Country Comfort

Followers of my blog, I appreciate YOU! As you know, I prefer to write about the wonderful events in our little community and the very interesting people who live here. I hope you will allow this blog about my current listing called "Country Comfort." You'll see why if you care to continue reading.

Situated on forty very private acres, this spacious 2,450 square foot home is truly designed with convenience and comfort in mind. Not a cookie-cutter tract house, the single story floor plan was carefully designed by collaboration of the owners, Ken and Tina Haws, and the local builder of custom homes, Barry Zimmerman. Built in 2005 this three bedroom, two full bath home has the latest features such as tankless hot water system, central vac, and dual heating. The high ceilings with recessed lights accentuate the drama of the central living area. Fifty miles distant, the snow-covered Yolla Bolly coast range mountains sparkle in the morning sun, framed by the gracefully arched west-facing windows of the living and dining rooms.

An entire paragraph could be written about the kitchen. This one probably has more cabinets than you've ever seen in a kitchen and they are beautiful alder with a cherry stain. A central cooking island adds even more counter space in this working country kitchen, and with two ovens you can easily manage a large turkey and several pies at the same time for Thanksgiving. There is even an appliance garage, something I have never heard of before, and of course a wine storage cabinet convenient to the formal dining room. The window over the sink looks east through the blue oaks, welcoming the morning sun at breakfast time.

Looking for a home with a private master suite? The split bedroom floor plan provides the ultimate privacy for this spacious master. As you would expect, a large walk-in closet is nicely situated opposite the master bath which features a separate shower and jacuzzi tub. Soak in comfort as you gaze out the window through the oaks towards Shingletown Ridge. It's totally private, not another house in sight.

One of the great ideas for a country house, especially one with horses such as this one, is a mud room. This one even has a sink. While most mud rooms are just large enough for a coat rack and a bench to remove crusty boots, this one is so large it has morfed into a family room frequented by the Haws family grandchildren. The perfect play area totally enclosed by north and west-facing windows, it's light and bright. The cement floor is indestructable for those vigorous kid activities.

The laundry room has a nice window over the folding counter letting in plenty of natural light. This room also serves as a pantry and has an amazing amount of storage space with floor to ceiling cabinets on both walls. You can fill up the truck or van at Costco... you'll not be able to fill up all these cabinets. And for the gardener and home canner, there is ample room for all those home-canned goodies you put up at harvest time. The fenced garden area already has several fruit trees.

A small ranch needs a workshop, and this one includes a half bath in the spacious 900 square foot double door garage. Bring all your tools and your big pick-up truck. It all fits nicely in this beautiful garage/workshop, attached to the main house by a covered walkway.

The well is protected by an attractive pump house. There is also a large covered area for the storage of tractors, a wood splitter, rider mower, four-wheeler and other ranch equipment. You'll never need to buy firewood. This forty acre ranch has gently rolling grasslands punctuated by dozens of blue oaks which burn long and hot. The house does have central heat powered by propane if you prefer, but nothing beats the warmth of a wood fire. The wood stove in the living room is designed with an enclosed wood storage area for convenience.

Every ranch needs a barbecue set-up, and this one is sweet. Very well situated on the west side of the house to enjoy the panoramic views, this outdoor patio is spacious and comfortable with a large picnic table and lots of lounge chairs. Those warm July evenings will soon be upon us, so put that beer on ice and fire up the barbie! This is the place to really enjoy the property. While you're grilling, the kids can play on the tire swing or try out the hammock strung between two oaks.

Horses? This ranch has a couple. The pastures are fenced and cross-fenced, so rotating the critters to the area with the greenest grass is a piece of cake. The dirt trails and unpaved roads in this area make riding a pleasure. It's a rural area with few other houses and spectacular views in all directions.

Bottom line: This private ranch and custom home, only two miles from the Manton store, school, post office and diner, is the perfect place to discover your own "country comfort." Check it out online by clicking on the "my listings" tab at www.mantonproperty.com or better yet, arrange for your own private tour of the property by contacting the gracious owners Ken and Tina Haws. They'll be happy to show you around. To make an appointment, just call them at (530) 474-3653. Welcome to Manton Volcanic Wine Country! Oh, I almost forgot... priced to sell quickly at $599,000.