Kids in a wagon riding on a road
Farm to Table - Life - Musings - Travel

We’re Moving to the Farm

Last updated on March 13, 2021 by Liza Hawkins

This summer we’re leaving Frederick. I KNOW. I’ve had people tell me when they think of Frederick, they think of me. It’s funny, I didn’t grow up here, but I’ve certainly planted roots since moving to Frederick in 2001. Our kids were born here. My husband grew up here.

All good things come to an end, and so our next chapter starts.

Wagon Ride at the Farm

We’re moving to the farm.

You know, the place where my parents live, raise chickens and have huge, beautiful organic gardens? And also the place where my sister and her husband started Truffula Seed Produce, before moving on to other farm adventures? That farm.

Chickens at the Farm

Truth be told, it’s not really a “farm” in the traditional sense, so I feel like I’m misspeaking when I call it that. It’s more of a homestead on five acres with about an acre devoted to the gardens, chickens and a big high tunnel. We’ve all just called it “The Farm” since my parents moved there from the DC suburbs ten years ago and the name stuck.

The rest of the land is filled with my parents’ house (the original farmhouse, built in the late-1800s), a summer kitchen adjacent to the farmhouse that was converted to a one-bedroom apartment (my paternal grandfather lived there for about a decade), a three-bedroom house that was built in 2009 (my maternal grandmother lived there until moving on to assisted living), and a cute log cabin.

Log Cabin at the Farm

The log cabin will likely be where a lot of my blog’s food photos will be captured. The light is stunning, and you can’t beat the exposed log walls! It’s where I filmed my video for the casting of America’s Best Cook on Food Network.

 

 

But, we won’t be living in the cabin. Don’t think our family of four would manage well in a one-bedroom space, even if it’s horribly cute!

My grandmother is moving to an assisted living home, which means her house will be empty. When they all moved out there, the idea was that it would remain a family property, a homestead, a compound of sorts. Compound sounds a little creepy, but you know, embracing the whole “it takes a village” concept. Working together as a family to keep things running.

It’s a good thing we get along so well with my parents. We’re lucky!

Kids in the Trees

Which also means on-site childcare in the form of my parents. (It’s okay to be jealous.)

You’ll be seeing a lot more farm-to-table style posts from me one we’re out there, which I’m totally excited about! My goal is to still keep my life easy to relate to even though our situation will be unique.

I still work full-time and I’m not leaving my day job. I’ll only be about thirty minutes from my current office, which makes the commute (on country roads!) manageable.

We’ll have access to the gardens and all the produce my mom grows (she still works full-time too, by the way). Mmmm…

Maybe I’ll try my hand at gardening too. Or harvesting.

Raspberries on the Farm

Or maybe I’ll just stick to cooking.

The times they are a changin’.

Hi, I'm Liza — a self-proclaimed word-nerd who loves getting lost in whimsical stories and epic movies. I have laid-back, practical attitude towards life and am always on the hunt for good eats, easy recipes, binge-worthy shows, relaxing road trip destinations, the perfect fizzy gin cocktail, and time to finish my novel!

21 Comments on “We’re Moving to the Farm

    1. Yes! I plan to have lots of people over now that we have space! I see dinner parties in our future….

  1. What an adventure this will be. How very exciting! I am just so excited for you. It seems like a chance you just can’t pass up full of new opportunities for you, your family and your children. Also the chance to live so very close to family (bonus to be so close but not in the same house!) I can’t wait to hear all about this new chapter in your life!!!

  2. The old family homestead was the support system that society needs again. Baby-sitters, wisdom, home made food, love and family games are just some of the things we lost in the process of “modernizing”. You go girl!

  3. sounds so exciting for you & your family. Sending all my best wishes. Looking forward to seeing more pictures of your new home.And of course more blogging!

  4. I live right next door to my parents. The quick phone call for help or eggs or a battery is definitely handy! 🙂 Best of luck!!

    1. Monica – The house we’ll be in is only 5 years old (in case you thought we’d be in the cabin), and the town is only 45 minutes from Baltimore and about 30 minutes from Frederick (where I am now). So – not super remote, but we’ll have more privacy. 🙂

  5. Congrats on your big move! I will be in Baltimore in September, maybe I will get to see you and the farm! I can’t wait to read about your adventures and what you accomplish! Yay!

  6. wow! this would be like a dream come true for me!!!! I’ve been stuck in the suburbs my whole life and I’d love to move to a farm!

    1. Cynthia – we can’t wait! (And I’d classify myself as a city/suburbs girl too – luckily, we’re less than an hour from Baltimore, Md., and not too far from Washington DC either.)

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