Hello, dear readers! Here we are at the holidays, again! Let me wish you a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING! The past two years have been difficult for us all. I had high hopes for 2021, but I can’t wait to say goodbye to this stress-filled year! However, this Thanksgiving, I am trying to stay thankful! Despite stores and the internet pushing all things Christmas before Halloween, I am trying to slow down and enjoy the last bit of fall and November before the rush of the holidays!
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”.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you, Martha! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Beautifully written with gorgeous photos. Thank you for the time you took with this.
Hi Prudence, thank you so much! Happy Thanksgiving! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Wonderful post Nicole, and Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Hi Laurel, thank you ever so much! Have a great Thanksgiving weekend! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Happy 11 years Thanksgivingversary! Ain’t we all a little squishy around the middle 11 years later…
Hi Kim! LOL!!! Have a Happy Holiday! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hi Nicole; I love the pictures you posted and the written part for each of them. I like the fall colors of tree leaves also – we don’t have any trees on our property but the neighbors have plenty. There just wasn’t much of a display this year in our area though. So glad you have been with MaryJanes this long. I always enjoy your posts. We will celebrate with a dinner on Friday after Thanksgiving so my child can spend time with his inlaws. I have invited many friends to our dinner and neighbors too; having a regular turkey and dressing and also a smoked on the grill turkey and also ham and all the extras besides. Gonna be a great and wonderful Thanksgiving for us and hope it is for you and yours too.
Hi Sandi, thank you so much! It really means a lot that you enjoy my posts. I guess Mother Nature decided we were to be rewarded with a pretty fall after a very wet, humid, yucky summer. I just heard our Thanksgiving Day will be beautiful – perfect for a walk after a big meal! Enjoy your holiday – it sounds like you will have a wonderful, family-and-friend-filled Thanksgiving (and a yummy one, too)! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Happiest of holidays. We’re on our way to the cabin for Thanksgiving. Just went through a snow storm at Vail and are now in bone dry desert territory with sunshine. It’s beautiful. Thankful for that.
Hi Marlene, oh wow! That sounds so very lovely! Have a wonderful, safe trip and a great holiday! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Sounds so cozy for Thanksgiving at your home. Love that you enjoy your traditions despite the rest of the world. What makes us happy is important! I am having Thanksgiving with my 2 fur babies and couldn’t be more content. Happy Thanksgiving
Hi Victoria, thank you! Enjoy your weekend! Give those furbabies a big pat from me! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
A lovely Thanksgiving post…so much to be grateful for. I appreciate you taking the time to post so regularly…I’m sure your days can be hectic, but somehow you always seem to drop us a note.
I agree…I just can’t decorate for Christmas until Thanksgiving gets it turn. I can’t even play Christmas music, silly as it sounds, it just seems unfair to Thanksgiving! And 11 years has flown by…so glad you’re still filling us in on the happenings in your corner of the world; your posts are always fun and written as if you lived next door to each of…thanks so much! Enjoy every minute tomorrow, Mary
Hi Mary, thank you so much! It means a lot that you take time out of YOUR day to leave me a comment!
As for Christmas vs. Thanksgiving, I was tempted this year since Christmas comes fast, but just couldn’t do it…but come Friday, I will start decorating for Christmas! We did pick up a tree already but it is bare. We didn’t want to deal with the crowds and now the tree farm says you have to make an appointment on weekends!
Thank you for your wonderful comments. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving on your farm! XOXO Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Have a most wonderfully Happy Thanksgiving! I so enjoy your blog posts, farm-girlfriend. Love to your family.
Hi Beth, thank you so much! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, as well! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Happy Thanksgiving, Nicole!
Thank you for your lovely posts!
Thank you, Carolann! It was lovely, and we are looking forward to a cheerful Christmas and Happy New Year!Wishing you and yours a great holiday season! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hi Nicole,
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
I always enjoy your writing and lovely pictures.
We were able to visit the North American Bear Center in Ely MN when my husband’s parents lived on a lake in the Ely area. They knew the founders of the center, Dr. Lynn Rogers and his wife personally. His research taught us many things about these beautiful and yet “wild” animals.
I love fall and Thanksgiving and enjoy displaying a Jadite-looking turkey. Soon it will be time to bring out my 50’s Christmas tree decorations from my childhood. I enjoy Hallmark Christmas movie and a cup of coffee and the simple escape it provides from the daily hustle and bustle of life.
Happy Thanksgiving and blessings
Debbied
Hi Debbie, I bet that was so interesting to attend the North American Bear center! They are such majestic creatures. Also, how wonderful you have your decorations from your childhood! I have a few little ornaments from mine. They are so precious to me. Have a wonderful holiday season! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole (PS I LOVE Hallmark movies, too!)
I am 75yrs young and live in Athens, Ga (home of the Univ of Ga- Bulldogs)….and love most things quiet and simpler. I enjoyed reading your blog and found myself nodding my head as I read your words– My life spans farther than yours, but I agree with so so much of what you wrote. These past 2 years have had my family quarantined– my adult daughter has lupus and the four of us (husband, myself & her husband ) all continue to protect. Covid is still lurking and at her expense we cannot take chances…the four of us enjoyed such a wonderful day together….Parade, Dog Show and a meal that we are grateful for. Again, thank you for keeping me grounded …..xoxo Joan
Hi Joan, thank you so much for this wonderful comment! My mom and her husband live less than an hour from where you live…love that part of Georgia! This Covid thing is so hard, especially on those with autoimmune issues. Big hugs to you and your family, and wishing you a wonderful Holiday season. Weren’t the pups adorable on the dog show? We love watching them after the parade, and then after lunch we watch a Christmas movie. Though it was the three of us, we did have a nice Thanksgiving! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
What a surprise to relish this day after
Thanksgiving! OUR family’s favorite holiday .Your blog popped up in my mail! My husband and mine especially as our wedding anniversary
can and has falllen on this day!
Happy year round days of thankgiving to you
and your family !
Hi Jean, Wishing you and your husband a VERY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
It has been a tough year but there is hope, always. We had a wonderful but quiet Thanksgiving, my husband, son and me. It always brings memories of my mom and past celebrations. I’m thankful she passed her cooking skills and recipes to me.❤
Christmas is coming as it always does. Wishing you joy in your preparation. Every day is a gift…enjoy!
Hi Gail, yes, this has been the toughest year we personally have ever faced, but there is always something to be thankful for! Isn’t it wonderful that we can remember special loved ones, like your mom, through special recipes? I feel like my grandmother is with me whenever I make her special cookie recipe at Christmas. Much love your way! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thank you so much for sharing all that. I always enjoy hearing from you.
Happy Anniversary & Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
I’ve enjoyed watching that little girl grow up.
Since I never had children of my own, I’m (thankful)to you for
sharing yours!
Hugs&Squeezles
Judy, you are such a sweet farmgirl! Thank you! Audrey is sitting with me currently, and she says to give you a big hug just from her! Thanks for reading and commenting through the years! It means a lot! Happy holiday wishes to you! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
So enjoy your Blogs. Keep up the good work and may you and your family have a Blessed Thankful time.
Roberta, thank you ever so much! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Eleven years later and prettier than ever! Have a blessed Christmas season!
Awww, Deanna, wow! Thank you so much! Christmas Blessings to you and yours, as well! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Always enjoy your blog! Enjoy family & friends!
Thank you so much, Sharon! Happiest of holidays to you and yours! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
What a lovely post. I too am ready to say goodbye to this stinker of a year! I look for blessings in every day and try to focus on the positive. Knitting has become my yoga as well.
Many blessings to you and yours and stay away from Yogi the Bear!
Hi Maureen, thank you! Yes, you’re right – 2021 is a stinker year, and Yogi is one big bear! Looking forward to the holidays and some CHEER! Here’s to a better 2022! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I just read this post (better late than never) and it gave such a good feeling! I’ve been trying to find my Christmas spirit and for whatever reason your story is helping me find it! I suppose reading about other peoples gratitude may have done the trick! Thanks so much and Happy Holidays!! Liz from Utah
Aww, Liz, thank you so much! I hope you will join me on December 21st, when my next blog goes live and we find more Christmas spirit! Thank you for your comment; it really means a lot to me. Happy Holidays! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole