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In the book, Schaye and Losee take turns writing their side of the story, admitting that they never thought they would be flower farmers.
Losee worked as a professional photographer before operating his own construction firm in Manhattan. Schaye was a journalist for the Daily News.
When the construction boom ended in the '90s it became harder for Losee to get enough jobs to support his firm. He said he needed a new job, but he didn't know what he wanted to do.
Schaye said her husband became fascinated with farming after visiting a flower farm on Staten Island, bringing home a bouquet that his wife loved.
"I knew I had something to worry about when first-person accounts of novice farmers and how-to farm guides started appearing on Chris' side of the night stand," Schaye wrote.
Schaye said Losee had been depressed about losing business for the construction firm, so when he became obsessed with farming, she was happy he was no longer upset.
Then Losee shocked his wife with the suggestion they move to the country to start a farm. Schaye said she had her doubts, and in fact, admitted in the book that they could barely keep houseplants alive. After some persuasion, Losee convinced Schaye to look for a farm in the Hudson Valley.
Schaye was able to keep her job as a journalist by working in the Daily News' Albany bureau.
Farming is hard work
When Schaye and Losee moved to their 30-acre farm in Gallatin in 1995, they had no farming experience. They only had determination to succeed but the change from a city life to one in the country took some getting used to.
"The biggest adjustment was physical, as opposed to sitting at a computer," Schaye said.
Losee said when he became a farmer he had to learn about more than just raising plants.
He said "you have to fix stuff on your own ... and get real friendly with a gasoline engine." He said he saved money but he had to teach himself how to fix farm equipment.
Losee said when he became a farmer he had to change his entire outlook about living in a fast-paced world, admitting that farming does not produce instant gratification.
When planting rows of seeds, Losee said he never looks at how much work he must complete, because it will discourage him from "planting, foot by foot, on our hands and knees."
He said, "When you do it yourself, you can't be daunted by the size of things ...When done (you can say) wow, I did it."
A family affair
Schaye continued to help Losee operate the farm. She also kept working as a journalist but said she was not happy.
She said she wanted to have children and raise a family so in 1999, Schaye resigned from her job at the Daily News.
"I don't miss reporting," Schaye said. "I wore a beeper and had to go wherever they told me to. I couldn't see being a mom that way."
When Schaye resigned, she said she committed herself to having children and giving the flower farming business her all.
Today the couple runs a successful flower farm, living in a house built by Losee on Silverpetals Farm with their two daughters, Samantha and Juliana.
The home is cozy and welcoming, a place where friends come by for a cup of tea, and children listen to Sesame Street tapes.
For most of the year, Schaye and Losee work the farm.
"We came to the country to do something different," Schaye said. In the summer, Losee and Schaye can be found making bouquets to a customer's exact specifications in farmers markets in New York City and Poughkeepsie.
During the off season, Losee works for a tax office and Schaye writes and edits for Web sites. The couple writes fiction in their spare time, and have no regrets about leaving the city.
Schaye said, "My strongest advice is, 'Don't think it can't be done because you have never done it.'"
The couple said they agree that the best part about living in the country is raising a family and the strength that comes from that family.
They say their new lives in the country prove anyone can be as "strong as dirt" if they want their dreams to come true.
