Hi friend
Hello, I’m Annette, a former ICU nurse and wedding gown designer turned homesteader, author, and healthful living advocate. My journey began in Kansas, but after marrying my college sweetheart, we planted roots in small-town Georgia, where I discovered a life that blends my love for farming and natural living.
Spending time in my garden takes me back to childhood memories with my dad—digging in the dirt, learning the rhythms of the seasons, and appreciating the simple joy of growing food. That love for nature only deepened as I embraced farm life, raising animals, tending the land, and finding fulfillment in a slower, more intentional way of living.
Now, as a mom to my sweet Ava, I love passing that connection to nature down to her. Whether I’m harvesting vegetables, caring for our miniature donkeys, or making wholesome meals from scratch, I believe wellness starts with the way we live—rooted in nature, simplicity, and purpose.
Through my blog and book, Simple Country Living, I share practical tips and inspiration for gardening, homesteading, and creating a life that nourishes the body and soul. Whether you dream of starting your own garden, raising animals, or just finding ways to slow down and embrace a healthier lifestyle, I hope to encourage and guide you on the journey.
Would love to hear your thoughts—does this feel like you?
“I believe life feels best when it’s simple, intentional, and connected to nature. Here, I share tips and inspiration to help you create a home that’s peaceful, a body that’s strong, and a life that’s full of meaning and joy”
– Annette
Annette Thurmon
Annette Thurmon is an author, homesteader, and advocate for simple, intentional living. Raised in Kansas, she never imagined that one day she would trade hospital scrubs for farm boots. After working as an ICU nurse and witnessing firsthand the effects of modern lifestyles on health, Annette felt a deep calling to make a change—not just for herself but for others seeking wholeness in their lives.
In the countryside of Georgia, she has learned to embrace the rhythms of nature by cultivating a small farm and rediscovering the deep fulfillment that comes from working with the land. But simple living isn’t about having the perfect homestead; it’s about making intentional choices—whether that’s growing herbs in a pot on the porch, raising animals, or preparing meals with ingredients you know and trust.
Annette shares her passion for slow, sustainable living through her blog & books, including Simple Country Living, The Harvest Table Cookbook, and the children’s book Percy’s Big Adventure. She has been featured in publications like Country Living Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, Martha Stewart Living, and Architectural Digest. She has collaborated with brands such as Tractor Supply, Toyota, Ball home canning, and Whole Foods to promote intentional and sustainable lifestyles.
Annette and her husband, Jared, have hosted over 150 episodes of The Happy Farmily Podcast, a heartfelt show where they share real-life farm stories and the meaningful lessons they’ve learned along the way. Together, they explore topics like health, family, marriage, and simple living, inspiring listeners to live with purpose and intention.
Through her writing, Annette inspires others to embrace the beauty of simplicity—whether it’s tending a garden, raising animals, or choosing to slow down and savor life’s small moments. She believes that wellness should be a complete journey, one that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit, just as we nurture the land and animals around us.
Want to learn more?
Read about gardening tips and how to start growing your own food.
Discover animal care lessons from life on the farm.
Explore Annette’s books and bring a piece of simple living into your home.
No matter where you are, simple living begins with a mindset—one that embraces hard work, gratitude, and the beauty of everyday moments.
Values
Community & Connection
Annette aims to foster a sense of belonging and connection among like-minded individuals. She wants people to feel supported and empowered by a community that shares knowledge, offers encouragement, and works together toward common goals. Through collaboration and shared experiences, Annette envisions a world where people support one another in creating healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Intentional Living
Annette wants others to live with purpose and mindfulness, understanding that conscious decisions lead to a more fulfilling and authentic life. By making thoughtful choices in every aspect of their lives—whether it’s growing food, caring for animals, managing their homes, or nurturing relationships—she encourages others to align their daily actions with their values. This intentional approach fosters a life that feels true to one's purpose, creating a deeper connection to the world around them.
Nurturing Total Wholeness
Annette encourages individuals to embrace a holistic approach to wellness, nurturing every aspect of their being—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. She believes that true health is achieved when all parts of us are in harmony, and she inspires others to adopt practices that support their overall well-being. One of her favorite things to do? Preserve her homegrown tomatoes! See how to HERE. She also has a complete canning course she did with Ball® home canning. See it HERE
Embracing Simplicity
Annette wants others to find beauty and fulfillment in the simplicity of everyday life. She believes that by focusing on what truly matters—nature, relationships, and personal well-being—we can create space for peace, joy, and contentment. By simplifying our routines and environments, we can reconnect with ourselves, each other, and the world around us in a more meaningful way.
Simple Country Living
Discover the joy of a simpler, more intentional life with Simple Country Living. Annette shares practical techniques, wholesome recipes, and timeless wisdom for your garden, kitchen, and home.
Whether you're growing fresh food, preserving the harvest, or creating natural beauty, this book helps you embrace nature, reduce waste, and live with purpose — no matter where you call home.
The best part? It gives helpful tips on how to include the family every step of the way.
More of my story
If someone had told me fifteen years ago that my days would be spent chasing chickens, tending a garden, and embracing homemaking, I would have laughed. But life has a way of guiding us toward places we never imagined.
As a rapid-response nurse, I saw the impact of modern lifestyles on our health—pollutants, sedentary habits, processed foods, and depleted soil. Working in the ICU made me realize that I wanted more for myself and my family—a natural, balanced life rooted in true wholeness.
At the same time, I pursued a side business designing couture wedding gowns. While it was exciting to be featured on New York Fashion week runways, the pressure of perfection left me unfulfilled. After years in nursing and fashion, my husband and I sought a simpler, more sustainable path. We dreamed of reconnecting with nature, working the land, caring for animals, and finding joy in simple living.
When we found our piece of land we knew it was the right place to build our new life. We were drawn to the azure blue skies and thus the name Azure Farm was born for our homestead. The first years were both magical and challenging. We built barns, raised animals, and planted gardens. Then we had failed crops and animals died. Despite setbacks, the joy of this lifestyle far outweighed the difficulties. I felt healthier, mentally, and physically, as I immersed myself in the rhythms of nature.
Now, I’m passionate about sharing this journey with others—teaching how to live with intention and wholeness. Just as we care for the land and animals, we can learn to care for our bodies, nourish our minds, and embrace a lifestyle that supports true wellness. Eating healthy, getting outside, and connecting with nature—these are practices that nurture the body, mind, and spirit.
I hope to inspire you to embrace simplicity and wholeness in your own life. You don’t have to make drastic changes all at once—small steps can lead to a more fulfilling life.
Thank you for joining me on this journey.
Happy Farmily Podcast
We believe the secret sauce of healthy, happy relationships is that they are the result of healthy, happy people.
