Hi Nicole! Merry Christmas to you and your family! Growing up, my family always visited Jones Tree Farm for our tree! Thank you so much for bringing back that memory for me!! ❤️

This will be the first of many….we get to celebrate our sweet Kaleb’s 1st birthday on Christmas Eve. We are making new traditions. We keep some of the old, but I’m always open to change. Merry Christmas.

PS: I enjoy your blogs. Thank you for keeping it going.

Hi Nichole, May you and your family have a Blessed Christmas and New Year. So enjoy reading your blogs. please keep them coming in the New Year. At 75 years young, there is still a Farmgirl in me. Merrrrrry. Christmmmmmas !!

Happy Holidays Nicole!
I couldn’t agree more about New England’s special feeling at Christmas time.
It’s just magical and filled with Christmas traditions…
Wishing you and yours a very, Merry Christmas and more miracles in 2022!
Warmly,
Deb ( Beach Farmgirl)

Thanks for the moments shared, brightening the day. Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Nicole
I’m still loving your articles

Thank you for that beautiful Christmas Show!
…and that ROSE…WOW!

Merry Christmas Nicole,
I live in Alberta Canada and have followed you for years. I wrote to you once before telling you about my World War 2 memorabilia room. I just want to thank you for making this year a little brighter for me each month. It hasn’t been an easy one so grabbing a cup of tea and sitting down down to share a visit with you brings me much joy. From my husband, our dog and from me Merry Christmas and Good Health in 2022

Nicole,
I enjoyed your Christmas pictures and article(as usual). You are blessed to live in a town with “Hallmark Christmas charm”. A rose in the snow-what a blessing. Love all the decorations. One of my best friends was born in Derby Conn.

Merry Christmas to you and your family and Happy New year.

What a heart warming New England Christmas! You have shared it with us in such a beautiful way that I feel as if I’ve seen it for myself, thank you! My husband and I live near the Central Coast of California. It is a charming town with great shops and warm kind people. Santa Barbara is 2 hours south of us and Monterey is 2 hours north of us. The nearby seaside town of Morro Bay constructs a Christmas tree out of crab pots. Each year it’s in a different spot, we have fun driving around until we find it. Then we like to stay and enjoy their Lighted Boat Parade. Nearby in Avila Beach is Avila Valley Barn a wonderful place for families to stop by and enjoy their Christmas events and celebrations! There are hayrides, feeding of farm animals, Christmas trees, shopping, a deli, roasted corn and cider donuts to name a few! Hope to see you all on the Central Coast of California soon!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wonderful post Nicole, and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Hi Nicole; I love the pictures you posted and the written part for each of them. I like the fall colors of tree leaves also – we don’t have any trees on our property but the neighbors have plenty. There just wasn’t much of a display this year in our area though. So glad you have been with MaryJanes this long. I always enjoy your posts. We will celebrate with a dinner on Friday after Thanksgiving so my child can spend time with his inlaws. I have invited many friends to our dinner and neighbors too; having a regular turkey and dressing and also a smoked on the grill turkey and also ham and all the extras besides. Gonna be a great and wonderful Thanksgiving for us and hope it is for you and yours too.

Sounds so cozy for Thanksgiving at your home. Love that you enjoy your traditions despite the rest of the world. What makes us happy is important! I am having Thanksgiving with my 2 fur babies and couldn’t be more content. Happy Thanksgiving

Have a most wonderfully Happy Thanksgiving! I so enjoy your blog posts, farm-girlfriend. Love to your family.

Hi Nicole,

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
I always enjoy your writing and lovely pictures.
We were able to visit the North American Bear Center in Ely MN when my husband’s parents lived on a lake in the Ely area. They knew the founders of the center, Dr. Lynn Rogers and his wife personally. His research taught us many things about these beautiful and yet “wild” animals.

I love fall and Thanksgiving and enjoy displaying a Jadite-looking turkey. Soon it will be time to bring out my 50’s Christmas tree decorations from my childhood. I enjoy Hallmark Christmas movie and a cup of coffee and the simple escape it provides from the daily hustle and bustle of life.

Happy Thanksgiving and blessings

Debbied

What a surprise to relish this day after
Thanksgiving! OUR family’s favorite holiday .Your blog popped up in my mail! My husband and mine especially as our wedding anniversary
can and has falllen on this day!
Happy year round days of thankgiving to you
and your family !

Thank you so much for sharing all that. I always enjoy hearing from you.
Happy Anniversary & Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
I’ve enjoyed watching that little girl grow up.
Since I never had children of my own, I’m (thankful)to you for
sharing yours!
Hugs&Squeezles

Eleven years later and prettier than ever! Have a blessed Christmas season!

What a lovely post. I too am ready to say goodbye to this stinker of a year! I look for blessings in every day and try to focus on the positive. Knitting has become my yoga as well.

Many blessings to you and yours and stay away from Yogi the Bear!

My favorite toy believe it or not was a little nun doll I got for Christmas one year, I just love that doll!
Thank you for your trip down memory lane and the wonderful Barker collection and museum.

Wow, Nicole! Your visit to the Barker Museum was detailed so beautifully. We are thrilled that you took the time to enjoy everything the museum has to offer. Providing our visitors with the opportunity to take a trip down memory lane was so important to Herb & Gloria and our staff here at the museum. Thank you for sharing your special time and encouraging others to experience the wonder that is the Barker Museum! 🙂

My favorite toy was my 1962 blond Chatty Cathy. I still have her but with age her leg is cracked and voice box does not work. Her face and hair are just like new. I have her outfit except shoes. My moms best friend made her lots of wonderful clothes. I have the original patterns. One of these I will have her restored.

Love the pictures! Elsie the Cow and dolls, but your Wonder Woman Doll was a later version.
Love,
Mother

My favorite toy believe it or not was a little nun doll I got for Christmas one year, I just love that doll!
Thank you for your trip down memory lane and the wonderful Barker collection and museum.

Wow, Nicole! Your visit to the Barker Museum was detailed so beautifully. We are thrilled that you took the time to enjoy everything the museum has to offer. Providing our visitors with the opportunity to take a trip down memory lane was so important to Herb & Gloria and our staff here at the museum. Thank you for sharing your special time and encouraging others to experience the wonder that is the Barker Museum! 🙂

My favorite toy was my 1962 blond Chatty Cathy. I still have her but with age her leg is cracked and voice box does not work. Her face and hair are just like new. I have her outfit except shoes. My moms best friend made her lots of wonderful clothes. I have the original patterns. One of these I will have her restored.

Love the pictures! Elsie the Cow and dolls, but your Wonder Woman Doll was a later version.
Love,
Mother

In 1969 I was given a boa constrictor “Rosie” to nurse back to health from a mouth infection. I used to take the snake to school as an instant lesson plan in case the teacher did not leave me any class work. The added benefit was that the children all stayed quiet and in their seats as the snake rode around the room on my shoulder or arm.

Nicole, I really enjoyed your article on snakes. In Minnesota we only have one poisonous snake and it is hidden in the bluffs along the river. But snakes are beautiful. Thanks for writing.

I grew up with an almost psychotic fear of snakes, inherited from my mother. As an adult, when I had a run-in with snakes, I would have a full-blown panic attack. You can imagine how that interfered with my new-found love of garden when I was in my 50’s. Anyway, I finally decided that it was going to either be my garden or the snakes, so I went to an outdoor spring festival where someone was demonstrating a large snake and letting people touch it. I swallowed my fear and ran my hand over it, letting it slither on me. It wasn’t cold and slimy, it was warm and smooth, like a nice leather belt. While I still do not like snakes and give them their space if I run across one, I no longer run in fear. Live and let live!

That was a beautiful tribute that made me smile. Thanks.

Nicole, what a wonderful story. I am so glad you and your husband grew accustomed to snakes and are no longer so afraid of them. My son and daughter-in-law have owned snakes for years and have had many different kinds and sizes and ages. They also have dogs and cats and hens and roosters. My daughter-in-law makes pets out of most of them – one rooster flies up on her shoulder when she goes inside the pen. She is amazing with animals. I always made pets out of my hens when I was younger – I also had a calf, cats, dogs, and birds in my menagerie. But never a snake as my dad and mom wouldn’t have allowed it. But my brothers and I would go into the woods and look under rocks to find red and blue racers – so much fun. Love reading your blogs.

Loved the story about your “sweet” snakes.
It makes me want one…They seem interesting,
I’m sure you can get REALLY attached to them.
They probably DO, get a bad rap…
Thank you for enlightening us…

Farm girl Nicole,
Thank you so much for sharing your awesome story. My grandsons have had snakes over the years. They LOVE them! Me, not so much when they are out and about the house at times.
Farm Girl hugs, Marie

That was fun! Thank you for taking us along on your adventures and day to day. I feel a little bit rejuvenated, some how. 🙂 And Love the nosy tomato!!

Thanks Nicole for sharing all that fun stuff.
As usual, I felt as if I was there too.
I could hear the loon calls from here.
(P.S. You are such a handsome family)
Hugs&Squeezles…and continue to stay safe!

Great blog Nicole, will we ever get back to normal? It just seems like when you see a small light at the end of the tunnel somthing else happens. But glad you folks made the best of things and carried on. Great pictures.♥️

Great up beat post. Thanks so much for the morning smiles.

Thank you for the lovely post! Viewing your pictures was like a mini vacation for me
So glad you were spared major damage from the passing storm!
Take heart, cooler autumn days and hot apple cider are just around the corner. ❤️
Happy September!
Bonnie, in Oregon

Loved your blog as always…
Enjoy the heartwarming pictures…Thank you for your fried chicken recipe…I unbelievably
HAVE all the ingredients here to make it..
Tonight, Sounds SO good..
Where’d the summer go? Thanks for your uplifting “banter” that helps those of us, who have felt especially “isolated ” feel Happier…
Thank you for sharing your experiences and mini vacation ❤

Fun post, Nicole! The last few days here in Minnesota the high temps have been in the 70s after so much heat. So refreshing! Our garden has been producing so many tomatoes this year. We have donated about 100 pounds to food shelf so far! We are spending our last summer week at our lake place with our three grandsons, they are water skiing today despite the chilliness. We are in a super drought here, the lake is down at least a foot. Fall will come soon. Until next time…………..

It sounds like your family has had a summer of memory-making…yay! That’s the best part of summer. Glad to hear the storm missed you…we know that frenzy of checking food storage, generators, water storage, etc. It’s very stressful. And Gidget, oh my! A narrow escape! I’m always worried about Maizy…to be honest, she spends most of her time on the farm as a little camp-out for my daughter and me, or sometimes, just me! Two little wheels and top-heavy, I’m always expecting her to topple over…I can’t imagine taking her on a freeway. So one vintage camper owner to another…a question I just can’t find the answer to. I keep Maizy covered with a tarp if there’s even the slightest chance of rain…why weren’t vintage campers designed with a better roof? Maybe there’s no answer…it just seems like the main problem so many of us have. Why couldn’t they have been designed like cars…no worries about my car roof leaking! Thanks for sharing your latest adventures…always fun to read.

Your garden is gorgeous and I just love the way you let Mother Nature lead the way
Most gardeners think of deer and rabbits as pests

Enjoyed the lovely walk around your yard!! The deer have eaten my Hosta as well – two fawns, two mamas and two bucks (one four and one six point)…since we have woods all around us the Hostas do really well. I have found putting blood meal around them helps sometimes. Right now we have four raccoon babies and two parents that are digging in my pots on the deck so have to figure out how to deter them from doing that…may have to live-trap and relocate. We have a few butterflies that visit and enjoy my Buddlia. Thanks for the wonderful tour!

WOW! Can I just say amazing. You have created such an amazing, meditative, earth friendly space! Kudos to you! I would love to sit and chat in a garden like this. It is so magical and beautiful 🙂

I love the pictures in this blog! The dragonfly is beautiful and I have not seen one in years. The bunny and deer are so cute! The eggplant is beautiful. You see so much beauty of nature where you live!
Love,
Mother

I just loved reading your blog. I am a Maine girl who relates to your descriptions of your home.
Thank you,Sherry Stine

What a wonderful, beautiful reminder for us to always be aware of the world around us and it’s oftentimes overlooked beauty. The little creatures, flowers and growing things that are sharing our world with us are gifts that we should take time to notice and appreciate. I embroidered a pillow with the following saying that is a good daily reminder.. “God blesses us every day and it is up to us to notice”. Enjoy the rest of your summer.

Thanks Nicole! Lovely walk and photos of beauty! We are having another severe drought year and so things are struggling to survive. I haven’t tried to plant a garden for years because of drought, pests and my health.

You are blessed and I thank you for sharing those blessings!
Hugs to you!
CJ

So lovely and colorful.
Marilyn

This is one of the most wonderful blogs you have sent us! I am a country girl at heart, still have a small garden, fruit trees, and flowers on a small city lot. I am showing my age and not keeping as much going as in the past, so I so appreciate your sharing. My heart is there with you, Nicole.

Hello Nicole, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your beautiful gardens and yard! I enjoyed the stroll very much–felt almost like I was there 🙂
Very therapeutic….Speaking of the deer, oh deer! It must be the deer who have eaten all of the leaves of a potato vine and also they seem to like the leaves of my morning glories. I use a concoction of vinegar, water and a heavy amount of peppermint and rosemary essential oils. This seems to work pretty well but; has to be applied nightly or nearly. At least it smells nice, if nothing else.
Thank you again for the garden stroll!!

Nicole, Have not checked your post for a while since I am recovering from open heart
surgery. It was a birth defect which they JUST discovered, and I am not a young chick.
Bless all my doctors and also those who have given all to COVID patients. We live in a
wonderful country!!! What an unexpected joy to catch up and walk the paths with you in your yard. Wish you were my neighbor. Gorgeous flowers, delightful animals, herbs,
retro pieces…………not only have you shared JOY with us, but also the blog has great
hints & ideas. You have inspired me to start again next year. This year with much help, I have just managed to keep the weeds at bay and maintain some potted plants on my front porch. I have enjoyed it more this summer even in rain storms just like you. Friends have shared some great picks. When I started cooking again, I enjoyed delicious pesto, cold cantaloupe soup, best corn ever and even made tzatkiki!
THANK YOU for brightening my day and sending HOPE and wonderful ideas for next
year. Pamela – former New Englander and current rural KANSAN farmgirl

I loved reading this article! And, I love “GOD surprises!” Here’s one my recent “GOD surprises that I posted on Face Book:
I was on vacation in Branson last week; was at Silver Dollar City, in line at the ice cream parlor, and heard someone call out, “Barb!” I turned around, and there was a couple I had met in Bible School, and I hadn’t seen since 1978! What a GOD SURPRISE! We didn’t know that we’d be in Branson at the same time! At the same tourist attraction! (which is quite large) AND, be in the same building at the same time! BUT GOD…. we had a wonderful few minutes to catch up on “news!”

This was such a lovely post, thank you for sharing. There is nothing like re-connecting with special friends from your childhood. Thank you so much for the read!

What a fabulous reunion and a delight trip down memory lane! Thanks for taking us with you and for sparking some of my own happy childhood memories!
Sallie Dee
Farm girl #441

I enjoyed reading this which brought back many good memories. I loved all my brownies and their sweet parents. So sorry about Noodle. He sounded smart watching tv!
Love,
Mother

Nicole!
How exciting to see your friend after all these years! So nice to reminisce! Your mom looks amazing! Congratulations to Audrey for the Girl Scout Award!.
Happy your doggie is all better too!

Hugs,
Jackie

I went to private boarding school. We have a reunion every year (except for last two because of pandemic). We’re from all over the states and some foreign countries. So much fun to catch up once a year. Glad you could connect with your friend. God bless you.

Wow! Nicole, thanks for sharing this! It was fantastic!

Hi Nicole! I look forward to your postings as they are always so heart warming, informative, make me smile, give me so much to think about and give me a time to think about how wonderful life really can be if you appreciate what’s right before your eyes.
Thank you for sharing! Donna

What a beautiful story!!! This just touched my heart so much!! Thank you so much for sharing!

What a great story…so many wonderful memories and then the chance to catch up with each other. And you’re mom is just beautiful…no way she just turned 80! Sounds like you have so much happening, and it’s been such a good summer for you!

Hi Nicole. I loved reading this. I also wanted to reach out because I think we might have bought furniture from a shop you and your husband owned. It was in Bethel, CT I believe. We still have the furniture we purchased over 20 years. They are so beautiful and cherished!

My peonies had their best year too!! I also cut a few to enjoy inside. Hope Pip will be improving each day. As usual I enjoyed your story. Happy summer!

The branch was just trying to get in the fire pit to save you some work. Kong Zoom Groom rubber brush is the best I have found for removing tons of loose fur. My dogs push each other out of the way to get brushed and it is good for bathing also. I find it more effective and faster than fulminator. If you are interested in natural help for PIP look at the website for AnimalEO for vet researched blends of oils for many problems.The oils can be diffused,applied and ingested. Also the Facebook page for Dog Homeopathy might help remedy his problems.

Sooo enjoyed your blog. Looking forward to the next one already! Thanks for your great suggestions. Some are already on my shopping list . . Many thanks again. Keep smiling. Have a great summer. Prayer for your “puppy” too. Roberta

Beautiful pictures! I love your friend’s roses and your peonies! Great picture of you in Glamper.
Love,
Mother

Great post, love the summer too. But we never have the cold. I live in NW FL and hot and muggy a LOT. Still it was great to see all the lovely pictures. Love the Betty photo. I was shopping in one of our many seaside communities and took a picture with a Large Yellow Duck…LOL One of my favorites.

please keep me on your list

I’m on vacation in Fl. so no better time to find a good picnic place. Thanks for the inspiration! Such a visual treat.

Nicole, I love all your picnic baskets. I had one that had plates and tableware in plastic but was well worn out when I got it. It went in a yard sale a few years ago. I do have lots of tins, the ones that had popcorn 3 flavors in them and I use them for storage too. Going to have a yard sale this weekend in our community so maybe I will pick something grand up or maybe sell something grand to someone else. Have a good day.

I’ve also collected quite a few picnic baskets, some with plates & cutlery included.

I have one of those vintage baskets. I found it out on the curb for trash pick up from an antique store that was going out of business.
Marilyn

I too LOVE picnics – it always puts a smile on my face.

Lauri

Nicole, I enjoyed your article on the baskets. It was so interesting. I found a basket in the Country Sampler store(years ago) that was small and had a decorative lid. I think it was meant to be used like a purse. A little online research is on my schedule after reading your article.
My husband is from Iowa and a Hawkeye sports fan.
Love the basket collection and your kitty, Mittens, is adorable. Our cat is named Fifi and pets bring such joy to our lives.
Hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day.

Love the article on vintage picnic baskets. My mom had a vintage picnic basket and plaid cooler which went with us to many family reunion picnics. I live in Iowa and was interested to learn of the Iowa picnic basket company in Burlington. Also Iowa Hawkeye fans. Fun collection to have.