It is hard to believe we are in February already! I am glad, because I am feeling ready for some spring weather. (Dear, warm-weather readers, won’t you send me some sunshine)? Don’t get me wrong, I do love the four seasons, but January and February bring very cold and sometimes icy weather, and this season has been no exception! At least February is the month of love, with Valentine’s Day! February is a short month, but it is a good month to “nest” indoors and catch up.
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”.
Loved this article!! Think I’m going to make those buffalo plaid hand warmers. Would be a nice gift for my 92 year old mother-in-law who lives with us. We are in Sacramento California where it’s only snowed once in my lifetime (and I’m 63). But she’s always cold if the weather is below 70.
Hi Diana, I am so glad you enjoyed the post! I hope the hand warmers make your sweet mother-in-law’s hands toasty! Thanks for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
As a jadeite lover and collector, I love how it looks in the different seasons, with various colors of food and decor. Red and that jadeite green is one of my favorite combos-the colors side by side POP! Perfect for Valentine’s 🙂
Hi April, thank you! I totally agree! I am not a jadeite collector (yet, hee hee); I love it, but only have the one Fireking mixing bowl. I love those two colors together, as well. I really loved it at Christmas, too, with all the red. Jadeite is one of those colors that really serves as a great backdrop for other colors and pieces. Happy Valentine’s Day! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hand warmers rock!
Hi Heidi, thank you! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Happy Valentine’s Day and stay warm! Spring will be here soon!
Hi Heidi, thank you so much! Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too! Think Spring! Farmgirl Hgus, Nicole
What a great read. I live in Michigan and you’re right. I do love to see the little animal tracks♥️ No bobcats, and that’s ok happy Valentine’s Day. Which is also my 41st anniversary ♥️
Hi Brenda!! Happy Happy Anniversary to you and your sweetheart! WOW! Wonderful! I also love that your anniversary falls on Valentine’s Day…so romantic!! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Love your Hoosier!! I am thinking about stripping mine back….❤
Hi Lynne, thank you! I was so happy to find one, finally, after sooo many years of searching. I needed a smaller one to fit my space. I always thought I’d find a white one with chippy paint and maybe decals, but found this one. It was an anniversary present from my husband one year. I really love how mine is the natural wood. Let me know how yours comes out if you decide to go back! Sounds like a fun project! Farmgilr Hugs, Nicole
Live in a lil country neighborhood Garden Farms Atascadero Ca love the simple life here Hubby and I in retirement years we have Chickens live on a tight budget and Love the Lord Thank you for your blogs like a breath of fresh air to me.
Hi Jodel! It sounds wonderful where you are! Welcome to the Suburban Farmgirl Blog! I am so happy you dropped by and said hi! Thank you so much; I am so glad you enjoy my posts! It means alot! Happy Valentines to you and your hubby! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Love the pictures and the blog. Will be making the hand warmers for my husband. My husband and I are spending Feb. 14th together. Retirement is great.
Hi Patty, thank you! I am glad you enjoyed this month’s blog, and hope your hubby loves the hand warmers you make him! Enjoy your Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart. I will be cooking something special for mine that evening. Thanks for “stopping by” and saying hi! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thanks so much for the flannel hand warmer
suggestion. It’s a great idea…(I have lots of flannel) Around here there are children in the rural areas that wait for their bus outdoors for awhile and these “warmers” would be great.
I always enjoy your blog, full of cheerfulness
and Happy Energy, not to mention good ideas.
Hopefully Spring is just around the corner. Happy Valentines Day to you and your family.
Julie
Hi Julie! Thank you! That is a great idea – for the bus! I didn’t think of that. Hopefully spring is around the corner. We got a tiny bit of a thaw today. Took Pip to walk the trails. There was ice all around and only a tiny portion on the trail, so it was a nice break to see a little bit of sun. I think winter comes back full force again next week, but we are almost turning the corner! Think Spring! Happy Valentines Day, my friend. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
As usual, I love your articles. It is good to be thankful for little blessings and they are all around us. You have a gift of teaching us to open our eyes. Winter is a healing, peaceful time before the busyness of spring arrives. I must tell you that the ice crystals you photographed are called “sun dogs” out here on the great plains..your picture was beautiful! Stay safe and warm.
Hi Deanna, awww..thank you ever so much for such a nice comment! I am so happy that you enjoy my work! That means a lot to me. And “Sun Dogs” – I LOVE that! I never heard that before; thank you for telling me! I learned something new today. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I so enjoyed your post. Love the Valentines Decor.
Hi Karen, thank you so much! I am glad that you enjoyed this month’s post. I like to put a wee bit of Valentine’s Day decor out to brighten up the last corner of winter. 🙂 Glad you “stopped by”! Happy Valentine’s Day! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thank you for this informative post. Those hand warmers sound great and useful.
HAPPY ST. VALENTINE’S DAY
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
Hi Marilyn, Joan and Marion…HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! Big hugs to you! Xoxo Nicole
Loved your recent post – I, too, have a Fireking mixing bowl which I love to use ! Happy Valentine’s Day !
Hi Donna, isn’t it a great size? Not too big, not too small! Glad you enjoyed the post! Happy Valentine’s Day! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hi Nicole,
I enjoyed your pictures and post. Love your porch too and the thought of sitting there with a warm drink and gazing at snow flakes gently falling.
The hand warmers are really cute and a nice gift. I have put rice in a sock in the past and used that as a hot pack for aches and pains. I am not very good at sewing, so I have found nice grain or rice filled fabric warmers in a local Hallmark store. The smell of cloves and other spices is nice.
Happy February and Valentines Day
Debbie
Hi Debbie, Thank you! Snow is coming this weekend again; hope to sit on the porch under a blanket and watch it fall a bit. It’s the ice we don’t care for! I bet cloves and spice would be nice in the warmers…especially at the holidays! Happy Valentine’s Day! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I’ve made hand warmers like this many times. I’ve used dried corn gotten from the co-op’s or stores that sell bird foods. I also make a liner with an old sheet. It helps a little extra with dust coming from the hand warmer. Feels good on cold feet in bed.
Hi Chris, thanks for the alternative ideas for the rice. I think you are right – using bird seed or corn means a liner is necessary. The rice isn’t as dusty. And another great idea – for warm feet! I hate when my feet are cold! Thanks for “stopping by”! Stay warm! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thank you for a wonderful post. I live in PA, and we are having our Feb cold. What beautiful projects. I love seeing your home, so cozy. Friends and family must love to visit.
Hi Carlynne (what a beautiful name you have, by the way), thank you so much! I love to make everything cozy, especially when it is a cold winter day. We used to live in PA for a few years. Made many lovely friends there, and it was in PA where I saw my first “real” snowfall! Stay warm! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I love making hand/neck warmers, and in the past, have used dried lavender instead of the oils. I always wondered if the oil would become rancid, after many warmings. But, from all the comments, it seems like there’s no problem. I have also made them with a mix of rice and flax seed, along with the dried lavender. And, boy, do they smell wonderful. Stay warm, and thanks for the ideas.
I also have an old Hoosier “baking center” that was my Grandma’s, so I feel very blessed with many memories of growing up and watching her use it, especially the built-in flour sifter and pull-out part, for rolling out pies and cookies. Now, get out and enjoy the snow.
Hi Colleen, I have never had a problem with the oil, as I made a neck warmer years ago. Have never used flax seed, but another great idea! Thank you!
How wonderful you have your Grandma’s Hoosier! That makes it extra-special! I love them. It took me decades to find one, in my budget, that fit my space, as well. If you are interested, here is a blog I wrote a few years ago on them:
http://www.farmgirlbloggers.com/16774#more-16774
We got snow yesterday, but this time it is fluffy with less ice. It was actually beautiful since it is not on the roads and everything is dusted with a fresh coating.
Thanks for reading and sharing! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I love reading and see what you are doing gives me great ideas. Thank you
Hi MaryKay, thank you ever so much! Happy Valentine’s Day! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
This is the first time to read your post. Liked it very much. I’m not a farm girl now but I grew up on a farm and I remember a lot of things that you talk about. God bless.
Hi Anita, first off, WELCOME! I am so happy to have you stop by, and hope you will visit again next month. I bet it was wonderful growing up on a farm. Remember what MaryJane always says. ‘Farmgirl’ is a state of the heart, not necessarily where we all live, so I bet you are still a ‘farmgirl at heart’! Thank you for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Love your Hoosier and the pretty Valentine gal at the end.
Thank you, Sharon. Happy Valentine’s Day! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole, Caught up with your posts. So fun, great ideas and love your pictures. I lived in
Mass. for over 40 years and now live in a 100yr. old farmhouse in Kansas. Your
blog always brings me back to New England and inspires me with your adorable
kitchen and use of wonderful & colorful retro pieces to brighten the season.
Spent Christmas in Anchorage with my son and loved seeing the snow falling.
Our Kansas weather has been crazy this winter ranging from sub-zero to 70
degrees. Stay warm and thanks for your inspiring posts.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! Pamela
Hi Pamela, thank you! Your 100 year old farmhouse in Kansas sounds dreamy! I bet your Christmas with your son in Anchorage was memorable! I have never been to that area of the country – yet. Someday! Stay warm for the rest of winter! Thanks again for such a wonderful comment. It means a lot. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Love the idea of using rice for these projects. I will try them with the leftover material I have.
Hi Rosie, thank you! Enjoy – they are a fun little, fast and useful way to use leftover material. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Happy Valentine’s Day! You add warmth with every post. Mannny thanks. Roberta
Hi Roberta, thank you! Happy Valentine’s Day! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thank you! What a wonderful February update.
Angry arthritis has made it difficult to do much with my hands, but I will be doing the rice/aroma packs. Working the muscles and joints then heating the pack and reading. He-he-he..
It has been a joy reading your blog. Having moved into the Crone stage of my life made me hesitate to keep up with you. I wondered if there would be anything for me. But Hey!!! There is.
Valentine’s day was my late Mother’s birthday so it is a little bittersweet, but also a double reason to celebrate.
Hi Rene, I am so glad to have you visit here with me. I hear ya on the arthritis, and can sympahtize. Arthritis runs in my family, and all of us have had issues with it. With all the knitting I do (I teach classes), with the extreme cold we have, I have had my hands hurting this week. I have been using the heat and also soaking in epsom salt.
It is sweet that your late mother had her birthday on Valentine’s Day. I hope you did something special to mark the day.
Thank you for visiting here, and I do hope you will come back again. Stay warm! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
*I love this post, and you received so many nice comments. Handwarmers sound and look great.Love
Mother
Thanks so much, Mama! Love, Nicole