The Farm That Never Left Me - The Heart Behind The Adventures of Showstopper
Some animals quietly become part of your story in ways that are difficult to explain. For me, that animal is a Jersey cow with a mischievous face and a spirit packed with spice.
Perhaps it’s because my fondest childhood memories involve Jersey cows, my three siblings, and my grandparents’ farm. They were the good old days — the ones filled with discovery, adventure, late nights in the barn, hot afternoons in the hayfield, long walks through the pastures, and windy Sunday afternoons spent lying in the grass beneath the old maple trees.
It was the place where we learned to appreciate animals of all sizes for what they are; where we learned that the livestock came first — because without them, there was no harvest worth reaping. It was the place where subtle cues were noticed and understood, where blisters on your hands were earned honestly, and where respect for the land, the livestock, and the farm equipment was non-negotiable. We learned by example.
My grandfather worked diligently, at his own pace, ensuring everything was just right. He made hay like no other. Gosh, he made beautiful hay. My grandmother — Nana — was the nurturer, the one who could nurse almost anything back to health, working tirelessly without complaint. Even the most stoic animal, attempting to conceal its illness, could never fool her empathetic eye. Even today, at 85 years old, she rarely misses chores and continues to work at her own pace — all heart, a farmer for life.
These are two of the people who shaped me the most. My grandfather was called home to be with the Lord in 2015, and not a day goes by that I am not reminded of those years. A simple creak of a floorboard or a familiar scent on the breeze can collapse time and carry me right back to that place. Simply stated, it is an era forever ingrained in my being.
Today, years after the Jersey herd was dispersed to new homes, I cling to old photographs and memories that represent such a precious sliver of time. Truth be told, I would trade lottery winnings — if I had them — just to go back. To hear my grandfather’s footsteps coming up the stairs to wake us for milking. To climb into the hay mow for an afternoon that felt endless, building a mow of hay in the sweltering heat. To return and cherish those moments a little more — even the tails in the face during milking, the biting flies before a humid thunderstorm, the frustrations of teaching a young calf to drink from a pail, and the helpless feeling that came when your favourite cow was sick and there was nothing you could do.
Those moments slipped away far too quickly.
Skip ahead a couple of decades, and here I am today with two kids of my own, a husband who was handpicked by God himself, growing our family on his childhood farm. What a blessing - it’s what little girls dream about, really. We homeschool, we farm, and we do our darnedest to eat food prepared or grown right here when we can. Late this past winter, we welcomed our “house cow” Showstopper to the farm. Let me preface the rest of this by noting that she does not live in our house… don’t get me wrong, she’s bougie enough that I’m sure she would if she could (and not to lie, I’d be down for it too).
Showstopper, who we lovingly refer to as “Jersey Girl” was bred and raised at my sister and brother-in-law’s dairy farm. She had a great career on their farm, and has now retired to live her days with simplicity. She gives us milk, and we love on her every day. We adore her. The best way to describe this cow; a force. She is sassy, she is affectionate, she is expressive, quirky and a whole lot of “bad ass.” There isn’t a day that passes where she doesn’t have me giggling or bursting into laughter.
She isn’t just a cow; she is a gateway — a gateway to the precious memories and deep ties I have to my grandparents’ farm. Showstopper’s maternal line traces directly back to the Jenardeen herd. She is out of a matriarch Jersey from my sister’s herd, Liberty Gen SSM Pop-A-Squat.
In many ways, Showstopper’s story spiderwebs through all of the most important corners of my heart. As I sit here writing this, I feel vulnerable — like a child clinging tightly to a beloved teddy bear or a weathered blanket that has been woven through every cherished childhood memory.
Showstopper offers us more than quirky moments and laughter — she nourishes our family. We enjoy her milk (no, we do not pasteurize it), and from it we make cultured butter, cheese, ice cream, kefir, and yogurt as well. How incredible it is to receive so much from one animal.
Victoria and a very proud and curious Showstopper!
Inspiration strikes in the strangest of ways, I must say. When you’re making, shaping, stretching and shaping sourdough loaves, there is a lot of time to think. This is a slippery slope for me! It’s during this time that I come up with some pretty great ideas (at least I think so)!
As mentioned, we are a homeschool family and the challenge of getting my two kids to truly engage in a book is tough. My son has zero desire to read anything, and I am instantly met with questions like “how long do I have to read, how many pages?” etc.. It’s not always easy finding books that farm kids want to dive into, especially when they could be outside doing other things. So, I decided I would write a children’s book about this phenomenal cow who has so much personality that we can share with the world, and combine that with real life characters - animals that I grew up with on the farm.
There’s something timeless about a good farm story — muddy boots at the back door, the sound of a dinner bell drifting across the pasture, animals gathering in the barn at dusk, and the quiet comfort of belonging somewhere safe. The Adventures of Showstopper was born from those very moments.
Inspired by our Jersey cow, Showstopper, this story follows a sassy little cow through one very big change: leaving the only home she has ever known and arriving at a brand-new farm. Unsure and a little lonely at first, Showstopper soon meets an unforgettable cast of barnyard friends — a playful palomino pony, a loyal border collie, a curious llama, cheerful ducks, a mischievous goat, and, of course, a sneaky orange tabby cat hidden throughout the pages.
But beneath the watercolor meadows, red barns, and cozy straw-filled stalls is something even deeper: a story about courage, kindness, friendship, and finding your place in the world. It’s a gentle reminder for children that new beginnings can feel scary, but sometimes they lead us exactly where we are meant to be.
Never did I imagine that this special little book would one day find its way into my farm stand — or onto Amazon. All I truly wanted was for my children to be excited to turn the next page and discover where the story would lead.. Somehow, I did just that!
So here I am, sharing what has become a deeply special and sentimental children’s book — written by a 41-year-old woman who is still, at heart, the same little girl longing to slip away and spend time among a herd of cows that spoke to me more deeply than most people ever have, without saying a single word.
Click here to purchase on Amazon.
