Marie loved to spend time at her beautiful farmhouse in Encino. She bought the ranch in 1946 and spent two years turning it into her dream home. Marie called it "McDonald's Farm" and she invited her mother and stepfather to live there with her. The farm was run-down when she bought it so she got it for a cheap price. She painted the house white and decorated it herself using bright colors. Marie added a swimming pool, a dressing room, and a guest house to the property. While fixing the roof her stepfather fell off and was seriously injured. The house was filled with early American furniture and antiques that Marie bought herself. Above the piano there was a portrait of her painted by Harry Clive. Marie put a trailer in the backyard that she would use as her private office. She went there to listen to records, read books, and study scripts. There was a large garden where she grew potatoes, lettuce, berries, and tangerines. She liked to cook meals for her family using food from their garden. Marie and her parents shared the farm with their two dogs - Puggins and Cappy. They also had five cats, six chickens, two ducks, a horse, and a pig. In September 1947 there was a small fire on the farm. Several rooms were damaged and Marie's wedding trousseau was completely destroyed. She and Harry Karl lived in the guest house during the first year of their marriage. When they bought their own home in 1948 Marie gave the farm to her parents.
Putting up curtains
In the kitchen
