I remember the first time I met Anne Shirley. I was 10 years old and I devoured each of her books, one by one. She had the life I always dreamed of. Yes, she had her ups and downs, but with help from Above she persevered. She had the love of her an honorable man and together they created a beautiful family. My ten year old heart idolized Anne & Gilbert…they lived the life I dreamed of, complete with six children, including twins. And then there was the March sisters…oh, how I yearned to write like Jo and play the piano like Beth. To have an attic to write in and put on plays….it was the ultimate dream. I once tried to write my own version of Pickwick Papers, but alas, it was not very successful. 

Looking back, the one thing that drew me into the worlds of Green Gables and the March sisters was the lifestyle–the made from scratch food,  the handmade treasures, and the simple, slow lifestyle. I longed for the simple, slow lifestyle. and no matter how I tried, I could never accomplish it in the hustle of busttle of the suburbs of California. I never felt like I fit in there.. I knew I was ment for something more. So, I decided to start where I was….to make the most of where I was. I slowly started making more homemade food. I started sewing bedding and dresses for my daughter. I started in anticipation that one day I would be able to the live the life I yearned for, for so long. 

Three years ago, we took the leap. We moved to a state we had never visited, bought a house we never toured, leaving family and friends we loved dearly because God called us to. We live on an acre. We have chickens, a dog and an angora rabbits. Every day are living our dreams. There is one big dream we are still working toward..–to move to an acreage, complete with a cow, goats and a donkey.

So, why the Modern Mrs. Wilder? It’s simple. Last year, my kids and I read “Farmer Boy” together. The more I read about Mrs. Wilder, the more I wanted to be her and the more I saw bits of me in her. But the best compliment came from my youngest son who said, “Mom, I feel like you’re Mrs. Wilder. You cook like her, you can like her…you are her.” Be still my heart!

Well, thank you for sticking with me thus far. I am happy you’re here and I look forward to getting to know you!