We need to find meaning. We need to be useful. We need to know that who we are matters. I give, you give, we all give.
Cindi Johnson says: Plastic saucers are great fun and very versatile – there’s nothing like a Flyer though. There were a few around still when I was a kid. We used to go skiing every winter from so far back it wasn’t even a popular sport yet, but I don’t remember ever having been on a sled like that. Looking back over my reputation for sledding, I’m thinking maybe that’s a good thing!
Winnie Nielsen says: Looks like the one we had at our house growing up. I remember flying downhill with my friend and next door neighbor, Bobby, driving and me on top of him hanging on for dear life. A “Kid stack” making the most out of sled sharing and maximizing the number of times you get to ride down!
Terry Steinmetz says: oh, I miss my sled! Living in snow country, my children brought back many childhood memories to me when we’d go outdoors to sled! Yes, we; I loved it as much as they did! Now my grandgirls live in southern Indiana and they don’t see much in the way of snow. So their favorite thing to do when they do come here is to get out the sled & ride on the hill! Fond memories!
Winnie Nielsen says: Another beautiful photo of Winter’s beauty to start my day down here in Florida where such views rarely, if ever, happen.
Nancy Coughlin says: Wonder what or who is scurrying around under that snow crusted grass? Amazing how nature- all of it- learns to survive through the different seasons.
Winnie Nielsen says: You know, there is really something romantic about your Idaho landscape. Something about the wide open spaces, the long grasses, the rolling hills just makes it almost seem like it is unreal, except that it is not!
Winnie Nielsen says: It is a shame that beautiful iron work is no longer a routine embellishment. This piece reminds me of a bed headboard decoration?
Winnie Nielsen says: What is it about old red barns that begs me to stop and ponder the stories it’s walls have seen? What is it about them that makes me want to linger just a minute longer?
Cindi Johnson says: Oh Winnie, the ones that really get my imagination going are the pieces of property that have one big shade tree and maybe a rose bush that were clearly planted in a front yard and next to a front porch. Such clear pictures appear in my mind ~ complete with sounds of children and the scent of home baked goods in the air; and, of course, a dog.
Cindi Johnson says: My dream home 🙂
Winnie Nielsen says: I totally understand that too, Cindi! I’ve been known to indulge in the same fantasies when it comes to old abandoned houses. But barns really do it to me and it is weird since I have always lived in a city. .
Nancy Coughlin says: Barns, sheds, old homes: have a wall in my den covered with paintings, photographs and pictures of old, abandoned places crying out to be remembered. And the tales they can help to weave are wonderful.
connie-Killarney says: This picture comforts the Soul!!
Winnie Nielsen says: So beautiful!! I love the brown grasses dusted with snow.
CHARLYN says: so peaceful
Brenda Wheeler says: Just lovely!
Winnie Nielsen says: I always wondered why birds don’t stay in their birdhouses in nests during the winter. It seems like it would ever so much warmer and drier. They look so cold standing on these tiny legs on snowy branches and huddled in bushes. I wonder if any species stay in their nests all year long. It might beat flying the way down here to Florida!
Cindi Johnson says: I was looking at some lovely birdhouses yesterday made by local artists and really wanted to get a couple, but my yard seems to be attractive hornets and wasps. When I went to clean out the little birdhouse that was on the fence when I moved in had 3 wasp nests and a little dead bird in it. I really (really, really!) dislike the new “plastic” fencing, but maybe it would not make very good nesting material for the wasps!
“As you think about your holiday gift list, please consider a gift that gives back to family farmers,” says American Farmland Trust. It’s not farmland without farmers. To save farmland, we must ensure that all farmers can make a living—as well as a life—on the land. American Farmland Trust works to save family farms by building community support for agriculture, improving market opportunities, and ensuring access to land for the next generation.
With a donation of $25 or more to American Farmland Trust, you’ll “adopt a cow for someone special” and they’ll send your recipient an adorable plush cow named Milkshake and a certificate of adoption.
It’s a fantastic way to give a meaningful gift—one that will help family farmers thrive by supporting the work of American Farmland Trust.
Winnie Nielsen says: I am now going to be the proud owner of a Milkshake! It seems like the perfect gift to me to go with my new FSOTY Moo Cow Quilt! There is more than one way to have a backyard cow! Thank-you MaryJane of sharing this. I love how the fund helps family farmers too. Win Win!!
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
I see a greening up of the grass in this photo. A late Winter blending into Spring sort of feel.
No ducks? Well, soon enough.
Jer Bear~
A quiet and serene shot. Our minus degree days have all of us suffering from cabin fever. Soon, will be able to get out and about more and enjoy the beauty of nature.