Thank you to our Queen Bee Mary Jane for bringing us this wonderful Farmgirl group and all it encompasses. I love it and the girls dearly. And thank you Nicole for your blog, which I love reading. You and all your neighbors are still in my prayers. Wishing you a blessed and peace filled 2013.

Thank you, Karin.  Newtowners have found a lot of comfort in all the kindness that has encompassed us from all over.  Wishing you a peaceful, blessed 2013, too.  Hugs, Nicole

Yes, we are a blessed bunch! I love to read my farmgirl blogs and see how your creative minds bring such positive energy into our lives…
Funny thing, Nicole. My father called me ‘Bug’, too. Jannie Bug, to be exact. I think that that is one of the reasons that I love nature of all kinds, and yes, even BUGS…
Smiling today,
JBug

Jan, cute!  We’ve called her our "Bug" since the day she was born, short for "Snugglebug"…my dad always called me "Junebug".  Big hugs, Nicole

Ahhh, what a great missive to read this morning. I can’t thank YOU enough Nicole … and ALL my sisters. Each and every sister makes the sisterhood what it is. Working with you Nicole has been an absolute pleasure. I thank my lucky stars. CommUNITY makes the world a much better place indeed. Not to mention all of us working together to bring back good food. Organic, non-GMO food is a necessary positive whose time has come.
MaryJane

So true, MaryJane!  Love you!  -Nicole

I agree about FarmGirls being a very "positive" thing in my life….happy, inspiring, uplifting.
Thank you, MaryJane :)!

Warmly,
Heike
FarmChick #2245

Uplifting…another great way to describe the sisterhood!  Thank you, Heike!  -Nicole

Thank you both for all that you have shared with us, both triumphs and tragedies. When I roamed the U.S., Canada and Mexico in my RV for seven years, Mary Jane accompanied me everywhere–at least her tasty food did! Many campfires were started with the empty food pouches and washing dishes was kept to a minimum. I’ll never forget the Iowa farmgirl whom I met at the laundromat when she was in town and who invited me to spend the night at her farmhouse. I took a shower and sank into the most wonderful night’s sleep in a comfy bed with a handmade quilt over me. When I arose at 5:30 am, she had already made breakfast. She sent me on the road with a thermos full of coffee, homemade biscuits, butter, preserves and a tearful hug. This was just one of the many times I was asked to spend the night or park in the driveway or plugged into the shed so I could have electricity. The warm welcome from farmgirls everywhere will always be remembered. You and Mary Jane are especially terrific and I look forward to spending many new years with you both!

Adrienne, Your comment proves we farmgirls are never alone where ever we may roam! Hugs, Nicole

Yes…MORE kudos to Mary Jane. You deserve ’em gal! It’s great to be part of something so special that’s lasted so long. Wish you many more farmgirl years as our queen bee. It’s so special to have met you. 3 times.

Thank you seems so simple compared to all the advice, encouragement, info, experience and knowledge you share all year long….. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE what you do and looking forward to a wonderful new year! Congrats and wishing you the best year yet in 2013!
Farm hugs from midwest Illinois,
Lynn

Thanks for sharing this Nicole, it is still so sad every time I read or hear anything about the tragedy. It is great to hear about the acts of kindness. I am so happy your baby was ok I just couldn’t imagine. I remember when we found out Mia was allergic to fire ants and the traumatic experience I had rushing to the ER to meet her. When I saw her I didn’t recognize she was so swollen. I wept for several days after that just thanking God she was ok and what could of happened. Ugh all you can do is Thank God she is still with you and enjoy every second which I’m sure you already do.

Thank you Debbie.  This was a difficult blog to write, but I felt compelled to.  I am holding my baby tighter and longer every day since that fateful Friday.

On another note, I am emailing you directly, as Mia and I share something in common.  I, too, grew up with a life-threatening allergy to fire ants! Talk to you soon, Hugs, Nicole

Nicole, your town and all it’s people have been on my mind and in my prayers since last Friday. My heart is aching and I keep finding myself in tears. Like you I can’t even begin to fathom the grief and devastation everyone is feeling over the loss of all these precious angels. I’ll continue to pray for healing and peace for all of you.
Karin

Thank you, and much love. -Nicole

Nicole, I really think you handled this blog…the best of any thing I have read or seen on this subject.  You just get better every week. Dad

Thank you so much, Dad.  Love you.  -Nicole

Dear Nicole, I think your Dad said it best – of everything I have read concerning that horrible event, you gave us such personal insight that no one else has. Thank you for that and I am so glad that your daughter was not in that building. What a blessing for you. I think it might have affected the attitude of many at this Christmas time. Perhaps they were more aware that things are not what make up the holiday. It’s family, friends and the giving of time and self that matters. Again, thank you. I have never responded to your blogs before, although I read and enjoy them. God be with you and your town through this healing process.

Dear Bonnie, Thank you so very much.  We just stopped by one of the memorials in town on our way to the post office.  We just couldn’t walk in there before now.  It was amazing…inside the tent are mounds of stuffed animals, poems and drawings from schoolchildren from all over, and volunteers from other towns "manning" the memorial, offering hugs to others.  There were flowers someone all the way from France had donated. We couldn’t go in it until now.  There has been so much kindness in so many forms from all over the world towards all residents of our town. Blessings to you  –Nicole

Nicole, thank you for sharing your blog with us. I work at a prison in North Carolina and even the inmates are appalled at the actions of the one who committed this atrocity. I have seen mentally ill inmates over the past 31 years and it is indeed a tragedy that when someone who is "mentally ill" with whatever diagnosis, they do not receive treatment. However, I know that even those people that I have observed over the many years would find this an atrocious act. Thank you for letting us know from a citizens standpoint. Your teachers are an example of true love and devotion to their students. Most citizens who do not work in education or the prison systems do not realize the danger that is present for the employees and the children and other prisoners from the mentally ill. I find it hard to justify this type of action as "mental illness" but I believe that God will wrap his arms around your citizens and help to ease the pain of the lost. God Bless Newtown.

Marilyn, thank you.  I have a hard time thinking about the teachers… I just want (and do) cry.  Pure love and selflessness.  I truly believe any of our teachers here would have done the same thing.  Also, the firefighters and EMT’s who were first on the scene are so brave.  Most do not realize that here they are volunteers, and they put their lives on the line every time they get a call.  I’m praying for them everyday.  Thank you for sharing with me, Marilyn.  Hugs, Nicole

Dear Nicole,
I am truly grateful not to see a Newtown Resident sobbing in any of your photos, as I am sure that I have been ungraciously photographed in my time of grieving. (weakness..by abundance ) WE are Newtown Strong and can get through this, with the assistance of trained therapists, amazing clergy and each other. (national and international community) We made Christmas happen….even though we came up short on presents, burnt cookies, lost sleep and forgot what we where doing most of the time.
Dec. 14th was one of the worst days of my life as I was unsure if my son’s cousin and best friend was going to come home alive. I did 80 miles on the highway and ran 1/4 of a mile to find out that his mother, one of my best friend’s and love of my life, was one of the lucky ones. She was able to bring her son home and I was unable to go to her due to the traffic. I recalled the terror of waiting to find out if my father was going to come home on 9/11. He worked in the trade center. The radio warnings of possible gunmen at large and the sounds of the helicopters, prompted me to leave.
I am so thankful that we did not have to bury another family member this year. I am so thankful that our national and international community helped me realize that our children needed Christmas more than anything and were able to face this horror and uncertainty with an army of teddy bears and stuffed animals.
I realize that I am in a spiritual winter and struggle with anger, but acknowledge and appreciate that we belong to a very spiritual community and will eventually accept this reality.
I am truly grateful to so many that that helped our community withstand this unspeakable evil that has changed us forever. My belief that things will come closer to being healed when our Sandy Hook Children will be educated on Newtown soil. I am grateful that the neighboring town of Monroe offered us a school so that our children will not be separated. I have held my children closer and take less for granted.
Loved your Blog !
I am so looking forward to 2013.
Thank You,
Valerie

Dear Nicole…

I found you through MaryJane and Just wanted to send you some love from California…if you are in need of some fabric, to keep your hands and mind busy…please let me know. I would love to donate fabric to Newtown for quilts for each family. If this is something you would like me to organize, please let me know. I know it might not be the right time yet, but I think each family could probably use a quilt to keep them warm in the coming months.

Merci-
Kaari

Kaari, What a beautiful idea!  I will email you directly. 

Nicole

Hello Nicole. I have never seen your blog before. I did a google search for Mary Janes Farm and stumbled across this accidentally. I am impressed with your compassion, insight and the way you were able to humanize this tragedy and give us a sense of understanding and love. I will continue to watch your blog. I send you blessings and love. I cannot imagine the horror. How does one shield their child from this? the long-term effects? I cannot imagine. (and especially when you thought it was the perfect American town with innocence and Norman Rockwell charm). Wishing you PEACE at this difficult time.

Hi Barbara,

Thank you for reading and commenting, and I hope you will "visit me again!  -Nicole

I have read your column for awhile now and always enjoy your insights into your life and community.My heart bled when I heard of the horror that affected your community.I live across the continent in another country but please know that we all feel your pain and send prayers for healing and to remember that there is kindness and love everywhere and we are sending it your way.Prayers for all your little angels.

Dear Susan, thank you.  It has been surreal having our little community seen all over the world, but I know we all have found comfort in all the prayers and wishes.  Wishing you the best in the New Year. -Nicole

Nicole,
Thank you for writing about the tragedy in Newtown. I read many of the blogs on Mary Jane’s farm website and in the magazine. I want you to know that my church community, Christ the King Catholic Church, here in Detroit, Michigan are praying for the children and families in Newtown (and all over the world) who have been affected by violence. Peace and blessings,
Cheryl

Thank you, Cheryl!  -Nicole

Beautiful tree and enjoyed the trip with you and your family!

Thank you, Denise!  Thanks for stopping by! -Nicole

I love taking this virtual road trips with you and your family. I can’t wait to see your tree and of course catch up with all my Farmgirl Sisters on Saturday.

Thanks, Barb!  Audrey and I can’t wait to see you and Emily Saturday, too! -Nicole

Merry Christmas Nicole!
I loved my visit to the Tree Farm!…. I bet is smells wonderful!!!
Love and hugs and a safe and happy holiday season!
Your beach blog’n sis Deb

Hi Deb!  Thanks for visiting…much love to you, too!  I’m sure you are busy decking your halls, too!  Hope you and your family have a great holiday season, as well. –Nicole

Love the adventure, Nicole. Here on Long Island we are lucky enough to have several tree farms out East too. There is nothing quite like the experience of "harvesting" your own Christmas Tree!
Enjoyed the pictures- your tree looks BEAUTIFUL!!
Hugs,
Laurie

Thank you Laurie!  This year we did white lights, which I love best on the tree, but to be honest, Iam still getting used to the LED ones.  Not quite the same as traditional, but beautiful nonetheless.  Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting!  Merry Christmas, Nicole

Nicole, I cannot believe how tall Audrey looks now. Looks like y’all were having a lot of fun. Decorated tree is beautiful.
Enjoyed reading this blog. Merry Christmas! Love you,

Mother

Hi Mom!  Thanks!  We all thought of you decorating the tree with some of the ornaments you gave us.  Wish you could see it in person.  Told ya Audrey is growing fast…time for a visit!  -Nicole

We have been cutting our Christmas tree at various farms for about 30 years. Our daughters are now 32, and now we cut with our two grandsons as well. We have such a blast! One daughter has a fake tree, but she comes with us cutting for the fun of it! The boys usually take their sleds and swoop down the hills while we search for the perfect tree for each family. However, no snow this year when we cut, they were disappointed! Enjoyed your story and pictures.

Sandy, how wonderful to hear about your long-standing family tradition!  How special for your daughters and grandchildren!  Thank you for sharing with us. -Nicole

I loved going along with you on your trip to the tree farm. It brought back memories of picking out our tree when I was a little girl. Now my husband prefers artificial, but I add a Christmas scent to the tree.

Betty, thank you for sharing! I’m so glad you enjoyed our "visit". -Nicole

Now that was a unique outing! Hopefully y’all got wine samples at the vineyard.

No, I didn’t that day! The vineyard does do wine tastings.  Their wine is very good.  It’s such a beautiful place.-Nicole

Hello, – YAY! – I love A.J. & her Llamas! She is amazing. I’ve learned so much from her, and have been blessed to have been to Rowanwood Farm. I am even a very lucky owner of two of the cutest Goat’s you’ll ever see thanks to A.J. She has inspired me to get back to the land, & with her help she is teaching me how to farm, & live a happier, more simple life! I love your article & thank you so much to getting the word out to your readers about Hiking with Llamas! Sincerely: Brett Read

Brett, thank you for reading and commenting!  A.J. is such a wonderful person.  I am so very lucky to count her as a friend.  My daughter and I have both learned so much from her.  She is so devoted to her animals and nature.  She truly is amazing, and so very inspiring in everything she does.  I bet those goats of yours are just precious! -Nicole

Aj has introduced me to goats and llamas. Never knew that i would ever be so much in love with my three goats and Ajs llamas. Loretta

Hi Loretta!  I know…I am always just so "mushy and gushy" around her animals because they are so sweet!  Thank you for commenting! – Nicole

So glad to hear you and your family made it through the storm safely and the damage was confined to an area where you can handle its effects. Bless you all.

Thank you, Adrienne!  – Nicole

Dear Nicole,
After reading this very well done blog, I feel you have a lot to be thankful for on Thanksgiving Day! You still have your beautiful healthy child, your lives and your home. I would say a very big prayer to God, who was watching over all of you. I was your Girl Scout leader, so I must have been a good one, because you were very prepared!

Love you, always,Mother

Thanks, Momma!  I can still hear you telling me to "Be Prepared!" Much love, Nicole

Hi Nicole! So glad you and your family and home are ok. Friends of ours in Stratford, Ridgefield, and Southbury made it through as well- but so many are still living in a nightmare. Our family is praying for all those who have a long road ahead of them to get back to some semblance of normal.
Would love to hear sometime about the things your family has done to live a simpler life that made storm preparations easier. We could all use help in that department!
Thanks for your great blog as usual!
Your fellow Yankee in Va- Meredith

Hi Meredith!  So glad to hear your friends are all okay!  Thank you for the writing suggestion…you got it, will do.  Farmgirl hugs, Nicole

Nicole: Our prayers have been for all in the storms. God has blessed you with little damage. What a great Thanksgiving present.Thank you for letting us know we should be all prepared for whatever comes.

Thank you, Bonnie.  Yes, our Thanksgiving gives us so much to be thankful for.  My heart goes out to those who have lost so much.  – Nicole

This made me cry. I’m so glad that you and your family are safe from harm’s way, so sad to hear of all those that weren’t so fortunate. Many prayers said, many prayers needed. Thanks for sharing.

Jody, thank you for your comment.  It is mind-boggling, the damage, but the Northeast is filled with strong people who don’t give up! -Nicole

I am glad that the damage you sustained from Hurricane Sandy is "fixable" and that everyone is okay. I just got back from 30 days in New York working with some of the survivors. The thing that struck me most, was the gratitude of each person that I talked to. Even if they had lost every item they owned, each one of them made it a point to say how blessed or lucky they were that they had their lives, their loved ones, etc. Not everyone was so fortunate because a lot of people did lose their lives and the healing will take a long time. The whole trip has given me a new outlook on life. I am grateful and want to make the most of each day that I have. Happy holidays to you and to your family.

Rebecca, thank you and Happy holidays to you, too.  God bless you for your work! -Nicole

When I worked as a graveyard security officer during the summer break at the University of Nevada Reno, there was a male residence hall supposedly inhabited by a ghost. Lincoln Hall was built in 1895-6 and named after Abraham Lincoln. In the top dorm room, a young man hanged himself. I never saw the ghost but I felt his presence every time I inspected the building.

Adrienne, how spooky!  In Houston, there was a cool restaurant for many years called the Red Lion.  It was very old, and was decorated in Victorian style.  A man hung himself there, once, too.  Many said they felt his presence there late at night.  Sadly, it burned down. 

I bet it was spooky being the graveyard security officer there in Nevada, but also very cool!  Happy Halloween! -Nicole

Oct 31 2012
Nicole,
Thanks you for the wonderful rememberance of ‘box costumes, fall pictures and Mark Twain’s home!!!
And the spooky stories.
I like to deck the house and front porch in whimsy too- not fond of all the blood and gore either.

Like yourself, I enjoy vintage cards and have some rather old paper embossed cut outs of Halloween figures including cats, pumpkins, witches ,etc…
We have a selection of carved fun and scarey faced pumpkins, ‘cobwebs’ and corn stalks to make it a bit spooky.
Just up near the eves on the front porch I string up a green pine garland and clothes pin the cutouts to it, festooning with colored ribbons. It’s very festive.

I hope your weather will be nice so you get all the trick or treaters you want…. it will be cool and wet where I am in the Northwest, but I hope to see at least a few cute costumes at least.

Have a very Happy Halloween and All Saints day tomorrow

JaneAnn, how festive your house sounds!  I can just imagine little trick-or-treaters coming to your door!  I love your idea of the garland with clothespins and cutouts!  Thank you so much for sharing and commenting.  We survived the hurricane and are very lucky, and making the best of what we can for Halloween.  Thanks for reading and writing in! -Nicole

My parents bought an historic home in North Haven CT in 1955. It had been built as the Rising Sun Tavern about 1738. It had both a ghost and a witch. The ghost is of a slave who was in the bar room when a drunk Patriot said he’d shoot any Tory on sight. The slave said he was a Tory and he was shot. The witch was the wife of one of the inn keepers who wore a red wig. This information came from a book called "Old Inns In Connecticut" and was published in 1922. It was a great house to grow up in.

Nothing scary happened to us then, but I really am concerned that slavery existed all throughout the Colonies, and that people believed in witchcraft still, one hundred years after the hysteria in Salem. History itself is scary.

I hope you weathered the storm well.

Kristy, how interesting!  There are so many historical, spooky tales in Connecticut.  My back yard backs up to woods, and I often imagine Ichabod Crane riding through them, ha ha. 

Thank you for sharing, and for your wishes.  We have indeed weathered the storm, and nothing I’ve been through was as scary as that!  -Nicole

I remember your raggedy ann costume…it hid the she devil underneath..ha..halloween isnt what it used to be…your blog brought back fun memories of yesteryear…thanks for trying to bring back the old fun of this wicked holiday…the old fun is fading away for the kids of the future….

Here in Connecticut, it is still a pretty fun, innocent holiday.  I read today online that Connecticut is the best state for trick or treat.  Even though Halloween was cancelled a second time this year, the town of Southbury offered trick or treating for the kids in the Kmart plaza.  I could not believe how nice it was.  Panera gave away cookies, and stores gave away candy, coloring books, and other treats.  It was fun to see both adults and kids dressed up. –Nicole

Hi Nicole!

While living on the dairy farm upstate in Central NY there was a resident ghost, more like a ‘caretaker’ felt & seen many times walking the farm & around the barns. Most every evening while I was there, you could hear door open & footsteps heading to upstairs. (We were all snug in bed!!)I also felt cold breezes while canning in the kitchen on a hot summer day…so many other incidences…uneasy feelings but yet felt ‘protected’…

Kim, Very cool story!  Thank you for sharing! I think if I was a ghost, what better place to haunt than a farm? 

When I first moved to Connecticut, I was working in our store that we had.  It was a hot summer day, too, and I was the only person there with one other employee.  All of a sudden, the heavy glass door blew open, and the coldest burst of air came flying through the showroom, then stopped.  Funny thing was there was no breeze.  We both felt eery about it.  It looked like someone had opened the door and walked through.  I never forgot that incident.  Farmgirl hugs, Nicole

I also recycle a lot! I teach an Environmental Science class and I try to get the students to see the importance of recycling regularly. I even made a student fish her empty soda can out of the hallway trashcan when I noticed what she had done. I don’t think I’m at the fanatic stage yet, but I often check the trash can in my classroom to see if something recycled (especially the soda cans!) has been thrown away. I don’t do curbside recycling because my home is only 3-4 blocks from our town’s cycling center and I can save money by taking my recyclables there myself.

Good for you, Colleen, teaching students the importance of recycling!  My daughter and I often go for walks; we bring plastic gloves if we see a lot of cans and bottles thrown on the side of the road.  It adds up! -Nicole

Oh yes, I have been a GREEN-E for most of my life. Unfortunately, since moving to this new area, there are no easily accessible ways for keeping GREEN – but I still do it. By IT I mean everything – I even put items at my driveway with a sign FREE and it takes only a few minutes before they are gone on to someone else who can use them and the containers of all kinds go to the re-cycler, food scraps go to the horses and chickens and then in a round about way it comes back to me as fertilizer and or compost. I can not figure out why everyone doesn’t do re-cycling – not only for the environment but it makes one feel good about earth/life/self. Good article, Nicole, to get us thinking.

Thank you, Joan!  And kudos to you for doing your part, even after you have moved where it isn’t as accessible.  Keep up the great work, and thanks for commenting! -Nicole

Here in Long Beach, California we recycle everything also.. We have a large trash bin that is picked up once a week. I have a compost bin that I put all our household scraps in and helps with the garden… We recycle at least 80% of everything that comes thru our home.. It feels really good to be conscious of the need to clean it up…

Deborah, 80% is awesome.  Good for you.  I am a big fan of composting, too, and it’s such a garden bonus.  Keep up the good work, and thanks for sharing! -Nicole

Nicole: My husband and I have been "recycling" since we were married 50 years ago. It wasn’t called that then but we taught classes then and have been green ever since. But we separate glass, cans, and paper. I am glad so many are catching on. Thanks for your blog.

Hi Bonnie!  I learned a lot about recycling as a child from my dad and my mom’s mom from watching them re-purpose or reuse things instead of throwing them away.  I also remember my mom always taking the wooden crate of glass drink soda bottles back to the store.  We always stopped and dropped them off at the courtesy desk before we did our shopping.  You’re so right – it was something that was done, and I am glad that it is coming back.  How cool that you and your husband taught classes – and it’s awesome you’ve been married fifty years!  Thank you for sharing, Nicole

I’ve found a good way to reuse the cardboard type egg cartons. They make good fire starters for campfires or fireplaces. Stuff them full of dryer lint, coat them with melted parafin (or old candle wax). This also makes them waterproof. You can then break off a small chunk to start your fire. I store them in an old popcorn tin and they’re always ready to go.

Rebecca, thank you for the great tip!  -Nicole

Interesting blog. We have a recycling system in my city but it’s so inconvenient to use that most of us don’t use it…My city should take notes.

Nicole,
Congratulations on being married for 20 years.
Thanks for sharing your time of meeting each other and the beautiful wedding photo’s.
I would say it was meant to be and God had a hand in all this.
Wishing you and yours many more Blessed years together.
Peggy

Peggy, I agree, what are the chances of us meeting so many times? Thank you so much!  -Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

Congratulations on such a happy milestone and best wishes to you for many delightful years together.

Thank you, Adrienne! Twenty years seems like it went by so fast!  -Nicole

You are both even more beautiful than on your wedding day. What a wonderful story of two people meant to be together. Have many more happy years! Next September we celebrate our 40th but the years have passed so quickly it is difficult to believe. MB in TEXAS

Marybeth, thank you!!! (Blushing).  Next September you celebrate 40 years!  Awesome!  Congratulations…I love hearing that.  Farmgirl hugs, Nicole

Congratulations!

I think you hit the nail on the head, marry your best friend and it does all fall into place. But I would add that you also have to have the commitment to continue to be your spouse’s best friend. Even as interests change, goals are attained or released, and even if we may become almost unlovable or deserving of love during times of personal challenges, then the reward of renewed and love multiplied is felt.

A good and successful marriage is a gift from God and I thank Him daily for the 28 years I’ve had with my loving husband!!

May this anniversary be the first of several two-decade increments! Long life and blessing to you both.

Beautifully written, Karen!  Thank you for commenting! -Nicole

Nicole, 20 years -so hard to believe. You were a beautiful bride, my beautiful daughter! I have missed you so much everyday since you live so far away. May you always be happy and glad God blessed you both with Audrey. Love always.

Mother

Happy anniversary to both of you! I enjoyed reading your post about the wedding.

Thank you! -Nicole

Congratulations on your first 20 years!!! I married my best friend 27 years ago and it is a real blessing. May God grant you and your husband many more years!!

Annette, thank you, and the same to you!  -Nicole

Hi Nicole! Oh I love apple pickin’ season in New England… We are fortunate to live in a place that looks like what so many can only imagine or travel to virtally… Your picks are darling… and how fun to have company all the way from Denmark! I’m ready to go get some apples now… thank you!
your blogging sis from the beach!
beach farmgirl Deb

Hey Deb!  So true…I love the four seasons that New England offers!  Can’t wait until we have a real show of fall foliage! Hugs, Nicole

I really enjoyed your pictures. That place is beautiful. But most beautiful of all is the last picture of your daughter. She’s sweet.

Awww…thank you so much, Bonnie.  I can’t get over how fast she is growing up!  Seems like just yesterday we were watching that Elmo video I mentioned, now she is a fifth grader.  Thanks for reading and commenting!  – Nicole

My first apple pie of the season just came out of the oven. Can’t wait to have a piece after supper tonight. Unfortunately, the apples are in short supply this year here in Minnesota due to a late frost and hail last Spring. Our favorite orchard thinks they will be out of apples by early October…so bummed!

Mmmm!  Apple pie right out of the oven!  Smells so good baking and tastes so yummy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!  Now you’ve got me thinking apple pie!  Yum!  Enjoy!  Hugs, Nicole

I really liked the blog…..wished we had a place like that down here in Texas…

Thank you!  Apple picking is one our favorite seasonal things about this area.  -Nicole

LOVE orchards, I grew up on a farm that had it ALL!!! so apple picking was one of our chores. Not on the farm any more but one of our neighbors has a dwarf apple tree in his front yard – this year it was loaded. Not being a farmer, he had no idea that he picked them a bit too early. He shared them with another neighbor and myself, I am giving them a little table time to see if they may get riper – what ya think can they still ripen after being picked early – well still trying and then will make some goodies with them – going to share some back with the ‘apple neighbor’. Orchard’s aren’t they kind of mystical?

I agree, Joan!  My daughter and I always giggle when we are there, because we always think of the apple tree scene from the movie Wizard of Oz!  As for the apples ripening after being picked, let me see if I can find that answer for you. Anyone out there know the answer? -Nicole

Hi Joan, I asked Irv at Silverman’s your question.  He said that depending on the type of apple and how long it was left on the tree, they should ripen inside for you. 

Nicole, it sounds wonderful, thanks for getting me into the fall spirit.

Happy Fall, Mary Ann! -Nicole

Alas, the older we get, the faster times flies, it’s true! I can’t believe we’re in September already. Beautiful pics and good tip about the circuit breaker box – I’m going to go check mine now. Thanks for sharing the recipe!! XOXO

Hi Ali!  You’re welcome!  I always love the recipes you share, too! Hugs, Nicole

Nicole,

I loved the pictures of the beach and always like seeing bales of hay along a highway. So pretty and calming to see. I cannot wait to make the fried green tomatoes!
The flower pictures are so nice and I never had heard of a spider plant. Our Audrey is really growing up and I cannot believe how tall the sunflower is! I love you, Mother

Audrey is really getting tall, but she looks so small next to that sunflower!  It grew a bit more since that photo, and is just about to bloom!  She is so proud of it! We really enjoy gardening together, and she has her own little flower bed she is planning out for next year now.  Love you too, Nicole

Your flowers look SO pretty, mine have barely hung on due to the long HOT dry summer, even with me watering them. Your daughter is so cute and I have a niece who is so into her clothes and jewelry too!

Thank you so much, Denise!  It’s been a good year for the garden with the amount of rain we have had, and I know it is a blessing as so many others have dealt with such drought.  Hope things cool off for you soon!  Have fun with your niece! Farmgirl hugs, Nicole

Talking about circuit breaker boxes! We awoke at about 6am on Dec. 7, 2010 to smoke throughout the house and in 5 mins. we were outside in our pajamas standing in the snow, barefooted and with our winter coats on. We had our front door open and I had called to our cats to get out, but one was trapped in the kitchen area and I knew not to go into the smoke or I wouldn’t turn around enough and be lost. I had forgotten I was also barefooted and would’ve burned my feet too, as my husband had done on one foot stepping on the den rug to get the fire-extinguisher! The house apparently had been burning for ~ 20 mins. in the basement and they felt it was a cable wire going into the box that sparked (it was always closed). Our bedroom of our 18 y/o house was on the top floor and we kept the door closed because of the cats. I wear an earplug because he snores and so I didn’t hear all the smoke alarms as fast as he did! We lost everything and the house went in the half hour. We lost the one cat and he is buried in the backyard now. Our other two cats ran out and hid under the pine tree till my girlfriend took them home. We are now in a new Arts and Craft ranch house on the same site going on one year and it is very well built, safe, and beautiful. We are triply blessed! Jewelry, handbags with ID’s, memories and pictures of our children, shoes, books and Mary Jane magazines, weaving looms, can be replaced or remembered (family treasures). Just run out with your family and say, "Thank you God for our lives and save the cats!". It was Pearl Harbor Day, quite appropriate.

Oh my goodness, Ellen!  Thank God you are all okay, and got out safely!  I’m so sorry to hear you lost your kitty.  Thank you for sharing your story, and what a good reminder for us all of what is truly important, and that life can change on a dime.  It’s sad that you lost your possessions, but you are right, family can not be replaced.  Your story is another good reminder to check our batteries in our smoke detectors!  Thank you again for sharing!  Farmgirl hugs, Nicole

Always like taking a little trip back East – I once got to take a trip into that area and wish I could still – but for now I will enjoy visiting with you.

Thank you, Joan!  Farmgirl hugs! Nicole

When I read about your green tomatoes and I was going to tell you about the paper bag trick. I never put a banana in it and had no problems with the ripening. Also just pick them and sit them in a sunny spot. I love to grow sunflowers, but didn’t get any planted this year.

Hi Kimberly,
Well, the tomatoes have finally ripened, but it was the latest season I have ever seen here, which makes for a short tomato season, too. After the cold nights and the 3.5 inches of rain we got night before last, they are pretty much done and I am pulling in the last of the fruit. I get so spoiled having freshly-ripened tomatoes, they taste so much better than from a store, don’t ya think?  As for the banana, the ethylene gas emitted from the banana just speeds up the ripening tomato in the bag.  An apple can also be used.  Putting the tomatoes in direct sunlight can ripen them, but also can cause the skin to split.  Have a wonderful fall, and thanks for reading and commenting! -Nicole