| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| badgersplaudet |
Posted - Mar 04 2011 : 12:34:14 PM
I'm a city transplant, and am now gratefully living on 2.5 acres in the Cascade Foothills of Washington State. I just devoured an awesome book, Householders Guide to the Universe, and am gleefully digging in to all there is to learn about self-reliance and living a farmgirl life. I don't think I have an active chapter of Farmgirls locally, since I've not gotten a reply to my emails. I hope to find fellowship with others nearby, and afar.
I'm curious about it all... gardening, raising my own meat, making soap from goat milk, having a mini dairy goat or cow to milk, pickling, canning, dehydrating, foraging, building stuff... you name it, and I want to try it. Therein lies my dilemma! There will be some things I try and love, and others, not so much. I'd love to connect with others locally, so we can teach each other and sample our curiosities, without fully diving in. For example, I'd love to know if I've got what it takes to commit to having a dairy goat, without having to own one. If I see I'm up to the task, then I can justify taking it on. Do others of you have this "issue"? (I personally don't think it's an issue, but DH does!) I'd also like to raise some fryer chickens, but want a buddy to guide me through butchering.
Anyway, I am thrilled to be here. I'm a bit overwhelmed by the shear masses of posts. I don't exactly know where to join in. I'm sure I'll figure it out.
In the meantime, a bit about me... I'm a 40 year old mom of an amazing 8 year old daughter. In a LTR with a wonderful fella. Have 11 chickens of the mixed variety, as well as a parakeet, two dogs, an appaloosa and two mini horses. I built two 5'x8' raised beds two years ago, and have had meager results. Giving it an earnest go this year though. I'm currently unemployed after a failed attempt at starting a company. Now I'm looking into living simply and on much less than what I've always thought I needed. I'm also a new runner, planning on doing my first half marathon this year, and just celebrated 23 years of continuous sobriety. Yep, that about sums me up.
I look forward to connecting with you kindred spirits!
Sandra
Buckley, WA |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| CMac |
Posted - Mar 24 2011 : 9:04:08 PM
I totally agree with you! I also would love to spend some time with a goat keeper learning the ropes to see if I am experiencing a passing fancy beyond my ability or a true interest. It would not be fair to the goats to get them and have them suffer through my total ignorance.
Congrats on your 23 years. You were young when you found sobriety! Some of us moms will be encouraged to know it can be maintained. :) Thanks for sharing! Hug your sweet girl, they grow up so fast.
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| cranberryrose55 |
Posted - Mar 22 2011 : 10:36:59 PM
Welcome! Urban Farm Chicks from San Jose, CA
Gardening is what we are about. There's FREE Gardening Info in every state. Look in your county pages. See if you have a cooperative extension in your county. See if they have Master Gardeners or a Master Gardener Hotline. If so, they can help you to raised bed success! Free, Free, Free, paid for by your county and state universities.
|
| badgersplaudet |
Posted - Mar 22 2011 : 05:47:38 AM
Thanks for all the wonderful "hello's"! I've been working hard to prep the yard and garden for growing season and soaking in all the new info I can. We're also building a bat and board shed, smoking deer jerky and hatching baby chicks. I'm on cloud 9. I look forward to connecting here more. Thank you again! |
| laurentany |
Posted - Mar 21 2011 : 5:33:27 PM
Sandra- A warm welcome from across the states on Long Island, NY!
Glad you found us...sounds like you will really enjoy it here!
Smiles,
Laurie
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
| CascadeFootHillsFarmgirl |
Posted - Mar 21 2011 : 10:22:21 AM
Welcome! I am up north. I have not met any farmgirls in real life....but I keep hoping! I have the Plowin Through MJF bumper sticker on my truck so maybe someday someone will stop me and say hello!
We have one mini pinto, hens and bunnies. We are on 2.5 acres that are flat and very usable. I was thinking of starting a straw bale raised bed. Have you seen those? I can find the link for you if you'd like to see it.
Keep following your dreams,
Stephanie
"A cabin with plenty of food is better than a hungry castle." Irish Quote |
| cheneygal |
Posted - Mar 15 2011 : 8:30:35 PM
A warm welcome to you Sandra, I live in Cheney, just outside of Spokane, but lived most of my life in Enumclaw, and am hoping to move back there, soon. Go see Steve at Del's in Buckley, he can tell you all you want to know about raising meat chickens, and they have them to sell, also. He may also know someone who does butchering, or can guide you there. He was my first boss when I went to work for Del's, and he is a wealth of information!! So glad you found us farmgirls, this is a most awesome place, and you can learn as much, or as little as you like!!! Hope someday to meet you!
live, laugh, love |
| embchicken |
Posted - Mar 15 2011 : 8:19:13 PM
Hellloooo from across the country! Welcome and enjoy!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Gandhi |
| Bag Lady |
Posted - Mar 15 2011 : 6:05:08 PM
So glad to hear that you are in Farm Girl Sisterhood. I just found it myself. I feel that this is a good place to be. I am from Lakebay, WA. I was looking for a chapter here and I saw that this chapter is not accepting new members. Does that mean the chapter is closed. Does anyone know? However, Burley is close and Port Orchard is close. Really good to know that there are Farm Girls so close. Let's have fun.
Remade in America |
| herbquilter |
Posted - Mar 15 2011 : 5:36:14 PM
Sandra,
Awesome to see another farmgirl so close. I'm in Bonney Lake.
I have a Victory Garden packet that I wrote a few years ago that I would be happy to email to you.
Let me know.
Hey, Trish how's your Plateau Farmgirls group going? Would love to hear about what your group is up to and if it is open.
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many, Herbalist, Master Energy Intuitive
http://herbalmommasda.blogspot.com/
|
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Mar 14 2011 : 10:04:25 AM
A Colorado Rocky Mountains . . . (REALLY BIG) welcome to you Sandra!!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665
From my Heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
From my Hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
From my Hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| Sharon Denise |
Posted - Mar 08 2011 : 11:12:54 AM
Welcome Sandra! Sounds like you have a lot going on but a great spirit and plan. Best of luck to you, and congrats on 23 years!!
"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. Yet that will be the beginning."
~Louis L'Amour |
| fille de ferme |
Posted - Mar 08 2011 : 02:50:14 AM
Hi Sandra & Welcome from Pa. :)
Blessings |
| one_dog_per_acre |
Posted - Mar 07 2011 : 5:13:00 PM
I started a chapter called Plateau Farmgirls.
quote:
Originally posted by emsmommy5
Welcome! I live in Buckley! It is great to see more farm girls right in the neighborhood.
Do what you love, love what you do.
Trish
Make cupcakes not war!
|
| katmom |
Posted - Mar 07 2011 : 3:09:57 PM
Hey Sandra,
greetings from over here in the Spokane side of the state.
: > )
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom.
"Is it time for my Dirt Manicure yet!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
|
| AliciaNak |
Posted - Mar 07 2011 : 07:43:43 AM
Hello from Nevada Sandra! Looks like you have some ladies to connect with, how exciting!
Alicia
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.~Ralph Waldo Emmerson
www.blondenak.blogspot.com
www.artfire.com/users/BlondeNakCreations |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Mar 05 2011 : 06:25:40 AM
A big welcome from another Washington farm girl a bit north of you. You will love it here and I hope you get to know others from your area. MB
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| Fiddlehead Farm |
Posted - Mar 05 2011 : 05:50:07 AM
A big Wisconsin hay dare to ya Sandra. We are so glad you joined us. Looks like you have some friendly farmgirl neighbors already.
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922
Happy to be a "Raggedy Ann" in a Barbie World!
I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.
- E. B. White |
| emsmommy5 |
Posted - Mar 04 2011 : 11:20:56 PM
Welcome! I live in Buckley! It is great to see more farm girls right in the neighborhood.
Do what you love, love what you do. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 04 2011 : 5:41:58 PM
Welcome from Georgia, Sandra. And congratulations on 23 years!!!! Good for you! That is quite an accomplishment.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| one_dog_per_acre |
Posted - Mar 04 2011 : 4:26:07 PM
Hi Sandra,
I'm in BONNEY LAKE!! I haven't heard back from Enumclaw Farmgirl Chapter. There's one in Bonney Lake, I think they just knit at Starbucks, which is not my thing. We should start our own!
Trish
Make cupcakes not war!
|
