| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| jennyhen |
Posted - Mar 05 2007 : 12:17:06 PM
Hi Everybody,
I'm Jenny from CT. I've been a stay at home mom for the last 10 years and dream of starting a farm. My husband and I have three boys ages 2-12. I'm excited about stating a bed and breakfast and am hoping to turn it into a "farm stay" in time. The house I'm going to be using is right next door to our home and has been my family homestead for over 200 years. It was a working farm and then an inn that was run by my great grandparents and grandparents. When my grandfather died my grandmother reduced it's size and turned it into her private home. She passed away in December at 95 and I can't think of a better use for a nice big old house. We are on a beautiful lake and all is good......except we're missing the farm. My father went out on his own and started a farm up the road and I now own the property next to the inn where the original farm was. Sadly, the barns were in disrepair and torn down about 15 years ago. I'm starting slowly and have had chickens for the last year. I can't say enough about my love for chickens! I don't know how I've lived without them all these years. My goal is to build a barn and have more chickens, pigs and sheep (my real love). I'm an avid knitter and just took my first weaving class. I also love sailing.
If anyone out there is running a Farm Stay bed and breakfast I'd love to hear about your business. Jenny  |
| 24 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| katiedid |
Posted - Mar 12 2007 : 11:51:16 AM
Welcome!
It sounds like you will fit right in..so many of us are knitters, and I myself, am looking forward to learning how to spin!
Our family is in the process of moving to a rural area...I can't wait to get there!
I am looking forward to knowing you better.
Kate
my new blog http/www.theknifemakerswife.wordpress.com |
| jennyhen |
Posted - Mar 11 2007 : 06:25:16 AM
Thanks everybody for more warm welcomes.
Buttercup, Thanks so much for the condolences for my grandmother. I miss her but at the same time feel very fortunate that she lived to be nearly 96! Not many people get to have their great grandmother around for as long as my children did, and for that I'm greatful.
Wow, seems like an awful lot of you USED to live in Connecticut. Katmom, I live in the Northwest corner in Litchfield county. Hartford is a little over an hour away. Jen |
| Beemoosie |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 3:13:17 PM
Hello and Welcome Jenny!!!
My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Luke 1:46,47
www.beequilting.blogspot.com
http://beemoosie-picture-diary.blogspot.com/ |
| katmom |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 07:44:59 AM
Jen,
me again, katmom, I forgot to ask, where in Conn., do you live? I use to live in New Britin back in 1965-1966. My daddy was in the Army & that year he was stationed in Hartford, but we lived in N.B. I still recall the elem.school that I went to, Smith School. I sometimes wonder if it is still there. I have the best memories of the New England winters,,,ok, so as a kid they were the coolest to play in, as an adult it was probablly not so cool...lol!
Well off to work I go. tata-4-now.
>^..^< |
| katmom |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 07:38:43 AM
Welcome Jen,
This is such a great group of kindred spirits....ladies who love life, family, gardening, stiching & critters...I am learning such wonderful tips from these dear ladies and you will to.
You are sooooo lucky to have roots. I hope you will get to fulfill your dream ith the B & B. Blessings to you.
tata-4-now
>^..^< |
| junkjunkie |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 06:26:05 AM
Welcome, Jenny! This is a nice forum with a lot of nice people! Your 200 year old homestead sounds like my fantasy life. A bed and breakfast would be a perfect setup! |
| Buttercup |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 12:30:07 AM
First off, Welcome!!
I am so glad you found us and that you are here to share in this wonderful place!
Next...how awsome!!! I think it is absolutely WONDERFUL that you are renewing your family's farm and I am thrilled for you! I cant wait to hear your expierences and advances as you build your dream! I am a dreamer/brainstormer/former business owner so IF there is anything I can help with, would love to. However, there are many here who have far more knowlege and expierence then I who I am sure will be a wonderful help to you! I wish you the best and look forward to hearing more!
Hugz!
Talitha
PS I am very sorry about the passing of your grandmother. May she rest in peace.
"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" |
| jennyhen |
Posted - Mar 06 2007 : 1:10:47 PM
Thanks everybody for such a warm welcome. I can already see this is a fun forum with lots of fellow chicken lovers! Also, thanks for all the well wishes for my business.
Julie, Thanks for the link to your parents b&b. It looks wonderful, what a great house! It's funny, my parents own a vineyard and winery just up the road from me. It was their dairy farm until about 1980. Virginia is a great state for vineyards and that will be very nice to have next to the b&b.
Bramble, I looked up the b&b in Mystic. It's very charming! I have friends in Old Lyme so I'd love to see it in person next time I'm out that way. Thanks, Jenny |
| blueroses |
Posted - Mar 06 2007 : 09:26:06 AM
Hi Jenny,
Welcome. You will so love it here. I used to live in Bethel, CT and I miss New England so much. Except for August and the humidity. Your ideas sound wonderful.
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
| a rose |
Posted - Mar 06 2007 : 06:32:34 AM
Welcome aboard Jenny. I never thought chickens were beautiful until my 16 year old grandson started raising them. He has a pigeon named Fred who lives with them due to a broken wing and Fred who actually is a girl, loves to sit on the eggs for the chickens. Believe it or not I think Fred thinks she is a chicken.
Remember me as a rose. |
| bramble |
Posted - Mar 06 2007 : 06:28:34 AM
Hi Jenny! Glad you found us! Sounds like you have a wonderful dream. We stayed at a "farmstay" B& B Roseledge Farm about 8 years ago and had a wonderful experience. They were situated about 15 miles outside of Mystic ( Preston, CT are you nearby?) and it was great. I've learned it has been sold but still a B&B. We had so much fun with Gail , her kids and the animals. My son was 4 at the time so he loved every minute of it! Hope you get to make your dream come true!
with a happy heart |
| westernhorse51 |
Posted - Mar 06 2007 : 05:33:19 AM
Hi Jenny, glad you found us. You will love it here & get many great ideas.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
| windypines |
Posted - Mar 06 2007 : 04:18:02 AM
Welcome, I love your plans for the B and B. Your place sounds beautiful. Michele |
| cinnamongirl |
Posted - Mar 05 2007 : 10:25:01 PM
Welcome come on in and pour yourself a cup of tea!! |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Mar 05 2007 : 5:37:02 PM
Welcome Jenny,
I grew up in Danbury CT but now I live in Rhode Island.
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Mar 05 2007 : 4:46:53 PM
Hey Jenny! I was born in Connecticut and lived there until I was 8! My mom and dad own a bed and breakfast in Virgina. You can view there website at www.orchardhousebb.com They are not a farm stay but are in the process of adding a working vineyard to their property that people will be able to help with. There should be a link for their email on the page. My mom would love to answer any questions. Just tell he you are from the Mary JAnes site. She is on here a lot but has yet to post. Welcome to the forum!
Jewelry, art, baskets, etc.
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Mar 05 2007 : 4:43:53 PM
Glad you found the forum. Welcome. MB
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| owwlady |
Posted - Mar 05 2007 : 3:08:29 PM
Welcome Jenny! How nice to have a homestead that's been in the family for 200 years. I don't know what it is about chickens, but I love them too. I think you'll find many kindred spirits here. |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Mar 05 2007 : 2:04:55 PM
HI Jenny!!! Welcome!!! I grew up in Uncasville, Ct. I so do miss CT!!! Welcome and Enjoy!!! |
| KellyA |
Posted - Mar 05 2007 : 1:07:14 PM
Welcome, Jenny!
Kelly
When a cookbook is in hand, life is good! |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Mar 05 2007 : 12:30:49 PM
Welcome Jenny...from another Jenny...I think it is such a neat idea to use your Grandma's house for a farm stay B&B...sounds wonderful!! It will be fun to get to know you here!!
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 |
| jennyhen |
Posted - Mar 05 2007 : 12:28:49 PM
Thanks Karin and Tina,
I did get Mary Janes's book, just the other day! It's full of tons of ideas. I love it! |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Mar 05 2007 : 12:21:04 PM
Well, welcome Jenny! Glad you found us. You are going to fir right in here! What a wonderful idea to use your Grandma's house for a B&B! Sounds like you'll be carrying on a fine tradition. Look forward to hearing lots from you.
Karin |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Mar 05 2007 : 12:20:00 PM
welcome to the group Jenny.
I'd suggest looking at the Mary Janes book..there are alot of ideas in it for the farm stays..and also ideas on hosting your own "farm fair"
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
