Saturday, January 8, 2011

I Heart Barnheart





I like what I call "add water and stir" sorts of friendships, the type of friendships that, with minimal effort, result in unions that are easy, comfortable, and seem to have existed since time immemorial. Such is the case with my buddy Jenna.

A full-time graphic designer by trade, Jenna is working towards making the eventual switch to full-time steward of her farm, Cold Antler, in Jackson, NY. With her menagerie of dogs, chickens, rabbits, bees, pig (named, appropriately, "Pig") and sheep (GORGEOUS sheep, people-check 'em out here), along with a market garden, Jenna spends her days creating images for Orvis and her early mornings, nights, and weekends tending to the needs of her 6-acre homestead in Jackson. Her blog, a much-loved source of musings and inspiration by many, many readers (it's one of my routine morning blog stops) is where she candidly shares her triumphs and tragedies, her blessings and blunders with the world.

We forged a friendship over a shared love of chickens and canning, fields of green and skies of blue. We both adore October, share birthdays one day apart, and adore the Smokey Mountains. We love our homes, we love our animals, we love our pets and families and are aware of our fortune.

The photos above showcase the contents of a care package I received from Jenna several days ago. The tiny cap she hand-knit was the first thing she's ever created with milled wool from her flock. As she describes it, "-a scrappy hat for your baby; it's far from perfect, but so real." I'd argue that it's actually spot on perfect, and real in a way that only true friendships are.

You're the real deal, Jenna. True blue. This household thanks you and wishes you a world of abundance in the year ahead.

*Wondering what the deal is with "Barnheart"? Read all about it here.

**Oh, and stay tuned for images of Peanut Sauce in his spiffy new cap....!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey, I've actually met Jenna:) She's really nice. I'm going to try to go to her "intro to chickens" thing in the Spring:)

Jenna Woginrich said...

Thank you Ashley, what a kind nod to CAF. I'm honored and obliged to know and be a small part of your writing, family, and world.

All my best, over and over.

EcoGrrl said...

totally dig the barnheart reference...i try to just avoid looking at anything outside my windows and go straight for the pavement, just to avoid thinking about the wait... :)

still loving watching your journey!

Cindy said...

Ashley,

Thank you for sharing Jenna's blog. Another wonderful blog for me to follow!

Cindy

haylie said...

True story: I referenced you both on my blog this November, in a post called Farmporn. Your blogs are both deeply inspirational to me (in my little studio apartment). I'm so glad you're friends!

http://rossandhaylie.blogspot.com/2010/11/farmporn.html

Helena said...

Your blog and Jenna's are both daily stops for me...and both lovely and inspiring.

Terra Verde said...

This is a great post, Ashley! I can relate to what you said about friendship. I was directed to your site on Twitter, and I can't wait to look at your books and resources. Thanks so much!

Sam said...

Gorgeous beanie and print. Thanks for sharing Jenna's blog - very inspiring!

T said...

I've been reading Jenna's blog for what seems like forever! I look forward everyday to reading each new post and living vicariously thru her postings. What spunk and grit she has!!!

Heather said...

What a nice gift.

Kristin Marsh Shepard said...

I'm grateful to you for posting about Jenna's blog--I think it was autumn of 2009 that I followed your post over to CAF and then read all the archived posts and have been following her story ever since. Both of you are tops in my blog list. The information and inspiration are wonderful. Thank you!

AlizaEss said...

Your blog and Jenna's are two of the regular blogs I check! Add Homegrown Evolution, Mother Earth Magazine, and Homegrown.Org and I am good to go :)