Hah! Have to laugh at your routine ! Sounds so similar to mine! I live on a farm in Idaho! First the feral cat who lives in the garage in his cozy bed full of blankets with garage heaters when cold! Then,we give our chickens treats in the morning!! They loooove bread! We just tear up 3or4 pieces! I buy the cheapo bread at the store! Also! They looove lettuce and cabbage! They love to peck it! Keeps them from being bored too! Also stop and feed the goats! Popye,Rueben and Oliver! Then! Off to the horses!!! Miss Anne and Dolly Madison! Two beautiful paints!!! Oh ! Don’t you just love our horses!! I am scared to death too! Saddle up and ride! Yikes!! Can’t we just pet them! Ha! Well! I do it afraid too! Love to sit in the barn also and hang out!! We are very lucky!! I wouldn’t trade our lifestyle for anything!! We have 26 acres of bliss! From one farmgal to another,Yeeeeeeehaaaaaaw!

Great post! Savor every moment! And you are right ! You are never done with the farm life! There is always something! I have the same approach with my horses! Al least I can saddle and walk around ! Good enough for me too! Aren’t horses magical !!! I love all our farm animals and fell very blessed! Great health and being moe generous are my goals! I want to be filled with love and not sweat the small stuff which can consume you!! Let it Go!! Hoping all is well! Happy New Year for all of us! Cindy

I always enjoy reading your posts! I hope for all of us that the stinky parts aren’t as many or as long so happy 2016!

Love, love, love the house! I could see myself kicking back with a cup of hot chocolate and looking out at the snow, or baking in that kitchen (and I don’t even bake as my family will tell you)! It’s perfect!

Beautiful home. Love your Christmas trees in all the rooms. Why are you sorry there is nothing on the one table. At least it is not stacked with “stuff”. Most people have a hard time keeping a flat surface cleared off so that is a positive note.

Have a Merry Christmas and give the horses a huge from a “Saddle Pal Gal” SPG.

Oh Rebekah, I love your home. It is so cozy, warm, inviting and it looks lovely. Love a home that has the welcoming lived in feel. I so miss living in the country. Was raised living on a working farm and so miss chickens, horses, cows, pigs, etc. Until my friend gave up riding I would visit there and get my horse “fix”, but now that is gone. Living my country life through your posts. Thanks for sharing your lovely home.
Merry Christmas!
Ruth Ann

Beautiful. It all looks perfect to me….lived in and loved.

Rebekah: I love your words this time. So true. We use to have all our parents and friends for the holiday and now they have all passed. There is just hubby and me. We just have a quiet peaceful time. We don’t NEED anything and we are not techy. It gives us time to savor the spiritual side of Christmas. God Bless you and your family P.S. being a BIG JT fan. Did you make your bracelet?

loved the tour! and Merlin too!

Your house is so warm and inviting! No one really lives in those Pinterest perfect houses. You are so right about trying to make everything perfect, sometimes it is the imperfections that make the best memories or at least a few laughs. Enjoy your Christmas and give Merlin a cookie for me!

Love the house tour – beautiful and lived in – Sorry, but I don’t think I’d make it pass that great porch, especially if I could watch Merlin from there! Love your posts. Have a Merry Christmas.

I’m not sure I have any more words of love for the tour – it is PERFECT just the way it is!!! And I can see why people would love to just stop in for a warm welcome. There is NOTHING out of place, crooked or a miss – no need to apologize for anything. You are special and all that you do. Merry Christmas and God bless.

Love your home. It looks like real life. Perfect imperfection :). Your kitchen is just fabulous too. I could live In there!
Interestingly I’ve given away the idea of perfect Christmas this year too and am concentrating on living the spirit and really enjoying the season with the people I love. Merry Christmas to you and yours. I love the fun real perspective you keep writing on life. Very refreshing for my soul.

The kitchen!!! I love it!!!! I have been waiting and waiting fir the pics of the kitchen to see how you placed and used that beautiful sink and those floors!!!! What a gorgeous, beautiful kitchen! Well done! Your house is so cozy. Every room, nook and cranny. I so enjoy your house tours. Thank you for taking the time. As far as Christmas, I love simple. We put up a tree. I hang my Grams ornaments. We don’t buy but a few presents for the babe. We go to 1-2 festivities. And we call it good. And it is so magical. Enjoy your magical imperfection this year.

Love it all!!
Our best memories are the ones gathered around our bonfire, with the grand kids poking sticks in the fire for entertainment, cooking over the fire, chasing fire flies and watching the stars. Funny how simple things can become stuck in our memories as the most precious things!! Hugs from the Ozarks!! Diana, Noel, Mo

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I’ve never been on horseback. But, recently, I’ve been watching the show “Heartland” on Netflix and now I want a horse! My dad has horses so I guess I’ll have to be brave and take a ride. Really enjoy your posts!

Thank you!! I never play anymore and I need it desperately! You’re trip sounds wonderful!

As always, great post Rebekah. Husby read parts of it to me this morning while I was cleaning milking equipment. Ah, the night ride (your black photo gave us a good laugh). I had to trust a horse at night with a sheer thirty-foot drop into a raging river six inches to the right of me. I prepared myself to die. I asked my guide, Emil Keck, who was in front of me, “Seriously, I can’t turn my headlamp on? I want to SEE how I die.” He said, “No, the light will only confuse the horse. Right now, he’s seeing the trail with his feet.”

Hi Rebekah,

Great post!

When our kids were young my husband and I held numerous horse camp trips and one of the things they did was the night ride. I remember doing this myself when I was a young girl. It is an amazing experience. I’m glad you got away and that it was a perfect experience for you!

Love that you got to host the gathering of your community. How fun is that.

Hugs,

– Dori, the Ranch Farmgirl –

P.S. Will I still be your Farmgirl friend if I admit that I have absolutely NO INTEREST in ever riding a horse again???? And I had a lovely childhood of horse back riding. My children had a lovely upbringing of riding, lessons, shows, endurance rides, and on and on. And my husband rides and loves his horse. But me as an adult? Nope. No riding. No desire.

But hey… if you ever come visit me I’m sure my husband will let you ride his horse! 🙂 And I’ll walk alongside you!

Love the photos and story. You sure have an interesting life. Enjoy your beautiful surroundings.
Marilyn

Lovely…the article, the photos, the horses, the tiny glowing flowers (never heard of them). Thank you…I needed all of it…the message, the photos, the fantasy of fairy like travel…

Thanks for the incentive to play again. I don’t play anymore either and I know I really need to. Your night ride sounds scary and an rather other worldly experience. I’m planning on riding lessons once a month next year, just so I can begin doing some of the things on my bucket list. Snakes…yuk!!
To host a ride and camp out sounds a wonderful experience and to live in a community like that would be just amazing. Good on you for taking time out to play and adventure again. I’m sure you’ve inspired many if us who don’t play to do so. Thank you
Hugs from Australia

I sometimes stray away from MaryJanes’ FarmGirl page…and then I always come back to see what you have been doing. You are amazing. I love your posts…you take the brave steps that I need to take. My goal this 2016 is to have more play in my life…I do quite well on all the rest, and realize that I am missing out on a whole lot of what makes life worth living for. Thank you for blazing the trail…even in the dark! (and what is up with you and snakes??? lol)

Enjoyed the photos….jealous. ..havent been on a horse in years. I woukd be too scared of a fall. And iknow whst you mean about tge snakes…..i was always afraid my horse would be spooked by one.
Especially like the photo of the greenery and the vibrant fall colors. Lovely.m Susana

Thank you for all the inspiration your words and enthusiasm bring to me. I look forward to your posts. They make me laugh, and they bring tears to my eyes. I am a city girl who yearns for the stillness of the country and I love to hear of your adventures on your farm. You inspire me that my dreams can still come true, despite anything. Your Merlin is a magic horse. There’s no doubt about that. Thank you for taking the time to share a piece of your world and heart with those of us dreamers.
-Natalie

I love the pictures of Merlin and your giveaway. I have seen that magazine in some stores and looks like a great one. I love everything about country life. I have lived in the country and hope to get back to it soon. I can a lot and dehydrate and spin my own yarn. The simplicity of it all is wonderful. Thanks again.
Rowena

Merlin is indeed a beautiful horse! The first picture with the tree makes him look like he is wearing a crown. Loved the blog post and I agree with you about snakes-can’t stand them!

You are living the life that I wish I could have. My love for animals drives my husband crazy. Right now we have four farel kittens in the house. Love, love, LOVE the pic of Merlin where he is looking back! He is beautiful!!!

I loved this post and reading your passion for Merlin, nature and the majestic beauty of your farm. Glorious!

I forgot to mention how beautiful Merlin is!

I also love horses. Never had one of my own, however have ridden a friends horse on several occasions. But she was not as gorgeous as Merlin. Love an animal with a personality and Merlin looks like he has just that. Love reading your blog, miss living on a farm and this takes me right back to my childhood. Never did and still don’t, like snakes. We had a pond on our farm, I had on a white bathing cap (back when they wore them) and turned around to see a snake chasing me in the pond, attracted to the cap, I guess. Needless to say, I never went swimming there again. Love Mary Jane’s magazine that I get at the News Center. Awesome magazine. Merlin really is a pretty horse!!!

When I was growing up I wanted to be a cowgirl, so, of course, I think Merlin is wonderful. I didn’t get to be a cowgirl, though I used to be a country girl. I truly enjoy your posts and the final photo in this one is just beautiful. If I win I would give the magazine to my sister-in-law as I already have a subscription.

I love the picture of Merlin where he’s looking back like – “Whattttt”.

Merlin is as beautiful and magical as his namesake. I moved from the city to the country 23 years ago, then had to leave it for job reasons, and just last year moved back after a 15 year absence during which time I prayed every year for an opportunity to go back to what I considered my real home. You would have to pry me away to get me to leave again Even though it is only 2.5 miles from town, I am up on a hill and last winter it was only the bravest souls (and the milk trucks) who traveled it so I really get you when you talk about stocking on up the coffee/toilet paper/cat food. I used to get MaryJane’s Farm in my local grocery store back in the city (go figure) but they don’t have it right here in farm country … cows right up the hill for neighbors and everything! I love, love this magazine and was going to ask for a subscription for Christmas. It would be so lovely to have Christmas come early! Why do I truly believe that this is my real home? Because I would trade the best food in the best restaurant in NYC and a shopping spree at Saks for the view of a sunset across the valley below me every night. You can’t put a price on that. Love your blog. Give Merlin a hugs and a big, sloppy kiss from me! Barb

I would love to win a subscription to Mary Jane’s Farm, I have let mine lapse.

By the way, your horse Merlin is beautiful. It reminds me of the white horse my daughter had when she was a teenager and loved riding horses. We do not have him anymore but he was a pleasure like your white horse is to you.

I love your Merlin! He is gorgeous and reminds me of the true love of my life, my mare Sunny. She was a “pale-o-mino” or maybe a “creamy”. I got her as a yearling and trained her gently and we understood and trusted each other. When in a questionable situation, I would tell her “It’s okay” and she would generally do whatever it was that I was asking (crossing a ditch, bridge, etc.) She has been gone for a few years now and I miss her like everything! You go ahead and enjoy every day in your paradise, for you never know what lies down the road. Thank you for sharing with us, and bringing back memories! I recently got my notice to resubscribe to the magazine, but am in a tight financial place right now, so am hoping my entry is lucky! Thanks again for your lovely blogs.

We went camping a couple of weeks ago, just before our older son left for China. I’d forgotten how hard the ground is. The boys, thank God, had all the gear and did most of the work. It had been so long since I did all that! But great bonding time, and we went during the week so it was quiet.

We went to Lake Jocassee in SC. That’s the lake with all the waterfalls falling into the water that can only be seen by boat. My husband has wanted to see it forever but we’d never been. The falls were spectacular! But a bit of a treasure hunt even though we had a map. I don’t think we ever would have found what ultimately became our favorite falls if another boat hadn’t been there as our ‘trail marker’.

I’m so glad you had fun!

Rebekah,
We ( I ) haven’t camped in years. Almost 20 years, now that I think about it. We tried to camp when our kids were babies and we just weren’t cut out for tent camping with toddlers. I bet there’s been an entire library published on how to do it by now but, oh well. My husband has camped with out son at Boy Scout Camp and our daughter has camped out in the yard with friends a few times. It’s not ” her thing”. But my next door neighbors daughter ( who I believe is in her 20’s ) has camped out every Friday night in the backyard all summer long with her dog, Bella. I finally thought to give her my copy of Glamping With MaryJane so she’d have some fun reading to do by flashlight. She was so thrilled she gave me a big old hug! I think it’s wonderful you bribed your daughter to go camping with you and I’m glad she had the time of her life. 🙂 Sweet words indeed!
Keep on keeping on you brave, braid girl!!
Hugs from Deb, the Beach Farmgirl!

What a great time you must have had. I was a girl scout leader for many years and those pockets brought back memories. It is so much fun to camp out but lots of work getting ready but well worth it for sure. Thanks for sharing.

Sounds like a great trip. I think the bird is a cormorant. Yes the ground is hard and I can’t sleep on it any more but all of us need nature more than we realize. Your daughter will remember the good stuff. Remember, farm girls are tough. Tee here.

Packed up our homemade Redneck camper, and took off to meet our son and grandson in Disney Ok last week. Beautiful trip, beautiful memories made! I looked out in the night and our campground was invaded by raccoons, many of them, sniffing and being nosey thru all of our things!! So precious. There’s nothing like campfire coffee, pancakes and sausages, then we said our good byes. Just an overnight trip, but how special it was and will always be tucked away in my mind to go back and remember.
Hugs from Noel, Mo….diana

The bird is a cormorant! Glad you had an excellent time. I too used to camp with my kiddos and loved every moment of it.
Best from Northern California

Your bird was either a blue heron or an American bittern also known as a mud hen. Did you hear it?

I loved your post! I haven’t gone camping in maybe 25 years… I believe you have converted me. [:)]

Hi Rebekah!

My all-time favorite comfort food is anything Mexican – that might be because I grew up in New Mexico with the true blue authentic Mexican food that my Momma cooks. I miss it. But, Pasole is my favorite. 🙂 And tacos. And tamales made from scratch. And red enchiladas made from the red chile hanging on the porch to dry. And on and on!

I really truly DO NOT think we need to love snakes. Seriously. I think we just have to learn to co-exist. We see them on our farm but only occasionally. They love the cool, dark woods so I kind of stay out of the woods in the summer time. There is one spot in our woods that our road runs through and the other day what did I see but a black snake wrapped around one of the trees just watching me drive by. It did give me a mild heart attack. However, we have not seen ANY poisonous ones. I try to take comfort in that. But I will not EVER love them! 🙂

We feel a little hint of Fall in the air too… and unlike you, I’m SAD! I love, love, love summertime and all that it entails. Even the hot humidity I love. Fall is marvelous and wonderful but it means winter is just around the corner and THAT is what I don’t like!

Hugs,

– Dori –

I’m grateful fall is getting here so quickly. I love the way the light changes – it turns everything golden – and the cool temperatures in the morning and football weather! Plus, it means that winter is on its way and I need the rejuvenation of winter these days. Thanks for blogging – I love your enthusiasm!

SO excited for Fall! I wish I could get snow for every time it was foggy, but we hardly ever get snow here in the UK.
Awesome that you are looking after monarch butterflies, since they really need our help.

Good Job Rebekah, You think like I sometimes think. My little garden boxes make me so happy and I feel good working them. I am 71 and have “old Arthur” which hurts so bad some times, but keep moving and sometimes works it out a little. But I have peace and I try to smile at every one I meet. Maybe it will be the only smile they get and it might make them feel better. Hugs Juanita Massey farm sister #1020

Peace from the East, my farmgirl bloggin’ sister!
I so love your way of looking at (and living) life. Love your peace tips…Just think what the world would be like if we replaced peace talks with your peace tips… PEACEFUL, that’s what. As Ive ” matured ” eh hem, I’ve adopted some rituals for bringing myself and others peace too. A good soak is right up there, loving and caring for animals unconditionally is one of the best lessons humans can learn. If we treated each other half as nice as we do our pets, the world would be brimming with happy, loving, accepting people. I love my dog and my girls to the moon! Growing anything plants hope in us and the world. It lets us slow down and appreciate the beauty of life and the cycle of life. It slows us down naturally. I like my thinking time in the garden and at the beach. While I weed, plant, harvest and arrange my flowers I think about how I can share all this beauty and my passion for flowers with more people. Flowers are salve to the soul. All people struggle once in a while. Some people can’t get out of their own way to have even one joyful moment in this world. It’s not up to us to try and change them, just to show them there’s a better, more peaceful way. YOU do that!
Hugs and much love!
Deb

Wise Words! My Take Away – Be Compassionate To Self. Hope you find peace today.

Rebekah,

Soul-refreshing. Thank you.

Peace and Joy,
Mary Ann

Wonderful learning from you, thank you, so much.
have a nice day. I enjoy my tea slow.

I have learned that such rituals….only give you temporary peace…because with out God at the center of your life there’s no peace that last. Be cause where there is fear, tbere is no peace. Perfect peace is only attainable if you have christ in you.the only hope for any lasting peace. Perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him.because witb him all things are possible. The King of Peace.He gives peace In A dark and terrifying world.

Hi Rebekah, Oh my. I love Kermit. I think he very cute. I love what you have done with him.
The barn probably needs a barn Quilt. If you paint, or stencil. I’d try to paint the roof red. That would be an eye catcher. With your budget it may be hard unless you did it yourself. In any case , please be careful if you try yourself. Hugs, Juanita

I think a big barn quilt would really help! https://www.google.com/search?q=barn+quilts&biw=1373&bih=915&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0CB0QsARqFQoTCIqn_LbZ2sYCFQd7kgodr1cEnQ Here is a little inspiration for you. I think that you and Kermit could do one for under $100 bucks. Maybe a quilt pattern that is regional or historic in your area. Make a big one and you won’t even notice the barn!

Invite your neighbors to choose what they would like from the old milking equipment in exchange for painting the Old Milk House barn red with white trim. Put in some shelving (2x4s and 2x6s will do) for storage. That should fit your budget.

I totally recommend a barn quilt or a very large wooden sign. Here’s my tutorial for painting a sign, I just wrote about it on Friday! 🙂 http://wp.me/p46VeX-1PL

– Dori, the Ranch Farmgirl –

Oh I absolutely love Kermit! I need to find a big one like this. You got lucky when you found him! I agree, maybe a stenciled quilt on the side and a red or yellow roof. Maybe even a See Rock City sign!

Super cool Kermit you scored Rebecca. I’d the black – I think – a cheery red to zing up the grey a bit. And then run a creeping vine up the side facing the road through lattice work. I think it’d be cheap to begin with and and some charm to it. Can’t wait to see what you end up doing with it 🙂
Happy days

I forgot to answer your question o. The best three bucks I ever spent. It was from a thrift store too and it was a beautiful white summer billabong top. I love love love thrift shopping /). I’ve scored so many unusual-fun-fantastic things at thrift shops. Totally loving Kermit’s adventures. I look forward to reading many more 🙂

For next year… Plant seeds like Brightly coloured Hollyhocks. Lupines. Spikes of coloured flowers all along? I just googled tall flowers and there’s heaps of pretty that wouldn’t cost a lot of money but would add a lot of kapow to a nice grey milk shed… (I’d plant some spring bulbs too a few a year so as not to break the bank).
Hugs,
Nancy

How about some great DIY signage for the outside of the milk barn! Got Milk?, Dairy Fresh Milk, lots of possibilities! Loved Kermit’s shenanigans! We donated our Kermit years ago, makes me wish we still had him! Always enjoy your writings here and the back page of MJF magazine! (when I get my new copy that’s the first page I read)

Add a great big gigantic multicolored pinwheel that twirls in the wind on top of the roof. Make it out of cardboard sealed with clear spray paint. See if it whistles.

Kermit s cute….paint him on The barn with his friend’s.
Best. Thing I got. For three dollars at the thrift store was a metal basket…
Saw the same things at. Hobby Lobby for $30.I live for thrift store treasures. I go every week. Twice this. Week
.

We have a new hay farm too! Learning too! Hay! We move water! Had to buy wheel lines and the whole kitten ka boodle! Did I spell that right! We also have friends helping us with all the equipment! What fun ! And very HARD work indeed! We are having our hay certified! Better quality!love my farm too! Ours will be going to our horses! Just built the barn! Have a horse I mind already! A beautiful paint named Annie! See ya!Yeeeeehaw! Cindy oh! How did you guys water?

Loved your post — our fields were just recently cut and yielded 46 rolls of “the best hay I’ve ever seen” — that comment from one who knows hay really well and was absolutely thrilled with the yield. That’s the most we’ve ever gotten, next highest being 37 or so. And the fields look so beautiful…such joy! 🙂

What fabulous people live in your community. :). Team efforts always are the best. And I’m glad you chose to do your own haying this year. How cool are you guys, trying new things and whatever age and stage you’re at, you’re not afraid to live your dream.

I don’t think you can be called the “City Farmgirl” anymore!

We are always amazed at how the farming community pulls together. Some of the greatest people in the world. Not afraid of hard work or helping others.

I recognize the video work being done – did some when I was young – had a smaller field, than the big field, that the equipment couldn’t get to easily – so out we went, glad you and others don’t have to do it that way but jeepers it was kind of fun and very rewarding. So glad to see you are putting your land to good use. Thanks for sharing. God bless. P.S. we’re hot too and had at least 10 tornadoes in the area along with lots of flooding – BEAUTIFUL so far today.

You are a true Alice-in-Wonderland living the joy of the most wonderful sounding neighbors I could ever imagine. Makes your faith in mankind restored. That picture with the horse-drawn wagon and the tractor both in the same scene is just too precious.
I am very sad to hear about your shingles. I would not wish that on anyone. Prayers you will heal swiftly.