​Twelve years ago, Lloyd and I

left California

and headed to a 114-year-old farmhouse

in East Tennessee.

But the story really began a few

years earlier

when, almost out of the blue, he said, 

​

"What do you think about you and me

retiring to Tennessee?"

​

​You've got to be kidding me 

​

​We arrived with two dogs, three finches,

and no real idea what the years ahead

would hold.

At first, it was simply a beautiful old

farmhouse and a few acres of land.

Then, little by little, life began showing up.

We inherited a cat.

A friend gifted us a donkey.

We adopted a mini horse.

Five sheep arrived to help

with what Lloyd likes to call “property maintenance.

​

”Then came chickens.

Then one goat.

Then two goats.

Then forty-something goats.

​

Then goat farming.

Then one baby goat.

Then two.

​

Then twenty-nine kids born in a single night.

 

Somewhere along the way there were

gardens, farm stands, bluebirds, purple

martins, barn projects, fences, flowers,

and more adventures than we ever could

have imagined.

 

When I first created this website, it was

simply a place to share photographs, tell a

few stories, and maybe sell a shirt or hat

now and then to help cover a few animal

-cracker expenses.

 

But over the years, something

unexpected happened.

​

People began following along.

​

Some lived nearby.

Others lived hundreds or even thousands

of miles away.

Friendships were formed.

Stories were shared.

​

Acts of kindness appeared when they

were needed most.

 

People blessed us in ways we never

anticipated—with encouragement,

artwork, prayers, generosity, and

friendship.

​

We even had a minister travel from far

away to bless the animals.

​

And somewhere along the way, I

realized something.

 

I thought I came to Tennessee for an old

farm house, a simpler life, and a new

adventure with Lloyd.

​

Instead, something much deeper

was happening

​

What started as a website slowly became

something more.

​

A collection of moments.

​

A place to celebrate kindness, friendship,

gratitude, and the simple joys so often

hidden in ordinary days.

​

If someone shared this website with you,

or if you simply happened to stumble

across it, I’m glad you’re here.

​

Pull up a chair.

​

You’re always welcome here.

​

— Susie