One of my favourites books as a child was Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney. The story is about a poor family and how they rely on each other to make life rich and loving. Not only was the story compelling, but I loved the title.
Three Little Peppers and How We Grow seems an apt title for the story of my girls and I. We are feisty little women (Little Women, Louisa May Alcott- another great book!)
Marie Claude
There’s me. Marie Claude Bourque. Single mom, owner of Opus Academy, creative soul. I am a musician and teacher by trade. My greatest pleasures in life always revolve around creating something out of nothing. From baking to knitting, writing to composing, building sets or making costumes, life is just better when creating! I am lucky that my best friend, Janet, shares my passions. We are inseparable. So a big thank you to her 4 kids and husband for sharing her with me.
I come from a wonderful family. An older brother and sister, Charles and Hélène, the best sister-in-law a family could have, France, nieces and nephews…I am blessed.
I have some health issues. Ankylosing spondylitis is the one that causes the most trouble. When deciding to try my hand at homesteading, I had to consider the possibility that I may not be able to do everything that I’d like to do. So flexibility will be my mantra. I will learn to do what I can when I can and find ways to adapt those things that seem undoable.
Part of my condition means that body pain can stop me in my tracks. It can last a few days or months. I can have inner ear issues that make the world spin. I also have IBS caused either by the condition or the medications….
This journey will hopefully rebalance my body so that it starts a healing process and stops attacking itself.
Katherine
This is tricky. Talking about my own child without her input! Yikes, I could get in trouble.
Katherine (Katie) is a complex girl. 22 years old, university graduate and manager of our music academy, Katie lives with me full time.
Don’t even think of calling her a girly girl! She has had a power tool in her hand since she was old enough to hold one. She is a tree climbing, animal loving, drummer/singer spitfire and cute as a button. Her tiny frame belies her physical and intellectual strengths.
This project is particularly exciting to her for the goats! She has instituted the law that goats will be her domain. Watch out Katie, cuz if they’re super cute, I’ll fight you for them!
Elizabeth
Lizzie is my baby. She shares her time between my home and her dad’s. She has just turned 18 and is looking forward to starting college in the fall.
Chickens are her thing. She wants to be in charge of the chicks. Again, we’ll see if I have to fight my kids over the control of the animals!
Lizzie is a girl filled with empathy. Some would call her an old soul. Sweet by nature she has also proven herself to be a very courageous young woman. A competitive figure skater for years, she’s learned to overcome lots to attain her goals.
The three of us have allergies. I am hoping that through a healthy lifestyle, wholesome foods and more control over our environment, we will impact our health in a positive way. How can it not be!
Unruffled Farms 