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Hello Farmgirl friends!
I count myself incredibly fortunate that I have amazing girlfriends. I’ve written many times on this blog about my different girlfriends. Whether it is my two very best life long girlfriends, or my amazing girlfriends I’ve met in my fitness classes, or the great group of girls I met at a sewing retreat in Vermont. I’ve written about them all.
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Hello Friends!
Today, I’ve got a fun surprise for you! Last month in my blog post I told you that my Momma from New Mexico is here with us for awhile. (If you missed that post, you can read it here.)
Well, today I’m turning this blog over to her! She’s written up a little recipe treat for you!
Meet my mom, Carol:
Above picture taken in 2016 of my Momma in her kitchen
We stayed at a guest ranch in New Mexico. The hostess made stacked enchiladas, egg on top with green sauce. How delicious!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Ginny,
That is so cool!!! Nothing in the world (in my opinion) like stacked enchiladas with an egg on top!
~ Dori ~
CandyC says: Love this!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Candy,
Its so super good!
~ Dori ~
MaryJane Butters says: Welcome to our cast of farmgirls Carol!!!! Carol’s Cowboy Salad is on my grandgirl menu for tomorrow night. We often conjure “peppers/onions/maters all-diced-up” on all manner of things (I like fresh red onions diced real tiny on just about anything), but now we have a new fun name for one of our favorite toppings: Cowboy Salad. Also thinking ’bout makin’ your suggested side: mess o’ beans w/skillet cornbread.
Dori Troutman says: Hi MaryJane!
Let us know how you like the Cowboy Salad! 🙂 Mom will be so excited to hear about it!
Hugs to you, sweet friend!
~ Dori ~
Sarah Warren says: This looks delicious, thank you.
Dori Troutman says: Hi Sarah,
You MUST try it!!!
~ Dori ~
Robin Marshall says: what is her recipe for beans and cornbread please!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Robin!
I tried so hard to get her to write her instructions / recipe for beans and cornbread and she wouldn’t!!!
I’m thinking I may need to do it for her! 🙂
~ Dori ~
Marie Gassert says: Thanks for sharing this recipe! I would never have thought of adding it to pinto beans and corn bread but the way prices are now it is truly appreciated.
Dori Troutman says: Hi Marie,
Its one of those things that you HAVE to try!!!! You honestly can’t believe how good it is!
~ Dori ~
Marty M says: My Mom used to make similar tomato salad with tomato, fresh garlic, fresh onion, fresh chopped basil, oregano, salt, pepper and splash of balsamic vinegar. Yum
Dori Troutman says: Hi Marty,
Yes! I’ve put balsamic vinegar and olive oil in mine as well, but Mom corrected me on it!! HaHaHa!!!
~ Dori ~
Fresh Tomato salad also has olive oil (forgot to add). Also served with fresh hot homemade Italian rolls and butter!!
Judy Thomas says: It looks like we all have similar traditions, I just had cattle beans, cornmeal muffins and apples on the side. Frugal, tasty eats for inflationary times. Thanks for the post.
donna Moore says: Dori sounds wonderful. Thank your mom sew much for sharing her treasured recipe. I bet y’all are having a blast together?
Sending lots of love,
donna
Marilyn says: Welcome to your mom. Thank you for the recipe. God Bless.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY To All
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
Ruth Farmer says: Thank you for the recipe! I enjoy reading from your blog. Blessings!!
Eve Hurt says: This sounds delicious! My family loves pinto beans and cornbread with onions or relish or chow-chow and we also love spicy foods so this sounds perfect! Can’t wait to try it!
Kathy Marx says: How yummy! Thanks so much.
Henriette Area says: Just caught up on several recent blogs from you. Such touching stories and wonderful memories. Love reading about your mother and her time with you.
Donna Brewton says: I’m trying this! Never dreamed of this combo. Love your mom.
Hello Friends!
Today, I’ve got a fun surprise for you! Last month in my blog post I told you that my Momma from New Mexico is here with us for awhile. (If you missed that post, you can read it here.)
Well, today I’m turning this blog over to her! She’s written up a little recipe treat for you!
Meet my mom, Carol:
Above picture taken in 2016 of my Momma in her kitchen
We stayed at a guest ranch in New Mexico. The hostess made stacked enchiladas, egg on top with green sauce. How delicious!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Ginny,
That is so cool!!! Nothing in the world (in my opinion) like stacked enchiladas with an egg on top!
~ Dori ~
CandyC says: Love this!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Candy,
Its so super good!
~ Dori ~
MaryJane Butters says: Welcome to our cast of farmgirls Carol!!!! Carol’s Cowboy Salad is on my grandgirl menu for tomorrow night. We often conjure “peppers/onions/maters all-diced-up” on all manner of things (I like fresh red onions diced real tiny on just about anything), but now we have a new fun name for one of our favorite toppings: Cowboy Salad. Also thinking ’bout makin’ your suggested side: mess o’ beans w/skillet cornbread.
Dori Troutman says: Hi MaryJane!
Let us know how you like the Cowboy Salad! 🙂 Mom will be so excited to hear about it!
Hugs to you, sweet friend!
~ Dori ~
Sarah Warren says: This looks delicious, thank you.
Dori Troutman says: Hi Sarah,
You MUST try it!!!
~ Dori ~
Robin Marshall says: what is her recipe for beans and cornbread please!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Robin!
I tried so hard to get her to write her instructions / recipe for beans and cornbread and she wouldn’t!!!
I’m thinking I may need to do it for her! 🙂
~ Dori ~
Marie Gassert says: Thanks for sharing this recipe! I would never have thought of adding it to pinto beans and corn bread but the way prices are now it is truly appreciated.
Dori Troutman says: Hi Marie,
Its one of those things that you HAVE to try!!!! You honestly can’t believe how good it is!
~ Dori ~
Marty M says: My Mom used to make similar tomato salad with tomato, fresh garlic, fresh onion, fresh chopped basil, oregano, salt, pepper and splash of balsamic vinegar. Yum
Dori Troutman says: Hi Marty,
Yes! I’ve put balsamic vinegar and olive oil in mine as well, but Mom corrected me on it!! HaHaHa!!!
~ Dori ~
Fresh Tomato salad also has olive oil (forgot to add). Also served with fresh hot homemade Italian rolls and butter!!
Judy Thomas says: It looks like we all have similar traditions, I just had cattle beans, cornmeal muffins and apples on the side. Frugal, tasty eats for inflationary times. Thanks for the post.
donna Moore says: Dori sounds wonderful. Thank your mom sew much for sharing her treasured recipe. I bet y’all are having a blast together?
Sending lots of love,
donna
Marilyn says: Welcome to your mom. Thank you for the recipe. God Bless.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY To All
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
Ruth Farmer says: Thank you for the recipe! I enjoy reading from your blog. Blessings!!
Eve Hurt says: This sounds delicious! My family loves pinto beans and cornbread with onions or relish or chow-chow and we also love spicy foods so this sounds perfect! Can’t wait to try it!
Kathy Marx says: How yummy! Thanks so much.
Henriette Area says: Just caught up on several recent blogs from you. Such touching stories and wonderful memories. Love reading about your mother and her time with you.
Donna Brewton says: I’m trying this! Never dreamed of this combo. Love your mom.
Happy New Year to my Farmgirl Friends!
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My sweet Momma… and our dog Belle.
I wonder what has been on your mind this month with the new year? What are the things that you think about as a new year begins? Goals and resolutions? Things to be thankful for? New ideas, new projects? My thoughts all month have been on the seasons of life.
Jean says: You are such a loving family…respecting ,enjoying, and being together, each generation in its season of life! What a wonderfully, life affirming post you shared. Thank you!
Patricia Baker says: Such a warm loving article. Thank you.
Sharon says: Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, your heart, your mom!
Carol says: Dori … How timely your post was! I have been thinking of your Mom and you as you faced the holidays without your Dad. It had to have been so difficult. I love the fact that your Mom is now with you, spending time with family and healing a little bit each day. God bless all of you. Carol
Tammy L Thomson says: Lovely. Your article is full of memories, wisdom, and most of all- Love.
Thank you for sharing this!
Maxine Jeinek says: What a lovely post and tribute to your mama! Treasure the moments and hugs to you both
E. Burke says: Hi Dori,
I’ve been thinking and praying for you and your Mom. Dori, I feel your pain, as my parents have both been deceased for over 40 years now and my sister just passed away two weeks ago. I’d like to say it gets easier but I’d be lying. You just learn to deal with it, have faith, remember all the good times and be thankful for the time we had with them.
I hope your Mom has a speedy recovery from her surgery. I’m praying for her! God bless you too, Dori! It’s not always easy but you are so kind and generous taking care of your Mom.
Chin up and be thankful everyday!
Love and Prayers
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Hello friends! I hope you had a really lovely Thanksgiving!
I’ve been working on some fun Christmas crafts and this ornament ended up being such a fast and simple project I decided to share a little tutorial with all of you. You can whip these up in no time!
Joan Piercy says: Thank you, Dori! You always have something wonderful for us to try! I love Christmas Trees and will have to add some of these to my Christmas stuff. Merry Christmas!
Cyndie Gray says: What a cute idea!! Thank you for sharing!
Laurel Anne Pries says: I love them!! Such a cute idea!
Isabelle says: What are wonder clips? Would clip clothes pins also work? Good clear tutorial, thanks for the instructions.
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Hello Farmgirl Friends!
Lets talk about this yummy, amazing beef broth!!!
One of my favorite things about fall and winter weather is home made soup! I’m always happy for a bowl of soup and cornbread or biscuits!
Anyway… back to soup! Recently we had our yearly steer harvested and when I put away all the meat in my freezer I realized I still had soup bones left over from last year so I decided that this winter I’d do better about making beef broth once a week and instead of having an entire bin full of soup bones in my freezer, I’d have a bin full of beef broth.
Kim Rice says: Hello Dori!
Thank you so much for this info! I am not able to eat the pre made broth/stock or the paste/boullion kind due to the added spices and tomato/potato. I’m going to see my butcher asap! He’s right around my corner!!
Happy Fall Season!!
Kim
You are right on, I make bone broth, it’s the best thing for you I roat my bones with Vegetables and cook them slow 24 hours, so healthy.
Stay safe and healthy. I so look forward to you post Thank you, Kathy Gaughran,
Maxine Jelinek says: I made chicken broth this year after processing our chickens but I love your method and am going to save it to use next time!
Regina says: Oh yes I make broth…but I pressure can it with the meat pulled from the bones! Very convenient!! And tasty!!
donna says: Thank you sew much for sharing your recipe. Nothing better than homemade broth.
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Fall is in the air here in Tennessee and I’ve been enjoying doing a tiny bit of fall decorating! I really love to drag my summer out until October but I have put out a few things in my house! I made this super fast fall project and decided to share it with you because absolutely ANYONE can make this darling garland!!! It is also a very inexpensive project and you can have it made in less than an hour and it is an excellent project to do with children of all ages. So lets get started!
Lori Fresina says: Dori, thank you because this is absolutely sweet and simple and just what I was needing in my day!
Lori Fresina says: ❤️
Shelli Terwilliger says: So cute!
Sandi King says: Dori,
Love this pendant idea. May try it for the holidays. Thank you so much for posting this.
Hope you all are having a wonderful FALL, today is the first day and it feels so good outside. We are smoking Boston butts for a huge barbeque for our friends who are putting it on, on Saturday. They have done it every year for quite a few years and we started doing the smoking for them a few years back. Lots of fun. Hoping for a great cool day w/o rain. 11
Marilyn says: What a lovely Fall decoration. Thank you for the instructions.
HAPPY FALL
Marilyn
Mary says: That is so cleaver and cute, I love the colors and top stitching. Did you make the white pumpkin too? Looks like you have another one hanging from the side table. So festive! Thank you, I really enjoy you blog.
Carol says: Hi Dori!
I love this simple little project. It has been raining here for four days (remnants of Hurricane Ian) and this was fun to do this afternoon. I added wooden beads between the little pendants. I think my 7-year old grandgirl will love this! Thank you for these very doable crafts. I love them!
Happy Fall! Carol
Maureen says: What a cute idea! Thank you!
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Hello Farmgirl Friends!
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I got home from a month in New Mexico to okra just out of control. (My daughter and her friend had been picking and using it at least… but it was in full production mode!) I do love okra and honestly we can happily eat it every day all summer and clear into the Fall when it finally gives up. But I’ve heard so many people say that they never know how to cook it except for fried or boiled. So today… for all you okra lovers (and haters!) out there; I have a fabulous meal to share with you. (Every okra hater that I know magically loves okra this way!)
mary fern pitman says: OH! I LOVE to read about your life! I am so so sorry for the loss of your dad. Your mom looks like such a precious person! I could just hug you both! but you are too far away, as I live in Oklahoma.
We didn’t garden this year so I’ve really missed okra! this looks so good. Thanks for posting
Bonnie I says: sorry about your dad.
Your recipe looks scrumptious. I will give it a try
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Two weeks ago, I lost my precious Dad. I really am struggling to process that he is gone; even though we’ve known for the last month that the end was near. I’m here in New Mexico with my Momma for a few weeks at the home place where I was raised, and I’m so thankful for the time together.
Bonnie I says: Kind is a nice adjective to strive for. Fair, honest, caring and loving would also be a nice way to be remembered.
So sorry for your loss! God be with you.
Deborah says: I’m so sorry to hear you lost your dad. It sounds like he was a wonderful man, and had a wonderful life. What a great testament to hear that everyone he knew described him as kind!
shawna says: So sorry for your loss!
My dad stepped into heaven a year ago August 1. At his memorial service the thing that people mentioned to us the most was my dad’s servant heart. He was always trying to help & always volunteering for anything he could. That is what I want to be remembered for is always being willing to help others. I think that is the best way to honor my dad by following in his footsteps of service.
Ellen M Andersen says: Dori, I’m so sorry about your Dad. I miss my Mom and Dad so very much. I’ve found something that helps with the grief and loss…..
On clear starry nights, I look at the stars and find the two that (for me) are Mom and Dad….I talk to them and I feel that they hear me. Sometimes there are tears but there is always a warm feeling in my heart when I say goodnight and head inside.
I hope that you can find something like that to help, too. I am in the Blueridge mountains of West Virginia where the night skies are clear. Your beautiful ranch will have a sky like that with stars you could almost reach out and touch.
Colleen says: My prayer is that I leave “peace” in the hearts of my loved ones.
The familiar “God’s Peace” greeting in our lives has always felt so special. Whether times were good, hard, painful, or challenging . . . the simple hello (or goodbye) of “God’s Peace” seems to make everything right.
I hope that my friends and family, my children, especially, will remember me with a feeling of peace in their hearts
Tenia Griggers says: You got me to thinking about my own left behind sentiments
For you- you are a wonderful blogger that makes an impact in-mine and others lives
God bless you
Laurie Lasala-Tuttle says: I’m so sorry Dori, much love for you and your momma. Kindness, patience, honesty, trying to uplift others. Not just one quality, but kindness has always been the most important to me.
Debbie Fischer says: I am so sorry for your loss Dori. What a wonderful way to be remembered, for being Kind. You Dad sounds like a great man.
Hugs,
Debbie
Lisa says: the passing of your dear father. He sounds like an incredible man. How blessed are you to have him as your dad.
Your question of what do I want to leave behind really has me thinking and rethinking how I move through this life. Kindness is the ultimate goal but for me, I need to work on patience and grace first.
Thank you for this thought provoking post. Praying for God’s comfort, peace, and healing in your time of grief.
Beth says: Dear Dori, I pray God’s comfort for you and your family and friends on the passing of your dad. I’m also the daughter of a dad (who passed in 2001) who was known for his kindness, generosity, honesty, and love of people. We’re so blessed. And, better yet, we know we’ll see our dads again. God’s peace, love.
Jeanie says: I have had the amazing experience of meeting 3 people in my life who truly exuded kindness, and every time it rocked me and made such an impression on my soul. Kindness flowing in all its glory is truly an amazing and impacting thing of beauty. I think it shines so brightly to us because this world is so in need of this gift. Yes, I want to be one of the kind ones.
Thanks for the reminder, and I pray peace for you and your family as you go through this season of loss.
Brenda Grossie says: Dori,
Like you, my dad was know for his patience and kindness. I have spent my life trying to be known for the patience and kindness he taught me.
May God be with you on this new journey and may He bring you peace as you follow his lead.
Marilyn says: Sorry about your Dad. Hope you can take comfort in your treasured memories. May he rest in peace. I want to be remembered as a kind and gentle lady.
Marilyn
E. Burke says: Dear Dori,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your father. You can be so proud to be his daughter, as it is evident he taught you his many virtues: kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity, sincerity and many more attributes you share with so many people through your blog!
My sincere condolences to you, your Ma and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I’m here for you, if you ever need to talk.
Love,
Eileen B.
Marcie says: Dori, my heart goes out to you and your family on the loss of your Dad. Treasure the memories of your hero.
I never knew my real dad but my father-in-law was the father I never had and I told him so, many times; he always called me his daughter, too. He was the kindest man I ever knew.
The legacy I hope to leave behind is in the name of nature, in all the things my husband and I have done over the past 30 + years and are still doing, from creating a nature club on the Texas Gulf Coast to helping preserve an endangered species habitat to building our own little sanctuary in our yard, and providing shelter, food, water and habitat for the little creatures of Mother Nature.
My sincere sympathy to you and your family. So difficult to lost parents. They have always been there for you and know you better than anyone else in the world. Kindness is a wonderful attribute and obviously your dad touched many people in his life with being kind. that is a beautiful legacy. I miss my parents every day and am thankful God gave me a caring Mom and Dad to guide me in life.
Tammie Novak says: What a beautiful tribute to your dear daddy…he LOOKS like he was very kind…it shows in his smile! What an amazing legacy he left behind…truly a wonderful reminder of the attributes we should strive for in this life. God’s blessings to you and your family!
Janetsue Filberth says: Dori, I’m so sorry for your loss.
It’s very hard to lose a Dad . I lost mine so many years ago ( 42 years!) but I still think of him often. All the lessons he taught me and the ways he inspired me to live my best life . And I still cry when I visit the cemetery .
Just know that you were so blessed to have him and try to think positive thoughts whenever you feel sad.
He would want you to be happy
Janetsue
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Hello Farmgirl Friends!
It has been so hot here in Tennessee that when I had the opportunity to participate in a fun “mud” run with my daughter and her girls and some of their friends, no way was I going to pass it up! I’ve done a couple of these Mud Girl runs in the past and they are always fun!
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My daughter and I and her precious girls – before mud!
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Have you ever participated in a mud run of any sort? The Mud Girl Run is 3 miles with a total of 22 obstacles. It’s not a race or a competition; everyone gets a finisher medal. It’s all about coming together as women and helping each other through the obstacles and up and out of the mud! It’s all outdoors of course and just such fun to be with other females of all ages and fitness abilities. As one of the gals in our group said, “It’s a hot day, but it’s so beautiful and I’m just so happy to be alive and enjoying being together”. Honestly that has stuck with me so much because I think that is what it’s all about. Being together.
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The five girls in our group came up with the name of Southern Sows for our team! And one of the mom’s designed our shirts. Aren’t they so much fun? I think they came out absolutely adorable! (Obviously very fitting since we were definitely piggies in our happy mud place!)
.Here are the pictures we took before the mud!
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These five girls were so much fun! They ranged in age from 10 – 15 and incredibly good sports and cheerful and laughing the whole time!
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And the three moms plus me. They were super sweet to invite me along! (Take note of those adorable hot pink socks!)
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And now, here are some mud pictures!
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My grand-girl Rosetta! She absolutely had the best time in the mud!
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It was a lot harder getting to the top of this mud hill than you would think! We were slipping, sliding and falling back into the mud pit trying to get to the top. Once there, it was a challenge to hang on until our whole team got to the top! (I know it looks like Rosetta was just lounging there in the front, but two of us were hanging on to her to keep her from sliding!) And then….
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…sliding off a muddy hill into a total pig pen of mud! Why in the world is that so much fun? HaHa!!
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Southern Sows at their muddy happiest! (Notice those adorable hot pink socks now!)
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Swimming/crawling in mud under a “ceiling” of webbing!
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And then my daughter and I trying to climb out of it at the other end was a whole other obstacle in itself!
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And all too soon the 3 miles were over and the finish line was in sight. We joined arms and ran through the finish…
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…laughing to the very end!
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So very muddy and worn out… but happy!
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I couldn’t help but zoom in on my hair – dried mud at it’s best!!! HaHaHa!!!
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If you EVER get the opportunity to participate in a Mud Girl Run say YES!!!
Until our gravel roads cross again… so long.
Dori
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jacqueline says: Oh what fun! You guys looked so awesome and what an amazing connection and love you guys have for each other! Thanks for sharing!
Awesome!!! Thank you for sharing this great event of bonding in the mud! Just love it! 🙂
Donna says: So much fun
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”.
Dori, this is just absolutely the sweetest!! Your words on how much a gift of a quilt is are spot on too!
Lovely post Dori!! You are blessed!
I LOVE your quilt gift! it is most precious! as precious as you are to so many of us who read your FarmGirl newsletter! we love you
What a wonderful story and gift. You are truly blessed in a wonderful, sometimes rare friendship with these women.
Aw Dori: this is just as precious as can be. I am so happy you received such a special gift. Your sewing ladies are a wonderful bunch & I am so glad you have come to know them so well. Much love my friend♥️
LOVE this story, thank you so much for sharing!! Blessings to all Sewing Sisters!!
You were right. Such a beautiful story that brought me to tears. Thank you for your gift of writing, and quilting
The love and the loving effort will bring more and more love to others. Thank you for such a beautiful story. Dorothy
Wow–I am typing single letters, as I am speechless. I guess that is what it feel like when you are “talking” with someone in a comment. That was a profound story. I am so touched, and I don’t have this connection with very many. I have a cousin I am very close to and I am going to spend a month at their house in Ohio in May. We are both crafters, and even though we will not be doing quilts, having that time to spend together nights and weekends to share and create will be very important to me (I live in CA right now). Thank you so much for sharing this. I always enjoy your blogs, as I can feel the how important the information is to you, and I hope you know how much your life has touched mine from a distance. Thank you—-Beth
What a precious gift. You are very Blessed.
Dori, such a heartwarming story of love and friendship, you have me crying. It is such a special gift as like you said only a quilter knows the work that goes into a quilt. Yes a true treasure that you will always treasure.
I am so sorry you lost your Dad, wrap yourself in your comfort quilt to know peace, love and true friendship!
Hugs to you,
Debbie
#1582
What a precious gift of love and friendship! The thing that struck me was how the quilt literally was saying “Dori” (in a loud voice”) 🙂 They did such a wonderful job of picking out the fabrics and it truly looked like something you would have made yourself. Isn’t it a miracle and a gift from God that you can meet someone just once and have an unbreakable bond? May your quilt bring you comfort and many smiles also.
I am a quilter. I have several girlfriend groups, but the quilt group is truly special. I love this story and am happy that you have such giving and loving friends.
Oh my! I too am a quilter and love gifting quilts. In fact I’m in process of making 4 for a firehouse to keep the guys that have to overnight, warm! But to receive such a gift. Oh what a treasure you are to these ladies!
What an incredible gift! Friends are truly treasures from heaven!
What a lovely story about Love and Friendship. Thank you for sharing this….
This is such a beautiful story — and a beautiful quilt! What a wonderful group of women you are ❤️
Oh my, I’m crying too. Such a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing and spreading the joy and pure kindness!! God Bless!❤
How wonderful!!❤️