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“
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 TwainDebbie 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.’”
Column contents © Deb Bosworth. All rights reserved.
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.
Column contents © Rebekah Teal. All rights reserved.
“
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.
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~ John MuirCathi 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.”
Column contents © Cathi Belcher. All rights reserved.
“
Wherever you go, no matter the weather, always bring your own sunshine.
”
~ Anthony J. D’AngeloDori 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.
Column contents © Dori Troutman. All rights reserved.
Shery Jespersen
Previous Ranch Farmgirl,
Oct 2009 – Nov 2013Wyoming 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.”
Column contents © Mary Murray. All rights reserved.
Farmgirl
is a condition
of the heart.Alexandra Wilson
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!
Column contents © Alexandra Wilson. All rights reserved.
Libbie Zenger
Previous Rural Farmgirl,
June 2010 – Jan 2012Libbie’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 2010René 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”.
Column contents © Nicole Christensen. All rights reserved.
Paula Spencer
Previous Suburban Farmgirl,
October 2009 – October 2010Paula 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.
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Winter Schminter
Generally speaking, we don’t get as much snow accumulation as some places in the north country. We jokingly say that we get twelve inches of wind with our snow. I’ve never been able to make a friend of the wind. Winter isn’t so bad if you don’t have wind blowing snow in your face and down your neck.
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Beautiful pictures!! I love the cold as long as it is not wet. I do like your cat, speed-scooch backwards. And in the South, usually what we have is "wet" cold!! When we have snow, everything closes. If there is a hint of snow, schools begin closing. NO one knows how to travel in the snow here. I visited Austria at Christmas one year with my daughter. It was so-o-o much fun. We did the Sound of Music tour by bus (with several feet of snow on the ground), traveled all around Salzburg, and enjoyed the sights of ice skaters. In Vienna the parents were out with their carriages, plastic over the children, but nevertheless all were out to enjoy Christmas festivities. It was soooo much fun. I don’t like being closed up indoors. This is quiet possibly why we hear "flu season" or "cold season." I’m not buying it. I’m layering and going outdoors!!
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The pictures are beautiful and I really like the one of the horse! Just beautiful. Wyoming is such a wonderful place I have seen it in the summer but never in the winter thanks for sharing!
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I love the beautiful pictures. Wyoming is one of my favorite places to visit. I would live there if my husband liked cold weather. He would be like your cat. I have music by David Walburn. He sings about Montana and this time of year being the time "to have a little fun" because "meats in the freezer, let’s go skiing." Thanks for the pictures that you post. They make me dream of going back.
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Shery, I just love how you blend your beautiful photography with your stories…:) I always think of the blue western sky when I look at them… and the back ground of your blog page too for that matter! It brings back memories of girlhood out west… Thanks for posting them… and I’m with ya on the getting outside in winter… I was peaking out my kitchen window checking out " the girls" basking in the sun in their run (during our last heat wave… 17 degree’s) I think it was, and the thought occured to me that I ought to head on out and snap a few pix of their feathers sparkling in the sun… I poured another cup of coffee and went on pondering the idea then went on to something else… Tomorrow! I’ll do it tomorrow…. Pray for sun! Stay warm and pat that beautiful horse on the neck for me will ya?
Deb~ -
I am loving loving these fotos of yours! Like getting postcards from far away!
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I love your photos and the birds are just adorable. The photos make me want to come and visit the land and all the wonderful animals you have. I love the beauty of winter from my living room window but when I have to travel to work or get somewhere in a car – I hate it! And I am one of those individuals that should be off the road when snow starts. I am counting down the days until Spring arrives and looking forward the "warm sun hitting my face". Have a wonderful day!
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Just wanted to say that I enjoyed your blog and the pictures! I myself am not a stranger to long and cold winters. Being from Alaska, where it is winter about seven months out of the year; I commiserate with you.
I loved seeing the picture the fluffy and frosty horse. It reminded me of my horse "Jewel" that I had growing up. How soft her fur against my face as I rubbed it in to her neck to keep my nose warm, and that warm wild smell that can only be truly appreciated be a girl with a horse.
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Shery, I’m what you call a fair weather outdoors person too. The cold keeps me from getting out too much. Once I do it isn’t so bad, but I don’t like all those layers. We are having a heat wave this week here in Michigan~ Maybe a ride on my ol horse will be the draw to get me out and get some exercise. Beautiful pictures by the way!
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Loved the pictures. Thanks for sharing.
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Hi Sheri, We have had a lot of snow here too,its beautiful,I don’t mind,but I have had trouble with daddy staying in the house,he is all man,at 83,and thinks he can do it all,and it is really wearing me out emotionally,I am totally terrorized that he will get out there and fall and freeze to death.I don’t have four wheel drive.Last year I wrecked my car because I was so worried about him,went through a barbed wire fence.There is nothing I can do,at least if something happens to him,He will be happy.Our farm is equally breathtakingly beautiful.It is simply heaven.Stay warm,blessed be,carol branum,lamar mo.themofarmersdaughtr@blogspot.com
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My husband grew up near the Canadian border in upstate NY so is OVER winter and doesn’t even talk much about it amazing beauty, although he loves the out of doors! I on the other hand, love winter, and have only spent a few years of my life living where there really is a winter. Here in California, winter doesn’t bring us all those beautiful sights you shared, and there is clearly a changing of the seasons and a turning inward. We live in a yurt and when all the flaps are down on the windows it is clearly an indoor cabin lifestyle, with a wood stove going. I keep telling myself I will sit and read yet still the chores of farm life, being we can grow food year around here, keep me out of doors! Thanks so much for sharing, what a beautiful life you live. How fortunate are we all?
Love, Terces -
Having moved from Hawaii, then San Diego, then Kansas City, I was not very impressed with Winter. It took a few years and an ice storm to really see the beauty in the cold outdoors, and I try to spend 30 minutes a day out no matter what.
Pretty pictures Shery, great article, Carol -
Thanks so much for the posting, love the pictures as well. Lovely thoughts about appreciating each season.
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Oh Shery,
I have to laugh @ your "when mother nature calls & we gals have to shed 40 lbs of clothing" comment…hahahha! soooo true!
I took a walk this morning around our mini orchard & my small lavender field….yikes,,,got some water/freeze damage…but that’s the way it is up here.
As for the stir crazy cats…you could not have described ‘my’ kitties any better…they must be related to yours! lol!
Well the good thing about this time of year…. it will be over soon, but till then…pass the hot cocoa & mint cookies!
hugz from the Inland NW -
It gets windy here in the *Thumb* area of Michigan they say we are a good area for the big wind mills for the wind we get. I understand finding winter beautiful but hate the wind. My dad likes feeding the birds but since he is unable to get out and do that anymore I feed them, but not as regular as he did. Boy when the feeders are empty you hardly see any birds but once they are filled every bird in the tri-county are at those feeders it seems…lol.
Keep warm.
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Oh, I know about the wind! The only thing I remind myself is that the frigid winds of winter become our blessed breezes on a hot August day when we are sweltering in the heat putting up hay!
We had our first 40 degree day yesterday after a month and a half of 10-20’s- let me tell you, all the horses and cows were simply basking on their sides in the sun- true peace. I so appreciate your ranch stories- we tend to get isolated from other folks living the same lifestyle we do! -
Ditto to the photos. So beautiful. While I am not a fan of cold weather, ironically some of my favorite art work is of winter scenes, go figure. Winter to me is best enjoyed with a warm cup of coffee from a cozy seat by a large roaring fireplace positioned perfectly to view the snowy beauty of nature out a large picture window.
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I love the feel of winter portrayed in your photos. I don’t think there is any season I really dislike. There is something I love about going out to feed the sheep in the coldest part of winter. My husband will say "do you mind helping" if his Father isn’t able to go. I wouldn’t mind going everyday. There is such a wonderful silence (other than the sheep noises) that you can’t find anywhere else when its dark and the snow is falling. And if you get in by the woolies its not so cold.
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Thank you Shery for sharing your wonderful pictures! I live in Ky~we get a few flakes of snow now and then. Mostly rain~I am a sunshine person & a horse lover. I have always lived on a farm & love it. Have been to WY several times in the summer & Love the scenery. Have a happy blessed day~you have brightened my day! Ellen
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Great pictures! I love the winter, snow etc… I too have not been able to befriend the wind, which is why I’m able to write this midday instead of being out riding. I train horses for a living in PA, but when it’s in the low 20’s with 30 mph winds I’m staying in! Cold wind makes even the sanest horse nuts! Happy Trails!
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Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now. Keep it up! And according to this article, I totally agree with your opinion, but only this time! 🙂
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I really like when people are expressing their opinion and thought. So I like the way you are writing.
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I enjoy your site and I have bookmarked it, Kind Regards
Bernice Johanson
I really enjoyed reading your blog today. I hope to live on a ranch someday soon. And reading about you helps me reach for the stars. Thank you. BTW Great pictures. I especially like the one of you.
Great pictures, and oh how I love that blue truck!!!!
Cheers –
Nice. These are thoughts I will take with me as I move through my day. (I especially LOVE the truck.) What a dad!
Have a wonderful day Shery.
Marilyn
Good Morning Shery,
Thank you so much for pointing my attention in the direction of all there is to be grateful for and how love is surrounding us all the time, no matter our circumstances. There are days on our farm when I see the dew on the blades of grass, and listen to the singing of all the birds and am brushing down our Dexter cows, or feeding the chickens and I think, "how beautiful it all is." We live in a yurt, with future plans for a house and sometimes I wonder if we’ll build the house and then move in doors, the out of doors is so inspiring!
What a great start to my day your blog this morning was.
Thank YOU.
Love, Terces
Shery…how blessed you are to still have your folks. I almost envy you and to have them close by.
Yes riding a horse is "one" of God’s blessings to us. Another is our animals. Whether they are for raising to provide food or just there for our "comfort".
Thank you for reminding us of our "garden" in our lives especially this time of year when it is cold and windy and not a lot of sun out.
May you walk in the path God has for you.
Ann
John 3:16
Thank you for the fabulous photos. I grew up a South Dakota farm girl and can vividly recall from my farm all of the blessings that surrounded me. Spring wildflowers, kittens in the barn, horses to ride and, my favorite, baby calves. Their rough tongues and big brown eyes and gawky first steps. Thank you for my memory walk this morning. ♥
Dear Shery,
You are so right! Love and goodness are all around us. Sometimes we focus on love looking a certain way, sometimes we think it should come in a green bottle, but it’s coming to us in a yellow box! I think you know what I mean, our pre-conceived notions of something can prevent us from recognizing the real deal. My life is full with a loving family….my husband, my two WONDERFUL daughters, my pets, the great outdoors I enjoy here in Kentucky and all the abundance I enjoy on a daily basis….and some chocolate never hurts either! You live a life I admire so much. I lived out West twelve years ago and always felt such joy when I was on the back of a horse! My fondest memories are of the Rocky Mountains. I think ranch people are the salt of the earth…and that means you, my dear! I love your blog! Happy Valentine’s Day to all the ladies out there that hold true to what matters in this life….LOVE!
Forget my Bonanza fantasies…Sherry you are living the real deal! (:
Shery, You’re so lucky to still have your mom,she is a pretty lady,and your daddy a handsome man.Your right, I forget to count my blessings everyday. Happy Valentines, blessed be, Carol Branum themofarmersdaughter@blogspot.com
Thanks for the lovely blog and the ’53 Ford looks great!
Hi Shery,
Love your blog, love your pictures. Wow, what a truck! You are very lucky to be surrounded by things you love.
I’m sure Valentine should be your middle name. You and I love the same things, husbands, family, horses, pets and the beautiful settings God gave us in his autograph. Have a great day and thanks for the wonderful blog. Bonnie
The old truck and the vintage tablecloths are my passion.
I only have the tablecloths but I am happy for your Dad
and you with the truck. Your ranch looks beautiful!
Beautiful flowers and some beautiful blessings as well. Thanks for sharing them with us 🙂 .
Love your blog. Shery, I also love your stories and pictures. Thank you so much for sharing. From a Virginia Country Girl.
Oh Shery,
Thank you for sharing your many "Valentines" with us…
I have many too! my hubby of 37 years, my daughter & son-in-love, my grand foster baby & my 4-legged fur babies.
blessings
>^..^<
Thank You Shery, for reminding me that after the snow and cold will come the flowers and new born calves. I look forward to each and appreciate all that god gives us. I to enjoy the many hours spent working with my valentine and am thankful he is in my life. Happy Valentines Day Shery.
Julie
I just love everything about this post. Your loving appreciation for your parents & the animals in your life. To me this is what country living is all about.
Just this month I discovered Mary Jane Magazine and it had such a calming effect I decided to check out the web site. Love your photos Sheri and what a great story about your grandparents. I too love to hunt out special finds at second-hand stores, garage sales, antique shops etc. It’s not about the bargain, but the story I know is hidden behind my treasure!
My husband and I love your post. We understand your love for your family, animals and your ranch. We have enjoyed your pictures (we love out west). Have a Happy Valentines Day.
Since I was a child my love of animals and nature has stayed with me and kept me going. After decades of city living and raising daughters I have been able to restart my country life and reclaim my love of horses though I have always had dogs, never a day without them. I now ride, show and breed Rocky Mountain horses and as always when with nature I feel free in the spirit again. We now have chickens, miniature donkeys, one who is due to deliver any day and the new baby will be starting its life journey with us. This picture of life renewing life is one of country life’s biggest gifts. My life has renewed me spiritually and has been the culmination of my life dreams to come back to simpler, greener life filled with animals. You can take the girl out of the country but not the country out of the girl. One of the greatest gifts this life has given me is allowing my beloved grandchildren to have animals be a part of their life also. It is great to live in the country and still have access to the city where my grandchildren live. I am truly blessed by God.