Sunday, January 25, 2009

One Year

One year ago today, every room in my house was filled with these:

One year ago today, men I didn't know came in and systematically carried every item I owned out of my house in the city:

One year ago today, the house I had lived in for nine years was suddenly empty:

One year ago today, I said goodbye to my life in an urban neighborhood:

And then...suddenly, with very little fanfare, my lifelong dream of becoming a country girl came true:

My new kitchen was briefly filled with these:

But this is what I see now when I look outside:

One year ago today, I stopped hearing traffic outside my windows and became awed by the incredible silence:

One year ago today, everything was sleeping in my garden and I had no idea what the spring would bring:

What a year it has been!

40 comments:

Farmer Jen said...

Congratulations on your one year anniversary at Critter Farm! Just think of all the things that have happened in your life in this one year! Wow, girl. :)

Farmer Jen said...

You changed some of your blog font colors to neon green. Was this in celebration of your one year of living in the country?

Robin said...

It's hard to think of you as a former city girl. Chickens, donks and the garden - seems like you've always done this. Congratulations on a wonderful first year!

Mellimaus said...

Oh yeah! Now you have chickens & a donkey rescue!!!! You have an awesome place to live now :-)
Can't wait to hear more from you in the coming year.

the7msn said...

Don't you just feel like singing that hymn about "I saw the light...I saw the light" every time you think about this? Roxy looks so forlorn, sitting there in your old empty house. Little did she know she'd be moving to the best life ever! Wishing you many more happy years in the country.

sugarcreekstuff said...

Wow it almost seems like yesterday and yet forever. Thanks for sharing your year with us.

Eve said...

Amazing Danni! I am so happy for you. I'm starting to think I may be going in the wrong direction and it's scary!! I shouldn't say that, I know we will have some land when we move, but not 80 acres like we have now...
I so glad we were able to come along on your journey.

jimmycrackedcorn said...

Excellent and touching post! You make me think that anyone can do it...the way you describe moving to the country sounds so easy...and so wonderful!

Mare said...

Happy Anniversary friend....I wish i was looking out my window at scenery like that.... :)

Mim said...

Wow, big changes in the last year. Hard to believe you've only been doing this farmin' thing for a year. You're a natural! Don't you just love the quiet of the country. When I go to the city it's hard to sleep because of all the noise. Then when I come back home it's sometimes hard to handle the silence. LOL

Gnightgirl said...

Amazing, all of that in a year. I feel blessed to have run into you just at that time, and to have watched you chronicle your first year. Looking forward to the next!

farm mom said...

Ahhhh....I had forgotten you're a country newbie, that explains why you've been having difficulty this winter. It will get easier, I promise! :)

Happy Anniversary, dear friend, what a difference a year makes!! :)

Carolynn said...

I am so very happy and thrilled for you! You and others like you (ie. 7MSN Ranch) are my shining beacons of hope that my dream can come true too!

Happy Anniversary!!

Woody said...

Happy anniversary..

goatgirl said...

My time flies when you are having fun.
Happy Farm Anniversary!

Ken said...

Yeah for country life. Its a great change and makes one feel the gifts of nature more fully. I'm happy you were able to do it. We had to wait until we retired, but we are here too.

GreyWolf said...

HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY CRITTER FARM!!!!
Look at all that you have accomplished in just one year.

Sarah said...

I'm trying to picture you living on that little crowded street, and I just can't! How much you've done in a year! Congratulations! Here's to another great year.

warren said...

Let's have a HEE HAW! Glad you could get out and live your dream!

Zitrone said...

Great comment from 'farm mom'. Winters will get easier. Hard to believe right now since you are still shivering in the cold, and this winter has been setting records in Oregon! But - the tips of my tulips are emerging. Spring can't be far behind!

Chiot's Run said...

Amazing. I'd love to live even farther out in the country. Perhaps in a few years, or maybe in retirement.

Happy anniversary!

CaliforniaGrammy said...

My husband, Ken, beat me to commenting this morning. I'm thrilled to have gone through this year with you. We share so much of country life with you and we love it! You really pointed out a particular aspect we love, and that is the incredible silence! No more city-noise.

You really hit the road running in embracing country living, and I've loved running with you. Thanks for your blog.

Come summertime we want to come up and meet you and experience your critter farm. Will there be new critters by then?

frugalmom said...

A whole year! Is that possible? Where did the time go?

Was there a celebration? Orange juice in champagne glasses?

Totally looking forward to hanging out with you and enjoying many more years filled with great new adventures.

A Bite of Country Cupcakes said...

It was one year for us on the 22nd that we traded city life for life in the stix....
In a rural Highland village town in Victoria Australia.
I feel the evry same sentiments.
What a complete change of life and what a blessed relief!

Claire said...

What a delight! Our anniversary of moving to the country is next month! I love that last picture - are those grapevines?

kristi said...

Your post reminds me of Frost's poem, "...two roads derived in a wood, and I chose the one not taken, and that has made all the difference,"(I think I got that right:).....I made that choice in 1991 when everyone else was living, & still living in suburbia...and my road is the best road!! Great pictures!

Christy said...

How wonderful! What a year it has been

Marigold said...

Happy One Year! Maybe next year you'll look back and say, one year ago I didn't have any goats, but today.... :)

Heather-Anne said...

This post meant so much to me as I am packing this week to make the same journey! You are now officially my mentor whether you like it or note!

CeeCee said...

It's time to change the name of your blog. "On my way" no longer applies. Maybe Days at Critter Farm or something like that.
Congratulations on the fabulous year. I love how Rox is in pictures trying to figure out what the heck is up with all the boxes.

brett said...

Well done!

Kelly or Alex said...

Congrats on your anniversary. There is nothing like peace and quiet in the country. It is so good for the soul.

Rising Rainbow said...

Happy Anniversary! What a huge move. Glad you're still happy that you made it......some wouldn't handle it as well as they thought. Me....I can't even remember the city girl I used to be....not that I want to. Just seems funny how easy it was to transition into such a huge lifestyle change.

Gudl said...

Die Zeit vergeht aber auch so schnell!! Alles Gute zum Jahrestag!

Egghead said...

Congratulations on your one year! Amazing how much has changed in your life. But it looks like you have transitioned great. I look forward to reading more of your adventures. Thanks for sharing with us.

Berte said...

Happy First Anniversary to living the country life! Isn't it amazing how it gives you a new sense of well-being? Here's to you and another wonderful year!
RiverBend Farm
Texas

Kathryn and Ari said...

Wow! Has it really been a year? It seems like just yesterday that I read your moving post. But then again, when I think of all you have accomplished, it also seems like a really long time ago. Enjoy your anniversary--a celebration is much deserved.

Esther Garvi said...

Wow, what a transition! Happy First Anniversary!

Mel said...

Country life brings tranquility to our inner souls. Happy Anniversary!
Mel

Robbyn said...

Wooo!!! happy blogiversary!!! What a great year you had, and I hope this one is terrific, too :)