"Why don't you just tear it down"? is a question I hear a lot these days about our farmhouse project. This oft-asked question comes from passers-by, the mail carrier, casual acquaintances in town...even the subs lifting the farmhouse asked essentially, "Why bother?" as they did the job. My family and close friends don't ask this question,... Continue Reading →
Small Farm Dreaming: The Start of My Dairy Cow Education
Although our ultimate goal is a small farm, right now our time and energy is wrapped up in farmhouse renovation. Here it is late February already, and we're still gutting the inside of the house, because each time we pull off a layer, we find more rot...meaning more gutting...and replacing. So the small farm part of... Continue Reading →
“As for Me and My House, We Will Serve Butter” — Why I Cook With Old-Fashioned Fats
My apologies to the book of Joshua for playing with the famous Bible verse, "...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15). But my altered version pops into my head almost daily as I reach for butter when cooking and eating. And it's not just butter I favor. I cook with bacon grease... Continue Reading →
State of Renovation at Our Small Farm to Be: The Chimney Comes Down!
In order to buy the farmhouse that will become the farm, I* had to get a construction loan to pay for the biggies of foundation, electrical and plumbing. In that big chunk of change, we included some money for chimney repair too, although really I wanted to yank the propane stove and put in a... Continue Reading →
Taking Back Control: Why I Bought Old Farm in the First Place
"Oh, you don't want that!" So said the real estate agent in my adopted hometown when I told him I was looking for at least 10 acres. He went on to tell me I only needed five. I never spoke to him again. I knew what I wanted. At the time, I was still so new... Continue Reading →
Here Goes Everything: The 1890 Farmhouse Is Mine…Let the Dream Begin!
For as long as I can remember, I have wanted a two-story white farmhouse with a bedroom window facing east, a front porch for sitting, and old apple trees. I have carried that vision in my head from my earliest years. It wasn't just the house I pictured. I have envisioned the land, the pastures... Continue Reading →