I am writing this blog post after I’ve taken 25 hand sewn items and entered them in our local County Fair. Second guessing my abilities, my creativity, and working to shush that voice that says “are you really a Maker”?
There is a certain vulnerability that comes with walking into a fair and seeing your creation sitting among someone else’s beautiful work. For a moment, that little voice can start comparing. But today I decided that entering isn’t about proving that I’m the best. It’s about being brave enough to put something I made out into the world and to be proud of that.
There are some friendships that simply pick up right where they left off, no matter how much time or distance has passed. My lifelong friend came to spend (almost) a week with me, and somehow those five days felt like a little gift from another time. We antiqued, drank lots of coffee, took long walks around the farm, and sat on the porch talking well into the night. Every morning we watched the sun rise from the porch… and then watched it set in the evening. We reminisced about raising our kids together, laughed over old memories, cried over hard ones, and treasured every bit of being together. Nothing about the week was particularly complicated—and maybe that’s what made it so special. Just two best girlfriends enjoying the kind of friendship that feels like coming home.
What a lovely visit! I’m so glad that you shared it with us. It warms the heart. You two look like sisters! And the quilt coats that you make honestly are the only quilt coats that I’ve seen that I like. Maybe one day I will attempt making one.
What a wonderful week. As I read your blog I saw such similarities between the two of you and me and my best friend the number of years we had together. We both had a passion for Dairy goats and kids and 4H and it was the most wonderful special time of life. I am thrilled to be able to share with your friendship over your granola and quilts. Hug each other for me time passes way too fast.
I couldn’t agree more! 2 weeks ago my husband surprised me by flying my friend of 30+ years across the country for my 70th birthday. He also scheduled a BnB for us a few hours away in Leavenworth WA (adorable little alpine town) for 2 days. As you said: time spent together talking, shopping, walking, talking, sipping wine and, of course, more talking. Life-long friendships are the best.
Oh, what a blessing. Women need each other, don’t we? That’s why I love my 2 Bible study group ladies so much. 2 different churches, diverse ladies and a safe place to love and help each other.
I love the jacket. Is there a pattern you used? I’ve been wanting to do one also. I love you are always barefoot. Me too, lol! Lucky you have a supportive hubby.
You have a beautiful home and the views are breathtaking.
To 2 beautiful ladies, I hope you have many more years to enjoy the gift of friendship!
🌸❤️Darlene
Dori – This makes my heart so happy! I know you both had the best time, and your blog made us feel like we were right there with you! What fun you had! How special, and I love all that you did together! What a sweet friendship! Luanne is going to cherish that coat, I know! And what wonderful memories you both have. Love this blog!! Farmgirl hugs, Nicole
Greetings from HOT, HOT KANSAS! Always enjoy your posts. The whole blog resonated so much truth about women’s friendships. You captured it so well both in words and pictures. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful visit. It warmed my heart. I am still in touch with a group of friends from Massachusetts that I went to first grade with 70 years ago! We last got together about 3 years ago and friendship never lapsed; just had a wonderful time and plan to do it again next year. Your yogurt and granola looks delicious. Maybe, you have inspired me to finally try making some!
Holy Humidity, Batman! It’s HOT here in New England! What makes it almost unbearable is the humidity along with the high temperatures, as well as big, thundering rainstorms almost daily. What’s a farmgirl to do?
Trooper says, “Mommy when will it cool down? I miss our long walks!”
It’s hard to believe we’re already well into August, and it has been unusually hot and very humid here. This month, it has felt like we are living in the rainforest instead of in New England! In fact, Southern New York and many parts of Connecticut (including where I am) are now considered a “sub-tropical” climate! My family and I were watching an old movie from 25 years ago, set in Boston, Massachusetts and Fairfield, Connecticut, during Halloween. Everyone was dressed in coats and boots, as it was cold. When my daughter was little, it wasn’t hot in October like it has been the last few years, and August brings more rain than we used to see this time of year. In the first seven days of August, we had heavy, long rainstorms bringing inches and inches of rain for five of those days!
How hot is it? It’s so hot that the squirrels are “splooting” in the maple trees!
Squirrels “sploot” , (yes, it is a real word) in an effort to cool themselves. I feel ya, squirrel, it is HOT!
I felt as red as this bird at the zoo when we visited recently.
When it is in the high 80’s and 90’s with extreme humidity, we try to get chores, errands and day trips scheduled early in the day before it becomes unbearable. On a recent trip to our local zoo, just to get out a bit, even the animals were hot!
Remember the baby spider monkey I posted about in April? She is getting bigger, and did not seem bothered at all by how hot it was.
While this big guy looked like he was saying, “Lady, it is too hot in here”.
Walking near the Connecticut shore finds temperatures a little bit more balmy than inland.
It’s always a bit cooler by the shore.
On a clear day after several rainy ones, when my family was visiting, I was able to take an early hike at Bent-of-the-River with my cousin-in-law. It was so beautiful, in full summer bloom, but still very hot, so we were careful to go early and not stay too long out in the heat.
At home, we are still enjoying seeing the wildlife that visits our property.
Mama deer and her baby share a tender moment in our yard.
Two frequent visitors in one frame!
A spicebush swallowtail “puddling” – asborbing nutrients from the mud.
Cleome are one of the last flowers to bloom in my garden in summer. They will look good until the first frost.
August means my garden is starting to really produce, and it’s time for the best-tasting tomatoes, ripening on the vines in the sun.
It’s best to harvest your tomatoes early, before they are completely ripe on the vine. They will continue to ripen in the house, but will have less of a chance to crack in the heat and rain, get fungal issues, or have pests and birds snack on the fruit.
Unfortunately, with extreme rain and heat, frustrating weeds such as crabgrass and invasive Japanese Stilt Grass flourish. I’m careful to pace myself and stop before it gets too warm, or jump in the pool to cool off once in a while while weeding.
A chunky little chipmunk asks, “Does this stiltgrass make my butt look big?”
I noticed the smallest little toad while I was weeding.
The rain has been getting so heavy at times!
We can go from a sheet of rain with wind, thunder, and lightening…
…to hot sun and humidity within five minutes.
We are used to rain, but the thunderstorms we have been getting lately are wild! Our poor animals get scared. The other evening, the sky turned a weird color, and thunder started rolling constantly. We had to hold our smallest fur-babies tightly, our elderly cat Mittens and our wee pup, Trooper, to keep them calm. The thunder made the whole house shake, and the lightning was constant! We were so relieved when my husband made it safely home from work and inside the house!
The sky was a weird color and the lightening was crazy the other night!
The house rumbled as the lightening was right on top of us!
With wet, hot weather we also see fungus pop up. Fungus can be gross (and toxic to pets), but is still really interesting.
Parasola mushrooms pop up early in the morning after a rain, and then start to wither and decompose as the sun comes out and warms the ground. They are tiny and delicate, and look like little parasols for fairies!
Slime molds occur on rotting wood and mulch.
We saw the tiniest little red mushrooms growing on an old split rail at Bent-of-the-River.
Little puff-ball mushrooms are cute…
…while other wild fungus specimens are just plain ugly! We always watch our dogs closely when we take them out during “fungus season”.
While there are so many beautiful and fun places to go outside in New England, we also like to beat the heat with indoor fun! Connecticut has two big casinos, both operated by native american tribes. While my family isn’t really into gambling, there is so much to do at both, all year long. Restaurants, concerts, shops, and conventions are just some of the fun.
This amazing, giant sand sculpture is at the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville, CT.
We look forward to the comic book convention, Terrificon, each summer. There, we always find wonderful, hand-drawn (NOT A.i) art by amazing artists, marvel at how detailed the cosplayers dress, and even get to meet celebrities. It’s always a great family day for us.
This amazing robot is actually a cosplayer! Amazing costume!!! At “Terrificon” at the Mohegan Sun casino.
Connecticut also has no shortage of great, delicious places to cool down with my favorite way to beat the heat – ice cream! From Ben and Jerry’s in the casino, to local dairy farms making the freshest, creamiest confections from their own cows, it is a the best way to cool off!
We have lots of great farms with ice cream, but my favorite is Rich’s Farm in Oxford, CT.
My cousin debates whether he can eat the entire cone at Rich’s Farm Ice Cream. (He did finish it)!
(Of course, the dogs might argue that a nap is the best way to spend a hot day).
It’s been a really hot summer all over the country (and Europe) this year. But the charm of New England is that just when we think we have had enough of one season, that’s when it changes. Until then, we will enjoy the rest of the season!
WHAT IS THAT?! Uh-oh…
Hope you all have a wonderful rest of summer, dear readers! We will be savoring the last heat of the summer here in New England! Thanks for “stopping by”!
Such Amazing photos Nicole, I enjoyed them so much. A beautiful assortment of animals especially “our” Trooper☺️ Just love him to pieces🐾💕🐾 And now you have sweet Bell you have added to your team. All you FurBabies are Amazing!
Thank you again for sharing.
Big Hugs,
Debbie
Hi Debbie, thank you so much! Trooper hates bugs, so he is not happy in the humidity and the heat. He really can’t wait for the cooler weather so we can walk again, and now with his new sister! Thank you so much for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole,
I can sympathize with your pets as we have been having so much heavy rain and storms this month. It does keep the temperatures a bit lower for us but the humidity gets bad.
Love all your photos! I miss New England. We will be visiting home next month. I always love to go home in the fall or end of summer whenever we can. It’s just beautiful there during that time.
I do enjoy August as I know it’s a lead in to the cooler months, though September can still give us some warmer days
Take care until next time,
Denise
Hi Denise! Always good to hear from you! It is raining AGAIN today. Now the flowers and pots are getting too much water, but soon it will be time to switch them out for fall mums anyway. We love the sun, but the humidity is tough. We are looking forward to that break in the humidity when we still get warmth but the weather is dry and the humidity low. Enjoy your visit home! September is always such a beautiful month in New England! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Loved the wildlife pictures! We live in SE Georgia and the heat and humidity have been brutal! I will be so happy when Fall finally arrives here! We try to go north to NJ in October so we can enjoy the Fall colors and see family and friends. Unfortunately our veggie garden here finished in July and the tomato sandwiches were SO delicious. Our “feel like” temperature today is 108 so I have to add water to the bird baths every morning so the birds and squirrels have water to drink and to bathe in. It’s interesting to see how many birds line up for their daily baths. The hummingbirds have used the feeders more than usual also. I have to monitor them closely with the heat. Thanks again for the pictures and hope you are taking care when you go outside.
Hi Debbie, WOW! 108 feel-like temperature plus humidity is awful!!! Stay cool best you can – that is so dangerous and can sneak up on you. We are harvesting now, but I am definitely pacing myself when it comes to weeding! We just saw fall mums in the stores, but I will wait a few weeks on those. New Jersey is beautiful in the fall! Enjoy! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
NJ is beautiful in the fall! We lived there in the southern part for 28 years before moving to be near grandchildren. We just spent a week there in Ocean City for the 4th. Enjoy your visit this fall! It was always my favorite season there.
Hi Denise, so many areas from NJ, PA, NY and New England are just at their best in the fall! I love the Northeast, I really do. I bet your 4th was wonderful! Enjoy those grandbabies! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Wowzers! I never thought of Conn., as ‘sub-tropical’ but then, I have not lived there since our family moved away back in the the mid 1960’s… I think I am long overdue for a visit.
As for the ‘puff ball’ mushrooms… they are starting to show up everywhere in our yard..
Have a happy ( in spite of the rain) late summer…
Hugs &squisches.
Hi Grace, right? It has only been the last few years that the weather has been so extreme. One can not live without A/C anymore here, and so many homes here were never built with it. Happy end of summer! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hello my Farmgirl friends! I’m excited to sit down and visit with you again! I don’t know if it’s just me… but these months fly by like the wind!
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This past month I’ve been doing a few updates in our little farmhouse; mostly just paint touch-up and a few simple changes in decor items. But as I was deep cleaning, touch up painting, and rearranging a few things in my guest bedroom I was wishing for something different and unique to go on the wall above one of the guest beds… a space that was empty right now.
Thanks for the awesome idea. My friend has a quilt with some family history but was never taken care of, has stains all over and rips, but I thought some parts could be saved to make a pillow. However, a framing of the saved piece would work better. What is the safest way to wash an old, bedraggled quilt?
I have heard the best thing to do if you want to wash an old quilt is : SIT DOWN WITH A DRINK UNTIL THE IDEA PASSES
If you MUST wash an old quilt-
lay a bed sheet along the bottom of the bathtub, lay the quilt on top of the sheet
Fill tub with enough cold water to cover the quilt
swirl in a gentle liquid soap ( there are specific soaps available, but any mild soap will work
let it soak for maybe 30 minutes
drain water refill with clean water,
Pull the sheet up around the quilt and squeeze the water out. Repeat
Using the sheet lift the quilt out of the tub, wring out as much water as possible and carry the quilt outside to spread in a shady spot to dry with the sheet on the bottom
We have an open concept ranch house and I filled one of our dining room walls with a gallery of family photos. Photos of the people who have passed never change. Otherwise, I try to change the photos once a year, but use the same frame. One tradition I started was sending out photo Christmas cards with several photos from the year and a short narrative. I always include an updated photo of us, an updated photo of our home and then photos of the places we traveled and family updates, like my nephew and his bride when they got married last year.
I also love to paint water colors, and although work and a big move stopped me from painting much over the last several years, I already have a nice collection for a gallery wall and a couple vignettes around the house. I recently retired from working full time, and my husband made me a beautiful art studio on the property of our new home. I look forward to spending more time painting once we wrap up our summer travels.
Dori, that looks beautiful and turns a blank wall into a masterpiece. I have so many quilt blocks looking for a home and I think I found a place, thanks to you! Our local thrift shop always has frames under a dollar. Your room looks gorgeous. My kind of decor. Thanks for always inspiring and sharing your ideas with us. You are a blessing.
❤️ Darlene
Okay, the paper placement idea may be simple, but it’s the most brilliant idea ever! Gonna rummage through my orphan blocks right now. Oh, and your curtains have sparked another project for me. One project sparked so many ideas!
I love your gallery wall! It turned out beautifully. I have a wall in my dining room that is a gallery wall of photos. There is no order to it – it’s been filled in over the years with what I can fit in here and there. Some of the pictures I change out now and then and some stay put. Like you said – it’s all about what makes me happy! I love the idea of framing quilt blocks or other projects for the bedroom. I think I’m going to see what I have stored away….
P.S. I absolutely love those cheery yellow curtains!!!
Ohhh, the ideas brewing in my mind for my guest room! Beautiful display Dori, great ideas! I’ve got quite a few various sized frames I had collected when I was selling my art! They just sit there yearning to be used! Im inspired by your arrangement and will try this with some quilting pieces of my own! Thanks for the inspiration! Blessings! -Dianna
Great project!
I have a two story “real log “ cabin. At the stairwell the wall to your left going up to the second story is a beautiful wall that isn’t logs but an excellent wooden hi background to do something similar to what you’ve done and it would support a whole quilt as large as a queen size. I have two quilts that I am considering hanging there it would be absolutely perfect but then we have to figure out lighting wish me well.
Last month I talked about the Letter Writing Kit that I had made myself to keep me motivated on the letter writing challenge! And… I offered a giveaway of one of the kits to one lucky reader!
You are a wonder girl! I’m a quilter and your use of colors and texture is awesome. You hand stitched every thing. You don’t see that anymore. Most don’t even know how to attach a button when you lose one off your shirt. Love the fabrics, who was the designer? I’d like to add to my stash.
You are a wonder girl! I’m a quilter and your use of colors and texture is awesome. You hand stitched every thing. You don’t see that anymore. Most don’t even know how to attach a button when you lose one off your shirt. Love the fabrics, who was the designer? I’d like to add to my stash.
Debi! Thank you! I really enjoy hand sewing and quilting. It is very therapeutic to me.
Don’t get me wrong though…. I love my sewing machine too!
The fabric manufacturer for all these lines is Poppie Cotton. You can google their name on Etsy and find all kinds of sellers. I am an Ambassador for them so I sew almost exclusively with Poppie Cotton fabric and it is the best fabric! (I’m not just saying that either!).
I love this, and I miss my Mary Jane magazine. I love seeing all the pictures and styles that this blog offers. Now that I found this site I will try to keep up. Thank you for not forgetting us. We love you guys. Kathy,
To my very dearest, sweetest readers of this blog!!!
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Oh my word. You all jumped into the “Lift Someone Up Challenge” with eyes wide open and full of excitement. And I cannot express to you how much it inspired me to keep on going.
Since my husband past a month ago, I’ve received a lot of letters and cards.
I’ve written so many letters back to them in thanking them for their kind words.
He will be greatly missed by all
I’ve been sending cards and letters to friends and loved ones my entire life….people simply don’t send mail anymore. The comments I get are: how you keep in touch is amazing; it is so thoughtful that you remember ( I send birthday cards and Christmas cards out all the time -mark the dates on my calendar); you made my day; Thank you.
Love the challenge, but it has never been a challenge for me, it’s simply what I do. Folks think I’m crazy – mailed out 70 Christmas cards this past December- but it’s my way of saying hello and thinking of you.
Several years ago I joined a pen pal group and, for a while, I consistently wrote letters, receiving a few responses, writing in response to these letters, just building up friendships “along the inky trail”. Then my life got busy and then busier and my letter-writing fell to the wayside. I’m quite disorganized and I felt very badly when I came across letters from pen pals that were awaiting responses from me, like, from last year. Over a full year, in fact. Many of us in our group would fit in the category of senior “Queen-agers” and I was afraid that many have passed on. I organized the pile and got to work on responding (and apologizing). Happy to report that a majority (so far) responded. Don’t know if I’ll ever meet these ladies but I’ll be more careful in attending to letter-writing. Some ladies have written that their pen pals are their best friends. I just hope that in my writing letters I’ll
be able to give them a hand of friendship and encouragement. Marge, Farmgirl #7915
I love your “lift someone up” challenge. I have note card that are stamped and ready to go in my “Bible basket”. It is a basket that includes my Bible, a small candle and lighter, a devotional book, a notebook and a couple of pens & pencils, and a packet of note cards with stamped envelopes and a small address book. When I first started using my basket I would take it somewhere quiet and made sure I wrote a note each time but I got out of the habit when life got crazy. Your challenge prompted me to refresh my basket and get going again. I always pray for those I’m writing notes to. Sometimes I get a response back, sometimes not. Last month I got a lovely handwritten letter from an old classmate saying she’d really appreciated the prayers and that the timing couldn’t have been more perfect as she had lost her husband the month before and was feeling very isolated. She said, “you helped me remember that even though we don’t live close geographically, we can always “visit” and send love to each other.” Such a small effort can truly affect another person’s life! ❤️ Thank you for getting me started again. 🙂
My sister was having a really rough time and I didn’t know, we live 100 miles apart. I wrote her a quick note and enclosed a little card to let her know I loved her and cared about her life. She called me that evening and we talked for a couple hours.
Dear Dori, I was just reading your blog today and was surprised to read my name as o e of your 2 winners . I don’t know if I was supposed to respond or not again. But, it appears that you need my email address.it is vicky.mullins@verizon.net. I will watch for a response.
I m still recouping from the wreck that nearly took our lives on January 8th when a 18 wheeler semi hit us. I’ve just completed , hopefully, my final surgery. My husband had a brain injury from the accident and we are slowly crawling back from that.
Life is brief and uncertain so I highly agree that we should tell people how much we love and appreciate them every chance we get. Thank you.
A young medical student starting his residency sent me a text as a thank you for his graduation card. He was my student in fourth grade and the time has flown by since his high school years, college, and IU Med school.
I pray for a bright future and his healing hands in helping out those in need.
Thanks for all you do today!
My grandmother and I wrote and spoke on the phone all the time. When she passed away I didn’t really have contact with anyone on my mothers side of the family.
I sent a card to my Aunt, whom I haven’t seen in a couple decades, and was pleasantly surprised when she wrote back saying how much she loved hearing from me and how I made her day because she had been missing my uncle so much. She went out and checked the mail expecting to get bills– and found a letter from me.
This was from our niece when my husband her uncle passed away
If you ever met my Uncle David, he probably made you laugh or offered to help you in some way. He was the kindest man and between him and my father, they taught me everything I know about cars, projects, and building. He was the light of the room, the humor behind every joke and the best soul. A once in a lifetime type of guy. You’re going to be missed so much, but your lessons and legacy will live on
I mailed a card with a note to a friend that I haven’t been in touch with in a while. It arrived in her mailbox on a day when she really needed it. I don’t want to share her details on the internet, but she was going through a very difficult time and was feeling overwhelmed. She told me she sat down and cried (a good cry) because it had been a while since someone did something for her.
God Bless you Dori. A beautiful kind and loving gesture you do. I agree with you and others, on taking a few moments to write a note of encouragement, love and kindness. This is so valuable and priceless. Especially, in the world we live in today. We need more people in the world that truly care. This is a blessing! Dori, thank you for sharing this lovely post. Have a great and blessed day!
How precious it is to brighten someone else’s day with just a few minutes of your time! I don’t always get a response; however, the last one was just so thankful that I would have taken the time to encourage someone else. They know how busy our schedule is, and it meant a lot to them. Have a blessed day!
Welcome May! Time to kick off our shoes and walk barefoot on the cool grass, open our windows and take in the fresh air, then gently let the memory of icy winter days & nights fade. Mother Nature is still betwixt and between seasons; not having made up her mind just yet. Some days the heat rises like a mid-summer day, and then others, like today, will have nighttime temperatures below freezing. Oh well, not to worry…it’s all a part of nature’s wonders.
Wow Mary! Such a great project! Thanks for sharing! I have managed to clean out my raised beds but haven’t even dared to look at my stored Dahlia tubers to see if they survived the winter. It was so so so cold here in NJ I am guessing i will be planting seeds instead this year!! Just noticing today on a drive through the country that there is an infinite number of shades of green at this time of year – and all are so beautiful to see!
Awww, thanks Eileen! It had some rusty spots in the bottom anyway, so I didn’t feel badly about giving it a new purpose. But I’ll tell you, it was mighty hard to drill those drainage holes, I had to buy a drill bit made for metal! I just put my dahlia tubers in, and they’re loving the rain…did you get yours in yet? I bet they’re just fine…they seem to thrive…I confess I really do ignore them in the basement, just watering them from time to time over winter. I agree, it’s greening up, and while still a bit brisk out, it’s just what we need to lift our spirits!
I love, love, love this time of year! Thank you for your post, I love farm news! Here in the north east, the red buds are blooming, white and purple violets are everywhere, lilacs are just starting to open, peepers are peeping, and so much more! Just lovely! My grandmother passed down her love of the outdoors and gardening to me and I’m so happy she did! Our chicken coop still needs to be done, maybe this week! But they are so happy the warmer weather is here, it was such a long cold winter, one of the coldest in decades up here. Happy gardening!
Oh Denene it sounds like you’re having a grand time as Spring arrives! I absolutely agree…the peepers make me smile. And me too…my grandmother passed on her love of lilacs and gardening to me as well. I just love how those sweet memories are shared through the generations. Did you get the coop spruced up? It’s a messy job, I completely understand! Have a terrific Spring!
Our May flowers showed up in April and so far our May has been rainy with April showers. We have to be careful with any plants as we can still get frost until around the middle of the month. Almost there!
We have enjoyed some days of sun, mostly peeks out for a little while in the afternoon. I am looking forward to warm days and dreaming of our little cabin/farm home we are looking for now.
So enjoy your writing and the great ideas you share as well as the yummy recipe!
Hi Denise, the weather has been up and down here…it was 87 yesterday, and today, it’s 20 degrees cooler…crazy! No garden in yet, I’m still fighting the weeds that have taken over the garden spot. Sigh, maybe this week I’ll wrangle them. A cabin/farm sounds heavenly…good luck finding your perfect, forever home. I’ve always thought a little cabin with a lake view would be lovely…let me know how your search goes!
I have been pondering this blog post for two weeks and thinking (like I usually do) of what I’d like to share with you. But this month… what I have to share is a little different than my normal.
What I’d like to share with you today is a little personal. But I wonder if maybe we can all relate… so I felt moved to talk about it. (And keep reading because there’s a surprise at the end of this post!). So here is where my thoughts have been….
My mother with the guilt that she worked on at my house last winter. I took this picture in her yard last summer. Continue reading →
What a wonderful blog and inspiration to all of us. Your Mom’s quilt is beautiful. I love it!! I find so much joy in saying a kind word or a special deed to at least one person a day so I love your challenge. I will add the card writing to my own daily challenge. Loving others even strangers makes the world a better place. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing about your husband. You are right about each person has their own challenges and by sharing them we know that we are not alone but together facing them. Sending lots of love to you.
Thank you for your kind words. They make a difference in our day don’t they? And YAY, I’m happy you’re joining the challenge! I had a kazillion things to do today (and did them!) but managed to relax out on my porch bed for 15 minutes and write a little note while I was there!!!
Oh how timely this fun challenge is! I was just thinking of starting a “what I’m thankful for you for” list this past week and that I’d start with my 91 year old cousin (I call her Auntie)! She’s our family queen/treasurer/historian and is so loved by our entire family. She absolutely tops my list!
I love this challenge! Recent family members have lost their loved ones so they’ll top my list, they need a postal “hug”, thank you for sharing your challenge & will think often of you & your husband-the view off your porch is breath taking-thank you for sharing it!
Many gentle hugs
I just returned from a Delta Kappa Gamma Conference (a philanthropic organization composed of women educations). Over 100 strong, smart women who dedicated their lives to educating the future leaders of our world. Many have faced challenges — health issues, job loss, funding cuts, children worries. I will definitely start with this list of women who have been part of this organization for 50+ years, as well as those who are new educators who need a “lifting up.” Thanks fo much for the idea!
I love this idea, i have a friend who I text every morning, and she texts me, her pictures and words are the best, and I tell her that, but now I will write her a letter and tell how much her Good Morning, quotes and pictures mean to me. THANK YOU !!!
I am definitely up for the “Lift Someone Up” challenge. My husband had a kidney transplant one year ago and I just finished writing thank you notes to all the people that have walked beside us through this journey. It was amazing to see the number of people that helped us as we went through the process of getting on the transplant list & then the journey of his healing over the last year. I love receiving snail mail & look forward to sending notes to loved ones mail boxes for a bit of a suprise.
Good morning from Nunica, MI! I’ve always been a fan of handwritten letters/notes so I love your idea! My mind is already working on everyone I’ll be putting on my list! I know I love to get a personal little note in the mail. It’s just makes you feel special and I want to do that for others also! Your mom’s quilt just oozes 💕 love! I hope to pass on my love through the notes I’ll be sending out thanks to your idea! Love from Michigan 🌻
Yes, I am up for the challenge! Great idea and I’m right there with you with an overflowing life of responsibilities and events pulling me in all directions. This feels like an opportunity to pause, think of others, and be thankful. I’m in! My first letter will go to my dear friend. We meet every Tuesday to support eachother in our lives and she has walked along side me through a lot over the past two years. Thank you for sharing your own story and this thoughtful challenege.
Thank you for this. It might be the light to pull my mom out of her darkness. We lost my dad threecyears ago, and she has descended into a deep depression, having been with my dad 64 years. On top of that, she is not well. I am going to try this with her, because I have been stressed out trying to care for her, and manage my own life. Hopefully this will bring her some joy. Thank you for the thoughtful idea.
What a wonderful challenge! How can we not have joy while lifting one another up. The picture of your mom with her quilt is just beautiful. I would love to do this challenge and I think I would have to top my list with my cousin, she is more like a big sister/mom to me. She is actually the generation before me even though we are cousins. . Thank you so much for sharing and encouraging us to do this!
What a wonderful idea! So few people write letters nowadays. I’ll start with my mom who just had her 97th birthday. She is such an inspiration. We call her the Welcome Wagon Committee of one in the retirement community where she lives.
My second will be my younger sister who is just finishing treatments for melanoma. Her faith is so strong.
Thank you for this challenge!
Connie
What a lovely idea! So often we get caught up in the busyness of life that we forget to be grateful and find joy in the people that are actually in it. I think my first letter is going to go to my Mom. She passed away at the end of February, but there were things that even though we had a lovely relationship, I never got to say. I won’t be able to mail it, but I would love to write it. Thank you again for the challenge and I look forward to it.
Dear Dori, although i’ve never written you a comment before.I’ve read your blog fairly often. I felt compelled to answer you on this one though, because of a personal experience. My husband and I were in a near fatal accident this January and we have been hospitalized and then in rehab and specialized nursing for 2 months before, we were able to return home. During this time, i felt compelled to express to all of my doctors, nurses caretakers, custodians, and everyone who walked into my room, how much they were valued and how they were appreciated for their services to other people. It cost me ao little and yet meant a lot to those who are often not appreciated and are under stress. I will begin to write notes when I get full use of my arm again. Thank you for giving us a wonderful challenge.
Dori,
Thank you. I needed this to shake me out of a struggle I have been experiencing since my mother’s death on February 1st. I will start my list today.
This challenge sounds awesome. Even tho I lost my husband of 49 years a week ago, this would keep me busy along with the rest I have to do. I love writing letters, even the generation after me have their phones in their hands all the time. Maybe i can encourage them to do this also. Your mothers quilt is beautiful.
I always love your blog posts…this is a great idea! It’s easy to get stuck in our own little box and think that we’re the only ones who are dealing with struggles but we’re not. I think that lifting each other up would help to lift ourselves up as well. I will keep your family in my prayers:).
P. S. I was going to ask where you found your lovely cards! Haha! Very pretty!
Thank you so much for this wonderful and heartfelt post. I absolutely love your idea and plan to start today! I am going to encourage my mom to do it as well. You are an inspiration!
At our church, I was on a committee that just finished writing notes and mailing them to EVERYONE in our congregation. At first I grumbled a bit to myself saying, when am I going to find the time and what am I going to write. But you know, after I got started, it got easier and easier. All of us on our committe received replies from those we wrote to about how they loved our notes and how much they enjoyed the kind words we had to say.
So, yes, this is a great plan for everyone.
Thank you, Dori, for all your blogs.
Peggy King, Spokane, Washington
This is perfect timing! I was just going through the badge list to find a couple more to get started on. I was thinking about finishing up the farmgirl gratitude one. To complete the expert level you need to send 40 letters to those you appreciate the most. Reading your blog today inspired me to get to it! My first letter won’t be mailed though, it’ll go to my husband. And rather than finding a list of 40, I’ll take your approach and just sit down and make a list. Thank you for helping us all to remember the joy we find by lifting up others!
What a lovely challenge! I’ve been meaning to call and check on a dear family member, so here’s my “stop and do it now” cue. Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi, I have enjoyed the “MaryJane’s Farm” publication for a very long time and was so sorry to see it canceled, discontinued by the former publishers. I am not much of a tech person, very old-fashioned and very analog. I love correspondence and “snail mail.” I love this “Lift someone up” project/challenge. Please enter me into the drawing, I love stationery and cards, especially of real places, handmade. My first card, letter is going to my dear friend, Sue Swain.
Dori! How perfect is the timing of your post!
My husband’s daughter was visiting from the UK this past week and before that my grandbabies and my daughter. Listening to them and thier life stories tugged at my heart! Im surrounded by friends and family just trying to make ends meet, trials, sickness and am so saddened. I’ve been wanting to create little pieces of art, painting atc’s and writing encouraging words on the backs and sending them or giving them to people, strangers included, to help bring a smile or encouraging word! I reading your posts this morning and ready to write my list! I feel the spark of excitement alongside of yours!
The quilt is gorgeous, the cards you’ve made, quite beautiful. Im sure those on your lust will smile and feel cared about and ‘seen’! Thank you for such an inspiring post and I also liked what Pam/above said! Blessings!
I have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. Turning 69 in a few weeks, this has turned into quite a shock. The treatments have keep me home and very inactive. I am going to take your challenge and send a letter to folks who have made a difference in my life and I have not taken time to tell them. Old bosses, kids I used to babysit, old neighbors. What fun it will be to send a memory and a smile. Thank you for such a good idea.
Doris, thank you for reminding me of the Joy and Inner Peace that can come from sending a Postal Mail note to someone. I will write 2 today and send them in tomorrow’s mail! (Today is Sunday.) Your note took my mind from “self” to “others” where it belongs! 🧡
Dorie, thank you for reminding me of the Joy and Inner Peace that can come from sending a Postal Mail note to someone. I will write 2 today and send them in tomorrow’s mail! (Today is Sunday.) Your note took my mind from “self” to “others” where it belongs! 🧡
I love to make cards and have enough supplies to make 100’s. I thought I would just send cards out randomly to people in the community. My sister pointed out that I would be causing more “anxs” than joy to receive a card from a stranger. Might think I am stalking, so I laid that idea aside. I think I’ll go with your idea of a list of people who know me. Thanks for sharing a bit of what your day looks like with the needs of another.
Good Morning, the weather looks perfect for finishing up my garden remodel chores today as I sit outside, sip my coffee, and catch up on all the things in my little world. Your challenge has reminded me that I love to tell my aunt about my cucumber plan and get her advice on my soil modifications last year. Im in no hurry for suggestions, I have lots of other chores to work on. Some good ol fashioned snail mail would brighten her day. I’ll write her a letter. Also we have a farm girl in my local group who is having a surgery this week, I can mail her a letter and a smile to keep her company as she heals. My list is growing lol Thank you for be so thoughtful and reminding me that there always a few extra minutes to reach out to loved ones in a leasure enjoyable fashion. Take Care
Oh Dori, thank you so much for the lovely and heartfelt blog. Thank you for always sharing your Mom with us and now sharing with us your husband’s medical condition and how you as a couple are handling it. Thank you.
I will love to do your challenge and the first letter I will write is to my Birth Mother who I lost when I was 4 years old, I am now 70. I still miss my Mom every single day and I have never forgotten her. I know she will see my letter so full of love for her. She is always with me so I will write her first and go from there.
Thank you for the challenge and for always being there.
Big Farmgirl Hugs,
Debbie
💕
Dori, I will be honest with you, I have been feeling sorry for myself as I have become limited in my physical movements from having a sickness that made me weak unable to walk without a walker or a cane and so far physical therapy hasn’t helped me to get back to my normal abilities. But I have talked with others who are worse off than I am and I’ve seen others who are worse off than I am and who just keep on going regardless of how they feel about their limitations. They are the inspiration to keep on trying to get better and your idea to uplift others is also inspiring to help others who need an encouraging word in certain times. I am sure we all get depressed with our circumstances and could use a kind and helpful word at an exceptionally hard moment of our life, so I am going to work at this for a while until I run out of cards, stamps and energy. Thank you for sharing and God Bless you and your Mom and all who read this.
Dori, I forgot to tell you I’m 81 years young, and the person I will send the first one to, is my good friend, Vickie who has always been there for me, and who has a mom living with her that just turned 100 years young and gets around as good as I do with her cane. Love you and all who can relate to needing an encouraging word.
This sounds like a fun idea! People just don’t send letters in the mail anymore. I used to love to send out letters to friends and family. I think the first letter I will send will be to a friend I haven’t seen in years.
What a beautiful idea and part of the beauty is that it works both ways. We are lifted up as we lift up others. I recently read a book with a similar idea. called the “The Gift of Graditude”. The author wrote a thank you note once a day for a year and it changed his life. I’m up for the challenge and I’m also lifting you, your family and dear mother up in prayer. We need each other as everyone has burdens and struggles and we need the gift of joy in our lives. My daily devotion this morning was from 1 Thessalonians 5:11. “Encourage one another and build each other up”. I don’t think that was an accident. Oh yes, it made me smile!
I really enjoy setting down with my coffee and reading the Sunday Farm Girl. I grew up as a farm girl in Ok. The Lift Someone Up challenge is an incredible way to reach out and let someone know you love them and that they are special to you. What a lift for a depressed or lonely person to receive a card with a thoughtful, heartfelt message.
Dear Dori,
I am in for the “Lift Someone up List”. The first person on my list is 103 year old Anne Pritchett. I met her at church about 20 years ago. I send her e-cards on holidays and birthday cards on her birthday in May. I will write a letter to her today.
How wonderful! I did this a few years ago and was so blessed by it. Time to do it again! Thanks for the nudge😉 My first note will be to a special elderly friend in Pennsylvania. We met at a Precepts Ministry conference in Chattanooga years ago , and though we’ve never gotten to see each other again, we have remained close friends. She has the same first and last name as my mother. Letter coming your way Gladys!
I just recently discovered you! You are truly my kind of a person 🙂 love your ideas, projects, way of writing, content, the bright, cheerful fabrics you use, etc. What is the name of the pattern of the quilt your mom made in the pic?
Life happens and haven’t been able to call a 99 yr. old neighbor (now in Assisted Living not close to us), so he will be the Lift Someone Up person this week.
What a beautiful response to a wonderful person to get us all in a challenge !
i
I have two cousins on either side of my parents families. We have been in touch since the two of us were 13 and almost in touch the same age. I am a native California girl and both of my cousins are in the states of Missouri and Illinois. We are now in our 70’s and it has been great!
I will pass this challenge on to them. I think they may be interested in joining in.
I am 77 have a small homestead with the remainder of our family LaMancha dairy goats that was a 4-H project run a muck since 1983.
I am a widow since 2018 and live now in a new area of the Sierra Nevada’s. Along with chickens, a garden of course and two Shetland sheep to feed my fiber addition with a spinning wheel and loom.
I am up for the challenge. The first person on my list is my oldest Daughter, Audra.
She is going through a great deal right now. I want to let her know how loved she is and
That I am beside her 100%
I am definitely up for the challenge – it’s not only young people who tend to choose an unduly or text message over a phone call or a written letter – I find myself doing that, too at the age of 74 – the first person I will send a letter to is my dear friend Kim in St. Marie’s, ID – my former neighbor – we talk by text every single day but zI j ow receiving a. And written letter from me would surely brighten her day – what a great plan you came up with!
Dear Dori,
I have been recently going through a lot of rejection from/atives and I have been struggling to find joy. I always tell people when you are feeling down to reach out and do things for others. Unfortunately, I have left myself in a position where I am not taking my own advice. The first person I am going to reach out to is my husband. He is my Rock and my joy. Lately I have not been much fun to be around. He’s always the first to grab a pile of Kleenex when I’m unable to contain my weeping. He is the one that always gets the mail, so I am going to write him a letter. My list is long behind his name. Thank you for the reminder. Let us find joy together in this sometimes painful and tumultuous world.
Hugs
Jenny
I love this idea. I have quite a few people to put on my list but I am starting with a cousin who is going through some health issues. If I can write a letter to him that is half as nice as the one his wife writes I will count that as a very bit score.
Dori, this is a wonderful idea and I will join in. I make cards and try to send them but this will help me be more focused about it.
I, too, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease . . . in June 2021. It has changed my life and lifestyle very significantly, bringing difficult challenges. I’m not as active on the Farmgirl Connection as before, but I’ve managed to participate a bit more in the last couple years.
Thank you so much for sharing about your mom and your idea.
CJ
I have sent two custom made cards with hand written letters recently. One was to a friend I hadn’t seen in quite some time as I had moved out of state years ago and the other to an Artist friend/teacher. Thought it would be nice to let her know that I was grateful for everything she has taught me. I thoroughly enjoyed the process. I did not dash these off, I took my time,3-4 days, I was thoughtful about my presentation…I even ended up paying quite a bit for postage as my cards were wonky sizes…giant butterfly and a giant sun…cost me $8 each. They both reached out after receiving them…thankful with joyful tears…said it made their day….and that made my day.
Your mother and the quilt are both beautiful. My sisters and I have been doing a Do Good project for 5 years now. We get together and think of something to do for each week in a year. Yep, 52 things! We check off each week as we compete the projects. It is so fun and fulfilling. We have letter writing one week every month, and it can’t be an email or text. Other things include leave a treat for mail person, flowers in church, visit a neighbor, take a bag of things to donate to a shelter, make cookies and share in honor of our parents, call a cousin we haven’t seen for a long time, feed birds or wildlife and so on. We enjoy this so much! This coming week is letter writing and I already know my recipient. I enjoy getting letters so much, and that’s why we have it 12 times a year, and your project will make So Many people happy! Keep People Smiling!
I’ve been working on a design to sew a darling fabric casserole carrier… something like a purse to carry your casserole to a potluck! And I’m ready to share it so you can make it too!
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I’ve written a detailed pattern for you to follow and you can click the link here to print it, or save it to your computer to use later!
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I used a really fun fabric that is bright, colorful and felt very much like my kitchen! This fabric came in a jelly roll – 2.5 inch strips and it really made it perfect for this project. You can also cut 2.5 inch strips from any fabric that you love. I also did a quick machine quilting along each side of the seams; its a great way to give a project like this some dimension!
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The carrier uses velcro to keep it closed. And cotton webbing for the strap handles. I chose to use some of my left over fabric strips to sew onto the webbing… my pattern shares a really quick and fun way to attach it.
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I “hid” my velcro stitching on the outside of the carrier by sewing a cute little fabric patch from a fabric selvedge I had saved!
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I’m looking forward to the next potluck I go to… so I can carry my casserole dish in Farmgirl Style! I hope you’ll make one for yourself! Be sure to let me know if you do!
Perfect timing!
I just got some glass 9 x 13 glass dishes and desperately want to store in bags that will protect while in storage, insulate the food and help transport safely! How clever you are. My sister married name was Trautmann by the way! Thanks, I am now motivated to clean my sewing room just so I can make the bags!
I head up the card ministry at my church. I would love to send these snapshot cards to many people in my church. The first card I would send would be to Ruth, who just had to put her husband of 70 years into an assisted living dementia home. She is feeling very grateful that he is in the right place but sad that he cannot be home with her.
❤️
What a WONDERFUL idea! I’d been doing something like this but the List is even better! Sine only my cousin lives nearby and has been my ROCK, she’ll be the first on my List!!
Hi!! I’m here in the small town of Decorah, IA. Born and raised here on a small farm Northeast of town. I read this email and your blog I really liked the idea of writing to everyone who’s special to me. My goal is to send a letter to people I haven’t seen in quite some time. I’m planning to sit down write now to make my list!!
Hello dear friends! When MaryJane shared with me that the upcoming magazine (April/May/June) will have a section on family recipes, I had just returned home from New Mexico where I spent 10 solid days helping my dear Momma turn her collection of recipes into a cookbook. My mother had started this project over 30 years ago… and due to all the normal busyness of life, that project got put in a drawer. It has been a dream of mine to help her get these recipes typed up and compiled into a book for the girls (and guys!) in the family. My mother is turning 89 soon and I just felt like there was no way I could let this project go another year without getting it done! I worked 8-10 hours a day, with Mom mostly by my side, where we re-typed, re-wrote, edited, and tried to make heads or tails of recipes that were missing pieces!
I love it! Dori, how did you determine the fabric to binder size? When my old boss was clearing out unused files, he let us take the large ring binders. I’ve used mine for recipes, but it’s big and black with state logos on it – so ugly! This would be the perfect solution.
I laid the open binder flat and measured that and added about an inch on each side all the way around. If I remember correctly I trimmed after I had quilted and confirmed the size. The measurements in my tutorial will be accurate for a 1.5″ wide 3 ring binder. Email me if you have any more questions or need help figuring it out if you binders are a different size! redfeedsack@gmail.com
I love your post! It was so sweet reading about your mother and her parents and how they and the ranch weathered the depression and other times. I would love to read more about them and their recipes, and your memories. Such a loving tribute. Your post started my Sunday so special, many thanks!
Your story of your Mother a You is so touching to my heart and so beautifully an perfectly written Special Moments for sure My Mother will be 90 March 13. The recipes are sure to be treasured just like the Mothers who prepared those wonderful recipes. Thanks so much, just Beautiful ❤️
Dori – This is adorable – I think I will attempt to make one for my small embroidery projects – I will see if I can obtain the clear vinyl inserts for the binder to hold my projects from my office supply store – also, I will probably need to incorporate a ribbon on the outside edge to allow me to tie it closed – Thanks so much for sharing – you are so talented!
I absolutely love this post – I love the idea of handed down, tried and true, time tested recipes written on index cards or tucked away in cookbooks that have stood the test of time. What a wonderful way to spend the days together – preserving the sweet memories, not only of the how-to’s, but the history behind each recipe, and the laughter around the table. It will be a handed down book to treasure. And the cookbook cover – wow, Dori, as they say, that’s the icing on the cake – oh-so pretty! So glad you had this time together – a lot of hard work for both of you!
What a gem that will be. I did something similar in a families smaller scale. My friend inspired me. She did a small cookbook of her families favorite meals over the years and printed them up and gave them to each of her children. I asked permission to steal her project with my own and I did.
My children absolutely loved it. In fact, my son gobbled it up. We had our own names for different meals. We call them” awful waffles” even though were not awful at all! that
And interestingly enough, to my surprise, my son, even though my daughter appreciated the book my son kept referencing it whenever I’d see him and he was so glad to have those recipes.
This sounds like the THE BEST cookbook!!!! What a great gift to your children. We do forget how much the boys in the family love our food and our recipes!
Beautiful Dori, I too love the binder. But was special to me was hearing about you and your working together on the recipes for a book. You and your mom created lasting memories for others in your family☺️
Thank you for sharing your time with your mom.
Sadly I do not sew on the machine I will hand sew if I must. At 70 I just not sure I could make the binder cover. I am anxious to see some of the girls who replied that are friends of mine their covers.
Thank you so much, I do love your blog💕
I found that I was losing special recipes and decided to type up my recipes and print them off and place them in a binder. I placed the recipe pages in sheet protectors. I then made several binder cookbooks for my young adult children for christmas gifts. My husband then asked that we add childhood stories and photos to the recipe pages. We have made several new editions and will now be adding recipes and stories from our daughter in law. Such fun!
I really love this story. WHen I was in my 30’s I developed cancer and was going through treatments. I had allergic reactions to the drugs and was very sick. But I still wanted to do something to keep my brain going when I was bored and not getting sick. I wrote a letter to each of my relatives. (I had 8 sets of Aunts and Uncles and 30 1st cousins.). GOt the favorite recipe for every person in the family. ANd my Momand I went through bags of recipes that she had from grandparents and distant relatives. I then typed it up, created
an individual cover and gave one to all my relatives. It took all summer but I ws too sick to do anything else so I had the time. It has been a great treasure. Now everyone is saying they have used it so much it is now falling apart and they need new, updated ones.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
~ Mark Twain
Debbie Bosworth
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.’”
Being a farmgirl is not
about where you live,
but how you live.
Rebekah Teal
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.
“Keep close to Nature’s heart … and break clear away once in awhile to climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods, to wash your spirit clean.”
~ John Muir
Cathi Belcher
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.”
“Wherever you go, no matter the weather, always bring your own sunshine.”
~ Anthony J. D’Angelo
Dori Troutman
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.
Wyoming cattle rancher and outpost writer (rider), shares the “view from her saddle.” Shery is a leather and lace cowgirl-farmgirl who’s been horse-crazy all of her life. Her other interests include “junktiques,” arts and crafts, glamping, collecting antique china, and cultivating mirth.
Mary Murray
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!
Libbie’s a small town farmgirl who lives in the high-desert Sevier Valley of Central Utah on a 140-year-old farm with her husband and two darling little farmboys—as well as 30 ewes; 60 new little lambs; a handful of rams; a lovely milk cow, Evelynn; an old horse, Doc; two dogs; a bunch o’ chickens; and two kitties.
René Groom
Previous Rural Farmgirl, April 2009 – May 2010
René lives in Washington state’s wine country. She grew up in the dry-land wheat fields of E. Washington, where learning to drive the family truck and tractors, and “snipe hunting,” were rites of passage. She has dirt under her nails and in her veins. In true farmgirl fashion, there is no place on Earth she would rather be than on the farm.
Farmgirl spirit can take root anywhere—dirt or no dirt.
Nicole Christensen
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”.
Previous Suburban Farmgirl, October 2009 – October 2010
Paula is a mom of four and a journalist who’s partial to writing about common sense and women’s interests. She’s lived in five great farm states (Michigan, Iowa, New York, Tennessee, and now North Carolina), though never on a farm. She’s nevertheless inordinately fond of heirloom tomatoes, fine stitching, early mornings, and making pies. And sock monkeys.
Debbie Fischer 
Nicole Christensen 
Denise 
Debbie Emley 
Grace Brown 
Pamela Frey 
Sandy Keller 
Donna Forrest 
Darlene Riboldi 
Cindi J 
Heather N. 
Denise 
Dianna 
Terry Garratt 
Sylvia Cissi Kennedy Jacobus 
Dori Troutman 
Debi L Petty 
kathy ramirez 
Tenia Griggers 
Glenna May Fugate 
Mary Fleischmann 
Margaret Hofknecht 
Dana Okerman 
Kathryn Rose Edsall 
Vicky. J Mullins 
Glenda Ferguson 
Katrina March 
Marl 
Kathy Powell 
Eileen 
Mary Murray 
Denene Hisgen 
Sabrena Orr 
Charlotte Major 
Carleen Sisler 
shawna 
Diane B 
Kelly 
Donna Worthen 
Shari Doty 
Connie 
Nancy 
Dawn 
Rebeca 
Debbie Klann 
Nicole Lendel 
Peggy King 
Anita 
Lynn Dacosse 
Debi Chandler 
ann riddle 
Marybeth R 
AmiePairie 
Sandra King 
Lesa Shoutz 
Deanna 
Charlene Gravely 
Olivia Stephens 
Linda Bowlby 
Carol 
Roberta Bacskay 
Nancy Joplin 
Becky Epperson 
Jenny Matlock 
Glenda York 
Dorothy Sparks 
Doreen Gerrish 
CJ Armstrong 
Patricia Hughes 
Ginger Louden 
Margie coffman 
Luisa Watson 
Heather Mergenthaler 
Sharon Suzanne Moran 
Brenda K Sutton 
Valerie Trader 
Meri 
TinaTina 
ELIZABETH JOHANNA 
Paulette J Smith 
It’s great that you gals got to get together
Good friends are the best!
What a lovely visit! I’m so glad that you shared it with us. It warms the heart. You two look like sisters! And the quilt coats that you make honestly are the only quilt coats that I’ve seen that I like. Maybe one day I will attempt making one.
What a wonderful week. As I read your blog I saw such similarities between the two of you and me and my best friend the number of years we had together. We both had a passion for Dairy goats and kids and 4H and it was the most wonderful special time of life. I am thrilled to be able to share with your friendship over your granola and quilts. Hug each other for me time passes way too fast.
I couldn’t agree more! 2 weeks ago my husband surprised me by flying my friend of 30+ years across the country for my 70th birthday. He also scheduled a BnB for us a few hours away in Leavenworth WA (adorable little alpine town) for 2 days. As you said: time spent together talking, shopping, walking, talking, sipping wine and, of course, more talking. Life-long friendships are the best.
Oh, what a blessing. Women need each other, don’t we? That’s why I love my 2 Bible study group ladies so much. 2 different churches, diverse ladies and a safe place to love and help each other.
I love the jacket. Is there a pattern you used? I’ve been wanting to do one also. I love you are always barefoot. Me too, lol! Lucky you have a supportive hubby.
You have a beautiful home and the views are breathtaking.
To 2 beautiful ladies, I hope you have many more years to enjoy the gift of friendship!
🌸❤️Darlene
Dori – This makes my heart so happy! I know you both had the best time, and your blog made us feel like we were right there with you! What fun you had! How special, and I love all that you did together! What a sweet friendship! Luanne is going to cherish that coat, I know! And what wonderful memories you both have. Love this blog!! Farmgirl hugs, Nicole
so sweet! what a great week you two had together. love all your quilting projects and how you have them arranged on the walls too.
Greetings from HOT, HOT KANSAS! Always enjoy your posts. The whole blog resonated so much truth about women’s friendships. You captured it so well both in words and pictures. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful visit. It warmed my heart. I am still in touch with a group of friends from Massachusetts that I went to first grade with 70 years ago! We last got together about 3 years ago and friendship never lapsed; just had a wonderful time and plan to do it again next year. Your yogurt and granola looks delicious. Maybe, you have inspired me to finally try making some!