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!)
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.
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.
What better way to figure out how to get through writer’s block than to write about it, right? It has to get something flowing…
Turn on weird ethereal music (Radiohead’s 2016 release)
Watch birds at feeders outside windows for a bit.
…
Make some tea.
I spend quite a bit of time mentally preparing my writings, generally just thinking about a topic and how I want to narrow it down and connect it to other happenings in life or lore. Often, while doing something, I’ll note to myself that it would be a good topic to put into writing. I intended to write this blog post about winter birds and bird feeders (after making bird feeders with the girls), spending time close to nature, and solstice preparations (both physical and mental!). However, now that I’m sitting down to write, I can’t find the words. My mind is locked into holiday preparations.
Nature-inspired additions to Opal’s gingerbread house: Snails and a mushrooms (Opal assisted).
Dori Troutman says: Hi Alex,
Oh I was so happy to read that you suffer from the same sort of writers block that I suffer from! 🙂 Sometimes the words just don’t want to come!
I’ve been to Alaska once in the wintertime and I will admit it was very unsettling for me! It might’ve gotten light for a few hours each day but honestly I don’t remember that it did. It seemed like it was dark all day! 🙂 I’m a sunshine person so I really struggled with it.
MaryJane’s cast iron book is AMAZING!!! I’m on the lookout for the Aebleskiver pan too… but was it my imagination or do those look really hard to make??? I’ve got to try for no other reason than to prove to myself I can do it! And for the fact that they look oh so yummy!
Happy Holidays to you and yours Alex!
– Dori –
Alexandra Wilson says: The Aebleskiver definitely look tricky, but worth the challenge if successful! My husband has a lot of Danish in him so he has some fond memories of Aebleskiver. I think the pan would make some great Brazilian Pao bread (a tapioca bread that I usually make in a mini muffin tin, but I’d like to move away from the non-stick bakeware). Hope your holidays are merry and bright!
Joan says: I think you do wonderfully! I also know the ‘funk’, had it right after I got over bronchitis but, I have a special place to go to and a special One to pray to and by golly it works. I will go to that place for you. Yes those little girls are way cute!! Take care and God bless. As my grandchildren say——- love ya Nana
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks Joan! Those special places and inspirations are so important to keep close. Hope your holidays are joyous! Blessings to you as well 🙂
Jennifer says: Happy Yule! Blessings to you and yours!
Joy says: That was a delight to read. I put tiny white lights around the house in winter that makes things more fun. I leave them up all year. We put on timer and at night while watching Netflix it is cozy. The girls could make a bird journal and keep track of what comes to the feeder . Have a Merry Christmas and I think I better look into that cook book. I use my skillet all the time. Sometimes three times a day!
Krista says: I agree. This time of year can definitely put you in a funk and I think having small children running around makes you tired in general, which doesn’t help with the lack of motivation. This is exactly how I have felt this last week. What really throws me off is not having snow. We just barely got some snow yesterday. It wasn’t much, but it’s sticking so far. But without snow it makes the holidays not feel right so I hope the little we got will stay. I received the new Cast Iron book as well and I am super excited to dive right in and try the recipes! They are all very drool worthy! Have a wonderful Christmas and great New Year!
Marilyn says: I loved this post. We enjoy watching the birds,too. We have several Cardinals come in our back yard. Once in a while a Woodpecker comes on our nut tree. Wishing you and yours a Blessed Christmas and a Happy,Healthy 2018.
Marilyn and family
maureen bruner says: Thanks for the lovely trip to AK. It is a beautiful place, to visit! I must admit that I told my husband “Next wife next life, just send money” when he applied for jobs there. I am a sunshine person, so CO suits me much better in the long winter months. I don’t think I could have survived the long dark periods. Staying busy with your little ones is such a blessing. I am an avid wildlife watcher and I think we’re going to try those pinecone treats and see who visits our house!
Many blessings and much joy!
Maureen
Sandi King says: Alex, I think I would sleep all the time without sunshine to brighten the day. Today is rainy and turning much colder as I sit here with you, reading your blog. The rain is more like tiny ice crystals when it lands on you, and we are expecting snow later on. I too, am getting away from the non-stick cookware. I got a Lodge cast iron griddle for a Christmas present which I will use from now on. I was baking rolls and accidentally left my teflon coated griddle and a small teflon coated fry pan in the oven and it ruined the coating and surface of the pans so I threw them out. We are going to try a small copper fry pan as soon as I find one. We have about 5 cast iron fry pans in different sizes.I use the smaller size to bake cornbread in. Our electric fry pan is also a teflon type coating and I don’t like it at all so don’t use it much. It was a gift. I like feeding the birds in the winter and have coated pine cones with the peanut butter and seed filling many years. I also make a suet type and put that in onion net bags and hang them up on the bird feeder poles. Birds love it all. I agree that the girls should start writing a journal on birds that come to the feeders; and take pictures if possible and date the entries so years later they will have this record to read. It will be interesting no doubt. Until next year then.
Susan a says: Im going to try that recipe…saved it…,for next years Christmas gifts. Thanks for the share. Susana
There isn’t much I love more in the world than brand new snow. After falling asleep in a world that is largely brown and barren it is such a treat to wake up to a glittering, sparkling snowfall–reflecting a million little sunrises back at us. “Isn’t it beautiful?!” I gasp and ask my children. This time of year can be a gift with the first few snowfalls often melting between each event.
The girls admiring the morning snow fall.
Laura R. says: Hi ! Your girls are so sweet, nature-loving, fun-loving cuties !!! I live in the Northeast and have not had any snowfall as yet, and even my first killing frost came in November. Snow does bring extra work, but I always was happier in the winter with a ground cover of snow. And thanks to your insight, I am looking forward to the magic of winter snow. Whenever it comes !!! Happy Thanksgiving !
I’ve been making homemade marshmallows thus last month. They are divine!! Can’t wait to try your hot chocolate 🙂
Peggy Smith says: Thanks for sharing your snow and stories. I also love snow but live in Southwest Missouri.
We rarely see even snow flakes. I truly miss it being from Northern ILL.
I read christmas books and watch Christmas movies to enjoy snow.
Happy Thanksgiving.
MS Barb says: I LOVE the snow! (don’t care for icy roads though!) Thank you for sharing your healthy hot cocoa recipe! (Have you read the ingredients on the boxes of the commercial hot cocoa? scary!) THANKS again!
Angela F Hajzak says: Thank you for sharing your snow stories. I have always loved snow and sometimes I feel that I am the only one who has appreciation for it. You made my day!
Marilyn says: Your girls look so happy playing in the snow. Wishing you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving.
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
Joan says: Super fun posting! God Bless
Marilyn Berger says: What a beautiful homage to Winter! In Mt.Shasta, California , the mountain is covered with snow and we are waiting to it to fall below 5,000 feet on this warm and windy Thanksgiving morning.
An hour a day in outside activity is a great idea!
Thank you much for sharing your receipents! I’ll use it as a reward in reverse: go outside for an hour and then I can have cocoa!
Marilyn
Old Edgewood Farm
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks Marilyn! Hope your Thanksgiving was lovely.
Sandi King says: Today is Thanksgiving Day no snow! sunshine! 56 degrees! Air is on cool side, sort of brisk. Maybe by Christmas we will get snow, some anyway. I don’t expect we will get very much again this year. We may have really cold temps tho. It has been in the low 20’s at night here in Kentucky. Anyway, love your snow, your children are adorable. My home state of New York has gotten snow already according to my family there. Lucky guys! Waiting to see a snowman on your next blog. Love that idea—– of making a snowman!
Alexandra Wilson says: Yes! Snow men are great! We’ve tried to build a couple but haven’t had the right snow, yet. Hopefully soon!
Krista says: I am another snow lover and you said it perfectly. There is just something about when it snows that’s so peaceful and perfect. I have been snowboarding in the past when it’s snowing and I love sitting at the top of the mountain and just listen to it snow. It’s crazy but you can really hear snow falling and it’s so calming. We haven’t had any snow yet and I’m actually upset about it. After eating our Thanksgiving dinner last night, we went outside to play. Let me just say, we have never been warm enough to go out and play with out jackets after Thanksgiving. I have also been keeping my windows open because it’s still so warm. It’s throwing my holidays off. I’m ready for the snow! Enjoy it for me!
Alexandra Wilson says: Ah! that sounds so odd–to go outside after a Thanksgiving meal without jackets. The sound of snow falling is a magical sound, in a way. I hope your snow comes soon!
We have had snow five times, but we also have had 70-degree days. Winter is confusing this year (I am in northern Colorado plains just along the Rockies). I’m ready for real winter. Winter is when I read, catch up on sit-down tasks. I run run run the rest of the year, and until winter truly arrives, I will keep running. Spent a week in the midwest with family and brought back a cooler full of frozen venison…spent the day after I got back making loads of meatballs and meatloaves to put in the freezer for later. It was 77 degrees when I did it, which explains the run-run-run! Winter needs to get here already!! I’m tired!
Alexandra Wilson says: I hear you Susabelle! I think it’s in our true nature to keep going while the sun shines. Venison meatballs and meatloaves sound so yummy! I hope real winter comes your way soon.
Hello Farmgirl Friends,
Autumn is taking its last breaths up here in the Alaskan north. The last three mornings have revealed frost on all surfaces–a frost that persists during the day if it never sees the sun. Trees are bare, birds are fattening up and quarreling at the feeder; sleeping in is becoming easier and easier as the sun rises later and later, day after day.
Laurel Pries says: Love your posts and pictures from a Great Great Grandma in Washington state…..Happy Fall!!
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Laurel! Love your name 🙂
MS Barb says: I really enjoyed reading your blog! Thank you for sharing beautiful pictures along w/ a well written article! What will you do w/ all of your cabbage? Do you make freezer coleslaw? soups? Thanks again!
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Barb! I probably won’t take much of the cabbage. I’ve never utilized cabbage much in my cooking, but I’ll use it for some slaw or soups or stir fry. It would be great to make saurkraut some day…but I’d need to dedicate myself to actually eating it! I’m terrible at eating fermented foods regularly.
Krista says: That’s a lot of carrots and they sure look amazing and delicious! Something went wrong with my carrots this year and they didn’t make it. Luckily, my father-in-law shared some of his with us. I love the feeling of fall in the air and watching all the leaves change. But I am not quite ready for snow yet. Hopefully you have some snow by the next time we hear from you. Happy birthday to your sweet Moki.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Krista! It is A LOT of carrots! If you were closer I’d know just where to point you for some carrots :). Our cool early summer and warmer later season left us with a late first harvest of them and subsequently too much after everything else was done! There is ample snow in the mountains so hopefully we can go play in it this coming weekend.
Janice atkinson says: Love your posts. Made me chilly. It is 75 today in the Northern Shenandoah Valley, Va. but I am outside to the yard work. I will think of you and frosty days while I work in this strangely warm weather.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks! It was an abnormally warm fall here, as well. It just started to really get chilly this last week. It actually snowed the other day…it wouldn’t even count as a dusting, but it was exciting!
Joan says: Love your posting and my goodness your pictures make want to make a visit! Thanks for sharing in such a wonderful way. God bless.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Joan! I have to thank my husband, Evan, for most of the good shots. He has a great eye!
Marilyn says: Enjoyed this latest post. You have beautiful scenery to admire. Lovely place.
Marilyn
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you, Marilyn!
Amanda says: The walks you take there look strangely like the trails my family and I walk- but we live in PA!! I admit I love the smell of the fall air,too. Such beautiful produce! We had a wet summer here with many storms dumping at least 2 or 3 inches of rain at a time so we had many problems in our garden… and fields… and barns… so I’ll just admire your bounty! Here’s my favorite poem for fall and the end of the gardening season: I loved my garden, so here is my sad ballad:I nurtured it for months and ate it in one salad.-by Arnold Zarett
Alexandra Wilson says: Ha! I love the poem. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Joy Pascarella says: Here in New York near the Great Lakes we are hanging on to summer a bit too long. But it won’t be long before the frost sticks to the ground except where the sun finds it and melts the grass. I love your poem also. I always read your blogs, keep up the good work.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you, Joy! The frost is coming…
Sandi King says: Happy Belated birthday Moki; Love his picture, beautiful dog. Alex, winter is coming, but slowly – we have some cool days now colder nights but still not the cold we used to have at this time of year. Weeds are dying YEA! Soon will dig up bulbs and transplant to new beds in new yard. May be able to move before Thanksgiving – Hope so! Or at least soon after. Love the poems, all of them. Used to write a few myself. Yes, snow for your next post. Loved the pictures too. Until next time,
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”.
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.
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!
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!
Yes, Jennifer! I totally agree. Bring on the growth and dog days of summer!
Thank You for this interesting update. The girls are beautiful. Sorry about your dog.
Marilyn
Thanks, Marilyn!
God bless you all! Great post!
Thank you, Joan!
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 !!
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
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!
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.
Thanks, Missy! I whole heartedly agree, and I’m doing my best 🙂
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.
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!
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
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!
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
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!