Quite often, when visitors come to our farm,
I am asked if I came from a farming background.
"No," I reply.
But I have to admit I think it is in my genes.
Ever since I was a little girl, I was happiest when I had dirt beneath my fingernails
and worms within my pockets (just ask my Mom!).
I grew up in a very middle class suburban family.
Sure, we always had tomato plants in the summer,
and lots of gardens around the house,
but we were suburban through and through.
On weekends, though, my parents would load me into the car
and set off on a country adventure
hiking, picnicking and foraging for nature's treasures
which we would bring home and use in some craft or display.
My grandparents are responsible for my love of all things farm, I believe.
My Nana and Papap on my Mother's side were country folk of
Pennsylvania Dutch descent.
So much so, that when they settled in a small Lancaster County town,
they tilled their entire backyard, turning it into one huge garden.
They were from a generation who knew self sufficiency and sustainability.
Nana picked and canned and froze and dried....
filling her larder and freezer with a year's worth of food by the end of each summer.
She knew how to grow a chicken, butcher it and cook it.
She knew how to grow a chicken, butcher it and cook it.
It was the trips to their house and the tours of their gardens
that instilled my love for tilling the soil, planting the seed, and harvesting the food.
There was never a question in my mind....
this was how I wanted to live.
And so at the age of 22, in my very first "home of my own",
I started my first garden.
And pretty much every year since then I have planted and harvested.
It wasn't until the second half of my life that the farm became a reality.
Hubbs and I jumped in with both feet...
building fences and filling those fenced in acres with animals,
digging gardens and filling them with fruits and vegetables,
putting up coops and filling them with chickens, ducks and turkeys.
With lots of love and elbow grease and a little time,
the farm grew into what it is today....
our life's blood...
heaven on earth...
home.
This kind of life is not for everyone.
But I must say...
time slows down on a farm.
Little things become important...
the hummingbirds' return in Spring,
fireflies in Summer,
purple asters in Autumn,
purple asters in Autumn,
and the cardinal's red coat against the grey days of Winter.
At the same time, other things become unimportant.
At the same time, other things become unimportant.
My life has come full circle.
My Nana and Papap would be pleased.
I am happy.
PS....I don't always have time to answer your comments, but please know
how much they mean to me. You inspire me to write better,
take better pictures, and strive to give back some of that inspiration.
Thank you for that.
Life is so much more fun when you can share the joy!
Comments
When the garden is in full swing I pick a tomatoe off the vine and enjoy the warm sunshine in its sweet taste..Nope there's nothing better then livin on the peacefulness of the farm no matter the size it still has magic.
thanks for sharing your thoughts they refect my own!!
Blessings
Tonya
Beautiful pictures of a life well chosen. I'm so glad you share the glorious countryside with us, your readers.
On a sadder note, I'm sorry to hear of Jacks passing. The circle of life is the hardest part on a farm.
I so enjoy your animals,gardens,writings,pictures,and of course your precious little grandson.
I have 5 of my own and adore everyone of them.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful life with all of us.
Kathy
That is a pleasant afternoon.
I have been on my farm in Tennessee for 20 years now. Once a farm-girl, always a farm-girl. You are so right about the hard work, it is never done, but how could we ever do anything else.And when the days work is done, nothing compares to sitting out on the porch of a sweet June evening and listening to the peepers while the sky is filled with the twinkling and blinking of fireflies. What a life!
Maura :)