My Farmgirl Sisterhood Chapter, “CT Simpler Life Sisters” have been together as a group since 2010. Every year, we try to vary the activities we do, but each Christmas, we keep to our tradition, started that first holiday season together. I have the privilege of hostessing our Annual Christmas party – and it is this sisterhood chapter gathering that we really look forward to all year long.
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”.
Congratulations Marge Hofknechgt! I was kind of hoping that would be my name in that slot. You are going to love it!
Hi Mary, This was such a fun giveaway. I will definitely have to do another one. Merry Christmas! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Merry Christmas, Nicole!
What a fun post. So heart-warming and what a bunch of talented farmgirl friends you have!
Glad you were able to gather during this busy time of year.
Blessings from the Beach Farmgirl!
Deb
Hi Deb! Thank you. I love your decorated canning jar tops…that would be a fun thing to do for our party next year! Merry Christmas to you! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole, I loved this post. I wish I could join your Farmgirl sisterhood chapter. We don’t have one in our area… wondering if I should start one maybe? 🙂
It looked like such an enjoyable evening. I loved the home-made/hand-made craft exchange. What an awesome idea.
Hugs,
Dori
Hi Dori, Well, if you head up this way, you can be a guest of honor at a chapter party! 😉
When I first joined the Sisterhood I was so excited about joining a chapter. I was disappointed when I found there wasn’t an active or open one near me, so I decided to start my own. That was 2010. We have had our numbers grow and get smaller from time to time (like any group, but we are mostly “original” members), and we always have fun. We meet about once a month. Good luck, let me know if you start a chapter! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I was sorry that I missed all the fun this year! See you soon!
Ali, you were so missed, but can’t wait to see you! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I am so excited…I found a chapter near me…well about 50 miles away..but what would one expect in northern Maine.. I can hardly wait to hear back from them. I have toyed with this idea for years and finally took the first step. Thanks for the extra nudge Nicole. I will be trying the site recipe. Looks and sounds like you all had so much fun. Thanks again
Hi Colleen! How exciting! Thanks for telling me! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Must not exist any longer as I haven’t heard anything back
Oh dear, Colleen. That’s too bad. Maybe contact Brian at MaryJanesFarm, and see if he knows anything more. Or start your own! That’s what I did, and am so glad! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hey, Nicole- I just bought a copy of that darling book for myself, thanks for the suggestion. I think I will love it as much as you do. Thanks again—-
Hi Pamela, Oh you will love it! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Congratulations Marge! what a sweet surprise. This was a great fun post! I’m not in a group right now – wish there was one close to me – one like yours. Thanks for sharing – Merry Christmas. God Bless
Hi Joan, When I started CT Simpler Life Sisters, it was just a few friends. You don’t need a huge group to have fun! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I was one of the farm girls at Nicole’s Christmas party and it was a truly the greatest so far. Although some us sadly couldn’t make it, it was wonderful to have a fabulous new member join our group.
I was the lucky winner of Nicole’s beautiful wreath. Thank you again Nicole. I have it hanging on the back door where all my dear friends enter my house.
Hi Betty, I am so glad you like the wreath! I had fun making it. See you soon! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I should see if there is a chapter near me. I could use some girl-time. 🙂
Hi Susabelle, Just go to that link on the blog and it will take you right where you can check if there is a group near you. If not, why not start one? I did, and I am so happy I did! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
There is one in my town and I emailed them. Hoping to hear back!
Awesome, Susabelle! I am so happy to hear that! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Enjoyed your post. Looks like a good time was had by all. Wishing you and yours a Blessed and Merry Christmas.
Marilyn and Family
Merry Christmas to you and your family, too, Marilyn! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole, thank you so much! I will treasure that recipe box. I’m downsizing lots around here and have to get realistic about how many cookbooks do I actually need or use. I’ve been making copies of favorite recipes out of this book and that book and then taking the cookbooks to our local library which has an ongoing book sale. The recipe box will be very handy to hold all my favorites. Your Farmgirl Christmas party looks like fun. I need to see if my area has a Farmgirl group that meets regularly. Have a Merry Christmas!
Marge, You are so very welcome! You will have to tell me when it arrives. I hope you fill it up with lots of wonderful recipes. You should have your box very soon. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
So much fun, and what great homemade gifts. Loved it. Felt like I was there. 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and yours. Be Blessed. Neta
Thank you, Neta! It is just so exciting to see what everyone makes. Reminds me of being a little kid again at Christmas! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
You look so beautiful and happy in this picture with your farmgirl friends! Very nice blog and love your grapevine wreath too.
Love,
Mother
Thanks, Mama! Love you! ~Nicole
Man i missed so much this passed six months . Been nursing my husband when things went from bad to worst, then he passed away, now im dealing with depression and my own health issues. A n d this tan l et is driving me nuts. Wish i CouId get THE spell check to stop. Because i correctly spell the word and it mispells it. So another reason not to connect. But anyhow I’m glad if I can get anything accomplished. Could use prayers, hoping wgatcevers wrong cures. But love reading your blog. Susan
Hi Sweetie, I am so sorry that you are going through such a tough time! Don’t worry about your spell check, I do enjoy hearing from you here. You hang in there. Big Farmgirl Hugs and Prayers, Nicole