Hello all; My Name is Grace Vanderzande and I am a Canadian farmer among other things.
I am not new to the blogger world. Some of you may recognize the blogger handle of BUTTONS THOUGHTS. Yes, that was and still is me.
So much has happened since those frantic days of farming, life in general and those sleepless nights filled with stories.
Grab a cup of tea or coffee if you have time. I would love to share with you My Journey to the here and now.
I am still a farmer alongside my husband who is still fondly known as My Hero and we are doing well. Age has brought many things into our lives and we are grateful.
I started that blog BUTTONS THOUGHTS in Sept of 2010. That seems so very long ago now. A lot has changed. Also nothing has changed. That all depends on the way I look back on things.
Still a storyteller. Sharing my view of what life has given and taken. Stories of every bump and dip in the road we call life is now being shared monthly in a column TALES FROM THE FARM since 2014 in Ontario Canada local newspapers.
On May15, 2022, I published my very first book with Crossfield Publishing (Canadian) a book of short stories and photos about farming and life Titled Unbuttoned. It continues to do well. Following in 2024 Crossfield then published my second book of short stories Buttons Thoughts. I am currently working on a third book.
A great artist friend Bill Vanwart (who I absolutely adore his art) painted from my photos both of the covers for my books. They are amazing. This had me pick up a brush and start painting in the hopes of someday doing my own cover.
This playing with paint had me fall in love with this creative process. I am hooked.
This website is a dream of mine since 2010. To someday have my own website in my own name. A place to share my stories, photos, and now my paintings. My way.
Follow along to hear how a kid nicknamed "Buttons" who wanted to be a writer in the city when she who grew up coped. Growing up in a very crowded house in an Ontario Canada village. How she fell in love and found her way to being a capable strong farm women still holding on to those childhood dreams. A woman who was terrified of so many things, and who has done and seen it all and shared it in stories and blogs. Not afraid of the tough stuff that challenged her and kept her going. Finding joy in the glimmers and little moments that we are all surrounded by and may miss as we hurry through life.
Dreams do come true. Maybe not the dream you started with, but dreams surely do come true. Believe and keep going.
Grace Vanderzande. (Buttons)