My Farmgirl Sisterhood Chapter, “CT Simpler Life Sisters” have been together as a group since 2010. Every year, we try to vary the activities we do, but each Christmas, we keep to our tradition, started that first holiday season together. I have the privilege of hostessing our Annual Christmas party – and it is this sisterhood chapter gathering that we really look forward to all year long.
Happy Thanksgiving! Are you ready? Y’all know how much I love to cook and how much I adore holidays! My kitchen’s the hub of my home, and I decorate it for each season. However, there’s one thing in my kitchen that’s always been a constant, that will get more use at Thanksgiving than any other item. Treasured, it’s something I’ll someday give to my daughter for her kitchen. Can you guess what it is? This post also marks my sixth year anniversary as the Suburban Farmgirl Blogger (my first post was Thanksgiving, 2010), so to celebrate I have an adorable giveaway for one lucky reader!
When fall arrives in New England, I love to make comfort food like chicken pot pie, treats like apple and pumpkin pie, and to start baking holiday cookies in November. Lots of love goes into the rolling of dough! With all the baking we farmgirls do, have you ever considered the rolling pin and its place in history? Once a staple in every kitchen, rolling pins are no longer the most-used everyday item in a kitchen. With our modern, busy lives and store shelves stocked with frozen pie crusts and ready made cookie dough, a rolling pin might not even be found in a kitchen today! That’s not the case, however, in one Connecticut home, where rolling pins are a passion.
Redding, Connecticut resident Ellen Visnyei has been collecting rolling pins for thirty years. Currently, she has amassed around 75 rolling pins, considering them works of art that come with stories all their own.
I’ve always loved fall and Halloween, but it’s an extra-special time in the New England hamlet we call home: on Halloween there’s mobs of goblins who trick-or-treat along our historic Main Street. Others trick-or-treat along neighborhood streets as friends greet each other, and everyone delights in seeing the kids’ costumes. Each October, we look forward to seeing pumpkins on porches, corn stalks on railings, and eating pumpkin ice cream at the local creamery before it closes for the season. There’s another very special tradition in our town that folks look forward to, happening each year around Halloween – it’s the Annual Scarecrow Project!
The creations are made by eighth graders at our local middle school. Each year, groups of three or four kids meet once after school, then design and submit plans for their scarecrow. They are then given a few weeks to take their designs from paper to larger-than-life creations that grace the front lawn of the school. Everyone looks forward to the week before Halloween, when the scarecrows go on display along the busy tree-lined street. An extracurricular activity, my daughter was thrilled to be an eighth grader this year because it meant she could finally participate after admiring the displays each year since she was small.
There’s no gore, guts, or violence allowed, and ideas must be approved before the students go forward with their entries. The creations must be sturdy enough to “withstand the wrath of Mother Nature”. You never know what the kids will dream up – from classics like haunted houses or the Peanuts gang, to pop culture characters and everything in between. The town buzzes with excitement to see the scarecrows standing in the schoolyard.
A twist on classic monsters – these characters are taking a selfie!
Here’s a VERY large LEGO man!
This scarecrow’s a larger than life blast from the past! The figure in the back is a likeness of Kanye West.
This year’s creations didn’t disappoint – from Alice in Wonderland and the Cheshire Cat, to more modern references like “Monsters, Inc”., one thing they have in common is that they are all impressive!
A spot-on “Monsters Inc”…
Don’t ya just adore the face on this Cheshire cat?
And here’s Alice!
Originally the brainchild of former middle school teacher and current Board of Education member, John Vouros, this year marks the tradition’s eighteenth year. On average, close to one-hundred students choose to participate in the event. The single meeting is held at school in early September. The rest of the work is done independently with their group members off-site, until the Friday in October before Halloween when students and their families install the scarecrow on the school’s front lawn.
This was made in honor of the Peanuts’ 65th anniversary.
My daughter’s group created a rendition of the Headless Horseman, complete with battery-operated lights that glow when it gets dark. For several weeks the kids got together to work on the project; seeing their dedication and design come to life made us parents so proud.
Around eight feet tall, the kids had to go back to the drawing board several times to bring their vision of the horseman in silhouette of the moon to life.
Each creation is assigned a number. Visitors to the display can vote for their favorite scarecrow for $1.00 a vote. Kids who participate in the event must volunteer time manning the voting table (along with a few parent chaperones). It’s nice to see the kids working together, admiring and complimenting each others’ work. The money collected is used as prize money, presented to the winning team’s charity of choice. Last year, over $1100 was raised and given to charity, with this year’s numbers projected to be about the same. Usually, the students choose local charities like the local food bank, but often charities on a national level are selected, as well. The whole event fosters a true sense of community.
Here’s a beautiful Queen of Hearts…
and a Lorax that would make Dr. Seuss himself proud!
Better watch the weather!
M&M’s, anyone? Photo Courtesy Leigh Ann Coles
The vision, creativity and genius use of materials for all of the scarecrows is really inspiring. It’s recommended that students stick to a budget of no more than $25 total for supplies.
A re-purposed dollhouse becomes a haunted home.
A rainbow fish uses plates as scales and a tarp for water, while Tigger stands in the background.
Wal-E looks like he walked right off the movie set!
Photo Courtesy Leigh Ann Coles
Some scarecrows are more like “scenes”, like this pop-up book. Photo courtesy Leigh Ann Coles
For the contestants, there’s a lot of work involved, but it’s so worth it. Students master skills needed to work with a group, use their imagination and dedication to see a project evolve from start to finish, manage time, and be responsible to meet deadlines. Most of all, it is a fun activity that benefits a good cause while bringing people together.
The smiles of visitors to the display are contagious, and the hard work that all of the kids who participate in the contest is illustrated in each and every entry. It’s a tradition everyone from town looks forward to. It really doesn’t matter who “wins” – they are all winners!
Aren’t these eighth-graders creations really something? Give a shout out to them in the comments, below!
Until Next Time…Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I’ve always loved fall and Halloween, but it’s an extra-special time in the New England hamlet we call home: on Halloween there’s mobs of goblins who trick-or-treat along our historic Main Street. Others trick-or-treat along neighborhood streets as friends greet each other, and everyone delights in seeing the kids’ costumes. Each October, we look forward to seeing pumpkins on porches, corn stalks on railings, and eating pumpkin ice cream at the local creamery before it closes for the season. There’s another very special tradition in our town that folks look forward to, happening each year around Halloween – it’s the Annual Scarecrow Project!
The creations are made by eighth graders at our local middle school. Each year, groups of three or four kids meet once after school, then design and submit plans for their scarecrow. They are then given a few weeks to take their designs from paper to larger-than-life creations that grace the front lawn of the school. Everyone looks forward to the week before Halloween, when the scarecrows go on display along the busy tree-lined street. An extracurricular activity, my daughter was thrilled to be an eighth grader this year because it meant she could finally participate after admiring the displays each year since she was small.
There’s no gore, guts, or violence allowed, and ideas must be approved before the students go forward with their entries. The creations must be sturdy enough to “withstand the wrath of Mother Nature”. You never know what the kids will dream up – from classics like haunted houses or the Peanuts gang, to pop culture characters and everything in between. The town buzzes with excitement to see the scarecrows standing in the schoolyard.
A twist on classic monsters – these characters are taking a selfie!
Here’s a VERY large LEGO man!
This scarecrow’s a larger than life blast from the past! The figure in the back is a likeness of Kanye West.
This year’s creations didn’t disappoint – from Alice in Wonderland and the Cheshire Cat, to more modern references like “Monsters, Inc”., one thing they have in common is that they are all impressive!
A spot-on “Monsters Inc”…
Don’t ya just adore the face on this Cheshire cat?
And here’s Alice!
Originally the brainchild of former middle school teacher and current Board of Education member, John Vouros, this year marks the tradition’s eighteenth year. On average, close to one-hundred students choose to participate in the event. The single meeting is held at school in early September. The rest of the work is done independently with their group members off-site, until the Friday in October before Halloween when students and their families install the scarecrow on the school’s front lawn.
This was made in honor of the Peanuts’ 65th anniversary.
My daughter’s group created a rendition of the Headless Horseman, complete with battery-operated lights that glow when it gets dark. For several weeks the kids got together to work on the project; seeing their dedication and design come to life made us parents so proud.
Around eight feet tall, the kids had to go back to the drawing board several times to bring their vision of the horseman in silhouette of the moon to life.
Each creation is assigned a number. Visitors to the display can vote for their favorite scarecrow for $1.00 a vote. Kids who participate in the event must volunteer time manning the voting table (along with a few parent chaperones). It’s nice to see the kids working together, admiring and complimenting each others’ work. The money collected is used as prize money, presented to the winning team’s charity of choice. Last year, over $1100 was raised and given to charity, with this year’s numbers projected to be about the same. Usually, the students choose local charities like the local food bank, but often charities on a national level are selected, as well. The whole event fosters a true sense of community.
Here’s a beautiful Queen of Hearts…
and a Lorax that would make Dr. Seuss himself proud!
Better watch the weather!
M&M’s, anyone? Photo Courtesy Leigh Ann Coles
The vision, creativity and genius use of materials for all of the scarecrows is really inspiring. It’s recommended that students stick to a budget of no more than $25 total for supplies.
A re-purposed dollhouse becomes a haunted home.
A rainbow fish uses plates as scales and a tarp for water, while Tigger stands in the background.
Wal-E looks like he walked right off the movie set!
Photo Courtesy Leigh Ann Coles
Some scarecrows are more like “scenes”, like this pop-up book. Photo courtesy Leigh Ann Coles
For the contestants, there’s a lot of work involved, but it’s so worth it. Students master skills needed to work with a group, use their imagination and dedication to see a project evolve from start to finish, manage time, and be responsible to meet deadlines. Most of all, it is a fun activity that benefits a good cause while bringing people together.
The smiles of visitors to the display are contagious, and the hard work that all of the kids who participate in the contest is illustrated in each and every entry. It’s a tradition everyone from town looks forward to. It really doesn’t matter who “wins” – they are all winners!
Aren’t these eighth-graders creations really something? Give a shout out to them in the comments, below!
Until Next Time…Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Do you remember your first “wheels”? Before my first car (an old beat up thing, that even as a “vintage” car was the ugliest automobile I’ve ever seen), I still remember the excitement of a new bicycle.
Y’all know I love a county fair! Last year, my friend Andrea and I took our kids and headed up to the Big E, New England’s biggest fair, and the fifth largest agricultural fair in the nation. (If you haven’t heard of it before, check out last year’s blog post from my first-ever fun visit at http://www.farmgirlbloggers.com/3708#more-3708). This year, Andrea and I decided to go together again, making plans similar to last year. However, things doesn’t always go as planned…
Y’all know I love a county fair! Last year, my friend Andrea and I took our kids and headed up to the Big E, New England’s biggest fair, and the fifth largest agricultural fair in the nation. (If you haven’t heard of it before, check out last year’s blog post from my first-ever fun visit at http://www.farmgirlbloggers.com/3708#more-3708). This year, Andrea and I decided to go together again, making plans similar to last year. However, things doesn’t always go as planned…
When I was a child, my parents and teachers first sparked my lifelong interest in history, especially American history. I’ve always hoped my daughter would share that passion. My family and I have visited some amazing historical places all over the world, but the road trip we took recently to visit the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt and to our nation’s first US presidential library in Hyde Park, New York, is one of the most interesting and memorable places we’ve ever been.
School’s started, summer’s winding down, and New England’s prettiest season, fall, will be here soon. However, there’s still work to be done outside no matter where you live! With so many gadgets out there, sometimes it’s hard to know what works and what doesn’t! We gardeners can easily end up with a shed full of tools we don’t use. I’ve compiled a list of my most favorite garden gear I found this season.
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”.
Weekly Blogs and Recipes