I’ll spare you my sunsets, but I just have to share the great vintage farm finds that come my way.
Winnie Nielsen says: Happy St. Lucia Day, MaryJane!! It was the 2009 magazine and this holiday favorite of mine that first lit the light for bringing out the Farmgirl in me. It is a day to celebrate, a sort of anniversary for Red Tractor Girl. I am making Nana Olsen’s Norwegian pancakes and serve them with Lingonberry jam for breakfast.
I took a few photos of my celebration set up and will post over on the Forum later when I can photograph the breakfast.
God Jul!
Looking for that perfect farmgirl game this Christmas? 
Moo-ve over Monopoly … this farm-inspired game will have you buying the farm instead of the boardwalk. Farm-opoly is a property trading game depicting life on the farm, where players increase their profits by collecting acres and trading them in for big red barns. A lot like Monopoly, but full of country humor and fun farm facts … you’ll pass “grow” instead of “go” to collect $200, buy properties like “Grandma’s Apple Orchard” and “Combine Curve,” and get special passes like “Bale Out” and “Free Manure.”
Farm-opoly is a celebration of farm life. Suggested for ages 8 and up, it’s fun for the whole fam farmily. Guess what we’ll be doing Christmas day with my grandgirls?
Winnie Nielsen says: I love this cool version of Monopoly! Guess which property I would buy first???
connie-Killarney says: That is the best game ever! I have to have one!! I am going to make a little farm Girl out of Lily June as soon as she is old enough to get in the dirt! We can play this game together!
I want to teach her the Country Girl life as well as the electronic age her parents will teach her.
Terry Steinmetz says: This sounds like so-o-o much fun!!!
Yep, Winnie, guess it’s Grandma’s Apple orchard for you , eh?
This cool board game is sold at our local Mennonite Dry Goods store and it is a ” peach ” of a game indeed. What a neat idea and so sweetly done .
Deborah says: Where can I buy one of these, my grandaughte would LOVE playing with it!
MaryJane says: You can check your local toy store or online at Amazon.
Lisa says: I found mine at a Natural History Museum gift shop, couldn’t pass it up and was able to support them too. It’s so much fun to play.
MaryJane says: It is fun to play. My 8-year-old granddaughter already knew how to play Monopoly, so that made my job a little easier on Christmas day. Love the game–can’t wait to play it again with my grandgirls.
And the winner of the Speckled Swan Scarf is:
Beth Getz, who said:
“I love scarves! And I love the color of this one! I would wear it every day, since it goes with my coats and a good chunk of my sweaters … it’s my color! Love it!”
Watch for an e-mail from the farm, Beth. Congratulations!!!
And the original GIVEAWAY was (thank you to all who participated):
Join me in welcoming our latest Project F.A.R.M. addition, Kathy, Elisa, Jamie, and Angela of The Speckled Swan.
This gorgeous hand-made acrylic/wool scarf is up for grabs to the “hat pull” name that finds its way into my granddaughter’s hand on Thanksgiving Day. To enter, leave a comment telling us what festive event you’d attend wearing your new “cranberry red winter fashion scarf.”
Each order from The Speckled Swan comes gift wrapped for free with a rose, lavender, or cedar sachet included. I should mention, this scarf smells divine!
Yolanda Solferino says: I would love to wear that beautiful scarf, to church on Sunday morning.
Winnie Nielsen says: I love this pomegranate red. We have a fundraiser on December 11 that is a dress up event and this scarf would be, as my daughter would say, THE BOMB! Plus it would be perfect for bundling up everyday in Iceland at New Year’s.
This scarf is “my” color, so it will go so well with my handknit Irish fair isle heavy wool sweaters. I would wear it pretty much constantly EVERYWHERE all through the winter into cool spring weather. Lavender is the perfect scent for it.
Janet Floyd says: A beautiful scarf. Perfect for a Santa Claus parade
Michelle Kirby says: We are going out of town on New Years, this would be wonderful to wear on the beach we’re going to.
Barbara says: I’m afraid I would wear that scarf just about everywhere I go during the cold Winter months. It is a beautiful color and would compliment everyone’s complexion. Hope to get to wear it.
Chrissy says: I have three Christmas soirees to attend, none of which are formal, but that are Mid-west dress-up. That means clean jeans, and steppin’ out boots. This beautiful scarf would be a gorgeous accent. Lavender is my “best favorite” scent.
Vivian V says: The color is stunning! I’d wear it to church and school 🙂
Leslie Giuliani says: I would wear that scarf everyday to celebrate life and bring some color to the gloomy midwestern days we have been having 🙂
Gail says: My son is getting married next month. I would love to wear it to the rehearsal dinner my husband and I are hosting on December 4th. It is absolutely gorgeous, and is my favorite color!
Oh, this scarf is heavenly and beautiful! What a sweet giveaway! I would wear it to every party I am invited to, Christmas shopping, church and of course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Then into February for Valentine’s Day! XOX
Genevieve says: I would wear it at my family’s thanksgiving dinner, and the church christmas parade. And all the rest of the time
usairdoll says: What a beautiful scarf and such a yummy color! Would love to wear it to our family dinner at Christmas.
Thank you for a super giveaway and a chance to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
Patti Mac says: I am in the midst of a move and feeling scattered and down as I had to part with so many lifelong treasures! I will be alone on Thanksgiving, probably eating ham sandwiches in the old place as my son finishes fixing up the new. This beautiful scarf will remind me of happier times with my family and the promise of a better future!
I would wear this beautiful festive scarf to Christmas concerts that I plan to attend during this season.
Pamela Polk (Lokteff) says: Christmas What better to wear on Christmas…Love….
Melissa says: My 16yr old granddaughter has just started wearing scarfs. She’s a beautiful
young lady & will be blessed wearing such a treasure whereever she goes,
whether it’s to church, school or out on a date. 🙂
Melissa says: Oops, I should have said “scarves”
Cathy R says: What a lovely giveaway! It’s beautiful and I’d wear it to church and on Christmas day!! Thanks for the chance to win it! Blessings to all!
Beth Getz says: I love scarves! And I love the color of this one! I would wear it everyday sine it hides with my coats and a good chunk of my sweaters…it’s my color! Love it!
Terry Steinmetz says: I’d wear this scarf to our Christmas service, which I will be leading the music. It matches the jumper I made last year for Christmas! I was introduced to scarfs by my daughter-in-law,Apryl, a few years ago, and am collecting them (and making them) to wear with everything I can.
Peggy N. says: The first place I would wear it would be to a big Christmas craft fair were selling at on Thanksgiving weekend and then many many places after that, it’s beautiful!!;-) Love the color!
Karlyne says: Hmmm. Well, I can’t get out of my husband’s work Christmas party this year, so if you’d send this to me by Dec. 10th, at least I’d have something pretty to look at while trying to appear interested in the rest of my surroundings!
It’s beautiful! I would wear it to: Christmas Eve service and to the New Year’s Eve/Wedding Anniversary party for my daughter and son-in-law’s 10th anniversary!
Thanks for the opportunity!
CJ
Lisa A says: Love this color! I would wear it at Christmas with my Mom’s side of the family first.
Tess Y says: I would wear it to our Christmas Tree Lighting where my chorus Sounds of the Valley sings Christmas music to welcome this holiday season!
Gaye Durst says: What a beautiful color. Every year we take the Brownie Girl Scout troup to the Toys for Tots mothercycle parade to donate toys. We take lots of photos of the bikes and with Santa!
Jen in TX says: Holiday parties!
Winnie Nielsen says: Does Carol make all these cute bird houses too?
Winnie Nielsen says: WOW!! Just breathtaking! “Over there road and through the Palouse to MaryJane’s House we go. The car knows the way to carry the gang through brown and dusted snowscape!”
Charlyn says: so pretty.
Winnie Nielsen says: This is such a sweet vintage picture. I love it’s homey cozy feel!
On October 30 we offered up a pair of red hand-warmers (see below) to our readers who told us how they prefer their bananas and we pulled Patty W. from our basket of names.
Patty W said on:
“I love sliced bananas on my peanut butter sandwiches.”
Congratulations Patty. Watch for an email from the farm!
And the original post was:
Meet our newest Project F.A.R.M (First-class American Rural Made) vendor and win the red hand-warmers
pictured below. 
The ca-ute hand-warmers and headband pictured above are the work of three sisters who call themselves “A Few Good Bananas.” The sisters make hats, headbands, hand-warmers, and gloves, with a combination of recycled and new materials and intricately handmade adornments. Their combination of boiled wool, cashmere, and other materials makes their products warm and lightweight. “We are passionate about our creations. We have taken extreme care to give every item its own unique personality, making sure that no two pieces are alike.”
From their website:
About Us
A Few Good Bananas is the creative child born to three sisters who value family, friendship, and community. Our family taught us very early on that it was more important to have active and creative minds than money. Our mom was one of the original up-cyclers. She found innovative ways to use thrift-shop finds or items that outlived their original purpose and passed that trait on to each of us. Our father used to say “never buy green bananas because life is short, and you never know if you will be around long enough for them to ripen.” After our dad passed away, our mom always put “a few good bananas” on her shopping list. Our friends, family, and customers tell us that when they shop, they think fondly of how A Few Good Bananas originated. We consider ourselves instrumental in the lack of good bananas at our local grocery store.”
We each bring our unique and whimsical senses to every design decision.
Enter our GIVEAWAY for the red hand-warmers pictured above. In the comments section below, share your favorite way to eat bananas, and we’ll pull one lucky winner’s name from my new A Few Good Bananas hat!
Jennifer Memolo says: With nutella…Yummy!
Karlyne says: The only way I really like bananas are with brown sugar and rum. But I really like them that-a-way! (and these warmers are adorable and I neeeeed them)
Lisa B. says: BANANAS! We LOVE them in smoothies and frozen and dipped in dark chocolate of course that way they are totally health food right?! Totally Ca-Ute hand warmers would kill to get some, well that might be a bit harsh, but would at least jump up and down. 😉
Brittany Adams says: I eat them in my breakfast smoothies.
Susan Musgrave says: Down here in the south, we eat them on a sandwich with mayo, peanut butter, and a sprinkle of sugar on top! Yum!!!
Katy says: Mmmmm …. Bananas…with peanut butter and bacon….yum!!
Laura Law says: Anyway is good! I carry them with me everywhere I go for a quick pick me up.
Norma Horner says: I love bananas sliced on my Cheerios in the morning. I love banana pie with Nilla waffers. But my favorite way to eat a banana is just plain. Peel and eat.
Genevieve says: I love my banannas in a smothie with peanut butter and milk.
Melissa says: I eat my banana with peanut butter & sometimes drizzle
local honey over it 🙂
I eat them plain while on my way to the barn and would be even better while wearing those cute red handwarmers!
rhonda brooks says: I love my banana in a peanut butter smoothie!!
Susie Wantulok says: We like to put a banana, or a few good bananas!, into a VitaMix with a little bit of peanut butter, milk, hemp hearts, flax seed and chia seeds (all organic of course) and have a delicious, filling breakfast drink!
june deese says: Banana sandwich….banana with peanut butter on bread…yumm
Fresh, peeled from the bottom end (not the stem end). But I also add them to my smoothies!
CJ
Barbara says: My favorite way to eat bananas is just to have them for breakfast, plain. 🙂
Cindi Johnson says: I have a calorie-free (ahem, really – no! I mean Really!) recipe for banana bread that is rich with butter, bananas and a good swig of rum that could be my favorite way to eat bananas. Still, bananas on a bowl of Cheerios just can’t be beat.
Moya says: I love banana’s and I am finding more ways to use them too!
Alice - Farmgirl #12 says: Banana bread warm out of the oven!
Cheryl C says: I like my bananas straight up au naturel! And very ripe!
Peggy says: Frozen, then puréed in the Vitamix. Tastes like ice cream!
lynnia says: Since a child I have always loved bananas with peanut butter and honey
Sharon says: I like sliced bananas with an almond milk cover.
Lauren E. says: Not a huge banana fan usually, but I love to make my own banana bread.
Love your work! Please enter me..I eat bananas just like they are pick one up anytime just to eat they are my favorite fruit with strawberries too! Congratulations A Few Good Bananas!
Nancy Coughlin says: I like a banana sliced in half, lengthwise, laid on a bed of lettuce. Top with mayo and peanuts! Yummy.
Peggy N. says: I love my bananas just plain and not to ripe!
Vivian V says: Well, I must confess I do not like bananas, but I love the hand warmers!
Judy says: It’s already cold here so sure could use your warmers! TOO cute!
Love grabbing bananas for a ride in the truck with hubby checking cattle. Full of goodness like your warmers! Ripe ones for hubby & green ones for me. Dipped in cinnamon sugar….YUMMY
Good luck for your creations!
The ONLY way to eat bananas is in banana bread ! that’s my vote. And if i don’t win I will just have to ” cook up” some of my secret stash of wool sweaters saved just for boiling and make my own. Patterned Fair Isle sweaters make the best boiled woolens.
linda b. says: With chocolate covered pretzels….perfect way to eat a banana!
paula t says: One delicious way to enjoy bananas is topped on a peanut butter covered rice cake YUM!
Rebecca Taylor says: Hum…well I think my favorite way to eat a banana would be to slice it up and eat it on an ice cream Sunday with raspberry sorbet and honey.
Patty W says: I love sliced bananas on my peanut butter sandwiches.
i heart salt says: Just straight up!
Cheryl Corpstein says: As banana jam, using my grandma’s recipe
Iris Foster says: BANANA PUDDING!!!!! That is how my family likes their banana’s. Real banana pudding not from pudding mix. 2 cups sugar, 4 cups milk,2 heaping T. spoons flour, 6 eggs yokes, T. spoon vanilla, 1 stick butter. Box of vanilla wafers. Nothing fattening about that. Your hand warmers are precious!!!
Betty Thompson says: Those good hand warmers look great. Keep up the good woman’s work!
Sandie Weinrauch says: I love a peanut butter, honey and banana sandwich on fresh homemade multigrain bread!!!!
Catherine Vande Braak says: I like my bananas when the peel is still on the green side. A little peanut butter to go along with it makes it perfect:)
beki hancox says: I have, because of “belly” issues started to eat more whole grains, fresh fruit, and veggies, etc.
I have created a Pitalicious- Peanutbutter- Sammie. I love it!
Cut a whole wheat (read the labels) pita in half. Take a tiny bowl, and mix the following: bit of peanutbutter and local honey.
Next, add raisins, small sliced apples, and few pecans. Put into pita, top with lots of sliced banannas
and finally sprinkle with cinnamon and a bit of real maple syrup.
I love this sandwich, and it tastes great.
This is my creative use of banannas, and I so hope to win the gloves.
Rita Bowen says: Love bananas frozen and straight out of the Yonana machine. Tastes just like soft serve ice-cream.
Ginger Booth says: I eat bananas almost anyway you can name. But one of my favorites is sliced long ways between 2 toasted frozen waffles and sprinkled with cinnamon. Sometimes I sprinkle a few sunflower seeds for protein.
Love these hand warmers and the creativity of the sisters at A Few Good Bananas!
Winnie Nielsen says: Wow, somehow I missed this post. Those hand warmers are too cute and practical too. Congratulations Patty W !! These are going to arrive just in time for the next round of Arctic Air for this November!!
LaRoyce Eskew says: mmmm…..warm chocolate chip banana bread….the crust!
Winnie Nielsen says: A cozy lantern on what looks like an outdoor grill. Our Girl Scout Troop went primitive camping one November with the ground looking like this photo. We darn near froze to death!!
Cindi Johnson says: I love those old lanterns and collect them whenever I can. They add such atmosphere to a power outage! 🙂
Winnie Nielsen says: Someone sure has a lot of creativity to come up with such cute combinations with such unrelated parts. These are little works of art!!
MaryJane says: Our very own Carol is on a roll with these. Expect to see more. I’m taking her down to our bolt/junk pile today for more treasures that only her eye seems to see. She already went through my lace cache. Isn’t this one adorable?! She’s tapped into a real talent.
Nancy Coughlin says: These are just too neat! What a wonderful sense of creativity. Yo go Carol !!!
Carol Hill says: Thanks so much! The bigger girl is called “Lovey.” She got her start from a vintage pharmacy bottle. Her skirt is a piece of lace and her torso and arms are an old metal garden hose coupling. Old doll arms and a heart-shaped cookie cutter finish off her shape. Her necklace is a rusty chain with a slipper shell and her hat is another shell with a spring coming out the middle. The little girl is “Natasha.” She started with a little vintage Russian-style wooden doll that sits on a vintage thread spool topped with some lace and a tin gelatin mold. I filled in the space between the doll and the mold with a string of beads and gave her an acorn hat.
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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.
Would this be a tool sharpener? Tough one to guess!
Close but not quite. You push an ear of dried corn into the top as you crank and voila! corn scratch for your chickens. Good morning Winnie.
I would have never guessed that one. My Grandmother used her coffee grinder to grind her corn for her chickens. I am so lucky to be the owner of that coffee grinder today!
i wondered what this was. mystery solved!