I Thank You
With the last morning of 2012 here on the farm, cold and crisp, I just wanted to take a moment to thank you. To thank you for reading, for buying books, for clicking on ads, for emailing sponsors. Thank you for sending comments and emails (those notes, they make me so happy) and for coming out to the farm itself to take part in the big show. Without this readership none of this would be possible. I don't pretend for a minute that this is a one-woman show. It is a community, online and in the flesh.
Thank you so much.
These past twelves months saw so much change. I started the year as an office employee and am ending it writing to you on a Monday morning from my farm. I left a life behind this year, taking on a new one. There's a horse pasture and barn out there (and a new horse) that wasn't even a twinkle in my eye last January. If it wasn't for one of you encouraging me to email Merlin's owner about a lower price or payment plan I wouldn't even have him. I lost a friend, I lost a dog, I gained new people I can't imagine my life without. I ate dinner with Temple Grandhin and watched Joel Salatin demonstrate the right way to kill a chicken in a conference room at a resort. I finished a book (comes out in October) and that will be my fourth. I had some of the best and hardest times of my life this year. I have been the most scared, confused, and sad in my life but I also learned that as long as you keep positive people and support around you, you can accomplish anything. And when you mix that with a scrappy resourcefulness and a business plan for 2013 including expanding lamb and pork operations and a HUGE garden dream....
Well, you feel good. All of this, all the accomplishments and the plans ahead are happening because of you. As the new year starts I'll share more of whats ahead, changes and apologies, new ventures and dreams. I will be fixing old problems and inspiring myself to get more done. This farm will keep going strong. And as long as you are there to witness it, I won't be shutting the gate anytime soon.
posted by Jenna Woginrich at 8:13 AM
40 Comments:
You are MORE than welcome. I was looking for "frugal" books this morning and stumbled on THIS..you were probably aware of it already though...
http://frugalliving.about.com/od/frugalliving101/tp/Frugal_Living_Book_List.htm
So much accomplished in such a short span of time. You have much of which to be proud. Continued blessings, farmer.
Happy new year jenna and wishing you all the best for 2013!
Thank YOU, Jenna, for making my day with each blog you write, for your amazing books (received Barnheart for Christmas and thoroughly enjoyed it), and for inspiring me to follow my own farm dreams (bees,chickens, and a couple of beef cows). Wish I lived closer to attend your workshops but Tennessee is just a tad too far. Perhaps one day. Happy New Year!
Jenna, Happy New Year to you, too! Thank you for this blog and your determination...both help me to keep dreaming and hoping that I will also have a small farm someday...not today to tomorrow, but perhaps in a couple of years, I just need to keep proceeding in that direction. My little urban farms helps a lot. Again, thank you!
Congratulations on upcoming success in 2013. Better get started on planning the garden because it is getting late.
We think 32 degrees is cold but we do not know what winter is in Middle TN. Our soap stone stove is cranking, bed is made with several quilts accompanied by crocheted afghans, and knitted mittens and scarves are ready, all made by me. Husband is in his wood shop with its wood burning stove working on a beautiful tiger maple table. Cats are comfortable in the shop and everything else is happy.
I thought of you when making the hour's trip to South Pittsburg, TN to purchase some Lodge cast iron loaf pans. They are top of the line, made locally and reasonably priced at their shop near the factory.
Thank you too! If it wasn't for your Blog I wouldn't have the guts to start my 100+sqft garden and growing, get a worm bin, and keep pestering my parents for chickens! I won! So I'm planning on signing up for the livestock workshop and CAN"T WAIT! I think if Jenna has the balls to do it on her own so can I! Our little CAF community loves you!
Thank you for sharing your life with us. We ARE a community...for good or bad, highs and lows. Being a farm kid and a townie, I know the merits and detractions of both. Far prefer farm kid. You work hard, play hard and reap the benefits of what you accomplish. Here is a cuppa to the new year and all it brings. (cannot wait for your new book....any hints as to content?)
You are welcome and good luck in 2013! Jenna-- is there a way to receive your newest blog entries by email? I don't see anywhere to subscribe. Thanks!
We're here with you and for you in 2013 and beyond. Happy 2013 to you, Jenna, and all of the inhabitants of Cold Antler Farm. You have made 2012 more interesting and have challenged us all to be more self-sustaining and to continue to work to obtain homesteads that we dream about. Thank you so much.....
New book, new book, new book! (If you've seen "Hocus Pocus" then think "amok, amok, amok" this is how it went through my head) Looking forward to it, Jenna. I've been following your life adventure since before "Made From Scratch" came out and have no plans to stop anytime soon.
Thank you Jenna! As long as you keep writing I'll keep reading. Happy New Year and all the best in 2013!!
The very best to you in 2013
Jenna-
You are very welcome! And thank you for sharing your life with all of us:)
Holly
Yes Jenna, thank YOU! You've given us all the gift that us you & your farm and have inspired me and now even the younger generation of my family (which I'm so happy for!)
May you & all of Cold Antler have a cozy warm New Years and I'm looking forward to what's to come in the new year!!
Thank you for posting your life for us to vicariously live through. Thank you for opening your home for workshops. And for welcoming 4 strangers into your world and spending time showing us what a wonderful area you now call home. May the next year bring many joys and few or no sorrows. Peace and Happy New Year from Key West (soon to be Cambridge!).
Happy New Year Jenna! Keep living YOUR life!
Happy New Year to you as well.
Happy New Year Jenna and to all the animals at CAF! Don't worry I suspect that you are going to kick butt this year! Your determination is truly inspiring. I am not a dreamer but you have made me start to consider adding more dreams into my life. I am happy with what I have done so far but you have inspired me big time to make the dream a little bigger. Many thanks for that.
I love reading your blog. Seriously. It's a breath of fresh air. You are inspiring and it's nice to read of another person in the farming life. I have a lot of friends, but none of them live a country life. Rather the opposite. It's difficult to not have someone to talk to, aside from my hubby of course. I am wanting my blog to grow, but it seems that since no one in my immediate circle is into the farm life, I am a little stunted. It's okay though, I'm sure in time it will happen. I hope 2013 will be a blessed year for you and I look forward to reading more and more. I've been an avid reader for almost 2 years now!
Cheers,
Noël @ the Shepherd's farm
Thank YOU Jenna for all you've given to us by way of writing, pictures and sharing your farm. You've inspired so many, including now some of the younger generation of my family, which I couldn't be more thrilled with!
May you and all of Cold Antler have a warm cozy New Years & I'm looking forward to what's to come in the next year with you!
Thank you for sharing your life here, for your wise words, good music, honesty and humor. Here's to happy gardens and a joyful and meaningful life in 2013!
I'm proud of you. I experienced a great deal
Of sadness and confusion in 2012. I would go through it all again now that I see where it got me. My resolutions definitely involve farming and I want to do chickens.
Wishing you good health and growth in 2013
We're your tribe Jenna. And I know we are all wishing you a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. You are living your dream and inspiring others to do the same. No escapism - real life Living.
Jenna did the Christmas Eve calf "Nick" survive? Maybe sometime in the New Year you can get Brett to blog on Scottish Highlander Cattle for CAF. Even those who don't want cattle or have too small a space right now seem to be fascinated by the breed. I almost wrecked the vehicle I was driving when I saw the ranch in NE Washington with nothing but that breed. Its a rare sight.
Happy New Year Jenna - in six weeks I say goodbye corporate world and hello full time farming.
It feels a little like bungee jumping.
eileen
Thank YOU for being the best friend a gal and guy could ever have. You have inspired me since the day I read the previously un-diagnosed definition of barnheart and took a chance to come meet you. And now look - I've got a real farm with chickens and all and such a great friend to share adventures with and with my sweetie. To say we love you seems an understatement of fact.
Here's to the further adventures of life, love and happiness to you in 2013 and always.
I love your blog Jenna. I wish you a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year.
Happy new year Jenna! Thanks for everything you do, and for making this big city girl's world a little larger and smaller, all at the same time.
All the best in 2013 Jenna. I love reading your blog and search it out in my google reader to read it first. My life is so far removed from yours but I am drawn to your blog to see what is happening everyday. I look forward to reading about all your adventures in the new year.
Best wishes for a very Happy New Year!
so girl....when are you making soap??
and sorry...forgot to say a very happy new year
I have learned over the past few years what amazing things can be accomplished over a short year. You are truley an inspiration! Happy new year to you and here is to a happy and fulfilling new year!
Congrats farmer - so appreciate you sharing it ALL. Not just the cute fluffy lambs, and homegrown produce - but the ways you cope with the bad times, financial worries, sick animals, insomnia etc. All the links to great companies, giveaways, brilliant new music, tips on bartering, film clips, webinars, and along the way the little 'how to' bits in the blog, from ingredients for a stew for dinner, planting seeds, and of course the workshops and books. Keep doing what you're doing - we love it! Hannah
EEK! Typo- Temple GrandIN. Fix! Fix!
Jenna thank you! For everything you do - for helping me (AND NOW 2 TEENAGE BOYS!) to see that we truly can change when things just don't 'feel' right. Currently we are pouring over seed catalogs (brought to us by your links) and my oldest (15)is mapping out our first chicken coop!!! We live in a townhouse but have secured a place a short drive away to keep chickens by keeping up land for someone and we are expanding the garden @ a friends property in spring to make a somewhat community garden! I am in tears of joy NEVER NEVER NEVER did i think any of this would be possible - Thank you for that, Girl!
Happy New Year Jenna-may this year be the best ever! Wishing the same to all that gather here. Karen from CT
Thank you, Jenna, for being who you are and doing what you do. Happy New Year!
You're very welcome. :-) Thank you for the daily reminder to be happy where I am.
Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit!
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