And so another springtime begins.
Yipppeeeee! I love winter, but I love spring too!
And March 21 means—SPRING IS HERE!
For me, spring means: Continue reading
And so another springtime begins.
Yipppeeeee! I love winter, but I love spring too!
And March 21 means—SPRING IS HERE!
For me, spring means: Continue reading →
“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
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.
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.
”
~ John Muir
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’Angelo
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.
Previous Ranch Farmgirl,
Oct 2009 – Nov 2013
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.
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.
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.
Previous Rural Farmgirl,
June 2010 – Jan 2012
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.
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.
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.
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.
Your shed reminds me of Thoreau’s cabin at Walden Pond, with the sound of the animals and the wind in the trees. Maybe you could use the screen door to hang things from thing wire like notes, cards, dried flowers? The rug definitely needs to be bigger. I’d also want the strips to match the rest unless you want to make a statement with a different color or wash. From the rafters I’d hang herbs (when they come in) to dry, or flowers. Imagine the delicious scent in there when you open the door!
I would white wash the new wood inside and fine more old tools to hang on the walls. I like the weathered look on the outside, gives it character that it has earned sitting out there all these years.
It is just lovely!
I think you did a fantastic job with your new space! It looks very elegant. Enjoy!
I think I would white wash all of it…so light and airy…and then maybe do a gauzy drapy thing from the rafters. And definitely curtains…but that’s just me. I would make it a retreat/workspace. With something to take a nap on….just in case.
Smitten with your little wash house! What a perfect office. Of course, if it were mine I’d have it full of spinning wheels and dye pots until it was completely overrun and likely unrecognizable.
I think staining the strips of wood to match the chestnut would look great.
As for the rafters, you’re in an area where old handmade white oak baskets can be found for a song. Whenever I’m in a thrift store I scan the baskets. Goodwill sells them for one dollar each! The ‘real’ ones are easy to spot. They’re heavy, well made and have a lovely patina. I have a few that are probably close to one hundred years old. Antique baskets aren’t abundant (nor rare) but what a thrill to come across one and hold a bit of history in your hands.
Looks like you are on the right path with that cute little “She Shed”! Love the floor color and the clearance light fixture. If you go to Facebook and search She Shed, there is a whole group on there with fabulous ideas. The newest edition of Vintage Outdoors Magazine has an article on She Sheds and using repurposed items. I am currently working on my own little She Shed. I have found an old iron crib that I am repurposing into a little settee and I am making a ticking mattress and burlap coffee sack skirt and pillows. I can’t wait to see what you come up with and looking forward to other farmgirl suggestions.
How lovely!!! I think you are off to super start! Some questions I have – do you want to use this “special” place year round? If so – do you want to insulate the walls (will you be putting in a ceiling). I would definitely get a caulking gun and seal up all those holes and wind gaps – I share your snake feelings. Really you have your perfect “quiet/special retreat.”
And you know, you don’t want it to “be just perfect” at the first – you will find the other perfect things for your retreat as your venture about and what fun adding those new purchases along with their stories to your special retreat! Enjoy, enjoy!!
Love your Studio/Office/Shed. Could you maybe call it “My Place?”
If I had such a place, I would put a larger rug on the floor because I like to get my toes nekkid and feel the warm of the rug and the cold of the concrete and I’d probably whitewash those dark boards, but just because the furniture is pretty much dark and the ceiling is dark and the whitewash would make the building a bit brighter.
And, is screen door screened? If so, I’d put that up and use it to let the air in in the summer. I, personally, hate bugs flying around. I love bugs, I just don’t like the flying around my head bugs.
But then, that building is pretty well perfect as it is and if you’re happy with it the way it is – leave it alone. But, I don’t want to think about those skins and what they were encasing. Snakes have their place and lots of work to do. I just don’t want it to be my place or scaring me as part of their work.
Enjoy your building – Susan
I just love your blogs!! It makes me so happy to know that you are living your dream. I admit to being envious. I sure miss the farms and mountains and nature 24/7. The horse smells, the chicken smells. Maybe it would help to put up some type of shiplap type walls to cover the cracks. This would be your place to just “BE” Maybe have the doors open and listen to the quiet or some JT. Heaven. Happy Spring xxoo
I would add a curtain and call it perfect I love it!!!!!! Marilyn Overcash
Oh be still my HEART!!!! Your wash house is so very much like the one we used when I was a kid and I ALWAYS wanted to make it into ‘my place’, so now I am living through your beautiful building. First of all LOVE the color of the floor, I would probably find colorful items to hang on the walls and rafters, you know just fun things, not all have to be useful, probably would whitewash the walls for the brightness they would impart, and our wash house was whitewashed. I would use the screen door either in a corner or attach it with hinges to a side wall, kind of like a divider but still could display on either side of it, like post cards, notes etc. oh yeah a a bright something or other too. Jeepers what a fun building and I am sure you will make it spectacular, especially when the ‘guests’ are not hanging around. Up dates will be great fun to see. Thanks for sharing. God bless.
Here is my two cents: Definitely curtains. I am thinking maybe a small wood burning stove, so you can be in there when it’s cold, and I’d consider hanging the screen door ON the door frame, so you can be in there when it’s stifling. Otherwise, it looks fabulous!
You are so blessed. Would you insulate it so you can use it in winter too. It is like a tiny home. Day bed, water, …..
Best blog ever!
Oh how lovely! A bit of white wash could really brighten the wash house and lots of potted greenery too. Perhaps an old French linen or fine lace curtains at the windows?
My great-grandfather kept a small wood house on his farm by the creek. It was his quiet place, lit by candles and oil lamps. Painted wood floors and hand made furniture and rag rugs, it was so peaceful and nurturing. You are creating your own quiet space!
Good job!
Jennifet
It is beautiful and so peaceful. I would add several strings of “Christmas Lights” or white or colored lights. You could even get the solar ones if you do not have enough power. They would add a calm feeling and more peace.
Enjoy.
It looks great! You are good at decorating. I think string lights would look good hanging throughout the rafters.
I have so many ideas for your wash house..LOL I would put screen in the screen door and hang it inside the outside door. That way you could prop the other door open and have a bit of breeze blow through. I would finish the inside walls with white paint or at least stain the light bits to blend in with the dark. But I am a fan of white.
I think you might be a gardener? You could hang a few herbs from the ceiling and they would smell nice and dry well. Perhaps some dried flowers. Gauze curtains or eyelet curtains would be perfect or just a valence would be nice as well.
Above all, enjoy the space and leave room to tweak it later as you use it. Love the turquoise floor, it is my absolute favourite colour.
What a lovely start!!! I’d whitewash it, to make it lighter. I’m all about light and airy. I’d also get a larger rug. When selecting a rug, make sure you have the colors in it that make you happy. The rug will be like a focal point. Then, any pillows, curtains, etc. can also contain some of the colors from the rug. It’d tie it all together. I’d hang the screen door on one of the walls. (you can never have enough happy memories) You can get some hooks to hang things off the screening. Just remember this. No matter what items you purchase or bring from the house to place in your new wash house, they should make you happy. If they don’t, they don’t belong there.
Wow, a lot going on your mountain. I seem to still be waiting for spring. The ponds have thawed out and our mallard couple have returned but do not spend much time on the pond yet. We are supposed to get a significant snowfall this week which could cause my woodworker some frowns because he already took plow off of tractor. What a space! Oh how fun it would be to spend time in and surround yourself with objects you love! In my potting shed left behind that hubs built at previous home he put in cross boards between the studs that go from ceiling to floor, I used those to sit all kinds of fun objects. I love the color you painted the floors. I would wash some sort of color over those boards, but I like lots of color. A quilt on your bench? Some old mason jars with candles sitting or hanging from wires. Love your light what a deal you got! An easil with picture of your horse or maybe a canvas for you to paint on yourself. I do hope you enjoy your space!
LOVE IT!!!!! Yes, to curtains! Precious. Larger rug, yes! Cozy.
I need a little retreat like that. My deck does that for me now. But in the winter I need a little hovel.
Enjoy your sanctuary! ❤️
I love your old wash house and what you’ve done so far. I, too, would get a bigger rug or add strips of gunny sack material around the edges to enlargen it. How about strips of gunny sack and fabric sewn together to make cafe type curtains. Enjoy your new space!
I love your shed!!! It’s beautiful. I would stain the new wood to blend with the old. I love the look of the old weathered wood. Does the screen door have metal screen? Could it be used with magnets to use as a bulletin board type surface? I would hang it on the wall behind your desk and do that some way. Since it is your space/work space, I would put the things you love in the cabinet on the wall, so each time you glance that way, you will smile. Hope you enjoy your space!
Ooo the wonderful things of spring! Your pie recipe sounds delicious and I will be trying it out this spring! I love your new space and think you have done very well at decorating it. Your turquoise floor is my favorite! If it were me I wouldn’t do much more. I actually like the two colors on the wall and your layout. Enjoy your new space and the wonderful sounds that accompany it.
A day bed in case a nap is needed.
What a darling rustic wash house…inside and out!! Wish I had one! I would stain the wood a bit darker to match what is already there, otherwise you would have to do the whole ceiling too and I think it is better left rustic as it was intended to be. Your usage of vintage furniture adds the color and lighter shades needed….and YES, hang up some baskets (newer ones are easily found for cheap in thrift stores and garage sales) and maybe hang some drying herbs/ flowers and such. Scatter a few old vintage laundry room items about, wash tubs, whatever.
Hope you have tons of fun with it….I certainly would. :>))
I would use the screen door as a bulletin board- either propped or hanging on a wall. You can use paper clips or something like that to hang artwork etc. from the screens and change easily. Or you could use the screen door as a screen door!
I envision a need for a daybed or camping cot for naps, so a screen door where you could have a breeze on the warmer days would be nice for keeping bugs out… Or you might decide you need a ceiling fan. I just keep thinking of it being a place for afternoon broad daylight naps!
Agreed a daybed would be fantastic!
Rebekah…. lots of things come to my mind. But the first one? Put your bench back on your porch; you need a cozy spot to sit with a QUILT!!!!!! A lovely, home made lap quilt draped on the back of your cozy sitting spot. I think it and a cozy chair would add some warmth to the room. Love your space. I, of course, would make it my sewing studio! 🙂 But it does make a lovely office studio too. Great job! Wish I could see it in person!
– Dori –
Your Old Wash House is a great space and you’ve got a great start. Take your time and relax into the space. What to do will come to you and it will totally be you. Our ideas would be just that, ours. Enjoy.
What a cute personal space just for Y-O-U! I like the color you chose for the floor. That light was a steal wasn’t it? *giggle* I agree with some of the others, a white-wash to brighten it up inside, small white lights thru-out the rafters(might have a double use… keeping snakes away), and use that screen door girlie… keep you cool & keep critters out while you sit and contemplate & create and dream. Oh, and maybe hang a hoop-chair?… what are they called?… folks have they hanging on their porches?… made of rope with a big pillow-type cushion in them… so you can cuddle in & swing, spin and relax! Oh yeah… sounds nice! Enjoy, whatever you choose! Very nice place!
You need more textiles! Vintage curtains would be great. Also that ols screen door could be used to display items. Staple ribbon along the openings like a French message board. Use for pics or to do lists. I would hang shelves up and display any collection or just things you love. The rafters could be wrapped on globe lighta for an ambient effect. Also green plants. You love on a lovely farm.but I love some green inside as well.
Love hearing about the wind, the bullfrogs and the horses. Very evocative!
LOVE LOVE LOVE your little wash house, it is adorable. I would if it were me, put insulation in the walls and close them up only for comfort, and I would definitely hang herbs and flowers to dry from the rafters. Maybe put a wood burning stove, I wish I still had mine, I actually had an old cast iron wash stove. they are small and oval shaped. Just some thoughts but what an awesome retreat to go to. Be Blessed. Neta
Your old wash house is absolutely amazing! I need a place like that for my granddaughter and I to play or work or whatever.
Lovely! I agree with the others about a wood burning stove. Hmmm a washhouse? I think I’d add a “tip of the hat” to its past and work in some vintage white enamelware tubs/basins etc. Many pieces were designed to be stored on a wall when not in use and have a hole ready to hang.
What’s not to love about the Old Wash House? First, a Welcome to the Old Wash House sign above the door respecting the original function. Although white wash would look great – please don’t do anything to that beautiful wormy chestnut. I would stain the strips. It’s all about being a reflection of you and what you love; photos, meaningful accessories everywhere. I love and use vintage, antique and just plain old objects that remind me of my childhood and grandma’s house. A wood stove is rustic and functional. Go up there and get to know it at different times of the day, seeing where the light/sun filters in. With the dark walls. light airy curtains sound great. An overstuffed comfy chair and day bed will soften the wood and add color. Book shelves somewhere free standing or built in. Have fun – want one.
I’d whitewash the interior, use the screen door for the doorway if it fits, you will get bugs in there if the door/window is open. I would paint the exterior barn red or leave it.
It’s very cute. I’d hang gauzy curtains and swag the rafters with a little banner maybe for fun. If you like little trailers but don’t have the time to fix up a vintage, check out t@b trailers…I have one and love it!
Howdy Rebekah!
Wow girl! Lots of great things going on at the farm! It looks like country life is doing right by you. The old wash house is a farmgirl dream come true. Love what you’ve done so far. So many great suggestions for you above but I’ll throw my hat in the ring just for fun. I would whitewash the inside and paint the floor a cheery color or an earthy green. I’d add a comfy chair/loveseat or even a daybed for daydreaming, with a quilt, comforter or throw. A wood stove ( they have electric ones now ) for added warmth in the fall. Then I’d personalize it with photos of you, your family and animals. And fresh flowers of course! 😉 Lastly, I’d install a security system cuz I’m comin’ for your wash house! Actually, I’ve got a shed full of old windows waiting to be installed in my flower studio/shed this year. Cannot wait for that! Happy Spring, sister!
xo Deb ( Beach Farmgirl )
Oh wait.. Cheery colored floor, CHECK! Love that color!