Bean Blossom Dreams: A City Family's Search for a Simple Country Life

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Overview

Sallyann J. Murphey and her husband did what a lot of us have dreamt of but never quite built up the courage to do. In 1990, Sallyann, who was a successful BBC producer, and her husband, Greg, a commercial photographer, left their high-stress, hectic life in Chicago and moved to a dilapidated 20-plus-acre farm in Brown County, Indiana, hoping to raise their daughter in a more natural and less stressful environment. In Bean Blossom Dreams, Murphey warmly and humorously details life on the family's farm. Though ...
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More About This Book

Overview

Sallyann J. Murphey and her husband did what a lot of us have dreamt of but never quite built up the courage to do. In 1990, Sallyann, who was a successful BBC producer, and her husband, Greg, a commercial photographer, left their high-stress, hectic life in Chicago and moved to a dilapidated 20-plus-acre farm in Brown County, Indiana, hoping to raise their daughter in a more natural and less stressful environment. In Bean Blossom Dreams, Murphey warmly and humorously details life on the family's farm. Though Brown County might not offer the idyllic country life they were expecting, Sallyann and Greg have realized through trial and error, laughter and tears, that they made the right decision to relocate. A delightful fish-out-of-water story!

A new preface and afterword bring us up to date on Sallyann, Greg, and Charley's life in Brown County.

Sallyann J. Murphey is now a history, government, and media studies teacher at Harmony School in Bloomington, Indiana, as well as the high school coordinator.

Chosen as Lebanon Public Library 2008-2009 "Community Book to Read"

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Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
To escape their hectic life in Chicago, former BBC producer Murphey and her husband, Greg, a commercial photographer, moved with their small daughter to a tumbledown 42-acre farm in Brown County, Ind., in 1990. It was on-the-job training for them as they acquired a horse (oversexed), poultry they planned to eat (they couldn't bring themselves to do it) and a dog (feral). They coped with bad weather, a health crises and the depredations of a fox while renovating the farm buildings. Throughout it all they had help from their neighbors. The author, who writes a newspaper column called ``Murphey's Lore'' for the Brown County Democrat , has produced an engaging account of her family's first year on the farm that will appeal strongly to animal- and nature lovers. The book includes sumptuous, high-fat recipes and instructions for making sachets and potpourri. The Murpheys hope to make Bean Blossom Farm productive eventually. (May)
Library Journal
Television producer Murphey and her husband, Greg, did what many frazzled urbanites dream about-they got a small place in the country so that they could enjoy the simple life. With their daughter, Charlotte, they moved from Chicago to a small farm in Brown County, Indiana. This book is a warm, humorous, and realistic account of their first year on the farm. The adjustments they must make, including a diminished income, lack of health insurance, and Greg's health problems, do not deter them from enjoying a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle. From the heart come the special times like entering their produce in the county fair; from the head come the problems such as coping with predators in the henhouse and the vagaries of the weather. An added bonus is an appendix of recipes from the Murphey family. Recommended for public libraries, especially where ``country life'' books and those by Sue Hubbell are popular.-David Schau, Kanawha Cty. P.L., Charleston, W.Va.
The New Garden Journal
"For those who dream of living in the country or those who already do, this is a delightful book, full of good humor, wisdom, and personal honesty." —The New Garden Journal
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780783811277
  • Publisher: Cengage Gale
  • Publication date: 11/1/1994
  • Edition description: LARGEPRINT
  • Pages: 400

Meet the Author

Sallyann J. Murphey began her career as a producer for the British Broadcasting Corporation. She has worked as an investigative journalist for a number of publications, including IPC Magazines, the Daily Mail, the London Observer, The Chicago Times Magazine, and The Utne Reader. Murphey is now the high school history, government, and media studies teacher at Harmony School in Bloomington, Indiana, where she is also the high school coordinator. She lives in Brown County, Indiana.

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Table of Contents

Preface: Bean Blossom Farm-2007     7
The Wings of Change     11
And Weeds as Tall as Trees     15
Snakes, Ticks, and Tornadoes     31
Brown County Blues     52
Tools of the Trade     69
Our Furred and Feathered Friends     86
The Glittering Prizes     103
Lady and the Tramp     123
Just Another Day     144
Footprints in the Snow     163
"God Bless Us Every One!"     184
Simple Gifts     203
Appendices
The Appendices: An Explanation     224
Food from the Farm Kitchen     225
Herbal Recipes and Garden Plans     282
Afterwords
Afterword (to original edition)     317
Afterword: Bean Blossom Farm-2007     319
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Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 20, 2001

    Simple Enough?

    Bean Blossom Dreams by: Sallyann J. Murphy was a very interesting, detailed book. A city family s looking to start a simpler life in the country. They have to survive harsh winters, fierce storms, being low on food and many more downs but to them the biggest up in their life is ust knowing they will always have each other.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
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