HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you had a great holiday season. December here was wonderful, with friends and cheer surrounding us. This year, I’m not making a “new” New Year’s resolution- instead, I’m sticking to a “different” way of thinking, and THAT’S made all the difference!
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”.
very good advise and I will try to follow your advise too! Happy New Year!
Thanks Denise! Just a few changes here and there added up for me. The main thing was taking some time everyday. Wishing you a very happy new year, and healthy 2019! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thanks,
For your inspirational New Year’s blog…Interesting things I didn’t realize…Here’s to the New Year, WISH me luck on getting healthy and losing weight.
Hi Julie, thank you! I am so sorry that you have been under the weather for so long. I have had New Years that started like that. Take care of yourself and feel better soon! Wish we lived closer because I would make you my “magic” chicken soup! I hope you start feeling better soon. Big hugs, my dear friend! ~Nicole
Glad you are feeling healthier. Wishing you and yours a bless,healthy and happy 2019.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn! Happy New Year to you! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I love your email! My husband and I both got tick fever this past summer. What a bummer!!!!! I too need to get healthier and exercise more. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you, Mary! I hope you and your husband are feeling better. Here in Connecticut, tick illnesses are such a problem. I am glad that doctors are recognizing the issue and more are testing routinely for the bacteria. Wishing you I both a very happy, healthy New Year! Thank you for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I need to learn to do this. I need to make time for myself as my biggest complaint is that I never have 5 minutes for me!
Hi Carol! I hear ya! It is not easy to reprogram ourselves to do that, but we need to! Have a great, happy and healthy 2019! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hi Nicole,
It is interesting that you changed just by taking time for yourself. It is also inspiring and uplifting to know that it worked for you. So glad and as you said everyone is an individual and you have to find something that works for you as that individual, that one thing doesn’t work for everyone. I haven’t tried to lose weight but I did lose about 10 pounds without trying. I don’t know what I did differently from a day to day time, but I am happy about it. Keep taking time for yourself and enjoy life to the fullest. God bless.
Hi Sandi, Happy New Year! Thank you! Our lives are so packed and fast paced, it is important to take time, no matter what it is that we individually need. For me, it was exercising and getting back to my farmgirl roots of healthy eating. That in turn gave me so much more energy. Take care of yourself, and have a great new year! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts I appreciate the way that you are a approaching the new year and I believe I will do the same !!
We are certainly the only ones that can change our attitude. That really seems to be the only thing we are in control of.
Happy New Year!!
Hi Diane, Thank you! I am so glad you liked the post. It is true…attitude makes such a difference in everything and our outlook on life. Thank you for reading and commenting, and have a great 2019! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thanks Nicole for your suggestions of taking time for yourself. You are an inspiration and you make me feel like I am doing the right things. My big change in 2018 was to teach myself to say NO. I now have lots more time to take care of myself instead of taking care of everyone else that does not bother to take care of themselves.
In saying no – I even had more time to fix healthier meals for myself and my family. My stress level has diminished amazingly!
Hi Linda, Kudos to you for learning to say “No” and take care of yourself! I think as women that is one of the hardest things to reprogram ourselves to do. Stress is one of the worst things for our bodies and can really cause our health to decline. Keep up the good work with taking care of yourself and eating healthy meals! Happy New Year! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thank you! Gave me some good tips!
Hi Connie, Thanks for reading and commenting! I just learned the tip about seltzer this year; what a difference! Have a very happy New Year! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Good for you, Nicole! I am not making the same resolution this year! (Yep, the LOSE WEIGHT one!) I will begin a new ‘cardio/core’ class, as well as a drumming class next week. I am still doing my weight bearing program with a trainer every Tuesday at 10:45 am. I am proud of the fact that I am almost up to my previous weight levels before my shoulder repair surgery. Weight bearing exercise is helpful for maturing women in regard to balance, strength, bone density, etc. Makes the endorphins pop! I find that if I commit myself to ‘appointments’ it helps me immensely.
In the midst of an emotional time for me, I found comfort in a wood working project in our home shop. This shop was my Dad’s shop originally, so I am immensely comforted in that space, as well as experiencing an almost meditative calm. Finished up a cute mid-century table, and now I am almost done with staining and sealing an adorable handmade bench found at a local estate sale. Lots of projects, and so little time! Yippee!
Hi Jan, Thank you! I forgot to mention in the blog that core strengthening made a HUGE difference for me. When I started it felt like I was dying, lol! That core strength training class sounds awesome! Keep up the good work, farmgirl! You sound like you are on a very positive track.
I LOVE that you are doing woodworking in your dad’s shop! How special is that!? I would love to see your work. You are always such an inspiration! Happy New Year, farmsister! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thanks for the words of encouragement!
Thank you, Diane! Happy New Year! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Great words and a good boost in thinking to kick off a new year!
Hi April, Thank you! I truly believe that changing our attitude to a more positive approach makes a difference in everything we do. Happy New Year! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Happy New Year, Nicole! I loved your thoughtful blog post. While my Dad was dying I gained over 40 lbs on an already heavy frame. Sometime during the past few months, my body decided enough is enough. I have been SO short of breath and so tired all the time and in pain all over. When I retired 2 years ago my stress level dropped so much! Anyway, I’ve lost 14.6 pounds, and working to lose more. Rod got me a BodyGrove tape because I love to dance. Your blog was so motivating, Nicole and I am SO glad you are feeling better. Hugs.
Hi Joey, Congrats on your accomplishment! I am so sorry to hear that you have been not feeling well, and I hope you continue to feel better and get healthier. I remember when you were losing your dad, and how hard it was for you. It seems like a lifetime ago that we all met in Massachusetts that day! I always think of you when I am in that area. Thank you for reading and sharing and for being you! Happy New Year, my farmgirl friend. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Great advice!
Thank you, Ali! You are always an inspiration, my friend! I have learned some great recipes/healthy food tips from you- you were the person who I first heard about almond milk from! Lunch soon! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Great advice! I’ve been in the same mindset, and this will help me change the way I’m approaching this!
Hi Sue, thank you and Happy New Year! Good luck, if I can do it, I know you can, too! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I love this! Thanks for the positive reminder in the new year. You look beautiful, by the way–positively glowing!
Cheers and Happy New Year from your Rural Farmgirl sister, Alex
Hi Alex, thank you so much for all the kind words! Cheers and Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family, as well! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Enjoyed this blog! First time I’ve been on your site and can relate in many ways to the struggle you have had.
I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (they think due to a tick bite but it was never diagnosed) when I was 30 – forty years ago. Over the years I gained over 75 pounds – would lose a few then gain them back.
A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer…after chemotherapy, surgery and radiation and a research chemo study, I lost over 80 pounds!
Needless to say, my lifestyle, eating habits, exercise and wardrobe has changed. Funny how some things can change your whole perspective! I treasure each day I’m given, have continued to work on changing habits and lifestyle, make time for things I didn’t and feel so much better!
Your blog challenged me and reinforced my resolve to continue the “new me”!!!
Hi Nancy, Thank you for sharing with us. You have been through so much – what a strong lady you are! I love your attitude – great advice! I am so glad you enjoyed the blog – thank you again for commenting. You sound like a spunky farmgirl, for sure. May you continue to feel and be well! Big Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thank you sharing. I find I don’t give myself time for me also (caregiver for my mom). You have made me rethink MY time.
Hi Linda, I know it is hard when we are the main caregivers, but is important to take time for yourself, even if you carve out a few minutes. Big hugs to you! You’re doing a great thing and I know your mom is blessed to have you. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole