Hello, dear friends.
It’s been a long time since I’ve written here—three years, in fact, with only a few sporadic posts in the years before that. It feels like a lifetime ago, and in many ways, it was. Life has changed me, shaped me, broken me, and rebuilt me in ways I never imagined.
For those of you who’ve followed this journey from the start, you know this blog began as a way to share the daily joys and challenges of farm life—tales of cows and gardens, recipes pulled straight from the soul of an old-style homestead, and the warmth of a life connected to the land. And while that foundation remains, life’s storms have shifted my course.
I am a widow farmHer now. The last few years have been marked by loss—profound and soul-deep. My late husband, Scott, was my rock, my partner in all things. Caring for him in his final years taught me more about love, faith, and perseverance than I ever thought possible. It also left me standing in the wake of grief, trying to rebuild not just the farm we dreamed of together, but my own heart.
Through it all, this farm has remained a place of healing and purpose. The dairy herdshares continue to thrive, our CSA brings fresh produce to the community, and the roadside honor stand still carries the fruits of our labor. I’ve poured my heart into those 48+ flavors of jams and jellies, letting each jar be a small testament to resilience and creativity. And more recently, I’ve leaned into hosting community events, weaving the threads of connection with farm markets, craft fairs, and farm-to-table dinners.
But there’s more to this story now.
I’ve decided to relaunch this blog because I believe stories matter. Not just the joyful ones, but the hard ones, the messy ones, the ones that remind us we’re not alone in the brokenness. This space will once again reflect life on the farm, but also the grit and grace it takes to rebuild when life knocks you down.
The archives will remain intact, and I encourage you to read through them if you’re new around here to see how this whole crazy farm thing came about. Those old stories and pictures are the roots of what we’ve built here. Moving forward, I’ll be adding new content, including fresh stories and the day-to-day on the farm, as well as catching you up on everything that happened during the hiatus.
We are hoping to add some exciting new features: maybe some contests, recipes, how-to guides, Hen Parties (I think you’ll love these!), farm photography, and even guest bloggers. These are all ideas we’re playing with, and I’d love your input. If there’s something you’d like to see, learn about, or hear more of, please let me know in the comments. This space is as much yours as it is mine.
Alongside this blog, I’m launching a second one—dedicated to grief. It’s a space for raw honesty, where I’ll explore the heartache of loss and the hope that eventually emerges. Grief is not a straight path; it’s a winding road that demands courage, faith, and the willingness to take one step at a time. My hope is that by sharing my journey, it will resonate with others walking their own path through loss.
As I step into this new season, I’m reminded of what Scott always said when the work felt overwhelming: “Just keep looking up and moving on.” And so I will, guided by my faith, by the love of a man who believed in me, and by the promise that even in the ashes, beauty can bloom.
Thank you for being here—for reading, for caring, for walking alongside me as I rebuild this life.
With grit and grace,
Rea
