Recipe For A Farmgirl

All of us farmgirls have much in common, don’t we? Even though our lives, locale and lifestyles differ, we share some key ingredients.

The recipe for a farmgirl isn’t complex. We’re like dumplings and we’re at our best when we’re simmering in the soup of a busy life. We’re also sweet with dessert! Whether the day calls for salt or sugar, we look for the “just right” in life. Not too much, not too little … just enough. Too much is wasteful, too little is stingey and a farmgirl is neither.

A pinch of Create

A dash of Grow

A handful of Dirt

A heartful of Share

A tablespoon of Wise

A teaspoon of Care

A bucket of Nurture…

A cup of Laugh…

Above: Our little friend, Katie, who carried the “nut bucket” during a branding. I ‘spose there is a “politically correct” description for it, but the point of this ingredient is to lighten up :o)

A pot of Herbs…

And the kiss of a Calf…

Here’s the thing: Being a farmgirl is primarily a state of mind, not the state you live in, nor the size and scope of your farm. Heck, you don’t need a farm at all. Your farm might be the deck outside of your city apartment or a “farmette” in the suburbs. Maybe your farm includes “Ag” animals and maybe it doesn’t. Maybe your farm/ranch is miles away from the nearest neighbor or at the edge of town or at the end of a cul’de’sac. Maybe you pick your fruits and vegetables at home or perhaps you support other farmgirls by shopping at a nearby farmer’s market. What I know for sure is that this old saying is as right as rain: “Different strokes for different folks”. No matter where a farmgirl pitches her tent, she makes a difference in the lives around her.

She sees value and beauty in common, unlikely items.

She gets great enjoyment out of simple pleasures.

She isn’t one to give up on an apron because of a little wear.

She loves the great outdoors and finds a hundred ways to spend as much time outside as she can.

She takes pride in her work and the path she’s chosen.

She is a practical planner and she likes to work. Her goal is to be a good steward in every corner of her life.

She’ll scrub the garden dirt off, hang up her apron, put on her pearls and happily go out on the town. She’s generally as good at having fun uptown as she is at making fun out of cleaning fish. She puts her best foot forward and leans into life with girlish gusto.

Those who depend on a farmgirl are blessed.

…No matter how small they may be.

Your farmgirl pal knows your favorite color, favorite flavor of ice cream, she knows if you like lemon or sugar or both in your iced tea and she darn sure knows your favorite flower. She pays attention to the little things in friendship because she knows that little things are not little.

A farmgirl’s home is well-lived in and welcoming.

If I could only use one word to describe farmgirls, it would be this: Nice. Farmgirls are some of the nicest, most sincere and thoughtful beings you’ll ever meet. If you’re lucky (and blessed) you’ll have one or more as friends.

She’s a gentle soul by nature, tough & tender as the need presents itself. She might tell the truth bluntly and undiluted if that is what needs to happen. Or, she may soften it to be polite, for she knows that sometimes truth needs mercy as a sidedish. Whether or not she is familiar with Gene Autry’s “Code Of The West”, she’s a straight shootin’ cowgirl…with or without the horse, hat & cow.

A farmgirl knows that freedom isn’t free. She knows she is able to pursue her dreams and enjoy the lifestyle of her choosing because of the sacrifices of others, historically and in the here & now. She knows the Pledge Of Allegiance and she probably has a flag somewhere in her house or on her property.

I’ve made a study of farmgirls and their ways. They’re not young or old, nor rich or poor, or of one kind of personality. They’re everything. They’re like wildflowers in a meadow. They don’t try to bloom (or talk) all at the same time. They wait their turn, they’re team players. They know that the beauty of a landscape isn’t about honing in on one entity. The “whole” is made up of individuals that are lovely on their own, but even more so in the big picture.

Like most farmgirls, when I found MaryJanesFarm, it was like finding comfy slippers to match my chenille robe. Perfect, just perfect. In all things MaryJane, I found key ingredients for “personal enrichment”. MaryJane revitalizes my inner sourdough starter :o) And, as for you out there in blogland, you do more for me than you know. I learn so much every time I do an assignment for MaryJanesFarm. You are a big part of who I am at this time in my life. You teach me, your kind comments are soulfood, you make me smile, you make my full life fuller, my good life better. And, sometimes you make the hard places in my life easier. You are the virtues I hold dear. So, my life truly is as much about others as it is about me. I would be a very small package all by myself. I’d also be a fraction of the person I’ve become if it were not for the countless people who helped build me over the past 55 years. Thank you for making me a better farmgirl. Dang, gimme a hanky.

  1. Debbie says:

    Oh geeze Shery,
    Pass the dang hanky over this way would ya? I’m right there with ya on all points… even the comfy slippers part to match my chennile robe! I have found true enrichment and experienced such happy growing pangs since I found Mary Jane and the sisterhood too! A lot has gone into the making and shaping of each and everyone of us farmgirls and discovering MaryJanesFarm just puts the cherry right on top OF OUR farmgirl goodness doesn’t it? Aren’t we all blessed to have " EACH OTHER"?

    Thank YOU Shery for this touching and uplifting post today…
    If I had to sum it up in one word it would be PERFECT!
    LOVE and a big farmgirl hug!
    Deb

  2. Nicole Christensen says:

    Shery, Love it! Especially your quote on how we are dumplings in the simmering soup of a busy life! My life is so enriched from the sisterhood, for sure! What a great post. Farmgirl Hugs! Nicole, Farmgirl Sister #1155, Suburban Farmgirl Blogger

  3. bonnie ellis says:

    Shery: What a lovely way to put it. And you always have JUST the right photos or memorbelia to go with it. I live on the ranch through you. Thanks farmgirl. Bonnie

  4. Cyndi says:

    Sherry,

    Your words and photos you always share with us are so original and comforting. I just am in love with your recipe for a farmgirl. Thanks for showing us!
    Smiles, Cyndi

  5. Sara says:

    Amazing!! I just joined the sisterhood and have been enjoying it so far. But today I was feeling a little woe-ish. This was just what I needed to read today. Thank you for helping me see what I should be aspiring to be, what I already am, and being a great inspiration.
    Thank you!!

  6. Judi says:

    For those of us who cannot expess our thoughts and feelings in such wonderful words, thanks so very much for sharing.

  7. KimberlyD says:

    Got any more clean hankies? I enjoy reading your blog, I look forward to it every week. I could live all summer in that tent!!! Love the pictures you found. Those dolls, guess they look to me like rag dolls, are they in your house, did you make them? Or just found the picture. I had one kind of like them, that a sweet older woman made for me, I gave it to my niece when she got older, to pass on to her daughter. Had yarn hair, and a red checkered dress and a white apron.
    Some day some of us out here in blog land just might show up. I lived in Utah for a few years and loved it there. But my family is here in Michigan and my mom passed away a few years ago and my dad’s health hasn’t been so good so I moved back home to take care of him. I plant a few flowers and a few veggies for thats all I have space for. But when you eat those home grown tomatoes you just want to savior them, and cry knowing soon they will be gone and you have to eat those store ones in your salad soon. When I do have to buy them from the store I do let them sit out for awhile and they get less waxy tasting. But you have to do this a few days before you need them.
    Thanks Shery for your blogs!

  8. Michele Hieb says:

    Shery…I am soooo glad we met and  I am glad to call you my farmgirl… You fit all the descriptions to a tee and more …God has blessed me with faithful and true friends indeed!

  9. Cindy Perkins says:

    I have enjoyed reading your blog, and past posts as well. It’s nice to read about things going on in other areas, and see these delightful photos. Thanks for sharing!!!

  10. carol branum says:

    Shery, You’re so sweet…I realized that myself after Joplin, MO had the terrible tornado, that I shouldn’t think of myself so much, your blog is awesome! pass the hankies, carol branum

  11. Terry wright says:

    Now if I could find sisterhood in the forests, cornfields and soybean fields of Indiana. I NEED it!!

  12. Hi Shery, You said it all and I love to read your blogs. Yes, I have found a friend indeed with the Farmgirls. I like to come into your spaces and read about the different things everyone does and I feel a close connection with all the farmgirls. Just love everyone, You brighten my life too. HUGS from this Farmgirl #1020 Needy

  13. Donna Robinette says:

    Poetic description..beautiful…not everyone understands an "earth girl" . I’m proud to be one and you have described it to a tea.

  14. Janie says:

    Beautiful…and out of all the pics (which I LOVE them all) My absolute favorite is the "Out of Africa" tent…..I Love it…

    Love you..Love your horses…

  15. Annette Mack=Barnett says:

    Very well done, Sherry. I so enjoyed reading this, you hit the nail on the head. I would love to have some of your photos or know how to find them. Nothing better than being a farm girl. As my Daddy always told me, I have dirty blood just like him. I reckon I was born that way.

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