I love birthdays! I think life’s meant to celebrate the special days, and birthdays are one of those days. I’m not into giant celebrations – I don’t have a big party or go out until the wee hours. I do like to have lunch with a friend, or bake a birthday cake and have a nice dinner with my husband and daughter. But some birthdays are milestones, and the one I’m hitting this month is a big one, so to speak. Have a piece of cake with me as I share what I’ve learned so far…
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”.
Nicole,
May I be one of the first of many to wish you a VERY Happy Birthday! I personally thought turning 40 was very cool … the 40’s were GREAT years! (I’m in the next decade now, paving your way!). I hope this year is a wonderful one for you in every way. Thanks for sharing your stroll down ‘Birthday Lane’ with us! Blessings, Cathi
Cathi, Thank you so very much! I feel the same way, turning forty is very cool. Big Farmgirl Hugs to you! -Nicole
As a fellow just-turned-40 I love the post. It’s so refreshing that we can appreciate where we are in life and not concentrate on the age that we are. I am so thankful for every year I’ve had along the way so how can it be a bad thing as they start to pile up? It’s just more memories, lessons learned and friends made. Happy Birthday!
Sheri, thank you. I’m so happy you liked this post. Each year we are given is a blessing. Take care! -Nicole
Well, happy birthday to you!! I am a bit older than you (yikes! 57!) and I just wanted to tell you that I think you are on the right track. Being able to stick up for yourself and your ideals, loving and appreciating your family, spending time in the garden enjoying the bliss of all that nature has to offer…
Congratulations for making a wonderful life!
Thank you, Jan! Looking forward to the next phases life has to offer. Farmgirl hugs, Nicole
Happy 40th Birthday Nicole! It sounds as if you have the right idea to a long, healthy and Happy life! Enjoy!
Farmgirl Hugs,
Laurie
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Thanks, Laurie! And thank you for all the comments you’ve left on my blogs. Means alot. -Nicole
I hope you have a wonderful birthday!
Thank you Heather! I’m happy because my daughter’s school has early dismissal that day. She’s the best present I could ever wish for. -Nicole
A very happy 40th birthday to you! It will be a magical year for you with much happiness in plain sight just around the corner. Enjoy!
Thank you, Adrienne! -Nicole
Happy Happy 40th birthday to YOU °Ü° I love your positive take on things!!! When I turned 40. . . 7 yrs. ago, I had my day all planned. But my husband had other plans and ruined my plans, so I thought. Ended up @ the park with all the "in-town" family & a lot of close friends to Celebrate. It was a wonderful evening spent with good people. Hope yours is the BEST °Ü°
Lisa, What a great story! Sounds like a wonderful, happy day you had. 🙂 Thank you for commenting. -Nicole
I love that you are so positive! I have been ill for many years and tend to get down in the dumps. But I am going to bloom where I am planted – it’s my new resolution. It’s time to start gardening and I will do what I can and not try to emulate Kensington Gardens, and I will be happy! Thanks for your cheering attitude-adjusters!
Coreen, I’m sorry to hear that you have been dealing with illness. It’s hard when you aren’t feeling well. I hope that this year brings you much health and happiness! Thank you so very, very much for this comment. It means so much to me. Big Farmgirl Hugs to you!!!! -Nicole
Happy Birthday Nicole! I hope you have a wonderful birthday and I love your birthday essay! I totally agree with you! I’m 48 and my 40’s have been amazing in so many ways. I had my son and became a mother at age 40 and got my master’s degree at age 42 and started teaching a few months later at age 43. I’ve also gone through a divorce and lost a job due to the state budget cuts- some tough stuff- but I am still doing it- supporting my son and pets and am so grateful for my life. I love being 48 and look forward to all the years ahead.
My grandmother lived to be 100-almost 101 and I hope I can be like her- healthy and active and enjoying life!
Kelly in CA
Kelly, You Go Girl! Sounds like you are an amazing, positive person! Thank you for sharing your story with me! Your son is lucky to have such a great mom. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Congratulations and happy birthday! I hit double nickels this year and still feel like the person I was when I finally found my brain, late 20’s actually. When I hit 50, I exclaimed "I’m half way there!" You would be amazed at the number of people who said they didn’t want to live to 100! How exciting would that be!?! 3 digits! It is all about attitude, enjoy.
Maureen
Thank you, Maureen! I’m with you! Celebrate life! -Nicole
HAPPY 40th… Dream On!!
Thank you! 🙂 -Nicole
OH, Happy, Happy Birthday to you. You look fabulous 🙂 🙂 I’m 38 and I really enjoy life more now than when I was younger 😉 🙂 I really do think it only gets better 🙂 🙂 Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂
Hi Heather, Thank you so very much!! Hugs right back! -Nicole
You are gonna love your forties…talk about attitude? It is a whole new world..I will be fifty in June this year and can’t wait for that either!!!Happy Birthday, lil’ sis!
Thanks, so much, Stacie, and a Happy June Birthday to you! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Happy 40th Nicole. Every phase of life thus far has been good…just a different sort of adventure. I’m now 4 years away from 60 and it just seems unfathomable. I’m incredulous, but I just remind myself of the same things you professed in your post. True is always true…not just back there, here or over there. Have fun in your next decade. I’m sure you will.
Thanks so much, Shery! Time does sneak up on us, though, doesn’t it? It sure goes by fast. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Happy Happy 40th Birthday Nicole! Birthdays are my favorite to celebrate.. quietly with those I love. Sounds like you’ve got a handle on 40 already! Here’s to smooth sailing and lots of farmgirl fun going forward! Enjoy each day with your sweet girl and hubby! The years fly by way too fast.
xo
Deb ( beach farmgirl sister )
Thanks Debbie! Time is definitely going fast! Hugs, Nicole
HaPpY hApPy BiRtHdAy to YOU!!!!! God Bless
Thank you! -Nicole
Happy Birthday Nicole! 40 really is just a #. I’m about to celebrate my 41st and I have to say that my age doesn’t phase me. For the last 10 years or so I have always taken my birthday off from work and do something to honor myself. While I have filled my day up with appointments galore (I’m visiting my pcp, dentist, optomitrist and dermatologiest), I know I am doing all the things I need to do to take care of myself. This also helps free up my time so that when I take my vacation this summer I can relax and enjoy the time knowing that I have already done all of the things I need to for the year. I hope you had a fabulous day!
Thanks, Sharon! All your points are so true! Thanks for reading and commenting! -Nicole
Happy birthday, and many more! Other than moving a bit slower, life after 40 has been the best yet!
Nancy
http://www.liveasavorylife.com
Thanks, Nancy! True…at the end of a busy day I am physically more creaky than before, but nothing earth-shattering. It could be worse! Thanks for reading and commenting! -Nicole