Author Archives: Nicole Christensen

Finally! It’s summer! Since the Pandemic hit, it seems that it takes longer than usual for the seasons to get here; maybe it’s because it takes so much more effort to do things (like grocery shopping, for example), and we have had less places to go and less people to see. In New England, the weather has also had a lot to do with it. For Memorial weekend, it literally felt like winter, with blinding rain and cold enough temperatures everyone turned their heat back on! We actually broke a record for the coldest start to summer, from 1917! Fast forward a week, and we are hitting in the 90’s, the birds are singing and nesting, gardens are going in, and it is no doubtedly S-U-M-M-E-R! Here are a few of my favorite summer things (and some new ones to share). Grab a cold glass of lemonade, and let’s have a visit!

Continue reading →

Spring is in full force! The trees here in New England all now have leaves, everything is blooming, and soon it will be summer. I simply can’t wait! I love the outdoors in summer…birds singing, fresh veggies, campfires, dining alfresco, picnics…and picnic baskets. A picnic basket is the absolute epitome of summer.  My favorite baskets are vintage, and they aren’t just for picnics, anymore!

Continue reading →

We are having a true spring this year in New England!  Not too hot, not too cold, mostly sunny days with cool mornings followed by warm afternoons. We are seeing more birds and wildlife, the days are longer, and there are buds on the trees. Best of all, it is time to open up Gidget, our vintage camper/glamper! C’mon in and let me show ya around!

Continue reading →

Ahhh…March. We’ve had some warm weather, finally, though there are still spots (like my front yard), that are still snow-covered. Today I have actually had the windows open a bit, and the sun is shining! It won’t last too long, since Mother Nature can be cranky this time of year. A cold front with possible snow is headed our way, but even if we get snow now, we know that soon we will be outside and warm – planting, gardening, and grilling!  Before the weather gets toasty, it’s a good time for some spring sprucin’!

Continue reading →

February is a strange month, isn’t it? The holidays are past (there’s Valentine’s Day, of course, but it isn’t really a “holiday”), and there’s the latter part of winter to get through. We New Englanders are usually a little bit more “locked down” in February when winter gets its harshest, but with a pandemic still in effect, it makes the shortest month of the year truly feel like we are living in the movie “Groundhog Day”. Still, since my last blog, there has been much going on in the Connecticut suburbs…

Continue reading →

Happy New Year! Unfortunately, for us, 2021 is not off to the greatest start (home repairs) and sometimes, it seems like it’s December 40th, 2020! We’ve also got a few more months, at least, of life not going back to more “normal” yet. However, in New England, we’re used to long winters and being inside a lot – as a farmgirl, I know how to keep busy and to make do! Today, I’m sharing a few tips to help make things a bit easier, as well have some great farmgirl giveaways to help kick-start the New Year!

Continue reading →

Hi Farmgirl Friends! In the words of Andy Williams’ carol, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, and as far as 2020 goes, that statement could not be more true- though for 2020 to have anything be wonderful this year is a stretch. It’s been the worst year ever, we all know, and the thought went through my mind (briefly) to not celebrate Christmas at all. Then I realized, just like Nora Krank did in “Christmas With The Kranks”,  that I adore the holidays, and this year, more than ever, we need some cheer! We won’t be seeing friends or family this season, so grab a cup of cocoa and share a little holiday with me, won’t you?

Continue reading →

I first met Cindy in my early 20’s. My husband and I were newlyweds, and had just moved to Pennsylvania from Texas. Working in a big office building, I would run into the same woman from another office often each day. One day, she said, “You won’t see me for a week – I’m going home on vacation.” When I inquired where “home” was, she enthusiastically replied, “Texas!” We were instant friends from that moment.

Continue reading →

I’m loving that it is Fall again. I’ve decorated my house for Halloween, though ours will be a quiet one this year, with festive food and a scary movie, just for us. 

Most of my Halloween decor is vintage or vintage-inspired, like much of my decor. Adding a vintage vibe reminds me of times when the pace of life was slower and things were just simpler. It keeps the atmosphere at home relaxing- something that is super-important, even more so now with the stressful world we are currently in. 

Whether it is Halloween decor, everyday decor, furniture, dishes or clothes, “vintage” has a charm all its own, missing from many “modern” things. From just a bit of vintage here and there, to all-out vintage (like Gidget, our vintage camper), there is a feeling of familiarity, comfort, and whimsy that comes from old things. I like to complete that vibe with music. 

Continue reading →

I really want to tell the year 2020 what I think of it – but I can’t, ‘cause my mama raised me NOT use THAT kind of language! To say it’s been a doozy of a year is a gross understatement. I’m usually a “look-on-the-bright-side, counting-blessings, things-could-always-be-worse-happy-kind of gal”, but good grief, already! Really, I could use some good news (I have had lots of not-so-good news lately), but I digress.

I wanted to sit in the camper today to write, but currently, we’re in the middle of a big ol’ thunderstorm, wind ripping at the trees, thunder pounding, and rain pouring. A few weeks ago, after a storm, we were without power for a week. Funny, we can be as content as frogs on a lily pad, sitting in our camper, from 1966, without “modern” conveniences, but the minute the WI-FI goes out in the house, we’re annoyed. Truthfully, today’s kids don’t know life without WI-FI and all that comes with it. What did families and kids do back before WI-FI, TV, and electronics? A fun little recent find helped answer a little bit of that question!

Continue reading →