What amazing memories you have. I am thankful that you have the recipe and that you are sharing with us. I have just recently learned to can and I surely enjoy it much more than I ever thought I would. Now I am going to start baking more from scratch soon.

June Days are so sweet and so special!!! Glorious mornings… precious evenings. I can sit outside and listen to the most wonderful “critter” sounds. A most wonderful time of the year!!!!

I am 92 , raised on a small MO farm. Love our Mary Jane magazine & your email articles/so refreshing & soo many memories of all U share. Thanking U.

Wow Mary! Such a great project! Thanks for sharing! I have managed to clean out my raised beds but haven’t even dared to look at my stored Dahlia tubers to see if they survived the winter. It was so so so cold here in NJ I am guessing i will be planting seeds instead this year!! Just noticing today on a drive through the country that there is an infinite number of shades of green at this time of year – and all are so beautiful to see!

Our May flowers showed up in April and so far our May has been rainy with April showers. We have to be careful with any plants as we can still get frost until around the middle of the month. Almost there!

We have enjoyed some days of sun, mostly peeks out for a little while in the afternoon. I am looking forward to warm days and dreaming of our little cabin/farm home we are looking for now.

So enjoy your writing and the great ideas you share as well as the yummy recipe!

Until next time!

As a fellow Ohio farmgirl, I hear you about the weather lately! I’m sorry to see your beautiful arbor as a casualty. Luckily the only damage we had from some hail was a tarp that we had planned to replace soon anyway. I can’t think of anything to add to your list, but I’m going to be making copies of documents to store in the basement. That’s one thing I forgot all about. Thank you for the reminder.

Yes, our weather has been all over the place… From flooding due to melting snow, to blizzards bringing 31″ of snow, to flooding from melting snow (again), and then from drenching rains with some severe thunderstorms thrown in as well as a few tornado watches and warnings, we’ve run the gambit all within a few weeks. We are under another flood watch for tomorrow with more storms rolling through and up to 3″ of more rain. We’re so saturated. Then a cool down and we’ll be back in the 40’s for highs and 20’s for lows. A real rollercoaster. You have some great tips. I have to admit that I’ve become very lax about preparations. I’m fortunate enough to have a whole house back-up generator (unless lightning strikes it too and puts it out of commission like a a year or so ago)…and the basement is semi-finished…having a bathroom, frig, freezer, etc. but I remember growing up on the farm where we did not even have a proper basement…just an old root cellar that was only accessible from the outside. We had 2 tornados go through the farm property and never once did we take shelter there…it was just a matter of “weathering te storm” and trusting what would be.

A wonderfully heart-warming and inspiring story for sure and for certain. One of my hooking friends was talking about a friend of hers who had redone and “glamped up” a vintage camper and then parted with it. I should check with her – perhaps they are one and the same. Maizy is a wonder and I hope you and your family enjoy her fully and completely in the years to come and is the home of many happy memories for you.

I enjoyed your “glamper” story! Super cute too!

We had a pickup camper and tried to retro the inside but husband used it for a hunting camper as well as our family camper. Dreams that needed to change but new ones came in their place.

You did a great job decorating it, so sweet looks going.

I want a large pantry so bad. I need it and yet, there is literally no room in this home for one. We only have three small closets, one in each bedroom. UGH!

I’ve had all kinds of pantries over the years. We were a family of nine and lived an hour away from a big grocery store, so it was imperative to have food storage. There was a small room off the kitchen that served us well. In those days I ground wheat and made bread. The grinder sounded like a jet engine and it was nice to be able to shut the door. In one of our houses the pantry was under the stairs. Now, as empty nesters, we live out in the country again. There is a long utility room off the kitchen. We have a washer and dryer and laundry sink on one side with the water heater at the end corner. On the opposite side is a long set of upper cabinets with tall open shelves in the middle where I store large canning jars full of dry goods and pretty baskets for extra canning stuff, paper goods etc. My buckets of wheat, oatmeal and dog food stand under the upper cabinets. There is room to hang clothes from the dryer and we have hooks for jackets right by the door to the outside carport. We have a deep freezer right outside that door. This house was built in 1970 and full of dark paneling. It took us 4 coats of white pant to transform our pantry. Now I love it! The idea is one can use spaces for multi purposes.

Never enough storage space! Our country home is only 35 years old and I wish I had included a pantry in the planning. I use the basement for our extra freezer and have shelves there for canned goods, empty jars, extra paper goods, etc. I lack enough room in my kitchen to store every thing I need. I turned the closet that is in the hall near the kitchen to a mini pantry. I purchased a metal rolling rack with 5 wire shelves. It’s used for crock pots, air fryer. waffle iron, food processor and things that don’t fit in my kitchen cupboards. The closet is still large enough to hold some coats and cleaning supplies in one end. Outdoor wear and boots are in the built-on garage. Unfortunately you don’t have that option, but I’m convinced that you’re going to come with something clever!

I have what I call “pantry envy”, as there is no pantry in this house at all. At least, not yet. What a timely post. I am at the moment, planning on taking one of the walls of our office, which is open to the kitchen, and turning it into a recessed pantry with IKEA cabinets. The only other spot we have to create one is inside the laundry closet down the hall from the kitchen, which is not ideal. The funny thing is, my son had the exact same idea about putting the pantry in the office without me even saying anything. It must be the right place! I will be placing my wheat berry buckets along with all of the other foodstuffs we have. I love the idea of the screen doors, but haven’t yet decided on that. I agree with you, that pantries are a symbol of sufficiency, independence and abundance in our lives. I can’t wait to see your new space! Blessings…

Glad you’re making it happen! I’ve wanted a pantry for YEARS and the dream is finally happening. We stole 5′ from our huge main floor bathroom (not sure what the previous owners were thinking – a bathroom 17′ wide??) to create a dedicated pantry right next to the kitchen. We’re nearly done with the walls & ceiling, next will be paint and wallpaper, then finally building out the shelves. I hope to have it functional by early spring.

It’s always a treat to read your posts. You certainly have your work cut out for you just getting through the frigid weather! Glad you are taking the time to appreciate the slowing down at this time of year. If you are anything like me, (and I think you are), the winter weather is all the encouragement I need to stay inside with a cozy fire going and tackle some indoor projects. Right now I’m reorganizing every part of our home, and loving every minute!
Praying the pipes are tucked in warm and toasty for the winter.
Enjoy the season and all of its gifts. Blessings…

Any news on when the magazine subscription will be made again

Hi Mary, It’s very cool that you do hearth cooking! In New England, we are hunkering down, here, too. The wind this winter has been awful, as well. I suspect it is from the trees that were cleared down a few years back for cows that new neighbors have. I love the cows, but the “wind tunnel” is often scary sounding when that winter air gets blowing. On a side note…I LOVE THAT DOORKNOB! Stay warm and cozy! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole, Suburban Farmgirl

Mary, Your articles are so inspiring and wonderful! I love reading about all the things you do. Happy New Year to you and yours. Hope this year is truly a good one for you and your family. Looking forward to your next blog.

Merry Christmas Sweet Mary…. Another beautiful post – you never disappoint. What a comforting (albeit budget-stretching) thought to be having a new furnace installed ahead of the for-sure-and-for-certain cold this winter will (and already has!) brought. After my nightmare last year with the non-working furnace issues, I’ll vow I will never take for granted again being able to wake up to – or come home to – heat. Great ideas for keeping Christmas in our hearts. As I just commented on Jacky’s (“Dicky Bird’s”) post, though, I won’t be doing much baking/cooking this year even though that has always been a large part of Christmas for me. The whole GF thing makes it difficult and the kids really don’t eat much of that stuff anyway (sometimes I question whether they’re proper relation to me LOL). Gifts, too, are simpler (why buy things they don’t want/need?) but I’ve probably decorated even more than I have in the last several years. No one other than me to enjoy them but enjoy them I do…a little light in the dark of winter (and a great way of procrastinating less enjoyable tasks). Again I find myself wishing we were closer neighbors.

Thank you so much Mary for another wonderful post. I have been on bed rest for the past month after a surgery. So I am really behind. But, I need to go slow and enjoy every minute of the Christmas season. If I do not get everything finished well that’s okay. There’s always next year.
Merry Christmas and. happy New Year.
Debbie
Farmgirl #1582

Thank you for a dose of Christmas cheer! May you and yours have a wonderful holiday season!

I enjoyed reading your comments!

Greetings Mary-
Again a wonderful post, thank you! I recently noticed a bumper sticker that read ‘live simply so others can simply live.’ Simplicity and supporting local businesses as much as possible is my new focus. Two little towns over has a new wonderful Farmgirl style florist. A spectacular addition to the new roadside stands that opened this summer. Recently visited the shop with a friend. She pointed out a vintage cake stand she loved but didn’t purchase. I just forwarded your post and suggested she go back and buy the cake stand!!!

Thank you for sharing your pie recipe!

Wishing you and your family a Thanksgiving full of love and wonderful memories.

Gae
Farmgirl 7534

Thank you for your thoughts. Very important stuff—how we live.

I wrote a comment and lost it! My theme this year is simply and natural using what I have not purchasing new🎄😊🌺

Such a beautiful post, and a timely reminder.
I try to keep things as simple as possible. There are enough complications in life without me adding to them 🙂

‘Tis a gift to be simple…truly and well said. Unfortunately, being “simple” can be one of the most difficult things to achieve. I guess that’s why it’s such a gift when achieved. I believe there are so many different “levels” of simple. Many could look at my world and declare it “simple”…yet the “busyness” in my mind begs for me to disagree – and vehemently so. It’s hibernation season here in Nod, so I will turn even a bit more inward. The “winter chores,” however lurk and, in many ways, I feel like I am just trading one kind of “busyness’ for another. I do believe that “simpleness” is more of a journey than a destination…and I have miles and miles to go.

I love all of your sceneries, Displays, Just EVERYTHING!
I would love to have your recipe for that cherry pie, it looks Delicious!
Thank you for sharing.

Your magazine is so refreshing always.Thanks for bringing me back to my little ‘farm girl’ growing up years, as I’m 91 now. The true use of ‘waste not, want not’ & ‘make do’ as I remember. Blessings to You!

Autumn is looking beautiful in your part of the world. It’s a lovely time of year. Xx

Mary,
October is my absolute favorite month of the year too! You and I live in the same state of the Midwest and I’ve often wondered just how far apart we are. I love to see when they harvest the cornfields and then all the birds that come for the pickin’s.
Love your quilts and pumpkins and look forward to seeing Maizy sometime.
Until next time,
Denise
FG #43

This are beautiful flowers. I love this time of the year. So many colors, The temperature
is just right. Thank you for sharing.

Mary-
I also love Fall. I have pumpkins and orange cone flowers mixed together in the garden now. The baskets you have recently found, and are enjoying, look to be Longaberger. I have both and, as a quilter, I have fabric in my picnic basket! The chicken coop is beautiful. Always enjoy your posts.

I love the mason jars for toting picnic fare! I used to pre-prep snacks for my kids/grandkids by using a pint mason jar and some individual applesauce cups that I had washed out. I put pretzels or fruit or veggies in the jar and then the “dip” went on the applesauce cups which fit right on top of the jars. Put a lid on it and put on the fridge! Great especially for snack items that would get soggy and also easy for the kids to dip without having to reach into the bottom of the jar. 😉