Dishing Up the Dirt

five years with my favorite farmer

January 22, 2016

DUTD_Blog Anniversary 6

Five years ago from today Taylor and I stripped out of our dirty farm clothes, cleaned ourselves up and said “I do” in a rickety old dairy barn. Five years ago from today, I had no idea my life would be so drastically different than it was on that chilly January evening.

Taylor and I have been together for 11 years; we met in Montana while working summer jobs on a dude ranch. After three years of dating we decided to move to Massachusetts and learn how to farm on Taylor’s family’s 60 acre organic vegetable farm. We had no idea back then that our lives would eventually lead us back out west and that Tumbleweed Farm would end up being the biggest undertaking of our lives.

If you would have told me that summer back in Montana that Taylor would eventually become my husband, and that in the near future my day to day life would be dictated by the weather, or that dirt would find a permanent home in between my fingernails I would have thought you were completely crazy. But here we are, thousands of miles from where we started our farming journey, with bodies that feel older than they should, hands that our so calloused over that they’re doomed for eternity. Through the sleepless nights, minor victories, crazy storms, delicious beer, droughts, hungry deer, poorly germinated crops and all the food (amazing food!) I can safely say I wouldn’t change a damn thing.

Taylor and I are off for an overnight to the Oregon coast to celebrate five years of marriage and 11 years of growing up together. There will be 24 hours of exploring, seafood eating, a few good beers and plenty of hiking around the coast before getting back to reality. We’re soaking up as much free time as we can before the farm season arrives–damn it’s right around the corner!

Wherever this post finds you I hope this weekend you’re able to relax a bit. Even if you don’t take weekends off from work I hope a home cooked meal, glass of wine (or beer) and good company are a part of your weekend.

Cheers from Tumbleweed Farm.



Leave a Reply

36 thoughts on “five years with my favorite farmer

  1. Alexandra says:

    I know what you’re talking about when you say how surprisingly life can be :). I got married 4 and a half years ago.
    I wish you many years together, happiness, health and energy to do everything you plan to. 🙂

    1. Andrea says:

      Thank you for the lovely comment!

  2. Lauren C says:

    Happy Anniversary!

  3. Becky says:

    congratulations on the times and years you’ve shared. happy trails to you.

  4. Bada says:

    Happy Anniversary! God bless you for many, many more!

  5. kathi says:

    Happy Anniversary!!

  6. Daphne Lisenby says:

    Congratulations on your 5 years of marriage! And life together! Love the picture!
    My husband and I moved from downtown Atlanta to a small farm in Rabun Gap, GA. I follow your story and read your posts and cook your recipes. I don’t see how you do it all,, farm, write, cook and take good pictures. Amazing! And you seem to do it all well.! Farming is totally out of the box for us too. We have been photographers all our lives. We are in our early 60’s, at this point in life I expected to be on the water somewhere, sailing. But God had other plans for us. We have 6 acres, raise laying hens, sell eggs, and raise Katahdin sheep for meat. We grow food but for our consumption. We just watched 2 babies lambs being born! I would love to send you some pictures. How can I do that? If your interested in seeing? We live in a real farm to table community here in NE GA. I am loving it all too! I tried to add a photo but don’t know if this will work.
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    1. Andrea says:

      Ahh! Thank you for this lovely message. You can send a photo to tumbleweedfarmparkdale@gmail.com
      I would love to see photos of your place. The birth of two babies sounds amazing to witness. Thank you for reading along on our farming journey and yes, please do send photos to the above address. Cheers!

  7. Kelsey says:

    Congrats! To the next 5 years!

  8. Rose says:

    What a great 11 years! Happy anniversary, enjoy your 24 hours 🙂

    A French reader from Sweden that loves your blog.

    1. Andrea says:

      Thank you!

  9. Susan says:

    Andrea and Taylor, I wish you love, happiness and health….life is a wonderful journey especially if shared with a wonderful someone. I’ve been married 26 yrs to my best friend. Have a wonderful holiday….

  10. Sarah says:

    Happy, happy any you friggin’ cuties! Cheers to you!

  11. Tabitha says:

    Aw – happy anniversary!!

  12. Katie-jane says:

    Congratulations!!!!! xoxo

  13. Sue Phillips says:

    Happy Anniversary! May God bless you both with many more. You two are an inspiration to us all. Thanks so much for sharing your life with us.
    I’m going to be visiting my daughter in St. Helen’s, OR in March/April. Do you allow visitors on your farm? We’d love to meet you and see your farm!

  14. Jennifer says:

    Happy Anniversary!! To many many many more!

  15. Alicia says:

    Happy anniversary! You two are the most adorable couple, and I’m thankful you chose to come back west! Look forward to seeing you in the spring!

    1. Andrea says:

      Alicia! You are too sweet! Thank you for the lovely comment. See you very soon! xo

  16. Casey says:

    Happy Anniversary and congratulations on all your successes!

  17. Terry says:

    The picture brings back happy memories of your very special wedding day. Have a wonderful time at the beach. Happiness forever for you both!

  18. Maryann Edelstein says:

    Happy Anniversary Andrea and Taylor! Terry told me I would love your. recipes and I really do…you are a gifted writer. Your Instagram is always fun to see; it is clear to see how much you and Taylor love each other. Have a fun and memorable trip to the coast.

    1. Maryann Edelstein says:

      I wasn’t sure this posted, so you may see it twice. I am not technical! Happy Anniversary Andrea and Taylor! Terry told me I would love your. recipes and I really do…you are a gifted writer. Your Instagram is always fun to see; it is clear to see how much you and Taylor love each other. Have a fun and memorable trip to the coast.

  19. Cori says:

    Happy Anniversary!!!

  20. Carol Kapteyn says:

    Congratulations to you Andrea and Taylor!! So happy for you both.
    P.S. Thanks for posting your wedding picture – you two are adorable!!

  21. mayann says:

    Happy Anniversary!
    Truer words were never spoken…what come our way…is a surprise!

  22. Robert Ogden says:

    Happy Anniversary! I can’t wait to show my wife your wedding photo. You two make a great couple. I wish you many more great years together. My wife & I are coming up on 42 years together next month. Good luck on all that you do together. Glad you are taking some time off together to recharge. Bob Ogden

  23. Jeanette says:

    Well – moving forward into a continued wild adventurous life – it’s awesome that you’re sharing so much with us – LOVE it

  24. Heidi says:

    Happy Anniversary, its the twist and turns that make life so exciting, especially when shared with your best friend.

  25. Liz says:

    Happy Anniversary! I thought I saw you guys on the trail to Short Sand beach – and now that I know you were at the coast I guess it was you! As soon as we passed you I told my husband that I thought we just walked by “our CSA farmers.” Now I wish I had said hi! Hope you enjoyed the weekend!

    1. Andrea says:

      Liz! That is too funny. Yep, must have been us. We were hiking around short sands on Saturday! Thank you for the lovely message and hopefully we’ll run into you again soon!

  26. Jean says:

    I hope I’m not too late to wish you Happy Anniversary and wishes for many more in the future.. I’ve been following your blog for a long time and it only get better. Love the recipes and the news of starting this new adventure that is so successful and feeding others. Blessings to all three of you.

  27. Jean says:

    I hope I’m not too late so send Happy Anniversary wishes. Love your blog, have been following you for a couple years and it only gets better. I feel like I’m part of the adventure of your start up farm and now your successful farm where you sell at the market and CSA. Best wishes to all three of you.

  28. Richard Rosetti says:

    Cheers to you

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