but in any case I’m dubbing it the Fox Den, for obvious reasons.

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I have tiny-bit-more-than doubled my square footage – which, coming from a 600 square foot Shotgun house, was not hard to do. Still though, just a 2 bed / 1 bath feels like so much space. I have an entire closet JUST FOR COATS – and it’s a good thing, because come Minnesota winter, you know I’m going to need them.

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Here are a few things I’ve learned in this particular home-buying process:

  • Internet service providers are like political candidates – they’re all the worst, but they’re all we have to choose from.
  • Mowing a lawn is basically just like vacuuming, but burning more calories.
  • When house hunting, it’s best to buy the first and only house you look at*.

It’s true: I’m two for two. When I bought the Shotgun in Denver, it was because I wandered into an open house while on a walk (not house hunting at all), stood in the front doorway, thought “I like this – maybe I should buy it?” and then I did. I never looked at a single other abode.

This time around, my friend Gabe’s friend JMatt was selling his house without listing it through a realtor – and when I found out about it, I just so happened to be in Minneapolis wrapping up with Larabar. So I grabbed my friend Mark (who was in town from New York) and we went to take a look.

Mark asked all of the questions you’re supposed to ask when considering the largest purchase of your life (“When was the roof replaced?” “Why is there a cluster of wires coming up through the laundry shoot?” “Allow me to inspect the basement walls.”) – but I just walked around swooning.

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And then I bought it.

I thought about looking at other houses in other neighborhoods, but… why? This house was everything I wanted: warm, welcoming, with enough space for guests to come and stay. A big yard for Foxy. A back deck and a front porch swing. A mile and a half from work. Why WOULDN’T I buy this house?

So now I’m settled in. I love it so much. It’s more than I knew to ask for or imagine, and falls into the “Generous Things I Do Not Deserve But Will Never Take For Granted” column (which is already overflowing, to be honest). I am grateful for my home, and want to fill it up with my people.

So please come and see me.

*I cannot be held liable for this backfiring in your face.

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15 Comments

  1. Michael Rhyne on August 11, 2015 at 9:58 AM

    It is such a lovely house! Mowing is exactly like vacuuming, except outside and more rigorous. The Bug has taken over mowing now, since she found out how many calories she can burn! Also, it helps that she can walk better than me these days. Anyway, we are exactly the same about places…we walk in and swoon and start imagining the possibilities. We are so happy for you!

  2. mom on August 11, 2015 at 10:03 AM

    Look at that freshly mowed lawn! And, seriously, to add to the list of generous things you don’t deserve, who moves in and has their next door neighbor come over and offer you the use of his lawn mower? How many calories DO you burn mowing a lawn? I may need to reconsider my lawn service. But, then, I don’t have a neighbor offering their mower.

  3. Denise on August 11, 2015 at 10:29 AM

    Umm, I love this house! Are you in St. Paul or Mpls? It reminds me of the house I grew up in in Minneapolis — built in 1911. I love old houses and my dream is to live in one again someday.

    Hope you’re enjoying MN. Please go to the state fair for me and eat all the things and visit the miracle of birth barn to see all the tiny animals!

  4. shanna on August 11, 2015 at 10:34 AM

    I love it! congratulations!

  5. Peg on August 11, 2015 at 10:36 AM

    As noted in an FB post I think – build a fence. If you can do all the 14-ers you’ve done, you can build a fence. It’s incredibly satisfying. :)

  6. anna white holt on August 11, 2015 at 10:52 AM

    THIS HOUSE IS EVERYTHING A GIRLS DREAMS ARE MADE OF!!!! Congrats girl!

  7. Nichole on August 11, 2015 at 11:16 AM

    Does this warm my heart. It is just spectacular for you!! I adore it. And you’re already fully decorated, well job.

  8. Lan | morestomach on August 11, 2015 at 11:52 AM

    you find the most charming dwellings! congrats to you.

  9. Leigh Kramer on August 12, 2015 at 10:20 PM

    It is so perfectly perfect!

  10. Sarah Miller on August 13, 2015 at 10:41 AM

    Backyard view? It’s a beautiful house w/out being gigantic – love it :)!

  11. […] The Fox Den […]

  12. [not the] Best Blog Ever on August 21, 2015 at 10:47 AM

    Best. Ever. Totally swoon-worthy.

  13. mrs. chesney on August 22, 2015 at 9:51 PM

    Just beautiful. Everything. xoxo

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