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**Welcome Wagon:  Michigan Gal  |
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Moonsanity
True Blue Farmgirl
107 Posts
Brenda
Michigan
USA
107 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 27 2008 : 10:11:40 AM
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Hello everyone. I live in Michigan on ten acres. I grew up on two farms, one with chicken, pigs and assorted animals on 80 acres and another was an 80 acres dairy farm. After college I skipped around, met my husband, had kids and realized we were miserable in the city, so we sold our first house and bought this one in the country. It's everything I knew it would be and when I go into the city now I wonder how the heck I made it so long.
We have three indoor cats, and several outdoor cats who adopted us. I have an ever-growing herb garden, flower beds and veggies. It's only been a couple of years and I'm still making plans and doing what we can when we have the money. I'm a freelance writer and work at home.
I'm hoping to learn some tricks and get inspired on doing more with our land. It was part of a VERY old farm, at least 100 years, that they split up. Our neighbor owns the original house. We have a former horse pasture, a scrub fairly wet area, a large hayfield, an orchard type area plus a small woods. In the back is sort of dry and sandy.
Well, sorry to have rambled!
~Brenda
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
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elphie0503
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Samantha
Gilmer
Texas
USA
500 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2008 : 11:30:49 AM
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Hello Brenda! Glad that you found us!
Dirt under my nails and weeds in my hair...don't tell me I can't dress up with flair! |
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okiequilter
True Blue Farmgirl
249 Posts
Cathy
USA
249 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2008 : 1:19:25 PM
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Hi! Brenda,
You are going to love it here at MaryJane's Farm!! We are so glad you found us. I really enjoyed looking around on your blog, have bookmarked it so I can go back. I love all things herbal, too! We moved into this house a year ago, not in the country, but it has a large yard with gardening possiblities. A few months ago I was able to quit a full time+ job, so I am looking forward to being able to garden again and start(over) a herb garden!!
There are a lot of very friendly farmgirls here with tons of wisdom to share! Nice to meet you!
Cathy (okiequilter)
www.AuntDaisysCottage.blogspot.com
A friend loves at all times.
PS - My home state is Wisconsin (which I miss a lot), so I know how beautiful Michigan is! |
Edited by - okiequilter on Apr 27 2008 1:21:36 PM |
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Carol Sue
True Blue Farmgirl
4033 Posts
Carol Sue
Washingtonian
USA
4033 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2008 : 2:45:41 PM
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Welcome Brenda and so glad you are here. Your place sounds like lots of fun in progress. Are our gardens every done?
I am thinking nope, always want to change something around but that is what makes it fun.
Have a glorious day.
Carol Sue
listening to the quiet moments
Farmgirl #39
www.Quitemoments.blogspot.com |
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Lainey
True Blue Farmgirl
2401 Posts
Elaine
Waco
Kentucky
USA
2401 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2008 : 3:01:37 PM
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Welcome Brenda, nice to meet you here! I enjoyed looking at your blog too. I look forward to knowing you better.
Farmgirl Sister #25
http://countrygirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
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cathy cobblestone
True Blue Farmgirl
194 Posts
cathy
greensburg
ky
USA
194 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2008 : 3:06:29 PM
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Welcome Brenda!!! Sounds like you made a great move gettin' back to the farm. There's nothing like it, is there? So happy that you and your family are enjoying your new/old place. You'll find a lot of great inspiration here from all the talented farmgirls - the ideas they offer and information are wonderful!! Wish there was enough time to follow through on them. Welcome again, so happy you joined us. Cathy Cobblestone
www.cobblestonefarms.blogspot.com
Today is a gift, live it! |
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22shortie
True Blue Farmgirl
329 Posts
rebekah
sulphur
la
USA
329 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2008 : 3:40:43 PM
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welcome! Glad you joined us! I also enjoy writting and hope to one day write/publish a book
~*(DrEaMiNg)*~ Looking forward to chatting with you here!
Fresh and creative projects popping up on my blog daily! Stop by and check out what I'm up to today!
http://pumpkinseed-unscripted.blogspot.com/ |
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Maryjane Lee
True Blue Farmgirl
2195 Posts
Maryjane
CA
USA
2195 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2008 : 7:47:13 PM
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A big warm welcome to you Brenda! Just checked out your blog and totally enjoyed my time there!
Hugs, Maryjane Lee
Farmgirl Sister #44
http://thebeehivecottage.blogspot.com
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2008 : 10:21:14 PM
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Welcome Brenda! It will be fun to get to know you here!!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
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 |
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Moonsanity
True Blue Farmgirl
107 Posts
Brenda
Michigan
USA
107 Posts |
Posted - Apr 28 2008 : 03:35:38 AM
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Thank you so much everyone! I was looking around at blogs yesterday too, then I had to make supper. BAHAHAHAHA I'll spend some time looking around tomorrow. Today I have a field trip with my 8 year old to the botanical gardens and a track meet. It's going to chilly since it's only 32 right now.
We lived in the city before Cathy, and I seriously planted EVERY inch I could in the front and back. I had a 10x10 herb bed. I can post pics later in the herb forum if you'd like.
~Brenda
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
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okiequilter
True Blue Farmgirl
249 Posts
Cathy
USA
249 Posts |
Posted - Apr 28 2008 : 08:06:38 AM
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Brenda,
We don't live in the city anymore. Yah!! Well, I guess in all fairness even though it was in Oklahoma City it was an acreage, but no trees and basicly a lot of weeds to mow, red clay soil which was cruel to anything you tried to grow in it and if that didn't kill it the HOT sun did. (I cried a lot) I finally gave up, I was working full time and it was just too hard to keep trying.
Well, I few years have passed and we decided we just didn't want all that house and land to care for when we weren't even home to enjoy it. We downsized - A LOT!! We are in a very small town on a large lot (actually 5 city lots) in a small 2 bedroom cottage. It was a big change and we are still adjusting. The hardest part was getting the other house sold, this was a bad year to do the "2 house mortage thing", but finally at the end of the year (2007) it sold. So I could quit my full time job!!
I am just starting to get garden spots cleaned out and will plant everywhere I can here. The soil is wonderful! Last summer I just had to plant something even though I knew I wouldn't be able to do much with working. It all did great inspite of my neglect.
When I lived in Wisconsin, it was in a small town and I planted the whole yard in gardens, too! People knew who I was by, "oh, yeah, your the lady was all the gardens".
I'd love to see your pictures!! One of my problems here is that I am still so unfamiliar with what will grow here - need to do some research.
Cathy (okiequilter)
www.AuntDaisysCottage.blogspot.com
A friend loves at all times. |
Edited by - okiequilter on Apr 28 2008 08:12:59 AM |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Apr 28 2008 : 08:10:19 AM
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Brenda, what part of Michigan do you live? I went to school near the U.P at a performing arts school named Interlochen, about 12 miles inland from Traverse City. I sure loved living there, snow and all.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
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farmama_3k4h
Farmgirl in Training
36 Posts
FARMAMA
kentucky
USA
36 Posts |
Posted - Apr 28 2008 : 11:31:49 AM
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Hello Brenda,
What a great step in your life-to make a move in order to make you and your family happy. Your children will have so many memories growing up on the farm. In my opinion, farm life makes for well rounded, common sense filled, secure children and adults. I grew up on a large farm, moved to the city to attend college and could not wait to get back to the farm to raise my family. We have cattle horses, gardens, woods and lots of pasture to run free in.
Best wishes to you and happy blogging.
Ribbons -n- Rags
www.ribbonsnrags.blogspot.com
Farm and barn girl since birth. |
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Moonsanity
True Blue Farmgirl
107 Posts
Brenda
Michigan
USA
107 Posts |
Posted - Apr 28 2008 : 2:06:46 PM
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I'll sort through my pics and find a few. Even though I hated living in the city. Our lot was thin and kind of long compared to others. I had 30 foot of porch boxes that Chuck my husband built me-- it was a long porch. LOL He built me raised beds in the front and back too. I think he was trying to keep me sane. It was very very stressful. All of us are so much happier here. We live near Grand Rapids-- we lived in the inner city there in an older neighborhood that wasn't too bad as far as crime, etc. but the houses were very close. LOL We had some extremely frugal days while my husband was going to school, which is why we bought there.
KYgurlsrbest-- yes I know Interlochen. We've camped right next to the school several times, and I had an aunt who lived in Kalkaska while I was in college, so I went there a lot. I LOVE that entire area.
The field trip went well. I had just my daughter and one of her friends in my group, so we had a blast. It actually ended up a beautiful day!
~Brenda
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
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Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2008 : 10:15:31 AM
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Brenda,
I knew that you must be near GR when I read that you took your 8 yr. old to the botanical gardens!!!! My husband and I had our wedding reception there (after a ceremony inside the Ada Covered Bridge). I have an 8 yr. old too - who loves the gardens.
I'm excited to have a fellow MJ Farmgirl so close!
Miss Jonni in Kentucky - I didn't know that you went to school in MI. So when we meet you in KY, we have even more in common than MJF!!!
Ann
Forrester Farm
http://picasaweb.google.com/FORRESTERFARM/FORRESTERFARMWEDDINGS |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2008 : 4:25:03 PM
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Welcome Brenda! What a wonderful homestead you have! I am sure the ladies here will be able to give you lots of advice! I love your Forum name (MoonSanity) how ever did you come up with it?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
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Moonsanity
True Blue Farmgirl
107 Posts
Brenda
Michigan
USA
107 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2008 : 04:37:23 AM
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Thanks ladies. I'm not sure how I came up with the name. I collect sun and moon items, so one day it just came to me. Could be I was having a bad day and was thinking about my sanity. BAHAHAHAHAHA
Yes, Meijer Gardens is one of our favorite places-- we don't get there often enough though!
~Brenda
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
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handyam
True Blue Farmgirl
394 Posts
Ada Mae
Greensburg
KY.
USA
394 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2008 : 05:01:26 AM
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Welcome Brenda, Glad you found your true calling!!! This site is a great place to be--so many nice people with lots of advice and ideas. Sounds like you have all the makins' for a farm--I have a garden, but have never tried the herbs.
www.adasadorableaprons.blogspot.com
This is the day that the Lord has made. |
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Leezard
True Blue Farmgirl
950 Posts
Elizabeth
Novi
MI
USA
950 Posts |
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Moonsanity
True Blue Farmgirl
107 Posts
Brenda
Michigan
USA
107 Posts |
Posted - May 06 2008 : 4:28:45 PM
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Thanks ladies:) I'm still getting around to visiting everyone here. We had my inlaws here Saturday thru Monday night-- pretty much no computer for me. LOL
~Brenda
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
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bertha
True Blue Farmgirl
234 Posts
Bertha
St Joseph
Mi
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - May 06 2008 : 4:38:39 PM
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Hi Brenda Welcome from another Michigander I live close to you in St Joseph Your going to love the farmgirls Bertha |
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Moonsanity
True Blue Farmgirl
107 Posts
Brenda
Michigan
USA
107 Posts |
Posted - May 06 2008 : 5:10:08 PM
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Hello Bertha-- yes, that's not too far. We haven't been to your area too much, but when we did I thought it was pretty. Didn't St. Joe have the bears that were around the city decorated?
~Brenda
Journey of Grace and Whimsy
http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/ |
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