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For the last few months, I’ve been very occupied with several projects. Today, I’m going to tell you about one of them.
I do not discuss the details of my private relationships on this website and I’m not going to start now, so suffice it to say that 52 and I have parted ways. I love Stringtown Rising Farm in the sentimental crazy way that a sentimental crazy person like me can love a farm that is one of the most inhospitable, inaccessible, and unmanageable pieces of land on the planet. I love it anyway, and for my love of it, I stayed there longer than I was happy in my personal situation. I couldn’t bear to leave the farm, but eventually I recognized that I had a responsibility to love myself more than I loved the farm.
As an alternative to leaving, I considered taking over Stringtown Rising Farm–of which I only owned half–on my own. I made a series of lists of what I would have to buy, build, change, and hire done (regularly) in order to operate the farm alone were I to buy out the other half. The farm is awkwardly laid out due to the terrain, and in the winter, it is at times barely accessible to completely inaccessible, in or out. There is no mail delivery. No trash pickup. The school bus doesn’t come. The closest school bus stop is a mile away across the river, or two miles away over the dirt (or ice) road. In the winter, the river is often either too high or iced over. The road the other way is narrow, icy, steep, with sharp drop-offs and no guardrails. There are also numerous issues with the well and the water supply that are beyond my ability to personally maintain. There’s inadequate fencing, inadequate pasture—-how much hay do I want to haul and handle by myself because of the inadequate pasture? How would I replenish the hay and feed supply in the winter? How much would it cost to build more storage for winter? How would I get Morgan to the school bus in the winter? There are often stretches of two to three weeks at a time from January to March when I’m afraid to even move my vehicle and can only get myself or Morgan out with help. The remoteness of the location, due to its inaccessibility, is extreme in the snow and mud months. Would I have to send my daughter away to stay with my cousin for three months of the year? I had always had help, and now I would not. The lists got pretty long, and expensive. Stringtown Rising Farm is an adventure fueled by manpower. To stay alone, I would have to fuel it with a huge infusion of cash for improvements and hired help. And money can’t buy everything to make a farm like Stringtown Rising more manageable. Money can’t buy out winter.
In spite of it all, I was determined to stay at Stringtown Rising Farm because I loved it so much, but common sense reared its pragmatic head, saving me from myself. To remain at such a farm alone was a stupid idea, and possibly even dangerous for a woman on her own. Stringtown Rising Farm would have to be put up for sale. It was a painful decision, but there are moments in life when you have to do what you have to do. I had to leave, and so I faced the next question–what now? Was this a disastrous ending, or could it be the beginning of something wonderful?
I chose the beginning of something wonderful and I looked for a farm of my own that would provide everything I needed to be independent and safe.
My new farm is about 10 miles away from the old farm, still in Roane County, West Virginia, in an area once known as Clio. It’s a 100-acre farm on a hard road. Not only is it a hard road, there aren’t even any potholes. No potholes! There is mail delivery. Mail delivery! A mailbox right in front of the house! And the school bus comes—right in front of the house! The house is a charming vintage 1935 move in-ready farmhouse that has been restored and maintained, and it comes with free gas to keep me warm in the winter. There is a separate studio in the back for my commercial kitchen for classes and farm stays. Under the studio is a large stone cellar. There is a mature cherry tree and several mature apple trees in the yard. On the land are wild raspberries, blackberries, sassafras, ginseng, and morels, just for starters. There are creeks and springs and a pond—and a sunny flat place for a garden.
Much of the 100 acres is cleared (and flat!) and fenced with quality, sturdy fencing primed for animals to move right in. There are many different fields with connecting gates to allow for rotational grazing, including a 35-acre (fenced) upper meadow. There is a large field near the house perfect for goats, and it comes with a goat house. There is a faucet at the goat field for water—no carrying water or running hoses! There is a good well, and public water is also available.
THERE IS A BARN. The barn is a vintage but sturdy 1890 red barn with a number of stalls, tack room, and paddock. A couple of the stalls are set up as horse stalls in particular, and some of the fields are fenced specifically for horses. Former owners of the farm have had wild Mustangs and Percherons. There is a water faucet at the barn, and electric. There are lights in all the stalls and the alleyway. There is a large hayloft with a winch. This farm is made for animals. (There was once an equally old farmhouse, of which only the foundation stones remain. A “new” farmhouse was built in 1935, which is the current home on the property.)
As you can imagine, I’m just slightly in love with it all, swooning from the luxury of a mailbox and a vintage farmhouse and 100 acres and a big red barn with water and electric not to mention a hard road. I feel like I just fell off the turnip truck into a bed of roses. And speaking of roses, the previous owners loved roses and there are numerous rose bushes around the house.
One of the first few times I went out to the farm, I noticed there was a telephone pole with a light by the road. I was standing by one of the fields across the road (yes, the farm spans both sides of the road, and holds the view in every direction), talking to the owner. I said, “Is that a streetlight?”
He said, “Yes.”
Me: “Does it come ON?” I’m sure that I sounded as if I’d just landed from Mars, but there is no such as a streetlight anywhere near Stringtown Rising Farm.
He said, “Yes. It comes on automatically every night.” He must have noted my excitement because he added, “There’s a light at the barn that comes on automatically every night, too.”
Me: “Wow.”
On the farm at the time lived two men and the sister of one of the men. She lived in the studio. According to her brother, she was psychic. After I’d been out there a few times, he told me a story. This beautiful farm had been available for two years. During that time, they’d had many takers. Every time, the sister said, “They are not the one.” They had offers, and deals, and deals that fell through. And every time, the sister had said, “They are not the one.”
After the first time I visited the farm, the brother told his sister about me, and she said, “She is the one.”
This farm waited for me for two years so that it would be there when I needed it. It was the only farm I went to see, and as soon as I laid eyes on it, I knew I would move heaven and earth to make it mine. It looked like it had fallen off the pages of a children’s storybook. It was just such a wonderful place. Magical, really. So I moved heaven, then I moved earth, and one month later, I held the keys in my hand.
The day I showed the farm to Morgan, I picked her up from the bus after school and told her I was taking her somewhere for a surprise. She bugged me with “What is it? What is it?” for a few minutes then I asked her if she still wanted a horse. OF COURSE she still wants a horse. She has wanted a horse all her life and for many years she took riding lessons. She started complaining about how she couldn’t have a horse because we didn’t have enough pasture or fencing or a barn.
I said, “What kind of horse would you have if you could?”
She chattered about different breeds of horses and which were her favorites and why for a few minutes then I reminded her that we didn’t have enough pasture or fencing or a barn. She told me that I was mean to get her talking about a horse when she couldn’t have one.
I suggested that she could put Jack and Poky together and they’d add up to a horse!
Then I got her talking about what kind of horse she wanted again, and as soon as she got going good I reminded her that she couldn’t have a horse because we didn’t have enough pasture or fencing or a barn.
We arrived at the farm and I pulled over to the side of the road and said, “Look at that! This road is such a nice road, isn’t it? It doesn’t even have potholes! And look at that! Is that horse fencing? And look, there is a mailbox. And do you know what else they have here? A school bus. And isn’t that house cute?”
Then I told her to get out of the car and I walked her up the (short and not steep!) driveway. I said, “Look at that! That’s a nice barn, isn’t it?”
She said, “Yes. Why are we here? Why couldn’t you buy a farm like this one?”
I had her pretty irritated at this point. I think she wanted to smack me.
I said, “Look at that house again, Morgan. That is your new house.“
She stared at me and said, “What?”
I told her again. “That is your new house. This is your new farm. We are moving here.”
She flipped around and looked at the barn again then she screamed. And she kept screaming and then she was screaming and running–to the barn! Her shoes flew off her feet and she ended up at the barn door in her socks, and she shouted, “This is my barn!”
She looked inside every stall (after she put her shoes back on!). She ran upstairs to the hayloft then back down to the stalls, examining and inspecting every stall all over again, chattering away about what she would need to clean out the stalls and prepare for a horse. Then she ran out to the fields and up to the hay meadow and just everywhere, running and running and screaming.
She’s going to get a horse in the spring.
I apologize for giving you so much information all at once and after the fact. I wasn’t able to handle public commentary about it on my website while I was in the middle of a very personal upheaval. Thank you for understanding that I needed to emotionally process this transition privately. By the way, when I took time off following the CITR retreat, it wasn’t because of this but because of a couple of other projects. It was the middle of October before I came to my senses and accepted the inevitability of leaving Stringtown Rising, and believe me, this past month has been a whirlwind. Because I held out on you for the past month about such a big thing, I’m going to give you a twofer here and tell you that the other projects involve writing some books, one of which is a memoir, another of which is a cookbook. I’ll tell you more about them when I have more information to share. I had to stop working on them in order to start packing and moving boxes and cows and chickens to a new farm.
This has been a difficult time, but it is now a joyful time. As always, writing for you is the greatest pleasure and privilege of my life. I’m excited about the future. Come with me as I take on this new farm on my own. It’s all mine. I will never again have to choose between my happiness and my farm.
And in case you’re worrying, yes, BP and Clover and Coco and Annabelle and Poky and the whole gang are here with me, including the chickens. Stringtown will always be rising in my heart, but I must be a real farmer now since I found myself capable of such a practical decision to make myself an independent woman. This is my farm, and I am home…..and I am happy. I’ve been packing for weeks and moved this past weekend, starting with the animals and finishing with the furniture on Monday, with so many friends and family helping me–my cousin Mark and his wife Sheryl, old high school friends of Ross, Debbie (those of you who were at the CITR retreat remember Debbie our cook), Jerry, Pete, friends of Weston and Morgan, down to the little old man who brought his livestock trailer to move the animals and hay, and said, “I’ll be there Saturday if I’m still alive.” (He was.) I’m spending our first holiday here with Weston, Morgan, and Ross (!).
Also, I want to tell you that I had NO IDEA my “pink and blue” clouds photo would inspire such conjecture! And I also want to say that one of the hardest things for me to leave at Stringtown Rising was the set of murals by Kelly Walker. (Had NO thought of leaving Stringtown Rising at the time she painted them.) I talked to Kelly privately after I made the decision and asked her if I could commission her to recreate the murals at the new farm and she agreed. And another also–I only just now got my internet hooked up here or I would have posted a couple days ago.
Once I’m halfway unpacked, I promise I’ll be back to posting at my regular schedule. I have so much to show you. For now, you’ll find some photos in the gallery here, some taken by me in the past few weeks (the fall and progressing toward winter shots), and some provided to me by the previous owners (the summertime shots). You’ll even see a few photos that I have already sneakily shown you over the past several weeks. (You’ll also see in the photos that the animals are all at the barn right now–this is temporary while they settle in.)
Welcome to Sassafras Farm. Explanation of the name: One, the word is just fun to say and makes me feel happy. Second, there is sassafras on the hill. Third, I’m feeling sassy with a farm all my own! It’s a beautiful farm, and truly something wonderful.
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What’s photo 3 of?
Great roses. This whole thing sounds much more manageable.
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How exciting for your new home! Thanking God at this Thanksgiving time for the new blessing and the future to come. (And those aren’t just words…)
Happy Thanksgiving to your little family – looking forward to all the new adventures in your new home!
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Secondly, CONGRATULATIONS on your beautiful new (to you & us) place! It sounds like you will all be very happy there.
Thirdly, thank you so very much for being willing to share your life with us. In reading some of the comments since you started talking about your surprise, I felt like some people feel like they own you, and own a piece of your life, and deserve to know everything that happens. I think people (I do this too sometimes, I admit) forget that you share with us freely, and that we are invited to follow your journey. I hope folks don’t forget what a privilege it is. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t want ANYONE to follow my life as closely as some do yours (would hate for folks to see the skeletons in my closet). So again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for opening your life, experiences, joys, & struggles to us.
Welcome to the next chapter of your life! I hope that it blesses you as richly as we are blessed by your sharing of it. *HUGS* I can’t WAIT to see it next year!!!
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And you have moved in time for Thanksgiving! What a wonderful way to celebrate.
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Heidi
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Thank you for sharing
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I am so happy for you. Sassafras Farm is beautiful. I’ve always been worried about you at Stringtown because as much as you love it there, it seemed like there was so much manual labor involved in your day. Now your farm chores will be so much easier, and you can enjoy having more time for the things you love to do. Looking so forward to seeing your new life come together. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family at your new home.
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Betsy
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I am so sorry you had a time of heartache, but so happy you have survived and come out stronger.
All I can say is,”Yay!” and “Praise the Lord!”
My dear husband kept saying, when I would relate some of your various struggles in the past, that there was no way that whole place and situation were going to work out for you in the end. He felt you should walk away and move on. Will he ever be surprised, when I tell him in the morning, that you did just that.
May God bless you and your family as you start the next part of your lives on this wonderful new place.
Gloria of Golden Bucket Farm (Jersey Lady)
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Upheaval like that always difficult, but it looks like you’ve not only landed on your feet, you’ve landed in clover. And it seems like such a practical choice, you’ve got both feet on the ground.
So many new adventures ahead. I look forward to hearing about them. The gang look like they’re already happy in their new digs.
Happy Thanksgiving, Suzanne!
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I actually didn’t know you didn’t own Stringtown Rising on your own or that there was a significant other.
I’m just so happy everything is ok. Thanks for posting!
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Wow…..
Congrats!
sad… but WOW!!!
This is so perfect for you. Yes, the sister was right… you ARE the one, and your home is amazing, just like you! The animals look happy, but yes, of all your pictures the one that made me smile the biggest, is the ear to ear grin on Morgan. Material possessions are just that… material! Our family is our life! Happy family makes for a full heart.
Happy Thanksgiving Suzanne! You deserve it, and thank you for sharing yourself with us… I am blessed and thankful for knowing you!
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Mary
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Have a wonderful Thanksgiving on your new farm!
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Congrat’s on the new farm, and I think this one is a keeper and will see you in your rocking chair on the front porch in your golden years!!
When your farm stays are up and running, look for me to be there!
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Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Happy that Ross! will be with you for your first holiday in your new home. Welcome back…you have been missed!
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After all this toe-tapping waiting for the surprise, I’m sure your readers have dozens of questions. Now that we know you are safe, it will be easier to wait and watch. Thanks for the slide show, tells a lot about why Sassafras is so inviting. Hmmm, I think I’ll look around for root beer recipes!
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Hope you all have a very happy Thanksgiving in your new home together
With love and very best wishes
Rose H
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I am sorry that you and 52 parted ways, but I am so happy that you and Morgan have a new farm that sounds so perfect! And a horse for your girl!
I thank you once again for sharing, and I wish you all the best, and, well, that’s all I have right now to say. You are amazing. Thank you so much. May the roads always rise to meet you. I look forward to continuing to read about your journey, your new farm, your new beginnings! Best of luck always and forever. Here, please accept my hug:
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Looking forward to seeing more photos!
Beth
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Have fun making this new place your very own, and happy, happy, happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
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Carol
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Thank-you for sharing you new home with us. I wait with baited breath to see what is in store for you. OH, and all the kids will be home!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Joy
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The new farm is beautiful!!! I only got to see the photo of the house. I will be getting another cup of tea and looking at the rest here in a bit. I am so happy for you that you found a place that will work for you. And that you will not be stranded in the winter, worry about it being cold and water and walking though the mud and getting down that drive way. So happy that you got all your animals to their new home.
I so missed you posting. Its what I look forward to every morning. But I understand how you needed the time to work out the events in your life. Glad to have you back online.
And Happy Thanksgiving.
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Peace be with you my friend!! Happy Thanksgiving!!
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Second, your new farm is beautiful and I wish you years of happiness and enjoyment on your new adventure.
Welcome home and happy Thanksgiving!
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Congrats on the new place and comisseration on the changes requiring it.
I wish you and yours WELL and I am THANKFUL you’re okay and still here (which is what I was afraid the announcement would be).
Happy Thanksgiving!
Judi
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Tears fell as I read this post.
Well you know what they say about doors?!
What a beautiful view you have from that window.
Good luck to you, Suzanne!
And Happy Thanksgiving to all of you at Sassafras Farm!!
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While endings are so very hard your new beginnings will be your cherished memories. Morgan’s response just made cry..she is so sweet.
I have missed you terribly these past few days and I am so happy that you are back.
I look forward to your new farm daily trial, tribulations and joys!
Happy Thanksgiving
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Sassafras Farm is an absolute vision! There may be some envy in there along with my happiness for you & your family. lol Happy Housewarming & Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
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Love the barn especially and I’m thrilled for Morgan. Having just added horses back into my life after a very long absence I know how she must be feeling. My red barn is very cool but I’d sure trade you in a heartbeat!!
Happy Thanksgiving. As always, there is much to be thankful for.
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readers did! At this stage of the game most of us have had to deal with similar situations and I personally have had to, and so I was right there with you, emotionally, through the whole story. Thank you so much for sharing with us! I am very happy about your new place. The pictures are lovely and I know that you will be very happy there. I look forward to what the future brings for you! Happy Thanksgiving!
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Many happy and love filled days to you and your family.
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Gobble, gobble, gobble! Have a Great Thanksgiving!
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cheers to STRONG WOMEN!!!
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All my best, Aprile.
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Can’t wait to see all you give us. Your blog is like a book we don’t like to put down. Looking forward to the adventure you take us on.
Again HAPPY THANKSGIVING. and Thanks for sharing your life with us.
Linda
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My mom always said “make your own security” meaning don’t depend on a man to help you out. Looks like you are a strong, self-reliant woman. I wish I had the fortitude you have to exit from an unhealthy and toxic relationship.
I look forward to your books, you can bet I’ll purchase them because they will be authentic, real and probably have some stellar recipes!
Your readers love you, Suzanne, and want the best for you. Looks like this new place is a great place to start YOUR new life. Can’t wait to read your posts.
Cograts to you and the kids (fur and human).
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Can’t wait for more pictures of the animals and the whole farm!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING GIRL!
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I love the picture of Morgan with the farm in the background.
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(I’m just tickled to death that your back and ok!)
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You will be so happy at Sassafras Farm – and a bit easier on you too – what a grand way to end 2011.
I have been haunting this blog since you signed out – and so very glad you are back.
You go girlie!
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You deserve this BLESSING. Oh I am so overjoyed for you. I am looking forward to the beauty of the new Sassafras Farm photos. I know you are going to do great things there.
BTW I happen to love sassafras and would buy some from you.
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thanks for sharing your life with us!!
Jill from NY
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Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, and I wish you many many more happy times.
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Looking forward to your new life and all the happenings of new farm!!!!
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Hugs to you and your family!!!
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Congratulations, will miss Stringtown, but everything happens for a reason and I sure you and your family will thrive here. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and a WOUNDERFUL NEW YEAR to you and yours!
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Your new place just screams Suzanne! I LOVE it. And Im almost in tears IM soo happy for you all. I know it wasnt easy, but sometimes we go through the bad and ugly to get to a happier beautiful place. You are home. Welcome!
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You go Girl! You rock!
Mrs Turkey
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P.S. And I can’t wait for the cookbook.
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Dear Suzanne, congratulations on finally find your home. I am a firm beleiver in life lessons I have been with you since the beginning and saw what you accomplished, sometimes wondering why is she driving her self so hard, but there are ting we do in life to prepare us for where we are really supposed to be, Sting farm was a learing experience for you, you moved there after another difficult time in your life and you had things to prove to yourself, and you did just that. You gained so much experience and confidence, you made freinds that taught you many things, you taught so many how to fix every thing from soup to nuts, and now you are showing them how to fix their life. I think now that you are truly home and now it is all from your hard work. I hope your farm will bring you peace and joy for may many years and so much comfort in knowing it is all yours. “God bless the child that has it’s own.”
Happy Holidys to you and your family.
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Kirsten
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Congratulations on your move, (I want to insert here that giving what regular moving is like, moving an entire farm must be the exercise of a god) I hope settling in is going well.
Thank you for all your posts, and amazing luck to you in this new chapter.
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Your new farm looks amazing!! I am so happy for you. I’m sure all the animals are loving it too!
Congratulations on your new place.
I can’t wait for the new cookbook. I love your site and I know I will love the cookbook too.
Pat
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Thanksgiving morning – I’m making my famous carrot salad. (I’m excited ’cause I’m using 4 different types of heirloom carrots!) While I’m preparing, my wife – Leah’s Mom – is reading your post out loud to me. (After about 25 minutes of trying to tell me what it was about, she decided to just bring in the computer and read the whole post.) And honestly, it was interesting enough that I was anxious to hear it. (I was already feeling the “warm & fuzzies”.)
After reading the entire post, I stopped making the salad to look at all the great photos and the video over on “Inquiring Minds Want to Know”.
What an amazing story. It gives me encouragement that some day in our future we’ll also be able to have our “country homestead”. (Right now we’re “on hold”, having moved in to live with my wife’s dad so that he can stay in his own home as long as possible.)
What a great story to read on Thanksgiving morning.
Thank you – and God bless you on your future adventures!
Chuck (Leah’s Mom’s Husband)
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As far as Suzanne’s move goes, while the decision was no doubt full of stress, now it’s nothing short of triumphant!!!!
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I have never posted anything in your blog but having been following your adventures for years now, today I could not remain silent anymore.
I feel privileged for having found your blog and YOU, amazing, brave, resourceful, marvellous WOMAN.I just had to tell you, on this so very special step into the rest of your life, and having been there myself, how much I admire your courage. Brave girl!
I am sorry for being so far away, on another continent, otherwise I would run and hug you, so strong it would hurt (!).
I am certain you will have a bright and beatiful future on that gorgeous new “kingdom”.
Being a farmer myself I woul kiss all those sweet muzzles (Coco, Casper, BP and her baby, Clover, Poky…the whole gang).
And be aware that, even on the other side of the world, there are people who care and wishes you the whole best in your new adventure (now with the glorious Red Barn!) on that beautiful Sassafras Farm.
I am so very happy for you!
Wish you and your family all the happiness in the world.
Hugs and love,
Cris in Portugal
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I know now, and mere printed words can never convey just how very HAPPY I am for you. I was looking at your pictures with tears and giggles and full on laughter for you and Morgan…and the boys of course.
Oh My Goodness woman…YOU ARE AMAZING!!!
Happy,Happy Thanksgiving!
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Second of all OMG HOW AWESOME! You’ve found a storybook farm and I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more than you do – and I can’t think of anyone who will enjoy reading about it more than I will!
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Enjoy the first days of the rest of your life!
P.S. If you ever miss mud roads, no mail, remoteness, you’re welcome to come here for a visit…..any time!
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Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks for sharing with us!
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I thought I remembered seeing the picture of the barn at the new farm several days ago and a caption saying “welcome to the farm” but maybe not I thought it was a photo of a barn you would like to have–litte did we know. We are all so very happy for you.
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And by the way, we all missed you. Glad you are back and that you are alright!
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Oh God protect those animals that they don’t get in the road!
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I love your new farm, it looks wonderfull and by the sound of it exactly what makes you happy….. and that is what you should go for.
Cannot wait to read your new adventures in this beauty.
Just one little question….. will you not miss ornary angel
just kidding…. lots of luck and happiness in your new place, don’t forget to write…. i am waiting for it
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I hope life levels out quickly for you.
And the book announcements are awesome!
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We live on a tiny acreage in a tiny house. Our living space is somewhere between 800-900 square feet for the 6 of us, and our place is just short of 3 acres. We are doing okay with it, but seriously need more living space, pasture for all of our animals and adequate buildings for them and other things. You have found a dream farm, for sure. I think that you will be happy there. It is SO beautiful.
As for us, we will keep dreaming and hoping and trying to look to the future. A full-fledged mixed organic farm with a view is our dream. If we could do a B&B too, all the better. We hope that one that suits us and our needs comes along someday. We watched what we thought was our dream place get sold last spring. We’d been working toward it for years, but somehow, it was not meant to be. I was devastated, but within a couple of days, felt at peace somehow. Since the place is no longer an option, we have discussed building a dollhouse scale model of our dream log home (that we wished to build there) out of trees from the back…hey, maybe even a playhouse size! We’d build a hip roof log barn to go with it too. If we never are able to move on, at least we can play with our kids there!
Anyway, thank you for sharing with us. You will have a lot of new things to write about shortly, I am sure. Thanks for taking us all along with you on your journey. I look forward to your new adventures here!
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I keep picturing you going for long tramps over your land. It will take years to explore all the nooks and crannies of the 100 acres. And as you do, you’ll be thinking “MY farm”. I look forward to seeing pictures of your daily discoveries.
I don’t quite know how to express it, but I just have a feeling of rightness about this. Like this is the place you’re meant to be. You can tell by looking at it that this farm has been loved. With you, I think it will continue to be loved, and that the farm will welcome you and your family and your animals. And that porch looks like it was meant to echo with laughter.
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Susan D.
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I can’t wait until you put your own little stamp on things and share it with us!
Also, someone mentioned ^^up there in a previous post about a video under “inquiring minds want to know” Where is that??
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I’m thrilled for you and terribly jealous, and I can’t wait for you to get settled in and start posting every day again.
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Hi Suzanne. Congratulations on your move and all that goes with it. What caught my eye was when you were talking about Morgan and how excited she was. “She ran upstairs to the hayloft then back down to the stalls, examining and inspecting every stall all over again, chattering away about what she would need to clean out the stalls and prepare for a horse. ” How grounded and practical in the midst of her excitement! She is a gem. But you knew that already.
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I feel so blessed and privileged to follow you as you live your life and as you share so generously with us. I have been a reader for almost two years now and while other blogs have come and gone…..I have bookmarked many and yours has always remained. I have never lost interest in your life.
What a GORGEOUS farm!!!!! What a beautiful house! Can’t wait to see the inside of it!!! Looking forward to this new journey, Suzanne, and God bless you and Morgan richly as you transition.
Joy
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I live in Australia, actually Cookernup Western Australia, and currently rent a small property, along with my husband, and as he would say, “all those bloody animals”. We aspire to one day having our own dirt just like you. I have been visiting your pages now for over a year, and love everything about it. Bit of an escape for me really reading what goes on somewhere else in the world, I’ve never even been outside my own country..!!One day maybe…I will travel to Italy to see all the countryside, maybe even make it to the coutryside in your neck of the woods…Goodluck to you and yours..waiting for all the exciting news to come….Jill..
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I am looking forward to seing the rest of your new home. I love old houses, and this one is so sweet looking.
Blessings this Thanksgiving day to you and your family.
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Sassafras Farm is beautiful.
I am sorry that you and 52 have split up but congratulation on having the courage to make the decision that is best for YOU. You will always have the memories of the good times of the old place but you will catch yourself thinking “Think goodness I don’t have to do ______ anymore, this is so much easier. There were many times reading your post that I had thought to myself how does this woman do it?
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Sassafras is a special name for me and seeing it used someplace else is just wonderful.
I look forward to lurking and reading more of your adventures on that beautiful land.
Congrats!
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OMG I had to read all the reply’s…I”m too old and sick for this! You guys are killing me!
Your blog hurt me so many times when I knew you were just learning to farm. It used to break my heart. BUT, I know we all have to learn in our own way. You have learned. YOu got a real farm, and your post made an old sick woman cry and stay up all night to post here. It’s after 4:00 AM and here I am. Up sick with the flu (after a flu shot last month,..Oh don’t get me started on that).
Every girl needs a horse! Congrats Morgan! Don’t forget to shovel the ____ out of the barn often
And by the way…I married 3 times before I found the right man. You got to be brave to deal with men:) They can chew you up, and spit you out right on the farm you always wished for! OMG the men will eat you alive out there (they can get their cars there and everything!) on that beautiful place BEWARE MY DEAR, BEWARE OF MEN COMING WITH PRESENTS TO GET INTO YOUR…UH…BARN?
Anyway…Congrats my dear, I am proud of you. OH HAPPY DAY AND TREARS OF JOY FROM THIS OLD CRIPPLED WRITER FROM ‘HAUNTED ACRES’
Brenda Radabaugh
Haunted Acres
Hazelton WV
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::SIGH::
Wiff much love,
Brenda, the crippled old hag…
P.S. Suzanne, just think, soon you will be a grandma! A GRANDMA ON THE BESTEST FARM IN DA WORLD! I AM SO JEALOUS! I’m turning green, omg it’s getting ugly around here…
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Amy
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I wish you the best in this new chapter of your life and eagerly look forward to upcoming posts.
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goosebumps,
and a smile-a-mile-wide for you Suzanne!
Blessings upon you and yours at Sassafrass.
Hugs,
Gem
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Congratulations to you and your family. Your new farm is beautiful.
Linda D
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pattyb
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I read this a few days a go and then read it again yesterday and today. I am very happy for you with everything that is going on. I know from personaly experiances that when you leave, its hard, but you have a strong spirit and I am not worried at all. I am very happy for your new beginings!
Leigh (mammaleigh)
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I was so worried when you posted about needing some time. I have come to think of you as a friend as I rush to read your newest posts as part of my morning routine
I am sorry about your breakup. I am thrilled about your new farm. In a a word GORGEOUS and it looks so “you.” Love the front porches with the flowers, the barn, the grounds. It looks just like what I pictures a beautiful farm to be!
I wish you so much joy and happiness in your new place and with all the new beginnings happening in your life. You richly deserve them all, as you brighten so many lives with your hilarious posts
LOL What no Clover jump roping image? LOL
HUGS and congratulations!
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Plus it is more practical in every way. How wild the sister wouldn’t sell until you got there.
And so many new things you will have to write about here.
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Congrats on your new home. It is very lovely. All of the trials you’ve had and all the things that have broken have taught you how to fix things while there were people there to show you HOW to fix them. You now have the skill base (including knowing when to ask for help) to manage your farm.
I’m so excited for you and you have made me excited for ME.
I, too, am at a crossroads in life. The time of being Mama is gone, the kids have all moved away to live their own lives with their own little families and I have been feeling blue and trying to figure out what to do with myself. After being out of work for over a year, I’ve been wondering if at 58 all I have to look forward to is getting old by myself. Well, it may or may not be by myself, but there are old dreams that were put on hold that can now be gotten out and worked on. It doesn’t take someone “being there” to make dreams happen. It takes moving heaven and earth to get it done.
Thanks for showing me that there is hope after loss. I’d forgotten that bit of knowledge for a while. Your happily infectious post has refreshed my memory that while happiness is not a never-ending emotion, neither is the pain of loss. They are both part of the circle of life and emotions can only hold us as long as we dwell on them – for good or bad.
Good luck and God bless!
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I am very happy for Morgan she will be so happy in her new home.
Hang in there you are a very strong woman.
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I’m sorry to hear about you and 52. I hope it was amicable, he seemed like a nice enough guy. I am so happy I got to make it to the retreat this year so I could see Stringtown Rising Farm. This WAS a huge surprise! I couldn’t read the blog fast enough and read it outloud to my husband. I didn’t get to see it until we got back for Thankgsigiving. You new farm is beautiful!!! It seems very practical and after seeing, first hand, you other driveway and coming to your house the “rocky red not even a road” way, I can totally understand why you made this decision.
The pictures of your new farm is beautiful! I am very happy for you and am excited to read all about the saga of being an “independent” woman farming all on her own!
After I read this I went…”uh oh”. Previously, I didn’t have a good excuse to come out to next year’s CITR retreat. Now I do..I have to see your new farm!!
I hope all goes well…good luck and congratulations!
PS – I see that Glory Bee still has that crabby look on her face. Hopefully, this farm will be good enough for her so she will quit being the “bad baby”. But I doubt it…hahahahah!
Carrie
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Euni in Colorado
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That’s how the Lord works, you know. When it’s right, it just happens and all things fall into place. You have made a wonderful change, so much for the better in so many ways. He pushed and pushed until you gave in, and just look what He had in store for you! We have learned in the past couple of years to trust Him. He always knows best. Your new home is so perfect and wonderful! Such an improvement over what you had at Stringtown Rising.
I know things will continue to go well for you and Morgan there!
Congratulations on the new home!
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I just went back to look at thr Slanted Farmhouse, and noticed some of the same small simularities, but then again old farm houses do look a bit alike. I just looks like home, a bit of a romantic look I think.
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I am sorry for your loss. I am so, so very happy about your new beginnings in your wonderful new home for you, Morgan, Weston, and Ross.
I look forward to reading about all the new adventures. Bravo to you for figuring out what was the best and the greatest for you guys!
Hugs to you and yours
What a wonderful holiday season this is going to be!!!
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I had a feeling that the big unveiling would reveal something bittersweet. I can’t presume to know your feelings about you and 52 parting ways, but ending a relationship, no matter the circumstances, is always hard. Even though I’m an Alabama girl, born and bred, I’m just nebbish enough to want all the details, but I so, SO respect your decision to give only the information that is relevant to the readers of your blog. YOU, Suzanne, are class, personified!
I don’t think I could put it better than Hlhohnholz did, so I’ll leave you with my very warmest wishes, and congratulations for determining the direction your life will take.
I hope you know how much we all love you, Suzanne, and that our love will help to sustain you in the days ahead.
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(I always wondered how in the world you managed on Stringtown Farm…been there, done that, and it was DIFFICULT even with help. Glad to know now you can just get busy living and not having to deal with stupid stuff like simply HOW to get down to whatever it is you need to get to…)
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We had the same thing happen to us-we looked at a place that didn’t suit us and as we were leaving we saw a logging road that curved up through the woods. My husband and I both said at the same time: “Wonder where that goes?”. Two years later we know-to our little piece of heaven!
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A lot of changes, but here’s to staying on the bright side and seeing this as the opportunity for better things/chances/times ahead
::big hugs:: to you from Jersey
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Congrats and I hope you have many happy years at Sassafras Farm!
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Love the new name – Sassafras Farm. I’ve always loved the word “sassafras.”
Cheers,
Tracy
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Glad you had the spirit in you to move on and do the best thing for you and your family. New chapters are hard but you know that.
They help to make up the book.
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sandyz
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PS- You will love love love having the bus come to the end of your driveway. Our bus stop is about 2 city blocks length away from our front door. It’s soo nice to be able to watch the boys walk to the bus while drinking my coffee.
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I just wanted to say that your post came at the exact right time for me. I won’t go into details but you’ve given me hope that things will turn out as wonderfully for us as they have for you.
Thank you for sharing this and may you continue to be blessed.
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What a wonderful place to live! I’m so happy for you! Can’t wait to follow you along your new adventures here at YOUR new farm & home
It looks amazing! Best of luck to you, Congratulations!
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I wish you well ….. and look forward to many moore posts and lots more wonderful recipes!!!!!!!!!!
Happy New Year!
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Life brings us many ups and downs, but if we are able to find joy in our circumstances and accept the blessings that God bestows on us daily, we will always be able to endure whatever life throws at us.
I wish you and your family peace, love and joy on your wonderful new farm.
Happy New Year! xox
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I’m so happy for you!! This is my first comment, but I’ve been reading the blog daily for almost a year until a few months ago. Just now, I thought, “I haven’t looked and seen what Suzanne is doing in a while…” And now you’ve got a new place. It is just perfect! I love it and I’m glad you’re happy! The house and barn are just picturesque!
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I haven’t been here much lately because I promised myself I would spend more time writing a blog than reading them. I have delved into a writing project that means a lot to me. I found myself unemployed a few weeks before Christmas, so I’m working on redefining who Patrice is.
I have just read this update. I had to go back a bit when I didn’t recognize the farm in your recent post, but this post answered everything. I am SO happy for you. I think the farm is perfect for you and I’m so glad that you are still “sassy”. Stringtown Rising Farm was a good teacher, but your new farm looks like it will have far less challenges.I’m happy for Morgan and her horse dreams. I miss coming here and will visit more often when time allows. I truly wish you all the best!!!
Lauren is still painting and now has learned portraits. Amazing!
Take care,Suzanne.
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Good things are in store for you.
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The Ceramic Chicken Farm
We grow taters and beans and miniature corn
“don’t wear your good shoes wear the ones that are worn.”
Grapes and lemons and thirty pound cats, we treat just like people they seem to like that.
Done our best with our children, they’ve been a good crop to. We’ve fed them and loved them the best we could do.
We raise real old rabbits and we don’t even try and Joyce uses pumkins in her real pumpkin pie.
Some say we’re old hippies, we kind-a like that.
We have peace, love and happiness and thats where it’s at.
We plant rows that are straight, in lengths that we match
and grow Ceramic Chickens their easy to catch.
If you ask what is it, just come and visit, you’ll see the charm of Joyce’s Ceramic Chicken Farm.
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