Monthly Archives: January 2015

After The Blizzard

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Dear Sisters,

By now I’m sure you’ve all heard about the Blizzard that came through New England earlier this week. I hope my East coast sisters are all okay! Many were without power but not as many as the Blizzard of 2013 where thousands went without power for several days. We were lucky in that respect. We had plenty of good comfort food, heat and movies to keep us happily occupied while the snow blew (sideways) outside our door for more than 24 hours straight! When the wind and snow finally stopped we had accumulated over 2 feet of snow! You’ll be relieved to know that the ” girls” came through another nor’easter with flying colors but the greenhouse and our deck gazebo didn’t stand a chance against the 50 -70 mph gusts that hurled against them non-stop for 24 hours straight. I’m afraid it’s NOT pretty.  Continue reading

Happy Birthday, Little One

It is Little Miss Ava’s first birthday!  What an exciting milestone, and what a year we’ve had.  She is, by miles and miles, the best decision we ever made. Throughout the last several days, I’ve found myself thinking about what I was doing exactly one year ago.  I did not know of the immense love and connection that we, as common ol’ people, were capable of feeling.  I did not know how primal the instincts I would experience would actually be.  I didn’t even know that we were going to have a daughter!

 

Ava's Grandma Gail made this gorgeous birthday banner.  Each year she will get another butterfly to add to it!

Ava’s Grandma Gail made this gorgeous birthday banner. Each year she will get another butterfly to add to it!

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Word of the Year

Does anybody know who that is there? Sneaking around the corner?

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I’ll save that news because my post is about something else altogether.

It’s about this: do you ever pick a “Word of the Year” for yourself? A theme just for you for the year? If you haven’t, do it this year. Find a word that fits you and where you are in your journey. Write it on your calendar. And live it.

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Winter In Black and White… And A Colorful Give-Away!

I don’t know what it is about winter that makes me think in black and white.  Do you?  I have to just be honest and say that I’m a summer-time girl.  I like green grass, green trees, bright colored flowers, red tomatoes and yellow squash in my garden.  I even like the hot, humid sweat rolling off my face!

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Crazy for Cookie Jars

There was a time when every home had a cookie jar, filled with some sort of delicious home-baked treat! A favorite old cookbook advises keeping fresh-baked goodies on hand at all times, not only for after-school snacks, but “just in case company drops by”. I was once told, “One is a piece, two is a couple, three or more is a collection”. Loving all things “vintage”, cookie jars are no exception to my adoration. A jolly blast from the past, you’ll find them peeking out at antique stores, thrift shops, and flea markets. They’re a great way to add whimsy and cheer to a kitchen, and don’t just have to hold cookies….

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Five Years of Farmgirl Romance!

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Dear Sisters,

There are certain days, events, moments and memories that we all hold dear. Small glimpses of time that stand still in our hearts and our minds when life as we knew it changed forever. That’s how it is for me when I remember the day my farmgirl romance ( insert pretty,curly,swirly font ) began with MaryJanesFarm. In celebration of THE BEST OF 15 years issue of MJF I’m feeling inspired to celebrate too! Continue reading

The Crud

“A family is a unit composed not only of children but of men, women, an occasional animal, and the common cold.” ~Ogden Nash

It all started on New Year’s Eve.  I saw her, I hugged her, I knew immediately that Ava was going to get what she had (and by the law of being a mom to a sick baby, I would be soon to follow).  She is my adorable, amazing, miraculous little niece, CJ.  She had just gotten tubes put in her ears that morning, so I asked her how she was feeling.  I got a full on thumbs down!  Then, I heard it, the Crud.

Bed is the best place to be when feeling unwell.  Photo courtesy of George Eastman House by Nikolas Muray ca. 1935

Bed is the best place to be when feeling unwell. Photo courtesy of George Eastman House by Nikolas Muray ca. 1935

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Saddling Up Anyway

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This is me (me!), the other day, out in frigid temperatures, riding Andre.

If you could zoom in on my face, you would see two things: Continue reading

It's More Than A Name!

Last week there was a very fun and lively discussion on Farmgirl Chit-Chat about what we Farmgirls name our cows. Every name that was thrown out there made me think of a beautiful, clean and shiny milk cow. Which we do not have. We have a small herd of beef cattle that are probably not particularly beautiful to most people. But to us they are gorgeous! Each one is an individual and each one makes us happy for different reasons. Their names reflect that.

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Continue reading

It’s More Than A Name!

Last week there was a very fun and lively discussion on Farmgirl Chit-Chat about what we Farmgirls name our cows. Every name that was thrown out there made me think of a beautiful, clean and shiny milk cow. Which we do not have. We have a small herd of beef cattle that are probably not particularly beautiful to most people. But to us they are gorgeous! Each one is an individual and each one makes us happy for different reasons. Their names reflect that.

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Continue reading