Bean Blossom Dreams

by Sallyann J. Murphey, Sallyann J. Murphy

Leaving behind a stressful city life for a beautiful new farm home, Sallyann Murphy, her husband, and daughter confront the challenges of a new life on Bean Blossom Farm, from bad weather and exhausting chores to the forthcoming county fair. Reprint.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Gardening

311 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1994

Reviews

[Adrienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. I love farming memoirs, particularly when they're about city people moving to the country and learning everything for the first time (something I aspire to). This book was definitely filled with pretty good stories and a nice "country" feel (as other reviewers have mentioned).

My problem is that it was just boring. I couldn't figure out why I wasn't finding it compelling at all. I mean, it has the first-timer mistakes, the lessons learned, the wildlife stories, etc. Also, Murphey is a fine writer. I just could not put my finger on the problem...and then I did. There is a fatal absence of interesting, well-developed characters. That makes the whole thing just bland. And Murphey doesn't seem to have much personality as a writer. Like I said, her writing is fine, but just isn't interesting at all.

Too bad, because any story like this has a lot of potential.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I recently moved to the same area of Indiana as this writer lives, this book had a sweet familiarity about it. Anyone who has ever entertained the idea of ditching the city life for that of country folk will find this book both informative and heartwarming. For a gal from England who has lived in New York City and Chicago, she went through quite a transformation. Sally's writing evoked the feeling of appreciation for the simple things in life and made me aspire to be as self-sufficient has she is. Loved the recipes at the end of the book too! The only thing that would have made this book better is knowing there was a sequel.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably what was most appealing about this book is the fact that these people followed their dreams and made a wonderful life for themselves on a farm after being big city folks for much of their lives. I loved the insights and thoughts about their transition to a slower, more peaceful lifestyle. Sort of a Laura Ingalls Wilder pioneer feel to the story.

The writing style is clean, simple and very straightforward - a reflection of the life these folks created. And the book includes some great recipes, too! lol!

[JB Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a sweet memoir, written by a woman about her family's experiences when they decided to move from Chicago and buy a farm in rural Indiana. The story had a tone and style similar Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle", so if you enjoyed that, you'll enjoy this one. I also appreciated the additional bonus this book had in the 100+ pages of recipes and farming/food prep instructions it had at the back of the book. There were lots of fun little anecdotes throughout the story and I appreciated learning about the background to a lot of this family's traditions.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up several years ago (after we had moved from the city to a farm in southern Indiana). While we were busy setting up our own farm, I was too busy to read it. Now that we have given up the farm and are living in the woods, I was able to enjoy Murphey's story of their trials and triumphs. Made me want to spend more time sitting still in the woods and enjoying the wildlife all around us. Nice read.

[Jonille Shepherd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Informative if you never lived in the country

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my I am so sad this morning as I’ve just finished this wonderful book and I did not want it to end!
I picked this up at the library last week and couldn’t put it down since.
It is written by an author who moved to Brown County and bought a farm! She talked of everything I know and even went into Morgantown to buy supplies for a winter storm.
It was published in 1994.
It was a lovely book from beginning to end. It made me laugh out loud. It had me wishing for a farm and a garden. Her descriptions were absolutely beautiful.
I can’t say enough good things about this book, you should absolutely read it!
I wish she had a whole series about her adventures on her farm.
She has some really hilarious stories, and it is so heart warming. It is a perfect winter read! Go check your library for this. I promise to return this copy soon!
#whatsgretchenreading
Bean Blossom Dreams by SallyAnn Murphey

[Felicity Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. After reading the first 20 pages, I knew this would be good. The next day, I sat down to keep reading and finished the book in a single sitting. It was interesting, funny, sad, captivating. In the early 1990s, quitting the city and moving to the country weren't the trend they are now. And with no internet (the author talks about working by fax!), there's no YouTube or internet to fill in the gaps in their knowledge. I sure wish the author had written several more books, or a blog, or something!

[Tammy Durm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple story about a couple that moved from Chicago to Brown County, Indiana with their daughter. The last 2/3 of the book was recipes and other information that might be helpful if you are interested. I found it sweet and interesting. I like to daydream about what it would be like to live places and this gave me a little insight. Brown County, Indiana is a beautiful place close to Indianapolis where I live and I've been there many many times.

[Sadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author feels like she would be a kindred spirit through her writing and reading her philosophy of living. I read this book slowly and enjoyed it thoroughly. Glad to know I’m not the only city girl who escaped to the country and is learning as she goes.
I’m secretly hoping I might run into her someday since she’s only a county away.

[Ann Augustine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

[Wilma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the selection for my Master Gardener's Book Club this month. A Chicago family decide to move to southern Indiana and farm. Wonderful writer, great story. I highly recommend it.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The subtitle should have been "A City Family's Search for a Simple Country Life and the Need to Tell You All About It." It had a few moments but on the whole a regrettable read.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book enchanting! During a trip to Brown County I was looking for a book about that locale to enjoy later. I love Brown County & go there once a year.

It was an easy, funny read about big city people transporting themselves into a rural life. It was funny & sweet. I grew up on a farm & could relate to her stories about the country life style.

[Sarah Ewald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet book about a family who moves from the city of Chicago to the rural area of Brown County. Picked this book up at a library used book sale, and remembered I had it when I was exploring retirement to the Brown County area. It is from 1994 so I am sure many things have changed, but I loved reading about their farming adventures.

[Cheryl Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't yet ran on to Sally Ann since moving to Bloomington, but I would like to. I'd like to swap flower starts with her and recipes and sit in the park and listen to music with her. Her book is relaxing and lovely. Everything I love about this area of Indiana, she expresses.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this account of a Chicago family moving to Brown County, Indiana, to run a farm and raise their daughter. We live down the road, and the critters that she describes might be the ones in our back yard.

[Stephanie Curran · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books! I just completed my fourth reading of this book. Why do I love it so much?? The writing is fantastic, the dream is one I share, and it is a reminder of the beauty in the very smallest of things.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well told story plus awesome recipes and ideas at the end.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by a local woman about her transition to farm life in Brown County, Indiana. A bit stilted at times, but a fun read for the hometown aspect.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having tried a garden for the first time this summer gave me a true appreciation for some of the issues they faced. I could never do what they did but it was fun to get a taste.

[Monique Howell · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far it contains some interesting/insightful parts. Takes place in Brown Co. IN so there is local interest.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked it. Cute little book about homesteading!

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It really captures what rural living,and Brown County / Southern Indiana, living is all about.

I read it several years ago and am currently re-reading it.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story. To short, would have liked to read more.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was so picturesque it was kind of boring, but I really enjoyed the little tid-bits of information she wove into the story.

[Olisia · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet and inspiring. She even includes awesome extras in her appendices.