Hi Farmgirl Friends! This time of the year in New England, things get busier than ever. There are festivals, restaurants put their patio tables out, kids play outdoor sports, things are bustling all around, and each day brings new blooms. There’s a lot of joy to be found in a New England spring, something I have lately needed a big dose of!
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”.
So thankful for your joy-filled words! It truly is the little day to day moments that provide a burst of happiness & continuous contentment.
Hi Sharon, thank you. I do think that the saying is true, happiness is a choice. Have a wonderful spring, and thank you for commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Wonderful blog! Sorry about you bb. It sounds like your daughter is doing well and that’s makes a mom and all moms happy! Happy day!!
Hi Lori, thank you ever so much. Yes, I am so very proud of my daughter and all that she has accomplished. She is my heart! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thank you for sharing your springtime with us! Love this post Nicole.
Hi Denise, thank you so much. I am glad you enjoyed the post. I hope you are having a wonderful start to the spring season. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
My heart goes out to you having to say good bye to your little Pip.Our pets bring us so much joy! I love your posts and the photos are beautiful. We have had an unusual winter/spring with weather and health issues in our family. My tulips may not bloom as they’ve had so much snow on them as they tried to push through! I think the garlic will survive. God is so good to us we are reminded by sweet spring ‘firsts’ that hope abounds! Thank you for these reminders.
Dear sweet Marge, I am so sorry to hear that you have also had a less-than-perfect spring. I hope things become sunnier in the coming months. Sending warm thoughts and big hugs to you! Much love, Nicole
What a wonderful Spring article. I am so sorry for your loss. Our pets are so ingrained in our family structure that the loss is truly a difficult time. We grieve to the level we love!
I live in PA, but I have always thought I would end up in New England. I adore and love everything about Maine and Vermont and well all of New England. Cape Cod, Providence Town, Bar Harbor, Salem, Portland, Freeport are just a few must sees on our trips.
I envision a time when I will have a fruit orchard that I may grow my own and make my own jams, fruit syrups, pies, frozen fruits, etc. Sending out positive energy that your peach seedlings will bear amazing fruit 🙂 Warm Blessings, Jacqueline
Hi Jacqueline, thank you so much. I love what you said – “We grieve to the level we love”. So true! You did not mention where in PA that you live, but we used to live in PA, too. I always found everyone so nice there. Maine and Vermont are two of my favorite states, as well, but Connecticut has so much beauty, too. And Rhode Island, another favorite spot. Thanks so much for dropping by! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hi Nicole☀️
Happy Springtime. You are truly an inspiration and I enjoy reading your blog. I would very much like to see a yard full of dandelions among the manicured yards in the neighborhood. My backyard hen flock would love dandelions also. Blessings to you and yours!
Hi Karen, thank you for the nice comment. I am so glad you enjoyed the blog. We do not put any kind of weed killers on our lawn because we have well water, dogs, and chickens! I don’t mind the dandelions – they actually sell dandelion greens in Whole Foods! When I see that, I just shake my head. Happy spring wishes to you and your flock! Thanks for dropping by! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thank you for your posts. For sharing you sorry and your joys and the wonderful pictures so we can enjoy what is happening in your part of the world.
Thank you ever so much, Dorothy. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Dear Nicole… Hugs for your loss,, Sweet Pip…
I agree,, the pain is tearing at our hearts, but we would/will gladly open our hearts again to the pain, to have the love of a sweet devoted fur & paws child as well as loved ones..
Hugz-n-squisches always
katmom
Dear sweet katmom, thank yoiu. So true. I am so happy to have my two big doggies and little one to make me giggle again. They are so sweet. I appreciate the nice card you sent. I also have the embroidered face you sent of Pip. It is on my sewing table now to make a special pillow. It looks just like him. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hi Nicole, Sorry for your loss of Pip. He was a cutie! Spring has sprung in New York. We cleaned up some of the back yard,but there is a lot more to do. The front has blossomed. The forsythia bushes are starting to lose their yellow. Our azalea bushes have bloomed. We wanted to mow our front yard,unfortunately the mower died. We have bought a new one. In the meantime a neighbor used his mower to cut our grass. Our pansies are not too good. One is striving nicely. Hope to get out next week and do some more cleaning up. We had a lot of leftover leaves from Autumn. Have a good week end and enjoy your gardening.
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
Hi dear Joan, Marion, and Marilyn, thank you for your kind words about Pip. Sounds like you are on your way to a busy spring, too. We had a lot of leftover leaves from Autumn, as well, remnants of some of the crazy storms and wind we had in winter. Pansies have had issues the last few years, but so far, mine are doing okay. I am happy to see the carrots peeking up this week. Next, pototoes will go in the ground. I can’t wait for summer and a full garden! Happy spring to you all. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hi Nicole,
I am so sorry for your loss of Pip. I know that horrible emptiness our amazing friends leave. I agree with you while the loss is so hard, the gifts our fur babies give us make the loss bareable. Finding joy is the key, as you point out and joy is what our fur babies teach us. Thank you for your joy filled post.
Hi Judy, thank you so much. I agree, and I would not trade one moment I had with that little dog. My furbabies are such a happy part of the family. I hope you are having a wonderful spring. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
So sad to hear about your loss. It’s so difficult to lose one of our fur babies. Thank you for the lovely pictures and looking forward to your next reading. Greetings from Colorado! Ruth
Hi Ruth, thank you so much. I am betting that Colorado springs are beautiful, too. I have never been there, but it looks so pretty in every photo I have ever seen. Thank you for dropping by! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hi Nicole, First of all, I’d like to say how sorry I am for the loss of your dear little Pip. It is one of life’s hardest things, to lose a pet who has become part of the family….I am glad to hear that you are being inspired by the beauty and business of Spring. Your photos are beautiful. Thank you so much for taking the time to take and share those, And to be so gracious as to lift the rest of us up with your positivity despite the pain. You are an inspiration. 🙂 Blessings, Tammy
Hi Tammy, thank you ever so much. Your comment means so much to me. I hope you are having a lovely spring! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole,
I am sorry to hear about your dear Pip. Our pets are always a special part of our lives.
I enjoyed the spring photos and the reminder that warmer and more colorful days are coming. I can’t wait to see my hummingbirds at my feeders.
Blessings to you and your family
Debbie
Hi Debbie, thank you so much. I will never forget the many special moments we had with our little chihuahua.
It is raining today, but that means more blooms when the rains stop! I can’t wait for hummingbirds, either. They are not here yet, but soon! They love my bee balm and we enjoy having breakfast at the kitchen table and watching them eat from the feeder outside the window. So sweet!
Happy spring to you and yours! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I’m so sorry about your sweet Kip. They are worth the joy! Your blog post does bring me joy too. Thank you for that joy even with a sad part to share with us. Loved his pictures over the years.
Pip not Kip, sorry. I know someone who has a dog named Kip.
No worries, I did not notice it until now. Kip is a cute name, too. My friend just lost her dog, Zip, as well. XOXO
Denise, thank you so much. It means a lot, really. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole, I’m so sorry to hear the sad news…the animals we have in our homes & hearts are such a part of our family. There’s a trust and a bond there like no other…I know how hard it is. After we lost Annie years ago, I never wanted another indoor dog…we had outdoor ones, and I loved them, but there was a distance that made it a bit easier when they passed. Now Bailey, another rescue, is so sweet she’s indoors most of the time, head on my lap or curled up as closely as possible. I’d forgotten how sweet that bond is. I hope the beauty of spring is helping to lift your spirits a little. Mary
Hi Mary, thank you ever so much. I totally understand how you feel about your “Annie”. I have been so grateful that I have my other rescued pups…they have been so sweet and they have been grieving, too. Spring is here finally, and the “busy” it brings has been such a help. I miss my little boy pup so much, and almost everyday, still, one month after, I find something that was his, or reminds me of him, and it stings, but I am okay. Pets are one of the best blessings ever! Thank you for reading and for your sweet comment. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole