Monthly Archives: August 2014

Petals, Pots and Pitchers

059-001

” My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece. ”
– Claude Monet

Dear sisters,

I hope this note finds you all well and enjoying the start of milder weather, cooler nights and the slow, gentle changes of the season. Our daughter returned to school this week and just like that the busy buzz of summer came to a screeching halt. I’m happy to report she’s excited about her class schedule. Get a load of some of the classes she’s taking this year. Psychology, Oceanography, Auto-Cad for Engineering and Design, Algebra 11, Auto Shop, and Honors English. I’m glad she wants to challenge herself by dabbling in a variety of different subjects. I confess, this is not the sort of schedule I would have chosen for myself at her age. I would have been quite happy lying in the grass studying the shapes of the clouds while in full daydream mode and if I’m being honest, not much has changed!

I still like to play with colors and shapes! I think I’ll forever be working on my masters in GIRL GENIUSOLOGY!

My garden flowers are at their peak and now that school is ” back in session” I’ve got some extra time on my hands to fiddle and fuss with them. Come on in for my crash-course in DIY Farmgirl Flower arranging and see 8 unique bouquets! You’ll be amazed at how easy and simple it really is to make your own one-of-a-kind garden fresh bouquets using pots, pitchers, and other vintage vessels right at home. Continue reading

The Farm

“We’re going to the farm.”

“I think it’s back at the farm!”

“When we were at the farm…”

The Farm. When in certain places and in certain company, “The Farm” means the same thing to everyone who is in the know.  I work on one farm, but when I’m referring to “The Farm” around these parts, everyone knows it’s in reference to Spring Creek Farm.  Even though these two farms are only about a mile away from each other, one is “The Farm” and one is “Sun Circle.”  When in North Dakota, where there are hundreds of farms, “The Farm” is Evan’s parents’ farm.  When in Minnesota, where there are also hundreds of farms,”The Farm” is my mom’s place in central Minnesota.

The old horse and cow barn.

The old horse and cow barn at the Minnesota The Farm

Continue reading

Magical Mystery Farm

My husband is a huge gigantic Beatles fan. That’s where the name of the post came from.

Continue reading

Berry Ahh-Bundance!

It’s hard to believe summer‘s winding down, especially after such a long, cold winter last. It was cold well into spring, and now fall’s on our heels. This summer’s been mild, with few “dog day” temperatures. July was wet followed by lots of sun, perfect for open windows. All that rain and sun was the ideal combination for an abundance of berries…

IMG_9095

Continue reading

Spark of Madness

Oh, Robin…I miss you!  Isn’t it curious how we come to “know” and miss these famous people that never know of our existence?  The passing of Robin Williams has been weighing over my creative mind (and many others’ minds, as well), so I’ve been mulling over how to come up with a tribute to him while also keeping to my intended writing.  While he was never a huge part of my life by any means, I grew up watching and loving his movies.  I grew up in the heyday of Williams’ films: Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, Patch Adams, Hook, Aladdin, Jack…I’m in my childhood home, now, and feeling nostalgic for those carefree days of childhood. As a teenager and young adult, I came to appreciate his films for older audiences: The Dead Poets’ Society, The Birdcage, Death to Smoochie, Good Morning Vietnam, and Good Will Hunting. Then there is his infamously hilarious and raunchy stand up.  

Future comedian?! Probably.

Future comedian?! Probably.

With this large and long catalogue of work, he left behind many wonderful quotes–quotes that are not only funny, but insightful, as well. 

Continue reading

Skip to The Loo

Yep, every farm has to have one.

And my own farm didn’t come with one.

I’ve looked around, to see if I could find one to move to my farm.

But no.

So I finally built one.

I’ve been dying to show it to you.

Continue reading

A Different Kind O' Bee

Hearing the word, “bee” what comes to mind? Honey…insects?  I think of backyard hives I hope to have. Farmgirls also think of our beloved MaryJane and the Farmgirl Sisterhood. In my hometown of Newtown, Connecticut, “bee” has an additional meaning: “The Bee” is the local newspaper. I recently toured The Newtown Bee, discovering the paper’s name isn’t the only unique attribute of this historical gem.

IMG_8722 Continue reading

A Different Kind O’ Bee

Hearing the word, “bee” what comes to mind? Honey…insects?  I think of backyard hives I hope to have. Farmgirls also think of our beloved MaryJane and the Farmgirl Sisterhood. In my hometown of Newtown, Connecticut, “bee” has an additional meaning: “The Bee” is the local newspaper. I recently toured The Newtown Bee, discovering the paper’s name isn’t the only unique attribute of this historical gem.

IMG_8722 Continue reading

A Tennessee " RANCH " Farmgirl

80efa95c8d013dcc4602b9cfe911be96

Dear Sisters,

Is there anything better than the fullness of mid-summer? It’s the height of the season and Farmers Markets and home gardens are in full swing as fruits, veggies, herbs, honey,and flowers come into season blessing our bellies, tables and our need for visual beauty beyond measure. I for one, am feeling the fullness of all things FARM FRESH this summer and I hope you are too! But, I’m not the only one who is filling up on the beauty of summers bounty and sharing it! One day last week I was hiding out inside ( keeping cool in the AC ) and poking around on pinterest looking for pins to add to my Simply Red Board when I stumbled on the ca u test Farm Stand evah! Well, you know me… I just HAD to find out who the talented farm-girl genius was behind this way too cute farm stand ( which I am completely and utterly obsessed with )! I’m happy to report I found her ( through the help of another farmgirl friend on Facebook) and I can’t wait for you to meet her too! I fell head over heals in love with both of her blogs, The Red Feedsack and her Flower Farm blog, Farm Fresh. Dori’s love of life and passion for the farmgirl lifestyle simply vibrates off the pages of her beautiful blogs where she shares her life as a Tennessee Farmgirl.

Come on in and get the full Farmgirl Profile on blogger, home builder, flower farmer, cattle rancher, photographer and seamstress extraordinaire, Dori Troutman. Continue reading

A Tennessee ” RANCH ” Farmgirl

80efa95c8d013dcc4602b9cfe911be96

Dear Sisters,

Is there anything better than the fullness of mid-summer? It’s the height of the season and Farmers Markets and home gardens are in full swing as fruits, veggies, herbs, honey,and flowers come into season blessing our bellies, tables and our need for visual beauty beyond measure. I for one, am feeling the fullness of all things FARM FRESH this summer and I hope you are too! But, I’m not the only one who is filling up on the beauty of summers bounty and sharing it! One day last week I was hiding out inside ( keeping cool in the AC ) and poking around on pinterest looking for pins to add to my Simply Red Board when I stumbled on the ca u test Farm Stand evah! Well, you know me… I just HAD to find out who the talented farm-girl genius was behind this way too cute farm stand ( which I am completely and utterly obsessed with )! I’m happy to report I found her ( through the help of another farmgirl friend on Facebook) and I can’t wait for you to meet her too! I fell head over heals in love with both of her blogs, The Red Feedsack and her Flower Farm blog, Farm Fresh. Dori’s love of life and passion for the farmgirl lifestyle simply vibrates off the pages of her beautiful blogs where she shares her life as a Tennessee Farmgirl.

Come on in and get the full Farmgirl Profile on blogger, home builder, flower farmer, cattle rancher, photographer and seamstress extraordinaire, Dori Troutman. Continue reading