| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Kelly43 |
Posted - Jul 17 2006 : 04:49:43 AM
I just wanted to say hi from Central New Jersey to all you farmgirls out there. I've never participated in anything like this so am learning much. I am lucky enough to live on a working farm even though my husband and I don't own it. We have been able to raise our children on the farm and are very thankful for that. We raise polled hereford beef cattle, sheep (crossbred and dorsets)and a variety of chickens and rabbits. I was raised in the midwest and am so glad to find a way to communicate with others who love this life as much as I do. |
| 22 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kelly43 |
Posted - Jul 27 2006 : 8:26:27 PM
Michele, your words of encouragement mean so much. I am very familiar with the spinnery, just haven't seemed to be able to find the time to take any classes. I don't think prices will ever come down on houses. My dad made an offer on a "farm" tonight. He would be buying it (as we could not afford it, kind of my inheritance in a house). It is 25 acres in East Amwell Township, Hunterdon Co. About 15 min. from where we live now. We don't think they will accept, may not even counter offer as we are offering quite low but I guess you don't know if you don't try. The previous owner had alpaca so it is set up fairly well for sheep already. I know quite a few people who have wool businesses and no farms so you're not the only one. Thanks for all the offers of loaning me things, I may take you up on it sometime. Thank you for the prayers!
Kel |
| westernhorse51 |
Posted - Jul 27 2006 : 06:12:05 AM
Hi Kelly, Yes I use wool alot, everyday actually. I spin (have 2 wheels) I weave a bit, (have a few looms). I LOVE spinning Romney wool, its one of the easiest to spin but also it's great for mixing & dying. We don't have any sheep, I live in a mobile home for now w/ a small yard but I grow eveything I can. Monmouth county is very high thats why I don't have a "normal home" yet. I'm not sure but your not very far from Frenchtown are you? There is a wonderful spinning & weaving shop there called the Spinnery & she gives classes. Web-site is www.thespinnery.com I think you would like it. In the meantime I have MANY books on spinning & weaving if you would like to borrow some, let me know. I get beautiful romney wool from a girl here on the forum shepardess (Robin) her wool is really nice, clean & very reasonable. I know you have sheep but if you want to practice w/ a little already cleaned, get in touch w/ her. I have 2 hand spindles also, one is great & the other is a smaller practice one if you'd like to borrow it, I bring it to craft shows & let people use it. I wish you all the luck in finding a farm in your area, I'll keep it in my prayers. You do live in a very beautiful area & you have farm experience, something will turn up for you. I keep waiting for prices to come down just for a small house in this state. I can still have my wool business w/out the farm but it took me along time to realize that & I didnt realize it on my own. Many girls from this forum helped me. You will find this to be a very supportive group. Glad your w/ us.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
| Kelly43 |
Posted - Jul 26 2006 : 7:20:44 PM
Michele, This area is still pretty just seems as there are no real farmgirls around here any more. We did look at a place last night which is close, 25 acres and beautiful but very expensive. Trying to decide if we should at least make an offer even if they laugh at us. Do you have sheep or do things with wool? We have sheep but I just started knitting and want to learn to spin. We have dorsets and crosses but some of my crosses have romney in them. It's not great wool but good to practice with. My Aunt in Kansas spins and she has done some beautiful things with fleeces she has taken home from here. How is Monmouth Co. these days, don't get there often. Thanks for listening to me whine.
Kelly |
| westernhorse51 |
Posted - Jul 25 2006 : 05:10:58 AM
man Kelly, I knew it was expensive in that area but thats terrible! N.J. has gotten so bad w/ things being so high. If they keep it up it'll be a "ghost" state. People are leaving in droves & the paper printed a peice saying how jobs are leaving because rents are so high. Lambertville has always been beautiful and untouched for the most part, would hate to see it wrecked.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
| westernhorse51 |
Posted - Jul 25 2006 : 05:04:16 AM
Hi Kelly, glad to have you w/ us. Im in N.J. also, monmouth county. I love your area & am there quite often.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
| Kelly43 |
Posted - Jul 19 2006 : 7:22:24 PM
We are priced right out here. 16 deed restricted acres with a 5 bedroom house and barn (no fence) next door went at auction for 1.235 million a couple months ago. The farm up the road (in the family for 112 years, not my family unfortunatly) 142 acres with buildings not worth saving is on the market for 6.58 million!!!!! Hope the developers don't find that one. We are 14 acre zoned here but you never know what might happen. It's crazy. Guess well stay here managing someone else's farm until the girls are gone and we can afford to find something of our own, in another state.
Kel |
| verbina |
Posted - Jul 19 2006 : 12:57:23 PM
hi kelly, yea the golden nugget was great when we went. sundays seem to be a bit more pricey. i think they had more people from the city. wen. was always good for us and snow days. those days are gone now. now im looking to downsize. believe it or not prices are higher for food and there are no bargins on antiques here. i sometimes think i am in the twilight zone.land is cheaper down here ....but them developers are trying real hard to change that. |
| KellyA |
Posted - Jul 19 2006 : 12:08:47 PM
Kelly, No that's the initial of my last name. Johnsonville is 40 minutes north and east of Albany. Very close to Bennington, VT.
Kelly
When a cookbook is in hand, life is good! |
| Kelly43 |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 8:51:09 PM
Kelly A, The A isn't for Anna is it? Where in NY is Johnsonville? My husband has been searching the net for farms in NY lately.
Kelly |
| KellyA |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 7:59:36 PM
Welcome, Kelly! Your family history sounds fascinating!
Kelly
When a cookbook is in hand, life is good! |
| Kelly43 |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 7:54:57 PM
Yes, great stuff. However the Golden Nugget flea market is more affordable than the stores in town. I would think if we went more south Jersey we might do better too! |
| verbina |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 2:34:44 PM
hi kelly, LAMBERSVILLE!Bet you got some great antique stores up there. i got some of my best stuff up and around there. |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 11:00:17 AM
Welcome to the group!
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
| blueroses |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 10:59:16 AM
Hi Kelly,
Welcome and glad to meet you. You will enjoy all the great people here.
Debbie
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
| Kelly43 |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 07:46:54 AM
Thank you so much for the wonderful welcomes. I am in central Jersey just south of Lambertville. I am so excited to "meet" all of you. I only have a few friends who understand the whole farmgirl way of thinking and am glad to have so many more now. My girls (2 of them) are very active in 4-H in poultry, sheep, rabbit and shooting clubs so I do get farm contact there. I am making my first quilt with a block of the month at our local quilt shop and am loving it. My side of the family are from Kansas and Nebraska so I grew up with a farmgirl attitude I guess. I've always said I was born 100 years to late. My great grandmother was a pioneer in Neb., born in a dugout the moved to a sod house, them a frame house. She had the best stories. Well, I am off to deliver meals on wheels so will check back in with you all later. Thank you again!!!!!
Love, Kelly |
| lovejanet |
Posted - Jul 17 2006 : 5:42:45 PM
Welcome Kelly, you will enjoy being a part of this forum. I recently joined and I look forward to meeting at least some of these lovely ladies in person, one day.
love, janet
http://www.lovejanet.typepad.com/ |
| verbina |
Posted - Jul 17 2006 : 4:33:03 PM
welcome kelly, i am in south jersey.you will feel right at home here. which part of jersey are you at ? im from momouth co. (howell)we are not the only jersey girls here either. randi |
| cmandle |
Posted - Jul 17 2006 : 08:08:00 AM
Welcome Kelly! I know you'll have a lot of fun here!
Catherine |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jul 17 2006 : 07:56:57 AM
Welcome Kelly!! How wonderful to get to raise your kids on the farm!! We have a real range of farmgirls here...some on farms, some on mini farms (me, for one) and some with farm dreams or a start toward a farm..it will be great having you in our group!!
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 |
| Buttercup |
Posted - Jul 17 2006 : 06:00:21 AM
Kelly,
Welcome, and so glad to have you!! That is wonderful that you have been able to live on a farm and raise your kids there! I am sure you have so much to add to all our conversations! Hope you love it here as much as I do and can't wait to see you "around" 
Hugz!!
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
| lawsec03 |
Posted - Jul 17 2006 : 05:47:55 AM
Hi Kelly. Welcome to the forum. You will find a great group of ladies here, it is like talking to a bunch of sisters.
http://www.puremommashop.com |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Jul 17 2006 : 05:37:07 AM
Hi and welcome Kelly! This forum is like chatting with friends- lots of sweet voices to carry you through the day!!
Karin |
