Summer’s flown by! For us, it wasn’t the best of summers (disgustingly humid, extremely rainy and boiling HOT), though we did have some great moments. The highlight this summer was last weekend: we (finally) got to go camping and participated in our second-ever vintage camper rally!
Last summer, my family found our “dream-come-true” vintage camper- a 1966 Skyline “Nomad”, that we christened “Gidget” (thanks to dear readers who helped with a name in last year’s blog). We were so happy and worked hard to get ready to debut her at our first “Vintage Camper Rally” last August. We’ve certainly learned a lot since then, and one year later, the decor’s finished! Come take a tour and see the transformation!
Ramona Puckett says: You all have done a great job! Gidget is adorable!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Ramona, Thank you! It’s been a lot of fun! Glad you enjoyed the tour. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Connie says: Just love it! Hard work always pays off! ♥️
Nicole Christensen says: Awww, thank you, Connie! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Marilyn says: What a great job. The vintage is to perfection. I love all the vintage. Enjoy.
Marilyn
Nicole Christensen says: Thanks so much, Marilyn! It was fun to put together, and we did it all on a shoestring budget! My daughter jokes that my “super power” is finding good deals on vintage! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Deborah Hauser says: You have created the camper I am hopeful to get. what an awesome job!
Nicole Christensen says: Thanks, Deborah! Good luck on your hunt. It is so much fun. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Sylvia Jacobus says: Now all you need is your little Featherweight. Adorable.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Sylvia, I have actually taken my Featherweight outside and sewed INSIDE the camper. It was sooooo much fun. I have not traveled with a machine, but I could see that if it was a long trip. There is a vintage sewing machine magnet on the fridge, did you notice it? Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Becky says: LOVE your redo. We had a Nomad about the size of yours. It was very convenient and we really enjoyed it with our two girls. I like your decorations. I even recognize some of them from when I was growing up. Sure is fun to see them again.
Nicole Christensen says: Thank you, Becky! I was afraid at times I overdid her, like a frosted cupcake, lol! What year was your Nomad, do you know? Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Diane Van Horn says: Nicole,
You did a fantastic job on Gidget! I just love everything.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Diane, Oh thank you! So glad you enjoyed the blog. I love sharing Gidget, and hope she makes everyone smile. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nancy says: Love seeing what you have done with this camper. My family had a similar one back in the 1970’s, although we didn’t have a bathroom in it. Hope you get to go camping with her, but having her in your backyard is so much fun, you don’t really have to trade anywhere!
Nancy
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Nancy, Thank you! I love that you all had a Nomad. I always hear about Shasta’s and Scotties, but with the vintage Nomad, there’s not that much out there on them. We hope to go camping soon! Can’t wait! Thanks for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Mary Pitman says: I LOVE the vintage camper! You have done an excellent job, and at low prices too!
Nicole Christensen says: Thanks so much, Mary. 🙂 Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
D'Wanna Whitener says: What a fabulous glamper! Love all the vintage acoutrements and the vintage green! Hope you make many happy memories in your beautiful place. Congratulations!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi D’Wanna, thank you so much. I am glad you liked the blog! Thanks for stopping by the blog! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Jacqueline Ferri says: Love the turquoise ! Everything looks just fabulous! It’s like a step into the past! Great job!
Nicole Christensen says: Thank you! I always have “vintage” music playing in there, too, so it’s really a time capsule! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Linda Weston says: LOVE,LOVE The glamping blog this month Nicole, can’t wait to see it all again. You and your family have worked so hard to make it a special little vintage retreat in your yard. Linda
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Linda! Thank you!! I can’t wait to see your camper when it is all done! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Lisa Strange says: I love it!! She so cute. I have a 63 Scottsman that I am restoring. I still have a ways to go but I’m loving it. You can see my pics on my Facebook page Strange Art & Vintage Finds w/ Mary Jane. I named her Mary Jane after my favorite author and the man I bought it from was a pot head lol. I saved her. Hugs!!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Lisa, thanks! I took a peek at your Scottsman – adorable! LOVE the outside color! Thanks for reading and commenting…Happy Glamping! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Ulla says: I like you camper Nicole, Nice work so vintage just so you❤️ You most have a too.㊙️
Have good camping! Love from farfar an me
Nicole Christensen says: Tak, Mor! I can’t wait for you to see it in person. Hugs to all in Denmark. Love, Nicole
Marlene Capelle says: Splendid! I drove past a used car lot down the street one day and saw a vintage Shasta on the lot for $3,000. I went back the next day to check it out with the idea of revamping it to it’s original state and the price had gone up to $13,000. It was not meant to be.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Marlene, Oh that is horrible! Keep looking; there is a vintage camper out there for you, I just know it. 🙂 Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Dori Troutman says: Oh Nicole,
I love it all!!!! But my favorite just might be the beautiful stove!
Hugs,
~ Dori ~
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Dori! Thanks! Isn’t that stove adorable? It is original, and it works! I don’t think it was ever used much. The sink is original, too, and that pretty turquoise aqua color. It is such a happy color. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Judy says: Oh my, that was so much fun! Being in my 60’s I saw so many things that were new and exciting when I was a girl! Now they are vintage…or are retro….YIKES!!! When did THAT happen??? Hahaha
Thanks for the trip down memory lane, girlie!
Hugs&Squeezles!
Judy
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Judy, Oh thank you for the smile! So glad you liked the blog. I hear ya…I am 46 now and see things I had as a child in vintage and antique stores, too. I love seeing things like that. However, I was born in the wrong generation…should’ve been the 40’s, 50’s, or 60’s for me, instead of the 70’s! Thanks for the fun comment! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
katmom grace says: Your ‘Gidget’ and cute pipsqueak are Adorbs!
Nicole Christensen says: Thank you, Grace! Pip thinks the camper is “his” because he knows the big dogs aren’t allowed inside! 😉 Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Sandi King says: Nicole, I really enjoyed reading your post, as always, but summer is almost over, and autumn is just around the corner, and I am still looking for a camper or motor home for our use and to travel to NYS to see my brother and his family there. Would love to go glamping too, but so many obstacles in the way right now. Hopefully there will be one this fall or winter available for sale in our price range. I love Gidget. She is so cute. Back in the day when I was young and my parents would spend all summer at Yosemite camping out in tents. It was a blast too. I love the memories.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Sandi, thank you! Sorry to hear you still haven’t found your camper! Ive seen a few for sale online and they do seem to go fast! It took us a long time. Keepin’ my fingers crossed for you. I love the memory you shared of your parents. I hope someday I can visit Yosemite. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I was thrown back in my mind to happier times when my grandparents were still living and nearby with those vintage hotel chairs in their backyard painted in bright, happy colors that strangely matched Momma’s Fiestaware dishes. Hmmm, Don’t think that was a coincidence!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Dee! Awww…thank you for the sweet comment. I am so glad I brought you back to some happy memories. I love that your Momma’s chairs matched her dishes!!! Awesome. Thanks for commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Deb Bosworth says: You have all outdone yourself! What a fun thing to do together as a family. She’s truly a blast from the past… Being a child of the 60’s I felt like I was stepping back in time… So many memories of everything retro… It’s so great to see you able to enjoy the fruits of your labor of love… Happy Camping!
Deb
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Deb! Thank you so much! I am so glad you enjoyed the post. If you ever find your way down to my area of New England, let me know! We will have dessert and coffee in Gidget, one of my favorite things to do with my Farmgirl friends! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Judy Burnett says: I absolutely LOVE what you did with your “Home on the road”!
We just purchased a 1983 Prowler, and I’m not sure if that qualifies, but I’m going to give it a shot at making it look as ventage as possible. (Just have to look up what went good for that year).
You have done a great job!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Judy, thank you and CONGRATS! You are in for fun. I say, decorate your camper with what you love. While I have lots of things from 1966, there’s other decor that harkens from the 20’s to 50’s, as well. It’s your camper, do what you love with it! Have fun! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Merla says: I am just getting started on my 1964 Tear Drop
And you’re an inspiration to me!
Love ❤️ your beautiful trailer!!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Marla, Thank you! How exciting – happy glamping!!! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Sherry Zinn says: Such a great job. I just love the camper! Your not to shabby yourself. 🙂
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Sherry! Thank you, my sweet, beautiful friend! I love your camper and all of your creativity, too! I wish I took more photos but we all were having so much fun I just forgot! I hope to see you at more camp outs! I’m so glad we met last year. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Terri Goggin says: Thank you for taking me along on my virtual Glamping trip. I still dream of having my own red and white vintage trailer someday. Love the vintage linens too.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Terri, thank you! I am so glad you had fun reading the blog. Keep that dream of your own little red and white trailer – vintage camper dreams do come true! Happy camper hunting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I’ve always loved dolls. I know plenty of grownups with a doll or two (or an entire collection, from Barbie to American Girl and everything in between). While I loved my dolls, I spent much of my childhood playing with my dollhouse.You’re never too old to enjoy miniature scale dollhouses! There’s an entire world of serious adult (women and men) miniature collectors. I’ve recently discovered it’s a great big miniature world out there…
My best childhood Christmas was circa 1977. My dad had a “workshop” in the backyard. Daddy was a traveling salesman; woodworking was a hobby. I’d happily play outside, frequently popping in to see what Daddy was creating. One day, I was no longer allowed in the workshop, the doors locked. Being a curious elf, I tried peeking, but to no avail! I didn’t know what was being built, and curiosity was killing me!
That Christmas Eve, I was so excited I couldn’t sleep! With tree lights twinkling in the living room, a shadow was cast on my bedroom wall: the silhouette of a dollhouse!
Daddy built an amazing dollhouse: a saltbox with shutters on the windows, a hand-carved chimney and porch lights repurposed from cufflinks. Mama bought beautiful, handmade realistic furniture to go inside, and a family of German-made dolls.
On special occasions my parents would take me to “World Toy and Gift Shop”, a toy store in the Houston “Village”. My dad shopped there when HE was a kid. The store was amazing – much of it “old stock”- with a miniature section like no other. My parents were thrifty, but when it came to toys, I had the best.
My dollhouse, circa 1977
My dollhouse had tiny, choke-worthy pieces a small child wouldn’t be allowed to play with nowadays, but I learned to take care and cherish it. Sadly, when we moved in the late 80s, my dollhouse got lost! I only have the one old photo, with my teenage brother making a funny face through the window (cracks me up to this day).
As an adult, I never forgot my dollhouse. For years, I’d search eBay thinking, maybe someday, like a needle in a haystack I’d catch it for sale.
This is the first dollhouse I have seen that reminds me of the one my dad built.
Recently a vintage dollhouse popped up on a Facebook tag sale that looked similar to mine, and my family thought it’d be a great Mother’s Day gift. I’m amazed how much it reminds me of MY old dollhouse, learning from the seller that the original owner was my age and that her father built it circa 1977! As a bonus, it came with several boxes of furniture and accessories, some the same pieces I had as a child! It’s like it was meant to be.
Sewing the little pillows to the right scale and knitting small blankets and throws wasn’t easy.
Miniature scale can be 1:48 (¼”), 1:24 (½”) or 1:12 (1 inch) scale (like mine). Larger scale, or “play scale” is 1:6. It’s relaxing and fun setting up the dollhouse, now sitting in our living room. I especially love MAKING miniatures!
“Printies” are sites with miniature printables you can print. I’ve printed out posters and photos, and made books, comics and jar labels. I’ve made hat, match, food and cleaning supply boxes. Open desk drawers and there’s bills, letters and even a mini passport! A few of my favorite “printies” sites are printmini.com and jennifersprintables.com.
I’ve created dish towels and curtains from ribbon and scrap fabric, making curtain rods from barbeque skewers and beads.
The circa 1977 dollhouse was electrified when we got it, but too scary to plug in. I find that LED lights work great and are easy to move around. I use a tin of candle sticky wax to attach to walls and ceiling.
Old rags became towels. I made a shower curtain from fabric and the wire egg holder from a box of Easter egg dye. A thimble became a waste paper basket. I’ve filled jars with real flour and bath salts, and there’s actual soap in the soap dishes.
The master bedroom was fun to set up. I knitted the rug and bedding using size “1” needles.
The porcelain kitten in the little girl’s room was mine as a child, and part of my original dollhouse.
The boys’ attic playroom. I created a half wall by repurposing scrapwood from a home repair project.
Every home needs storage!
I love the “sewing room” the most, because I was inspired by my own sewing room in my real house.
I made many of my own minis for my sewing room, including patterns stuffed with real pattern paper, and a felt tomato pincushion using felt glued around a pencil eraser.
I’ve repaired old, broken furniture and and made new bedding and pillows. I’ve taken mass produced items and “dressed them up”. I’ve knitted and crocheted throw rugs, blankets, doilies, and winter wear for the coat rack using the tiniest needles and yarn, usually while drinking my morning coffee.
The dollhouse, miniature, and diorama hobby is going strong. The Facebook group, “World of Dollhouses and Miniatures”, has over 13,000 members! My mini’s theme is 1930/40-something, and while cute, it’s “rough” compared to some of the amazing work of some! I think ours looks pretty good, considering we only started working on it in May.
“Miniature Conventions” take place around the world. In June, my daughter and I attended the Molly Cromwell Dollhouse Miniatures Festival in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. We were amazed at the jaw-dropping detail! All the artisans showed immense talent, but our favorite booth was that of Lisa Meyer and Stephanie Watt, known as “Mini Maniacs Miniatures”!
Mini Maniacs Miniatures (“MiniswithMusic” on Etsy) has everything 1:12 scale to decorate for Christmas – realistic tabletop trees, decorated mantels, wreaths, and dreamy Christmas trees (complete with lights). There’s “mystical” items, too- miniatures can be any theme, (think “Harry Potter”, for example). Their detailed work also includes one-of-a-kind vignettes and music boxes featuring miniatures.
Stephanie and Lisa, two very creative and talented ladies, with some of their miniature creations
Lisa, Production and Recruitment Coordinator for the Deparment of Music (as well as a professional singer and choral conductor), and Stephanie, a concert pianist and full Professor and Director of Theory and Piano Studies in the Department of Music, became friends after meeting at Long Island University, where they both work. Lisa loved dollhouses as a child. She got started creating miniatures in 2006 while making a gift for her mother, after finding that the pieces she was in search of were too expensive or not available. By 2011, miniatures was a serious passion for Lisa and the Etsy shop was born.
Lisa loves how the world of miniatures has limitless possibilities, able to transport the beholder to any time or place. She finds all mediums can be used, including wood, fabric, and paint. Both Lisa and Stefanie have won awards for their miniature work. Lisa’s creation, a wizard’s castle, won second place in November 2017 at the Philadelphia Miniatures Show!
Inside the wizard’s castle
Photo courtesy of Lisa Meyer
Lisa and her award-winning castle.
Photo courtesy Lisa Meyer
My teen daughter and I have enjoyed decorating and picking pieces for our mini-home at craft stores, Etsy and at a delightful miniature store in our state, Whimsies Dollhouse Shop!
We can keep adding to the house, looking forward to decorating it for the seasons, too!
Hope you enjoyed this peek at the world of miniatures! Leave me a comment here so I know you stopped by. Wishing everyone a Happy Fourth of July!
*Here’s a video if you’d like to see the dollhouse in greater detail:
Until Next Time…Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Beverly Battaglia says: I love your dollhouse!! I am impressed with how you made some of the small items! Enjoyed all the pictures. Love, Mother
Nicole Christensen says: Thanks, Mama! Love you! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Rebecca M. says: Oh, I LOVE your dollhouse. I never had one when I was a child, but I always wanted one and made that comment to my husband once. So that year for Christmas, I got a kit to make my own. I was thrilled and worked (and played) with it for years, but it’s been kept on a shelf for the past few years. Now (at 64) I’m going to get it out and try to make it beautiful like yours! Thank for the wonderful post.
Nicole Christensen says: Thanks, Rebecca! Aren’t our husbands the BEST? Such a sweet gift. I love that I have inspired you to work on your dollhouse! Have fun! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Pat Gstalder says: Hi Nicole,
My own fondest memory does indeed include a dollhouse. But mine (in the late 40’s) was all metal with everything printed on the metal including rugs, etc. But even after ALL these years I can still picture it and remember what joy I had when I got it for my 9th birthday. You have done amazing work…..and all since May!
Well, all I can say is, “Wow”!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Pat, Thank you! I have seen those dollhouses like you mention. I think they are called “Marx” and made of tin. They are very cute! I also saw one in a magazine where it sat on the kitchen table at Christmas, all “done up” for the holidays. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Bonnie B says: Your post may have given me the incentive to not sell our dollhouse! It was a farmhouse kit gifted by my daughter’s grandparents in the 1970s. We put it together then and started furnishing it. Then about 5 years ago my granddaughter expressed an interest in it and we stripped off old wallpaper and redecorated it. Such fun both times! We’ve added more furnishings, but the granddaughter is now 19 and the interest has passed for her. It’s been for sale with no buyers and is sitting covered in the garage. 🙁 I could make room in my living room for it and am thinking about it thanks to you.
Nicole Christensen says: Oh Bonnie, I hope you do put it up! It would be a shame to sell it. Even if your granddaughter shows no interest now, I bet one day she will want it again. I love the one I have because it reminds me so much of the one my dad made me in the 1970s. Thank you for sharing with me! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Judy says: Nicole, THAT dollhouse is just simply AMAZING!!! I’ve not seen anything like it. WOW!
You have a lot of patience girl!
Thanks so much for sharing!
Hugs&Squeezles
Judy
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Judy, Thanks so much! We did a lot of the work on it the week we had no power after the big storm here. I still could use details, like there is dollhouse wallpaper and I’d love to put the tile sheets on the floor of the bathroom. They look like real tile and just stick to the bottom! So many neat details. My daughter and I can’t wait to decorate it for fall. We will have a cup of coffee together and discuss what to put where. Thank you for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Love your dollhouse! how sweet they did that for you and what fun to get to “play” with it. I loved the toy horse, used to have one of those as a kid. but that will be fun to decorate with the seasons. enjoy!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Denise, thank you! Wasn’t that a sweet thing for my husband and daughter to do for Mother’s Day? When my daughter was little, I always wanted to get a dollhouse for her like the one had, but didn’t know where to look. Now she’s sixteen, and we have enjoyed the miniature hobby together as a hobby. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Deb Bosworth says: Nicole, this is such a sweet post. I love how you’re always drawing inspiration from your childhood days. I feel like I could step inside each room and go about my daily routine. You’ve done a wonderful job of re creating that time. The era you have decorated in must be fun to find mini’s for! What fun there is also a community for doll house enthusiasts. Of course there would be!
I used to follow blogger Cynthia’s Cottage a few years ago when I first started blogging. Her style is cottage roses and her miniatures were/are so charming. Not your style, but beautiful all the same. Here’s the link for you just for fun! http://cynthiascottagedesign.blogspot.com/
Happy Summer Nicole!
Deb
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Deb, OH MY GOODNESS! Cynthia’s dollhouse is divine! I love the “shabby chic”. I could just sit in there and have tea! The white and pink is just yummy! I recognized some of the same little pieces, like the “cherries” jar that is in mine. So much fun to see. Thanks for the link!
The dollhouse I have came with two big crates of furniture and accessories. Some of the boxes of furniture inside they were never opened, and looked old. Some pieces were exactly like ones I had in my original dollhouse! I don’t want to start “collecting” dollhouses. I just want to enjoy this one, as a nod to mine I had. My daughter has an idea to do one, if we find another good deal on one somewhere, with a completely different theme. I have seen modern ones, and ones done up like miniature stores, etc. It is an amazing hobby with no limits to what you can dream up.
Good to hear from you; I hope your area was spared from the bad weather that hit our part of New England so hard back in spring. Wishing you a very happy summer, too! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Joan says: Totally impressive and so inviting!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Joan! Thank you…it was so fun to set up! Have a great Fourth of July! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Joan Hendrix says: Okay, I have a dollhouse story too. I was an only child until almost 12. My parents didn’t want to spoil me so I did not get everything I asked for. A dollhouse was once of those things. In junior high, during a shopping trip, I spotted a dollhouse on clearance and my mother bought it. It was a weird futuristic- looking thing with 3 oval rooms that fit together in various ways. All the furniture was the same weird colored see-through plastic. I don’t recall having dolls for it. I played with it for awhile but it was not a real dollhouse in my mind. In my 20s I subscribed to a kit club and made many pieces of furniture for a house I didn’t have. My first husband bought me a kit but I had a baby and never built the house. Fast forward many years and I visit Colonial Williamsburg’s Abby Rockefeller Folk Art Museum and found a whole room of antique dollhouses! My friend and I just drooled and proceeded to seek out a local shop and make several purchases of dolls and furnishings. When I got home I purchased a dollhouse kit. It took me 8 years of work, off and on, but I finished it about 5 year’s ago. It sits in my living room and it’s really a bit large but I love it. Now it has landscaping! I’m 62! I loved your story. Thank you!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Joan, Oh I love your wonderful story! How cool is it that you built the dollhouse of your dreams! I would love to see photos of it. I love that yours has landscaping, too…very cool!
Today is rainy, and I should be doing housework and laundry, but instead worked on my dollhouse, LOL!
I will have to put Williamsburg’s Abby Rockefeller Art Museum on my “must visit” list. Have you been to the Smithsonian’s History museum lately? We were there about two years ago and I loved seeing the dollhouse that President Carter got for Amy when she was a little girl. It was huge and pretty amazing.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It put a smile on my face for sure. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Marlene Capelle says: What a beautiful dollhouse. I had one but had to sell it. We don’t have room for one but i do have a gazebo and a breast cancer survivor bed room that I decorate for Christmas. I’ve also started a butterfly pavilion but that is going to take awhile. I love miniatures. The Denver Museum of Dolls and Miniatures has a show coming up and I hope to volunteer for it again. I also make fairy garden decor but make it dollhouse scale so it could go either way. Thanks for sharing. Hope you post more pictures.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Marlene! Your miniatures sound lovely! How awesome that you volunteer at the museum, too! I will post more pics when I decorate the dollhouse for the holidays, so check back! Thanks for reading and posting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Marilyn says: Thank You for sharing. The dollhouse and the rooms are lovely and so realistic. You did such a great job. I am happy for you that you have a new dollhouse to decorate. Enjoy.
Marilyn
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Marilyn, Thank you! It’s been so much fun to decorate. My daughter and I have found a fun thing to do together in miniatures, too. 🙂 Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Heather says: Very interesting! I found your blog post when researching New England Saltbox dollhouses. I just bought one from FB marketplace & my dad told me what it is. Your yellow/blue/white one is the closest I’ve found to mine!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Heather, thanks! Facebook Marketplace is a great place to find vintage dollhouses and furnishings. This past year, from Facebook, I also picked up a cute little tin dollhouse from the 1940’s at a fraction of the price on ebay. Did your dollhouse come with any furntiture? Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Happy Summer, farmgirls! I’m enjoying a morning cup of coffee in my favorite Wonder Woman mug, in my vintage camper, my chihuahua in my lap. I had a post idea all ready to write for June, but that changed when, a few weeks ago, something unimaginable happened here in New England!
Ramona Puckett says: Oh my goodness! I’m so thankful y’all are ok and doing well. It will take time, GOD is with you, I will pray for your family and little dog. May the blessings be ❤
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Ramona, thank you so much! Just came from the vet again to check up on lil’ Pip…so far, so good with his recovery. My daughter was a bit shell-shocked over the storm; I’ve had to reassure her that it won’t be like that every time we get a storm. Driving through town today I noticed so many tree stumps everywhere. There’s a lot of historic places like barns and houses lost, too. It was certainly a “doozy” of a storm! Thank you for the prayers! We define had guardian angels watching over us! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Debbie Fischer says: Yes, Nicole Hero’s are found in the most unlikely places. Our lives are so much better because of them all. How happy I am you, your family and animals are alright and Little Pip, so sweet.
How wonderful the fleet was in and your family was able to experience it.
Happy summer Nichole, enjoy it with your beautiful family,
I really enjoy your blog and reading about your life.
Farmgirl Hugs,
Debbie
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Debbie! It’s good to hear from you, farmgirl! Thank you for your kind words. I am looking forward to a quiet, relaxing (hopefully) summer with my family and pups, doing “farmgirl” types of things like gardening and crafting. Hope you all have a wonderful summer in Colorado, as well. Much love! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Linda LeDue says: I loved the way you told your story. In the end, it is about all the loving people who come in and help. In a time, when everything seems so difficult, it was wonderful to hear your story and all the wonderful people who helped.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Linda, Thank you so very much! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Wow…we live in the northeast corner of the state, but were watching the news follow-ups about the tornadoes and microbursts on the opposite corner. Yes, many inconveniences, but I’m so glad you’re all okay. Events like this really make one stop and think about what’s really important.
Dot
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Dot, Yes, don’t they? Growing up in Texas, I saw my share of large, scary thunderstorms, but this was something else! The trees here are so tall and make things quite frightening. I am so glad your area was not hit like ours was. Hope we have a beautiful summer in Connecticut! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Ruth Ann Smith says: OMG, I am so sorry for all your problems. What crazy weather we have been having everywhere. So very glad you and your family and pets are all safe and sound. You are right, things can be lost and and replaced but family and loved ones cannot. The true spirit of America comes out when there is a crisis and your neighbors are proof of that. I hope that things get repaired quickly for you and life can go on for you. God Bless!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Ruth, Thank you! Yes, we are okay. It’s more of an irritation now. My little dog is on the right track to feeling better and the driveway is pretty much cleaned up. We will have to get the house repaired, but at least the house is there to repair! I certainly have a renewed respect for Mother Nature! This storm was a reminder to count my blessings! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Julie Pruett says: So Sorry that “the storm” happened to you all…glad you’re bouncing back…Your experience sounds scary, interesting and enlightening…thank you, for sharing it with us…
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Julie, Thank you! It is amazing how long a short time can seem when it is the middle of a big storm! The garden is replanted and the driveway clear. Looking forward to a more relaxing summer! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Rhoda Tuckey says: I am so glad you are alright and the family as well. Anything can happen to anyone at anytime. God is with you and yours!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Rhoda, thank you, you are so right! Every breath we take is a blessing! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Beverly Battaglia says: Nicole, this is a beautiful blog to read and it brought tears to my eyes. You told everything so well and your house is very well built! You were all very lucky and prayers were answered. We see God when people are trying to help others in distress. It is so nice to hear of people who re not in their own little world today. Proud of your writing!
Love picture of the American flag and the little dog mascaot.
Mother
Nicole Christensen says: Thank you, Mama. Love you, Nicole
Joan says: Oh my, now that’s enough troubles for a long while. I was raised in tornado alley in Nebraska, so I appreciate how y’all were shaken. Isn’t it wonderful how neighbors and friends come together at these times. Hope puppy is well and the rest of your summer goes well. God bless.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Joan! I have always wondered how those that live in “tornado alley” handle it. Those states have such beauty. Being from Texas, of course, we did see our storms, too! I guess everywhere has something once in awhile. It is lovely to see how people come together, though. You never know what little bit you may think you do is something very big, giving much comfort to others. Blessings to you, too! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Marilyn says: Thank God you and your husband and daughter were not hurt. Sorry about the damage to your house and car. You are blessed with great friends and neighbors. Hope things are getting back to normal in your neighborhood.
Marilyn
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Marilyn, Thank you. Yes, we are very blessed! It’s a big reminder to make every day count! Things are starting to feel a bit more normal, which is very nice. Thank you for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Valerie Toth-O'Sullivan says: Loved the blog. We lucked out when the storm did not take your family from us. It could have been a lot worse.
Nicole Christensen says: Valerie, we were blessed when you made it safely into the Walgreens just in time, too! Love you and your wonderful family! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Beverley Doolittle says: Happy everything turned out for you. As you said things can always be worse.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Beverley, thank you. We are getting back to normal and looking forward to a better summer. Sometimes thinking “it can always be worse” is a big help to keep life in perspective. We were so lucky. My heart goes out to the people who weren’t so lucky and true tragedy hit. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Sandi King says: Prayers go out still today Nicole for your family of loved ones and a great big Thank You God for sparing your lives and prayers for the families of those who were lost in this horrific storm. Nature can be beautiful and horrifyingly brutal at times. We can not answer the ‘why did this happen’, but maybe it is to remind us all that there is good in this world in the people around us who are there to help us when it is needed. Your story was so authentic in its writing that I could almost be there experiencing it with you. Happy that little Pip is on the mend. I know our animals are scared silly of any loud noises and even rain on the roof scares my Allie cat. I am so glad that you had a place to get into like your basement and you made it in time. Maybe you can post your blog in July that you had for June before this storm. God bless all.
Nicole Christensen says: Thank you, Sandi! Pip had his “check up” with the vet yesterday and so far he is on the mend. Thankfully, we don’t get a lot of storms here, but when we do we will be babying him even more! 😉
Check back to the blog in July for that post I didn’t use for June. Thanks for reading and commenting. Big farmgirl hugs, Nicole
Nancy says: Nicole, so glad everyone made it through the storm. I know the clean up will take a while but as you said, things can be fixed and replaced. It is so important to look at the bright side. I love your quote from Mr. Rogers and thankfully you had some real helpers. Hope you get everything cleaned up soon.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Nancy, thank you. The clean up is frustrating and very time consuming, but it will eventually all get done. I’m just so thankful it wasn’t worse. This entire year has shown us crazy weather! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Put me in an antiques, thrift store, or flea market, and I never want to leave! My favorite treasures are pieces found for my kitchen. Retro kitchen items from the ‘40’s to ‘60’s give my kitchen a happy, vintage vibe. I especially adore Atomic age, kitschy kitchen contraptions with names that sound like they’re right out of an episode of the Jetsons! Continue reading
Ramona Puckett says: Thank you! I love this! You have inspired me to go junking to find my own ‘o-mats!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Ramona, FUN!!! Happy Hunting! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Jutta, thank you! Glad you enjoyed the post. I agree…we all need that special friend (or two) who truly “get” us. Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Sandi King says: What a great article, Nicole. I remember those can openers that attached to the wall. They were great to use and I would use one today if I could find one, and the same goes for the ice crusher. Today’s models don’t always hold up as well as those models of yesteryear. And I would love to find a coffee grinder that worked as I like to grind my own coffee beans for coffee, the finer the better. I have an electric one but I used it to grind up spices. Gotta go junk-tiquing soon, now that the weather has become warmer.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Sandi, Thank you! It’s definitely getting to be “Junk-tiquing weather” – finally! I think it is sad how nothing today holds up (or has the charm of) things from yesteryear. Everything is made of plastic! That’s how I ended up falling in love with vintage sewing machines – my expensive plastic one fell apart! Anyway, keep your eye out – you never know when you might come across a vintage grinder or can opener. And of course, there’s always Ebay and Etsy… Happy Hunting! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Rose Eskridge says: Thank you for sharing your heart! I love the “O’Mats”! You inspire so many!I love your posts.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Rose, Thank you so much!! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Beverly Battaglia says: Brought back memories of my kitchen in the ’60’s. You have found some good things with Andrea sounds like fun too! Must have left red ice crusher in Bellaire house when I sold it.
Love,
Mother
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Mom, Yeah, who knows where that ice crusher went, lol! Your kitchen when I was a kid rocked! You definitely influenced my kitchen style! Love you, Nicole
I enjoyed your blog and I have had many kitcshy items but no o-matics. I think maybe Laundromats and those Vend-o-mat (restaurants with many cabinets of different foods that coins purchased your chosen meal. Likely started in the late 40’s or 50’s. Magazine fascinates me by the name. Keep up the fun blog. MJ
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Mary Jane, I think of Laundro-mats, too, giggle! And who can forget drive-up Photo-Mats? Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Phyllis Mogensen Kochert says: Nicole, I feel like your older sister. I also love vintage kitchen stuff. You should see my kitchen! Also, I notice you married a Danish man. I am a Christensen descendant and wonder if you or your husband are related to me?
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Phyllis, A fellow vintage kitchen enthusiast! Wish I could see! Do you have relatives in Denmark? Where are they descended from? Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
winnie Jackson says: i love your many vintage kitchen ware. i too have some, but you sure do hold the record!
i always learn lots fromyourblog. i thank you for all your inspirations. hugs and happy spring.
winnie jackson
Nicole Christensen says: Winnie, What a nice thing to say! Thank you, you made my day. I am so glad you like the blog! Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Vivian Monroe says: AWESOME Love all the great finds. I love re-using the things fromthe past. Things were made so much more durable back then…made to last… all your finds made me smile. 🙂 Be Blessed. Neta
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Neta! Thank you! I agree…people didn’t replace things constantly back in the day because things were meant to last! Thanks for commenting…always great to hear from you! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Joan says: Now all of those were ‘back in my day’ normal everyday used items. Just recently, now that my old hands/arms are not working well, the juicer that has a fluted center and you put your fruit on it and turn the fruit around, isn’t doing the trick – so am going out looking for a usable Juice – O – Mat. We had red/white and turquoise/white so it won’t matter the color. This was a fun trip down memory lane. God bless.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Joan, I hear ya! The Juice-O-Mat is so easy to use! Happy Hunting! If you don’t find one “in the wild”, there are some on EBay and Etsy. I am so glad you enjoyed the blog! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Judy from Maine says: You’re right a smile for every “o mat”. You mentioned you haven’t hung your Slimline can opener yet, if I remember correctly, it is screwed to the wall through the plate on the back end and then swings out to use, and swings back to keep it out of the way. Hope that makes sense. Thanks for the smiles to start my day.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Judy! Thank you! We do have the plate, but weren’t sure what direction it is supposed to go. That makes sense. Hanging the can opener is now on my hubby’s to list. 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Ahhh! It’s happened…we are finally THAWING OUT here in New England. I tell you, dear readers, it was a L-O-N-G winter for us! Spring makes me think of freshly-laundered linens gently swaying in a soft breeze, flowers covering vintage floral hankies, soft cotton, embellished pillowcases and lovely linen vintage tablecloths, painstakingly embroidered by hand. Linens of yesteryear still bring on the charm today; they are “spring” on fabric. April’s blog is dedicated to vintage linens: tablecloths, hankies, afghans…OH MY!
Lisa Hunnicutt Strange says: I bought the cutest tablecloth from the 50s and I live it. So bright and cherry.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Lisa, OOOOOo…fifties tablecloths are the best! I agree, they bring on the cheer! They are so much fun! Enjoy! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Cindy Hamilton says: What a wonderful post! I too love old hankies and linens. I have some hankies that I found in my great grandmother’s purse along with some old vintage greeting cards. I’ve gotten some great treasures at yard and church rummage sales. I live in Florida and love when I come across an old tablecloth with Florida decorations on it. You do have some beautiful linens!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Cindy! Thank you so much! How special it is that you have your great grandmother’s hankies and cards! Oh, and I love the vintage tablecloths from Florida! I don’t have any, but I’ve seen some. The Florida graphics are some of the best vintage ones! Fun! Thanks for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Diann says: After my mom passed away many years ago, I found a complete pieced quilt top that I remember my mother piecing with the church women. Fast forward 35 years….cleaning out drawers to repaint and there it was, wrapped in tissue, pristine. As a Christmas gift last year, I wrapped it and sent it to my sister from our mom. A very dear friend has completed that quilt as of February. It is amazing. And the quilt top is over 50 years old…awesome!
Nicole Christensen says: Oh Diann, what a beautiful, awesome story! You’ve brought tears to my eyes. How special is that quilt?! So sweet. I love that you gave it to your sister, started by your mom and church friends, and that a dear friend finished it. I know your mom is smiling in Heaven! Thank you sooo much for sharing with us. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Connie Gause says: I think your going to love your box of things I sent you! Loved your blog this month! ♥️
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Connie, my sweet friend, thank you! I am so glad you liked the blog. Talk soon. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Binky Thorsson says: Hello Nicole,
There is a wonderful product you can get at quilt shops or online called Retro Clean. I have used it and it works magic if you follow the directions! I have saved so many vintage quilts, linens, and fabrics with water stains (from floods, etc.), rust stains, blood stains, etc. I testify it’s worth every penny. I’m just saddened they didn’t create it sooner to save so many lovely textile pieces that were tossed through out the years. Here in California it was $15.99 for the 16 oz. Package. http://www.retroclean.com
Thanks for your inspiring share!!!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Binky! OMG thank you for sharing!! I checked out their website and it looks awesome!I have never heard of it before. Looks like a great product; I will have to try it. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Marlene Capelle says: Someone once gave me a hankie box. It was beautiful but, alas, I was young and didn’t know what it was so I didn’t take care of it so now it’s gone. Kicked myself many a time over that. When I have a vintage dresser scarf or table topper that is so stained nothing works I tea dye it. Not too dark but it hides the stains and only slightly changes the colored thread.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Marlene, I feel your pain! My grandmother could design and sew anything. When I was a teen, about 13 or 14, I was visiting and we were looking through her closet. She had a beautiful sunny yellow dress she sewed in the early fifties. She probably designed, it, too. It no longer fit her of course, and being only 14 at the time, it fit me and she gave it to me. I wore it and wore it, (I loved vintage even back then), and when I grew out of it, I think I tossed it. Makes me sick to think of it. She saved it all those years! Looking back, it must have been sentimental for some reason, because they lived in a tiny, tiny one bedroom house with only that one closet. I would have loved to have it today, but I was young, and didn’t think.
I love the idea of using tea dye to cover stains, too! Great idea, thank you for sharing! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Its fun to see all your vintage linens and hankies and how you use, care for and display them. Wish I’d kept a few of my ancestor’s things. Saw a pretty quilt idea making hankies into butterflies for each square. My friend is working on one with hankies her friends are sending her or she finds.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Diane!Oh what a great idea! I bet the hanky butterfly quilt will be just so adorable! Great idea for making a quilt. Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
as always I loved your blog today! I have a lot of old vintage linens that belonged to my Mom and Grandmother. I need to use them more, especially after seeing your pictures of how you used yours. I also have old quilts too!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Denise, thank you…How special that you have your mom and grandmother’s linens – I’m glad you’re going to use them! Vintage linens were meant to be used! I think that is what is such a big part of the charm of the past; people used “fancy” items like tablecloths and pretty linens everyday, and if you take care of them, they will continue to last. Love that you love old quilts, too. Thanks for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Renate says: I also love collecting old linen and cotton tablecloths and napkin sets as well as crocheted handkerchiefs. They make the table look special, and using cloth
napkins is environmentally friendly and also makes the get together feel special.
Will keep an eye out for old quilts after your blog.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Renate, I agree! Using cloth linens as opposed to paper makes any meal “special”. It seems that very few stores carry even “new” table linens anymore. Hopefully they make a comeback, as the move to greener living continues. Aren’t they fun to collect? Happy Hunting, and thanks for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Reba says: Reading your blog today reminded me of a couple of my most favorite pieces (among many tablecloths, quilts, doilies, afghans, and old nightgowns from Germany). When I got married (41 years ago-doesn’t seem that long ago) my Mom gave me a hand-quilted and hand-embroidered Southern Belle quilt that she made for one of my gifts. Needless to say, that one stays on my bed! 🙂 Then I found a white crocheted doily in the shape of a Southern Belle (dress with umbrella) at an antique shop. I tacked it on top of a burlap pillow that adorns the bed! I love the old mixed with the new as well, such as burlap pillows. I haven’t ever seen another doily like this as I travel across the USA each year visiting unique shops or antique places! Both are true treasures!!
Nicole Christensen says: Reba, first off, how wonderful you’ve been married 41 years! We were married 25 last year. 🙂
What a special keepsake you have with the quilt. And the doily! Sounds like a beautiful mix of old and new for sure. Love that look! And burlap looks so cool in decor. I love it. I need to remember to use it more. It adds a lot of charm. There’s some great antique shops here if you ever breeze through Connecticut! Thanks for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Joan says: I too have several vintage linens, hankies from my great Grandmother, table clothes, pillow cases and dresser scarves that I did as a child, quilts from an Aunt and great Aunt. Thanks for tweeking my thinking, I love them but using them daily, guess I just take them for granted, no more. I’m going to get out some tatting lace, from great Grandmother and great Aunt, and make it into something, like trim for some towels for my ladies wash stand I use in my bedroom (it is part of a bed set from my Grandparents) they got it in 1910 as a wedding gift. Whew I got windy about all of this, thanks again for the super writing and great pictures. God bless.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Joan! You just put a huge smile on my face with this comment. I love that I inspired you like that! Would love to see what you make! I don’t do tatting but I have a friend who makes beautiful pieces! And I think it is super special you have your grandparents’ bed set. Thanks for reading and commenting. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thank You for your story on vintage linens…I have been collecting them for years…Have you ever seen Huck weaved towels? Or Swedish embroidery? The time and effort put in to create vintage linens was amazing…An elderly friend gave me the recipe for an “antique linen” soak, she called it I’ll share it with you.
1/2 gallon of warm water
1/2 c. Cascade dish washing soap
1/2 c. Biz powder
Soak as long as needed Repeat if needed.
A friend soaked a “dirty brown” quilt in a bathtub…it looked new after two ” soaks”
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Julie! I looked up what Huck Weave towels are…I remember those! I haven’t seen any in years, but there were some when I was growing up. Swedish embroidery is beautiful! Thank you for the recipe! I will have to try it if I have something very yellowed! Thanks for sharing it with us! Farmgirl Hugs, my dear friend, Nicole
Beverly Battaglia says: Nicole, these are very beautiful pictures. My mother, your grandmother, had beautiful linens, crocheted doilies and bedspread, but I do not have any of them. I love the vintage hankies you gave to me.
Love you,
Mother
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Momma, so glad you like the hsnkies! I remember my grandmother’s crocheted bedspread. So beautiful. Love you, Nicole
Sandi King says: Hi Nicole, I have some of those calendar tea towels from my mother and also a suitcase toiletries case like the one shown from her and I am using it to store some things in. I also have doilies packed away that were hers and the Retro Clean may be what I get to clean them up if they need it when I find them. Thanks for a lovely blog and thanks to Binky Thorsson for the URL for Retro Clean.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Sandi, Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed the post. I am going to try that Retro Clean, too. I had not heard about it before, but it sounds good! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
So appreciate the vintage inspiration! In the farmhouse, I’m more of an antique/prim/old-fashioned gal, but with the new camper I’ve come to love looking for vintage finds to spruce her up. I came across some embroidered tea towels for a song at a fun shop, and stitched them across some toss pillows to help them fit better into the retro camper look…thanks again for the inspiration!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Mary, Oh that sounds lovely! I adore tea towels, new and vintage, and sometimes they are too pretty to use as “towels”. Making a pillow is a great idea! I bet your camper looks so cozy and home-y! Enjoy! Thanks for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Susan Lazarou says: Have you tried quilt soap or a degreaser with borax to remove the stain on the blanket? ..or even peroxide or a combination vinegar and baking soda…id try all those before I toss anything. As for the holes in the item …to do an embroidered flower around the hole makes it a conversation piece…I’ll add an arrangement of embroidered flowers around a hole first going around the hole with a blanket stitch then add a few tounds aroubd that round, then do some flowers and leaves. Can make a hole in my blanket look exquisitely pretty. You dont see the holes you see the beautiful flower arrangement. Just an idea. Susana
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Susan, I will try the borax…haven’t done that before. I did try the vinegar and baking soda. I love your idea for holes in things! Lovely! Very “Make do” which I love. I would never toss something (especially vintage!) just because of holes. There’s always something to do about it. Thanks for the great comment! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Vivian Monroe says: Nicole, I love your vintage collections. I too have been a collector of hankies, scarves, tablecloths, runners, oh and I found a great find at an estate sale on vintage linen calendars…about 20 or more of them for 10cents each… I love them. I was lucky and had the year my husband and i got married, found the years of both my sons births, and some other fun years….I too tie hankies on my train cases, on my vintage handbags, and at one time I had tons of vintage gloves but I ended up selling those since I didnt wear them enough..I love my vintage table cloths I change them out quite often usually weekly, I have so many and I like to use them..I use the larger ones for curtains to hide things on shelves sometimes…loved the post…be Blessed. Neta
Nicole Christensen says: Oh Neta, we are so like-minded! I also have some vintage gloves, too, but I usually just have a few for display as I don’t wear them much, either. What a lucky find – calendar towels at 10 cents!! The cheapest I have ever found them was $2.00 a piece, and I was doing a happy dance at that price! Thanks for reading and commenting; it’s always great to hear from you. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Jeri Grant says: I use vintage embroidered napkins and cotton hand towels for bathroom hand towels. I keep a stack folded on the sink. They are pretty and everyone can dry their hands on a clean towel. I keep a vase or large jar on the counter to deposit used towels.
Nicole Christensen says: Jeri, What a GREAT idea! I love that! Sounds so pretty, too! Thank you for sharing. Farmgirl Genius repurposing, for sure! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
2018 is moving fast – the first quarter of the year’s almost over! Here in New England, we’ve started March with a Nor’Easter, and a lot of rainy, dark days. My family and I won’t let cabin fever get us down. What do we do? We embark on a wet weather adventure! Gloomy days can be gorgeous! Come along with me and see…
Ramona Puckett says: It looks like you all had a great time!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Ramona, Yes, we sure did. I love these adventures, just the three of us. My daughter’s growing up fast and I will miss these little day trips we’ve done since she was little. Thanks so much for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Heidi says: As always, I enjoy your posts. Stay warm until spring!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Heidi, Thanks! You, too, and maybe this spring we can meet up again! Miss you! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Marlene Capelle says: Fabulous castle. Please revisit in the spring and post pictures. Would love to see it in the sunshine. Most google it.
Nicole Christensen says: Marlene, isn’t it cool? I have lived here in CT 23 years and never saw it before, except from a distance long ago when we took a boat ride on the Connecticut River. I can’t wait to go back. Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Linda says: Beautiful spinning wheel! And I think I’ve actually been to Gillette Castle, long ago on a distant planet! Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I Ienjoy your visits.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Linda, Very cool that you have been to Gillette Castle! I have heard about it so many times, but only saw it once from a distance on a boat ride. I can’t wait to tour it inside as well. Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Corinna says: Thank you for this fabulous entry which made me very nostalgic for Connecticut (the state I grew up in)!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Corinna, Thank you, I am so glad you enjoyed the post! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Marilyn says: Thank you for sharing your adventure. It is snowing here in New York.
Marilyn
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Marilyn, Yes, here too. Quite a lot, actually! Stay warm! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Julie says: Looks like a ” fun” time! Beautiful area…Makes me want to go there!!! Thank You for your rainy day “tour”…
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Julie, Thanks so much! I can’t wait to see what the castle looks like in the warmer months, too! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Theresa Talarek says: Love this! Thanks for sharing your day with us.
And I’d love to tour that castle.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Theresa, Thanks! I am so glad you enjoyed the blog. I love castles, too. Can you imagine living in that home? Or designing it? I can’t wait to see inside. On my list for this summer, for sure! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Joan says: I love castles, thanks for sharing!! WoooHoot the fireplace sitter is scrumptious. Thanks for ‘tripping’. God bless.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Joan, Thanks! Isn’t that spinning wheel cool? I have no plans to “take up” spinning, and it is missing a few tiny piece anyway, but I wouldn’t want to use something that old, anyway. I just love looking at it. I can just imagine the person who hand made it (even the nails holding it together are handmade, it is truly a rustic, antique piece). Then I imagine a resourceful, creative woman, spinning wool from her sheep to knit into beautiful shawls and sweaters and blankets for her babies. It’s amazing to “touch” history! Thanks for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Meredith Williams says: Nicole, I usually don’t miss a lot about Connecticut most days, I’ve lived in Virginia for the last 33 years! But your post made me remember some of the great things about my home state and I’m missing it now!! Thanks for the walk down memory lane❤️
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Meredith! Thank you! Virginia is a beautiful state, too. I’ve been there a couple of times. Yesterday we got over 2 feet of snow in my area, so sometimes I think I wouldn’t miss Connecticut much, either, if we left, but that’s not true. There is a lot about this state to love. I miss a lot about my homestate, Texas, too. 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Beverly Battaglia says: Very good blog. I love the pictures. Love you,
Mother
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Mom! Thanks! Love you, too. Next time you visit, we have new things to see and do! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Diane Van Horn says: What a great way to spend a rainy day! Love it all but that castle…be still my heart.
Nicole Christensen says: Thanks, Diane! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Sandi King says: Loved this road trip adventure you and your family went on. I love castles too, and the spookiness of them. So glad you took it and shared it with us. I love road trips too. Can’t wait for Spring and hope you make it back there and do the tour. What a lovely time you have shared with us. Thanks so much.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Sandi, Thank you! I will keep y’all updated about a spring visit! I am so curious what it is like inside. You might like this post I wrote in 2013, since you like castles. My favorite castle is in Denmark: http://www.farmgirlbloggers.com/1218#more-1218
Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Judy from Maine says: Wonderful post. I sometimes think those rainy foggy winter days are under rated. Beautiful photos taken by all. Thanks for sharing whaat looked like a picture perfect day.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Judy, A fellow New England farmgirl…welcome to the blog! Thank you, and yes, I agree! Rainy days do have their own certain charm. So do snow days, but now I am ready for some heat to come again! Thanks for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Vivian Monroe says: I just love spur of the moment off the beaten path adventures. And what a great find..I know you will put to good use. Waiting for the warmer spring days full of sunshine and flowers. Neta
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Neta! So good to hear from you, farmgirl! Yes, waiting for spring days! Can’t wait until it is warm and sunny for days on end! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Happy February! Can you believe we’ve already crossed a month off in 2018? It’s been such a frosty winter here; I’m glad it’s a short month!
My high school sophomore daughter crossed a traditional milestone yesterday- receiving her class ring. I still have mine, though not worn in almost three decades, it’s a special keepsake. Our world is changing at warp speed these days and many traditions are falling by the wayside. One important “tradition” that has all but disappeared, has faded far too quickly: the art of letter writing. We need an intervention – a Letter-Writing-Revival!
Dori Troutman says: I love, love, love this post Nicole! I’ve had it on my mind the last little while that I really miss receiving hand-written letters and then I quickly had to remind myself that in order to receive then I need to SEND some! 🙂 And so your post is a good reminder that I need to do that immediately. Maybe I will start slow… like one a week or something.
I love the journal that you and your daughter are sharing. What a fabulous idea and I think that I am going to start that with my grand-girls. What a keepsake that will be for your daughter.
My all-time favorite classes in high school were Home-Ec (thats no surprise!) and Typing! I LOVED my typing class. We had manual typewriters and I loved mine so much… I remember the day that we were switched out to electric and it was amazing how my speed improved! 🙂
Great memories, Nicole! Thanks so much for your post.
Hugs,
Dori, Ranch Farmgirl friend! xo
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Dori! Oh thank you! I love to give and receive hand-written letters so much. I also miss hand-signed Christmas cards, which I still do, even though it is time consuming. An “e-card” just isn’t the same! I think starting a journal with your grand girls is awesome! I wish I had that with my grandmother! Thankfully, I kept special cards and letters, even when I was back in high school.
My favorite class was Home Ec, too. Now they do a ‘cooking’ class, but I giggle because the pancake recipe reads, “Ingredients: pancake mix, water”. Give those adorable grand girls a hug from me, and one for you, too! ~Nicole
Elaine C says: Thank you for the great blog. I don’t have beautiful handwriting, as my mother had, but I still send birthday, Christmas, Valentine cards, thank you notes, and letters. Receiving these means so much to me, and I hope it does to others. It is sad that email, tweets, and FB pass for so many special occasions now.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Elaine, Thank you! I agree…special occasions should be just that – special. Email and tweets and Facebook are great, but not for a special occasion. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Cissy Foster says: I still enjoy mailing out cards for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc…and I have kept all that I did receive since I’ve been married many years ago. Sometimes I regret having internet, as that is how most want to communicate nowadays, but I realize that without it, I would not hear from anyone otherwise. I too long for some of the simpler times of hand written letters, something tangible to reread, an old friend, like a favorite novel from years past.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Cissy, Beautifully said! You are so right. Many of the cards and letters I have are from friends who communicated via letter, then later email, and now, sadly, only Facebook. I love Christmas, and really love getting hand signed Christmas cards. Sadly, I see fewer in the stores, and less in the mailbox each year. I’m not giving up, and hope that my daughter’s generation will someday realize what they are missing. Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Rebecca says: I love the feeling of finding an envelope in my mailbox with a hand written address. I just know that it’s going to be something special. We have a lady’s Bible study group at church and our leader passes out note cards at the end of the evening to encourage each lady to pick a person from the group and write a little note. When I get a note from one of my friends from that group, it’s just a wonderful joy to know that someone has taken the time to write to me. I still enjoy writing letters (or in some cases, just a note) and we never know what a difference it can make in someone’s life. I have all the old letters that my dad wrote to my mom while he served in the Army during World War II, and it gives me a better understanding of who he was and the relationship of my parents when they were young.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Rebecca, Thank you for sharing. I love both the note card idea for a group of friends or Bible study group, and your story of the letters you have from your parents during WWII. How romantic and special! Thank you so much for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Patricia Rush Morris says: Thank you for this post. I’m with you, in that I enjoy very much the modern and fast ways of communicating. I can’t imagine having to wait for weeks or months, for a letter from my daughter or son that they made it across the country via a wagon train!! And I love my laptop and tablet, washer and dryer, and heavens I need my vacuum!! But handwritten notes and letters are still a wonderful thing to receive. They are so personal and just make you feel special.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Patricia, Oh I hear you! I am so far away from any family, and when we first moved here twenty-five-plus years ago, long distance calling was still a very expensive luxury. I would eagerly anticipate letters from home. Thankfully, in this day and age, I speak to my parents just about every day via phone. I can’t imagine the prairie days, like you mentioned, waiting months to hear news on a loved one. I am also apreciating my washer and dryer today – it’s a very snowy, icy day here, but there is something to be said for freshly dried laundry on a clothesline in summer! Thanks so much for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, NIcole
Julie says: What a wonderful blog on the ” lost art” of letter writing…I have letters that I have saved from my deceased grandmothers that are among my “prized possessions”. As you described, they are in their individual styles of handwriting…so it seems like they are still with us.
Thank You for reminding us of how special, a handwritten, letter can make us feel in this age of texts and emails…
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Julie! I love that you have your grandmother’s letters. So very special. I always appreciate a note or card in the mailbox, especially nowadays in our “digital” age. It does seem as though the writer of a hand signed or handwritten letter is right there with us! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Denise, 🙂
Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Carol says: Hi Nicole! Love this post. I grew up with a mother and father who both loved letter writing. They set a good example for their three daughters. I love the internet and I love staying in touch with friends and family near and far but I still love sending cards and notes. And, like Julie above, I have saved handwritten letters and cards from all of my grandparents and many other people. I treasure them. I actually write to my 88-year old mother once a month because she gets so excited getting mail! She lives 2 hours away. I write all kinds of newsy little things, include newspaper clippings I know she’ll enjoy and I always send her photographs. I send greeting cards and notes to my grandchildren, ages 13, 9, and 2 as well. I hope they keep them! Carol
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Carol, Thank you for sharing. I love what you wrote. The internet is great, but so are the tangible ways to keep in touch, like you mention with your grandchildren. I have cards and letters from relatives, and also from “Lucy” the “grandmother neighbor” who lived across the street from me when I was a child. They all mean so much. Keep up the good work; your grandchildren are so blessed! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Joan says: Great blog!! With Christmas in our, not so distant past, I reflectd on how few Christmas greetings we received, makes me sad. SO I have already started on my, ‘ a year in the life at our home’, by keeping notes. Now, I’m sure my notes will need to be edited but cards/letters will be sent this year. I am excited for this to be and yes they each will be hand written. Thanks for this blog. God bless.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Joan, thank you! I felt the same way this year. I was saddened by the smaller amount of Christmas cards; some senders have passed on, while others opted for “digital”. I love your “year in the life” idea. I would love to hear more as you continue. Thanks for reading and commenting! Big Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Vivian Monroe says: Nicole, I love this. It is true we are getting so busy and trying to move our lives down the road so fast, we are missing out on so much. My daughter in love is the best at sending cards. Everytime they come for a visit (they just live an hour away) I usually have something to send back with them, or cook them lunch etc, she always sends back a cute little handwritten card thanking us. 🙂 She is so considerate that way. So usually at Christmas I will put a book of stamps in her stocking and once I got her a wax and Letter J sealer to seal her envelopes. She loved it. I love receiving cards in the mail. Be Blessed. Neta.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Neta! Good to hear from you! How sweet (Daughter in Love), and what a great idea to put stamps in her stocking! I always say my mother-in-law is my “bonus”; sounds like your daughter in Love is a lucky, blessed lady as well. Much love to you. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Jodie says: I tell you what…January is a hard month for me because my mailbox is not as fun to check! This past December, I received 75 Christmas cards. I hang them all in the large “door frame” between my dining room and living room. I keep them up until at least February, sometimes later. My birthday is in August and I usually get at least 10-12 cards that I place on my mantle. I just love it. I quit Facebook 5 years ago and my friends know how much I cherish their cards and letters. My five year old loves to make cards with me. They’re nothing fancy, but give me a chance to write a little letter to let someone know I’m thinking of them. And yes, I have kept many letters from mama, daddy and my grandparents and I love spending a rainy day going through old letters.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Jodie, One of my favorite things about Christmas is the receiving (and sending) of Christmas cards. What a great thing you do with your five year old – making cards. I love to do that too, and maybe I will make a few now that it’s February. I haven’t made any homemade ones in awhile. I love your comment – what a great way to spend a rainy day. Thanks for sharing! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Beverly Battaglia says: I love this blog. Your grandmother, my mother, had the most beautiful handwriting I ever saw. My friend, Mary Ammerman, also has a very beautiful and distinct handwriting. It tells a lot about a person. Mine was good when I had to make good grades in school, but later I was always in a hurry and got sloppy. Beautiful picture of you and Audrey and I am so proud of her.
I love you,
Mother
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Mama! I love your handwriting! It’s not that sloppy! I know my grandmother’s writing was stunning! I have all the little notes you’ve sent me through the years. They mean so much to me. I love you, Nicole
Ooh, good post. I absolutely love sending, writing, and recieving letters! Thanks for the challenge! I’ll be sure and try it! 🙂
Hadassah <3
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Hadassah, thank you, I am so happy you enjoyed my post and are stepping up to my challenge! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I really enjoyed your post. I have two pen pals from a FB page and it’s the coolest thing to be writing letters. My granddaughter who is 24 writes letters or cards to me a lot which is very surprising. She never learned cursive either but the last two cards had a few cursive words❣️
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Kaye, Thank you…I love that your granddaughter writes letters to you. Wonderful! Thanks for reading and sharing. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Sandi King says: OH, Nicole, I loved this post. I miss getting letters also. My cousin thanked me in a Christmas card she sent for sending her a Christmas card with my signature and a note inside. She said it is rare to get those and she misses the letters and notes and cards also. I have about 10 years worth of my mom’s letters that I have put in a binder inside sleeves to keep them from harm. We did genealogy research and she always let me know what she would find and I did the same for her so we did a lot of letter writing. I remember one sister-in-law who lived out west and we would write the longest letters back and forth telling each other all about what we were doing and who we got to visit and even if we cleaned house on a certain day and what we accomplished in trying something new. I so looked forward to those days when the mail would arrive with a letter and it would be a special day for me. I do so miss writing and being written to. I always send Christmas cards and I try to remember everyone’s birthday or anniversary and send them cards, but people move so much and with FB they just forget about updating a person on their new addresses. Instant (sort of) communication. I even miss the telephone conversations which we don’t have as much now with FB and Twitter. People are growing so far apart that a commercial on TV says, to four people in the room ” You could put down your cellphones and talk to each other.” Their reply was, laughter. That is sad.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Sandi, I love that you have all of those letters from your mom. What treasures. I have fewer and fewer friends that write cards and letters these days. Facebook is great for some things, for instance I found my dream vintage camper on a tag sale group, or I can see pictures of my husband’s family in Denmark or my beloved cousins and nieces down south “in real time”, but it should never have served as a replacement of real communication. When my daughter was little, we took her to American Girl Cafe in New York City. We got all dressed up, she dressed her dolly up, and we went to eat there (it was really, really good food and service, I miss it now she’s a teen). Anyway, we watched as one little girl with her dolly sat, sad, just looking down at the table. Her father never once addressed her or looked up from his phone. Not once. We have a rule…no devices at the table. My daughter is really good about that, but I know a lot of parents keep theirs on so of course the kids will, too. We all need to find balance. Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing with me! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Marilyn says: I love this post. I send cards for all occasions to relatives,friends and to children of friends. E- cards are not the same and you cannot keep them. My family has albums of cards sent to us over the many years. it is fun to reread them from time to time. it is a shame that the schools have forgone teaching cursive writing. I learned cursive writing in the third grade at a public school. My handwriting improved because of a sixth grade teacher, she was a stickler for perfect handwriting. We would have penmanship lessons every day. She taught us how to place the paper on the desk when writing. I am grateful for her lessons.
Marilyn
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Marilyn! I think “real” as opposed to “virtual” cards and letters make holidays, even ones that aren’t “vacation” days like Valentine’s, for example, special days. And this past Christmas, I sent “virtual” party invitations for our yearly Christmas party. Some of them were never delivered, and I had to make sure my friends didn’t get their feelings hurt and assure them they were indeed invited. I will not do that again! It will be a mailed invite or a phone call next time! Farmgirl Thanks for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Sheila says: I wholeheartedly concur with your thoughts on the matter of letter writing. I have kept all my correspondence from family and friends. They act as a touchstone and remind me of the day to day and special times in my life. I am also from Connecticut, in the Quiet Corner. This winter has been a challenge, especially due to the constantly changing weather. I’ve spent some time re-reading those old letters and thinking about what an entire generation is going to miss out on because cursive writing is not taught anymore. They will not be able to read vintage documents, love letters, “bread and butter letters”, advertisements, antique maps; the list is endless. So, I decided to do something about it. This spring I will be teaching a free cursive writing course at my local library. I don’t know how many people will attend, but I will be there spreading the word about the joys of cursive. Thanks for your post. Your viewpoint is always appreciated.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Sheila! A fellow Connecticut Farmgirl! So nice to hear from you! Wow! I love that you are doing this…how wonderful! Thank you so much for reading, commenting and sharing! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Paula Henken says: I so loved reading this blog on handwriting. I have a grandaughter who could not read my cards that I would send her. I wrote in cursive,unaware she read them. She is 13 and told me she never learned because they are no longer taught cursive. I taken back about that. How do you sign your name? PRINT! UNBELIEVABLE! I’m a firm believer in the handwritten notes/cards. Paula
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Paula, yes, my daughter is 15 and I had to teach her cursive at home. She once “got in trouble” at school for writing cursive! Then, they ask the kids to put their signatures on papers. It makes me crazy! I too, believe we need to have handwriting and still send “real” cards. Thanks for commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Happy New Year! It’s the coldest, darkest time of the year here in New England. Winter brings much-needed downtime from things like gardening and weeding. While January always seems to be the LONGEST month of the year, it’s still nice to hunker down next to a warm fireplace, watch a good movie or two, and knit! While I’ve been a professional instructor, teaching knitting classes for over ten years, knitting itself has taught me some good LIFE LESSONS.
A beautiful way to look at life and all that comes with it. I intend to focus on more crafts this year to make my heart sing.
Nicole Christensen says: Thank you, Carol! I think that sounds like a great way to start the year! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Krista says: Love this blog! I can relate to it all, but from a crochet point of view. What’s funny is about 10 minutes before I read this, I just got done telling my mom about a tiny little flaw on a pair of baby booties I’m making. She told me that the flaw isn’t even noticable and that I’m just dwelling on it. So it was nice to read your post and be reminded that I am human and not a machine so it won’t be perfect! I love to crochet. I love the quick whip up projects that make me feel like I can accomplish something fast and I love the large projects that give me the proudest feelings ever. Now I’m ready to sit down and take on the other pair of baby booties!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Krista! Thank you! I bet those baby booties are adorable! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Rebecca M. says: I love your post and understand perfectly when you talk about the lessons you learn from knitting. Patience is a big one for me. I’m better at crochet than knitting, although I can do both. I was eleven when I learned to knit and enjoyed it, but I never seemed to be able to get past the simple projects. Then I learned to crochet and it just seemed to fit. Occasionally I still like to go back and learn new patterns in knitting, though, just to challenge myself. A few years ago, I was reading a book (can’t remember the name) that had a pattern for a Georgia afghan and I was determined to make it. It took me awhile, it had some flaws, but it’s still one of my favorite projects. Lately I’ve been crocheting messy bun hats, because they’re quick to make and they’re useful.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Rebecca, I bet that afghan is beautiful! I teach crochet, too, but I have to say I prefer knitting myself. What I think is interesting is everyone that can do both always prefers one over the other. I love the messy bun hats. Very cute! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Julie Pruett says: Hi Nicole,
I too, see what your saying from a person that crochets and quilts…I have been with people that have been, JUST devastated if their project isn’t PERFECT! My step-grandmother was like that,(Bless her heart) she must have been taught what she knew by a strict “task master”. I believe you should do your best, but we aren’t robots, nor should we be…The Amish when they make a quilt, will purposely, at times put in a very obvious mistake, to show that know one is perfect but GOD, so we as mere mortals, should just enjoy the process. Ironically, I just got back from the store and bought yarn for my next “winter afghan project”. IT IS relaxing to crochet, like knitting…I don’t do a challenging project, I really just like how the colors blend I don’t need any intricate counting, or I would end up with a triangle LOL.I enjoyed this blog…especially the yoga part, I can relate…Thanks, Nicole
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Julie! Thanks for commenting; I love what you said about the Amish. As an often-times “perfectionist”, it is sometimes hard for me to let some stuff be “imperfect”. It is a good reminder to enjoy life, and not always be so serious! Good reminders for us all. Enjoy your new project – it looks like this winter will be especially cold and good for crafts! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thank you for your wise words!! I learned to knit last year. My one trick is a cotton dish cloth. Simple and useful. I tend to be a nervous Nelly so knitting helps keep my hands and mind engaged and relaxed as well. I have fiddled about with new stitches this winter and love the look of the seed stitch. Happy knitting to you as well 🙂
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Diane, Great start! I love, love, love knitting dishcloths and they are great for new knitters, too, as you can try new stitches like you mentioned. I love the seed stitch, too! I don’t know if anyone told you this, but if you soak your just-finished knitted cotton dishcloth in cold water overnight before using, it will last a very long time shape and color-wise. I wash and dry mine in the washer and dryer and they hold up a long time. Thanks for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Joan says: Super start! My Grandmother was a fabulous knitter, she did the method where the yarn is not tossed but picked like in crocheting. Yes she tried to teach me but I work right handed and think left handed, yikes. I think beginner classes might be in my ‘bucket’, wish you were in my area. Hope you all stay safe as the big storm comes. God bless.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Joan, Yes, I wish you were in my area, too. From the comments you have left, I know we would have a ball together, fellow farmgirl! I know how to do the European “pick” method, from my mother-in-law in Denmark. I also teach left and right handed knitting. Had to learn it all so I could correctly teach each person individually. I am like “mother hen” when one of my students makes something – so proud of them! Thanks for the wishes for the storm; I have to say it is pretty scary out right now. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Terry says: Love the pictures you selected to go with each lesson.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Terry, Thank you so much! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Ulla says: Dear Nicole.
You are so good to knit and teach the studens to knit. I have seen you teach.
I still remember when you first began to knit.
Pip is soo cute in his sweater.
Love Ulla
Nicole Christensen says: Tak, Mor! You are one of my biggest inspirations! Love you, Nicole
Christie Yorks says: What a nice blog! My friend forwarded this to me. She and I have so much in common and you’ve touched upon so much of our likenesses! Knitting and quilting are two of my favorite things to do and you’ve reminded me to use them as my yoga not my stressor!! Life is too short!! Enjoy your winter, it’s my favorite time, step back and slow down!!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Christie, Thank you! I am glad you like this post. Welcome, hopefully you will “join” us more often! Today we are “hunkering down” with the big blizzard and I plan on doing some knitting and sewing! Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Beverly Battaglia says: I am very proud to wear the scarves you have knit for me. I am very proud of your talents and that is a pretty picture of you knitting. It made me so sad when I lost one scarf you knit for me. A lot of wisdom in your comments. Love, Mother
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Mama, Thank you. I will knit you some more goodies. Love you so much, Nicole
Susan says: Hi Nicole….beautiful knitting! I’ve never learned but sure do admire anyone who does….on another note, a while back….you were experincing some heath issues that you wrote about….and I’m interested in what you found out….if you could email me, I’d appreciate it so much! Happy New Year….and your trailer….I love it!!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Susan, Thank you! I so do appreciate your concern and will email you privately. As for my little trailer, she is packed up for this horrible winter, and I am missing spending time in her for sure! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Susan says: Hi…I have not received an email…just following up with your response. Thank you Nichole!
Nicole Christensen says: Email sent. 🙂 Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
maureen bruner says: Hi Nicole,
You are so right about knitting. My first attempt at a class many years ago, was an awful experience. I was so proud of the stockinet sweater back that I had completed and the instructor stated “It will do, it’s really sloppy, but it will do.”. I held it together for the rest of the class, but cried all the way home and never returned. Fast forward 10 years….I refused to give up on wanting to learn and found a wonderful, patient instructor. Now, I don’t think there’s too much I can’t knit. I am grateful every day that knitting soothes me and am happy to share my talents with anyone with the desire to learn….and I have some pretty awesome sweaters to prove it! Spinning my own yarn makes the process even sweeter. Big Hugs!
Nicole Christensen says: Oh Maureen, I am so sorry you had an instructor like that! How horrible! I had someone teach me something once when I was a new knitter. Similar story, but she ripped all my work out! I never went back. A good teacher makes all the difference. I am so glad found someone patient and kind, and didn’t give up! And I am sooo impressed that you spin your own yarn! Wow! That is a talent in itself. You might enjoy a blog I wrote about a friend who spins: http://www.farmgirlbloggers.com/date/2016/11?cat=5
Thanks for reading and commenting. Happy Knitting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Connie Gause says: Great writing as always! Enjoyed your article!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Connie, thank you so very much! Your comment means so much to me; I’m glad you enjoy the blog. Happy New Year! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Marge Hofknecht says: Hey, Nicole, when I first saw your post, I saved it so I could read it at a time when I could enjoy it more. As you know, I’ve been working on becoming a better knitter. And besides becoming familiar with new stitches and working with “sticks” instead of hooks I’ve been learning other things as well. Patience is one thing as I work backwards to correct a mistake I find, learning how to read my knitting, researching a new stitch and watching a youtube on it. I learned to knit at eight years old with my mother teaching me the very basics of casting on and working the garter stitch. I still have my #8 metal knitting needles that she bought for me and I’m sixty-five now. For years I had it in my head that I couldn’t do more than that basic garter stitch and so I avoided knitting and stayed in the crochet arena becoming a very proficient crocheter with designing my own patterns and teaching others. But I always loved the look of knitted items and how yarn behaved in a knitted stitch as opposed to a comparable crochet stitch. I’ll never give up crocheting; I’ve got way too many projects lined up but venturing forth into the world of the knitter has been an experience that I’m enjoying so much. Thanks for your encouragement. Have a blessed day.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Marge, what a wonderful, inspiring comment! How special that you have your needles your mom gave you. What a treasure! I have loved seeing your knitted projects that you have emailed me pictures of. You’ve made beautiful pieces and should be very proud. Keep it up, you’re doing great! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Heidi says: Wise words from a wise woman, and an awesome knitter!
Nicole Christensen says: Hello my dear, farmgirl friend! You are one of the most amazing knitters I have ever known! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Marilyn says: What an up lifting blog. i do knit but only the basics. I do have some books I intend to read and learn more advanced knitting. Wishing you and yours a Blessed,Happy and healthy 2018.
Marilyn
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Marilyn, Glad you enjoyed the blog! Thanks for reading and commenting! Remember, even knitting the basics makes you a knitter. Enjoy! Happy New Year and Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Vivian Monroe says: Nicole, I loved this post. I crochet and only wish I could knit, I have tried, and I have made a scarf for my husband that actually is one of his favorites, but I cant remember how. Like with crochet I can just pick up whenever, I cant seem to remember how to get started on the knitting. my fingers dont seem to want to act right when I am trying to knit, I know it is because I am just not practicing enough to get comfortable like I do with crochet. Now I can see why when I am trying to teach someone to crochet, I am like why can you not see how to do your fingers or hold your needle it is so simple. haha…that is probably what the knitting teacher is thinking watching me. ha. Well you have inspired me to pick up those knitting needles and try try again. thanks for sharing. Be Blessed Neta
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Neta! I wish we lived closer so I could teach you! You need a patient person to get you on your way. It is like riding a bicycle, once you have tried it, it will come back once you start practicing it again! Keep trying, I know you will get it!
Farmgirl Hugs,
Nicole
Sharon Alane says: This was such a needed help for me today. We tend to announce all the imperfections.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Sharon, thank you so much! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
winnie Jackson says: I too love to knit and crochet along with many sewing projects, quilting. Do you have a favorite pattern you love to do many times for others? Would you be willing to share this pattern? if so please forward to me. I enjoy what others are making and try to change from what I do from time to time. One can never have enough home made gifts for our friends, family, etc. Happy fiber day! Winnie Jackson
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Winnie, thanks for commenting! I do have some good “classic” favorite patterns I would love to share with you. I will email you directly. Happy Knitting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Bonnie Kirk Loiodice says: Thanks for reminding use all that “perfection” should never be our goal. It’s the creation that lifts our spirits and defines our character Spring yarn stash clean-out had begun at my house in preparation for some fun summer projects. Move them sticks girls! Bon
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Bonnie, Thank you…I am glad you enjoyed the post. Yes, I see it all the time with my knitting students. We all need to give ourselves a break once in awhile, and that goes for fiber crafts, too! I’ve got my summer projects ready to go, too. Can’t wait! Thanks for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
It’s my favorite time of year, Christmas! Fun with friends and family, holiday baking, decorating…such a joyful time, full of magic. Come share a wonderful, nostalgic holiday season!
Marlene Capelle says: Kids who grow up and quit believing in Santa probably spend their whole life wondering what is missing from their world and all they have to do is keep believing.
Your glamper is fab.
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Marlene, Well said! I believe in Santa!
Decorating the glamper has been fun. We will be putting her cover on soon for the rest of winter, but I will be enjoying her through the holidays! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Ramona Puckett says: Oh my goodness! How pretty are your pictures! Thank you so much for sharing this! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Ramona, thank you so much…so glad you enjoyed the post. Merry Christmas and Happy New year! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Shirley says: Thanks for sharing such good memories! Blessings!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Shirley, Thank you so much. Have a wonderful holiday season. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Rebecca M. says: I read a comment earlier this week that made me chuckle….”When you stop believing in Santa, you get underwear for Christmas.” I love your pictures and all the vintage decorations. And your little Gidget is adorable. I found an old sled at our local florist a few weeks ago and was so excited to be able to use it in my decorations. Merry Christmas!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Rebecca, Wasn’t that cute, the “underwear” comment? Made me smile, too. How exciting to find that sled! They are such wonderful ways to decorate! Enjoy!Merry Christmas! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Denise, Thank you…Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Diane, thank you so much! Merry Christmas! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Donna says: I always enjoy your posts, such a positive message. Love the pictures of you and your family and the dog looks so sweet. Merry Christmas : ))
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Donna, Oh thank you so much! I am so glad you liked the post. The doggie is my sweet boy, Odin, who is just a year old. This will be his first Christmas and we can’t wait for Santa Paws to arrive this year! 😉 Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Joan says: Nostalgia is one of my favorite things, this was great fun! Merry Christmas to y’all! God bless
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Joan, Merry Christmas, sweet farmgirl! Hope you have a wonderful season. Thank you for being such a loyal reader! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Beverly Battaglia says: I love this blog and happy your memories were so good as my little girl. Carmine’s looks like a beautiful restaurant! Your camper looks so inviting. Great family picture.
Love you.
Mother
Nicole Christensen says: Thanks Mama, and thank you for always making Christmas so special. Love you, Nicole
Krista says: I am so jealous right now! I love the Macey’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! We watch it on TV every year and I have for as long as I can remember. My oldest enjoyed watching the balloons, but really thought it was cool to see Santa. I would love to take a trip there in the future sometime, especially while my babies are still kids. All your Christmas decorations are perfect. I love the older style of Christmas decorations including the colors. All the new pinks, bright blues, non traditional Christmas colors just don’t work for me. I love sticking with the traditional dark red and greens. I even have a few decorations that use to belong to my grandmother. They add the perfect touch and sentiment to my holiday season. May you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
Nicole Christensen says: Hi Krista, Thank you! How special that you have some of your grandmother’s decorations! How wonderful. I agree, I like the “old” colors and “traditional” style of decor for Christmas. If you do make a trip to NYC, you must also see the Rockefeller Center tree and try to go see the Rockettes Christmas show. After the show, Santa greets the children. Merry Christmas! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Debra Benson says: New post
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”.
Where can I find a tractor sewing machine prefer red.
Thx
Jeanne
Hi there, Jeanne. I don’t have one myself in my collection, but I did check Ebay and Etsy for you. Both sites have repurposed vintage sewing machines made into cute tractors for sale. Happy Hunting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Looks like such fun. Am heading home from a long weekend at our cabin (our brick and mortar camper). It was wonderful but fall is definitely in the air in the Rockies.
Hi Marlene! It sounds like you had a great weekend, too! The kids have gone back to school, but today was an early dismissal because of the severe heat and humidity. Doesn’t feel like Fall here yet, but soon, I hope! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Sounds like a great time! Always enjoy your posts!
Hi LaRoyce, thank you so very much! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I loved your weekend wrap-up! Made me reminiscent of my family’s trips to Tonganoxie State Park in Kansas back in the late 70’s. Daddy would fish and I did a lot of summer reading and hiking. Nothing tasted better than food prepared outdoors!
Hi Laura, thank you…I am so happy you enjoyed the blog post and that I made you think of such happy memories. I am hoping that years from now, my daughter will remember the fun we’ve had camping. And I agree, nothing tastes better than food prepared outdoors! Thanks so much for reading and sharing! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Your hard work has really paid off.
Gidget truly is a time capsule! And I love that it’s a family thing, too! What could be better than making new friends and lasting memories?
We survived another hot and humid, New England Summer and still had fun!
Here’s to cooler weather!
Farmgirl hugs,
Deb
Hi Deb! Thanks so much! I hope Audrey remembers the fun times we have gone camping when she is older. We really enjoyed the weekend together. We were lucky we got that break…we’ve had the same hot and humid weather here. Hopefully it breaks again soon! Right now I can’t get into Gidget without melting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I love reading about your vintage camper. Hope the dog is feeling better. He is so cute.
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn, thank you. Pip has had us very worried the last couple of weeks. Thankfully, we have a wonderful vet office who has been monitoring him closely with us. Fingers crossed he continues on the road to improvement. Thanks so much for the well wishes for my little guy! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Great blog and love picture of Kim and Pip!
Love, Mother
Thank you! Love you, Mama! XOXO Nicole
Hello Nicole, Sure enjoyed reading about your adventure. Love the pictures too. They add so much to the story. New Friend Dorothy
Hi Dorothy, Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed the post. Welcome… so happy to have you join me here at the Suburban Farmgirl blog! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I LOVED all the pics…cant wait until me and my sweetie can go again in ours…Hopefully soon…I would love to go to a vintage camper rally..I loved the puzzle…and your furbaby is ADORABLE….we have two little furbabys that travel with us as well.. 🙂 Your camper is awesome…keep camping and having fun…And sharing with us too…Neta.
Hi Vivian, I can’t wait to go camping again…so sad that I will have to wait until next year! In the meantime, I “play” in mine until we wrap her up for the long, cold winter! Give your furbabies a pat from me. Thanks for reading and always leaving me a comment. Means a lot. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I love your camper!! My house is a petite 1950 box, and while it has been challenging to comfortably downsize into it, I love getting decorating inspiration and space -saving ideas from vintage camper refurbished such as yourself. Thanks! Also, I’d love to hear of humidity-beating ideas from others facing oppressive heat and humidity without central air or good ventilation. I am not super outdoorsy, but when it’s cool and dry out, I enjoy taking walks and light gardening and hanging with my daughter and our 3 chickens… however our rural Maryland 1/4 acre has been an oppressive swamp since the winter snow left us. How can I enjoy being at home, let alone outside, or exercising, when constantly cocoons in a layer of sweat? Thanks!
Hi Amy, thanks for reading and commenting! I am so glad you enjoyed the blog. I tell ya, I grew up in heat and humidity and it is harder for me than it used to be. Even with the A/C in the house, I was uncomfortable this summer. However, as long as the air is moving, it’s better. Fans! I always have a fan going, and when it gets humid and hot, I like cool, wrung out wet washcloths on my neck, even when I sleep. Hope that helps! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I am 73 and want a camper like yours. I have been wanting to camp out since I married 12 years ago. Finally I saw my hubby discreetly looking at the ads in our town for campers. I hope that there is more to it than looking lol. Loved reading your adventure.
Priscilla, I hope you get your camper! I have a friend who is about your age and she just got one this year. It is being all glamped up. It’s so much fun! Let me know if you get one! Fingers crossed for you! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole