I’ll spare you my sunsets, but I just have to share the great vintage farm finds that come my way.
I bought three books to gift as giveaways for Christmas, but then I decided to do it after the big day, during the recovery, the decompression. Nothing will get you started on the right foot in 2012 like a good book, right?
Dr. Ribi, who I mentioned in my post, Duck or Duct tape?, introduced me to …
Kimberly Busby says: The best I have read in a long while is “Ahab’s Wife” by Sena Jeter Naslund. Her writing is so lyrical, I found my self reading passages several times, just to experience the words rolling by again, and again. I was also amazed at the way she created an entire narrative for a character who is only mentioned in a few lines in “Moby Dick”. Also, which gal doesn’t love the story of a woman who lives a difficult and interesting life, yet manages to find some happiness and love along the way?
My favorite book. This is like picking my favorite cousin (I have 32 first cousins) (or, if I had siblings or children, this would be like picking my favorite kid!) Because Stella is picking names out of a hat I will get no points for picking your book, but YOU, (as in MaryJane’s Lifebook, Sourcebook, Cookbook – For The Farmgirl In All Of Us) MaryJane, make my top ten because I learn so much about myself as I read about you.
I now have chickens, I cook over a campfire on my own property, I make old calendars into darling gift bags, I embroider (fabric not stories), I make gellies with agar-agar kanten -ChillOver – and know the genius and species of this sea vegetable thanks to you. I am not getting a goat to eat my weeds because “CassieMae and Flip will eat anything before they eat bind weed”. I plant and enjoy diakon radish, something I had never heard of before your book. I dry my clothes on a line outside or on racks indoors. I sprout. I eat salad with a spoon. I waste less. I read more. I write more. I am shopping for a scythe. My list of things I do or don’t do because of your book goes on and on…
I look around me now, at my rolling Southern California landscape that is chock full of mustard growing (thanks to the Padres) (and glowing when in bloom -I read once that the vast yellow California acreage of mustard in bloom can be seen from space) and think to myself, if only CALTRANS would read MaryJane, they would plant all the freeways with mustard and harvest it for bio-diesel to run all the cars in the carpool lane.
MaryJane says: YOU Karen England are precious. I’ve reread your comment several times. I can’t get the smile off my face:)
Pick just one book?!
My best friend introduced me to “How Green Was My Valley” in junior high–she had seen the movie then read the book. I’ve read it many times since. It’s a classic and beautifully written.
“Ahab’s Wife” is highly recommended as well, for all the reasons Kimberly states above. A great tale about an unforgettable character.
And Mary Jane’s books are within reach for whenever I need to visit that world–love all the photos and graphics. Also really enjoy the forest ranger stories, since that’s my life too.
My favorite book happens to be whatever I am reading at the moment. Right now it’s “Crow Planet” by Lyanda Lynn Haupt. She writes from the radical notion that you can be a serious naturalist wherever you are, which for her is a west Seattle neighborhood. She starts by watching crows and her essays wander all over natural history, raising a family, ecological crisis, what is “wild”, and much more. The book is about paying close attention. I attended a writing workshop taught by Lyanda, and her writing is much like her presence–kind, thought-provoking, curious, informative, and a bit whimsical.
i read every day and love numerous books but a couple of favorites are:
The witching Hour by ann rice (mystery, history, magic n love all combined)
animal vegatable miracle by barbara kingsolver (just cause)
gail springman says: I recently read three books by Jane Kirkpatrick which fascinated me because they tell of women pioneers who came out to Oregon and their struggles and triumphs along the way. The way she writes puts you in the moment.
I enjoy western romance and suspense.
My favorite book is “The Egg & I” by Betty MacDonald. I kept my husband awake several nights from laughing so hard! Loved it!
Happy New Years Farm Girls!
I have a few favorite books. I cannot live without an old Betty Crocker cookbook my Mom gave me and Summer just isn’t the same without my old Ball food preservation book. I got it from an old friend that is no longer with us. My favorite “reader” is anything by William Shakespeare. I love Romeo & Juliet. We all know the tragedy of the story. It’s been recreated over and over on screen and in print. I never tire of the intensity of the young lovers’ feelings or the many other themes ie: the danger of anger/hate, denying your true self, loyalty and honor. My favorite FUN Shakespeare read would have to be A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream. From start to finish the mischief and errors keep me in stitches every read. What a great laugh and who doesn’t like fairies?
Chrissy says: I really like the Anne of Green Gables books. I reread them periodically. Anne’s use of superlative adjectives is wonderful and my favorite remembrance is the term “kindred spirit”.
My favorite all time book is “A Lantern in Her Hand” by Bess Streeter Aldrich. Next to the Bible it is my “life book”. It is me in a nut shell. It is what I hope to be, do, and pass on to my children. It shares in a poignant way that all the hustle and bustle out there is not what life is all about! Love it! Have read it numerous times and it is required reading here in our homeschool LOL
I came over from Deborah Jeans blog. I love to read, and do so very often. My all time favorite is Gone with the Wind.
I love to read, so it is hard to choose a favorite book. I usually read historical books about places I have lived or am visiting. One such book is Once Upon an Island by David Conover. I also in enjoy novels by Paulo Coelho, like The Alchemist and The Fifth Mountain.
Cathy R says: I enjoy reading but don’t do it often enough. Francine Rivers Scarlet Thread is a great one. The book that really touched my life last year and I’m reading again this year is JESUS CALLING-a daily devotional written from His point of view. Mary Jane, I really like your books and your magazine is a treat all year!Thanks for your generous give-away and fun blog.
Dawn Niermann says: All time favorite is to Kill A Mockingbird. No matter how many times I read it I still find myself completely engrossed in the book and falling in love over and over again with the characters.
Cathy says: Got to be “Jane Eyre”. I don’t even know how many times I’ve read it, but I love it every time.
Mary says: That’s tuff …I read everyday from my Bible devotions to suspense novels by Michael Palmer. Goodness I have a ton of books. I can’t pick a favorite cause I love so many!
Nancy says: Owen Glen by Ben Ames Williams is another great Welsh coal mining novel. My great grandfather was a coal miner in Wales. He was beaten for striking and his pregnant wife rushed to his aid. She lost the baby she was carrying–one of thirteen children. She buried a baby, had a baby and had a stroke all on the same day. They later emigrated to the Kansas. He had come over earlier so she brought seven children–one of whom was my two month old grandmother–on a ship. Must have been quite a journey. They were tough people.
Joan Schweigert says: My favorite book is Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott. The bond between the sisters and their mother is how you wish the world was. They are independent surviving woman. Having Jo wanting to become a published writer at that time was inspiring when you think about it. It is through thick and thin they make it thru closer than ever even with loss.
Maria Kaul Casper says: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott – all time favorite book. I think is all because of the bond of sisterhood – sisters forever and when
a sister becomes a friend, life is very good.
Stacey says: Jesus Calling is hard to beat but my favorite book is Indian Creek Chronicles, I love stories of independence and survival. I found it to be inspirational.
Robyn Jones says: My favorite book is The Bronze Bow. I need to reread it as I haven’t read it in a while.
My Mom said she was turned on to reading by reading the book you are giving away. I would love to have a copy. My favorite book is actually a series. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the A.D. Chronicles by Brock and Bodie Thoene. It brought all the Bible stories to life as if you lived then. I will never read my Bible the same way after reading those.
Angela says: My favorite book of all time is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I love it because my Mom read it to my sister and I the summer after I finished sixth grade. We had just moved to a new town and I felt lonely. This was a very special bonding moment with my sister and Mom. Not only do I love the book because it was read to me at an important time in my life, but the book itself was read to me when I was blossoming into a young woman, just like the young women in the story. The world Alcott created was a time in history that I love, where families supported, loved, and sustained one another. I love all of the characters in this book and hope to read it to my little girl one day.
First of all .. I adore MJF! I keep all my magazines and read the posts each day. Thank you for taking the stress from our lives!
I haven’t read this book, but would love to. If I have to pick a fav I’ve read so far, it will have to be “Prayers For Sale” by Sandra Dallas. A retired woman befriends a new young bride living on the plains .. teaching her survival, quilting and homemaking. Awesome book! I could just feel myself being back there in time.
I’d love to read “How Green Was My Valley” .. please send one my way!
Have an awesome 2012 and keep on keeping us all inspired!
One favorite book is like trying to pick one favorite food – yikes! However, I’ll vote for The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Talk about an author who knows how to write…I was sucked into this book and didn’t want to let go.
Another person above mentioned The Egg and I…I read that one several years ago and loved it. Another one of my faves. To read about farm life, especially long ago is so cool…and the author has an amazing sense of humor and lyrical writing.
xoxo
Mary says: My favorite book is The Good Earth by Pearl Buck. This explains it better than I can: “· Wang Lung’s desire for wealth and status clashes with his simple respect for the earth and his adherence to old Chinese traditions of religious and filial piety. Later, Wang comes into conflict with his uncle’s family and with his children, as they exploit his wealth and disregard his wishes.” This book has a lot of good lessons for all of us.
I never would have dreamed when I received your Lifebook for Christmas three years ago that it would change my life as it did. I have gone from just a regular Denver suburban wife and mother who discovered she was a Farmgirl at heart, to a true blue Idaho Farmgirl who milks her Jersey cow each morning and laughs at her chickens all day. Amazing.
~
Trying to decide on a favorite book is hard as I love so many! Little Women, Little Dorritt, A Little Princess, Pride & Prejudice, Wives & Daughters, Anne of Green Gables, Bleak House, A Secret Garden~~They are all treasures to me and I reread them all. Just one…I would have to say Anne of Green Gables. She taught me how to truly see the world and in doing so has shown me many kindred spirits indeed.
Melissa Hammer says: It’s so hard to pick one, but one I keep going back and re-reading is Amish Peace by Suzanne Woods Fisher. I am fascinated with the Amish because of their simplicity. This book gives you “Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World”. BTW, I love MaryJaneFarm Magazine! I haven’t missed an issue, and always look forward to next one.
Wanda Adridge says: My favorite book is “Gone With the Wind”, because being from the South, I love reading what life used to be like for a Southern girl/woman. I first read it in eighth grade, and have read it two more times since then. Each time a different stage in my life meant certain things stood out. As I write this I think I want to read it again,it has been quite a few years.
Karen R says: As others have said, how can I pick one favorite. I’d like to think that I am still searching for the ‘one’, discovering great books all the time. My preference is usually nonfiction. “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch bears mention but I would say my favorite is “Tuesdays with Morrie”. Mitch Albom guides us through the last days of dying professor and friend Morrie Schwartz. Morrie guides Mitch through the art of living life with value, love and grace. He teaches us all how to live in the moment and make the most of each day. Important life lessons.
Kiki says: My favorite book is A Goat Song by Brad Kessler….I love this book because I have several goaties and they are such a huge part of my life…Brad make you feel like you are right there in the pages and all of his experiences come alive! It is by far my favorite! Barbara Kingsolvers Prodigal Summer is a very close second! Have a fabulous day everyone and Mary Jane….Happy New Year~
Well, my current favorite book (and when I say current, I mean this minute because it really does change that often) is People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. I love all the various times of history interwoven into the book. The story follows the history of a Jewish book. All the people and places it went through before. Truly a fascinating read!
Coni says: My fav book to date has been _The Good Life_ by Helen and Scott Nearing. “Helen and Scott Nearing are the great-grand-parents of the back-to-the-land movement, having abandoned the city in 1932 for a rural life based on self-reliance, good health, and a minimum of cash.” -Wash Post. I’ve read, re-read, and re-read parts and pieces of this book on their amazing life skills, gaining inspiration for being a farm gal. If only it had the great photos and art that are in Mary Jane’s Farm magazine!!
Jenny Patterson says: Wow – favorite ONE? How about 2? I loved reading The King Must Die by Mary Renault. History, legend and myth in story form… it pulled me right in and kept me reading. My other selection (because I’m trying) is How to Cook a Wolf by MFK Fisher. I love this book because it is not just making due (written during war time shortages) but enjoying what you are eating.
Christine Veert says: When I started thinking about my all time favorite book and what would it be I right away thought about a childrens book that I read over and over and over, “Corgiville Fair”, by Tasha Tudor. I loved finding and counting the boggarts, reading about the naughty Edgar Tomcat and looking at the amazing pictures (especially of the adorable corgie dogs). This book, I believe, hooked me on reading books for life.
MaryJane says: This Thursday! Will let you know.
Pingback: Winners of “How Green Was My Valley” | Raising Jane Journal
We’ve picked our top five quotes for our quote tote giveaway. Congrats Becki, Eileen, Kristine, Beth, and Majal. The quotes are …
My favorite quote is – drumroll please – btw, it’s from Phyllis Diller – drumroll again please –
“If your house is really a mess and a stranger comes to the door greet him with, ‘Who could have done this? we have no enemies’”
She also said “My photographs don’t do me justice – they just look like me.” Hilarious!
She did NOT say “I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage.” Erma Bombeck did. I quote Erma all the time as well!
This exercise got me to thinking, do I quote anyone or anything that is not funny? Nope. And you can quote me…
MaryJane says: Thanks for putting a big smile on my face:)
Susie says: Okay, I don’t know if you can handle this, but this quote comes to me when I’m having a bad day: “When you’re sliding down the bannister of life you’re bound to get some splinters in your career.” That’s from “The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog” by John Erickson. Maybe someone else will come up with something more pithy. 🙂
Jen in TX says: Oh, there are so many good ones–I keep a notebook with my favorites. One of my favorites is by Franklin Jones: “Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”
Pam says: I have flying monkeys…don’t make me use them!
Don’t remember where it comes from, but use it often..
Shirley Bradbury says: “Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.” Carl Jung
great timing, I just read this on my FB wall from a friend and loved it. Then saw your post 🙂 Thanks.
Becki from San Diego says: I thought these were cute;
Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
Mark Twain
Getting information off the Internet is like taking a drink from a fire hydrant.
Mitchell Kapor
Ashley Kreyling says: “Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.” -Thomas Paine
That quote blows me away. 🙂
Teresa Morton says: To me, a witch is a woman that is capable of letting her intuition take hold of her actions, that communes with her environment, that isn’t afraid of facing challenges.
– Paulo Coelho
Diane says: My latest favorite quote is by Maya Angelou, ” When someone shows you who they really are….believe them.”
This can be when folks show you they are good or bad…it is something I remember when I go out…who do I show people I am????
Blessings to you.
Marie says: ”Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead
then my other favorite is
“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” – Mother Theresa
Majal says: Love this tote so much!! Here’s one of my favorite quotes- “I’d rather have flowers on my table than diamonds on my neck.” -Emma Goldman. I love picking wildflowers and bringing them inside. To me, so much lovelier than jewels!
Vanessa says: Today is the golden tomorrow that you dreamed of yesterday, and so it shall be until the end of time. This day then, is your day of opportunity.
I don’t know who said it, it’s from a vintage poster.
“The Value of A Woman”
“Be very careful if you make a woman cry, because God
counts her tears. The woman came out of a man’s rib;
not from his foot to be walked on; not from his head to
be superior, but from the side to be equal; under the arm
to be protected, and next to the heart to be loved.”
Author unknown.
Faye says: Use it up.
Wear it out.
Make it do or do without.
They say, “You are a savage and dangerous woman.” I said, “I am speaking the truth. And the truth is savage and dangerous.”
– Egyptian feminist Nawal El Sadaawi
A people free to choose will always choose peace.
Ronald Reagan
All great change in America begins at the dinner table.
Ronald Reagan
Michele says: This is one of my favorite quotes:
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and rightdoing there is a field.
I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass
the world is too full to talk about.”
― Rumi
Laurie Dimino says: One that really hits home and makes you stop and think about whats really important in life….
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. … Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”
A great quote form a great man…Steve Jobs
Wow! What a great tote! awesome giveaway! 🙂
my favorite quote is:
“He who works with his hands is a laborer,
He who works with his hands and his head is a crafstman,
He who works with his hands, his head and his heart is an artist.”
-St. Francis of Asisi
Patricia says: “Fear prevents forward progress” Joyce Myers.
This has helped me so much in the past!
MaryJane says: Good quote!
Meg says: Love this list! Ain’t nothin’ like a good quote! My latest fav, “Please excuse the mess, my children are busy making memories.”
Brandy says: To borrow from the Oct/Nov MJ magazine (pg 73)
“tuffet up, girlfriend!”
MaryJane says: Sweet. Thanks!
Eileen Widman says: From a great friend of mine Georgia Robb when I was young and just getting married.
“Kiss him in the morning when you get up, Kiss him again when he leaves for work, Kiss him when he comes through the door, Kiss him when you go to bed. Settle all your differences before you go to bed and Love him all your life”
This is how to keep your marriage on fire and strong.
Eileen Widman says: And since then I have followed this for over 41 years! It will be 42 years February 14 2012!
MaryJane says: That is just too awesome!!!!
Debi Chandler says: “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” Dorothy Bernard
My favorites:
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. – Henry David Thoreau
Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall. – Confucius
Exuberance is beauty. – William Blake
Jennifer says: Shoot for the moon. If you fail you will still be among the stars.
Celia says: ‘Eternal vigilance is the price of Freedom’ has always been my favorite.
Kristine says: “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” Rabindranath Tagore <3
Eileen Widman says: “Love is an endless act of forgiveness, over and over again. Forgiveness is the key to the heart, the heart is the key to Love, love is the key to forgiveness in an endless dance with the heart.”
Me, August 5 2011
Live each day. loving every minute of it!
MaryJane says: Me is Eileen Widman?
Eileen Widman says: Yes.
Amy Stingle says: Not sure where the quote is from…. but here it is:
“You can shed tears because she(he) is gone, or you can smile because she(he) has lived.”
I also like “Make God laugh…tell him your plans.”
Wow!! I am so thrilled that my favorite quote was one of the 5 picks! With all of those great quotes, I know this must have been a tough decision. Thanks again for such an awesome giveaway! 🙂
MaryJane says: Don’t forget to send us your UPS address. Many thanks Beth!
maryjane@maryjanesfarm.org
“One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it.”
– Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Jan Culton says: I forget where I read this:
“Preach the Gospel always; if necessary, use words.”
I love the idea of talking less and living out my beliefs more.
Theresa Merkling says: Love this sign. Just found your magazine for the first time while at the grocery with my daughter in New Mexico! I live in Virginia Beach, but am visiting her – had her first baby 12/1/11 – a home birth with midwife and now I’m reverting back to my earth mother instincts.
Ready to start your Sunday morning off on an uplifting note?
The first person with an extra 20 minutes on their hands who wanders on over to Maggie’s Organics website to watch their video “The Fabric of Humanity” gets a pair of organic love socks (a gift from Béna Burda herself), along with a copy of our brochure “Why Organic Cotton?” It’s a moving video. (I promise, you’ll never be the same.) Get ready to usher in the human spirit at its best! (And walk away forever inspired by Béna and the women in her life.)
Jen in TX says: Wonderful video–thanks for the link!
MaryJane says: Congrats Jen!!!! They’re on their way.
Susie says: yes. My Christmas shopping will be different this year because I watched this video. What could be better than giving a gift that gives twice? The receiver gets something chosen especially for them and the manufacturer of the gift has the benefit of it being purchased. Thanks, Mary Jane!
Theresa Merkling says: Having so much fun with your site and the links – enjoying the video as well as the new ideas.
MaryJane says: Welcome and give that new baby a kiss for me!
Baby blue to match my blue-eyes-blue, this lapel rose handmade from wool can be yours if’n you …
Lise Rousseau Silva says: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
MaryJane says: Tell us a tad more. Are you a fan of the author? What other works of the author’s have you read? Did you like the book?
Kristina Wagner says: James Joyce – A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.
MaryJane says: Tell us a tad more. Are you a fan of the author? What other works of the author’s have you read? Did you like the book?
Patty Schultz says: James Joyce wrote these beautiful words.
Katie D says: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
By James Joyce
I’m reading a Google version of the book
today – I loved this quote!
MaryJane says: Let me know what you think in a couple of days. I haven’t read it but will if you can recommmend it!
Lauren N says: Hello Mary Jane!
The quote is by James Joyed from A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.
Other than being utterly scandalous to tickle you pink many times, I thought the story was kind of… dry… Except for Stephen’s (main character) utter love of beauty, I don’t much care for the story or James Joyce. He’s not the type of author I like to curl up with for a couple hour long read.
“She was alone and still, gazing out to sea, and when she felt his presence and the worship of his eyes her eyes turned to him in quiet sufferance of his gaze, without shame or wantonness.”
(I love when my husband looks at me like that! ;P)
I also read The Dubliners in tutorials (I was homeschooled but took tutorials. Like “school” for homeschoolers), but having to dissect the stories instead of reading simply for the joy of reading, really tainted the pleasure of reading for readings sake.
There was too much of the story between the lines that we had to find and search for, it was maddening!
But I did really enjoy Eveline (found in Dubliners) though it was a bittersweet enjoyment… If you haven’t read it I wont give it away, but it’s about a girl and her sailor, and who doesn’t love that?
As a housewife, I never thought I’d use any of the information I learned in Literature. 😛 haha!
MaryJane says: Willie has a gift ready for you Lauren. Ready to wear a beautiful, blue flower on your coat this winter? (It really is drop-dead gorgeous.) Send your address to me here: maryjane@maryjanesfarm.org. I’m going to pick up a copy of Eveline the next time I’m in town. I would love to talk books with you! So much for James Joyce, I can’t think of the last time I looked at my husband in quiet sufference:) And he’d be the first to agree.
Lauren N says: correction: James Joyce* I can’t even spell in my first sentence. >.< *sigh*
MaryJane says: Sign, don’t you love it when that happens.
Lauren N says: Oh how exciting!! Thanks so much!
Also, I’m sorry I wasn’t very clear, Eveline is a short story found in The Dubliners by James Joyce, I’m not sure trying to find the book Eveline by J.J. would yield very many results!
haha!
Thanks again!
I love the magazine and just discovered the blog!
MaryJane says: Gotcha. Eveline, short story ’tis. I had an apprentice here years ago named Eveline. Loved saying the name out loud. Welcome Lauren!
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 love those aprons, they look like the aprons my grandma used to wear, she had one on from the time she got up to feed the chickens and milk the cow until she went to bed at night, and she would wear one over top of another one, in case company dropped in without notice, so she could quickly take the work apron off and have a nice clean pretty one on underneath!
love the aprons and would love to have the pattern or buy one. I wear aprons about every day and can never have to many. Is this one of the props that was posted or are they some where else
Hi Brenda,
This is my mother’s pattern. It is available here. Please note the instructions provided for enlarging. I agree, a woman can never have too many aprons!
http://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/store/p/197-Helen-s-Apron-Pattern.aspx