Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happiest of Holidays to you and yours! It is truly my favorite time of year. I (happily) feel like one of Santa’s elves during December! After spending the first half of my life in a big Southern city, even though we have no family living close by, we are blessed that we’ve lived in a small New England town the last quarter century, especially at the holidays! Grab a cup of cocoa, take a break from the “busy”, and enjoy some “MERRY” with me!
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”.
Hi Nicole! Merry Christmas to you and your family! Growing up, my family always visited Jones Tree Farm for our tree! Thank you so much for bringing back that memory for me!! ❤️
Hi Meredith! Awww, I am so happy to hear that! We have also gone strawberry picking there in the summer, and apple picking in the fall. My favorite is Christmas…the trees are beautiful and reasonably priced, and it is just so festive and fragrant! Merry Christmas! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Merry Christmas and a Good New Year to you and your family, Nicole! ( and to all the farm girls “family”)
I live in the city now ( Philadelphia) and there are decorations and lights all over, especially in one large and one smaller city park nearby but I remember driving around with my family and admiring everyone’s lights as you mentioned when I lived on Long Beach Island in New Jersey.
Hi Carolann, we used to live right outside Philadelphia for a short time when we first married. I remember that area was always so cheery with lights. I used to love going to New Hope at Christmas. It was so long ago, I wonder if the little shops that lined the streets are still there? Neighboring Lambertville, NJ was also charming. Enjoy your holiday, thank you for reading and commenting, and Merry Christmas! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
This will be the first of many….we get to celebrate our sweet Kaleb’s 1st birthday on Christmas Eve. We are making new traditions. We keep some of the old, but I’m always open to change. Merry Christmas.
PS: I enjoy your blogs. Thank you for keeping it going.
Dear Nanette, Happy Happy Birthday to sweet Kaleb! Enjoy your traditions, new and old, and have a wonderful, happy holiday season! Thank you for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Appreciate your uplifting blogs. Truly all it it takes is one person at a time, one by one, smiling/greeting/expressing appreciation and gratitude, & suddenly the whole world is a little/LOT brighter! Merry Christmas!
Hi Sharon, thank you! I hope you have a wonderful, Merry season! Thank you for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hi Nichole, May you and your family have a Blessed Christmas and New Year. So enjoy reading your blogs. please keep them coming in the New Year. At 75 years young, there is still a Farmgirl in me. Merrrrrry. Christmmmmmas !!
Hi Roberta, how wonderful a comment this is! Thank you! I am glad you enjoy the blog, and am wishing you the best of holidays to you! Merry Christmas! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
What a special treat to read your blog today!
I live in a rural area in California, a far distance from you! Thank you for sharing your traditions, many are similar to mine and your photos brought back fond memories.
Merry Christmas to you!
Hi Gina, Thank you! California is one state I have yet to visit, but it is on my list! Someday! Merry Christmas! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Happy Holidays Nicole!
I couldn’t agree more about New England’s special feeling at Christmas time.
It’s just magical and filled with Christmas traditions…
Wishing you and yours a very, Merry Christmas and more miracles in 2022!
Warmly,
Deb ( Beach Farmgirl)
Hi Deb! So good to hear from you! Happiest holidays to you and your family at the beach! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Beautiful pictures Nicole. So merry and bright and full of joy. Thanks for a great post. We are having summer weather on Christmas Day instead of winter weather which I was hoping so much for. One day it is cold and windy and the next day it could be warm and sunny. I wanted winter like it should be in this area. Anyway, it is good to have friends and family around and that is what we will have. Merry Christmas.
Hi Sandi, Merry Christmas! I am so glad you enjoyed the post. I hear ya on the weather…I’d much rather have it cold for Christmas. Last year, we had a heat wave and it was like a warm spring day, like the Christmases I grew up with. Not my favorite type of Christmas weather, but come January, I will be wishing and hoping for spring to come fast! Have a wonderful, healthy holiday season! May 2022 be a better year for us all! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thanks for the moments shared, brightening the day. Merry Christmas
Hi Joann, you are very welcome! Thanks for reading and commenting! Merry Christmas! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Wonderful place to live I can see! Thank you so much for sharing with all of us. Best wishes for the New Year to you and yours.
Barbara
Hi Barbara, today is Christmas Eve, and we got a dusting of snow. I am happy you enjoyed “visiting” me here. Have a wonderful holiday season! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Merry Christmas Nicole
I’m still loving your articles
How wonderful to hear from you, Barb! Oh my goodness. I would love to catch up. I still have my same email address. I miss those days of Farmgirl Chapter fun. I still have my table runner you taught us all how to make, and even made a new one for the coffee table last year. I hope you and your family are well. Much love your way! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hello Nicole, thank you for taking the time to share some wonderful Christmas cheer with the rest of us! I enjoyed every bit of your blog, but; was especially touched by the rose blooming in the snow. That really is a miracle and, as you said–a gift from God. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your family. Love, Tammy
Hi Tammy, thank you. I still don’t know how or why it bloomed in the cold like that other than it really was a true Christmas miracle. This was not a great year for us, but that made me remember to have hope and take things one day at a time as they come. Thank you for reading and commenting, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, as well! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thank you for that beautiful Christmas Show!
…and that ROSE…WOW!
Hi Judy, thank you! Wasn’t that rose something? It was in my cutting garden, blooming on a day that I had great worries about something. I saw that and could not believe it, as everything else was dead in that garden. It was a perfect rose, like a sign of hope. I will never forget it. Merry Christmas! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Happiest of Holidays! The gingerbread village rocks!
Hi My dear, longtime farmgirl friend! Maybe once this pandemic clears, we can plan a knitting weekend again the same time and we can see it together! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Merry Christmas Nicole,
I live in Alberta Canada and have followed you for years. I wrote to you once before telling you about my World War 2 memorabilia room. I just want to thank you for making this year a little brighter for me each month. It hasn’t been an easy one so grabbing a cup of tea and sitting down down to share a visit with you brings me much joy. From my husband, our dog and from me Merry Christmas and Good Health in 2022
Dear Joanne, it is good to hear from you. I am sorry you have had a difficult year. It has been one of the worst years ever for me, too, so I understand. Still, I try to find happiness each day, and be thankful for the blessings we do have. I know it is difficult to do sometimes, especially in these times. I am sending a warm thoughts, big hugs, and a pat on the head to your sweet pup. Thank you for joining me here at the blog each month – it means so much to me. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thanks for the moments shared, brighten up my day. Have a very Merry Christmas
Hi Ruth, I am glad the post brightened your day. Christmas Blessings to you and yours! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole,
I enjoyed your Christmas pictures and article(as usual). You are blessed to live in a town with “Hallmark Christmas charm”. A rose in the snow-what a blessing. Love all the decorations. One of my best friends was born in Derby Conn.
Merry Christmas to you and your family and Happy New year.
Hi Deb, thank you so much! I am so glad it made you smile. Also, I am very familiar with Derby – not far from us, and there are some great little places to go junk-tiquing! Merry Christmas, and Happiest of holidays to you and your family, as well. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I love this blog! You received so many comments! Pictures are great. Love the rose!
Love you,
Mother
Thank you, Mama. I miss you! Wish you could have seen the rose in person. You would have loved it. Love you back, Nicole
What a heart warming New England Christmas! You have shared it with us in such a beautiful way that I feel as if I’ve seen it for myself, thank you! My husband and I live near the Central Coast of California. It is a charming town with great shops and warm kind people. Santa Barbara is 2 hours south of us and Monterey is 2 hours north of us. The nearby seaside town of Morro Bay constructs a Christmas tree out of crab pots. Each year it’s in a different spot, we have fun driving around until we find it. Then we like to stay and enjoy their Lighted Boat Parade. Nearby in Avila Beach is Avila Valley Barn a wonderful place for families to stop by and enjoy their Christmas events and celebrations! There are hayrides, feeding of farm animals, Christmas trees, shopping, a deli, roasted corn and cider donuts to name a few! Hope to see you all on the Central Coast of California soon!
Hi Linda, thank you…I am so glad that you enjoyed this post! Where you are sounds so very lovely! I have not yet made it to the West Coast but I would love to see that part of the country. It’s been on my list of places I want to go someday. I’d love to see the crab pot Christmas tree! I love traditions like that. It sounds like the Christmas traditions there are absolutely wonderful! Have a great New Year! Thanks for commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole