The day we had been waiting for–mostly patiently and largely excitedly–finally came on the evening (well, more like night, it was 10 p.m.) of Sunday, August 18. A beat up moving truck rolled into Matt and Amanda’s driveway and out stepped a dreadlocked man named Georgie and his lanky partner, whose name escapes me (maybe Seth?). They were the bearers of our new living abode, our very own yurt; and they were only 48 days late.
A Farmgirl and her Almost Yurt!
One of the blessings of being a conscientious Farmgirl is the intuitive need to make others happy. This is also one of the curses. Perusing through MaryJanesFarm magazine, we see hints of this drive in all of us–great ways to host a brunch, perfect gifts to make for hosts of parties, or stylish and practical ways to organize all of our duties in easy to navigate folders, drawers or other storage. We are often looking at the others in our lives and how to make their experiences as comfortable, memorable and great as possible. Perhaps this is something innate in all women, but it is especially heightened in Farmgirls all over. It’s what we do–we take care of our families, our animals, our vegetables and our other labors of love. We want to make everyone as happy as possible in any way that we are able. And (overall) we love it.
Jon and Stef Visit Alaska–And these tres amigos were all happy!
Joan says: Oh how nice to have a CSA in your area – there are noises being made that we might get one going in our area – YEA!!! even though I am not physically able to do much I will do all I can to help out, think it will be fun for this old farm girl to have time with the soil. God Bless
Karen Pennebaker says: How on earth do you grow all this in Alaska? I live in a wooded area of West Virginia, where my garden gets bright sun 6 to 8 hours a day in summer due to being in a deep hollow surrounded by the woods…here it is August and our nights have not been warm enough for the tomatoes to do well. Green rocks, that’s what I have…and small rocks for the most part. We have only had about 10 days of good hot summer weather all summer and rain most of the summer…mud, weeds and slow growing veggies!! However, I do have good luck in ANY weather with White Half Runner Beans. They will climb 8 feet (maybe higher, if you put the on something higher) – never did know why they called them "half runner" when they climb better than pole beans!!
Looks like you have a good life there!
Robin Reichardt says: That’s happiness!That blueberry stained grin! Oh to be a kid again up in the mulberry tree, picking and snacking with stained fingers.
Living in the round. What does it bring to your mind? For me, it brings images of living in our future yurt (the yurt whose delivery date has been put off time and time again–but it will get here sometime!). It can bring to mind images of embracing the cycles of life–whether they are long or short. Living in the round can remind us of gathering with friends and family and how circles are often formed when groups of people who love each other get together. It can also conjure up images of all of the roundness around us: the world as a whole, the sun, the moon, delicious fruits and vegetables, eyes in disbelief, Ferris wheels and donuts. A brief Google search reveals, though, that most people refer to this phrase when talking about living in yurts (my original thought)
One of my favorite vegetables in the round, growing in the roundish hoophouse.
But I have a much different reason to refer to Living in the Round: it has to do with the roundness of our physical bodies. So much of our bodies is round: our heads, our eyes, And some of the best parts of our anatomies….
Jan says: Congratulations, Alex! You reminded me of a wonderful woman that I met at a farmer’s market in the small town of St. Maries, ID. I was purchasing organic beets (my recent addiction!) and we were discussing her planting sites in the area. I looked at her hands and saw the short nails, complete with the embedded soil…What I saw was strength! Her glowing face and the twinkle in her eye told all…
Very happy for you and picturing the yurt!
Adrienne says: First of all, I wish you and Evan a healthy pregnancy with no complications. Second, I hope your yurt arrives soon so you can prepare it before winter and the spring arrival of your little one. May you want for nothing. Mazel tov!
Ace says: That so exciting Alex!! Congratulations on your pregnancy from all of us at MaryJanesFarm! 🙂
Laura says: It’s good to see you never stop growing; as a person, a farmer, a woman and now a mother. Congratulations on your living in the round (squared) Lol
Meredith says: Congratulations Alex and Evan! Wishing you all the best!
Congratulations Alex! I can’t think of a better farming companion that a baby! You’ll raise him/her right from the start! Many blessings to you and Evan. Can’t wait for both of your new arrivals… the Yurt and your new baby!
Deb ( the Beach Farmgirl )
Marion says: Alex, this is wonderful news. I love that you are excited and fully experiencing your pregnancy. I love that even in the city you dress and act as who you are. So many women could use you as an example of what a woman is, not the air-brushed models in magazines. You are living the best life, move forward with confidence and enjoy all the happiness coming your way.
Thanks for the post! It’s so inspiring to have another woman in a demanding career take the plunge into motherhood. I wish you the best of luck.
is a certified farmgirl at heart. She’s happily married to her beach bum Yankee husband of 20 years. She went from career gal to being a creative homeschooling mom for two of her biggest blessings and hasn’t looked back since. Debbie left her lifelong home in the high desert of Northern Nevada 10 years ago and washed up on the shore of America’s hometown, Plymouth, MA, where she and her family are now firmly planted. They spend part of each summer in a tiny, off–grid beach cottage named “The Sea Horse.”
“I found a piece of my farmgirl heart when I discovered MaryJanesFarm. Suddenly, everything I loved just made more sense! I enjoy unwinding at the beach, writing, gardening, and turning yard-sale furniture into ‘Painted Ladies’ I’m passionate about living a creative life and encouraging others to ‘make each day their masterpiece.’”
is a “MaryJane Farmgirl” who lives in a large metropolitan area. She is a lawyer who has worked in both criminal defense and prosecution. She has been a judge, a business woman and a stay-at-home mom. In addition to her law degree, she has a Masters of Theological Studies.
“Mustering up the courage to do the things you dream about,” she says, “is the essence of being a MaryJane Farmgirl.” Learning to live more organically and closer to nature is Rebekah’s current pursuit. She finds strength and encouragement through MaryJane’s writings, life, and products. And MaryJane’s Farmgirl Connection provides her a wealth of knowledge from true-blue farmgirls.
an old-fashioned farmgirl with a pioneer spirit, lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. As a “lifelong learner” in the “Live-Free-or-Die” state, she fiercely values self-reliance, independence, freedom, and fresh mountain air. Married to her childhood sweetheart of 40+ years (a few of them “uphill climbs”), she’s had plenty of time to reinvent herself. From museum curator, restaurant owner, homeschool mom/conference speaker, to post-and-beam house builder and entrepreneur, she’s also a multi-media artist, with an obsession for off-grid living and alternative housing. Cathi owns and operates a 32-room mountain lodge. Her specialty has evolved to include “hermit hospitality” at her rustic cabin in the mountains, where she offers weekend workshops of special interest to women.
“Mountains speak to my soul, and farming is an important part of my heritage. I want to pass on my love of these things to others through my writing. Living in the mountains has its own particular challenges, but I delight in turning them into opportunities from which we can all learn and grow.”
Dori Troutman is the daughter of second generation cattle ranchers in New Mexico. She grew up working and playing on the ranch that her grandparents homesteaded in 1928. That ranch, with the old adobe home, is still in the family today. Dori and her husband always yearned for a ranch of their own. That dream came true when they retired to the beautiful green rolling hills of Tennessee. Truly a cattleman’s paradise!
Dori loves all things farmgirl and actually has known no other life but that. She loves to cook, craft, garden, and help with any and all things on their cattle farm.
describes herself as a goat charmer, chicken whisperer, bee maven, and farmers’ market baker renovating an 1864 farmhouse on an Ohio farm. With a degree in Design, Mary says small-town auctions and country road barn sales "always make my heart skip a beat thinking about what I could create or design out of what I’ve seen.”
Rooted in the countryside, she likes simple things and old ways … gardening, preserving the harvest, cooking, baking, and all things home. While you might find her selling baked goods from the farm’s milkhouse, teaching herself to play the fiddle, or sprucing up a vintage camper named Maizy, you will always find her in an apron!
Mary says, “I’m happiest with the simple country pleasures … an old farmhouse, too many animals, a crackling fire, books to read, and the sound of laughter … these make life just perfect.”
is a budding rural farmgirl living in Palmer, the agricultural seat of Alaska. Alex is a graduate student at Alaska Pacific University pursuing an M.S. in Outdoor and Environmental Education. She lives and works on the university’s 700 acre environmental education center, Spring Creek Farm. When Alex has time outside of school, she loves to rock climb, repurpose found objects, cross-country ski on the hay fields, travel, practice yoga, and cook with new-fangled ingredients.
Alex grew up near the Twin Cities and went to college in Madison, Wisconsin—both places where perfectly painted barns and rolling green farmland are just a short drive away. After college, she taught at a rural middle school in South Korea where she biked past verdant rice paddies and old women selling home-grown produce from sidewalk stoops. She was introduced to MaryJanesFarm after returning, and found in it what she’d been searching for—a group of incredible women living their lives in ways that benefit their families, their communities, and the greater environment. What an amazing group of farmgirls to be a part of!
Suburban Farmgirl Nicole Christensen calls herself a “vintage enthusiast”. Born and raised in Texas, she has lived most of her life in the picturesque New England suburbs of Connecticut, just a stone’s throw from New York State. An Advanced Master Gardener, she has gardened since childhood, in several states and across numerous planting zones. In addition, she teaches knitting classes, loves to preserve, and raises backyard chickens.
Married over thirty years to her Danish-born sweetheart, Nicole has worked in various fields, been a world-traveler, an entrepreneur and a homemaker, but considers being mom to her now-adult daughter her greatest accomplishment. Loving all things creative, Nicole considers her life’s motto to be “Bloom where you are planted”.
This is just so VERY awesome. Love the pics. Love your
fortitude. Can I move in with you?
Awesome article! I was not aware of what a "yurt" was and am completely amazed on the building process. I laughed when you described the incomplete instructions – have had experiences like that in the past! Looking forward to future blogs on your new home!
what an adventure! Thanks for sharing : )
It amazes me how bad instructions are for things (and some come with no instructions at all, which is worse!) – looks like you all figured it out, though. Enjoy your new home. Is there insulation in the walls? I’m thinking "brrrr" when I think of Alaska!
I’m a new Farmgirl (well, probably "old" farmgirl, but new to the Sisterhood.
I discovered MaryJane’s magazine while up in Homer, AK for three months last winter as a granny nanny for our traveling nurse daughter’s new baby —
I loved cross-country skiing on the hayfields — my second trip to AK– what an amazing place! Great blog!
I’m jealous in many ways!! I’ve been dreaming of living in a yurt and living in Alaska for over 20 years!!! What yurt company did you use?
How very exciting!! Can’t wait to see more pics in the future.
Hello Alex,
I want to thank you so much for sharing your & Evan’s experiences during the yurt building process, I am totally in awe of you. It certainly takes a very special kind of woman to live the life you have chose, which I admire to the stars & back, as it is exactly the life I wanted to live, but allowed my Mom to talk me out of it. Never stop living your dreams, the rest of us who want to but can’t will follow your blog and enjoy it immensely! May God continue to richly bless you & your family. Can’t wait for more pics~