Hello, dear Farmgirl Readers! I hope you are all staying cool in the summer heat, and that you had a great Fourth of July weekend! Our little family had a wonderful June, and I am still giddy with happiness from all of the excitement!
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Debbie 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.’”
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.
Cathi 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.”
Dori 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.
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.”
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!
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”.
I loved reading this article! And, I love “GOD surprises!” Here’s one my recent “GOD surprises that I posted on Face Book:
I was on vacation in Branson last week; was at Silver Dollar City, in line at the ice cream parlor, and heard someone call out, “Barb!” I turned around, and there was a couple I had met in Bible School, and I hadn’t seen since 1978! What a GOD SURPRISE! We didn’t know that we’d be in Branson at the same time! At the same tourist attraction! (which is quite large) AND, be in the same building at the same time! BUT GOD…. we had a wonderful few minutes to catch up on “news!”
Thank you for sharing Barb! I LOVE this comment! What are the chances? What a lovely surprise you had! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
What a heart warming story about you and your friend…..I am far beyond your young age but always try to read your blog, and soo enjoy it, just as if you were one of my own kids….keep up the good work!! Hugs, Laurel
Hi Laurel, thank you ever so much! That really means a lot to me. I know you have been reading for a long time; I recognize your name whenever you leave a comment. Sending farmgirl hugs your way! Have a great summer! ~ Nicole
This was such a lovely post, thank you for sharing. There is nothing like re-connecting with special friends from your childhood. Thank you so much for the read!
Hi Heather, thank you! It was fun to share! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Loved that post. 🙂
Hi Michelle, thank you! Have a wonderful summer! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
What a fabulous reunion and a delight trip down memory lane! Thanks for taking us with you and for sparking some of my own happy childhood memories!
Sallie Dee
Farm girl #441
Hi Sallie, thank you…I am so glad you enjoyed this month’s blog. I feel lucky I got to grow up in the 1970’s! Have a great summer! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thank you for sharing this beautiful experience.
The days of youth follow us in strings of memories sublime. My heart shares your joy in a sweet reunion from simpler times. Your Mothers grace and beauty is timeless! Heartfelt appreciation from Mew Mexico!
Melody, you have a beautiful way with words. Thank you for such a beautifully written comment, and for saying such nice things! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I enjoyed reading this which brought back many good memories. I loved all my brownies and their sweet parents. So sorry about Noodle. He sounded smart watching tv!
Love,
Mother
Hi Mama, thank you! We do feel Noodle was a once-in-a-lifetime pet snake. We miss him terribly. Talk to you soon. Love, Nicole
I’ve just returned home from 61st High School reunion so I know that wonderful feeling of connecting with dear old friends from school days long gone.
Hi Kappy, oh wow! How exciting!!! 61 years! I bet that was a great reunion to be at! I missed having my 30th high school reunion last year due to it being cancelled with Covid lockdown. I look forward to the next one! Thanks for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole!
How exciting to see your friend after all these years! So nice to reminisce! Your mom looks amazing! Congratulations to Audrey for the Girl Scout Award!.
Happy your doggie is all better too!
Hugs,
Jackie
Hi Jackie, thank you! It was so fun to see her and catch up after so long. Everything is going well so far (except losing the pet snake) this summer. Hope all is well there, too. We will catch up soon. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Oh my goodness! How wonderful to connect and get to share time with a childhood “bestie”. By the way, there is certainly family resemblance with the 3 beautiful generations of ladies in your family.
Many blessings to all of you.
Maureen
Awww, Maureen, thank you so much! That is so sweet for you to say. Hope you have a wonderful summer!Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I went to private boarding school. We have a reunion every year (except for last two because of pandemic). We’re from all over the states and some foreign countries. So much fun to catch up once a year. Glad you could connect with your friend. God bless you.
Hi Bernadine, how wonderful! I love that you have a reunion every year! That is truly special. Will you all get to have one this year? I hope so! Thank you for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Good friends are priceless
Hi Donna, Absolutely! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Wow! Nicole, thanks for sharing this! It was fantastic!
Hi Mrs. Ryan, thank you! I think back on those years and teachers like you so fondly! I am over the moon that I got to see Jennie all the way up here from Texas! Much love your way, Nicole
Nicole, happy that you and Jennie are in touch again. My twin sister and I had two sisters that we always played with as children Unfortunately they moved away when we were 9 years old, but we did keep in touch for a while. Later as adults we got back together . We now exchange cards and enjoy learning all the latest things in their lives. Congratulations to Audrey. Your mother is a beautiful lady as are her daughter and granddaughter. God Bless.
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn, thank you so much!! I love that you and your twin got in touch with your childhood friends, too. Much love your way. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole PS My Mama is a twin, too.
Hi Nicole! I look forward to your postings as they are always so heart warming, informative, make me smile, give me so much to think about and give me a time to think about how wonderful life really can be if you appreciate what’s right before your eyes.
Thank you for sharing! Donna
Hi Donna, thank you so much for this wonderful comment. It means a lot to me that you like my posts! Hope you have a wonderful summer, and thank you for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I rarely leave comments…but so enjoy reading your posts!
Hi LaRoyce, thank you…that means alot to me that you left one here! I am so glad you enjoy visiting me here! Have a great summer! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
What a beautiful story!!! This just touched my heart so much!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Hi Kim, thank you so very much! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
How wonderful to get to see your friend!! I would love to catch up with some of mine from those early days too. It just made my heart happy for you & your friend.
Hi Denise, thank you! It was such a surreal feeling to have Jennie here, and such a “by chance” meeting! I can’t wait to catch up with her again when we next get to visit Texas. Thank you again for reading, and I hope you are having a nice summer. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
What a great story…so many wonderful memories and then the chance to catch up with each other. And you’re mom is just beautiful…no way she just turned 80! Sounds like you have so much happening, and it’s been such a good summer for you!
Hi Mary, thank you so much! I hope you are having a nice summer on your farm, as well! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Loved the blog and photos. How wonderful to reconnect with an old friend. I recently had a class reunion and also reconnected with some childhood friends. We shared great memories of elementary school and high school times. Your mother is lovely. Congrats to your daughter. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Hi Marlene, thank you so much! How fun to have also reconnected with old friends…isn’t it something? Hope you are having a great summer, too! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hi Nicole. I loved reading this. I also wanted to reach out because I think we might have bought furniture from a shop you and your husband owned. It was in Bethel, CT I believe. We still have the furniture we purchased over 20 years. They are so beautiful and cherished!
Hi Tamara, Oh what a small world! Yes, that was us. I love that you still have the furniture you bought from our store. Danish furniture was meant to last a lifetime! Thank you for popping by the blog and saying “hello”! Are you still in the area? Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole