I am so sorry about your parents wreck…and hope they are alright! As for your farm dreams, I have them, too, so so bad! But, my darling husband thinks I am crazy and doesn’t share them at all…so sad. He won’t even let me keep a few chickens…he’s very supportive of my camping ‘sisters’ (Sisters on the fly) and my other ‘hare-brained schemes, though…I am very blessed to have him! So, that said, don’t give up! Reading this, I might just ‘try’ to bake some bread, too! Love your blog, sugar! From one "Southrun" girl to another…bless your heart!

I really like lists 🙂 SO:

1. I’m envious of your inlaw situation. Certainly sounds FABULOUS!
2. I once spent months trying to make the perfect loaf of bread only to finally discover that my OVEN wasn’t heating correctly. Maybe it’s time to try again (with my new oven!)
3. Whether this particular deal is ON or OFF, I’m sure you’ll be hanging up your muck boots sooner than you can imagine (wait, does anyone hang their boots? I’ve been wanting to make something like that… trust me on this one!). Didn’t Goethe say something like "If you can dream it, you can begin it."? Well, you’ve already begun! CHECK!
4. I misspelled "their" and now you’ve reposted it. I might dye of embarrassment (catch that! ha!)

Oh Rebekah,
Stop, you made tears run down! I am so glad your parents are doing well through all of that and you had a wonderful Birthday for your mother in law. I can smell the bread now and will be baking some zucchini bread shortly.
Girl let me tell you if that farm is meant to be it will. I know that for a fact. We had a friend that lived on the farm of my dreams and I said if there ever come a time where we could buy it it would be the last place in the world I want to settle down one. Well in 2006 we lost our home in town to the crisis and as we stood on the courthouse steps we got a call from our friend and said I no longer live there and if you take over the payments you can move in today. The house or should I say the trailer was very run down and in dire need of repair, just 3 bedrooms but a wonderful 7 acre lot and I had twin boys a daughter and her boyfriend who just had my grand child all counting on a place to live. God heard our prayers our pleas. We have since become empty nesters and will be breaking ground for our new house. This 7 acres has all we need; our orchard with peaches, pears, plums,blueberries, apples, grapes and a great garden area. We have all the animals we need, dogs, cats,milking goats ducks chickens and donkeys rescues included. I know things happen for a reason and I have been blessed. I would have never in this life time thought I would ever have my little piece of paradise but I do. I plan to die here some day. So no matter what if you feel it in your bone stick with it. I wish you all the best and who knows it may have been the wrong dream and the other one is just around the corner and even better than this. You will be blessed with just that farm you always wanted. Never give you on that bread 🙂

Oh,what a wonderful blog this is. I’m so glad your parents are ok. One little thing about the other driver, she might have been so shocked/embarrased/scared/appalled that she wasn’t able to show any concern at the time. People do weird stuff when they screw up, esp. in car accidents.

Anyway, I’m sorry about the farm deal, but thrilled with all that support.
One other practical note along with your riding lessons, you might consider doggy school for the dogs, if they have never been. You and they can get a head start on being around livestock.

How wonderful about your bread. AND even more wonderful about the farm deal on/off thing. eek. Can’t wait to hear more.

Wow! You sound like me! Being Italian, a baker by trade and trying to find another farm for me and my 11 y.o. I was just mesmerized by your writings. Whether it is 6 am or 10 pm I always make bread to sooth the soul. Have always loved your blog! hugs

Dearest Rebekah!
Stick to your guns and try to use this pathway in life as a learning experience. My new mantra in life is ‘Five years from now we won’t even remember being so upset about this event!’. In other words, we have to pick the time frame that we are anxiety ridden about issues!
I love your bread story, and as for me, I would give everything that I own to be able to sit down with my parents as a family one more time. Yes, appreciate and love those around you while you can..
I am going to make your bread!
Hang in there, sister!

Hi!Whatch out,your gona get fat!don,t worry,it,ll all come together when its time.good luck,carol

Well yeah, you can do this? You’ve already got three farm dogs right? Get yerself some cats, to go with them and that’d be a good start! Research the rest. I have a friend that has the most bee-you-tea-full cows I’ve ever seen in my life. EVAAH! I’ll find a picture of them for ya. Will you still be our City Farmgirl though? I hope so! I’d miss you, and Blue, and the rest of the gang.

Cindy Bee

All I can say is, YAY!!!!!!!!!! I will say a prayer for you future farmgirl!! I am sooooo excited for you!! First thing I would do, is build a predator proof chicken coop, cause it’s almost chick time!! That is actually the first thing I did. And then I would get a donkey, and plant a garden, and if I know you, I know you will!! Keep us posted!!

EEEEK! Too excited for you lady! ‘I’m about to die’ is definitely not necessarily a bad thing in the South. I’d start with some fruit trees, a garden and some chickens and goats! And a milk cow! It’s so funny, my husband just told me today that we should be organic farmers (especially after watching a certain documentary about our current food system). Good luck with negotiations!

I too will keep you in my prayers fro this to come true. I know that for us the fox is a big thing to worry about. have a Great Pyrenees and they will give you a bark wall. They are great for goats too.fence is a must! and a boot scraper lol for those trips to the barn to visit that horse you will be hanging with. One axe and boots work great for every farm girl. I wish you the best in that new dream! John Denver is greeat! keep him singin!

Oh my Lordy!!!
You are about to live my dream! I moved back to Texas from Alaska,and have regretted it everyday since…except that I got to spend time with my parents before they died.
You go girl ,and live your dream,you will learn as you go,and it makes it so.much more fun…
Good luck and keep writing!

OK, now this is BIG! Here’s what I would do if,….you know……Blast Johnny Cash,put sweet tea in a cold mason jar,take off your shoes,order some chickens,put on an apron and go sit in the grass near the barn and stare at the silos and DREAM! And if it doesn’t,well,…you know; blast Johnny Cash, put some iced tea in a cold Mason jar,take off your shoes,put on your apron and go sit in the grass in your backyard,have a good ugly cry and as the sun dries your tears,don’t forget to keep dreaming!

First I would get cats for small varmints.
Next chickens: Make an enclosed predator proof pen. By digging into the ground, putting in wire in a L shape backwards and filling in with dirt for the base. Keeps the skunks ,racoons, possums from digging. You need to keep them safe at night from owls too.
Third: whatever animals you get, you must go slowly. Get too know what you need to do to keep them wisely. The 4H Community leader will help direct you to the nearest knowledgeable person.
Good luck!

As a rank amateur who reads a lot, my advice is to start small! We had chickens in the city when I was a girl, and a took awhile to get used to caring for them properly. So one step at a time…I’m praying your dream comes true!

One thing is for sure: you have a head start with reading Mary Janes’ book(s) and magazines. Then I would see what other books she recommends. (Does she have a "recommended reading list?" That would be great!) Then I would find an old farmer and "pick his brain." There is nothing better than being able to ask questions BEFORE making a lot of mistakes. Best wishes and most of all—keep it simple and enjoy life!! Your daughter will help steer you in that direction! Mary Jane has a saying in one of her books, "While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about"

Ok, most everyone else has mentioned animals (go slow there!) so I will address the tractor part. John Deere might not be as good as they used to be (I disagree) but they are still WAY better than the other brands! A tractor is not mandatory but will make your farmlife easier in many ways- get one with a bucket for the front as well as a hay spear if you plan on large animals that will need large bales of hay moved here and there! Oh, I am excited for you- it IS all work but if you love it it doesnt matter! Prayers coming your way that your dreams come true!
Oh, and one other thing- make sure the breed of cows you might be interested in are suitable for your climate- Scottish Highlands, for example, would be miserable in Georgia- way too hot for all their hair!

FANTASTIC!!! Prayers are with you… What you need on a farm who knows for sure. Define need. I am on 200 acres and live in a log home that is really too big but I love it. The peace and quiet.. OK I do get lonely since I run things by myself. My husband works in NY and I am in MO. He calls everyday to make sure I am still alive. If my life was a reality show it would be nothing but laughter. You know you are there when your husband gives you Carhardt overalls for Christmas and then he throws you a another small package and says here is some lingerie and it is insulated socks AND YOU LOVE IT!!! After three years he bought me a tractor but I still love walking. He had it delivered and I had to figure out how to drive it (The 5 minute course from the delivery person was not enough.) It took me 2 hours to move three large bales of hay for the horses but it was fun and I did it. I have knocked heads with the cows. I am supporting the local vet in a way I wish I could become used to. Finding out in this small town you do not call the vet unless it is serious. What is serious? I hope and pray this works out for you there are so many adventures ahead. You will so enjoy it….

Oh my gosh!!!!! I am so excitted for you! I hope that will be me some day. I will be happy just to be able to some day sell this big house for a small one where I can have a few chickens. That’s not to much to ask is it?? But in the mean time prayers will be said for your big dream!!!!

Hi! This is my first time reading and I am so excited for you in so many ways! Have faith that god will direct this path! I moved to Topeka KS from Kansas City about 6 years ago and have horse/cow pasture and love it!! My neighbors are a herd of cows that I so enjoy as I can’t bear the thought of raising a cow for slaughter, my Chicago suburbs upbringing coming thru! When we first moved out we wanted to do it all but am so glad we are taking our time as it is a commitment! I was just salivating at Orschens just this morning over a very cute chicken coop but want to be ready to be at home more than not! Getting used to the coyotes has still proved daunting but looking up to the big starry sky at night calms that down. Big dogs and lots of cats are impt and fun. I love to see them laying on the front lawn, never really got to do that in da burbs! I so wish you well and am glad your hubby is on board too. (love JDenver!) look forward to your posts!!

Rebekah, How exciting for you. I pray the Lord bless you with your farm and all goes without a hitch. Start seeing yourself on your farm now and claiming it and it will be yours. I would first build a good coop with a top cover on the run so that predators can not get in, and yes for sure put the chicken wire on the outside so animals cant dig under. Make sure plenty of ventilation for chickens in coop. Spring time is the time to order chicks. While hubby is building coop and chicken run you could be working on a small kitchen garden to start with. I have one with 3 raised beds and 7 grow boxes which produces plenty for my husband and I and enough to share. I have it fenced in with a green house/shed inside. The fence is to keep deer and other critters from eating my veggies, and to keep cats from using my beds as litter boxes.
Picture these things on your farm and where they will be placed. See it, Believe it, and watch it grow……… Congratualations, oh and my dream is to one day have a donkey as well and maybe a goat, and this year I am starting a small fruit orchard with Asian pears, fuji apples, cherries and nectarines, blueberries, raspberries,and blackberries….

Woo Hoo!!!!!! I so hope this works out for you!

We do not have an ATV–my venerable 1989 Chevy S10 truck sort of serves that purpose. DO get a tractor and bush hog. Our ancient Yanmar (complete with instructional decals in Japanese) has been a valuable investment. Do, do, do have a bucket put on the front and go ahead and get your bush hog and, if you have a big yard, a finish mower.

Oh, and don’t forget ear protection!

We don’t have animals yet, but are working on fencing for cows and considering guineas.

Four years on the farm and loving it!

You’ll have a ball!

Congratulations. I too am waiting to be on the farm. My husband and I actually bought the family farm with 2 of his siblings but it is not ready to live in yet. It is our hope to be out there soon and turn it into a bed and breakfast. But I worry about animals and if I can do the farm thing. I have romanticized this idea for so long but I do agree with starting slow and learning as you go. Good luck.

You need to read" The dirty Life on farming, food, & Love by Kristin Kimball. Farming is hard work. Good luck.

I too am a newby farmgirl. This year I am trying to get my farmette to be more self sufficient. i work at a Library and came across a fabulous short read book that will pump you up and lead you in the right direction. Its called Made from scratch by Jenna Woginrich. She has a blog .. http://www.coldantlerfarm.blogspot.com Another great book she wrote is called "chick days"…Lots of pictures, easy to read for farmers/working moms. She is young SINGLE woman who manages her own farm..If you check her out and like her, let me know…because Im a totally PSYCHED up, PUMPED up farmgirl myself!

Oh my goodness gracious. I am sending you farm prayers for sure. You need to get you some seed catalogs and some poultry catalogs and start making your lists. John Deere is still absolutely the best. Woohoo Im so excited for ya.

Rebekah,Well truth be told: did not think I would connect with you as we are sooooo very far apart in our worlds, then I thought "just read one of her blogs"; and I absolutely fell in love with your excitement and way of expressing it! My husband and I started out 20 years ago (my heavens, so long yet so short a time ago). We live off grid and have raised everything. All the advice so far has been dead on. Chickens are the best thing to start with as they really are self sufficient and you can’t really hurt them if you make basic mistakes. And the best part? They are a comedy show every day. I can watch them for hours and never be bored. As far as peeing your pants? Good news! Your new home will let you drop any where and just go, trust me you will as the house will be too far and you won’t want to take the time. Welcome to the country!