Farmhouse Retreat: Life-Giving Inspiration from a Rustic Countryside

by Terri Kraus, Renee Baker

Near the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, tucked deep in North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest, sits a beautiful mountainside farm. Established in the 1940’s, this breathtaking getaway serves as the backdrop for Farmhouse Retreat, a collection of meaningful reflections that will help you escape life’s stresses and find rest and peace in the arms of God. Stunning imagery and DIY articles about canning, baking bread, foraging for décor, and other country pleasures will also let you experience the charm and daily workings of a real-life farm. Farmhouse Retreat invites you to surround yourself with the majesty of God’s creation as you wrap yourself in the wonderful, eternal truths of Scripture. What are you waiting for? It’s time to sit back, put up your feet, and breathe some fresh mountain air.

204 pages, Hardcover

Published November 23, 2021

Reviews

[Shelly Wildman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous book, filled with inspirational thoughts, beautiful photographs, and thought-provoking journal prompts. Terri Kraus's writing will fill you with hope and beauty as she leads you through Fodderstack Farm in North Carolina, owned by Renee Baker who was the photographer on this project. Even though the farm is featured here, it is merely the conduit to a larger truth--that God, who celebrates his creation, also celebrates his beloved children and wants a closer relationship with each one. Taking time each day to reflect on God's creation, character, and beauty in this book will enhance your own walk with him.

[Dena Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the New Testament, Jesus often told parables using earthy things like coins, seeds, and wine. Like the master teacher Himself, Kraus uses animals, plants, and objects from her favorite mountainside farm as jumping-off points for the book's short devotionals. Kraus's biblically-grounded entries are complimented by beautiful photography from one of the farm's owners, Renee Baker. I really enjoyed reading about the goings-on at Baker's farm, and as both a writer and someone who grew up on a ranch, I especially appreciated the skillful (and subtle) ways Kraus tied the daily aspects of ordinary country life to spiritual principles. This book would make a lovely gift for a friend or loved one.

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little offering is incredibly delightful. The author bases her insights and devotions on a stay on a friend’s farm in the NC mountains. I live not far from these mountains and, being a lover of mountains, this was very appealing to me. Some of the things she describes in this book, such as egg gathering, cow milking, I gave actually done! However, she takes it a step further and brings wonderful spiritual insights into the equation. This was simply precious to read and one I will go back to in the future.

My thanks to Tyndale House for a copy of this book via the Net Galley platform. The opinion here is my own.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful little book that makes me want to visit Fodderstack Farm myself. When you open this book you'll find short chapters filled with farm life stories, Bible verses and questions to ponder. I enjoyed this book so much that I'm ordering a copy for my mom for Christmas. I know that she, who still lives on the 80 acre farm that I grew up on, will enjoy it as much as I did!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

[Michele Morin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Farmhouse Retreat is a warm invitation from Terri Kraus and Renee Baker to visit the rustic countryside, sink into farm-style hospitality, and take in the sights, sounds, smells, and flavors of rural living. The collection of daily readings looks long into the soulful eyes of a donkey, steps into morning dew, and savors the musical syllables of bird song, all with scriptural truth woven into the day’s ponderings. Stirring questions inspire soul-building journal work as part of a deep and vibrant spiritual practice.

Kraus’s suggestions for foraged décor offer a way of bringing the beautiful outdoors into your own living space, and I also received the overarching suggestion that God is always at work behind the scenes and within the scenes of any given day. Whether we are pulling weeds or raising chickens, everything matters, and there is great peace in receiving every day as a gift from the God who is both sovereign and good.

[Sarah Ryan (sarahs_reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure if I really understood the full premise of this book when I originally sought out to receive a copy. I saw the title Farmhouse Retreat: Life-Giving Inspiration from a Rustic Countryside, and immediately felt like this would be of extreme interest to my homestead/farmhouse fantasy self.

What took me be surprise, was how much this book resonated with my current journey in life. Recently becoming in tuned with my faith, religion, and overwhelming obsession for all things nature/countryside - this book hit home. Wow, this couldn't have come into my life at a better time.

Reading each section and truly understanding the meanings and feelings because these memories felt right. First off, the Blue Ridge Parkway has become top tier special place in my heart. We recently visited this past October and immediately booked another trip back for this upcoming March. Something about the air and feeling in this gorgeous valley gives you, is truly something magnificent. You can understand just as clear in these words.

Next, the way spirituality is brought in, knowing the backdrop and background story, feels even more delightful. The journaling prompts helped complete something I didn't know I was looking for.

I will be purchasing this book to sit on my coffee table, so friends and family can potentially embark on this journey as well.

My thanks to Tyndale House for a copy of this book via the Net Galley platform.

[Cheryl Bostrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrap this gift book for someone you care about, then give it with joy. It’ll arrive as a package of hope couched in simpler times. Fodderstack Farm, a North Carolina acreage replete with livestock and bees and home-grown EVERYTHING, has nourished author Terri Kraus with a wealth of life metaphors during her personal and family retreats there. In this winsome collection of vignettes, Kraus introduces readers to the agrarian life that has, much to our great loss, slipped from common experience and understanding. As she acquaints us with the land, farmhouse, animals, and the couple who manage them all, she ties nature and daily rhythms to God’s Word, illustrating eternal, life-giving wisdom with relatable sketches.
I found this book delightful. Informative. Chock-full of truth.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance review copy.

[Jennifer]

Farmhouse Retreat
Life-Giving Inspiration from a Rustic Countryside
author: Terri Kraus
photographer: Renee Baker
Tyndale House Publishers, Tyndale
Nestled inside this lovely book are uplifting essays and gorgeous images, inspired by the author's stays at Fodderstack Farm. Readers are refreshed by inspirational devotional messages paired with stories of the culture of farm life and the beauty of the Pisgah National Forest and surrounding mountains.
With an overall theme of hospitality, Kraus shares charming tales of the animals of the homestead. Included are stories and lessons on gardening, herbs, crafting, bluegrass music, canning, natural decor, bees, and other back to basic topics. The way that the natural atmosphere and healthy living are tied in with scriptures and spiritual support make this a very gratifying and insightful book.
I appreciate a book that features a rich geographic region, giving me more awareness of the area and making me want to visit. I was left with a feeling of peacefulness, as I can imagine the farm, forest, and mountains would provide.
Thank you to Net Galley and for the advance reader's copy and the opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
 #FarmhouseRetreat #NetGalley

[Sharla Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab a cup of your favorite cup of coffee or tea and settle into a comfortable chair with Farmhouse Retreat for a soul-renewing experience. The stunning photographs of the landscape and animals on a North Carolina farm will calm your spirit almost as much as being in that bucolic setting. Terri Krasus's words will draw your focus to the God who loves you and has a marvelous plan for your life.

I read Farmhouse Retreat in one sitting on a dreary Sunday afternoon and felt like I had just taken a mini-retreat from my hectic life. But the book could also be read as a devotional--a daily dose of God's peace. You would get even more out of the book if you took the time to do all of the journaling prompts. Ideas like, "Make a list of the things that are troubling to you, and pray God's peace over each one" or "How has God sought you out when you have strayed? Journal your gratitude to your Good Shepherd."

The beauty of the words and photos of Farmhouse Retreat will leave your heart restored and your spirit renewed.

[Cindi P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enjoyable book! In the midst of stressful days and uncertain times, it was a privilege to sit still for a moment now and then to read the next passage in this beautiful book.

The writing about life on this lovely farm retreat in North Carolina calmed and engaged me. The readings are brief which suited a busy day. The photography enhanced the stories and took me deeper into such interesting events. The Scripture used broadened the impact of the stories. The format with floral borders was so pretty, making this a great gift book, housewarming item, or lovely book for a guest room.

I found the journaling prompts to be a great way to stay with the lessons in each passage. The author made the truth of life in Christ both inviting and accessible. This can be a light and pleasant read, a book club choice, or useful to launch discussions with a small group of friends over tea.

I loved the stories about sheep. Those were my favorite!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeous devotional book is appropriate for anyone who feels refreshed and inspired by the country. The author takes readers on a trip to a farm that has brought great rejuvenation to her and her family. I felt myself quiet just reading her vivid descriptions and enjoying her farm life tour while she ties the experience of place with the Christian walk. Each devotion ends with prompts to ponder and offers a place to write answers those questions. A few of the devotions involve practical activities readers could do at home—one of my favorites being foraging outside for items to decorate a table or making flavored butters to go on some homemade bread. The book is truly a retreat between the pages and a wonderful gift idea.

Thank you to Tyndale for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terri and Renee have partnered together to produce a lovely book about life at Fodderstack Farm in the Pisgah National Forest of North Carolina. This book is both inspirational and calming. Insights and reflections are woven into interesting and thought-provoking stories of the farm. Renee’s pictures are wonderful and beautiful! I loved this book and I know I will be reading pieces of it over and over again.