| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| fiberbug |
Posted - Feb 28 2012 : 07:58:40 AM
Hi, folks! My name is Regina, and I've always been a farmgirl at heart. I grew up in Indiana, quite literally surrounded by farms. I always had something of a love/hate relationship with them. I certainly appreciated the things they produced, and I loved the animals. I always wished we had a cow to milk or a couple of cute, fluffy sheep. But I hated the smell of manure that permeated the air and the way every season seemed to stir up something new in the fields to aggravate my allergies and make me miserable.
I loved working in our garden, though. And walking down to my great-grandparents' barn to feed the horse and pigs. I loved listening to my grandparents talk about the way things were when they were children - getting up bright and early to milk the cows, making biscuits from scratch, picking vegetables for dinner and canning the extras, slaughtering animals when they needed meat.
My mom and I lived with them, so I was fortunate enough to get to learn things a lot of my peers did not. I learned a lot about cooking and canning and gardening. I ate the occasional squirrel or rabbit, fresh farm-raised beef and pork (my grandpa made it a point to buy in bulk from one of our local farmers whenever he had the chance), fresh veggies form our own garden, even poke - I'll never forget the day I came home to find my grandpa cooking up weeds from the backyard!
Still, if you'd asked me ten years ago if I'd ever want to have a farm of my own, I would probably have laughed at you. Recently, however, I've found myself dreaming of it. I've crocheted and knitted for several years, and I recently learned to spin. And what started as the idea of having a few sheep to shear has gradually blossomed into the dream of owning my own full-fledged farm.
I'm living in Georgia now, with my partner, who is dreaming right along with me. We currently have about an acre of wooded hillside - and no space, really, for sheep or cows - but we've decided to make the most of it and do what we can. It's probably best to start small anyway. So this spring, we'll be planting a garden. And once we work out housing for them, we're planning to get some chickens.
I've only just started this adventure, and right now it's mostly just research and planning, but already I feel happier and more fulfilled. It's good to have something work toward. 
Fiber-crazy Future Farmer |
| 18 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Mar 01 2012 : 1:40:02 PM
Come any time. We'll be having lambs in a few weeks. I would love to show them off.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| craftingram |
Posted - Mar 01 2012 : 06:37:36 AM
Hi and welcome Regina, from Texas. I'm sure you're already finding out what a great group this is. Where did you grow up in Indiana? I grew up in Valparaiso, left when I got married, and soon will be moving back, to Brown County, because my husband is retiring. I will miss Texas terribly, but will finally live near one of my kids again so that will be wonderful.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #2708
Romans 8: 38,39 |
| fiberbug |
Posted - Mar 01 2012 : 06:15:27 AM
laurentany: I'm hoping our garden will do so well I'll have to do some canning! ;) Congratulations on your rabbits! What kind are you getting? I had a big, grey lop many moons ago, and I loved her. She was so sweet. Alas, I lost her to some unidentified predator. I'd love to have another bunny or two, though. :)
katmom: Thank you! I'm glad to be here! :D
Fiber-crazy Future Farmer |
| katmom |
Posted - Feb 29 2012 : 8:36:28 PM
Hey Regina,
Welcome from us farmgals over here in Washington....
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom.
"Is it time for my Dirt Manicure yet!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
|
| laurentany |
Posted - Feb 29 2012 : 1:19:16 PM
Welcome Regina, from Long Island, NY!
You will surely find yourself right at home here! I have never used a pressure canner but do alot of hot water bath canning! I Love it!
We have hens for eggs and will be getting 2 rabbits in about 4 weeks ( I am looking forward to their wonderful instant fertilizer for my gardens!)
Hop right in and enjoy- there are just so many warm and friendly, knowledgable farmgirls here to share their insight!
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
| fiberbug |
Posted - Feb 29 2012 : 09:09:22 AM
machick: Oh, no! I can just imagine how much fun that was to clean up! :P I've yet to attempt canning anything myself, and I have to confess, I'm a little apprehensive. My grandma always used a pressure cooker, and I remember hearing the same grave warnings every year. They certainly worked to keep me away from the stove back then, and they might have worked too well. I'm still a little scared. :P
Blessed: Thanks! We're in Northeast Georgia, just a few miles from South Carolina. We love driving over there to the apple orchards. :) I visited Savannah years ago with my Girl Scout troop, and I love it. It's such a beautiful city. I'm hoping to go back sometime soon. I'd love to visit Colorado too. It looks so pretty in all the pictures I've seen.
Fiber-crazy Future Farmer |
| Blessed in Colorado |
Posted - Feb 29 2012 : 08:02:06 AM
Hi Regina, welcome to the farm, we are glad you are hear.
Where in Georgia do you lived? We lived in Savannah for 10 years while hubby was in the military and loved it. I miss Savannah and all my friends, but we love the mountains of Colorado and are here to stay.
Farmgirl Hugs,
Deb
If you are lucky enough to live in the mountains you are lucky enough.
www.etsy.com/shop/CollectThisTreasures
www.etsy.com/shop/MountainWingsAntique
http://debbielynnf.blogspot.com
http://myworld.ebay.com/debbt |
| machick |
Posted - Feb 29 2012 : 07:47:56 AM
Hello Regina!!! Your story about canning and poke reminded me of the first time I canned anything.It was poke. I was using a cold packer. My Mother-in-law told me to put 1 inch of water in the packer after I loaded it. Thats what i did. She forget to mention over the top of the jars. started the stove and decided I had time to take a shower. KABOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! blew up that poke all over my kitchen. I had poke greens hanging from the ceiling. I was newly married only 19. and I just set right down and cried!!!!
LOL
May your bobbins always be full!!! |
| fiberbug |
Posted - Feb 29 2012 : 07:37:17 AM
Thanks for the warm welcome, Folks!
Kristen - I'd love to come see your sheep sometime! I'm in the Northeast, about 2 hours from you, it looks like. :)
graciegreeneyes - Me too! It's one of my favorite books! :)
Fiber-crazy Future Farmer |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Feb 29 2012 : 05:51:07 AM
Welcome Regina - greetings and salutations to you - that always makes me think of Charlotte's web:)
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
|
| grammytammy |
Posted - Feb 29 2012 : 05:41:25 AM
Welcome Regina from Upstate NY!!
FarmGirl 2495
God loved us so much He gave His only son to die in our stead. |
| rough start farmgirl |
Posted - Feb 28 2012 : 9:03:38 PM
Hello Regina.
So glad you are with us!! Hope you enjoy yourself .... Welcome
Marianne |
| edlund33 |
Posted - Feb 28 2012 : 8:08:25 PM
Welcome to the farm Regina! You will have plenty of fun here on MJF.
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
http://blueskyanddaisies.blogspot.com
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Feb 28 2012 : 1:59:35 PM
Hi and welcome from another Ga. girl!! So glad to see you here. I've just recently started back with sheep and they are due in a few weeks. I'll be shearing 3 of them in a few weeks. And hope to learn the whole process from sheep to sweater. If you are near N. Ga. come by and see them.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| fiberbug |
Posted - Feb 28 2012 : 1:47:02 PM
Thanks, CJ! :D
Fiber-crazy Future Farmer |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Feb 28 2012 : 1:08:27 PM
Regina,
A big, huge Colorado Rocky Mountains sized welcome to you!!
Enjoy!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
the "Purple Thistle" http://www.ceejay48.etsy.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| fiberbug |
Posted - Feb 28 2012 : 08:35:16 AM
Thank you so much! I already feel right at home! :D
Fiber-crazy Future Farmer |
| Cooknnana |
Posted - Feb 28 2012 : 08:06:35 AM
Hi Regina! Welcome! You're going to fit right in here. Look around and find a couple places where you feel you belong and hang out with all your new girlfriends! Starting small is always a good thing; it might keep you from feeling overwhelmed and then you won't want to give up... Have fun!
If there is a will, there's a way; find your way!
Sister #3282 |
