Recently, my father flew down for a long-overdue visit from Texas. My dad’s a human search engine, knowledgeable on many things. Need to build something? Dad’s probably built it before. Gardening? He’s got tricks. Something needs fixin’? I call my dad for advice. Many of my favorite tips, I learned from my father. Dad recently turned seventy-five, and I love that he still teaches me things I didn’t know before!
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”.
Nicole,
Dads are certainly the best. That’s a really darling picture of the two of you. You’ll cherish that someday. I really like the idea of freezing the corn without blanching it. I will try that next summer – certainly saves a lot of time. – Dori – (AKA: the new Ranch Farmgirl!)
Hi Dori! Welcome, farmsister! So nice to “meet you”!
Thank you, yes, I love that photo. I live in such a beautiful area; the drawback is having been so far away from my family, but we usually talk by phone every day.
I’ve already pulled some corn out of the freezer to use…so easy to get just what we need. Happy Blogging! Farmgirl hugs, Nicole
Don’t you just love the fact that your dad is such a wealth of information!! I loved your corn project and now I will have to try it…I didn’t raise any corn this year, but I have a neighbor that has delightful tender ears. My husband is a corn head, so he will especially appreciate this in the winter!
So happy that you had a wonderful time with your dad. I still draw from the knowledge that my dad passed on to me…
Hi Jan! I just want to add…I did a little experiment. I had a few ears I kept “fresh”, and made some of the ears that were “frozen”. No one could taste any different! That corn will be a welcome taste of summer in the months ahead! Thanks for “stopping by”! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I loved your story of your faithful father!
My husband is of the same making, everything is homemade, I am blessed.
Yesterday we had to put down our 18 yr. old dog, so I know your missing moments well this morning.
We took him for one last visit to the river where he ran 3 miles a day the first 14 yrs. of his life, we sat and talked while my husband dug his grave.
After the vet’s visit, we buried him facing the river, his new home is covered with little decors of love today.
Thank you for sharing your father’s story, it reminds me to cherish every new day with my “homemade husband”…..Hugs to you from the Ozarks, Diana
Oh Diana, hugs to you and your sweet husband. Your comment brought tears to my eyes. What a lucky dog to have had you all as his humans. Such love. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Sweet corn. Sweet dad. Sweet post!
Thank you, MaryJane! Farmgirl hugs, Nicole
How sad for your family that you kitty passed. Know that he is on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge waiting for you anf ptd your daughter. Regrets
Hi Nancy, thank you. It is a weird thing when a pet passes, especially when they are with us as long as our sweet kitty. Their favorite “spots” seem so empty. Our dog really misses her buddy. We have found her laying in the spots Badger always was, places she never went to before. He was a good kitty, and we will never forget him. I shared the Rainbow Bridge poem with my daughter…it’s so sweet, and Heaven couldn’t be heavenly without our pets! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
A very nice story. I felt the love too.
Thanks so much, Betty! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hi Nicole! Grandpa looks like he had a great time! Savor every minute that you have with your Dad. Unfortunately my Dad just recently passed away (8/28/14). I got the call to come home right away, since he had been bed ridden for over a year. I was too late, but my Mom was with him and the Hospice nurse. I miss my Dad very much, but know that he is happy in heaven and looking down on us with a big smile. You had a long time with your kitty, but it is never easy to lose a family pet. I hope that your family will find comfort in knowing that you provide him with such a great home and lots of love.
Until next time – Diane
Oh, Diane, I am so sorry to heart of your loss. Hugs, warm thoughts and prayers your way, farmsister. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Wonderful post. Makes me miss my dad — and my kitty, both of whom were as special to me as yours are to you. Thanks for this, Nicole. May you enjoy many many more years, visits, and learning opportunities from your dad. Sadly I think most of us (myself included) don’t realize what we have til it’s gone… making this post all the more special.
Sippie, thank you for sharing with me. Blessings to you. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I’m so glad you had the chance to visit with your father and your family shared his wisdom and love. You are blessed!
Adrienne, Oh after he left, we all missed him so much, including my chihuahua! Pip still looks for my dad! They became fast buddies, and we thought we might need to check Dad’s luggage for the dog before he got on the plane! 😉 Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Cute picture of Badger. He was a sweet kitty. So glad your father finally unstopped your “drains”! I will have to find a drain snake too. Love, Mother
Hi Mom! It’s under $3.00 but works like a charm. It’s pretty gross what it brings up, though. Love you, Nicole
Thank your dad for cleaning the hair out of the shower drain tip! I am going to get one of those gadgets from the Hardware store today. Looks like you had a good visit with your dad and learned some of his old fashioned wisdom to pass along to Audrey.
Sorry about the passing of Badger. He was a sweet kitty and I am glad that you gave him a loving home for so long. You had a big heart years ago when I called you up and asked if you could adopt him and you said yes right away.
Hi Rose, Who knew how big an impact that kitty would be when you were our vet? Of course, how could I say no when you handed him to me at the office, and he was so beautiful and purring…he really was the prettiest kitty ever. We will be forever grateful to you.
As for the gadget, it’s a little tool that does a great thing!
Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole,
Loved your post and so glad you had a grand time with your dad . . precious are those times. And, I’m sure Audrey enjoyed his visit as well.
Thanks!
CJ
Thanks, so much CJ! Glad you enjoyed the post. Great memories were made! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
So glad you got to enjoy your time with your Dad. These are good memories for your family to cherish. I also will try the corn in the freezer next year. Thanks for your post.
Hi Dorothy, Thank you so much! Farmgirl hugs, Nicole
Hi Nicole! I was so sorry to read of the loss of your sweet kitty. You are right that you were blessed to have her so long- what a gift! I enjoyed reading about your visit with your dad. You are fortunate to have him still too! My dad passed away two years ago next week and I sure miss him. Thanks again for your wonderful posts and photos
Meredith, I am so sorry to hear that you’ve lost your father. No matter our age, every day is truly a blessing. Thank you for commenting. Big Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Loved your blog! My ‘Dad’ is 73 and I cherish the moments we have together! Thanks for the wonderful tips and your kitty reminded me of our ‘Misty’…who we lost a few years ago. Blessing & hugs to you!
I’m so glad your enjoyed the post. Farmgirl hugs to you and your dad! -Nicole
Great post, so nice that y’all had the time with your Dad! I too do the corn like that, I do however have a Food Saver machine, sucks all the air out and the bags can be put in boiling water to cook the corn, that way no water on the corn – so fresh tasting, you will love it. Sorry about kitty, I know you were a great family to him.
God bless.
Thanks, so much Joan! Love the idea of using a Food Saver. I don’t have one, but have thought of getting one. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Gorgeous photos. An absolute treasure time with your dad. How wonderful for you and your family to have this time together, an absolute blessing hugs
Denise
Australia
Hi Denise, Thank you so much. It was a great time. I miss my family every day, but am lucky I talk to them by phone almost daily. Thanks so much for “stopping by”! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole