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.”
Column contents © Mary Murray. All rights reserved.
Farmgirl
is a condition
of the heart.
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!
Column contents © Alexandra Wilson. All rights reserved.
Libbie Zenger
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.
René Groom
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.
Rhubarb is one of my favorites! I enjoy eating it fresh and plain. Must be the tartness that draws me in. I personally haven’t made anything with rhubarb, but many of my family members have made pies, crisps, and cakes using rhubarb. This year I would like to attempt and make something using rhubarb. Not sure what yet. I have many memories of being at my grandparents house and picking rhubarb from their garden. We would also play with the large leaves. Sometimes even turning them into hats! Thanks for sharing your recipe. I will have to give it a try.
Hi Krista! Rhubarb is definitely an old fashioned kind of plant that stirs all kinds of delicious memories. Love the hat idea! I can picture it. xo Deb
I cook it down with a little sugar, like applesauce, and use it as a topping for pound cake, ice cream, and pancakes.
Hi Tracy… Oh yum!!!
Hi Deb, I love love love Rhubarb, I havent tried to grow any but I just may now. I love making Rhubarb/Strawberry pie, and crisps. Cant wait to try yours. Thanks for sharing. I got my Apron and I love it. I posted a pic of me wearing it on Fluffy Feathers FB page, I tried to find you on FB to post a pic but couldnt find ya. Anyway I have some babies ordered and they will be here June 6th so I will have chickens again. So apron was just in time. Be Blessed, have a safe wonderful fun filled weekend. 🙂 Neta
Hi dear Neta! I’ll have to go hunt you down in your Fluffy Layers Apron… so happy you are enjoying it:) Blessings and hugs!
Deb
I think it is important to add a little pinch of SALT to every rhubarb recipe. It adds a major flavor to the all over result. … don’t know why.
Hi Mary!
I’ll keep that in mind next time I cook with Rhubarb. I wonder if it brings out the tartness or calms it down? Thanks for the tip! Deb
Yummy looking crisp Deb. Thanks so much for sharing. I’m going to have a go at this and have a go at growing it too. Have a glorious weekend Deb.
Howdy Denise! Keep us posted on how it all goes with your rhubarb.:) Happy Weekend! Deb
Mom always made Rhubarb cream pie and crisps. I started growing Rhubarb a few years ago and had one early picking this year. It seems like it takes a Long time to produce. I love to cook mine with various fruits like strawberries, blueberries, pears, apples or peaches all together which naturally sweetens it then since I have sugar issues I use a little Stevia. If it needs a little more. Enjoy it on toast or mixed with cottage cheese.
I agree. I think it was the third year before we were able to harvest as well. I’m still kicking myself for not planting more! Rhubarb Cream Pie is something I haven’t tried. Thanks for sharing, Susan!
xo Deb