Hello Farmgirl Friends!
‘Tis post harvest season up here in Alaska, although we have yet to experience any real damaging overnight frosts. It’s been an incredibly warm and balmy fall for this neck of the woods. While Mother Nature is allowing for a longer than anticipated season, we just really didn’t have anything left to harvest.
Warm Blissful days on the farm!
I am guilty of having been the best parent before having children of my own. My kids were going to be the hippest kids around. They would become the most environmentally-conscious-vegetable-eating-adventurous little bodhisattvas around, for sure. I definitely knew how to curate kids to embody these traits!
I mean…this could be an album cover!
Laurel Pries says: Love your blog and many blessings ro your sweet family!
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you, Laurel! The same to you and yours.
Ashley K says: We are hoping to move to a rural 40+ acres in NE washington in 2-3 years. I also have 3 girls. Who are currently 8, 7, & 4. It is so inspiring to see you out with 3 so young! Makes me feel like I’ll be able to get a lot done with my older helpers!
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Ashley! It is really amazing to see what the older farm kids I know can accomplish, and how quickly they learn. Sometimes the only thing in their way is strength and the ability to operate heavy machinery 🙂
Laura R. says: Oh, wow, those pix are treasures. I especially love the fashionistas, the dirt eating, and the album cover. What a story they tell ! (along with your insightful words) :))))))
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Laura! We do have fun working slowly together.
Amanda says: You hit the nail on the head! It’s challenging to farm with kids! It’s also super fun, entertaining and fascinating… who knew it’s sooo much fun to cut hornworms in half? It’s a wonderful thing to see things through their eyes, even if I have to stop what I’m doing for the umpteeth time! My girls are old enough now that they do a lot of chores on their own. The best part is seeing them take pride in a job well done. The worst part is when they scheme together and rush through cleaning the barn to go do who knows what. I did tell them to work together, right? I’ll have to be more specific on the “work” part- (future advice for you!) I find myself saying to them, ” I can’t stand it when you act like your mother!” My girls just smile at that and all is well. Many blessings to you and many fun-filled “work” days with your little ones!!!
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Amanda! I’ll have to use that mother line :). They will get a kick out of it, and Ava is already at the point where she will say things like, “but mom, that’s what you do…” ha! Guilty as charged. Hope your fall is great and your daughters scheme to muck like they’ve never mucked before!
maureen bruner says: The dirt pictures really made me smile! So much to explore and learn. I remember when my very fastidious friend put her son in a sandbox for the first time. He was appalled, to say the least! I grew up playing in a garden and so did my kids. We’re all better for it. Big hugs from Colorado!
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you, Maureen 🙂
Mickie Griffin says: Fun blog post! Love the photo of Fernie eating dirt and pea-henge and potato-henge!
Mommie Dearest
Alexandra Wilson says: Ha! I love the pea and potato henges, too. Love you!
Marilyn says: Thank You for sharing this post. The girls are getting so big. They are beautiful. God Bless.
Marilyn
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Marilyn!
Randee says: So enjoyable reading about your adventures with your children and I had some chuckles. You are a patient lady even if you don’t think so. They are blessed to have you as their Mom.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you, Randee! Especially for the comment re:patience…I feel my well drying up once in awhile 🙂
Laurel Pries says: Love your “littles” reports…as a Great great grandma I can so relate, and remember trying to pick berries with my kids and grandkids. All too soon they will grow up and those fun times will be no more. So just enjoy while you have them and make wonderful memories. Best wishes with your little “farmers”!!
“I’d much rather work outside in the rain than inside during nice weather!”
I found myself exclaiming/reminding myself of this several times over the past couple of weeks. It has been downright SOGGY up here in the northlands. One of my friends recorded more than six inches of rain on her small farm between Sunday and Wednesday of last week, and we had plenty of rain on both sides of that window, as well.
Opal finds great joy in slurping water from the large brassica leaves.
Nicole Christensen says: Oh Alex, you’re little ones are precious. I remember spending rainy days with my dd when she was little – a new pair of cute rubber rain boots each year was a must! This year, though, we are all sick of the rain here in New England, too, as it is the most humid rainy summer ever! Think fall…Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole (Suburban Farmgirl)
Alexandra Wilson says: Gotta love those adorable rain boots! I’ve heard that New England has been pretty soggy, too. Crisp fall is just around the corner 🙂
Hey Farmgirl Friends!
It’s been a busy and eventful month up here in Alaska. The farming season is in full swing. It’s the time of year when pretty much everything that can happen on the farm is happening (or at least supposed to be…). We are transplanting seedlings, seeding greens and roots, harvesting, sowing a few more trays of starts, pulling spent crops, amending new rows, irrigating, putting up and taking down row cover, pruning, suckering, weeding (Oh, the weeds…), fearing the ever growing slug population, moving chickens around in their tractors, opening and closing all of the structures, going to market, running the farm stand and divvying out CSA shares. Phew!
You look radishing!
Sandi says: Wonderful that the calf returned on its own. Most do according to my mother-in-law who raised calves most of her life. She was a farmer for many years and taught me how to milk a cow and how to wean a calf from its mother. Even named a calf I helped to wean, after me. Guess you will be glad for a rest when harvest is over or will you still have lots to do until winter time? Pray you do get some rest as it sounds very hectic for quite a while. Maybe next year I can get into a garden. We are still waiting for our home to get finished and get moved in. Does take a long time to get it all done. Bless the day and your farm and all who tred there.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you Sandi! We have learned that calves usually come back, too. We should just think of them like fawns :). Hope the home renovations go quickly and smoothly!
Bessie says: Wow! I’m exhausted from reading your entry. Sounds like a wonderful place and Fern is a sweetheart!
Alexandra Wilson says: We definitely keep busy around here!
Marilyn says: Glad that the calf is safe. I love that photo of Fern laying in the garden.
Marilyn
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you, Marilyn!
Amanda says: I’m super happy the calf came back! It’s funny how your life in Alaska very closely resembles mine in Pennsylvania. We’ve been busy weeding, unloading straw wagons, weeding, and, just like you, we were searching for a missing calf- and her mom! One of our dry cows managed to sneak out to pasture with the rest of the herd. But she didn’t come back. The biggest problem was that she was due to calve any day! Of course, when we finally found her, it was obvious she calved! Now we had to find her baby, too. Luckily we got them both back to the barn(and out of the woods, past the creek and up the steep hill-how did she get there?!) before dark. Now it’s back to weeding…
Alexandra Wilson says: Our lives do sound very parallel right now! I hope the weeds are staying at bay and your cows are staying home!
Laura R. says: Hi Alex, your life sure keeps you hopping! I like the title of your story; it felt kind of like a Nancy Drew mystery :))) And the suspense! I am glad baby calf found its way home to mama. And that your newborn can’t run; she looks much happier sitting with you reading or hanging with the chickweed. And I love that Ava is developing her ninja skills ! Such a fun read, and you look radishing too !!
Laura R. says: Hi Alex, your life sure keeps you hopping! I like the title of your story; it felt kind of like a Nancy Drew mystery :))) And the suspense! I am glad baby calf found its way home to mama. And that your newborn can’t run; she looks much happier sitting with you reading or hanging with the chickweed. And I love that Ava is developing her ninja skills ! Such a fun read, and you look radishing too !!
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Laura! I am in Minnesota at my mom’s house, and we used to read Nancy Drew together when I was a kid. Maybe that’s what inspired the title :)? I am SO happy newborn humans can’t run. The other two are enough to chase around, for now. Hope this finds you well!
Joan says: WOW!!
In prepping for this post, I looked up the etymology of the word “Solstice.” It breaks down to two Latin root words–sol: “sun” and “stice” or –stit: stationary, stopped. This is an apt description of solstice, especially in Alaska. The sun is stuck in the sky!
Soaring high under the midnight sun (well…8:30 p.m. sun!)
Susabelle says: The biggest problem of needing recharging is feeling guilty about canceling plans. But sometimes, that’s what you need to do. Give it the 2-2-2 rule. Will this matter in two hours, two days, two weeks? Or for bigger things, will this matter in two weeks, two months, two years? Give things the priority and weight they require, and you will be happier.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks for the tip, Susabelle! I’ll have to keep that in my back pocket during these busy years of motherhood. I hope you are great!
Jennifer Chappell says: I know just what you mean! The weeks leading up to Midsummer seem to build in their intensity and, by the time the Wheel turns to Midsummer, I’m just an emotional mess. But, as soon as it passes and we start turning towards the harvest, I feel like I can breathe again. That’s when summer feels joyous!
Alexandra Wilson says: Yes, Jennifer! I totally agree. Bring on the growth and dog days of summer!
Marilyn says: Thank You for this interesting update. The girls are beautiful. Sorry about your dog.
Marilyn
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Marilyn!
Joan says: God bless you all! Great post!
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you, Joan!
Laura R. says: As someone who feels as you do, about down time at home, I am happy you found your balance. And being with your sweet family, I’m sure, is a great curative. Keep taking care of yourself first, so you can care for others !!
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Laura. I am happy I can find it, too! And yes, we have some truly precious, curative moments together. There is a lot of wisdom packed into those little people.
I loved this post Alex. And wow can I relate. I recently read an article about what it means to be an “Introverted Extrovert” and it described me to a Tee! 🙂
Your girls are so darling and growing up so fast. That little Fern though… what a darling baby. I know I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again; I love your girls names. So sweet.
Happy Farming!
Dori, Ranch Farmgirl
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you, Dori!
They are pretty darling, aren’t they? It’s pretty cool to see them learn and grow every day.
Happy farming and beautifying to you, too!
Missy Whaley says: Balance in our lives when raising small children is the key to inner peace that allows us to succeed in one of the most purposeful contributions to our world. Raising our children mindfully with imprinting a deep connection with the natural world grows them with a deep appreciation for what supports their aliveness. Thank you for sharing.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Missy! I whole heartedly agree, and I’m doing my best 🙂
Sandi says: First so sorry for your losing a loved pet. Muskeg was a beauty. We also buried a loved pet that belonged to my sister-in-law this last week. She had gotten run over by a speeding vehicle, and we buried her in our yard as we own this land and my sister-in-law rented.
Secondly, your children are adorable. I also loved all those flowers Ava is in the middle of. I also am an introvert and I understand how we need our alone time to re-energize. I don’t know about living with a solstice; months of daylight and/or months of darkness. It would take some getting used to. I enjoyed this post and all those pictures you posted. I hope the rest of the summer is a wonderful time for you and your family.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you, Sandi! Luckily the solstice times seem to pass pretty quickly and then we’re back to a balance of night and day (but that seems to pass quickly, too!). Hope you are great!
maureen bruner says: I have given myself permission “to not”. It is ok to not_________.(fill in the blank!). When some one is really pressuring me to do something that infringes on my time, I tell them “I will pray on that and get back to you”. It stops the hard sell in its tracks! If you don’t take care of yourself, you aren’t any good to anyone else and family always comes first. Enjoy your family.
Many Blessings.
Maureen
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Maureen! That is a good and wise tactic–providing time to decide. I recently heard this gem, “Saying yes to one thing means saying no to something else.” It’s so true! Also truth–family comes first. Thank you!
Deb Bosworth says: Hi Alex!
Such a wonderful post! I can relate to your feeling like you want to hide out and just enjoy quiet moments of solitude with your family. It’s hard to find that balance sometimes. When we were homeschooling we could have been out doing something every single day. There were always great offerings within our community for learning with groups, classes and play dates. We participated in a lot of different events etc… But our favorite times together were cuddled up in our pj’s listening to books on tape ( back in the day that was a thing ). We’re all still like that but now we listen to podcasts or binge watch something on Netflix… LOL
I could just feel time standing still for you on your weekend at home. I’m so sorry for the loss of your farm dog. It’s never easy to lose a furry family member. Farmgirl Hugs!
Deb
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you, Deb! I am pretty involved with the homeschool community here and those are some of the busiest kids I know! People who doubt that homeschooling allows for proper socialization are very mistaken :). The girls and I like to listen to kid focused podcasts and stories, too! It’s such a nice way to wind down together.
Muskeg was an old man for his size–twelve years! He had a wonderful life on the farm and in the mountains but he will be missed. Thanks for the checkin!
Hello Farmgirls!
As promised, the newest addition to the Wilder clan has arrived…and it’s another new Farmgirl! We couldn’t be happier to introduce little miss Fern Ruth Wilder, born at home at 6:37 a.m. on Tuesday, April 3. She was very content in my belly and apparently didn’t want to come earthside until the “last minute” (I was 18 hours away from timing out of midwifery care because of some arbitrary rules in Alaska regarding out-of-hospital births). While I believe babies almost always come when they are ready and we should generally wait for them–I was so ready to meet the newest member of our family (and so were so many other people, of course!).
Marlene Capelle says: congrats. very beautiful.
Oh Alex!!!! I’ve been thinking about you so much. I LOVE your birth story. So happy that sweet little Fern arrived (finally) and that you didn’t have to go to the hospital! That is such an amazing accomplishment after such a hard labor and delivery. And oh she’s precious. And Ava and Opal are growing up so beautifully! I love these pictures of them adoring their sweet baby sissy! Loads of love to you, farmgirl friend!
xoxoxo
Dori
Ramona Puckett says: Congratulations! What a beautiful baby girl and your other girls!
Laura R. says: Hi Alex, Congratulations on your safe and successful birth !! What a great story. We all treasure our birth stories, yet yours seems to hold extra warmth and depth. What a great loving, strong, and brave way to enter the world! And to welcome the newest member of your wonderful family. Best wishes for continued happiness !!
Lisa Strange says: She is so beautiful! Congratulations!
Congratulations! What a sweet story. (Probably not so sweet as you were going through labor, but the reward is worth it.) Happiness to you all.
Bonnie Ellis says: Wow! A lot of pain and waiting but sure worth it! The picture of the three girls is priceless! Congratulations.
Linda says: Congratulations! And good work!
Joy says: Loved it all! So happy for you and your fam! Just beautiful ! I love all girls! Congratulations !!!!
Lynn Blagden says: Congratulations on your newest addition to your wonderful family!
Almost 40 years ago I had a home birth experience with my second son, who, unlike Fern, came very fast. My husband and I had been at a midwife birth class session (on C sections, no less.) We drove home and I started with strong contractions (think I was in transition.) My water broke and we had to call the midwives to come from 20-30 miles away. I delivered my second son standing up with my husband catching the baby. When the midwives came, my husband cut the cord and I was shocked to hear he weighed 10 lbs, 10 oz., about 3 lbs. more than my first.
Wishing you all the best and thank you for sharing your birth experience.
Denise says: Congratulations Alex and Evan. So excited to meet Fern. Was a tough labouring time fir you all. So glad you’re all well and taking time out to really rest and enjoy your family.
Big hugs from Australia
Denise
Sandi King says: Oh, wow! Both my boys were born within 8 hours of first labor pains. I feel for you! What a wonderful gorgeous trio of girls you have, and such an amazing husband, too. Congratulations and best of everything for all of you. An adventure for sure.
Marilyn says: Congratulations to all. Welcome to the world Fern Ruth. God Bless.
Marilyn
maureen bruner says: Beautiful. Blessings to all of you!
Joan says: Congratulations!! Another beautiful girl, she is blessed to have 2 fantastic ‘big’ sisters. God bless you all.
Pamela deMarrais says: You are an amazingly strong woman. I’m so glad that you got to have Fern at home! Congratulations!
Judy from Maine says: God bless you and your beautiful family.
Linda Clayton says: So happy for you all, God bless.
Hello Farmgirls!
As promised, the newest addition to the Wilder clan has arrived…and it’s another new Farmgirl! We couldn’t be happier to introduce little miss Fern Ruth Wilder, born at home at 6:37 a.m. on Tuesday, April 3. She was very content in my belly and apparently didn’t want to come earthside until the “last minute” (I was 18 hours away from timing out of midwifery care because of some arbitrary rules in Alaska regarding out-of-hospital births). While I believe babies almost always come when they are ready and we should generally wait for them–I was so ready to meet the newest member of our family (and so were so many other people, of course!).
Marlene Capelle says: congrats. very beautiful.
Oh Alex!!!! I’ve been thinking about you so much. I LOVE your birth story. So happy that sweet little Fern arrived (finally) and that you didn’t have to go to the hospital! That is such an amazing accomplishment after such a hard labor and delivery. And oh she’s precious. And Ava and Opal are growing up so beautifully! I love these pictures of them adoring their sweet baby sissy! Loads of love to you, farmgirl friend!
xoxoxo
Dori
Ramona Puckett says: Congratulations! What a beautiful baby girl and your other girls!
Laura R. says: Hi Alex, Congratulations on your safe and successful birth !! What a great story. We all treasure our birth stories, yet yours seems to hold extra warmth and depth. What a great loving, strong, and brave way to enter the world! And to welcome the newest member of your wonderful family. Best wishes for continued happiness !!
Lisa Strange says: She is so beautiful! Congratulations!
Congratulations! What a sweet story. (Probably not so sweet as you were going through labor, but the reward is worth it.) Happiness to you all.
Bonnie Ellis says: Wow! A lot of pain and waiting but sure worth it! The picture of the three girls is priceless! Congratulations.
Linda says: Congratulations! And good work!
Joy says: Loved it all! So happy for you and your fam! Just beautiful ! I love all girls! Congratulations !!!!
Lynn Blagden says: Congratulations on your newest addition to your wonderful family!
Almost 40 years ago I had a home birth experience with my second son, who, unlike Fern, came very fast. My husband and I had been at a midwife birth class session (on C sections, no less.) We drove home and I started with strong contractions (think I was in transition.) My water broke and we had to call the midwives to come from 20-30 miles away. I delivered my second son standing up with my husband catching the baby. When the midwives came, my husband cut the cord and I was shocked to hear he weighed 10 lbs, 10 oz., about 3 lbs. more than my first.
Wishing you all the best and thank you for sharing your birth experience.
Denise says: Congratulations Alex and Evan. So excited to meet Fern. Was a tough labouring time fir you all. So glad you’re all well and taking time out to really rest and enjoy your family.
Big hugs from Australia
Denise
Sandi King says: Oh, wow! Both my boys were born within 8 hours of first labor pains. I feel for you! What a wonderful gorgeous trio of girls you have, and such an amazing husband, too. Congratulations and best of everything for all of you. An adventure for sure.
Marilyn says: Congratulations to all. Welcome to the world Fern Ruth. God Bless.
Marilyn
maureen bruner says: Beautiful. Blessings to all of you!
Joan says: Congratulations!! Another beautiful girl, she is blessed to have 2 fantastic ‘big’ sisters. God bless you all.
Pamela deMarrais says: You are an amazingly strong woman. I’m so glad that you got to have Fern at home! Congratulations!
Judy from Maine says: God bless you and your beautiful family.
Linda Clayton says: So happy for you all, God bless.
Happy spring to one and all! Today felt very springlike up here in Alaska. The snow that has piled up over the past few weeks was soft and slushy, eaves and gutters dripped with snow melt, wooded areas were alive with calling birds and there was a palpable energy “springing” forth from all of the places and people I visited with today.
My midwife came by today and delivered a few things for the upcoming birth of Baby Wilder #3 who should be here within the next few days or weeks! We are now playing the waiting game. I’ve had some significant contractions, but nothing even close to consistent…just my body training for the real deal. It is pretty amazing what the female body does to keep the human race chugging along!
My big decorated belly. Baby Wilder is still cooking away!
Nicki says: I love this idea! Blessings to you and your family as your welcome your new baby!
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you, Nicki!
Ramona Puckett says: What a great idea! You have some good friends and they are such a blessing to you and your family. Congratulations on the new baby and I will look forward to your next post!
Alexandra Wilson says: They are a blessing! I’m so grateful for them and their support. Thank you, Ramona!
Mary B says: What a wonderful idea. I hope you and baby Wilder have an uneventful delivery. Look forward to next chapter and pictures.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you, Mary!
Carol says: Alex … What a fabulous idea to gather friends for some much needed help and girl time. I love it. All the best to you as this pregnancy comes to a close. I can’t wait to meet the new babe! Good Luck, Carol
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you, Carol!
Laura R. says: What a fantastic idea! I know you adopted it from another culture but you gave it your own individual touch. What a great way to support and nurture an expecting mom. I think it is better than any baby shower I have been to. Wouldn’t it be nice if you started a new trend. I like it!
I can’t wait to see your new babe. Blessings to you and your family.
Deb Bosworth says: Hi Alex!
What a great idea. We gals know how to help each other out when asked and given direction. You are learning while your babes are young so good for you and all of your girlfriends for pulling together and creating time to work, play and create some good vibes for baby # 3… Can’t wait to meet the new addition!
Wishing you a quick and UN-complicated delivery. Doesn’t hurt to put that out there!
Deb
Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind. ~Bruce Lee
Whew! What a month! The second half of January and first half of February have been a doozy for the Wilders. We (well…I) have been sick for the last three weeks. Ugh. It is finally passing and I’ve been going out into the non-grocery store and healthcare appointments world. I am fairly certain we had one of the influenzas tear through our home (fevers, body aches, general delirium, inability to move for more than ten minutes, loss of appetite, nose and chest crud, etc.); and I’ve had a lingering, exhausting cough that has been driving me bonkers! I’ve had the cough for going on three weeks, but it is much improved and doesn’t leave me exhausted by noon anymore. Ava estimated that it would be over in six days. I have a feeling her intuitive diagnosis is very close to reality! There is a light at the end of the tunnel!
Sick mama means lots of pajama days and books for the girls.
My mother grew up in Kansas, and there were stories she heard and has re-told of women going “crazy” on the prairie due to the wind. There were stories of women who killed their families after being left to fend against it with their children while the man-folk were gone. I don’t know how true those stories are, but I am definitely affected by wind. Not the winds from a little thunderstorm, but ongoing, terrible winds. In Colorado, we get those, mostly in winter, and usually before a big storm. This past weekend we had wind, but it was warm (in the 60’s) so I had clothes on the line. Every time I looked out at them, they were blowing up so high they were parallel to the ground. I didn’t lose any of the clothes, and they dried quickly! 🙂
Alexandra Wilson says: Ha! I love that image. I was hoping to find stories from the Dust Bowl or other similar times in the Great Plains, but didn’t come across any. Admittedly, I didn’t look too long :). The winds definitely made me and my friends feel crazy!
Marilyn says: Happy to hear that you are feeling better. Those winds are awful. Spring is not far off. We did have some snow the other day here in New York. I am planning the flowers to purchase and cleaning out the front of left over leaves. My sister spotted a Hyacinth popping up in a pot we had left. The Lily is starting to sprout again. One neighbor’s crocus has poked its head out already. Also planning to seed the front yard. The grass is brown right now. Enjoy planning your garden. That picture of Ava and Opal is so cute.
Marilyn
Alexandra Wilson says: Oh! So exciting that the spring bulbs are popping up. I love how they look poking through the snow.
Joan says: I live where, ‘if it isn’t, tied, nailed, welded down or VERY HEAVY!’ placing it in your yard is not advisable, a lot of the time. I still try. And yes this too shall pass. Hope y’all get well real soon. Best wishes for up coming event. God bless.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Joan! We are all feeling much better–the crud hit us a few weeks ago and my cough is the last remnants of it. I like the quote!
Joy says: Great blog! You always give us something to think about! Here in rural New York it has been really cold . Then a few days of above freezing temps gives us the light that , yes, Spring is coming !
Alexandra Wilson says: It is coming! The longer days remind me of that every morning when I wake up, and it isn’t pitch black anymore. However, right now we are in the middle of a snow storm. I love how much spring teases us with sunshine, ephemeral flowers and late snow storms.
Monica says: What a lovely article. I had visions of all that wind. Living in the midwest we deal with that quite a bit, mostly in the winter. I’ve had the crud also, but this too shall pass….along with the coughing…ugh. Today, we are receiving freezing rain so I’m using my egg shells from my hens to start my seedlings…..whoo hoo. It doesn’t take much to make me happy. In reference to the prairie ladies suffering more from the wind….I have a dear elderly friend who shared with me that her grandmother committed suicide because she couldn’t take the wind anymore…therefore leaving her mother and siblings as orphans because I believe the father had died prior to that…this would have been in Kansas. I know when the wind howls here it can be deafening and some what annoying but we keep plugging on. I wonder if I put earplugs in if that would block it out…lol. I pray for healing from the crud for you and a healthy pregnancy and warmer sunny days are coming.
Alexandra Wilson says: What a good freezing rain day activity. I haven’t even ordered seeds yet…hopefully I’ll get at least a few things seeded before it’s too late! It is nice to get hands in soil even if it is within the confines of a house or garage. What a tragic story about your friend’s grandmother. I can see how persistent wind combined with drought could drive an already grieving, overwhelmed, under-supported person to the edge. What a loss.
Luckily we have bid adieu to the crud and are looking forward to enjoying some spring snow before it melts (or blows away!). Thanks for your well wishes!
Susan a says: You should stock up on some herbs.,,,astragulus is for anything viral, bactetia and fungus relief, .it fight those . Echinacea is great to fight tooth infections or blood infections. Both echinacea and astragulus and garlic together will fight cancers, flu and influenza. Milkthistle will speed up most recovery because it clean the liver out; everything goes thru the liver. I got thru that nasty flu bug by taking those and drinking lemon water ( squeeze two lemons and add 8 ounces of water to it).
Happy New Year, Farmgirl sisters! If you haven’t noticed, it’s been a cold January for nearly every corner of the United States at some point this month. My family and I have been in Minnesota and North Dakota for the past two weeks and have seen temperatures as low as -30–and that was without the wind chill! Where we live in Alaska has been surprisingly warm, with some days registering nearly eighty degrees warmer than spots in the Midwest.
Leaving balmy Alaska for the frigid lower 48. That doesn’t sound right!
Joan says: We’re in Colorado, not enough snow yet but the COLD has been too much BUT our cold is nothing compared to what y’all experienced. Your time sounded like fun, love those times with family. The girls art work is very nice. And congrats on the soon to be new addition, stay well. God bless.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Joan! I do enjoy short stints in the extreme cold, especially with family to spend the extra indoor time.
Dori Troutman says: Hi Alex!
Looks like you’ve been having a wonderful time “outside” Alaska!
I can’t believe you got to make the Aebleskiver’s!!!!! I want to make some SO BADLY. I bet they tasted amazing. Were they hard to make? I just need to buy a pan and get going!
And so excited that you are expecting again!!! Yay for babies!!!
Hugs,
Dori, the Ranch Farmgirl
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Dori! I was pretty giddy when my mom showed me the pan. They were not difficult, but they are pretty time sensitive. They seem like something that you have to make by themselves–no multi-tasking with making bacon and coffee and brainstorming dinner at the same time! Luckily, you can make them ahead of time and they heat up really well in a toaster oven or are still tasty at room temperature. I also attribute using lots of butter in each well to ensure that flipping was easy (and the results nice and buttery). They were SO good!
Kerrie H says: Hi Alex- Enjoyed your latest post espcially since I live in Lake County, CA just about 10 miles from Red Hills Rd! Our county is covered in beautiful vineyards. Congratulations on baby 3. God’s blessings to your family.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you! I bet that vineyard would be so fun to visit with all of those sheep wandering around, sounds pristine!
Carol O says: Appreciate your sharing these moments. We live in Massachusetts and love New England. Beautiful family.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you!
Joy says: I love the forced seclusion . Except for going out to feed and water the chickens twice a day, I’ve been baking bread and crock potting soups and knitting up a storm . I’ve learned how to make socks! Once a weeks we girls meet at a library one town away and for two hours and have a blast! Sounds like your doing all the right things with the kids and having fun doing it this winter. I even love knitting while listening to audio books on my iPad. Love your blogs , oh and congratulations on the new addition to the family ! Maybe a boy this time?
Alexandra Wilson says: Maybe! We are keeping it a surprise like the other two. We know it will be a human baby :). You knit socks!? How cool. I can barely knit a scarf, haha! Knitting is the perfect winter activity, I’m hoping when the kids are a little older we can all take lessons from grandma. Take care!
Amanda says: Congrats on baby #3 on the way!!! I’m glad you all had some well deserved time with your families. However, we sympathize with you regarding the temperatures-especially my daughters! We had wind chills of 20 below and I’ve never heard my girls whine as much as they did when it came to doing milking/barn chores. On a side note, they never got chores done so quickly before, either-gave them extra time to draw pictures on the frosty windows! There’s nothing like a 40 degree heifer barn to warm you up when it’s super cold outside! They would spend the rest of milking bundled up in the parlor, cats on their laps, reading books. Like your family, my youngest is reading the Little House series and loving it! Oldest is rereading The Hunger Games. Enjoy your balmy Alaska weather and God Bless!
Alexandra Wilson says: Oh, I love the image of your girls reading with their cats in the parlor. Milking cows in frigid temperatures is very nice, I remember it fondly and hope to do it again sometime soon. Farm chores in the cold are definitely more of a “chore” but you are right–the cold definitely encourages quick work. Thanks for sharing!
Diane Van Horn says: I love the winters here in Wisconsin and I was amazed that we were colder than Alaska for a couple of weeks. Congratulations on baby number three!
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you! Wisconsin winters are beautiful. I lived in Madison for five years, so I got a good dose of it. I miss being able to make HUGE snow balls! We don’t get good snowball snow very often in AK. Hope you’re enjoying the more playable temps 🙂
Krista says: Congratulations on your pregnancy! How exciting! I am currently pregnant with my 3rd and I’m due in April as well. I actually don’t feel prepared at all this time around. This baby is a girl and my other 2 are boys. I feel like I have no idea how to raise a girl, but I’m super excited to meet her! Your adventures to the Midwest look like so much fun, despite those cold temperatures. We are suppose to finally get a good snow storm this weekend and I’m really looking forward to it. We will finally be able to take the boys out and play in the snow. In the meantime we have spent many hours cuddling on the couch and reading books. Good luck with the remainder of your pregnancy!
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you, Krista–Good luck to you, too! I have a feeling you’ll do just great with a baby girl. I hope you get some snow and some great play time in it!
Marilyn says: Thank You for sharing your visits. Ava and Opal are getting so big. They are beautiful. I love the photo of Opal reading to her stuffed animals. Congratulations on Baby#3. God Bless.
Marilyn
Sandi says: Congratulations Alex on baby # 3. Going from Alaska to a much colder Midwest must seem amazing to you and your girls. Pictures of them in the snow with those bright red cheeks are wonderful memory making days. I am glad you all had so much fun and were able to visit with your families. The food you talk about reminds me of small pancakes I make for myself topped with real butter and sometimes syrup. Yum! Guess I’ll go make some now. Spring is just around the corner as some here like to remind us.
Susan Lazarou says: Always enjoy your ramblings…wish I was able to tolerate the cold…give me a hot belly stove day is an any time kind of day to read a good book…got two completed and working on a third..God’s puzzle Solved by Art Mokarow…great reading always comforts my soul..
Pamela deMarrais says: I love your posts! You are such a wonderful mom, and I’m excited to know that you are adding a new baby to your precious family!
I am in Colorado. Now that it is February, apparently Winter is having her say. I do love winter…it’s my “down time,” but that really means I’m just busy doing things indoors instead of out. Many of my weekends have been about creating inventory for the craft shows I’ll do this year. That time is very relaxing for me, even when a project isn’t going so great. I don’t watch television/netflix, so that won’t occupy my time. I’ve done an awful lot of sewing, and have a full bin of new inventory in bright, cheerful colors, ready to be on display at the first fair of the year in April. I love winter. It is the only time I actually sleep long nights, instead of very short ones.
is a certified farmgirl at heart. She’s happily married to her beach bum Yankee husband of 20 years. She went from career gal to being a creative homeschooling mom for two of her biggest blessings and hasn’t looked back since. Debbie left her lifelong home in the high desert of Northern Nevada 10 years ago and washed up on the shore of America’s hometown, Plymouth, MA, where she and her family are now firmly planted. They spend part of each summer in a tiny, off–grid beach cottage named “The Sea Horse.”
“I found a piece of my farmgirl heart when I discovered MaryJanesFarm. Suddenly, everything I loved just made more sense! I enjoy unwinding at the beach, writing, gardening, and turning yard-sale furniture into ‘Painted Ladies’ I’m passionate about living a creative life and encouraging others to ‘make each day their masterpiece.’”
is a “MaryJane Farmgirl” who lives in a large metropolitan area. She is a lawyer who has worked in both criminal defense and prosecution. She has been a judge, a business woman and a stay-at-home mom. In addition to her law degree, she has a Masters of Theological Studies.
“Mustering up the courage to do the things you dream about,” she says, “is the essence of being a MaryJane Farmgirl.” Learning to live more organically and closer to nature is Rebekah’s current pursuit. She finds strength and encouragement through MaryJane’s writings, life, and products. And MaryJane’s Farmgirl Connection provides her a wealth of knowledge from true-blue farmgirls.
an old-fashioned farmgirl with a pioneer spirit, lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. As a “lifelong learner” in the “Live-Free-or-Die” state, she fiercely values self-reliance, independence, freedom, and fresh mountain air. Married to her childhood sweetheart of 40+ years (a few of them “uphill climbs”), she’s had plenty of time to reinvent herself. From museum curator, restaurant owner, homeschool mom/conference speaker, to post-and-beam house builder and entrepreneur, she’s also a multi-media artist, with an obsession for off-grid living and alternative housing. Cathi owns and operates a 32-room mountain lodge. Her specialty has evolved to include “hermit hospitality” at her rustic cabin in the mountains, where she offers weekend workshops of special interest to women.
“Mountains speak to my soul, and farming is an important part of my heritage. I want to pass on my love of these things to others through my writing. Living in the mountains has its own particular challenges, but I delight in turning them into opportunities from which we can all learn and grow.”
Dori Troutman is the daughter of second generation cattle ranchers in New Mexico. She grew up working and playing on the ranch that her grandparents homesteaded in 1928. That ranch, with the old adobe home, is still in the family today. Dori and her husband always yearned for a ranch of their own. That dream came true when they retired to the beautiful green rolling hills of Tennessee. Truly a cattleman’s paradise!
Dori loves all things farmgirl and actually has known no other life but that. She loves to cook, craft, garden, and help with any and all things on their cattle farm.
describes herself as a goat charmer, chicken whisperer, bee maven, and farmers’ market baker renovating an 1864 farmhouse on an Ohio farm. With a degree in Design, Mary says small-town auctions and country road barn sales "always make my heart skip a beat thinking about what I could create or design out of what I’ve seen.”
Rooted in the countryside, she likes simple things and old ways … gardening, preserving the harvest, cooking, baking, and all things home. While you might find her selling baked goods from the farm’s milkhouse, teaching herself to play the fiddle, or sprucing up a vintage camper named Maizy, you will always find her in an apron!
Mary says, “I’m happiest with the simple country pleasures … an old farmhouse, too many animals, a crackling fire, books to read, and the sound of laughter … these make life just perfect.”
is a budding rural farmgirl living in Palmer, the agricultural seat of Alaska. Alex is a graduate student at Alaska Pacific University pursuing an M.S. in Outdoor and Environmental Education. She lives and works on the university’s 700 acre environmental education center, Spring Creek Farm. When Alex has time outside of school, she loves to rock climb, repurpose found objects, cross-country ski on the hay fields, travel, practice yoga, and cook with new-fangled ingredients.
Alex grew up near the Twin Cities and went to college in Madison, Wisconsin—both places where perfectly painted barns and rolling green farmland are just a short drive away. After college, she taught at a rural middle school in South Korea where she biked past verdant rice paddies and old women selling home-grown produce from sidewalk stoops. She was introduced to MaryJanesFarm after returning, and found in it what she’d been searching for—a group of incredible women living their lives in ways that benefit their families, their communities, and the greater environment. What an amazing group of farmgirls to be a part of!
Suburban Farmgirl Nicole Christensen calls herself a “vintage enthusiast”. Born and raised in Texas, she has lived most of her life in the picturesque New England suburbs of Connecticut, just a stone’s throw from New York State. An Advanced Master Gardener, she has gardened since childhood, in several states and across numerous planting zones. In addition, she teaches knitting classes, loves to preserve, and raises backyard chickens.
Married over thirty years to her Danish-born sweetheart, Nicole has worked in various fields, been a world-traveler, an entrepreneur and a homemaker, but considers being mom to her now-adult daughter her greatest accomplishment. Loving all things creative, Nicole considers her life’s motto to be “Bloom where you are planted”.
I love the Fall season and all the months. October is great because usually the air is clearer and crisper. The leaves start to turn into the beautiful colors. Also Halloween is right around the corner. I enjoy the nice decorations,no creepy ones. Thank you for the recipes. Your girls are beautiful. God Bless.
Marilyn
I enjoy your posts…..feel like I am right there with you…..u are living the dream with that beautiful family Best wishes always….
Can you dehydrate Brussels sprouts? I just bought a dehydrator this year, for the apples from my daughter’s back yard tree, but haven’t tried it yet…
Can you pickle Brussels sprouts?
Thanks for an interesting article! 🙂
This could be adapted for frozen sprouts
Brussels Sprouts Gratin
45 minutes to prepare serves 6
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 pounds brussels sprouts, halved
• 8 oz. bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup fontina cheese, grated, optional
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 egg
• 1 sprig rosemary, minced
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 400º F.
2. Toss brussel sprouts in olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Place them in a large baking dish and roast for 15-20 minutes, or until semi-softened.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together egg, heavy cream, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder and red pepper flakes (if using), then stir in cheeses.
4. Remove brussel sprouts from oven and add 3/4 bacon to the baking dish. Pour cheese mixture over the top and stir everything together, then top with remaining bacon.
5. Reduce oven temperature to 350º, return baking dish to oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and just set.
6. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes before serving.
Your farm girls have a blessed life !! And I love brussels sprouts. My latest favorite is smashed sprouts. I soften them by boiling, and smash them flat on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with olive oil and salt, and top with grated cheese. And bake them to yumminess… Enjoy all those sprouts of yours :)))
Alex, thank you for the recipes on brussels sprouts – I have never ate any but I am willing to try them now since you gave recipes on how to cook them. They do sound delicious – hope they really are. I need more greens in my diet. I love cooked cabbage and you mention they may smell like that when cooking so I am willing to try them. I don’t care for cauliflower and I have tried it – it’s not about the taste but the crumbling which gets under my dentures. Maybe if I mashed them like potatoes they would be better eating. LOL. I have seen that on TV. I think a lot of food that is fresh is better tasting and yet we have to buy what our stores provide which I am sure is not always so fresh as so much comes from long distances. Thanks for blogging and sharing your life with us. It is always entertaining reading and I look forward to them. Have a good day.