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Hello Farmgirl friends! Here is hoping that everyone is feeling a little back to normal… I know a lot of that has to do with where you live. But here in Middle Tennessee things are feeling a bit like old times!
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Hello Farmgirl friends! Here is hoping that everyone is feeling a little back to normal… I know a lot of that has to do with where you live. But here in Middle Tennessee things are feeling a bit like old times!
“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.
That is fabulous. She’s going to cry.
Dori, you outdid yourself. This quilt is “pure joy” to sit and look at. Thanks for sharing it with us. I think I will copy a pic of it and look at it a while longer. … Remember, when you are talking about her being important to you, …. that YOU are important to us. I get a great deal of pleasure as I read your blogs. It feels like a visit with a friend I’ve never met, and I always come away with a satisfied smile. Thank YOU Dori !
So beautiful, thank you for sharing!
What a beautiful quilt and gift.
That is such a beautiful quilt!! It’s so full of joy and caring that you can see it pouring out even through a computer screen. She is going to treasure that for a long, long time.
Beautiful quilt! Good Job!!
Dori, I love your quilt. It is beautiful. Did you make your label or purchase it? I’ve finished a much of quilts since April and have been thinking about making a similar label. Love reading your posts!
Love it, Dori! Everything about it! AND….I too feel like I have thrived. My garden is more weed-free than ever, as is the yard, and I’ve spent more quality time homeschooling our girls. We’ve gotten big projects done in the house, extra cleaning done, and a lot of junk sorted out and gotten rid of. Also, our family (five of us at home), has connected more. I also think we had those same vintage sheets. 🙂
I too have a quarantine quilt. I started and completed one during quarantine and finished another. It certainly helped get through the many weeks.
What a wonderful gift for someone in your life. I am sure that she will be surprised, and it will touch her heart that you thought about her. What a great gift that she will share for a long time to come. This virus period has been very difficult for most of us and it is not over yet. Hopefully it will be soon as I need to see my fellow co-workers and get back to life as it once was. Great Job and keep up the good spirits! Diane
Love it! The vintage sheet backing is so complimentary. What a beautiful gift from the heart.
Absolutely beautiful–both the quilt and the sentiment!
I love your quarantine quilt! Log cabin blocks have always been one of my favorites. Your coach will love it!
Beautiful, uplifting thoughts and I love your quilt!! What a wonderful gift
Where did you obtain your quilt label?
Sweet quilt and such kindness stitched into it as a special gift for a special person in your life. Hopefully the sheltering has heightened or renewed connections we all have.
Oh Dori your quilt is absolutely Beautiful really truly it is! I know your friend Marci will love it.
One big log cabin pattern is fabulous, log cabin is my favorite quilt pattern. I have made only one and it was for our Son Kent.
Thank you for sharing with us the quilt and your story.
Take care and stay safe.
Farmgirl Hugs,
Debbie
#1582
I love this! I especially love the hand quilting. Quilting by hand is so peaceful and meditative. Your friend is going to love this !
Dori
What a lovely quilt! I am sure that Marcie will love it.
Good work and good words.
Beautifully done and what a lovely gesture!
This is absolutely beautiful! And that you hand-quilted it makes it even more special. Is there a pattern/instructions for doing this (hope, hope)? I’ve never made a quilt but have been looking for a doable one for a full-size bed. My sister used to quilt, so I know a bit about Jelly Rolls. Great way to get this beauty started!
Glad things are improving in Tennessee. I’m in Western Oregon, so we’re really still going through some majorly dangerous and stressful times. But thankful for every small improvement we see!
Such a happy quilt! I love your choice of fabrics and the fact that you hand stitched it. Powerful therapy, the act of hand stitching. She’s going to love it.
So what size did the quilt end up being. It is very pretty
Dori, I love your work and your stories. How long did it take you to do the quilting?
Hi Dori,
I love your blog and the quilt you’ve created is beautiful! What a talent to have especially during the times of a pandemic when the world around us shuts down. Your friend and trainer will love it and whatever you decide to put down on paper as a thank you. Your blog demonstrates that you also have the skills of being a good writer so the words will come. when you put the pen to paper. She must be awesome to have motivated you and the others in your class to continue with the fitness routine and maintain good health during these difficult days.
Take care and all the best to you and yours,
Kathi
The quilt is beautiful. Your friend is going to love it. You are a talented lady. Glad you are doing fine as i am,too.
Marilyn
Oh, Dori … I love your quilt! I, too, have found solace in quilting and other hobbies. I’m making a quilt for my 5-year old granddaughter as well as a matching one for her dolls. I feel that the pandemic has forced me to look in the house for fulfillment and I agree that I am thriving! Great post! Thank you for it! Carol
So beautiful for sure. I love it—very original and great colors. What energy you must have to make this and be a farm girl too. You are a super woman in my book.
You are inspiring in both your words and how you spend your time. I too have made the decision to keep some of this down time as a permanent fixture in my life going forward. I’ve learned a lot about myself and what is really important to me and wouldn’t want to go back to life “before”.
The quilt is beautiful and the hand stitching very impressive.
Thank you for sharing your life with us.
I LOVE the quilt, Dori, and your always uplifting and inspirational blog!! Best wishes as we continue through this rough year….Laurel
What a beautiful gift! The hand quilting must have taken you hours! But there is nothing like hand made. Truly a gift from the heart <3
Your work is beautiful!! I’m sure she will be blown away! I’m amazed at how you speak about your few months of the COVID slow down. Here in upstate NY we are still in it and experiencing an uptick recently. It feels like we live in 2 very different worlds! It’s been a long almost 8 months with no end in sight. Thank you for sharing your work….it is a bright spot in my day! Judy
My next quilt will be a huge log cabin square! I love this quilt. I’m not actually a quilter, just 4 quilts in 20 years. But I’m inspired to finish my current quilt so I can start on this new one!
Your quilt is really beautiful. I love the colors, as well as the design. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Would you be willing to e-mail a few directions on how you connected the strips? I would love to make one for myself. Thank you
Bette Axiak
betteaxiak@gmail.com
You do a beautiful job in everything you do can see it’s all full oi love and caring , from your little cake to all the beautiful quilting you do . I look forward and wait to read your page every month and see what is new and what you have been up to.
Your always inspiriting.
Thank you
Kathy Gaughran