An EGGstraspecial GOOD Friday Giveaway!

Full Egg Collecting Apron with ten mini egg pockets.

  Howdy friends. I'm so glad you landed here on Easter weekend. 

 Have I got a GOOD Friday Giveaway for my chicken keeping friends, and friends of chicken keepers too.

I'm hosting an EGGstraspecial Spring Giveaway over on the Beach Farmgirl Blog sponsored by Tara J.Grier, founder of Fluffy Layers. Her company is inspired by fun, fashionable prints and practical urban agriculture products. Tara is giving away one or her fun and fashionable egg collecting  aprons to a lucky farmgirl!

 Come on over to see more cute aprons and enter the giveaway for a chance to win.

ENTER HERE 

  A very Happy Easter to all of you. 

Hugs! Deb

The NEW 2016 Farm Girl Friday Blog Hop

Dear farmgirls,

This post to you has been sitting in my drafts folder for weeks. You may have noticed that the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop has been quite sporadic over the last couple of months and I'm sorry about that. Hosting the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop has been an important highlight of my blogging career and although it's been hard to admit to myself, I just don't have time to keep it going on a regular basis. But don't despair! I'm turning over the reigns to Debbie ( my co-host ) over at Farmgirl Unleashed! You'll be in good hands. Debbie and her husband farm at Big Sky Acres in Indiana. Debbie writes about her new farm-life experiences as she unleashes her inner farmgirl.

Starting next Friday, Feb 12th Debbie will begin hosting the NEW Farm Girl Friday Blog Hop. You'll get a new button to share in your posts and Debbie let me know that she'll be looking for a new co-hostess to help corral some new farmgirls to the hop.

Both of us want to thank you all for joining in every Friday and we look forward to seeing you every week going forward. I'll still be here... tapping away and I'll be popping by the hop to say howdy and share some of my flower farming posts too!

So, for old times sake, let's link up one last time from Dandelion House, for some good old-fashioned farmgirl soul food!

Farmgirl hugs!!!

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?

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop #206

 

 Happy Farmgirl Friday farmgirls!

The first week in September is always a whirlwind if you've got back to school or ( off to college) aged kids in the house isn't it? I always feel like I've just gotten into my summer groove and it's time to start back to school shopping already. With our youngest off to her freshmen year in a local college this year I'll have plenty of time for indoor painting projects and feathering the nest. Luckily it's not completely empty, yet but it's a comin'. Sniff, sniff.

I'm holding on to my baby AND  these last few weeks of summer because I'm still " in the flowers " as my family likes to say.  I'm even dreaming about them at night! 

Take it from this flower farmgirl,

The power of flowers is a strong and wonderful spell to be under.

This is one of my recent bridal bouquet mock-ups created with seasonal blooms from my little backyard flower farm. The combination of the soft pink of the Cafe Au Lait dahlia, deep royal purple dahlias with a mix of earthy greens and lacy dusty miller makes for an earthy, yet romantic feeling. The bride and groom are having an intimate backyard ceremony and celebration with local food, FLOWERS and music.

Tell us, are you seeing more local flowers at events and family celebrations these days? 

My farmgirl co-hostess Debbieand her sweet hubby Mike, are working in the garden and mid-way through a kitchen DIY project. Aren't they ambitious? I can't wait until it's finished. I hope she posts pics.. Hint, hint!!!

I bet your kitchens and gardens are bursting as you work hard to preserve this season harvest. 

Share it all right here with your farmgirl friends from far and wide.

 It's a three day weekend too, so have fun and be safe where ever you are.

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 205

 

 Welcome back farmgirls! I don't want to admit it but I was almost positive I could smell Fall in the air last week. And, I'm beginning to daydream about inside painting projects that I want to complete before the time change goes into effect. I know!!! What am I thinking? There's still a whole month of Farmers Markets ahead and two September weddings to design flowers for. I'm not the least bit ready to say goodbye to summer, I just find it interesting how we humans are so biologically tied to the seasons don't you? 

 Debbie ( my farmgirl co-Hort) and her hubby are knee-deep in a DIY kitchen remodel right now and watching green tomatoes on the vine for any signs of blush pink or red tinges.

 They're counting the days till harvest time.

It's time for another great round up of farmgirl posts!

Let's see what cha got! 

Have a great weekend and we'll see you on the hop!

A Sarah Rosedahl Book Giveaway

Cluck! Cluck!  It's chickens and gardening season my friends which makes this the perfect time for me to introduce you to artist/ author and chicken keeper Sarah Rosedahl. I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah at the Northeastern Poultry Congress last year. Her whimsical chicken art caught my eye right away and made me smile.

Sarah Rosedahl is an artist and recovering software engineer. After a 25 year hiatus from creating art, while working as an engineer in Silicon Valley, Sarah rediscovered her passion for art through a community art class in San Jose, CA; watercolor classes at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art; and ceramic classes at Hands In Clay, New Orleans. Sarah moved to Vermont’s Champlain Islands in 2012, inherited a few chickens from friends, raised more chickens, started painting chickens and then wrote, illustrated and published
“Chickens! Illustrated Chicken Breeds A to Z”. Many of the chickens featured in the book are modeled after Sarah’s small mixed flock of whimsical hens that include Chipmunk and Olive (Ameraucana), An (Cochin), Betty White (Brahma), Little Zelda (Hamburg), Big Zelda (Sicilian Buttercup), Shakey and Janet (Wyandotte) and Big Wilhelmina and Little Wilhelmina (Welsummer). 

Sarah is giving away a copy of Chickens! Illustrated Chicken Breeds A to Z to one lucky reader. 

Simply leave a comment below and tell us a little about your flock ( or flock to be ). And, while you're at it, what do you slog around in when you're out in the coop and garden?

Did you know Sarah's adorable chicken art is featured on Sloggers

  and T-shirts too? Congratulations Sarah! Sarah's products make the perfect for gifts for your friends and family from 1- 101!

Find Sarah and her charming books, sloggers  and T-shirts through these links.

 Website: www.srosedahl.com
 http://www.sloggers.com/?Click=6202  and Sarah will receive a commission of the sale.

 Chickens!Illustrated Chicken Breeds from A to Z  https://www.facebook.com/ChickenBreedsAtoZ

Sarah's art page https://www.facebook.com/SarahRosedahl

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 183 PLUS a Farmgirl Outing to The Northeastern Poultry Congress

Woot! Woot! Happy Farmgirl Friday on Sunday! I hope you're getting some fun in this weekend along with your daily rounds. I was able to sneak away to the Northeaster Poultry Congress  (from Chicks to Champs ) in Springfield, MA yesterday with my friend Melissa from Tilly's Nest. Here's a great post she wrote for Community Chickens you might like to check out if you've ever thought about going to a Poultry show.

We had a blast looking at all the different breeds of chickens and listening to the roosters crow and the geese honk all day long. Plus we got to meet some of our blogging friends in person too! That's always a treat!


 Imagine about 50 or more rows just like this one filled with all sizes, colors and breeds of poultry! You might think that it would be pretty smelly inside but I learned that the chickens don't get fed prior to judging. They get water but no food until they've been judged. Afterwards they can eat their little chicken hearts out.

There was so much going on I had a hard time deciding where to point my camera. But then I spotted this little gal giving her pet chicken a work out on the obstacle course and I had to get a closer look. Adults, juniors and children alike enter their birds in various categories in hopes of placing high or even winning a championship.

  It was so heartwarming to watch the youngster with their birds. They were so passionate and knowledgeable about their hobby and showed such poise and maturity, especially while under the judges watchful eye like this group of juniors in the showmanship class below.

 This pretty girl is a Blue Orpington. 

This Barred Rock Cockerel ( a domestic bird under a year old ) was quite the handsome fella!
It's a lot to take in in one day, but so worth going ( at least once ) if you're a backyard chicken keeper or maybe you and your children are looking for a way to add some competitive fun to an already enjoyable hobby.

 
 So, that was my chick-filled farmgirl outing this weekend!

Before you get hopping be sure to check out the latest Giveaway! Carole West of Garden Up Green is giving away one download of her new eBook Quail, Getting Started. One more day to enter here!

 Debbie of Farmgirl Unleashed  ( my co- hostess and farmgirl in crime )  and I are looking forward to watching your year unfold and we've got  more great  FARMGIRL GIVEAWAYS planned for you too!

 Time to link-up and play some Farmgirl Show and Tell with us!

Gifts from the Chicken Coop~ Just in time for Easter

If you keep chickens, even a small flock, those farm fresh eggs will soon be taking up valuable storage space in your frig. Backyard chickens keepers can go from zero fresh eggs by the end of winter to multiple cartons in a few short weeks after the arrival of spring. That's why I love to gussy up a few cartons of eggs and give them away to family and friends on Easter Sunday.

I know Easter colors are usually soft and pastel-y but I just love traditional farm-y red and white gingham. So off I went to my local Michael's Craft Store to gather supplies!

  

One roll of red and white wired ribbon, ( any width )

small little yellow rose buds ( with floral wire attached for easy assembly)  and

 brown paper gift tags ( any color or size )

Oh, and fresh eggs of course!!!

 The possibilities are endless for what you could use to gift wrap a carton of eggs. 

Sh. Don't  tell my mom about the eggs! I want to surprise her!

Enjoy! 

Deb

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 144 and so much MORE!

 

Happy Farmgirl Friday sisters ( and brothers )! Welcome new bloggers! Last week we had 71 amazing entries on the hop PLUS, dozens of pics and posts on your Farmgirl Chit-Chat Facebook group!  Saddle up and mosey on over to join! This week Heidi hosted an all day Scavenger hunt providing 6 fun farmgirl clue's to get our members to share more about themselves. It was loads of farmgirl fun! Today I'm hosting a Cock of the Walk Rooster Modeling Contest, so bring your best looking guys on over and let them Strut their Stuff! There is a prize for the winner!

And, that's not all... There's still time to enter my Waggin' Delights Artisans Dog Treats Giveaway!

Oh yeah! As if that's not enough to keep us all busy, I published my first post on the Community Chickens Blog.  

An amazing community for chicken keepers of all kinds!

 Whew doggies, we've all been busy farmgirls this week! But, we wouldn't have it any other way now would we? 

  Now it's time to link up for MORE farmgirl soul-food. 

Heidi, Dolly, Debbie and I love to see what you're up to from week to week so let's get going!

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!

You don't have to live on a farm to join this hop!

 Farmgirl is a Condition of the Heart~ MaryJaneButters 

Brag a little ( or a lot ) about your farmgirl talents! 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! 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! 

 Enter up to three entries per hop!

Under a Blanket of Leaves

 Can you feel it? I can... Winter is closer than you think! The farmers almanac says we are in for a bitterly cold winter this year and while I hope they are wrong about the temperature there's no denying that fall is in full swing. Especially here along the south coast of New England. I've been keeping an eye on my trees this week for changes in color and falling leaves. I swear in just a few days the trees over our shed and hen house turned and began to fall creating a blanket of leaves on the ground, the roof of the shed and the chicken run!  When I looked our our bedroom window this morning it looked as if our shed was wearing a rather ill- fitting wig of fallen leaves! The chicken wire over the run gathers leaves and creates a faux roof as well. I like to think this makes the girls feel nice and cozy in their fall nest with a blanket of leaves overhead.

 Our neighborhood has grown quiet over the years as the children have grown up and out of " playing" in the yard. These days they congregate out on the street at the hoop after school and on the weekends in-between work and socializing. I don't mind the quiet though. The leaves crackle as I walk inside the run to visit with the girls. Liza Jane ( who has taken over the roll of head hen since Lacy Lou passed ) is always the first to come and greet me. I think she must have had the bottom bunk last night because her head and neck are speckled with  something white and it's NOT her feathers! Well, I'm just saying...

As I rounded the corner of the shed I found the rest of the gang having some quiet time under the trees.

We sat under the blanket of leaves together and had a nice visit...

It was so tranquil sitting there.  Even the girls seemed to understand the beauty of the moment as they cooed and clucked quietly back to me. I've cleared the cobwebs out of the hen house and laid in a fresh bale of shavings for added warmth. The girls have just about finished molting and they're ready for a long, relaxing vacation from laying an egg a day!  I wish I could send them on a tropical vacation... Hmm.

Can't you just see them in their polka dot bikinis and sun hats sipping scorpions on the beach? 

They ARE the Cottage Hens after all! 

DUST, MUST AND RUST AT THE VINTAGE BAZAAR!

 

 Sometimes a girl just has to hit the open road with friend for a day of FARMGIRL adventure!

My pal Melissa Caughey of Tilly's Nest Blog and I did just that this past Saturday! Where were we headed? To The Vintage Bazaar in Salsbury, MA. This was the third year for this event and the first time either us us had attended! When I read it was going to be held on the grounds of a  historic flower farm I was T.H.E.R.E.!

Pettengill Farm

I don't want to give it all away cuz I'm sharing on  my MJF BEACH Farmgirl Blog this weekend too, but I just couldn't keep all that we saw under my hat for another minute! 

  So, here are some of the highlights!

Of-course there was a tractor and of-course children were climbing all over it! I wanted to climb on too but I didn't want to ruin the kids fun to I contained myself, but it wasn't easy!

 Do you dream of owning an old vintage truck of your very own? I do! My dad had an old red ford model of this vintage that I adored! This old vintage truck was for sale! I didn't bring enough money this trip, but next time I just might be better prepared!

There were salvaged banisters and buttons.

Linens and lace.

Vintage chicken keeping goods were in abundance! 

Here's Melissa checking out the metal egg crate and a vintage chicken water feeder.

 

 It was an amazing day!  We walked, talked, and oohed and awed our way through 125 amazing vender's! We also met some fabulous ladies who each have vintage shops of their own. But that's Top Secret for now!

I'll tell ya all about them in my upcoming post for MaryJanesFarm, I promise!

Until then... Tell us how you've been getting YOUR farmgirl on this fall!