Happy February Farmgirl friends! I hope you all had a lovely “Love Day” as Ava calls it. We’ve been plastering hearts on things for awhile now in anticipation of the holiday, but I’m afraid it passed without much fanfare. Heart-shaped pancakes are very good though!
Opal having a blast at Ava’s birthday party!
You can’t get too much winter in the winter.
~Robert Frost
I recently sent my mother a picture of the view out of our living room window. It showed a tall spruce heavy with what appeared to be snow, but deciduous trees in the background were also coated in white. She replied, “You are positively flocked!” I had NO idea what that meant, so had to Google it. She was, as I’m sure many of you know, referring to the artificial Christmas trees that look like they are covered in snow or frost. I also learned that “flocking” means sticking little bits of fiber to a solid surface with glue…like those little hard animal figurines that are fuzzy. Supposedly flocking goes back to 1000 b.c. #themoreyouknow. Back to the real stuff–it’s been occurring since the dawn of hydrologic cycles and sub-freezing temperatures. Take that early civilization!
A sometimes Frost Chime…taking a break from the wind.
Sandi King says: Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow! I miss the snow we used to get. Our Ohio River froze solid back in the 70’s I believe or maybe later. People walked across it. A barge was trapped in it. Anyway we haven’t had that kind of winter for a long, long, time. I always loved winter with snow, less rain, less ice, but now we get mostly rain, mostly warm temps. Like yesterday was 60 with warm balmy breezes. Not right for winter. Other states get lots of snow and keep it, we get a little snow and it doesn’t stay around long. Everything melts and turns to slush and mud. I would like to see a winter that stays white for at least two months again. Oh well, I will enjoy the warm temperatures while I get them.
Alexandra Wilson says: Where do you live, Sandi? in Ohio? I can see the benefits of warmer temps but love the winter! I hope you get some two month long winters in the coming years. Best to you!
Linda says: We are having such a cold winter in Idaho that I told the postmaster we need an Alaska zip code! Have had unheard-of -22F! Inversion (warm in mountains, cold below) with fog which paints every twig white has treated us to that awesome sight many times this winter. Even the icicles “had sweaters on”. My winter activity is taking hundreds of pictures. And hot chocolate! And boring family and friends in warmer climates! Love your stories.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks for the giggle, Linda! Today we had -20 and lower in places. Brrrrrrrrr! There is something a bit empowering about being out in those temps…though limiting them to two or three days per year is fine with me. I was checking out temps from last week and we had an inversion, too. Over 40 degrees at 4500 ft and in the single digits down low. Mother Nature is pretty great.
Denise Ross says: Hi Alex,
Loved your post and photos, simply beautiful. There is a delicate beauty to frosted and icicles on branches. I love looking a these pictures and those cupcakes look so good! I bet they tasted yummy! Happy birthday to Opal. One already?! Goodness the time flies by so fast.
I love looking at winter land pictures because I’m in Australia and we swearing our butts off here. Yesterday was 40 deg C which is 104 F and its is horrible! Too hot to do anything! I can’t wait for winter to get here, to cool down a little. I love in a moderate temp climate so we don’t get snow here and the temps don’t usually drop below 0 deg C which I think is about 40F.
Enjoy your winter
Denise Ross says: Sorry sweating not swearing our butts off – oops forgot to spell check
Alexandra Wilson says: Haha, it’s okay, maybe you’re swearing because you are sweating your butts off?
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Denise! Always good to hear from our Australian Farmgirl sister. 40 C sounds truly terrible! I hope you felt a faint chill seeing my photos. It’s hard to imagine living somewhere that experiences summer December and January. Take it easy in that heat!
Marilyn says: HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY OPAL. Wishing you a year of fun and blessings.
Marilyn
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Marilyn! I’m sure Opal will reply with an airy, “Hiiiiiii”
Joy Pascarella says: In New York near Lake Ontario can bring lake effect snows and changing weather, so we never know what to expect. Right now warm and rainy with a little flooding going on. We did have a nice white Christmas and when it gets cold and snowy, we love clearing the path to the chickens and shop but then it is soup and knitting and Netflix for us. Good time to clean closets and small neglected jobs. Thanks for sharing that beautiful hoarfrost with us. Didn’t know it had a name. Love Nature’s art work. Love reading your stories. Keep it up! Your family sure looks cute all dressed warm and active. Even the dogs.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Joy! We love to get out when we can.
Karen Pennebaker says: Brrr… I got cold reading about hoarfrost, snow and 20 below…brrrr… My favorite winter activity is reading a book, wrapped in a blanket, inside where it’s reasonably warm!! I am NOT a snow bunny…snow is beautiful to look at (through the window!!)… I live in West Virginia where we sometimes get snow that lasts a week or so – one winter the ground was covered from December to March here where I live, but that’s rare. We basically have two seasons here: mud and dust!! Right now, it’s MUD…rained off and on for days and is overcast today.
Alexandra Wilson says: Snow in WV from December to May? I never would have guessed that was even possible! I, too, love snuggling up and reading during the winter. Hope this finds you warm after reading about the cold :).
Krista says: We have been having a pretty cold and snowy winter here as well. It is actually snowing outside as I write this. I love how beautiful the snow and frost make everything look but I am not a fan of the cold. You would think I should be since I’m a December baby but I’m always freezing! Your cupcakes look super yummy! Happy birthday Opal!
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Krista!
Dori Troutman says: Dear Alex,
I loved this post so much. And now I’m thinking I really need to come visit Alaska in the winter time again. It’s been years and years since we’ve been there in the winter! It is so completely gorgeous – I love your pictures. And I’m SO GLAD y’all are getting a good winter this year.
And I’m totally looking forward to following along on the Iditarod (my favorite sport to follow!!!) and I hope its a really good year for all the mushers with the snow! Better than mushing on rocks, huh?
Happy Birthday Opal! Where did the year go?
Hugs,
– Dori –
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Dori! The winter just keeps giving. I went skiing yesterday and stepped off trail to see how deep the unadulterated snow was–nearly up to my hips with skis on! Incredible. You should definitely come to Alaska!
I’ve heard updates on a few of the other dog sled races and it sounds like mushers are excited for the snow. They save energy directing the dogs, but use more energy kicking and helping out the team in deep drifts. It also sounds like moose are more of a threat with all of the snow because they take advantage of the packed trails. One musher also said the whole experience is better because they don’t have the constant sound of metal scraping along ice/rocks/bare tundra. What a sport!
The year went by far too quickly :).
Hugs to you, too, thanks for checking in!!
Love,
Alex
Seasons Greetings Farmgirl Friends,
Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Joyous Festivus!
Winter has finally come and stuck around. The exciting tease of flurries and chill that begins to poke around in October has given way to snow that accumulates, temperatures that remain below freezing, and the shortening of days. As I write this, we are two days shy of the winter solstice and our number of daylight hours hovers around five and a half. The sun rises after ten a.m. and sets well before four p.m. It is winter. It is time to eat, love, create and enjoy.
We have been treated with beautiful hoar frost several times this December.
Patsy Baker says: I always look forward to your post. So entertaining.
From a Texas ranch Farmgirl ,
Patsy
Dirtduchess
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you Patsy. I love your nickname! I’m so happy to bring some cheer to your day. Happy Solstice!
Denise Ross says: Merry Christmas Alex and family. Glad to read you’re all well again and what a gift from Mary Jane. Have a wonderful Christmas
Alexandra Wilson says: Thank you, Denise! Merry Christmas to you, too!
Joan says: Ohhhh’s Ahhhh’s OhNo’s but all in all it was a great post! I hope y’all stay well and have a very Merry Christmas!!! God bless.
Alexandra Wilson says: Haha, because of all of the meat? yeah, I know a lot of your are vegetarians, and I VERY much appreciate that, as I used to be one myself. If I do eat meat I want it to be the of the most responsible kind :). Merry Christmas to you, too!
marge hofknecht says: My husband and I lean toward a more vegetarian lifestyle but I found your post interesting in that you are working on making a dream (of being a butcher) come true. I’m sure your friends were extremely grateful for your help and others probably will be so as you grow and learn. Your post encourages me to pursue a dream I have: I becoming more familiar with herbs and their properties and uses. To me, herbs are fascinating. Ancient people relied on their herbal knowledge to get on in life whether for health or for spicing up their foods. God gave the herb for mankind to use and that’s another reason to pursue a study on herbs. Thank you for sharing how timely the emergency food came to you when you and your family needed it most. Your family’s guardian angels appeared to have been whispering in Mary Jane’s ear! Have a blessed Merry Christmas and a memorable winter. Each season has its secrets and I enjoy discovering them as the year cycles around.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks for the comment, Marge! Herbs and incredibly fascinating–I’m so glad I got to help pique that interest in you. Have you ever heard of Aviva Romm? She is my favorite herbalist. She is also a Yale trained MD–an interesting combo. I highly recommend her books, blogs and podcasts if you haven’t heard of her. Merry Christmas to you and yours, too!
Amanda says: Merry Christmas to you and your family!! It does take some careful thinking when it comes to butchering. We raise and butcher our own beef and pork and venison- this year our oldest daughter is raising the beef (named Chuck). Our youngest daughter would rather eat broccoli soup! We butcher in February and I make sure I label the holiday meats- ham for Easter, pork roasts for pork and sauerkraut for New Years. We’ve been dealing with some colds, too, and always at the worst possible time! It is amazing how our daughter can manage to not cough or sneeze during her gymnastics routines at a meet- not sure if a sneeze would be a deduction or not! Isn’t it also amazing how something from MaryJane shows up at your door when it’s most needed? It happens to me a lot and I’m still not sure how she knows!!! Many blessings in the new year!
Alexandra Wilson says: There must be an informant out there somewhere! haha. I love hearing these stories of others raising their own meat animals. I like the name Chuck, it reminds me of a pig I knew named Frank. With all of the indoor time with lots of people (many who have been traveling) and cool temps, I expect colds…I wonder if the adrenaline of competing puts your daughter’s symptoms at bay? It sounds like your feeding your little gymnast well! Can’t wait until my kids are old enough to compete! Happy New Year to you and yours, too!
Karen Pennebaker says: I couldn’t kill a chicken but I have helped butcher deer, rabbits, etc. My sons and my late husband hunted and did the “deed” – I help after that! So far this year, my sons haven’t gone deer hunting and I wish they would! Canned venison is the best “fast food” I can think of!! 3 days of deer season after Christmas, so there is still hope!! Merry Christmas!!
Alexandra Wilson says: The BEST kind of fast food! I hope they get a deer, too. Merry Christmas!
The last time I wrote I was preparing to leave on a family vacation to Hawaii! We have returned to Alaska, but I’d love for you to join me for a trip down memory lane to three weeks ago….
A walk through paradise. Those are mahogany trees framing the left. They were planted when the farmer started this farm a few decades ago.
Krista says: Kauai is my all time favorite place in Hawaii! It’s so beautiful and peaceful! Your adventure there sounds like so much fun. It’s really cool hearing that they have an organic farm but it’s crazy that they only have one. All the fruit looks so delicious and I can practically taste them just looking at the photos! Nice post. Thanks for sharing your grand adventure.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Krista! It is such a beautiful place. I think many of the farms there have organic growing methods, this is just the only certified organic production. You are right about it being peaceful–it was the healthiest and happiest we have all been in a long time (maybe ever?). Magical place!
Marlene Capelle says: As I read this and look at the fabulous pictures we are having our first real snow storm. For a minute there I forgot. Thanks. The final picture – wow.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Marlene! It was pretty wild to go from eighty degree Kauai to SIXTEEN degree Alaska. However, the northern lights greeted us on our landing, so that was pretty special :). Enjoy your snow!
I live along the Front Range in northeast Colorado (east side of the Rockies). My eggplant routinely reach 3-4 feet in height and are massive producers. We have a short season, but not as short as yours in Alaska. But still, they are great producers and remarkable when you realize that enormous bush is an eggplant!
Alexandra Wilson says: So neat! Growing up, eggplants were always on little plants, 1.5 to 2 feet tall. Those huge bushes are amazing! My friend mentioned that the plants were only two or three months old. Incredible!
Karna Sperlin says: My husband and I are eating dinner talking about your blog
My husband and I were in Kauai at the same time as you wee and spent many days walking on Anini Beach
You don’t happen to be the ” Alaskan Mermaid”??!!!
Looking at the pics my husband took of you sure look like your pic on your blog!
If I had known it was you in the sand done up as a mermaid– I would have chatted ! Love your blog and Mary Janes magazine!!
Alexandra Wilson says: Hi Karna! That was me! How funny, I remember you very clearly. I so wish we could have made that connection on the beach, but at least we get to make it now. Farmgirls in paradise! Let’s go back…
mariah says: I have always considered Mary Jane’s Farm a refuge from the political turmoil going on in our country. Your left-handed reference to your political views are unwelcome, in my opinion. I am not talking about a for or against opinion of the outcome of the election but The fact that this space ought to be a politics free space. Let”s pay attention to our Farmgirl values and goals…please. There is a time and A PLACE for the sharing of politics. I did not think this is the place nor the time.
Alexandra Wilson says: I appreciate your comment, Mariah. I wanted to be clear that this was a moment of escape from the turmoil that was happening in the media, in our relationships and in our communities. A large part of my Farmgirl values and goals is to protect the rights of us and all women. In fact, one of the Farmgirl badges is for community action, so this is not a political desert. Lately, I have questioned why talking politics is such a faux pas…as politics do greatly affect our every day lives. Anyhow..I am a politically active person, so it was on the forefront of my mind while writing my post. I have written about politics in the past in regards to living green/agriculture. I understand why it bothers you, but I tried to make the intro as nonpartisan as possible while keeping my voice. However, I can see your frustration with this intro and I’m happy to change it.
Joan says: Oh be still my heart!! what a glorious trip you had and thanks so much for sharing it through words and pictures. My dream trip just came true. God bless.
Ava wanted to play with her flash light today for the first time since April. It’s an old promotional flashlight that I put in her stocking last Christmas (funny how the best things are often free/unexpected). She loves shining it all over the floor and stairs while our dog, Moki, chases the cast light. Moki gets a little neurotic about chasing lights and shadows…but it’s fun! While we were playing, it dawned on me that the ambient light was low enough to allow for the flashlight to work! Darkness is setting in, but with it, we are gifted illumination.
Is that an adorable gnome I see looking at me?
Krista says: Living in the city too, I can relate. From my back porch I can see 3 different houses very clearly and have found myself making assumptions as well. One house in particular that I can see is across the street from my back door neighbors. When I started staying home I would notice many cars coming and going from this house all day, everyday. After much observation and many ideas later, I found out that this house has a daycare inside. I think it’s a natural human instinct to be curious and I wouldn’t be surprised if my neighbors have watched to see what we do over here. I honestly feel that it gives me a sense of security or reassurance knowing who my neighbors are and what they do, so if something is not normal or right I can react. I believe what your doing and feeling is perfectly normal.
Have fun in Hawaii with your family! I am jealous and in much need of a vacation. Hawaii is a wonderful place to travel to.
Marilyn says: Thanks for the interesting post. Your daughters are beautiful. Have a safe and happy trip to Hawaii. ALOHA!
Marilyn
Joan says: Oh I hope you had a wonderful time in Hawaii – I have so wanted to go there to see all the beautiful flowers!!! Thanks for the view into your suburban life – I can relate – it was touch moving off the farm. Love them babies. God bless.
Aaahhhhh…You can almost hear the collective exhale as we make our way through September. The hectic days of late August are behind us, and we are settling into new routines at work, school, in the garden, and at home. There is a welcome relief that comes along with the end of production and the beginning of rebirth. A new season has begun! And with it, the headiness of autumn. In my experience, autumn is a time for big thoughts and formative realizations. We are instinctually preparing our bodies for the long stretch of winter where–traditionally–we would be spending our time with our thoughts, our food, our families and our fire. Might as well start the whole hibernation mode with a clear brain–but first to sift through everything that has been brushed aside during the action packed summer!
Shadows of ourselves. September affords beautiful “golden hours” and a lot of shadow fun! This rural girl finds that concrete has some perks…
Krista says: Nice post, Alex. This is the perfect time for me to sit, relax, and reflect on the moments. Bringing summer to an end and starting up fall is a great time to let go of some stress, especially before the crazy of the soon to be here holidays hits. I will make sure to spend extra time with the special people in my life and share many emotions and experiences.
Alexandra Wilson says: You are very correct, Krista–the calm before the storm. Don’t miss it 🙂 Thanks for the comment, Hope you are great!
Denise Ross says: Well written post, Alex. You’re so right that we find it so hard to just be still and just be, soaking in,life and living through all the emotions, Changes, rather than constantly filling our lives with doing. I’m learning to slow when I need to and just stop and be. If only for short periods of time. It’s is so good for the soul, clearing for the emotions and mind and for overall health.
Love your pictures and life stories.
Take care
Denise
Australia
I look forward to winter because it is my “quiet time.” I’m a type-A, to-do list achiever. I count things. 24 pints of strawberry jam canned! 8 pounds of summer squash picked! 20 hours of extra paid work completed this week! Only 3 loads of laundry!
One would think I am too busy to think, or to contemplate, or to ponder. They would be wrong. When I garden, where is my brain? On other things. Thinking, pondering. When I work on crocheting a new rug, or cutting up peaches for a pie, folding mountains of towels and underwear, where is my brain? On other things.
It’s the ultimate in multi-tasking. And some would say I work too hard, I do too much, but the truth is, I feel awful when I don’t finish to-do lists or accomplish goals. There is a lot of anxiety in not finishing, and that is worse than being ultra-busy. In my world, anyway. I wouldn’t change a thing. I really wouldn’t.
enjoyed reading your post. I want to go sit and relax now, and I will make a point of doing just that very soon. your kids are so cute!
Marilyn says: Fall is a time to relax and appreciate the season with its beautiful colors,crisp ,cool air and cozy nights.
Marilyn
Karen Pennebaker says: Don’t worry about a “professional life” when your babies are growing up! I always figured my babies WERE my life at that point. My “babies” are now 56, 51 and 43 years old and THEIR babies are mostly grown up! I will never regret the time I spent with all of them! I homeschool my 11 year old grandson and the other day, I took him along to my art guild meeting. We were working with “gelli prints”. He had a fantastic bunch of art teachers that day and ended up producing some amazing things, right along with those of us who have been artists for decades. When his sisters were younger, they went along with me to learn how to weave chair seats and we wove quite a few on 100 year old chairs owned by the local recreation center. Right now, we are off to the local historical society meeting, where he is the youngest active member. Children can be part of “real life” and get an education at the same time! Those of us who are learning right along with them don’t notice how old we are!
Hi Farmgirls! Harvest season is in full swing up here in Alaska, I imagine your gardens are producing (or everything is bolting?) in excess with the amount of heat the lower 48 has been getting. On the farm, we have seen especially high yields of peas, zucchini and broccoli–nearly to the point of having too much to sell and eat! In the past, I would have dedicated a few days to putting up food for the winter, but it turns out that small children make this pretty difficult. Who would’ve thunk?
These girls are so helpful! Yes, that is a mud goatee on Opal…soil is good for gut flora, they tell me.
Joy Pascarella says: I just made zucchini chocolate bread with some of my zucchinis. wow, it tastes like brownies. Can’t tell zucchini is even in there. I cut into small chunks and froze it for a sweet snack. I will try your Caramelized Zucchini. I make lots of soups in the winter in the crock pot. That will blend in well. I just caught up on all your posts. I missed you, don’t know how I missed them. Keep up your good work. Joy
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks for the check in, Joy. I, too, LOVE zucchini chocolate bread. Zucchini chocolate chip bread was a staple during my childhood summers. I will have to try your frozen brownie chunk treat. It sounds delicious!
Diana Nelson says: Just talking about this very topic with friends, ’tis the season to put good food by! Thanks for the post brimming with good information, lovely photos and a recipe to boot! Have a great day Alex, sounds like anyone that drops by your home is treated with delicious nourishing food.
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Diana! You’re right–I love to feed others good nutritious food when possible and feel a bit guilty when I don’t. I hope this finds you well!
Amanda says: Hi there Alex! Love the pictures of the girls, the veggies, and the dirt! What a beautiful combo- I know that all too well! Right now in my area peaches are in but very sparse due to a late spring freeze that killed about 60% of the crop so we get what we can get. My girls and I could only pick one bushel and we canned them in apple juice instead of a sugar syrup. We will savor our few jars this winter! We will be putting up more applesauce instead to help keep enough jars of fruit on hand. Still waiting to see how the pears are doing(those are canned in white grape juice). We are also in the middle of putting up green beans and sweet corn and the tomatoes are FINALLY starting to ripen! Soup, sauce and salsa to can!! We don’t have the amount of zucchini that you do but I am always looking for new ways to eat it and yours sounds really good! We also put up jams and pickles (we NEED pickles!) and flavored vinegar. My girls are older now and are able to help out more (although there can be a good amount of whining involved some days!) but they have always loved to listen for the pop of the lids when they seal! I wish you and your family many happy lid pops too!!
Alexandra Wilson says: Awesome, Amanda! Thanks for sharing your pantry staples with us. I’ve been wondering about how to can fruit without sugar, thanks for the fruit juice tip. We also need pickles!! I’m thinking of adding daikon radish to the jars to extend our cucumber supply. Hope you are well!
Krista says: I have been guilty of food waste in the past. Sometimes I struggle because I am so busy with life or simply forgot I put it in the fridge. The last 2 years I have made sure to put aside what I know I will eat and then I freeze the rest. I have been doing this mainly with zucchini, because that is what I have overwhelming amounts off. Right now we are staring to get pears so I am getting ready to can them to prevent waste. The one thing that has recently come to mind is composting. Since I have started my own garden this year I have started noticing so much that goes uneaten, such as the tops to carrots. I have been running the idea past my husband to see what we can do with all these extras rather than throw them in the garbage. Thanks for the recipe and other ways to save my food for later use! It’s nice to expand my food saving skills.
Alexandra Wilson says: I am SO guilty of food waste every day. We all live lives that are arguably too busy, but we do the best we can, right? I love compost piles/bins. I highly suggest it! As soon as possible (when we live somewhere where possible..) I am starting a compost system. Let us know if you get it going. Maybe I should have a post dedicated to various farmgirl’s compost systems…hmm. Where do you live? Some cities even have municipal compost programs! Thanks for being honest with us and sharing your successes. Zucchini forever!
I grew buckingham (yellow zuch) and cocozelle (striped zuch) this year. Two plants produce prolifically and I think I could give every family on my block enough to eat every single week. I’ve had to be creative with preserving! We are swimming in zuch! I’ve made zucchini “pickle” relish which turned out awesome (I canned it), shredded it up and put it in zip locks to freeze for use later to make squash croquettes, and of course we eat it ever stinkin’ day! 🙂 I had not ever considered blanching and freezing kale. I do eat kale every day in the summer, when production is high. I saute bacon and onion, add in the kale and water, simmer until done. REALLY great for breakfast – wakes you right up! I miss it in the winter when I don’t have it, so blanching and freezing will certainly help! Thanks for the tip!
Alexandra Wilson says: Your breakfast kale sounds amazing! The blanched Kale isn’t as good as the fresh summer stuff, but it definitely works and is still tasty. Zucchini pickles, yum! Thanks for sharing your tips.
Joan says: Great post!!! for some reason my garden doesn’t grow those sweet, beautiful babies, tee hee. Really love all your info and your super pics. God bless.
Alexandra Wilson says: Real life cabbage patch kids! Thank you 🙂
I just wrapped up an after dinner family photo session hosted by the one and only Toddler Farmgirl Ava. She has a sudden interest in photography, I think it has something to do with her other Babysitter Farmgirl friends who just started Instagram accounts. Anyway…she was pretending that a clothes hanger was her camera. She wanted us to give ourselves bunny ears and make funny faces. We obliged and she snapped away some “pictures.” It was really great, innocent fun!
Funny face photos on a nature hike!
I then asked if she had any other color cameras, maybe a green one? She replied that all of her other cameras “had clothes hanging on them.” Hilarious! The imagination can have its limits, apparently.
I like that mindset. There are days that when I hear the news I am thankful that I am in my little spot in the country and feel at peace knowing that my kids are safe.
Krista says: That is some great advice. I needed to be reminded that it really is okay. I have been stressing quite a bit lately and with everything that is going on it’s okay to let go. Our lives can get really busy and crazy, so it’s nice to take a day and enjoy the simple things in life. Thanks for the reminder.
Your veggies look absolutely beautiful and your daughter is super cute helping out!
Megan says: I loved the article. I am a mama of two little boys 3 years and 11 months. I can definitely relate to it. 🙂
Laura R. says: Hi Alex!
That was an excellent post! Not only because you recorded some of those precious memories of your children’s lives (I wish I had written down some of my treasures from out of the mouths of my babes.), but also your message was inspired. Optimistic, with solution driven ideas, and also gratitude awareness. It’s OK, I love it !!
Janis says: Hi Alex, What a treat to read your blog – you have a earth centered gfamily – I am working hard to educate my community re the importance of community gardens to bring everyone together- keeping my fingers crossed in South Carolina
Marilyn says: Thank you for sharing this post. Ava is a bright child. Ava and Opal are beautiful. I love hearing about your daughters. God Bless them and keep them safe and happy.
Marilyn
Becky Bartlett says: I am so jealous of your household with toddlers. Watching them grow and learn is so thrilling and remarkable.
On the other hand, my dear, I am so happy that you recognize and are taking advantage of their efforts.
Becky
Dori Troutman says: Hi Alex,
I loved seeing the pictures of your girls. That darling little Farmgirl Ava is growing up too fast. And look at Opal sitting up in the garden. What sweet girls!
Glad you are having such a wonderful summer. Do you ever look forward to winter-time or does it just come way too quickly?
Hugs,
– Dori –
Kay Ruh says: Thank you, Alex. I agree that our responsibility to help make things better begins by being conscious of the energy we put into our very own spheres.
Oh, those little naked toddler feet on gravel! And we adults can’t even step barefoot on a stick! 🙂 Ava has it right. It’s okay!
Denise Ross says: Love the “it’s okay”. So true. I really loved this post. Seeing life from a child’s perspective is very enriching and brings back life to it’s simplest things that are important to our lives. Glad you’re okay too. Have a very happy week. Til next time take care.
Denise
Australia
Joan says: So nice to read your blog!!! lifted me up – wasn’t really down but your family sure brings joy to my life. God bless.
LaRoyce says: Nice…thank you.
Meredith Williams says: My daughter is getting ready to start her senior year of high school. My new mantra after reading your post is “it’s okay!” . I am a stressed- out mess over her leaving our safe farm and going out into this crazy world. I will remind myself that it’s okay! Enjoy your girls and this time in their lives, it will go so fast you won’t believe it.❤️
Alexandra Wilson says: It is okay! I don’t know about having grown up children, but I imagine a calm, confident mama makes for a calm confident kid throughout life. I bet her farm upbringing will shine through as she explores her adulthood! Thanks for checking in
I just wrapped up an after dinner family photo session hosted by the one and only Toddler Farmgirl Ava. She has a sudden interest in photography, I think it has something to do with her other Babysitter Farmgirl friends who just started Instagram accounts. Anyway…she was pretending that a clothes hanger was her camera. She wanted us to give ourselves bunny ears and make funny faces. We obliged and she snapped away some “pictures.” It was really great, innocent fun!
Funny face photos on a nature hike!
I then asked if she had any other color cameras, maybe a green one? She replied that all of her other cameras “had clothes hanging on them.” Hilarious! The imagination can have its limits, apparently.
I like that mindset. There are days that when I hear the news I am thankful that I am in my little spot in the country and feel at peace knowing that my kids are safe.
Krista says: That is some great advice. I needed to be reminded that it really is okay. I have been stressing quite a bit lately and with everything that is going on it’s okay to let go. Our lives can get really busy and crazy, so it’s nice to take a day and enjoy the simple things in life. Thanks for the reminder.
Your veggies look absolutely beautiful and your daughter is super cute helping out!
Megan says: I loved the article. I am a mama of two little boys 3 years and 11 months. I can definitely relate to it. 🙂
Laura R. says: Hi Alex!
That was an excellent post! Not only because you recorded some of those precious memories of your children’s lives (I wish I had written down some of my treasures from out of the mouths of my babes.), but also your message was inspired. Optimistic, with solution driven ideas, and also gratitude awareness. It’s OK, I love it !!
Janis says: Hi Alex, What a treat to read your blog – you have a earth centered gfamily – I am working hard to educate my community re the importance of community gardens to bring everyone together- keeping my fingers crossed in South Carolina
Marilyn says: Thank you for sharing this post. Ava is a bright child. Ava and Opal are beautiful. I love hearing about your daughters. God Bless them and keep them safe and happy.
Marilyn
Becky Bartlett says: I am so jealous of your household with toddlers. Watching them grow and learn is so thrilling and remarkable.
On the other hand, my dear, I am so happy that you recognize and are taking advantage of their efforts.
Becky
Dori Troutman says: Hi Alex,
I loved seeing the pictures of your girls. That darling little Farmgirl Ava is growing up too fast. And look at Opal sitting up in the garden. What sweet girls!
Glad you are having such a wonderful summer. Do you ever look forward to winter-time or does it just come way too quickly?
Hugs,
– Dori –
Kay Ruh says: Thank you, Alex. I agree that our responsibility to help make things better begins by being conscious of the energy we put into our very own spheres.
Oh, those little naked toddler feet on gravel! And we adults can’t even step barefoot on a stick! 🙂 Ava has it right. It’s okay!
Denise Ross says: Love the “it’s okay”. So true. I really loved this post. Seeing life from a child’s perspective is very enriching and brings back life to it’s simplest things that are important to our lives. Glad you’re okay too. Have a very happy week. Til next time take care.
Denise
Australia
Joan says: So nice to read your blog!!! lifted me up – wasn’t really down but your family sure brings joy to my life. God bless.
LaRoyce says: Nice…thank you.
Meredith Williams says: My daughter is getting ready to start her senior year of high school. My new mantra after reading your post is “it’s okay!” . I am a stressed- out mess over her leaving our safe farm and going out into this crazy world. I will remind myself that it’s okay! Enjoy your girls and this time in their lives, it will go so fast you won’t believe it.❤️
Alexandra Wilson says: It is okay! I don’t know about having grown up children, but I imagine a calm, confident mama makes for a calm confident kid throughout life. I bet her farm upbringing will shine through as she explores her adulthood! Thanks for checking in
Hey there Farmgirls! First off–Happy Solstice! I hope you are navigating this powerful time of the year with as much grace and focus as you can muster. This one has been a doozy with the full moon and solstice happening at the same time. I’ve been hearing of troubles and woes from almost every corner of life. As for me, I’m just kind of frantic and unfocused (So many unfinished projects and tasks!), but I already feel my body anticipating and getting ready for the slow relaxation that comes as summer progresses.
This girl has been enjoying the long days of solstice time!
bonnie ellis says: Your children are adorable! Keep up the good work Alex. and yes, it is the garden of weedin”. Hi from Minnesota, where it is much hotter ( 90s).
Karen Pennebaker says: Chickweed is my nemesis and I’m in West Virginia! However, my chickens watch as I pull it knowing the buckets of weeds will be their salad.
Marilyn says: Love the pictures. I am also a hot weather wimp, 60 degrees is warm enough for me.Your daughters are adorable. Have a safe and healthy summer and try to stay cool!
Marilyn
Dori Troutman says: Oh Alex, those sweet little farm girls of yours! 🙂 Precious little girls. And wow…. how can Opal be big enough to be sitting there in the garden already? Happy Summer with your long days! xoxo
– Dori –
Alexandra Wilson says: Thanks, Dori! Opal is getting SO big. Hope you are great!
Krista says: I would definitely struggle with long days of sunlight. Hopefully your tricks are helping you with extended day light and the warm weather. Your tea mixtures are giving me inspiration to mix my own for the heat of the summer. We have been in the high 90s for awhile now. Stay cool and enjoy your summer with your cute family.
Alexandra Wilson says: Just seeing this reply now, sorry! Hope you are staying cool as it seems like everyone is feeling the heat!
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”.
Thanks for taking me to a place I’ll never go. It was an amazing and interesting trip.
Ditto! Enjoyed the “trip”.
Alex, I loved every word of this blog. Wanderlust!!! My mom always called my dad a Gypsy because we moved so many times and as a child I traveled across the US many times between the east coast and the west coast. The old Route 66 was our road for many a year. I loved traveling and seeing the many sites and towns we drove through. Our route changed over the years and we traveled the higher Interstates across the US. It was an adventure for a young girl growing up ‘on the road’ sort of. I saw many places I would have loved to stay in and spend some time but we were always moving on to new places until we reached our destinations where members of our families lived. Traveling around in the late 40’s and 50’s in old cars and pickups across miles of lonely roads, through deserts and small towns and mountainous areas and valleys was to me a great way to live. But I was just a young child and memories are distant but welcome today. Thanks for stirring up a memory of a time past of a safer and friendlier world than we have now. May many more adventures await you.
I am extremely jealous of all you have accomplished while I sit here in front of my computer wondering what I will make my hubby for dinner. I have only been out of the states once and that was to go to Canada and yet, look at the magnificent things you have learned and explored.
Thank you for sharing your story. Walking with you let me experience something I never could have otherwise. You are a charming tour guide!
Thank you for sharing your remarkable experience. I relished every word and photo. At 67, I’m not an adventurer but I enjoy reading the journals/diaries of those who are. No wonder you are so well adapted to live in Alaska, you’ve experienced life in CAPITAL letters. Again, thanks for sharing.
Your adventure sounds like an amazing experience. I’m glad you shared your stories and personal journal. It’s very interesting to hear what others experience and how they experience those moments. I definitely agree that children change our experiences. Many things that I use to do are now altered because of my boys. Just getting out of the house is a whole new experience with boys! Thanks for sharing.
What a great post. I enjoyed reading about your adventures.
Thanks for the superb trek! May this have raised you high. Love them babies. God Bless
That was very brave of you taking that journey by yourself. I can’t imagine going that far out of my comfort zone. Kudos to you, Alex. Now you’re on a different kind of journey. Good luck and happy times for you and your family.
Becky
What a treat to read parts of your journey and what a journey it was. Thank you so much for sharing. All beautiful memories to last you a life time, a place you can always revisit in your day dreams, truly a treasure.
What a great memory. What a trip you had. Thanks for the travel adventures with your past.
Alex, what an amazing adventure! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing this amazing journey. This coming weekend we will be leaving for a month to explore “alternative” winter habitats. It pales in comparison to your trip, but has helped set the stage for an exciting journey nonetheless!
Thank you for sharing your adventure. I don’t know if I’ll ever do something like this, but it was a real treat to read and see all your lovely photos.
I’ve found life is really an adventure, with some big deviations and smaller deviations from the planned path, but all life and character building.
If you have more adventures to share, please do.
Take care from Australia
Thanks for sharing your adventures!! I feel like I have lived vicariously through your journal entries- What an amazing adventure!