Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop #208 and Happy Halloween!

Happy Farmgirl Friday! 

Oh, it did our hearts good to see you all last week! Thanks for comin' round to share your farmgirl talents with us again.  I confess I don't have any cute Halloween crafts or treats to share this week. We had company from Reno, Nevada last week so we were out and about sight seeing all up an down the south coast and Cape Cod enjoying fall in New England. Everywhere you go, people are saying the color hasn't been this beautiful in years and I agree.

  I had to pull over and get a quick pic of this charming little red cape all gussied up for fall. We're also in the middle of a bathroom remodel and putting the garden to bed. I've got dahlias to dig and store and a fallen down greenhouse to clear out before winter comes. Life is GOOD!

Debbie's been busy canning of all things, right in the middle of her kitchen remodel. Now, that's some serious farmgirl'n! As the old saying goes, " where there's a determined farmgirl, it shall be done ". Okay, maybe it's not an old saying, but it's true!

 Speaking of determined and talented farmgirls, it's time to renew my subscription to MaryJanesFarm Magazine. Yes, this IS a shameless plug for my favorite magazine in the whole world. It just gets better with every issue... and that's a lot of issues. 15 years and counting of farmgirl inspiration! 

I couldn't pick a favorite from last weeks hop. I loved each and every entry. So many hit home and inspired me to get moving. I need to make marinara sauce, I cleaned my closet yesterday, ( not photo worthy, but clean), I'm still decorating for fall, and I'm always looking for new homesteading and decorating ideas. Thanks for covering all the bases, once again! 

Let's hop farmgirls! 

Now, where did I put my witches hat?

200th Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop ANNIVERSARY & GIVEAWAY

 Welcome to the 200th Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop ANNIVERSARY and GIVEAWAY!

This Lil ole blog hop has been going strong since March of 2011! 

Each week we corral up the best of the best farmgirl bloggers, homesteaders, homemakers, farmers, gardeners, animal lovers, chicken keepers, artsy-crafts y types and dish up the best plate of Farmgirl Soul-food you can get your hands on in the blogisphere!

What is a Farmgirl, exactly? I'm so glad you asked!

 We are an apron wear'n, family love'n, bee keep'n, cow milk'n, goat show'n, chicken keep'n, egg gather'n, enterprisi'n, farm'n, garden'n and glamp'n, wood-work'n, cook'n and craft'n, sew'n and sow'n, bunch of gals who love to inspire an be inspired by other like-minded farmgirls.

But let's give credit where credit is due. If it wasn't for Mary Jane Butters the GIRL GENIUS behind MaryJanesFarm Magazine we might never have crossed paths. She's the conduit for farmgirls connecting world-wide today via her amazingly popular magazine, and virtual sites she created just for us!

Plus she even started the Farmgirl Sisterhood where farmgirls can earn badges for doing things they love and trying new things to boot! Think Girl Scouts for grown ups! She's the author of 5 books but if you ask her she'll tell you she's a milk- maid at heart. Looking for a backyard cow to complete your homestead? MJ is behind you 100%. She founded the Heritage Jersey Organization so folks can learn more about backyard cow keeping, housing, proper care and how to locate breeders. 

What can't she do?

 One thing is for certain. If it wasn't for MaryJanesFarm magazine I would have missed out on finding ( and fulfilling) a special piece of my farmgirl heart. I wouldn't have had the opportunities I've had to start a writing career in the second act of my life. And most importantly, I would have missed meeting all of you!

 I feel like we are all old friends. Not in a can't control our bladders kind of way, ( although, if we do 200 more hops it could happen) but in the comfortable, heart-warming way you feel when you're in the company of kindred spirits.

That's why Debbie and I are giving away 2 one year subscriptions of MaryJanesFarm Magazine to celebrate our 200th Anniversary today!

 

We're making it simple to enter too! None of this "go" here and "go" there, " like" this and "like" that.

 Just leave a comment on both of our blogs and finish this statement if you "like" !

You might be a farmgirl if...

" you have more plants than you do shoes "

Your turn! 

I know Debbie ( Farmgirl Unleashed ) and I have said it before, but Farmgirl Friday is our favorite blogging day of the week, all because of you! So we'll keep hosting if you'll keep linking up! Deal?

Thank You Sarah Hudock!

 One of the biggest joys about writing for MaryJanesFarm Magazine are the amazingly kind and talented artisans I get to meet through my YET ANOTHER Girl Genius features. Melissa Caughey ( creator of  the well known Tilly's Nest blog AND future Girl Genius) introduced me to the beautiful and funny world of Miss Sarah Hudock and the rest as they say is chickory. 

I feel so blessed to be able to share such inspiring and talented ARTISANS with the world. It's a good feeling to shine the light on others! 

So, thank you, Melissa and Sarah for being such a special part of my flock. 

And a big ole hug to Sarah for sending me and the Dandelion House "Girls " one of her Chicken Art Tin Signs for the coop! It's beautiful! We luvs it!  

MaryJanesFarm can be purchased at all book stores and some Tractor Supply stores and you can also subscribe here! 

Do you know a farmgirl who you think would make a great Girl Genius feature? 

Send me an email and tell me who!

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 189

 

 Dear farmgirl friends,

Woot! Woot! 

Welcome back to another week of Farmgirl Fun! 

I don't know about you, but I'm  feeling a little giddy about springing ahead this weekend! Just that one hour of extra daylight is all I need to turn my back on winter until next year! But that's not the only reason I'm doing the happy dance. 

My April/May issue of MaryJanesFarm Magazine is about to arrive any day now! I adore each and every issue of this magazine. Even though I contribute to it as the Beach Farmgirl Blogger and my in print features, Yet another GIRL GENIUS with Deb, I'm still just a MaryJanesFarm farmgirl groupie at heart! 

This issue is extra special to me because two of my dear friends are being featured! Both of them so talented and generous. Each of them have sponsored giveaways for Dandelion House and many others too!

 My GIRL GENIUS in the upcoming issue is the talented Sarah Hudock!

 

 She's the funny and talented creator of Light Hearted Chicken Art Tin Signs and more! Keep your eyes peeled for another giveaway in the spring, featuring her NEW designs for 2015.

 

Sarah also does custom signs too, like the one pictured above for Tredway Farm!

 MaryJane Butters has written a 6 page spread on prolific author, illustrator, writer and speaker, Sharon Lovejoy.  If you have children, or grandchildren, and you garden then you probably know Sharon too! 

With titles like Hollyhock Days, Sunflower Houses and Roots Shoots Buckets and Boots, how can you resist? Visit Sharon's book store for more garden inspiration!

I know you'll love getting to know these two farmgirls better so pick be sure to go out and get a copy of MaryJanesFarm Magazine or subscribe here! 

There's way more farmgirl fun to enjoy in the pages of MaryJanesFarm!

Now it's time to get YOUR farmgirl on!!! Link up your favorite posts for all things, farm, garden, home, crafts, bees, chickens, goats, llamas, homesteading, DIY etc... and be sure to leave a note on the garden gate on your way out! 

My co-hostess Debbie, of Farmgirl Unleashed  has been praying the recent snowfall doesn't have her doing the sump- pump boogie again but she's not letting that stop her from garden planning and winter beekeeping chores. Be sure to stop by and see her amazing succession planting spreadsheet and a look at how her hives held up this winter!

We are so glad you stop by to share with us each week! 

Happy Friday, farmgirls! 

Have a great week! See you on the hop!

Milk Cow Kitchen GIVEAWAY WINNER!

 

Thank you to all who entered my Mother's Day Giveaway for MaryJane Butters newest book,

Milk Cow Kitchen!

 

I asked our son to choose a winner from our entries and he chose # 10 Cj Armstrong!

Congratulations Cj!  I know you'll enjoy adding this wonderful book to your collection of MaryJanes' Books. They are like bibles for us farmgirls! 

Go here to see all of MaryJane's fabulous farmgirl books and gifts!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

It's a New Day, It's a NEW YEAR!

Dearest Dandelion House friends,

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Are you feeling HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY about the coming year? I sure hope so! I've never been one for making New Year resolutions, but as the years pile up I do try to tick off a few of my bucket list items every year. Here are just a few of the things I hope to accomplish in 2014.

This is my year to " DO ME" better!  I know that's a popular buzz phrase right now and it can sound sort of shallow at first, but it's powerful if you really take it to heart and just go for the purest, funnest and most creative ways to do it!  Imagine what the world would be like if we all really dug deep to try and figure our what that means exactly for each one of us. I can imagine more kindness, beauty, peace and personal happiness for everyone. A safer world, a GREENER world and time to explore unknown places inside and out. If we could all just " Do Me " a little bit better the whole world would smile don't cha think?

So, here are a few of the things I hope to do that will satisfy some of the deep yearnings in my soul and inspire those around me to do the same. Maybe I should break it down in compartments:

FAMILY: Part of doing me better is taking care of my family...Being a wife to my handsome Yankee is the greatest joy for me every year. It helps to have a sweet husband. That makes it easy. If you don't, well that's another story and that's not easy at all. I guess we've been luck. Going on 27 years together. Not always easy, but like all married folks, we've learned how to navigate through rought waters and rely each others strengths. We've got two  budding song writers in the house that are anxious get out there and show the world what they've got. I see a lot of driving in my future getting them to and from open mike night's and other performances. They are much braver than their dear mom... I would NEVER sing in front of a crowd!!! Mainly because I can't sing a lick!

HEALTH AND FITNESS:  Our 16 year old daughter informed me that we will be getting a gym membership and eating healthier this year. Her determination is just what this happy, comfy, chubby, homebody ( but still plenty sassy ) mommy, blogger, needs to get me moving this winter! Hey, it was her idea to get chickens and that went well!

CREATIVITY: Santa gave my hubby and I a brand new wide-format photo printer for Christmas! Isn't that exciting? I'm currently setting up Etsy Shops for my husbands photography and mine too! I'll keep you posted for the launch!

What would life be without BIG DREAMS? You know, the kind of dreams that stretch you beyond your limits. The kind that make you scratch your head and wonder. How would I ever be able to do that?

DANDELION HOUSE: Blogging has certainly helped me re-define my career path. Nothing gets to the heart of ones creativity than writing about what you know and love on a regular basis. And, to have friends  ( like you ) that follow along with you makes it so much more fun and rewarding. It can get a girl thinking, hey, maybe I'm on to something here! This year I will be working on branding Dandelion House. I dream of being able to offer products such as calenders, journals, cards, fabrics, dishes, ORGANIC LINENS and home goods inspired by VINTAGE WARES and life here on our little suburban homestead. Wish me luck!!! I also want to thank my sponsors who help to keep this blog going! Keep your eyes on Farmmade in 2014! The online market place for homemade farm goods! 

GARDEN: MORE FLOWERS, MORE FRUITS AND VEGGIES, ANOTHER GARDEN TOUR.
NUFF SAID?

 VINTAGE SHOPS: I opened Burlap and Bling ( my brick and mortar vintage shop ) and My Vintage Homestead on Etsy in 2013 and oh what fun diving into antiquing, thrifting, and creating fun and funky items for my shops has been! I will continue this adventure in the coming year. It really fills the need I have to always be refurbishing or re- imagining things I pick up on my picking travels. I went to the Vintage Bazarr in September and was so inspired by the cleverness of each booth I visited! I love being a part of the vintage movement that is swelling up across the world right now!

WRITING: This is the year I will write a book! I'm researching self-publishing avenue's for a Farmgirls' ( and boys ) Can Cook Book. i envision a cook book filled with various recipes from YOUR homestead kitchens...I know we have our pinterest board, but wouldn't it be neat to have a HARD COPY cook book with YOURE beautiful photos and delicious recipes? Besides, someone has to let young homemakers in on the secret that it isn't all that difficult or expensive to cook from scratch with wholesome ( and local ) ingredients! I figure it might as well be us!  I'll be asking for submissions from you soon! STAY TUNED!!! 

 
 MARYJANESFARM: You would have to drag me away from my writing post at MaryJanesFarm with a back hoe to get me to quit the farm! Writing my twice monthly blogs and the Girl Genius Feature in her magazine is one of the greatest blessings ( besides meeting all of you ) that blogging has brought to my life. We farmgirl bloggers get new blog headers this year! This one's mine... So MaryJanesFarm...

 I love my writing alias MJF Beach Farmgirl and GIRL GENIUS. They are forever a part of my farmgirl heart.  MaryJanes is my middle- age mentor and such and inspiration for natural healthy living and following your own farmgirl heart road right to dreams come true! Just look at her...She's 60 and just the cutest thing!!! She's more than a Savvy business woman too!

 Oh, I forgot one more thing:

FUN:  Not that all the other stuff isn't FUN, but I'm going on a trail ride this year if I have to steal a horse to do it!!! Will you come visit me in jail? I hope they have WI-fi!!!

 Geez, I didn't intend to ramble on at a Sunday's drive pace here, but now that I've gabbed and gushed my hopes and dreams for the coming year I hope you'll leave me a note and tell me what your plans are to " do you " in 2014!

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 128

 Welcome back to the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 128! 

I just had to share this darling " farmgirl scarecrow " with you! She reminds me of  Sister # 1  and Queen Bee MaryJaneButters with her straw hat, plaid shirt, and long braids. I wish I could take credit for creating her, but I'm only the photographer in this instance! This farmgirl scarecrow is the good luck mascot for my friends ( Pam and Charlotte)  over at South Shore Organics in Hanover, MA. 

They're begging the question, " Who's Your Farmer ? " with the grand opening of their new CSA home delivery business. The first of their kind in our area and they're getting rave reviews from the locals!  I invite you to visit their link, and if you live on the south shore of Boston, take a trip down to their " Farm Stand " store -front where you can buy fresh, local organic and GMO FREE food straight from many of your local farmers year round'. You just get a taste of the goodness these farmgirls have to offer today but you'll be seeing more of them in the future in the pages of MaryJanesFarm Magazine!

This weeks featured Farmgirl is Amaranth & Kale for the amazing Twig and Acorn wreath she created and shared on last weeks hop!  It's so fun to get outside this time of year and gather sticks, acorns, pine-cones, leaves, dried branches, flowers and seed pods and bring them inside for your harvest decorating.  Just look at this natural beauty!  Go here for the full tutorial!

What natural findings do you like to bring inside and decorate with for fall? 

Now, on with the hop! 

 ~ Your Farmgirl Friday Hostesses ~  

Heidi of My Simple Country Living 
and White Wolf Summit Farmgirl Blog
Dolly of Hibiscus House and Dolly is Cooking
Debbie of Farmgirl Unleashed 
and me of course!

 Here are the rules for the Farmgirl/GUY Blog Hop!

1.) Write a post about your farmgirl lifestyle and brag a little about your farmgirl talents while your at it! Share what being a farmgirl means to you. Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals,  quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea!

2). Leave your entry in the  Linky tools space to your  Farmgirl Friday post.

3). Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post and remember to share this hop with all of your blogging friends!

4.) Enter up to three entries per hop! 


 DON'T BE SHY~  

Be sure to leave a note if you're new to the hop! If you haven't clicked that follow button yet, please join us and be sure to stop by our FACEBOOK page and like us there too! 

As always, thank you for your continued participation and welcome new friends and followers! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! See you on the hop! 

PS. This is a blog hop, so please share it with your friends by copying the code at the bottom of this post and including it into your weekly entry!

Farmgirls For Old Glory

Are you a patriotic American? Do you tear up when you hear the Pledge of Allegiance or the Star Spangled Banner? I do. If you love our flag and all she stands for read Daughters of America for a re-fresher course on what it means to be a true American.

 I was so moved by her post. I think you will be too! 

And, I love her button ( pictured above) which I have displayed PROUDLY on my sidebar...

Written by, Shery Jesperson MJF Ranch Farmgirl Blogger.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

A Coastal Christmas

 

Join me for a day of old fashioned window shopping by the sea in my latest post A Coastal Christmas on the MaryJanesFarm MJF Beach farmgirl blog! Hope to see you there!

Happy Christmas!
Deb