| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| sillyfoulks |
Posted - Mar 06 2006 : 06:44:52 AM
I am so excited to have found this wonderful site. My name is Elizabeth. I am orginally from California, were I grew up on a small farm, were we raised sheep and tended a small walnut orchard. I left home to attend college, met my husband, and moved to suburbia. In the spring of 2004, we made a bold move. My husband quit his job of 10yrs, We packed up our 2000sq ft home, loaded our 2 children, and moved 2000 miles. We purchased a neglected farm house and its sorrounding 3 acres in central Illinois.
It hasn't been the easiest change for us, but we regret nothing. My husband rejoices in returning to his roots. My children, not only enjoy farm life, but have also blossomed with their new found freedom of living in a small town.
With lots of hard work, our neglected little farm is blossoming into a wonderful place. At the end of a long day, we refected on our journey, and rejoice.
Elizabeth
Not how long, but how well you have lived is the main thing. |
| 18 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| jmac1711 |
Posted - Mar 08 2006 : 10:02:07 PM
JP-
Yes we are within traveling distance. It sure would be fun to get together sometime.
Jane
Lord, let me be the kind of person my pig thinks I am. |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Mar 08 2006 : 2:51:20 PM
The photos on your blog made me homesick. I know that Illinois breeze, and the trees that bend in it, and the feeling that no where else on earth has. I am so glad you are living the dream. Go girl!
"Sell cleverness and buy wonder" |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Mar 08 2006 : 2:46:49 PM
Jane - you are a wise woman. Thank you for letting us know we can have a dream and live it. You are so close to my home in Springfield!!! Just northeast up Highway 54.
"Sell cleverness and buy wonder" |
| jmac1711 |
Posted - Mar 08 2006 : 11:14:38 AM
Welcome Eliabeth:
My family made the same move to a farm in 2001 and have not regreted a moment. Since the move from a high stress job and way of life to our peaceful spot of dirt, I know 3 things for sure: 1. I am married to the most wonderful man on earth. 2. God lives in everything and one around us and 3. I have found my favorite place on earth. I peeked at your Blog/pics. Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing your journey.
Hearts and Hugs,
Jane
Lord, let me be the kind of person my pig thinks I am. |
| junebug |
Posted - Mar 07 2006 : 12:56:02 PM
Welcome Elizabeth, I was going to suggest starting a blog, it's always great when us farmgirls share our lives in a free way! Your blog and farm is great, keep posting those pics!
" Aspire to Inspire before you Expire"
www.herbalfarmstead.blogspot.com
www.countrypleasures.motime.com |
| sillyfoulks |
Posted - Mar 07 2006 : 12:47:45 PM
I spent the after playing! I justed a new blog. I have posted some pictures of our farm, and hope to add more soon. Come by and visit.
http://livingcountrystyle.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth
Not how long, but how well you have lived is the main thing. |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Mar 07 2006 : 08:20:21 AM
I grew up on the central coast (Arroyo Grande) which is right by Pismo Beach (where all the valley folks come for vacations!!!) Is it a huge change to be in Illinois? the weirdest thing for me to get used to here was the soil being SOOOO different. I was used to sand and now we have clay. Huge difference. But I adjusted and I am used to it now.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| sillyfoulks |
Posted - Mar 07 2006 : 06:23:05 AM
I am so stunned with the welcome that has poored out, and so many questions.
Yes, Jan, Farmer City is were the spookhouse is. However,we have never been ourselves. They also have stock car races every weekend, during the summer months. My husband loves cars (has 5 himself), so we go quite frequently.
Kristi, and a few others asked, were in California? I was born in Tracy, which is in the central valley. I was raised just 1 hour from there, in the gold country. We lived in the tiny litte town of Sheepranch. My husband and I made our home in the small town of Riverbank, which is right near Modesto. For any who is familiar with the Laci Petterson story, this is where her and her husband lived. This is by no means a big city, but like many areas in California, it is really the subarbs. With its close proximity (by California standards) to San Francisco and the Bay Area. It was expensive, crowded, and busy.
Elizabeth
Not how long, but how well you have lived is the main thing. |
| cajungal |
Posted - Mar 07 2006 : 03:19:29 AM
Hi Elizabeth and Welcome!!!
Your introduction post sounds like a great synopsis of a movie.....I can just picture all the actors in my head as I read it. WOW! Y'all are doing an incredible thing. It sure does sound like a lot of work, but, you're keeping a positive attitude.....just like a Farmgirl!!
Blessings
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
| lonestargal |
Posted - Mar 06 2006 : 2:39:34 PM
Welcome Elizabeth!! I grew up for the most part in California too. What part are you from? I was in Tehachapi which is a very small mountain community 30 miles east of Bakersfield. Very very glad to be out of California. I love Texas and never want to go back to the west coast, other than visiting relatives!! Glad your here to join us! |
| theherblady |
Posted - Mar 06 2006 : 12:47:32 PM
Welcome Elizabeth~~ I think I am the closest to you so far...I live in Glasford IL approx 1 1/2 hours west from you~~Just on the other side of Pekin~~I cant say that I have been to Farmer City~~but isnt that where the big Spookhouse is for Halloween?
So glad you found us! And so glad to have another "farmgirl" nearby~~
Hope to hear lots more from you~
Jan |
| sillyfoulks |
Posted - Mar 06 2006 : 10:42:55 AM
What a welcome you all have sent! I will be sure to post pictures of a tiny farm soon (sometime between loads of laundry and preparing for spring).
Orginally our farm was a part of a much larger farm, and had been farmed by the same family for several generation. At one point, they raised buffalo (anyone need manure!), on our section of land. They even decorated our corn crib with a mural of (you guessed it) a buffalo. It was excited at first to be known as "The Old Buffalo Farm." However, we soon realized the reputation of the man who had the buffalo, was not very desirable. Worse yet he had left the farm is such a sad state. The house was bearly liveable, and the surrounding land was covered in weeds, cement rubble, manure, and garbage. With many of the out buildings needing extensive repair.
In the year and a half that we have been here, we have done alot. But, still much more needs to be done. At times we struggle to stay motivated, and then time and money are always obsticals. But, each day, each month, and each season we make head way. With spring around the corner, we take advantage of every moment we can.
Elizabeth
Not how long, but how well you have lived is the main thing. |
| Luzy |
Posted - Mar 06 2006 : 09:50:10 AM
Hi and welcome Elizabeth! What a wonderful adventure you're living!! Tell us more about your house and farm. How old is the house? I grew up in Northern California in a Victorian and love old houses. Glad to have you with us!! Luzy
--
May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am. |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Mar 06 2006 : 09:22:30 AM
Welcome Elizabeth...I grew up in Calif too!! We moved here almost 4 years ago and have loved it!! We didn't live in a big city before, but certainly bigger than our tiny town now and it is a wonderful change. I look forward to getting to know you here...how fun!!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| RosieRiveter |
Posted - Mar 06 2006 : 09:03:34 AM
Hi Elizabeth! I'm originally from Warrensburg,, Illinois, but I am in New York now. Congratulations on finding your home!
Rosie |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Mar 06 2006 : 08:49:11 AM
Welcome, Elizabeth! I grew up around Springfield, but live in Florida now. Still go home a lot though.
So happy you are living my dream - ha, ha, ha!! :) Tell us more about your farm and it's history.
"Sell cleverness and buy wonder" |
| happymama58 |
Posted - Mar 06 2006 : 08:30:16 AM
Welcome, neighbor! I know you said you're from central Illinois, but if you're not too far from Southeast Missouri, we'd love to have you join our FarmGirl chapter, which is brand new.
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.blogspot.com/ |
| owwlady |
Posted - Mar 06 2006 : 08:06:17 AM
Elizabeth, Welcome to our little group. How wonderful for you that you've found the lifestyle you and your family want. It sounds lovely. Keep us informed of your journey and if you can post pics, send us some of your farm in progress. Looking forward to getting to know you. |
