“Life moves pretty fast. It you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
~Ferris Bueller
My summer goal? To slow down, relax, and do the things I love to do with the people I love. Summer’s the perfect time to recharge. There’s much to love about New England this time of year. With long, bleak winters, when summer comes, you appreciate it. (I love having four seasons!) The garden is planted, the camper is open, and the beach is calling.
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”.
Just got home from a 10 day stay at the cabin in the Rockies. The lake is full to the brim and the wild flowers are profuse. Color is everywhere as are the deer (and spotted fawn), the, Chipmunks, hummingbirds, fox and, of course, mosquitos. There’s a moose up there but as yet we’ve only seen what he’s left behind. BIG piles of what he left behind. Our guest house is almost done and that’s our little camper, including a red coffee maker.
Hi Marlene, oh your cabin and guest house camper sound absolutely Heavenly! That sounds like my kind of vacation. We’ve seen a few little chipmunks, too. They crack me up. I have never seen a moose but I can imagine what they leave behind, lol! I’d love to see one from a safe distant in the wild. Where did you get your little red coffee maker? Sounds adorable. I love my red microwave. 🙂
Would love to see the camper when you are finished! Please share a photo with me if you would.
Enjoy the rest of summer! Thank you for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thanks. I’ll find where we got the coffee maker and get back to you. I’ll send pictures when the camper/quest house is done. We won’t be going up for a few weeks but I’m on it. Yeah, there are people around here that think it’s cute to go up to a moose and take a picture hugging it. That is, there WERE people around here.
Great, thank you! And your comment on the moose has me laughing out loud! Oh my goodness…to funny! ~Nicole
I love red in my kitchen, too! I love your Glamper, too
Thank you, Mary! I think I got my inspiration from my mama. Her kitchen is always red, and when I was little in the 1970’s, her theme was “strawberries”! Thanks for reading and commenting…enjoy your red kitchen. Makes it a happy place in the house, I think. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I enjoyed reading your newsy blog and the pictures added so much. Thank you for allowing us into ÿour world” for a bit!!
Hi Laurel, thank you so much. I am glad you enjoyed this month’s blog. Enjoy your summer, thank you for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hi Nicole~
I enjoyed reading your blog and how much you and your family are enjoying your summer.
I love how your home is decorated and all the read, white and blue. It looks so homey and inviting. And Gidget is adorable, I love the way you have her decorated. Red is the perfect color!
You garden looks so yummy and I would love to pick a home grown tomato.
Thank you for sharing your summer with us and continued summer fun to you and your family.
See you in August.
Farmgirl Hugs,
Debbie #1582
Blessed in Colorado
Hi Debbie, thank you! It’s good to hear from you, Farmgirl! We are enjoying summer, even if it is low-key (which is actually nice)! After last year’s tornado hit the house, we felt like we didn’t have much of a summer last year, and really didn’t feel like we’d ever get the property looking good again! Enjoy your summer, too- I know Colorado must be absolutely beautiful this time of year, too. Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole, I love how you decorated your camper and home!! I too love red and have lots of red touches everywhere all year long. My passion is Apples and they make the perfect vehicle to add red and feed into that “American as Apple Pie” sort of thinking!
Enjoy these long hot days of Summer with your perfect get away vehicle and restful porch!
Hi Winifred, thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed the blog. I love the “apple theme” too, similar to my “cherries”. When my mom lived in Texas, she moved to a cute little neighborhood outside Dallas for a while. The “model” home was all done up in red, white, and blue Americana, and the kitchen had apples. It was the cutest, most homey, cozy house! I loved seeing it and never forgot that. Enjoy your summer, too, and thank you for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Love your blog so much. Takes me back in time. Going to embrace the color red as you have…I think it will give me some joy! Your camper is like a mini museum, maybe you can start a camper competition!! Enjoy the rest of your summer. #natureismyreligion. Love ya girl. Your neighbor, Dinah
Hi Dinah, thank you so much! The camper is a bit like a mini-museum – even my toilet paper holder is from the 60’s, lol, with a flamingo on it! I hope you’ll swing by for a glass of something cold soon! Would love to see you. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Your Camper is so cute!! I love all the decor!!
Hi Elisabeth, thank you so much! It’s been fun to pick out just the perfect this-and-that, mostly all thrifted! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Very pretty blog with great pictures and a lot to look at! Never saw a black squirrel before.
I do not like a lot of Canadian geese, a few all right. Nasty at our lake where we walk our puppy. Love your garden and Gidget!
Love
Mother
Hi Mom! Thanks! We’ve also seen white, albino squirrels before (and once an all-white skunk), but unfortunately, they do not last long in the wild. Talk to you later! Love you! ~Nicole
Everything is so cute! We have spent most of July at our northern Minnesota lake cabin where it has been often hot and rainy. Many gorgeous days as well.
Hi Sandy, Thank you! We are having spotty rain today, but that’s okay…it keeps everything green and gives us a break from watering! Enjoy your summer and your cabin! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
My husband thinks that I am the only one who changes her decor for the season. I love your use of red all year long. Enjoy your summer!
Hi Kimberley, Oh no, you are not alone! My best friend does too! I change things seasonally in many rooms…it keeps things fresh and in spirit! Enjoy your summer! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Enjoyed the blog. Great pictures, especially the bee pictures.
Thanks! I was taking my dogs out one morning, and there it was, like it was waving at me! ~Nicole
Loved your red and white decorating – my mom also had red and white kitchens and to this day almost every home we owned has had a red and white kitchen including my present one – I still just love it – so inviting !
P.S.: Love your red shoes…
Hi Donna, Thank you! Those shoes are comfy, too! Love that you have had a red and white kitchen and so did your mom, just like me and my mom! I think that while kitchen trends come and go, the red and white always looks retro and stylish, a real classic! Thanks for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
everything you decorated looks so adorable, inside and out!
Hi Denise, thank you ever so much! I love decorating. 🙂 Happy Summer! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Your water bottle on your granny cart is adorable! I love that gal!
Hi Jennifer, thank you! When I saw it, I had. to. have. it! I got mine at Bass Pro shop a couple of years ago. They might still have them. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
While our weather has been a bit cooler and cloudier than usual (Willamette Valley OR), my berries have been producing like crazy and my orange pepper plant as well! Go figure…. I love red as well, and you’ll find pops of it throughout my bungalow-arts and crafts-inspired little house. Love the pics of Gidget!
Hi Beth, you just never know what makes plants happy sometimes! I thought spring was late here, but I am having one of the best gardens ever! I am so glad you enjoyed the blog- thank you for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole, your glamper is adorable. When I was growing up we had a silver small camper that the older boys slept in in the summer. When they weren’t using it it became my play house. I spent many hours making it what I thought it should be.
I too love red. We remodeled our entire main floor last fall, and what started out as a tasteful red rug for the kitchen morphed into the colors I chose for the decor. The decor is now copper and red with yellow accents. Who knew it would all go together!!!
Thank you for keeping us entertained with your adventures, and enjoy the rest of your summer!
Hi Nanette, Lucky you, having a camper as a playhouse. That is sort of what Gidget is for me now, lol! My little playhouse!
Your kitchen sounds beautiful! And what a perfect backdrop for seasonal decor, as well. Enjoy! Thanks so much for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I adore your camper! We have used ours a few times this year, but it rained most of the month of June and now July is becoming increasingly humid and hot.
Hi Carol, Thank you! But also, I hear ya! When it gets really hot and humid, it is tough to be inside a camper with no A/C. Hopefully it won’t stay humid for too long. Last summer was the most humid summer I ever remember here! Stay cool! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
We also change decor for the season. Can’t wait for the fall decor.Glad you are having a good summer. Gidget looks great and so colorful.
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn, thank you! And yes, I love to decorate for fall, too. Very cozy time of year in New England! Thanks for reading and commenting! Have a great summer. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Enjoy your blog-takes me home to New England. I am a transplanted suburbanite from Massachusetts. Have learned to appreciate my 4 acres in rural Kansas. Loved your beach experience-too fun (wish I had been with you), beautiful wildlife pics, and the adorable decorating of your camper. Nice touch with your your love of pink and red especially in vintage pieces. There are so many simple but special times
with country life. Saw a fawn & mother drinking by a creek
today. Yesterday took a friend to a breakfast cafe and
blackberry picking. They are so big & sweet; I don’t
know if any will make it to the baking stage!! Country Life is good! Pamela
Hi Pamela, thank you! Sounds like you have a great country life in Kansas, too! I have always wanted to see the Midwest, but so far, that is one area of the US that I have not made it to yet. I hear ya on this year’s blueberries! I have been munching ours too. My daughter and I made a salad for lunch yesterday – garden-picked lettuces, kale, chard, and tomatoes (the little ones are starting to turn now), and mixed in some blueberries. Finished it with a strawberry vinaigrette- DELICIOUS! Then, there’s the blueberries that we just MUNCH! Have a great summer; sounds like you are off to a great start. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I loved the story about the geese on the beach. I never heard of that before. What a trip! I also have never seen a black squirrel. He is quite cute. I have several squirrels that I feed peanuts. I bought a wreath holder for them it looks like a spring from a garage door opener (my son’s description) and goes around a metal wire in a ring and when full of peanuts it looks just like a wreath of peanuts. The squirrels and the birds all love it, and my dog, cat, and I enjoy watching them!
First time I ever read your blog. Very nice. Looking forward to August 20.
Hi Nancy, thank you, and welcome! Thank you so much for reading and commenting! I love how you feed the squirrels peanuts! I will try that. Maybe SmokePuff will enjoy a change of pace from the bird seed. We enjoy seeing the squirrels and chipmunk antics in the yard, too. Thanks again for reading and commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Everything looks relaxing and inviting…so charming is your little Gidget Glamper.. 🙂
Thank you so much, Vivian! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Summer fun. Thanks. I enjoyed reading it.
Jane
Thank you so much, Jane! Enjoy the rest of summer. Fall is approaching soon, though it has it’s charms, I do so love summer! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Glad I found this in all honesty. I’m enjoying this article pal.