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: 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!!
Winnie Nielsen says: Such a cute idea. This is definitely Farmgirl Romance!
Cindi Johnson says: The influence of these beautiful daily photos are sure keeping me busy. Now I want to go antique browsing 🙂
Winnie Nielsen says: Such a beautiful and ornate food grinder. Is is american or european? I also have never seen grey enamelware. Love it!
MaryJane says: Not sure where it originated. I picked everything up in the photo in 2nd hand stores over the years. Love the gray speckled enamelware.
wow, what a nice collection of what is called in the Antique trade, graniteware because of the color and durability.
Debbie says: Oh Mary Jane ….You and I share the love for graniteware. I have the Old wood cook stove in blue and grey speckled graniteware .with the bread warmers and we fire it up every Christmas eve and use all my collected pieces to cook dinner .Once you start collecting you’ll be bitten by the bug !Your pitchers made my day I just ordered the grinder off e bay a couple days ago . I hope you know that grinder is so hard to find yours and mine are the only ones I’ve seen in the 25 years I’ve been collecting ….Enjoy your beauties and keep sharing them with all of us . Thank you so much !
MaryJane says: Wow, I had no idea how rare mine was. Thank you for telling me. I will cherish it even more and you yours. How cool that you have a graniteware Christmas. We should try that some year.
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.
This picture comforts the Soul!!
So beautiful!! I love the brown grasses dusted with snow.
so peaceful
Just lovely!