As a child, I grew up reading, playing outside, watching movies, and imagining. At times, I found myself doing them at the same time-and often while wearing long skirts and dresses. The adventures of Anne of Green Gables, the Pevensie children in Narnia, the hobbits of the Shire, the resistance fighters in Robotech The New Generation and Star Wars, and the Potter children in Whangdoodleland all stirred something deep inside my soul.
Adventure. Family. Nature. Social Justice. Creativity. These themes filled my days and my dreams.
I always loved that many book characters lived in homes with names, and so it was that once I had read the Harry Potter books, I fondly dubbed our family home The Burrow. It’s no surprise that when Brett and I began our life together, that we would eventually create our own world, our own home with a name.
Mosshollow Hill.
What started as a fiber fascination in the mid-90s, thanks to friends teaching me to knit and crochet, has since developed into an entire world of fiber art, wet-felting, and small-scale farming.
While Brett and I were living in Morgan Hill in 2011, Mosshollow began as a fiber-arts side-business. In the fall of 2013 we set out on a quest to find the ideal acreage upon which to bring Mosshollow to life. The following summer, we purchased our dream home on 5.4 wooded acres and began our adventure of creating a magical little farm nestled in the hills of Aromas, California.
I’m grateful to my family, friends, and most especially, my partner Brett for all their love, support, and encouragement in making the dreams of a young girl become a reality.
This blog, should you choose to follow it, will tell the true stories of Mosshollow Hill. The characters are myself and Brett, two public school teachers living their dream on a small-farm in a wonderfully small town, Sidney, a talented artist living in The House of Wormwood on Mosshollow Hill, and our rescued cats, wooly sheep, and chickens. Lots and lots of chickens.
Join us as we learn about living on a farm, balance teaching full-time, make mistakes, laugh, love, and grow. Oh yes, and read, play outside, watch movies, and imagine.
-Susan of Mosshollow Hill
What an exciting adventure! ❤️
Thanks, Ann!
What a fantastic, heart warming thing this is. I can’t wait to someday bring my middle aged imagination and my kids’ amazing imagination into your world.
Bryan,
Your family’s general awesomeness fills me with joy when I see your posts, videos, and pictures. Though we’re states away, know that your imagination as a kid and my cousin had a positive effect on me. Thank you for your support!
I absolutely love this. It’s inspiring to read the writing of someone that taught me how to write a story and really run with it. I still refer to you when someone asks me when/why I started writing. Sixth grade. Susan Shirley. Somewhere in between hearing the word dragon (featured on one wall) and merchant (my job in the class). I spent a year so many years ago living out a dream in a classroom, and then I needed to make that dream my world. Love you and can’t wait to read the next post.
Thank you, Rukhsar. Your words mean so much to me, and I’m enjoying your adventures abroad!
Dear Mrs. Shirley
It seems such a long time ago I was in your class, even if it was during the lockdown. Nonetheless, after reading this, I am deeply grateful for teaching me so much! (Even when I was humiliatingly stubborn sometimes) I understand that everyone has their hardships and sometimes we cringe about what we did in our past, but that’s what makes us mature. That’s why I’d like to thank you for being a part of that Mrs. Shirley and for teaching others what you taught me.
From Devin Nguyen
Devin!
Thank you for taking the time to not only read my blog but to comment on it in such a reflective and kind way. The fact that you are having these reflections at such a young age is a testament to what you have endured already in your life. Books will be written about your generation having to grow up in a pandemic (that continues to this day). I humbly say you’re welcome. Keep me posted about your life and how you’re doing. For the latest on my life, read the most recent post about the pop culture solstice. Television actually helped me so much in the past 2 years. We all find comfort where we can, right? Say hello to your family for me, and again, thank you so much for your thoughtfulness.