| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| FiddleChick |
Posted - Feb 14 2006 : 06:55:28 AM
I've been haunting the chatroom long enough that I thought it was about time to introduce myself. I found MJFarm by accident, through Organic Style Magazine, I think. An article about aprons. That lead me to get her book and THAT lead me to give each of my sisters a vintage apron for Christmas. It's all kind of grown from there.
I don't really think of myself as a farmgirl, which is absurd, because I come from a long line of farmers (dairy, pig, and chicken). My sisters and I used to love being at our memere's and "helping" with chores in the dairy barn. Our aunt would take us up in the hayloft and we'd blow bubbles down on the "boys" (our uncles) while they did chores. They'd laugh and pretend we weren't there. They were painfully shy.
One uncle had a chicken farm and we loved helping to collect eggs. Hated when they got new chicks because they'd just dump the weak ones in a bucket. My sister and I would cry all the way home because we wanted to nurse the babies and knew they'd die without us. Which they did. Egg farming was a business to my uncle and there wasn't much sentiment about it. It was a different time. I like to think it would be different now.
I even grew up on a farm, but we never thought about it like that. We raised goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits (to eat), ducks, and an occassional pig. I even had a horse. I milked goats from the time I was about 10 or 11. We never thought of it as a farm. We thought of it as "the barn" and "the animals." We had a huge garden, about an acre, and canned, dried, and preserved our harvest. I remember one Sunday morning having a huge breakfast and we looked down on our groaning table and realized that we had grown, raised, or made everything on it except for the salt and pepper!! This was the period of time when my parents were into self-sufficiency. I thrived on that. It was a lot of work, but even as a kid I found it very satisfying. I remember thinking that was what my life was going to be like and I looked forward to that.
Somehow it didn't work out that way but that doesn't stop me from trying to get back to it. I think that's one reason I find MJFarm so special. Here, farming as I knew it is dying out. None of my family still farms. But, MJFarm reminds me that farming may be changing, but it's not gone. And the people who love it aren't gone either. I just wish I could find some around here. Most people I know look at me funny because I cook mostly from scratch. They think it's "quaint" when I quilt or crochet or knit or sew or make bobbin lace. Maybe it is quaint, but to me it's also essential.
I love my garden (postage sized compared to the one we had growing up) and I want chickens and sheep (or maybe reindeer, wouldn't that be fun!!!) and maybe even horses someday so I can ride with my daughter who inherited her horse craziness from me and has nowhere to spend it. I love my wooden drying racks and my herbs and my flowers. I love the trees that give us maple syrup every year (even though we only make a dab). My son wants to keep bees and I'm thrilled.
I want...I want MORE of this. I want my life to be full of this. And that's why I love to listen to you all across the "fence." So, hello and thank you all for your ideas, advice, and dreams. They inspire me.
One funny aside before I go...I read the No Place Like Home issue over the weekend and on page 85 Mary Jane is talking about a woman named Ruth and how MJ's husband inherited "an endearing peculiar trait of Ruth's; he "speaks" with his hands whenever he talks." I laughed when I read that...I live in the middle of Vermont now, but I grew up on the border (of Vermont and Quebec, Canada - which is fiercely French and not to be confused with the rest of Canada - which isn't - believe it or not I was about 30 before I realized that) and I come from a long line of French-Canadians. Around here talking with your hands is speaking French!! If you tied my hands behind my back I wouldn't be able to open my mouth!! LOL!!
Warm wishes,
Céleste (and in case the computer messes up the accent mark, in plain English without the French accent aigu my name is spelled Celeste.)
AKA FiddleChick |
| 17 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Amie C. |
Posted - Mar 02 2006 : 09:47:39 AM
Hello, Celeste. I spent some time in Southern New Hampshire and Vermont in college, but only in summer not in mud season! I was in a town right on the border, and one day we had a lot of silly fun swimming back and forth across the Connecticut River. Look, now I'm in VT! Look, now I'm back in NH! (Tourists, I know....)
My husband and I both have a lot of French or French-Canadian in our background, but our families are far removed from any traditions you could call distinctly French. We are trying to spend time in the "North Country" whenever possible and also do some research into our family history. Do you have any suggestions about places to go or things to do?
Amie |
| cajungal |
Posted - Feb 22 2006 : 4:50:02 PM
Hi Celeste!!
Your name is in my top 5 favorites! Actually, Celeste is what I wanted to name one of our daughters, but hubby thought it would be too different. Different! Not where I'm from....south Louisiana. One of my best friends growing up was Celeste. If I had another daughter, I think I'd name her Michelle Celeste or Celeste Michelle.
You and I are cut from the same cloth.....I wouldn't be able to talk if someone held my hands down. In fact, my husband does that to me from time to time when I get on a lllloooooonnnnnggg rant about something and it works, my mind draws a blank and I can't talk. What's really funny is how my friends react when driving with me.....I talk with my hands even when driving. I rarely have two hands on the wheel, mostly one hand and about 40% of the time I'm driving with my knee so both hands can be free.
I look forward to gettin' to know ya'
Blessings
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
| FiddleChick |
Posted - Feb 22 2006 : 07:35:12 AM
Hi Robin! You're going to love Vermont in September! That's when the colors start to change. To answer your question, no, I've never been contra dancing. My DH doesn't dance and I haven't felt comfortable going alone and I don't have a girlfriend to bring. I have thought about playing (fiddle) for one, but I haven't been playing long enough (I don't think.) I'm not sure I could keep up. I am playing with a fiddle group that has jams every month so I can get used to playing with a group and people dance when we play. Each fiddler plays three songs and comes back (if they want) for a repeat after everyone has played. I've discovered it takes incredible stamina to play for long periods! My fiddler teacher used to tell me to practice a song 15 times in a row...that's HARD. Especially if it's a fast song.
Anyway, it's lots of fun...and I'd love to try a contra dance someday...either dancing or playing.
Hugs,
Céleste
Life is good. Pass the chocolate. |
| ThymeForEweFarm |
Posted - Feb 21 2006 : 11:59:42 AM
Welcome Celeste! I've made two trips to Vermont in the last four months and am growing to love it. My next trip isn't until September but I'm already excited.
Do you contra dance? It seems to be the thing to do. I think I'd like to give it a try.
Robin
www.thymeforewe.com
www.farm-garden.com |
| FiddleChick |
Posted - Feb 21 2006 : 08:54:13 AM
Hello all! DH and I spent the weekend doing fun stuff to celebrate our anniversary (21 years on Valentine’s Day) and then my Shepherd got sick (he’s doing better now) so I haven’t been on the list much. Now the kids are on vacation all week so I’m hoping to do some stuff with them….anyone else into Geocaching??
Debbie: Hi!! Rutland isn’t far at all from Woodstock…maybe 30 minutes. We’re near Killington Ski Area which is pretty popular around here. The name Dewey Balfa sounds so familiar (I know I’m going to kick myself when I find out who he is). I’m going to Google him. I’m just learning about traditional music so it’s all trial and error at this point. If you can recommend any CDs I’d love to check them out.
Julia: There’s a Scot in my closet too. Shhh! Don’t tell anyone. :^) If you come to Vermont you must come for tea and I’ll make scones!
Laura: Yes, the fiddle is my favorite instrument although the bones come in a close second and guitar is right up there. The thing I love about it is that I can just play because I learned by ear (a first for me – I’ve always read music) so I just pick it up and play and it’s very relaxing. If you’ve got Spring over there blow some our way…it was warm and now it’s FREEZING.
Tonya: The last book I wrote took place in the Northeast Kingdom (in a fictitious town)…I grew up west of there (on the border of Champlain and Canada) and just the name has always fascinated me. It’s beautiful country up there.
Marianne: That would be fun! Do you belong to any farmgirl chapters? I tried to contact one near me but never heard anything. If I ever head over your way I’ll let you know!
Well, all, my kids have patiently put up with my working all morning so now I’m going to go spend some time with them. Tty all later…hugs, Céleste
Life is good. Pass the chocolate. |
| Mari-dahlia |
Posted - Feb 17 2006 : 04:35:25 AM
Hi Tonya,Celeste,
This area of the country is beautiful. I walked up the hill yesterday to check cow fence and just marveled at the view. We are very lucky. Maybe we could all meet sometime. Rutland is only about 1hour and 20 minutes, I think. If you ever need to go to Troy or Albany, drop me an e-mail, I only live 1/4 mile off route 7NY.
Marianne |
| knittingmomma |
Posted - Feb 17 2006 : 03:41:46 AM
Welcome!
Well, our family moved to the northeast kingdom of Vermont last fall from Massachusetts and we are loving it here! We are about 12 miles from the border.
What a mild winter this has been!
Currently, we live in a little village, renting a home and praying we will be able to find a farmstead to call our own. In the meantime, we have chickens and will be putting in a large garden. I also bake and cook from scratch, sew, knit, and much more.
We home educate our five children and are hoping to be able to support ourselves with the work of our hands.
Thanks for sharing and welcome to this wonderful forum!
Warm wishes,
Tonya
Simple Living, Homestead Dreaming Mom of 5
http://www.naturalearthfarm.com |
| CountryGirl85 |
Posted - Feb 16 2006 : 9:35:20 PM
Hey Celeste!
It's great to meet you! I take it you play the fiddle?! I would love to learn fiddle! It such a versitle instrument. You're right, New Orleans is like an oven! At least it was when I went! I've been there twice, once in June and once in August, so it was HOT! I sure wouldn't mind some of that hot weather now! I'm done with winter! There are green spikes poking out of the ground and we had a thunderstorm today so spring is definitely on its way! I can't wait! I've never been to Vermont. I've never been to the east coast period! Once I get some money saved up, I'd love to do some traveling.
Much love,
Laura |
| Julia |
Posted - Feb 16 2006 : 8:05:03 PM
Welcome Celeste! Glad to have you on board. My G'pa was from Quebec. He grew up on a farm in LaChute. Even though they were Scottish, I think of the french hand waving found it's way into the famliy!
I have always wanted to visit Vermont, maybe someday. If I do can I come for tea? See you around the forum! Julia V.
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
| blueroses |
Posted - Feb 16 2006 : 11:01:40 AM
Hi Celeste,
Welcome. You sound like such fun. I can't remember exactly where Rutland is, but we've spent time in Woodstock, Quechee and the Mt. Snow area. My dh & his friend used to meet every year for a ski week together. I love to cook from scratch too and do all my crafty things that some of my friends aren't quite sure about. But, I think I'm winning some of them over to the MJ Farm side! I love fiddle. Hope you learn more Cajun tunes. I actually spent some time with Dewey Balfa back in 1991 and love Cajun and Zydeco music. It will be great to get to know you.
Debbie
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
| FiddleChick |
Posted - Feb 16 2006 : 08:38:51 AM
Hello all!!
Marianne – you’re not far from me at all. I’m north of you in Rutland. Our sap is running like crazy these last few days because it’s so warm. Supposed to get cold this weekend though.
Sandy – my DH says he used to tap birch (I forget which type) and get a sap that tasted like wintergreen. I’m not sure he ever boiled it down though. What did swamp maple syrup taste like???
Lorij – you’re right – mud season is the pits. Not looking forward to that. The worst part (aside from having one DH, a DS and DD, two dogs and a cat that come in and out at will and spread mud from one end of the house to the other) is my poor dog, Max, who goes EVERYWHERE with me can’t ride in the car because he gets too muddy going from the door to the car. I abide dog hair in my car. I abide dirt in my car. But I can’t abide mud in my car.
Luzy – Reindeer just seem so cool, don’t they??? I just LOVE the idea. I’d love to set up and give sleigh rides with them. I just love everything about them. I did find out though that you can’t pasture reindeer where you have pastured sheep. So I need to make up my mind. It’s got to be one or the other. I’m leaning toward the reindeer. Though sheep are sweet too and I love to knit/crochet, etc and handspun wool yarn is expensive. I’m making an afghan from yarn I buy at my local co-op that will probably cost me $50-60 by the time I’m done. But it’s BEAUTIFUL!! My mom has a quilt that is all white with royal blue maple leaves (I’m going to make my own some day) and that gave me the idea to do a granny square afghan where each square has a center of royal blue and a border of white. So far it’s stunning and the wool is nice and thick so it’s very substantial. I’m also making a traditional black granny square quilt to use up my odds and ends of yarn that is flimsy by comparison. When I was growing up I hated those black afghans with the colors in the middle, but now I love them. Nostalgia, I think. They are very comforting. My mom gave me one we think my grandmother must have knitted and it’s always on the sofa and if I don’t have a quilt in my lap I’m snuggled under it. (I do all my handquilting in my lap because I don’t have a quilt frame – I find if I put safety pins all over it the batting and backing stay put and it works just fine and one less bulky item to try to walk around in my small house).
I’m rambling…so tell me about you all!!! Did anyone see those adorable pocket bunnies in the stitching room? I'm up to my ears in work, but had to make one. I didn't see the finished product until I was almost done so mine looks different, but he/she is so CUTE. And just taking the time to create something made me feel better. It's been a tough winter.
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| Luzy |
Posted - Feb 15 2006 : 07:55:21 AM
Hi Celeste and welcome!! You sound so interesting. You are the only other person I've ever come accross that wants a reindeer too! I've always wanted one. I think they are so special. They are on the list of "someday" animals. I have a pretty big list !! HEE HEE! Anyways, I'm looking forward to learning more about you. So glad you're here! Luzy
--
May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am. |
| grammagoose |
Posted - Feb 15 2006 : 07:06:54 AM
Hi Celeste,
I live in R.I. and neighbors gather maple syup here. We tried it one year using swamp maples and sumac branches for spouts! We have to get creative sometimes! It took ages to boil but was fun and rewarding. Sandy |
| Mari-dahlia |
Posted - Feb 15 2006 : 06:46:51 AM
Hey Celeste,
Im' a neighbor in Hoosick FAlls, about 5 minutes from Bennington. We have huge sugar maples here too and I have always wanted to do something with them but have'nt. Right now I just go to a sugar shack in the woods that sells whenever the sap is running. Last years season was only 2 weeks long. Hope for a longer season this year. Welcome
Marianne |
| FiddleChick |
Posted - Feb 15 2006 : 06:21:11 AM
Hi all! Thanks for the welcome! We've had a strange winter here in Vermont. They're calling it The Winter That Wasn't. We had snow for awhile (around Christmas, thankfully) for which I was grateful because I love to take my German Shepherd (Max) out snowshoeing. But it's all gone now and it's been warm - like 40s, 50s and 60s warm. So the sugaring is starting early.
Stacy - I'm afraid we don't have much of a sugaring operation - it consists of a big pan full of sap on the woodstove.  But, my DH likes to tap a few trees and we just boil it down until we get syrup. We're supposed to get a cold snap this weekend (highs of 9 degrees) so don't know what that will do to the sap run. (My uncle used to have a shed complete with TV for his sugaring operation. He was out there 24/7 making syrup.)
LoriJ - where in Vermont did you live? I visited New Orleans a couple years ago and was it hot! Like an oven. Some of my ancestors are Acadian so I've been interested in the Cajun culture and went to the museum down there, which was cool. Love the music too. I only know a couple Cajun fiddle tunes, but hope to learn more. One of my favorite groups is Swamperella.
AuntJenny - my DD is 9 too! Her name is Rachel. Your DD's project sounds fun. Bees fascinate me, unfortunately I'm allergic too. That's why I was so thrilled when my DS expressed interest. I've always wanted to have a hive. My folks did. I'm hoping we can use some of their old equipment to get started. I also make beeswax candles (dipped) to use primarily when I am re-enacting (I do living history and re-enact the 18th century). But they're wonderful around the house too. I have a trunkful I made a couple years ago and haven't used up yet. Lifting the lid and inhaling deeply is heavenly.
Thank you all for the warm welcome!! |
| rosebud74a |
Posted - Feb 14 2006 : 7:18:47 PM
Welcome from a neighbor to the south...I love Vermont. We went some summers ago and camped, did the toursit thing...went to Ben and Jerry's. I really want to get back, it was so beautiful. So you do some syruping? Do you us a large evaporator...I am interested in hearing from others who are doing some backyard suguring. We are fortunate enough to live near the farmers museum here in NY..which has sugaring off sunday's. They serve breakfast and do demos of how the old timers made syrup...always a must in the early spring..can't wait to share stories, ideas, and all the beauty that farm life has to offer!!!
Stacy
Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something
Henry David Thoreau
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| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Feb 14 2006 : 07:35:11 AM
How fun to meet you Celeste!!
Vermont is one of those places I would love to visit some day..I am not big on traveling, very much a homebody but I think I would make an exception to go to Vermont.
You sound like so many of us...doing as much as we can and wishing for more...I bet you could teach us alot..the maple syruping sounds especially fun! And I would love to have bees! (allergic darn it so I can't) I have friends who do and I find them so interesting!! My youngest daughter (9 years old) is doing a "Jr. Genius" project for third grade on Honey Bees and I think I am having as much fun with her research as she is!
How fun would that be to have reindeer?>? That is a wonderful thing to have on a wish list!!
Anyway, welcome to the group...I know you will fit right in!! I think you may be our only Vermont gal so far!
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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