I feel so seen and understood by this! I am new to your newsletter so I need to familiarize myself more with what else you’ve written about your farm. But I am married to a farmer- and yes, we also have a big combine!
Ahh, I think I’m guilty of romanticizing! It’s so easy to do with picture-perfect Instagram accounts that make homesteading or child-rearing or homeschooling or any of the other daily life things look so much more glamorous. But then again, I think it is fun and helpful to try to frame my OWN life FOR MYSELF as something special and noteworthy so I don’t lose sight of the beauty in it...which is all to easy to do when I get wrapped up in the daily stresses.
Oh for sure! I think we all do! I find many aspects of farm & ranch life so beautiful. I try to balance what I share/write about being honest about the beautiful parts and the challenging parts of this life. I try to find the good in every situation, because a negative attitude won't help either.
When I think of farm-life I see those giant combines and tractors, which is to say, you are real people to me! Though, I like, Barbara have lots to learn :)
P.S. I loved Small Things Like These, and just picked up two more of Claire Keegan's book using a B&N gift card.
I really enjoyed reading this and learning a little more around the nuance of different farm lifestyle, and how easy it might be to feel unseen in that work. Your work and voice is so needed, and I'm here for it!
Happy New Year, friend! I'm slowly going through my inbox of all the Holiday Neglects and was happy to read your post. I just got off a call with my team, who are all amazing urban women, and we had a conversation about the typical urban/rural divide with it comes to content. I am the guiltiest when it comes to not being curious enough about what folks know/don't know when it comes to our lifestyles. One of the comments from the meeting was 'Don't all farmers' know this stuff?' in regards to animal ag vs. grain ag. vs. etc. Though we can't change others, we (I) can do better with being curious, asking questions, etc. when it comes to how others farm, live rurally, and so on.
Thanks again for getting my post-Holiday brain working. Good luck with calving!
Thanks, Katelyn!! So true about just being curious. (And if you ever need someone on your team who can bridge the gap between animal ag & grain ag--I know gal.) 😉
It's so easy to romanticize any kind of life that isn't ours, even the one we're aiming for. I definitely romanticized being a mum and home maker before i was either of those things! I love getting a glimpse of what your life is like! And the photo of the cow in the barn is beautiful 😍
Thank you, Kym! Yes, it’s so easy to romanticize things! Sometimes I think it’s not all bad to romanticize our lives, because it’s good to be positive about it and see the best. But I think it can have negative effects too.
Maybe it's all about expectations. If our expectations are still realistic and being joy etc then great. If our expectations don't get met and we get sad or frustrated about that, then it's not so good.
Ouch - I think I'd feel stung if someone I respected was dismissive of my life as "not real", too. I love hearing about all the different flavors of farm life-ing (and farm wife-ing) and appreciate you keeping YOUR version of real, real in this space!
As another agriculture wife in Canada, wow I didn’t know how badly I needed to read this. From romanticizing my involvement while dating to having three kids (almost 4) under foot now- and not seeing representation realistically almost anywhere... thank you for sharing, we need each other!
Thank you, Jenna!! 💛💛 I appreciate you reading and commenting! It’s hard to know sometimes if the stories I’m telling are just for me, or if anyone else will relate. So I appreciate you being here and your comment!! We do need each other! (Congrats on almost another baby--so exciting!!)
Until I knew you and Cara, I’m embarrassed to say I probably over generalized what “farm life” actually meant or looked like. Grateful you share what you share because I have learned a lot!
Comparison is never helpful! Just finished some lovely sourdough bread with elderberry jelly. I just told my wife, people like you put that flour in our bread. Thank you for every minute of what you do. Grateful here.
I have loved getting a glimpse into farm life from reading your words. I don't know anyone personally who has a farm, so all of it is fascinating to me. And it seems so HARD. Kudos to you and your family!
I feel so seen and understood by this! I am new to your newsletter so I need to familiarize myself more with what else you’ve written about your farm. But I am married to a farmer- and yes, we also have a big combine!
Hi Katie!! Thanks for reading and commenting! I'm so glad to hear this resonated with you!! Welcome!
Ahh, I think I’m guilty of romanticizing! It’s so easy to do with picture-perfect Instagram accounts that make homesteading or child-rearing or homeschooling or any of the other daily life things look so much more glamorous. But then again, I think it is fun and helpful to try to frame my OWN life FOR MYSELF as something special and noteworthy so I don’t lose sight of the beauty in it...which is all to easy to do when I get wrapped up in the daily stresses.
Oh for sure! I think we all do! I find many aspects of farm & ranch life so beautiful. I try to balance what I share/write about being honest about the beautiful parts and the challenging parts of this life. I try to find the good in every situation, because a negative attitude won't help either.
When I think of farm-life I see those giant combines and tractors, which is to say, you are real people to me! Though, I like, Barbara have lots to learn :)
P.S. I loved Small Things Like These, and just picked up two more of Claire Keegan's book using a B&N gift card.
Thanks, Jenny! And we’ve met IRL, so you know I’m real. 🤪 I also read Foster by Keegan and really liked it too!
I really enjoyed reading this and learning a little more around the nuance of different farm lifestyle, and how easy it might be to feel unseen in that work. Your work and voice is so needed, and I'm here for it!
Thanks, Jenny! ❤️ I really appreciate that.
Happy New Year, friend! I'm slowly going through my inbox of all the Holiday Neglects and was happy to read your post. I just got off a call with my team, who are all amazing urban women, and we had a conversation about the typical urban/rural divide with it comes to content. I am the guiltiest when it comes to not being curious enough about what folks know/don't know when it comes to our lifestyles. One of the comments from the meeting was 'Don't all farmers' know this stuff?' in regards to animal ag vs. grain ag. vs. etc. Though we can't change others, we (I) can do better with being curious, asking questions, etc. when it comes to how others farm, live rurally, and so on.
Thanks again for getting my post-Holiday brain working. Good luck with calving!
Thanks, Katelyn!! So true about just being curious. (And if you ever need someone on your team who can bridge the gap between animal ag & grain ag--I know gal.) 😉
I love your monthly updates! Your life is so different than mine in metro-Birmingham, and I love learning. The butter Christmas tree made me laugh!
I’m no Ballerina Farm lady!! Haha. 😂 Thanks for reading and commenting, Alyssa!! ❤️
It's so easy to romanticize any kind of life that isn't ours, even the one we're aiming for. I definitely romanticized being a mum and home maker before i was either of those things! I love getting a glimpse of what your life is like! And the photo of the cow in the barn is beautiful 😍
Thank you, Kym! Yes, it’s so easy to romanticize things! Sometimes I think it’s not all bad to romanticize our lives, because it’s good to be positive about it and see the best. But I think it can have negative effects too.
Maybe it's all about expectations. If our expectations are still realistic and being joy etc then great. If our expectations don't get met and we get sad or frustrated about that, then it's not so good.
I always love getting a peek at your farm life!
Thank you, Laura! ❤️
Love your way with words!!
Thanks, Mom. 🥰🥰
Ouch - I think I'd feel stung if someone I respected was dismissive of my life as "not real", too. I love hearing about all the different flavors of farm life-ing (and farm wife-ing) and appreciate you keeping YOUR version of real, real in this space!
Thanks, Meagan!! 💛
As another agriculture wife in Canada, wow I didn’t know how badly I needed to read this. From romanticizing my involvement while dating to having three kids (almost 4) under foot now- and not seeing representation realistically almost anywhere... thank you for sharing, we need each other!
Thank you, Jenna!! 💛💛 I appreciate you reading and commenting! It’s hard to know sometimes if the stories I’m telling are just for me, or if anyone else will relate. So I appreciate you being here and your comment!! We do need each other! (Congrats on almost another baby--so exciting!!)
Until I knew you and Cara, I’m embarrassed to say I probably over generalized what “farm life” actually meant or looked like. Grateful you share what you share because I have learned a lot!
Thanks, Ashlee!! ❤️ I’m still learning all the time too!
Comparison is never helpful! Just finished some lovely sourdough bread with elderberry jelly. I just told my wife, people like you put that flour in our bread. Thank you for every minute of what you do. Grateful here.
Oh thanks so much! That’s kind of you! I killed my sourdough starter earlier this year. 🤦🏻♀️🫣
Sourdough will live again!
I always love reading about your family and farm life!
Thanks so much, Wendy! ❤️
Love this. Such a good opening story, lady. 💛
Thanks, friend. 💛 Can’t wait to read your newsletter tomorrow!
I have loved getting a glimpse into farm life from reading your words. I don't know anyone personally who has a farm, so all of it is fascinating to me. And it seems so HARD. Kudos to you and your family!
Thanks, Erin! I’m happy to hear that!! 💛💛