Mary Murray
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.”
Column contents © Mary Murray. All rights reserved.
Farmgirl
is a condition
of the heart.
Alexandra Wilson
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!
Column contents © Alexandra Wilson. All rights reserved.
Libbie Zenger
Previous Rural Farmgirl,
June 2010 – Jan 2012
Libbie’s a small town farmgirl who lives in the high-desert Sevier Valley of Central Utah on a 140-year-old farm with her husband and two darling little farmboys—as well as 30 ewes; 60 new little lambs; a handful of rams; a lovely milk cow, Evelynn; an old horse, Doc; two dogs; a bunch o’ chickens; and two kitties.
René Groom
Previous Rural Farmgirl,
April 2009 – May 2010
René lives in Washington state’s wine country. She grew up in the dry-land wheat fields of E. Washington, where learning to drive the family truck and tractors, and “snipe hunting,” were rites of passage. She has dirt under her nails and in her veins. In true farmgirl fashion, there is no place on Earth she would rather be than on the farm.
I lover this idea and plan to implement! Thanks, Deb!
🙂 You bet, Ann! Happy Thanksgiving!
This blessing for thankfulness is part of my daily prayers. When I awaken, I thank G-d for the ability to open my eyes, rise from bed, stand and walk. For several years, those simple acts were not easy. Sure, I still need glasses to focus, a little coffee or tea to clear my head from drowsiness, and nimble fingers to type, but all are available to me. And smiling! How grateful I am to smile and read your posts! I am also thankful for you and the sharing of your life with us. Have a lovely Thanksgiving.
Dearest Adrienne, I like your daily ritual. It’s perfect! Every day is a blessing and a gift! Happy Thanksgiving, xo Deb
Thank you for sharing your bright reminders this morning.
I started the “Blessings Jar” myself at the start of this year, my jar is full to the top and I have to keep pushing down the little papers filled with blessings.
Every morning when I pass by to make our coffee, I see that jar and how many blessings there are inside of it, it is so encouraging, especially on the “not so good days”.
At the end of every day, there is always something very special that has happened that day to drop into the jar.
Happy, Happy Thanksgiving, may your blessings be bountiful!!
Hugs from Noel, Mo, Diana
I bet your jar is full of many wondrous things! Many blessings to you too, Diana! You all stay warm and have a Happy Thanksgiving! xo Deb
Don’t put any restrictions on this project, except that it be things that can’t spoil. You’ll be able to throw in flowers, pinecones, feathers, refrigerator art, Christmas cards, invitations, photos, and seashells. Things are like seasoning, and can reveal love, peace, and the glory of God. A woven basket would be nice. If you don’t have one, you can use the plastic kind and weave strips of used gift wrap through it. ( It should be wrap that was on gifts from special people or which was on favourite gifts.) The weaving doesn’t have to be done before you start. Plastic baskets usually have a solid base and at least a full inch or more before the holes start. Start now, or on Thanksgiving, the first Sunday of Advent, Christmas, or New Year’s.
Start…
Kristy, GENIUS! Love the idea of adding bits of ” things” to season the pot with… We have little bits of our heart scattered about the house as well. It really makes home, feel like HOME. They are great daily reminders of the many blessings we have as well. YES! START! XO Deb
I have a wood and burlap plaque hanging by my chair that says, “What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?” It is a great reminder to be thankful every day, while thinking of the special people in our lives.
Wow!!
Reba, this sounds lovely. Simple and beautiful. Happy Thanksgiving! xo Deb
I really, really love this idea!
I’ve kept a gratitude journal in the past, writing down a list of what I’m thankful for each day; but this idea takes it up a notch to include family, friends, guests in my home. I have a crockery piece that will be perfect for this.
Thank You for a great project!
Blessings,
Catherine Ann
Hi Catherine Ann! Yes, I love the idea of family, friends and guests adding their own personal seasonings to your stew! Have fun and Happy Thanksgiving! xo Deb
Great Idea Deb, I have the perfect basket/bowl/gourd for this, that my husband and son made from one of my gourds I grew. I will send pic to your email as I still am not sure how to send here. Happy Thanksgiving, and a very Blessed rest of the year. Neta
Howdy Neta! That sounds perfect! Can’t wait to see the pic! Happy Thanksgiving! Love, Deb
Thank you for sharing your beautiful ” blessings bowl ” with us, Neta! It’s wonderful. And, your hubby and son are very talented!
that is an AWESOME idea!!!….I’m going to go to my basement and find that pot to start my grateful stew!!…thanks for sharing this idea
Pingback: Gratitude Stew | edible South Shore & South Coast Blog
Deb, I just loved this post. I’ve read and re-read it many times! I so totally love the idea that I’m excited to get started. I think I’m going to make it part of my New Year and the changes I really want to implement in my life. One of the things I heard recently that is sort of along these same lines was to write down, at the end of the day, something that gave you encouragement. So I already had that on my mind and now this! So, I’m feeling very inspired to practice it. Thank you so much for the inspiration, as always! Hugs! – Dori, the Ranch Farmgirl – 🙂
Hi Deb! Wonderful post! Thank you for reminding us that in gratitude for the wonderful things we receive, and ask from the Universe, we are blessed with what we need and ask for! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Someday we will meet! Sandi
Wow! What a profound idea, to wake up and only have around me the things I thanked God for yesterday. That made me stop in my tracks. I will begin the gratitude project right away! I’ve been in an ankle boot and on crutches for the past 10 weeks (2 more weeks to go), and sometimes I get discouraged with how long the healing is taking. But I remind myself that this pain and inconvenience is only temporary. I’m grateful to have strong arms to move me about until I can walk again.
Thanks Deb! Love this idea. I just joined the Mary Janes Farm family and wrote a post recently on the topic of gratitude @ http://www.kokidz.com/attitude-gratitude-live-longer-happier-life
Will implement your suggestion in my home! I look forward to reading more of your posts.
Welcome, Welcome to the MaryJanesFarm family!Isn’t it just the best? So nice of you to stop by and introduce yourself! I look forward to hearing from you again and thanks so much for reading and joining this wonderful fellowship of farmgirls that just keeps growing and growing!!! xo Deb