Who Are We?

We have lived on a farm about 20 miles west of Peoria, IL for 20 years. At the moment we have 3 dogs: a 130lb black lab, Chenoa, a 100lb yellow lab, Gus, and a 15lb Jack Russell Terrier, Cheyenne who rules over all (at least she thinks she does). We also have four horses: 2 Paints, Smoke (black and white) and Klay (sorrel and white) and 2 Arabs, Shikoba Yana (Kobi, black) and Nashoba Annewon (Nash, Gray).

We enjoy spending time at home with our dogs, going for walks by our creek and sitting on the porch in the evening waving to the occasional neighbor going by.

Bill is a carpenter and has begun his own business after 30 years of working for other companies in addition to contracting out part time. He is a demanding craftsman and has no problem staying busy. His hobbies are playing with the dogs and NASCAR.

Colleen works here at home caring for the farm and making crafts which seems to be a never ending job. She likes playing with the dogs and NASCAR, but also enjoys riding her horses and yard and garden work (both flower and vegetable). Anything to be outside. She is part Kickapoo Indian by heritage but full blooded in heart.

Our farm was built in 1847 as a 2 story school house on a flagstone root cellar. School was held downstairs and the teacher lived upstairs. We have tried to keep it rustic here. We heat with wood in the winter and the house is still old looking with a modern touch. (Vinyl siding with a cedar porch and shutters). The inside walls are oak 2x4’s with 4x4 cross braces and hand hewn beams that are pinned and doweled. The walls were finished by bricking in between the studs then adding a layer of rock lathe plaster over that. We have stripped many of the walls and exposed the wood and bricks. Some of the brick was missing from past projects the previous owners had done.

We also have a 26-year-old daughter, Natalie, who comes home on various weekends so we enjoy time with her. She lives about 30 miles away and is a high school Math teacher in Deer Creek/Mackinaw, IL. We enjoy watching the storms that come by our way. They are one of God’s amazing creations along with the sunsets.

We hope you enjoy the crafts we make and the NASCAR information.

- Bill & Colleen

Recent Photos