Are you ever too old to call your mom in tears asking for her help? I think not!
I hadn’t planned on having an emotional phone call with my mom the other night, but as soon as she asked me how I was doing I just choked up. It’s been hot here, the list of farm chores is exhausting and I guess sometimes a girl just needs to cry to her mom. I’m guessing I’m not alone here right? I know most of you also have an endless list of work to get done, not enough hours in the day and probably a whole list of other stressful things going on. What I will say is, if you’re lucky enough to have a mom in your life I bet a few teary phone calls feel pretty darn good every once in a while.
It’s amazing how much more I need my mom the older I get. She’s the rock of our family and goddammit, she’ll spring into action at the drop of a hat. I called my mom Tuesday night in tears and first thing Wednesday morning she was at the farm (1.5 hours away from where she lives) in work clothes ready to get dirty. She’s my hero!
If I’ve learned anything over the past few weeks it’s that it’s totally okay to ask for help. And heck, if you don’t ask for it, you won’t miraculously receive it. It’s easy to assume we can do it all, but the truth is, a few helping hands along the way make the world of a difference. What most of the folks who’ve chipped in around the farm have told us is that they actually WANT to help. Why the heck haven’t we been asking more people sooner?!
Anyhow, the good news is that things are slowing down in the stressful department. The farm is cranking out healthy, beautiful vegetables and our CSA members continue to rock. We’ve actually become really good friends with some of our newest members this year and man, it’s so cool how food brings us all together. Taylor and I are certain that our CSA is the best out there! Our members text us photos of the meals they make, the wine they serve with that particular meal and just general goofy messages. We are so blessed with these folks I cannot properly articulate our gratitude.
With that being said, I hope this Friday evening you all are able to relax a bit and share a tasty meal with people you’re stoked to sit around the table with. Clinking glasses and eating delicious food with great folks is one of my greatest pleasures.
Before I sign off, I want to say thank you again to my girl Kate who’s been capturing a few photos recently of us in the fields. I’m comfortable taking food photos but when I take my camera out into the field I can’t capture the same feeling she can. She’ll be coming out often this summer and I’m excited to watch the seasons change through her lens!
Happy Friday everyone!
Love the honesty in this post. And I feel you girl, my mom has endured many weepy phone calls from me, and is always there to pick me back up on my feet. Keep working hard! You guys look great doing it!
It is so true that we don’t remember to ask for help. It is great that your mom was able to come out and help you. What a blessing she is!
These Friday posts are something I really look forward to. It’s wonderful to see you and your family doing this cool, amazing thing and me getting to share in it from afar by trying out the recipes you post is a major bonus. I have no doubt it’s a stressful thing you do, but even if you can’t see us, there’s so many of us cheering you guys on and celebrating your victories with you. Heck, they’re our victories too!
We eaters often forget what hard, hard work farming is and the many risks that you balance. Mother Nature is a tough task mistress. Take care. You are feeding healthy food to so many — not just your CSAers.
In a nutshell, farming is very HARD work! You guys rock with what you’ve started and all. I love your posts, pictures and of course, recipes. Without these our meals here wouldn’t be the same – from your carrot hummus, oh my god, to the nourish bowls, which we had a variation of for lunch. I think I can speak for all on your post, we adore you! How you have time to post daily is beyond me. I think I’ll put it up to youth but I think it’s way more than that.. Keep on keeping on and call your mom often! You guys are AWESOME.!
I’m so glad to hear that I’m not the only one who does this to her mom! There’s nothing like the safe space of the presence of my mother or her voice to get it all to come gushing out. Also, being a person that suffers from chronic crippling independence, I can relate to the asking for help thing. Thanks for sharing and being a reminder that it’s ok to call your mom in tears and it’s ALWAYS ok to ask for help! I wish I lived closer so I could help too!
Dear Andrea! My heart goes out to you. . . . and I am so happy your mom is such a champion. I wish I weren’t so far away (Ohio) – I would love to subscribe to your CSA, but please know that I benefit greatly from all the inspiring recipes you provide. Our little “patch” is nothing compared to Tumbleweed Farm but the work never seems to end! I guess we just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and know at day’s end good food, good spirits, and good friends will be available. All of your hard work will not go unnoticed nor unrewarded!
Love the pictures, love the posts. If you were here in Idaho, I would love to purchase veggies and eggs from you. My suggestion would be to invite your CSA Members to come out to the farm and help. I love going to my local farms and picking eggs and veggies or weeding or whatever needs to be done. Working in the dirt is good for your soul, and I bet you would get a lot of takers come out and participate. Just open it up and see what kind of response you get. People want to get back to their roots, especially if they are eating veggies grown on the farm. Till next Friday, cheers.
I looked at your photos this week and thought it must have turned cooler because of your vests and warm clothing. Must be early morning photos? I love looking at each and every one. You guys work so hard and it’s wonderful to see the fruits of your labors. Have a great weekend.
Trust me your mom is in utter awe of what you do each and everyday. If I were you I would never hesitate to call her. Also, sometimes everything just feels better after a good cry. Tears are cleansing.
WONDERFUL POST, ANDREA… VERY GENUINE.
Gorgeous pictures. And those radishes. Yum.
sorry to hear it’s been tough. Good to have a mom. They’re the best 🙂
I want to adopt you!!
Sadly, we live in a culture that sends implicit, and sometimes explicit messages that you are somehow lesser if you need to ask for help. The spirit of individualism is very important, but so are the spirits of community and collective action/achievement. We all need each other! I’m glad that you got help when you needed it, and that takes absolutely nothing away from the incredible work you and your husband are doing as individuals. Thanks for this lovely and genuine post.
Aww Andrea, I hope you feel better! Even though I live on my own now, I still call my mom for advice or just to have someone listen. I’m really glad you posted this, because now I’m inspired to go tell my mom how much I’m thankful for her 🙂
I’m fortunate to have a mom like yours too, Andrea. And it really does pay off to be open and authentic. Thanks for sharing your story with us. And I was wondering who’s been behind the camera in the fields – it’s awesome to have someone who can really capture these moments and emotions for you.
Such great photos, and sounds like you have a great mom.
Made your lovely dill pesto potato/bean salad and posted it today.
Always enjoy your instagram and posts.
Stacey
Awesome! So glad you loved it too!
I called my mom in tears recently, too.
We are blessed girls who have moms that are our biggest cheerleaders, helpers, and friends.
xoxo.
Keep up the brilliant work!
-Ang
Such beautiful photos! I love following your farm’s progress… And of course checking out your latest recipes! 🙂
The way you describe farming is very close to what I experience in motherhood 🙂 So exhausting and so rewarding. Btw I wish to be your mom kind of mom, the way you describe your relationship…