Farmgirl {One Word, Many Definitions}

What is the definition of Farmgirl to you?

Ever since becoming the Ranch Farmgirl for MaryJanesFarm, I’ve had that question going through my mind.

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Is it eagerly awaiting the arrival of your first calf of the season – and then not being able to keep your eyes off of it once it’s born? Continue reading

  1. Brenda Phillips says:

    Thank you for that memory. Even though I don’t live on the farm anymore, my heart is still there. I always try and find ways to bring the farm back to my home, from the way that I cook to crafting and sewing and quilting. Recently, I inherited a wood cook stove that I’ll be installing on my back patio. I’m going to learn to use it! I love all things country, like the smell of fresh laundry right off the clothesline, or the smell of fresh turned garden soil, or listening to the locusts sing in the late afternoon here in scorching southwest Oklahoma.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Brenda, thank you for what you said about brining the farm back to your home. That is so perfect. And a wood cook stove on the back patio?? PERFECT!!! I would love that too! – Dori –

  2. Cindy says:

    Love this post! I am a new farmgal in Boise,Idaho! Love our garden! Hay field! We built a farmhouse on our 26acres last year! Yeeeehaw! The garden turned out perfect along with the watermelon and pumpkin patch! We have 4dogs! A cat we named Gypsy who adopted us! And three baby Nubian goats! Oliver,Popye and Rueben! The horses,barn and chickens are coming next year! Love this life and lifestyle and hubby is out plowing his first field! Love it ! Cindy God has truley blessed us! A lifelong dream come true!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Dear Cindy, it really warmed my heart to read your comment because it reminded me of us a few years ago when we got settled on our farm. We too built a farmhouse. Isn’t it most wonderful life? We’re working on our barns and landscaping in the Spring and I’m so excited! Thanks for commenting! – Dori –

  3. Emily says:

    Hi there, Dori; You and Mary Jane said it all so eloquently. Being a Farm Girl is about God, home, family, community, and country. There is no truth in the saying, “You can’t go home again.” You can. All one needs to do is take those memories and make them live everyday wherever you are.

    Take care.
    Emily

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Thank you Emily. You are so right. You CAN go home again. I love how you worded it – those memories can go with us everywhere. Hugs. – Dori –

  4. Kristy says:

    One of my great grandmas was still living when I was a five-year old. She took me out to the well and showed me how to make a basket from burdocks. Mom’s mother taught me how to make dolls from hollyhocks and to float them in the dishpan with clean water. All three of my grandmother’s, Grandpa and my parents taught me about love through working with animals, cooking and sewing. It’s called quality time these days. It’s living life with things that have meaning.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Dear Kristy, do you still know how to make the dolls from Hollyhocks? I was thinking about that recently because my grand-mother taught me the same thing. I need to find out how to re-learn that so I can teach my little grand girls. Isn’t it wonderful the things we learned from our Grand-parents? I cherish it. It is such a comfort to find others like you that cherish the same things. – Dori –

      • Kristy says:

        Yes. I think I remember because I taught a friend how to do it. Farmgirl skills have to be passed on too. You need a full bloom, with a generous fourth inch stem and a bud that is showing enough color to be a turban, but not so much that the doll will be top heavy. Dig out a hole where the stem was on the bud, the depth of the stem on the skirt, and not too big. Head should slide onto waist. We used to pull the rubber tips off our Bobbie pins to make our gouging tool. If you keep a neck on the head, and try to insert it into the skirt, the skirt may tear or get bruised. I’ll try to teach my granddaughter using a toothpick for the tool.

        • Dori Troutman says:

          Kristy, Thank you SO MUCH. I’m so excited because I’m going to teach my grand-girls how to do this next year. It just makes me smile to remember how much we loved our Holly Hock Dolls!!! Thank you again for refreshing my memory! – Dori –

  5. Deb Bosworth says:

    Dori, Wow! Loved this post from top to bottom… I too love what MaryJane wrote about being the conduit for an archived language. The NEW connections I have made ( not only with my inner farmgirl) but with new farmgirl friends far and wide since discovering her magazine have been a huge blessing on my farmgirl heart… I just have to say, your photos are just awe inspiring and I love the way you write too!
    hugs from your Beach Farmgirl Sista! Deb

  6. bonnie b says:

    Hi Dori, The picture of your Mom and Dad is wonderful. They look so happy. I’ll look forward to New Mexico farm stories!
    I don’t now nor have I ever lived on a farm, but did live in the country as a child. Loved going to the neighbors to ride on the tractor with Mr. Miller and play with his grandkids in the hay loft and barn. Great memories. And evidently something stuck with me because I have always been a “nester”, loved sewing, growing things, baking, etc. You get the picture; but for so long it was a kind of frowned upon trait to have. But I always did what I wanted and was a round peg in a square hole. LOL Now it has become cool and I couldn’t be happier for all the women who may have felt they didn’t quite fit in.
    Your pictures and definitions were right on. Terrific job!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Bonnie, my Mom and Dad would be one of the happiest couples and I think it is the hard work, country living, simple life that does it. It is what I strive for in my life and what I see in so many other lives of folks that live the same way. I love your Farm memories and love that you are most definitely a Farmgirl at heart! – Dori –

  7. CJ Armstrong says:

    Dori, thank you! I believe the definition of a “farmgirl” to be all of this . . . more if you feel it applies to your life. I grew up on a very busy farm, currently live on acreage that was part of the farm so I can still see it all! My parents are both gone and my siblings (there are six of us and four live away from here) and I decided to sell the farm. My hubby and I only do a little this ‘n’ that on our place. My farmgirl roots go deep . . very deep!
    CJ

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Dear CJ, how wonderful it is that you still get to live next to the farm you grew up on… I bet sometimes it still feels like it’s yours huh? Those roots do go very, very deep. Thankfully! – Dori –

  8. Peggy Gray says:

    I’m a former city girl who has discovered I am a farm girl at heart. For two years my husband and I have lived on a little farm in the Ozark Mountains. We raise sheep and alpacas, and also jersey cows for beef. We have a Border Collie and two massive Pyrenean Mastiffs for LGDs. We have laying hens for eggs and some Pygmy goats just for fun. We have a vegetable garden and enjoyed fresh veggies all summer. I’m so happy to have found this site and all the women who love the farm life as much as I do.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Dear Peggy – a farm in the Ozark Mountains??? Oh. My. Word. How I would love to see the Ozarks. I bet you have a gorgeous place! And yes, MaryJanesFarm is such a great place to meet other women just like us! – Dori –

  9. Marge Hofknecht says:

    I enjoyed your post. I’m not an actual hands-on farmgirl but I do so enjoy homespun activities like bread-making, throwing together soups from a little bit of this and that leftovers, quilting and embroidery. All the things that take a little time to do, take more effort than just opening a can or buying ready-made. Your photos are beautiful. Thank you for sharing them.

  10. My opinion of farmgirl is anything that your desires ,when it comes to soing things the old fashion way and digging in the dirt, I still like to play in the dirt and I try to keep the land as it should be.
    My farm right now (don’t laugh) is my 5, 4×8, boxes in my small back yard. I’m 70 years old and this is what I do to raise fresh veggies for my husband and I. He is 81 and not able to do much, he built these boxes for me when he was well. I really consider myself a farmgirl and I love it. I make aprons for friends and family, I can my food and bake my own bread and make jellies and can veggies. I pray the good Lord lets me live to do these things for along while, yet. I always dreamed of having a farm, but it never happened , but that’s Ok, I’m still a happy farm girl. Thanks for this blog I just love it. Juanita Massey

  11. My opinion of farmgirl is anything that your heart desires ,when it comes to doing things the old fashion way and digging in the dirt, I still like to play in the dirt and I try to keep the land as it should be.
    My farm right now (don’t laugh) is my 5, 4×8, boxes in my small back yard. I’m 70 years old and this is what I do to raise fresh veggies for my husband and I. He is 81 and not able to do much, he built these boxes for me when he was well. I really consider myself a farmgirl and I love it. I make aprons for friends and family, I can my food and bake my own bread and make jellies and can veggies. I pray the good Lord lets me live to do these things for along while, yet. I always dreamed of having a farm, but it never happened , but that’s Ok, I’m still a happy farm girl. Thanks for this blog I just love it. Juanita Massey

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Oh Juanita – I could never laugh. Your farm is PERFECT. I think our farm can be whatever works for us at the stage of life we are in. And aren’t you lucky to have what you have and be able to do all you at 70? That is incredible. Thank you for writing to me. – Dori –

  12. Debbie V says:

    I don’t know anything about leaving comments since this is the first time I’ve done it. I’ve been reading Mary Jane farms now for 3 years and love to immerse my self in all the articles. I’ve always just dreamt about trying all the exciting things there is to do. I’ve just read your post and its wonderful to hear all the exciting things you do on your farm. I don’t have a farm but I love to cook, bake, garden, canning and hanging my laundry outside. In a week I’ll be out of a job and I’m excited to try out different things including getting myself some chickens which I’ve been wanting since the first MJF magazine I read.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Debbie – I consider it a HUGE compliment that your first comment was to me! 🙂 Good luck with your chickens. They are SO MUCH FUN. You will be amazed at their personalities and what a great companion they are. Not to mention the eggs! Keep me posted on how much you love them. – Dori –

  13. Tracey H says:

    What a wonderful place you are living in! My family has always said that I should be living on a farm, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be. As a child, my grandparents had a farm and we had so many good memories. Keep sharing your pictures and life. It brings a smile to my face, as well as I’m sure, to so many others.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Tracey, thank you so much for your kind words. Isn’t it wonderful to have had grandparents that had a farm and to look back on all the special memories? I’m so thankful for that in my own life. – Dori –

  14. Amy Kinser says:

    Oh Dori! You are the perfect MaryJane girl!! I love this!!!

  15. Therese says:

    What sweet parents!

    Even though I live by the ocean staring at it now from my bedroom window, I’ve always been a Farmgirl at heart.

    Thanks for reminding me that it’s a state of mind, not a place of residence.

    Going back to the basics is what I strive for, simplicity…home cooked food, farm stand vegetables and better yet, my own that I’ve grown in my own garden.
    Even if it’s only one or two zucchini (ahh, the simple pleasures of container farming), I relish those two zucchini.

    May all of us rebirth our Farmgirl tendencies to bring back was has been lost for future generations to appreciate and enjoy!!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Therese, yes my parents are so very sweet! 🙂 I can’t imagine living where you can stare at the ocean. What an incredible Farmgirl place to live. (I bet you love reading our Beach Farmgirl posts.) Going back to basics is so good for us isn’t it? And it’s always amazing to me how “basics” can be such an incredible thing. Thanks for writing! – Dori –

  16. Denise says:

    Great post, I’m a farmgirl too living OnThe east coast of Australia in suburbia. I was brought up with the waste not want not philosophy and making things by hand. Love living this way even though my present abode is on a townhouse. As you so rightly say it’s not the location but the motivation. Love your photos,especially your mum and dad.
    Living it up farm girl style
    Denise

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Denise, thank you for writing from all the way in Australia! I love that we can have farmgirl friends from way across the world! – Dori –

  17. Heidi Brockman says:

    Your words speak how we feel! Especially the part about the newborn baby calf! Its what we love and its what we do! Keep spreading the stories of the good life!

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It’s Apple Pie Season!

It’s apple picking season and all I’ve been able to think of lately is home made Apple Pie!

IMG_5936-001

I just happen to love making pies and I think possibly Apple Pie is my favorite to make.

So this week when I grabbed my pyrex bowl and my ingredients, I grabbed my camera too so that I could share my recipe with all you other Farmgirls.

Continue reading

  1. Deanna says:

    Girl, that is one luscious looking pie. Everything was just right, including using lard. It’s the best for a flaky crust. I love to bake pies and am well known in my community for them. It’s hard to pick a favorite, because I like them all! Sometimes I make my apple pie with a crumb topping and that’s yummy too. The old Farm Journal Pie Cookbook I have is literally falling apart, but it’s the best if you can find one. Enjoy your fall!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Deanna, that cookbook you mentioned sounds like something I need to get my hands on…. the search is on!!! 🙂 It’s hard for me to pick a favorite too. Because I love a good pumpkin pie so much. And I have a friend that makes the most awesome buttermilk pie that is so amazing! If I had to to choose a dessert it would always be pie! – Dori –

  2. gigi says:

    Hi,
    Oh, yes LARD (homemade lard and leaf lard) is a best to perfection of pie crust.
    Try to use lard instead of butter in some of your cookie recipes and believe me nothing compares to the taste and freshness of the cookies. I use homemade lard in my cookies and the longer they stay, the better and better they taste.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Gigi, okay you’ve got me excited now. I’m going to try lard in cookies very soon! Thanks for sharing. My mom used to make lard but I never have. You’ve got me thinking though! 🙂 – Dori –

  3. I like to use non-hydrogenated lard when I can find it, but if I can’t I use non-hydrogenated shortening and butter. Your recipe is very similar to mine, but I have never tried those varieties in my pies, now I need to. What’s my favorite pie? This time of year it’s apple. Fresh out of the oven I can hardly wait until it’s cool enough to cut! You got a very nice crimp on that crust!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Kathy, thank you! I don’t think I’ve ever actually looked for non-hydrogenated lard before and I must. I bet Whole Foods carries it?? Yes, my pie is very similar to yours. I like what you said about adding cheese to an apple pie…. like why would you do that?! 🙂 I have so many favorite pies I never can choose – but I will always choose pie if given the choice! – Dori –

  4. CJ Armstrong says:

    Looks absolutely divine! Wish I could come over for a sample!
    I make Apple Crisp.. . . a favorite of my family . . . with apples from the orchard my dad planted. And I used real butter in the topping!
    CJ

    • Dori Troutman says:

      CJ – I wish you could come over too! I also love Apple Crisp and I agree – NOTHING better than real butter on the topping! And whip cream. Or ice cream. And coffee! Ha! – Dori –

  5. Kay (old cowgirl) Montoy says:

    Hi Dori,
    I have always used 1/2 shortening and 1/2 butter. My father who was know for his pies, used lard and then shortening when it became available. Both were very nice and flaky. I think some of it has to do with the working or not so much, of the dough. I have one of the apple corer, slicer, peeler and would not be without it, except now (It got packed along with some other things like my pastry cutter). So I just buy the ready made crusts to fill and bake. Not quite the same. My Dad taught me to eat apple pie with either a slice of cheddar or American cheese on top of the cut slice. Never ate it with ice cream.
    I love Mincemeat pies. You know the old fashioned kind with real meat mixed in. Anything else is just a raison pie. When I was growing up we had deer meat to help with getting through Winter. Mom would cook up some and put it in with some of the fat and fresh apples cubed along with the mince meat mix from the store. I sure long for that pie. No one knows how any more.
    God Bless and hugs from the West,
    Kay

    My favorite pie is an old fashioned Mince meat pie. My Daughters just love it and so do I.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Hi Kay, you know I’m not sure I’ve ever eaten the real mince meat pie. I’m going to ask my mother because it seems like she – or her mother – would certainly have made them. So maybe I’ve forgotten. And yes, over-working the pie dough is the clincher. I’ve never eaten my apple pie with a piece of cheese but I’ve heard of a lot of people that do! Hugs back to you. – Dori –

  6. Becky Anderson says:

    I grew up in Maine…BIG Apple orchards where our family would go for the day and pick the most beautiful McIntosh apples fresh from the tree. They’re best just after the first frost.

    We would pick and eat apples all day and come home with about 15 bushels. We had a cellar in our home that would keep the apples crisp throughout the winter.

    The week after we got home with the apples my mother would can, make and can apple sauce, make apple butter and lots of pies! My dad loved apple pie! She would also freeze a few to have on hand if company came.

    To us kids apples were like candy…to this day you just can’t beat a good Maine McIntosh.

    Happy baking,.whatever your favorite apple may be.:-)

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Becky – I love a good McIntosh apple too. OH to be able to pick so many fresh ones and keep in a cellar. We have a cave with an underground creek and we’ve been talking about making a root cellar there. It is cool year round. But spooky! 🙂 It is awesome how long apples will stay good. Happy baking to you too dear friend. – Dori –

  7. Lisa Vogeli says:

    Dori
    I love apple pie! My favorite has got to be Marionberry Pie, it took a move to Oregon to figure out and taste that delicious pie. Next in line, you got it Apple Pie! I really enjoyed the beautiful pics and info. I am like you lard is best for the crusts and of course Fresh cream whipped up for topping. Love to you and your family..

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Lisa, I have NEVER had Marionberry Pie… never even tasted Marionberries but I’ve heard all about them. Eldon and I took a trip to the Pacific Northwest a number of years ago and came home with gallons of Cranberries, but I don’t think it was Marionberry season. Someday….. Hugs to you. – Dori –

  8. Dori,
    your pie looks fabulous! And my family knows pie! thanks for sharing your recipe, I can’t wait to try the crust it looks perfect. Want to know our family “secret” ingredient for apple pie? Red Hot Candies. Add a couple to your apple mixture in place of some sugar and cinnamon and it gives your pie a lovely vibrant red color as well as the perfect flavor! Try it if you want sometime. I sure have been enjoying your posts and am terribly jealous of your pyrex bowls! 😉

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Erin, that’s funny about the red hot candies because I remember making a pie when I was a kid that we the recipe called for the red hot candies. That memory was tucked away in my brain and came flying out when I read your comment! 🙂 I will have to do that next time. Yes, I love my pyrex bowls. I use them every single day for one thing or another. Probably my most used item in my kitchen! Thanks for writing! – Dori –

  9. bonnie b says:

    Oh Dori, I so enjoyed your blog and pics. It reminded me so much of my mother-in-law, who was like a mother to me. She had the set of pyrex bowls and always used lard for her pie crusts. She was always well known for her pies (and fried chicken) 😀 With cholesterol being the bad guy for so many years, I gave up the idea of lard and now I believe I will try using it again. Your pie looked so yummy – I think my favorite is apple and like a few others, I like a piece of cheddar cheese with mine – or ice cream or whipped cream. LOL And like you, I would choose pie over almost any other dessert. I am loving your blog and getting to know you.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Bonnie, thank you so much for writing! Those pyrex bowls bring about so many memories for so many people… I’ve had a guest walk in my kitchen and she just kept staring at them until she said, “I feel like crying when I look at those bowls, I miss my Grandmother so much”! 🙂 Oh, fried chicken sounds SO GOOD!!! – Dori –

  10. IrishSwede says:

    My fondest Fall memories are of my Grandmother (Nana) sitting at her father’s dining room table (now mine) in her yellow gingham apron, peeling apples and teaching me how to make apple pie. It was the best of times. I can almost smell it baking now. She used lard also, and the crusts were flaky light. As time passed, I had moved away from using lard, but after seeing your recipe, I’m changing back to what is time tested, true and just good to the last piece.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      You know, I think maybe that is one of the things about making pies that is so special. It’s the memories of days gone by. Making the crust from scratch, peeling the apples. You are absolutely right. IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES. Thanks for writing! – Dori –

  11. “My oh my”, That is a good looking pie. Dori I still use the old fashion ingredients too. I love the Amish butter that I buy from an Organic market locally. I love pies too. This time of year I like to make sweet potato and pumpkin, which are plentiful in our area. I just came back from a trip to Pennsylvania and bought some apples, I will make an apple pie and some apple sauce. Love making (squirreling) stuff for the winter. Love your Blog and keep up the good work, Juanita

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Juanita, oh that Amish butter sounds so good. Nothing like good butter! I grew some “Candy Roaster” pumpkins… (they are an heirloom variety and some call them a squash). Anyway, they make the very best pumpkin pie. I have plenty of puree in my freezer for the winter! Happy cooking! – Dori –

  12. I love your vintage Pyrex, too, but that red and white rolling pin is a work of art! Is it glass? Yum…you make me want pie! My favorite pie this time of year to make and gobble is pumpkin pie (though apple is a close second). Here in New England, we always go apple picking at least once, and make a fresh apple pie! My mouth is watering…
    Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole (Suburban Farmgirl)

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Nicole, my white and red rolling pin is from Anthropologie – yes it is glass. I use it for decoration only because honestly? Nothing works as well as my very old wooden one!! And I do love my vintage pyrex – I would have to say it is my favorite thing in my kitchen! 🙂 I would love, love, love to go apple picking in New England. Maybe someday if I ever get there in the Fall to see the leaves I’ll pick apples too! 🙂 – Dori –

  13. Cindy says:

    Wow! That pie looks so yummy! I will be baking one soon! Thanks for the great recipe!

  14. I love your beautiful pyrex bowls also and has brought back many memories for me with my nanny and mom using them in the kitchen while I was growing up. I agree your pie is a work of art and looks so good. I will try the lard and in the past I have not had any luck with pie making but you have inspired me to try again following your recipe.
    Thank you

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Charlene, let me know how your pie crust works if you venture into the pie making journey again! I do love making pies! Also feel free to email me if you have any questions! – Dori –

      P.S. YES, those Pyrex bowls really do bring back the memories! 🙂

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It's Apple Pie Season!

It’s apple picking season and all I’ve been able to think of lately is home made Apple Pie!

IMG_5936-001

I just happen to love making pies and I think possibly Apple Pie is my favorite to make.

So this week when I grabbed my pyrex bowl and my ingredients, I grabbed my camera too so that I could share my recipe with all you other Farmgirls.

Continue reading

  1. Deanna says:

    Girl, that is one luscious looking pie. Everything was just right, including using lard. It’s the best for a flaky crust. I love to bake pies and am well known in my community for them. It’s hard to pick a favorite, because I like them all! Sometimes I make my apple pie with a crumb topping and that’s yummy too. The old Farm Journal Pie Cookbook I have is literally falling apart, but it’s the best if you can find one. Enjoy your fall!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Deanna, that cookbook you mentioned sounds like something I need to get my hands on…. the search is on!!! 🙂 It’s hard for me to pick a favorite too. Because I love a good pumpkin pie so much. And I have a friend that makes the most awesome buttermilk pie that is so amazing! If I had to to choose a dessert it would always be pie! – Dori –

  2. gigi says:

    Hi,
    Oh, yes LARD (homemade lard and leaf lard) is a best to perfection of pie crust.
    Try to use lard instead of butter in some of your cookie recipes and believe me nothing compares to the taste and freshness of the cookies. I use homemade lard in my cookies and the longer they stay, the better and better they taste.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Gigi, okay you’ve got me excited now. I’m going to try lard in cookies very soon! Thanks for sharing. My mom used to make lard but I never have. You’ve got me thinking though! 🙂 – Dori –

  3. I like to use non-hydrogenated lard when I can find it, but if I can’t I use non-hydrogenated shortening and butter. Your recipe is very similar to mine, but I have never tried those varieties in my pies, now I need to. What’s my favorite pie? This time of year it’s apple. Fresh out of the oven I can hardly wait until it’s cool enough to cut! You got a very nice crimp on that crust!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Kathy, thank you! I don’t think I’ve ever actually looked for non-hydrogenated lard before and I must. I bet Whole Foods carries it?? Yes, my pie is very similar to yours. I like what you said about adding cheese to an apple pie…. like why would you do that?! 🙂 I have so many favorite pies I never can choose – but I will always choose pie if given the choice! – Dori –

  4. CJ Armstrong says:

    Looks absolutely divine! Wish I could come over for a sample!
    I make Apple Crisp.. . . a favorite of my family . . . with apples from the orchard my dad planted. And I used real butter in the topping!
    CJ

    • Dori Troutman says:

      CJ – I wish you could come over too! I also love Apple Crisp and I agree – NOTHING better than real butter on the topping! And whip cream. Or ice cream. And coffee! Ha! – Dori –

  5. Kay (old cowgirl) Montoy says:

    Hi Dori,
    I have always used 1/2 shortening and 1/2 butter. My father who was know for his pies, used lard and then shortening when it became available. Both were very nice and flaky. I think some of it has to do with the working or not so much, of the dough. I have one of the apple corer, slicer, peeler and would not be without it, except now (It got packed along with some other things like my pastry cutter). So I just buy the ready made crusts to fill and bake. Not quite the same. My Dad taught me to eat apple pie with either a slice of cheddar or American cheese on top of the cut slice. Never ate it with ice cream.
    I love Mincemeat pies. You know the old fashioned kind with real meat mixed in. Anything else is just a raison pie. When I was growing up we had deer meat to help with getting through Winter. Mom would cook up some and put it in with some of the fat and fresh apples cubed along with the mince meat mix from the store. I sure long for that pie. No one knows how any more.
    God Bless and hugs from the West,
    Kay

    My favorite pie is an old fashioned Mince meat pie. My Daughters just love it and so do I.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Hi Kay, you know I’m not sure I’ve ever eaten the real mince meat pie. I’m going to ask my mother because it seems like she – or her mother – would certainly have made them. So maybe I’ve forgotten. And yes, over-working the pie dough is the clincher. I’ve never eaten my apple pie with a piece of cheese but I’ve heard of a lot of people that do! Hugs back to you. – Dori –

  6. Becky Anderson says:

    I grew up in Maine…BIG Apple orchards where our family would go for the day and pick the most beautiful McIntosh apples fresh from the tree. They’re best just after the first frost.

    We would pick and eat apples all day and come home with about 15 bushels. We had a cellar in our home that would keep the apples crisp throughout the winter.

    The week after we got home with the apples my mother would can, make and can apple sauce, make apple butter and lots of pies! My dad loved apple pie! She would also freeze a few to have on hand if company came.

    To us kids apples were like candy…to this day you just can’t beat a good Maine McIntosh.

    Happy baking,.whatever your favorite apple may be.:-)

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Becky – I love a good McIntosh apple too. OH to be able to pick so many fresh ones and keep in a cellar. We have a cave with an underground creek and we’ve been talking about making a root cellar there. It is cool year round. But spooky! 🙂 It is awesome how long apples will stay good. Happy baking to you too dear friend. – Dori –

  7. Lisa Vogeli says:

    Dori
    I love apple pie! My favorite has got to be Marionberry Pie, it took a move to Oregon to figure out and taste that delicious pie. Next in line, you got it Apple Pie! I really enjoyed the beautiful pics and info. I am like you lard is best for the crusts and of course Fresh cream whipped up for topping. Love to you and your family..

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Lisa, I have NEVER had Marionberry Pie… never even tasted Marionberries but I’ve heard all about them. Eldon and I took a trip to the Pacific Northwest a number of years ago and came home with gallons of Cranberries, but I don’t think it was Marionberry season. Someday….. Hugs to you. – Dori –

  8. Dori,
    your pie looks fabulous! And my family knows pie! thanks for sharing your recipe, I can’t wait to try the crust it looks perfect. Want to know our family “secret” ingredient for apple pie? Red Hot Candies. Add a couple to your apple mixture in place of some sugar and cinnamon and it gives your pie a lovely vibrant red color as well as the perfect flavor! Try it if you want sometime. I sure have been enjoying your posts and am terribly jealous of your pyrex bowls! 😉

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Erin, that’s funny about the red hot candies because I remember making a pie when I was a kid that we the recipe called for the red hot candies. That memory was tucked away in my brain and came flying out when I read your comment! 🙂 I will have to do that next time. Yes, I love my pyrex bowls. I use them every single day for one thing or another. Probably my most used item in my kitchen! Thanks for writing! – Dori –

  9. bonnie b says:

    Oh Dori, I so enjoyed your blog and pics. It reminded me so much of my mother-in-law, who was like a mother to me. She had the set of pyrex bowls and always used lard for her pie crusts. She was always well known for her pies (and fried chicken) 😀 With cholesterol being the bad guy for so many years, I gave up the idea of lard and now I believe I will try using it again. Your pie looked so yummy – I think my favorite is apple and like a few others, I like a piece of cheddar cheese with mine – or ice cream or whipped cream. LOL And like you, I would choose pie over almost any other dessert. I am loving your blog and getting to know you.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Bonnie, thank you so much for writing! Those pyrex bowls bring about so many memories for so many people… I’ve had a guest walk in my kitchen and she just kept staring at them until she said, “I feel like crying when I look at those bowls, I miss my Grandmother so much”! 🙂 Oh, fried chicken sounds SO GOOD!!! – Dori –

  10. IrishSwede says:

    My fondest Fall memories are of my Grandmother (Nana) sitting at her father’s dining room table (now mine) in her yellow gingham apron, peeling apples and teaching me how to make apple pie. It was the best of times. I can almost smell it baking now. She used lard also, and the crusts were flaky light. As time passed, I had moved away from using lard, but after seeing your recipe, I’m changing back to what is time tested, true and just good to the last piece.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      You know, I think maybe that is one of the things about making pies that is so special. It’s the memories of days gone by. Making the crust from scratch, peeling the apples. You are absolutely right. IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES. Thanks for writing! – Dori –

  11. “My oh my”, That is a good looking pie. Dori I still use the old fashion ingredients too. I love the Amish butter that I buy from an Organic market locally. I love pies too. This time of year I like to make sweet potato and pumpkin, which are plentiful in our area. I just came back from a trip to Pennsylvania and bought some apples, I will make an apple pie and some apple sauce. Love making (squirreling) stuff for the winter. Love your Blog and keep up the good work, Juanita

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Juanita, oh that Amish butter sounds so good. Nothing like good butter! I grew some “Candy Roaster” pumpkins… (they are an heirloom variety and some call them a squash). Anyway, they make the very best pumpkin pie. I have plenty of puree in my freezer for the winter! Happy cooking! – Dori –

  12. I love your vintage Pyrex, too, but that red and white rolling pin is a work of art! Is it glass? Yum…you make me want pie! My favorite pie this time of year to make and gobble is pumpkin pie (though apple is a close second). Here in New England, we always go apple picking at least once, and make a fresh apple pie! My mouth is watering…
    Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole (Suburban Farmgirl)

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Nicole, my white and red rolling pin is from Anthropologie – yes it is glass. I use it for decoration only because honestly? Nothing works as well as my very old wooden one!! And I do love my vintage pyrex – I would have to say it is my favorite thing in my kitchen! 🙂 I would love, love, love to go apple picking in New England. Maybe someday if I ever get there in the Fall to see the leaves I’ll pick apples too! 🙂 – Dori –

  13. Cindy says:

    Wow! That pie looks so yummy! I will be baking one soon! Thanks for the great recipe!

  14. I love your beautiful pyrex bowls also and has brought back many memories for me with my nanny and mom using them in the kitchen while I was growing up. I agree your pie is a work of art and looks so good. I will try the lard and in the past I have not had any luck with pie making but you have inspired me to try again following your recipe.
    Thank you

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Charlene, let me know how your pie crust works if you venture into the pie making journey again! I do love making pies! Also feel free to email me if you have any questions! – Dori –

      P.S. YES, those Pyrex bowls really do bring back the memories! 🙂

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Belle… The Best Dog A Horse Could Ask For

Happy October to all my Farmgirl Friends!

This post is the second half of a story I began two weeks ago. So…. if you haven’t read the first half, you will want to read it first by going to that post here.

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Six week old Belle in the front yard at our previous house… trying to keep her out of the horse corral, only to have Promise come find her when we let her out for her evening run!  

Continue reading

  1. Deb Bosworth says:

    Bless her little horse heart… She must have been so homesick and fearful of her new surroundings… Imagine what she was thinking? What’s all this green stuff, and wide open space to run in, and why is my water so far away? She is the best horse a dog ( and a family) could ever have. Love , love , love, this! Thank you, Dori! Happy Fall!

    hugs, Deb ( beach farmgirl)

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Dear Deb – Thank you for reading and commenting! And yes, she is the best horse for our family! Hugs to you my friend. – Dori –

  2. Linda Petersen says:

    Hi Dori! Thank you for sharing such a sweet story! I needed a little something to touch my heart today & this is the cherry on top of the cake.
    Have a lovely weekend 🙂 .

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Linda – Thank you so much for your comment, I’m so glad this was a “cherry on top” kind of story! – Dori –

  3. Jan says:

    Just read your blog for the first time and loved it! So happy that Promise is happy again! What a special, loving relationship her and Belle have, beautiful!

  4. Bambi Miller says:

    Hi Dori,
    Love your story with Promise and Belle! I too have Aussies, and they are the best dogs ever! be it ranch, farm or urban living. I don’t know what I would do without mine. Your Tennessee ranch looks beautiful. Look forward to more of your stories 🙂

    Bambi

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Bambi – I think Aussie’s are one of the most amazing dogs. They do adapt so well to any lifestyle… I always say as long as they have a job to do, they are happy! – Dori –

  5. natalie says:

    Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. Blessings on your family both human and animal.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Natalie – Aren’t we lucky to have animals that are part of our family too?! Thank you for reading! – Dori –

  6. Sandy says:

    Beautiful

  7. Jacque says:

    this is the sweetest “feel-good” story ever – those two are just adoreable – thanks for sharing 🙂

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Jacque – I’m happy the story brought that “feel-good” feeling! We all need that sometimes don’t we?! 🙂 – Dori –

  8. bonnie b says:

    Lovely story! It’s always amazing to see how certain animals bond with each other.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Bonnie – Animals are pretty amazing how accepting they are of each other. We could learn a lot from them! – Dori –

  9. Kay (old cowgirl) Montoy says:

    What a wonderful ending to a truly inspiring story. Belle is one of those animals that is instinctlvely in tune with her friend. A good lesson for all of use to seek. Happy trails.
    Hugs,
    Kay

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Kay – There was a time when we were afraid there wouldn’t be a happy ending! It makes us tremendously thankful. – Dori –

      • Kay (old cowgirl) Montoy says:

        Dori,
        I already replied to the story and yet I see there might be more to it. Is it possible in you very busy schedule for a book about Promise and Belle? Even if you told it to a person who could co-write it with you?
        I would buy the book in a minute and I bet most of those who replied to your story would also. Most people love a good animal story.
        Hugs
        Kay

  10. Beverly says:

    What a heartwarming story Dori. The bond between Promise and Belle is amazing!! Oh by the way I LOVE the scenery surrounding your home. A little bit of heaven on earth. I hope you’ll post some photos of your beautiful home and surrounding scenery. Hugs!!!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Beverly – Thank you. Yes, I hope to write in more detail about our home and farm. We are so very thankful to live here! Thanks for reading and commenting. – Dori –

  11. cindy says:

    Great story!! I know that everybody has their own dog story, but I am going to put mine out there anyways. I have two dogs. One is a blue heeler and the other is a shih tzu. The shih tzu is scared to death of thunder. One day while we were sitting on the front porch (we live in the country) a loud clap of thunder hit overhead and it started raining. The shih tzu took off down the road. I watched and called her for a bit thinking she would turn around and come back but she did not. It was just about to get into the truck and go get her when the blue heeler took off down the road. She caught up with the little dog, barked at her a couple of times and then headed back to the house with the shih tzu following. Somehow they just know what is going on.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Cindy, – Oh, I love that story. And yes, you are right. Everyone has their own dog story – in some ways I was hesitant to write about Promise and Belle because I know there are stories out there that are just as special as ours. However, I was hoping that it would do just this… encourage others to talk about their special stories! Thank you for sharing. – Dori –

  12. Jodie says:

    Such a sweet story! Your hillside is stunning!!!

  13. Jan Sturgill says:

    What a wonderful story! I especially love the relationship that Belle and Promise have formed. Animals teaching humans about patience and encouragement…Sweet!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Jan – We could learn a lot about that unconditional love that animals have couldn’t we? As well as other things! – Dori –

  14. Emily says:

    Oh Dori, what a beautiful story of a dog and her friend, Promise. I know you all are so glad she adjusted to her new home. I love seeing both of them together. You can tell they love each other. Thank you for sharing their story.

    Take care.
    Emily

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Emily – We honestly felt we were going to lose her. It was a sad and scary time. A lot of things I didn’t write about because I didn’t have room! Thanks for reading! – Dori –

  15. Diana Henretty says:

    Hello from the Ozarks,
    Beautiful story and pictures, love your farm and your Belle.
    Have a cat named Izza-Bella on our place.
    The Ozarks are cold tonight, 35, some freezing spots!!
    Just lost our 18 yr. old Australian Sheep dog, how I miss him in every corner of our house and place, the best a friend could be!!
    Happy Fall To You All, Diana, Noel, Mo

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Diana – Oh, I’m so sorry you have lost such a faithful companion. I have never had the privilege of having a dog for 18 years. I cannot imagine how sad you must feel. (Time for a new puppy?!) – Dori –

  16. Peggy D says:

    Loved this story! We have horses, so I can relate. Now I want an Australian Shepherd, too! Also love The Red Feedsack blog and Keeping it Cozy.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Peggy – Australian Shepherds are amazing dogs (as they all are!!) – but they do love to keep busy and have a “job” to do. I think that is one of the things that Belle thrives on here at the farm… she takes care of so many things! – Dori –

      • Peggy D says:

        Yes, we have a Australian Cattle Dog/JRT mix now. She’s getting older (16), but in her younger days she always needed to be busy, working, herding horses, children, among other things. A tired dog is a good dog!

  17. Marsha Ransom says:

    Dori, I loved reading about Promise’s transition from UT to TN! What an experience! I’m glad she got through it and can be there for your grandgirls! The picture of them with her is priceless!

  18. lyn moon says:

    What a wonderful sweet and heartfelt story. Isn’t it amazing how animals can communicate with each other. Only God could have created that.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Lyn, I think we could learn a lot about communication from animals… oftentimes it doesn’t take “words”, just “deeds”! – Dori –

  19. donna says:

    Welcome Dori Animals are no different than people. Love your story. Great outcome. Had a doberman that attached to a cat in the same way,

  20. Betty Thompson says:

    I have loved horses since before I can remember. Never having had the opportunity to have one of my own, I was thrilled to read your lovely story about Promise. Thank you and keep us updated about her adventures.

  21. Colleen says:

    That was great reading and made my day! Thanks for writing and sharing a wonderful story. I’ve always had a special “spot” in my heart for animals. Sometimes that is not all that good but most of the the time I’m rewarded with something special. Have a wonderful Fall!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Colleen – thank you for reading! I have a soft spot for animals too. Could never live without them! – Dori –

  22. Oh Dori,
    This is the sweetest story! I was just on the edge of my seat, worrying about Promise and her outcome. Such a sweet bond between the two of them. Belle looks like a wise, sweet girl. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. Animal friendships are amazing. Farmgirl hugs, Nicole (Suburban Farmgirl Blogger)

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Nicole – You are so right… animal friendships are incredibly amazing. I watch even the deer and our cattle and sometimes I could swear they are friends! – Dori –

  23. There used to be a “whisper” button for communicating with the farmgirl without showing the post online, but I guess that is gone.

    I certainly did enjoy your article about moving to TN. I, too, was transplanted here, but it took me much longer than Promise to become native. I don’t know where you are in TN, but I’d like to. We are a family farm in southern TN, north of Huntsville, AL. We raise vegetables and strawberries, not livestock. We are on Facebook at: Dennison’s Family Farm.

    Enjoy the beautiful hills!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Wayve, I buy strawberries from your farm stand in Fayetteville every week during strawberry season!!! I also think I sat across from you at the Farmers Market Bootcamp class last spring. I’m going to send you an email with our address so you can stop in and visit sometime! Merry Christmas to all of you at Dennison’s Family Farm! – Dori –

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