Hey!
I’m Ashleigh, a farmer’s wife and lover of cast iron cookware. I live on the edge of the Kansas Flint Hills with my red-bearded husband and our menagerie of critters. I grew up along the banks of the Cottonwood River, making mud pies and walking the creek bed.
From the time I was a young girl, I’ve had an unstoppable love for notebooks and writing stories. Later in my teenage years, I found motivation to start baking when a certain young cowboy locked eyes with me. The perfect cookie was my life goal and must be achieved.
Fast forward a few years and we were getting married in a small country church on a mild morning in December. The church was already decorated for Christmas and the tree that stood tall from my childhood was towering in one corner of the sanctuary. Clothed in my faithful old cowboy boots and wearing a white lace dress and denim jacket, my dad walked me down the aisle. After an eleven-minute ceremony, the family gathered in the fellowship hall for a dinner of chili and cinnamon roll cake. Before long, we were headed off to our honeymoon in Branson, MO.
Fast forward a few more years, and I can often be found surrounded by fuzzy kittens and affectionate yellow labs. My favorite girl, Roxy, is a German Shepherd/Great Pyrenees mix and keeps watch over the backyard. We live in a cute little cottage, nestled in the side of a hill and dotted with hostas and creeping Jenny. Chickens run amok in my garden and eggs are waiting to be gathered in the nesting boxes.
On Prairie Gal Cookin’, I want to bring you along with me and show you my world. The recipes from Great-Grandma Alta Mae’s recipe box, the flowers I just planted yesterday, how Mom and I will be canning beans later this week, and what’s happening on the family farm.
Remember that cute cowboy I mentioned? He’s a farmer too! When not working and hauling cattle, he’s growing and harvesting row crops. Stick around and I’ll keep you updated on all sorts of agricultural things that are happening. We’ll learn about raising a bucket calf, marinating the perfect steak, sprouting your own grain, starting a flock of chickens, and so much more.
My hope is that every time you visit PGC, you leave feeling more encouraged and inspired than you were before. There’s enough depressing things in the world that we could all use a little more wholesome, happy content!
Bryan Wilmarth says
I am so blessed to find you!! I am a lover of chickens (and other fowl, but mostly chickens!), of gardening, and spending a peaceful life with our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus!! I grew up with Grandpa teaching me about the natural world created by Heavenly Father. He taught me to respect IT and people by word and by example. One of the most wonderful men in the world. I have long dreamed of homesteading. I haven’t been in a position to do so; therefore, I’m waiting for our Lord to say when! All things happen according to his clock, not ours. The passion for it has been with me for decades. Being in tune with the natural rhythms of nature, in my opinion, is being more in tune with God. He created this amazing world full of life in many forms and gave us dominion over it. So digging in the dirt and caring for critters with reverence and love is, in my opinion, serving our Lord!!! It doesn’t hurt that it’s better for us to produce/grow our own food organically and safely. Thank you for sharing your passion with us!!!
Juliet says
Hi there,
I love your blog and I nominated you for the Infinity Dreams Award! If you’re interested in participating, hop over to https://yoursjuliet.wordpress.com/2015/11/05/infinity-dreams-award/ for the rules and questions. Hope you’re doing well 🙂
x, Juliet
Wes Brummer says
I also liked the article on the Marion County Poor Farm. I’ve seen it a couple of times and it is in sad shape. I’m writing a novel set on a poor farm in central Kansas, and I used the Marion County Poor Farm as a model. In your article there is a picture, the earliest picture of the building taken from the side. Where did that picture come from? I am making a book cover using part of that picture, but I want to get permission to use the picture so there won’t be a problem. Can you help me out? Thanks, Wes
Willial Karley (Palmer) Dahleen says
I really like your account of the Marion County Poor Farm. I visited there a number of years ago. It seemed deserted at the time.
I am a Great Grandson of William Kerley Palmer. I have been doing family history research for about 15 years and I love to write stories about my ancestors. Will Palmer is one of my favorites. I have followed him from his childhood in Ohio, through his days as a blacksmith in Batavia, Illinois and as Marshall of Peabody Kansas and Supreintendent of the Poor Farm.
Thank you for your write up.
William Karley Dahleen
Kern County Genealogical Society
Valerie says
I have a picture of W. K. Palmer, wife, and son. I would love to forward it to the Great Grandson if he would desire having it. It is somewhat damaged but still could be a treasure.
William K Dahleen says
Sorry, It took me a long time to reply. Busy, Busy, Busy!
I would love to see the photo of W. K. Palmer.
My email is wdahleen@bak.rr.com.
Thanks
W. K. Dahleen
Ashleigh says
If it was okay with you both, I would love to see a copy of it as well!
VALERIE says
I only discovered this today. I will be so happy to send the picture on. It would be fine with me for you to share. Tomorrow I will try and get in touch with his relative. I am just really happy to have made contact.