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.
Winnie Nielsen says: Grain silo? I like the look of the lettering on the grey siding. Just simple and to the point like farm equipment always is.
MaryJane says: Yes, grain silo. More and more people are turning them into homes once they’re abandoned. I fashioned our facility after a metal grain silo for two reasons, actually three. I didn’t want to chase a paintbrush the rest of my life; the flickers make holes in anything wood or even composite wood around here; and I think it fits the vernacular architecture of our region perfectly.
Winnie Nielsen says: How clever is this little ornament! It looks like it is coated in cinnamon sugar. Perfect for a small tree in the sewing room or any tree.
Santa must be busy checking his list and feeding his reindeer some good alfalfa hay for their breakfast. Or more realistically, giving them a field plentiful in green lichens. When we visited Finland a feed years back, we went to where the native Sami people live which is mostly above the Artic Circle. The reindeer are part of their indigenous diet and they graze on lichens in the areas. Who knew lichens had everything they need for health? I love their fuzzy antlers and their gorgeous grey and brown coats.
For me, I will let the reindeer alone and just enjoy Lingonbenrry jam on light crepes! The Lingonberries grow wild on the ground as well and the Sami make them into a jam to serve with the reindeer meat. Ummmmmm, who can choke down Dancer, or Prancer or Comet or Vixen???? I just couldn’t . I meant talk about getting permanently on Santa’s naughty list!
MaryJane says: Santa’s naughty list–indeed! Thanks for the smile on my face this morning, Winnie. Brrr. It’s 8 degrees here. Hope my “reindeers” teats are okay:) Their goods are part of my indigenous diet.
Winnie Nielsen says: Brrrrrrr is right!! My poor Miss Daisy must feel a bit chilly? Like the real reindeer, most likely your reindeer are barely noticing much difference. Thankfully, Ma Nature has your back on this one!
Lisa Von Saunder says: Yeah I found out the hard way that reindeer don’t eat carrots as I had been taught by my parents. We would leave milk and cookies out for Santa and carrots for his reindeer.
When as an adult I got to finally meet real reindeer I brought along bags and bags of carrots for all the children to give to ” Santas 9 reindeer ” ( the usual 8 plus Rudolph ) that were visiting in our area. Well the “Elves” ( reindeer handlers) told me : “Miss ,reindeer don’t eat carrots! ” and I countered with : ” Oh yes they do since all these kids are waving carrots to give to the deer. Now, Mr Elf, you just collect the carrots for their reindeer midnight snack , ok? ” . And he dutifully did just that.
Lorraine says: Merry Christmas, Mary Jane. May you & your family have a blessed coming year. Keep your wonderful magazine coming!
MaryJane says: Merry Christmas to you also, Lorraine. And thank you for reading my magazine!
Winnie Nielsen says: This eerie photo reminds me of Halloween. The image that comes to mind is a throw back to Snow White and the poison apple. I love the color contrast of the Granny Smith. But………quite the contrary to a poison apple. These little beauties are sweet and juicy!
MaryJane says: I was hoping you’d see your apple. Good morning Winnie in mourning. Hugs to Warren and a nod to your kitty pillow.
Winnie Nielsen says: Thank-you MaryJane. I am really enjoying seeing my Bump pillow on his favorite chair. It is sweet to me!
Winnie Nielsen says: Love, love, LOVE this photo!! I would love to be able to pick this chilled apple and eat it all up.
MaryJane says: How did I know this photo was for you? Anything apple speaks Winnie to me at this point.
Diana Shelton says: Beautiful pic! I agree with Winnie, love, love, love this photo. My mom just passed away a few months ago, and I had the privilege of picking off her apples from the homestead apple tree. I reminisced through the whole process of making apple butter and pies, because of the precious memories of my mom and I just a year ago, making apple butter together and freezing pies for the winter. The photo is picturesque of days gone by looking out her kitchen window and seeing the frost on the tree limbs of apples left from the fall season. Maryjane, your eye for photo shop pics is wonderful, keep them coming. I don’t always commit, but I do enjoy them.
MaryJane says: Will do! It’s nice to be reminded they’re appreciated:)
Winnie Nielsen says: Diana, your sweet reply just brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful last memory of your dear mom by picking apples from her tree and making them into all the favorite recipes your Mom created in your home as a child. I am glad you had this experience and a chance to “preserve” her memory and love in everything that you made.
And yes, MaryJane, your photos are a wonderful way to start my day! Thank-you for sharing with us the many scenes and details of your beautiful farm. I love them all.
Winnie Nielsen says: Looks like the late Fall snows have arrived. I love this little birdhouse with the latched door. It has that outhouse design too which makes it easy to clean out after mating season.
Benita Haeggquist says: Just precious! Snow does seem to be falling early this year. Still waiting for ours up in the mountains of Southern California ⛰❄️❄️
Frances Brevis-Martinez says: I have a beautiful photo of my acreage covered in snow…how can I send to,you to post if you choose?
Winnie Nielsen says: Upscale condo living for feathered friends at MJF! It sort of reminds me of an Alpine village with the pitched roofs and embellishments.
Winnie Nielsen says: I am clueless on this photo. I want to say grape leaf but then it looks too large?
MaryJane says: It is, in fact, a large grape leaf. Now you’re ready to move onto the next level in our game show:)
Winnie Nielsen says: Hahahahhaha!!! I always love the morning photo part of your post. It is always fun to see what lives and grows in your part of the country and all of the many gorgeous scenes from the rural Palouse.
Winnie Nielsen says: Iam not sure what kind of flower this is, but I love that orange/red color. Is this a late summer bloomer? Have you already had a frost that kills off your summer blooms?
MaryJane says: This is a bloom on one of my climbing scarlet runner beans. We’ve had some frost (cucumbers and tomatoes are gone) but we’re still harvesting things like raspberries and apples, and even, roses!
Lisa Von Saunder says: sweetpeas or scarlet runner or ???
MaryJane says: Scarlet runner. Good morning Lisa.
Winnie Nielsen says: TA-Da—-Introducing the 2017 crop of Damson Plums! Farmgirls get your canning equipment ready and tie on your favorite apron. My Mom’s jars of Damson Plum jam were a staple in our home growing up. Rich, sweet, and flavorful, these plums make must have kitchen staple if you are lucky enough to have them locally.
MaryJane says: We have our dryers full of them right now. Hubby went on a picking spree this weekend. He has also filled our freezer with raspberries. If you don’t know where Nick is, check the raspberry patch.
Winnie Nielsen says: Wonderful bounty!! I would be right there helping Nick and snitching raspberries as I picked.
Right now I am having lunch on my porch and enjoying a Courtland apple from Michigan. A local grocery store was having an Apple Fest this weekend and had a lot of new crop apples from up north. These Cortland remind me a bit like Honey Crisp but a tad sweeter and with a tougher skin. Oh, I forgot to tell you, remember my apple friend from Maine that I visited a few years ago? He was doing a big booth at the local Organic Farming fair and exhibition two weekends ago. Their CSA blog that I follow said that he was bringing back his popular 2009 graphic t-shirt that he created for sale at his booth. It was a must have so I wrote him asking if I could buy from him since attending the fair was not possible either. He said yes and even remembered me! I am sending you an email of what it looks like. I wore it for Apple Pie Sunday. Apple happiness!
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.
Questions, questions……what is inside??? Inquiring minds want to know!