| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Cavalli Runner |
Posted - Jul 19 2010 : 7:01:06 PM
Hello, my name is Brenda and I am living my dream at almost 50!
I grew up on small farms off-and-on, but left home at 17 to join the US Air Force. I left the Air Force when I had my first child and have been a stay-at-home/homeschool mom ever since then. I have 4 children (3 in the military) and soon-to-have 13 grandchildren!
I have lived all over the world with my military husband. When he retired, I thought. "This is it, now we can settle down and have a little farm". But, instead, we decided to go into the mission field! We lived in Ghana, West Africa for over four years, living and working at an orphanage there (my husband was the Chaplain of the Village of Hope). After that he took a position preaching for a mostly-American military church in Germany (we did have a few locals also).
One day last year my husband looked at me and said, "You have been following me around the world, doing what I wanted to do for all these years. I think it is time we do what you have always wanted to do for a change."
So we moved back to the states, started searching around the country for my dream farm, and found it in north-central Missouri. We moved in on March 29th.
As soon as we had things un-packed (well, for the most part), we started gathering the animals. So far, we have aquired two Old English sheepdog pups, a very sweet donkey, a Quarterhorse mare, 5 Icelandic sheep (1 ram, 4 ewes), several farm cats, 6 Guinea keets, and 4 Bantam one-year-old layers who are giving us about 3 eggs per day.
It has long been my dream to have a farm and raise sheep, herding dogs, chickens, and have a couple of horses. We are making a start I'd say! We are pretty green, though. My husband has never been a country boy, and I don't remember a whole lot about caring for animals as it has been a LONG time, and my dad did most of the care-taking of the animals on our farm (I did have to help in the broiler house and with weeding the garden and canning and freezing its produce).
We have named our farm Cavalli Run. Cavalli is Italian for horses. Italy was my favorite place we have lived and Italian is my favorite language I have studied. I wanted the name of my farm to reflect something about my life and have something to do with horses.
I am looking forward to getting to know other farmgirls and to learn from the wisdom of others who are willing to share.
It is not the struggle that determines your character, but how you behave when the struggle is over. |
| 22 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| solilly |
Posted - Aug 26 2010 : 11:42:44 AM
Well Brenda as many have said Wow You have had a very full life already and to be able to do still more of your dreams is the best. I hope we can share stories. Mine is much different but now is on the good side of dreaming and fofilment. Lilly Welcome from Va 
learning the life I always wanted. |
| CCChristen |
Posted - Aug 21 2010 : 07:03:59 AM
Welcome Brenda from Lockwood Ca I turned 50 in Feb. of this year and just livin my dream to.
Glad you here.
Line Shack Farmgirl #1570
Cynthia
Happy Trails |
| MerryHeartSister |
Posted - Aug 18 2010 : 4:26:04 PM
Welcome from Mississippi. Love the name of your farm.
Farmgirl #1951
Home is a gift that should be opened every day. |
| Wende |
Posted - Aug 18 2010 : 4:19:52 PM
HI Brenda,
I know where you live. My family is from Spickard, Trenton and Chillicothe .
I spent a lot of time up there. Now I play in Iowa on a farm from time to time.
Our chapter of Farmgirls of the Heartland will be hosting an Apron Gathering Sept 18, here in Kansas City, MO.
www.farmgirlsoftheheartland.blogspot.com
Hope to meet up with you sometime.
WENDE
Oct. of this year we might go to Iowa for a barn quilt weekend.
You know your a Farm Girl when...
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| maggie14 |
Posted - Aug 15 2010 : 8:25:40 PM
Welcome Brenda!
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Just a small town country girl trying to live her dreams. :) |
| CCChristen |
Posted - Aug 06 2010 : 08:15:39 AM
Welcome Brenda, From Lockwood CA Glad your with us.
My Dad was from MO. and went back with my Mom when he retiered in Everton MO On a cattle ranch, I loved it back there.
Enjoy.
Line Shack Farmgirl #1570
Cynthia
Happy Trails
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| Cavalli Runner |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 08:31:36 AM
Thanks. I didn't realize people would enjoy my story so much! I have had lots of encouragement to write a book, and have actually started one a few years ago. Too much has transpired in the past few years to really work on it, though. I should get it out and get back to it, I guess.
We did live in Michigan (St. Joseph/Benton Harbor area) at one time, but now we are living in Missouri! We did love Michigan, and if we could have found a farm like we wanted and been able to afford it, that is where we would have moved to.
Happy Farming!
Brenda Larson
You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving.
http://cavallirunfarm.blogspot.com/ |
| nana5 |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 05:23:28 AM
Welcome Brenda from the great state of Michigan. I hope you will like it here as much as I do. You have a great life story. I see a book in your future! LOL
Rebecca
Everyday is a new beginning. |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 7:18:21 PM
Wow Brenda - sounds like you must have had some amazing experiences. I'm glad you have joined us. (I was rooting for Ghana in the World Cup)
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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| herblady55 |
Posted - Jul 25 2010 : 5:52:30 PM
Welcome Brenda from NE Ohio. You've had a very adventurous life. Glad you joined us!
Sister-chick# 905(Sept.14th 2009)
Judy
Hugs&Squeezles!
I am not contained between my hat and my boots! -Walt Whitman- |
| Cavalli Runner |
Posted - Jul 25 2010 : 2:08:57 PM
Thanks! We looked in the Ozarks first and weren't finding what we wanted. This place up north just sort-of popped up and we loved it!
We lived in Searcy, AR for awhile and one of our sons still lives there. My husband is from Iowa and I grew up on the east coast (Delaware).
Happy Farming!
Brenda Larson
You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving. |
| smiley |
Posted - Jul 25 2010 : 07:25:56 AM
Wow Brenda! I loved reading about your life. I am 48 but started my family later in life. My daughter is 14 and my son is 11. I was born in Mo.,raised in Co, and married a Mo boy. We just celebrated 24 years of marraige. Our farm is on the Mo./Ar. line. Southwest Mo/Northwest Ar. We came back to our Ozark roots. Its a great place to raise kids.Welcome. To copy Diane "I am so glad you joined us" |
| Fiddlehead Farm |
Posted - Jul 22 2010 : 05:01:08 AM
A big Wisconsin hay dare to ya Brenda! Wow, what an amazing life so far! Your little farm sounds like heaven. We are so glad you joined us.
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922
Happy to be a "Raggedy Ann" in a Barbie World! |
| Cavalli Runner |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 07:19:57 AM
Kristin, My brother is Alan Courtney. Do you know him?
Melissa, I loved homeschooling my kids, but I hated grading papers and recoerd-keeping! I was glad when that part was over. My daughter is now homeschooling her two oldest and it is fun to watch her as she does. It is nice that she askes me for advice, and her other homeschool friends think she is so lucky to have a mom who not only supports her, but can actually help her out!
Happy Farming!
Brenda Larson
It is not the struggle itself, but how you behave when the struggle is over that determines your character. |
| hsmommel |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 06:55:45 AM
Wow Brenda! What an amazing adventure! I look forward to getting to know you more (I'm new here too). I homeschool my 3 boys as well and my oldest will graduate next June....seems like just yesterday we started our homeschool adventure.
Welcome and have a beautiful day!
Melissa |
| KanMogirl |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 11:33:39 AM
Welcome Brenda! I grew up in west central Missouri but have lived in Kansas since 1981.
I would rather wear out than rust out.----Richard Cumberland |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 11:11:34 AM
I lived in Flintstone 17 years! My youngest DD still lives there. Right next door to the old house. I worked at the Ace Hardware for years. We lived 2 streets behind the store. I probably know your brother. What a small world. I actually live in Kensington but the PO is Chickamauga.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Cavalli Runner |
Posted - Jul 20 2010 : 11:03:36 AM
Thanks everyone!
Kristin, I lived in Chickamauga when I was in the 2nd grade! My baby sister was born there, and my brother and his family now live in Flintstone! I was reading your entries in the thread about sheep and goats, too!
Brenda, I am in Mercer (just outside of Princeton). How far away are you?
It is not the struggle that determines your character, but how you behave when the struggle is over. |
| Mama Jewel |
Posted - Jul 19 2010 : 9:23:42 PM
Welcome, Brenda! Lots of nice folks here. So glad you're on your dream farm!
Farm Girl Sister #1683 Living Simply & Naturally on our lil Sweet Peas Farmette
"Do Everything in Love." 1 Cor 14
http://www.piecemama.etsy.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 19 2010 : 7:36:12 PM
Brenda, what a beautiful story of your life so far. I love what your husband did for you. Just beautiful. I am so happy for you to be living your dream. Your farm sounds great and I love the name. I am so glad you have joined us here. Welcome all the way from Ga.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| maggie14 |
Posted - Jul 19 2010 : 7:18:56 PM
Welcome Brenda!
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Just a small town country girl trying to live her dreams. :) |
| classygram |
Posted - Jul 19 2010 : 7:15:42 PM
Welcome Brenda, from another Brenda in Missouri. So glad that you have joined us. You are going to love it here. So many great ladies here and lots of info. If you want to know something just ask and someone will be there to help you out. Just relax and have fun. Check out all the forum's. You'll certainly find many your interested in. Hope to meet someday in the future.
Hugs, Brenda
"What lies behind us, and what lies before us are small matter compared to what lies within us."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Seek reasons to Love..In every sigment of everyday-look for something that brings forth within you a feeling of Love-Abraham Hicks |
