I’ll spare you my sunsets, but I just have to share the great vintage farm finds that come my way.
This copy of my first book, MaryJane’s Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook: For the Farmgirl in All of Us, was in one of our B&B wall tents and ended up with a sun-faded cover. But its insides are like new, and as every farmgirl knows, it’s never good to judge a book by its cover. Better to judge it from some of its online reviews, like this one from Laurie:
” … Having received it, now all I can say is “WOW”! I am definitely more than pleased with my purchase. While not an exhaustive report on any one subject, it is overflowing with tidbits about such a variety of topics that I am truly amazed. And I can see why it was named “Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook.” MaryJane touches on everything from her daughter’s beautiful farm wedding, to ways to easily sprout seeds, to a how-to on building your own “wall tent,” to vintage embroidery patterns for kitchen towels. There’s a primer for most of the basic stitches in sewing. There are recipes and reminiscences. Advice on cutting kindling. Vacation ideas. Breathtaking photos. And most importantly, there is inspiration. If you want to buy a few acres and start your own farm, this book gives you some ideas to explore. If you want to sell your produce, this book gives you sources for supplies. If you want the best garden hoe, the best food dehydrator, the purest jam—this book tells you where to go. And if you’re just a “farmgirl” at heart, this book feels like your best friend.”
To lay claim to this (sun-faded) copy, tell me why you’re a farmgirl. We’ll put your names in a basket and pull out one lucky winner sometime in the next week or so. Check back to see if it’s headed your way.
Carolyn Rewitzer says: After spending years growing up visiting often with my Grandmother Katie I will model after in so many ways. From kindness, gardening, and giving to others, to sewing, crocheting, cooking, and cleaning, Lord knows I have to qualify as a farm girl at heart!
Winnie Nielsen says: This was my first book purchase from MaryJane , and I have read it and referred back to it over and over again. And I will ditto what Laurie said, “if you are a Farmgirl at Heart, this book feels like a best friend”. If you want a go to source in one beautiful and inspiring book, this book needs to be on your shelf along with your Betty Crocker Cookbook. Between the two of them, you can easily run a household and family. Already have this book? Then make your list of a few women who would benefit from owning this book and pay it forward if you win!
Genevieve says: Born and raised.
Susan Musgrave says: I was raised in the city but a farm girl at heart. Every summer as a child- teenager I spent every summer with my great grandparents. They lived on a farm. I thought I was in Heaven! I helped in feeding the pigs, chickens, and turkeys. I gathered eggs, helped in the garden, picked wild strawberries and black berries. I even went to check the rabbit gum in the cold months. There are many other joys I could mention. Today my husband and I live on a small farm. We have chickens and three dogs. We plant a garden every year. I do a lot of needle work and woodcarving, especially in the winter months and in the evenings after the supper dishes are done. I wouldn’t have it any other way! I’m a farm girl inside and out!
maria lawrence says: I am a farmgirl and I’m teaching my daughters to be also!! We have a small flock of chickens and two calves are being delivered tomorrow! We garden, can, sew and are getting our first tractor soon! We live on almost four acres that we have named “Windy Hill Homestead “
I’m an urban farmgirl. I live in a small town, one block off of Main Street. We bought my great-grandmother’s 1890 house and are slowly renovating it, inside & out and the gardens (she bought it specifically to grow stuff!). We have gardens and food growing all around our house now along with plants to bring back butterflies and other wildlife, and we work hard to put that food by so that it lasts and feeds us throughout the winter. We also keep chickens, an act that started a change in our town’s laws so that everyone else could too.
It is just about growing stuff though: we homeschool our kids, homebrew our beer, I knit (dishcloths are my Spring obsession), I bake and cook from scratch, I make our own laundry detergent, and so on. It is an all-encompassing way of life.
I might not have a full acre, but I’m definitely a farm girl.
shawna m says: I love the smell of spring, to learn how to do a new craft or skill, baking, cooking, canning, serving, creating, all things farmgirl!
I’d love a copy to give as a gift to a farmgirl friend!
I’m a farmgirl because I was born one . . . grew up on a farm. It’s in my blood, in my genes! It’s also literally in my jeans, under my fingernails and between my barefoot farmgirl toes!
CJ
Sandy says: I am a farm girl at heart. We are planning to make the move within 3 years. Until then, we have fruit trees, garden and 4 hens.
Ofcourse I am a farmgirl at heart ! I even have 2 of your tea towels that say it! One is out on display permanently. I live on a 2 1/2 acre farmette and I have a seed business growing out all my own plants and collecting them and selling them through my website as Amishland Heirloom Seeds. I do own a copy of this book but would love a copy to give as a gift to a welcome recipient. I have actually given 2 other copies as gifts as well. My original copy of your wonderful and evocative book is in my bedroom right on my bureau all the time for a quick look- see at bedtime. Always gives me happy dreams.
Aprilla Ault says: I was born in northern Alabama, raised as southern as they come. I had beautiful aunties that could cook up a storm and make the best sweet tea you ever tasted. The sweetest most beautiful southern Mother that taught me grace and manners. And i was blessed with a Farm girl Grandmother..she taught me to sew on a old singer sewing machine, showed me her quilt pieces and told the stories behind them. For Christmas all in the family (which was huge by the way) received a homemade gift that Grandmother made. She made turtle pin cushions, booties for our feet, aprons,dolls and so many other things that we all cherished. It was a way of life for us till mama and my Dad moved away from Alabama and to many big cities which we would live. We changed…we were different then the family we left behind , not inside but on the outside so to speak. I was made fun of at school for the way i talked with that southern drawl, I over came most of it through speech therapy and i learned to fit into a modern lifestyle. When my Beautiful Grandmother past away back in 1982 my life was never the same! I grieved for her more than i could put into words. After that we would go home to Alabama to visit and i would find peace there with the old style comforts. I was married and continued to find my path in life all the while never forgetting where i came from. One day i picked up Mary Jane’s Book of Ideas, I couldn’t put it down! It took me back to where i came from, in a sense it took me home. It brings comfort and closeness in a modern world…something any Mother, Grandmother, Aunties and sisters need. I am a true Farm girl that left and returned back to what brings me true happiness,wholesomeness,Grace,love and Kindness and my southern accent has returned. Thank You Mary Jane for being just who you are, you are a blessing in so many ways to so many beautiful woman. God Bless
Marci D says: Born and raised and now I have a few acres of my own. My kids love gardening and taking care of our 4 hens. Last year we canned peaches from our own peach tree.
Chrissy says: Was born in a rural community hospital (62) years ago, was oldest of six children. My favorite room in the house was outside, in the hay loft, or the chicken house, or in the woods. I would like to say “in the garden” but it wasn’t until I became an adult that I realized pulling weeds was therapeutic. For the last forty years, my hands get the spring itch to dig in the dirt and my nose twitches to smell its earthy fragrance. I am bustin’ galluses proud to be a farm girl.
Elizabeth Tijerina says: I am a farmgirl because I come from hardworking family that worked the soil. I cannot pass a field, see a tractor (preferably a Farmall) etc.. without feeling extremely satisfied. So thankful for my ancestors.
My dad was born a farm boy and always longed to get back to the farm. I think that he gave me that farm girl spirit. I have always had a heart to be in the quiet woods or picking wildflowers along a stream. I have always loved to craft with my hands, cook or bake something yummy for my family and get giddy when I see a clothesline full of clothes or veggies that I’ve grown. I married a city boy with a farm boy spirit and we long to get back out of a city and to the land.
Rise Tiller says: This is the only book of yours I don’t have. I love in the country and will be retiring next year. Will be expanding my garden, adding chickens, pygmy goats and begin a new career being a full time farm girl. Can’t wait.
Cynthia says: It’s in my “jeans”!
Elizabeth says: Well I didn’t know I was a farm girl until I picked up my first issue of maryjanesfarm magazine! Now I have every issue, I back ordered what I didn’t have. I have the Milk Cow Kitchen also. I would love to win this copy and wouldn’t it be special knowing it was in one of your wall tents!
Marilyn Hartman Sullivan says: I am a farmgirl through what I like to think of as “ethnic memory.” My people homesteaded a farm in southern Indiana when they came from Germany in the 1840s and always farmed to some degree or another until probably the early 1950s. My dad put up hay as his first job and I was taught to can vegetables and fruits in season, make my own clothes, hang laundry on the line — no matter if we lived in town or out, we made do and learned to do without sometimes. The smell of cut hay or the musk of a cornfield on a lazy summer afternoon — mmmmmmmmmmmmmm! The drone of bees working an apple tree in springtime, or the whickety-whick of a mowing machine — those are the soundtrack of my happiest days. Living on one wooded acre now as a chronologically-enhanced lady, I still love the smell and feel of garden dirt on my hands and the sounds of the birds and little critters working away at their daily tasks. Come sit with me on the porch and have some iced tea and we’ll do our “fancy” work for a while.
jaylyn m. says: Grew up on a farm. Left for the city life for a couple years. Then started my own little homestead when I started my own family. Now we have gardens, chickens, and the next project is goats! We love harvesting our own food, and being self-sufficient. I’m sure this book is AMAZING, as is everything that is MaryJane’s Farm!
Karlyne says: I think I’ve always wanted to be a farmgirl, but I just found out that my great-grandfather was a farmer (I think he grew apples, among other things). Heredity is a good thing!
Cathy R says: Born a farmgirl! Now living that life again but doing all the work and loving every minute. Thank you for the chance to win, faded cover makes it even more special! Blessings to all of you!
TallulahRuby says: I am not a farmgirl-yet. But I just got back last night from a week long, 2500+ mile drive through all of Northern California and Oregon to find my little farm. I looked at at least 30 properties and came home more inspired, convinced and determined than ever!
️Rachel Rodriguez says: I’m a farmgirl because i need to feel the earth beneath my feet and the sounds of birds in the daytime and crickets at night. Oh and hardwork keeps you honest…idle hands get us in trouble.
Farmgirl from small town Louisiana ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Donna Cull says: I’m a farm girl because out of my almost 57 years….I have lived less than one year off of a farm!! I was born and raised on a mixed farm and I am now happily married for almost 38 years living and loving our cattle ranch….we are in the middle of calving out our 140 head of angus cattle <3 and I love your magazine, website and all that you do!!
Lila Schmidt says: I have tried the city living and it came up wanting. Seems as the most content and peaceful years of my life were spent country living. I ache to dig my hands into fertile soil and grow something besides debts, more and more consumption and endless clutter in my mind.
Alise says: I am a farmgirl because the scent of alfalfa and sweet clover growing in the field across the road from our house still calls to me 40 years later. I am a farmgirl because I drive 1/2 hour one way to buy raw milk so I can make butter and cheese and yogurt and other good things. I want to have chickens and maybe a goat. I love the smell of freshly baked bread. Newborn kittens are fun to have around. Those are some of the many reasons why I am a farmgirl.
Lacy says: Because there is nothing better than dirt under your nails, the sound of your horse nickering, the chickens clucking, the dogs running around the yard. I have lived in the city and I know there is no other life for me than country life!!! Farmgirl forever!!!
Deborah McKissic says: I read all the above farmgirls entries and am so amazed at these women! You need to write a book, MaryJane, on all of these stories..what a wonderful, inspiring read that would be! I consider myself a farmgirl…learning from my mom, a mother of 6, a gardener, beekeeper, sheep farming woman and my grandmothers, they taught me how to sew, garden, preserve food, and to love life and thank God at every meal and at every sunrise and sunset…I have a copy of this book, a gift from my dear, sweet friend, Lisa at amishlandseeds.com. I have it bedside, and love to look through it..always something so special to read, and inspire me…it is sitting on a tiny vanity chair, made of mahogany wood…a gift from my neighbors daughter to me when my neighbor passed away….my sweet and tiny antique chair… and, all my favorite books sit upon it,..my granddaughter calls it the “princess chair” as she loves to take all the books off..and, sit down for a good read! I would give the book as a gift, like I received mine as I know it would touch someone else’s life like my copy has…thanks, MaryJane, for all the inspiration you give to all of us!
Karen Wilson says: I’m a farmgirl because I like knowing where my food comes from…I bake my own bread, nearly everything I cook is from scratch, I raise a big garden (what I don’t raise, I buy from local Amish farmers), we eat in season, and what we don’t have in season, comes from what we have canned or frozen in summer and fall. My grandfather and grandmother, who raised everything they ate, taught me so much.
Betty J. says: I was born a farmgirl. I lived on my grandparent’s farm for a while after my father passed. While there (age 4 or so) I terrorized the chickens, helped grandpa milk the cows by hand, gathered eggs with my grandmother. Grandpa and I slopped the pigs too. Now at my advanced age of 73, I’m a farmgirl living in a housing development. However, I do plant seeds and raise my own vegetables. I pick fruit at nearby orchards and put it by for the winter. That’s my story. I wish I could have been at at longer.
Deb Quaile says: I no longer live on a farm, but whether I can grow a little or a lot in a pot or on a plot, knit a blanket, cook jams or scent the coming snow in the sky, I will always be a farm girl at heart!
Erin says: I was born and raised and after living in the city for a few years, I wouldn’t trade farm life for anything. I love the simplicity, the space, the view and of course the animals and garden! Being a farm girl is the best! 🙂
Gretchen says: I spent the morning in the rain caring for my sheep flock, just collected eggs from our free-range chicken flock, and preparing to cook a dinner (from scratch) for my family on our wood cook stove. While my girlfriends are wining and dining I am mucking and gardening and couldn’t be happier.
Deep in my heart is the farm girl. I have always wanted to raise chickens, have a garden, goats, cows and love the dirt I owned. It’s still on my list. I do garden, can, and preserved as much as I can each year. Organic foods top my list. I love the “can-do” attitude of being a farm girl. I mean love it!
I already own this fantastic book. I’d love to have it to give to another farm girl in my chapter. Hope I win!
Marianne Regan says: I am a farmgirl because it is in my blood. Born and raise by a farmer. Did my stint in the city, suburbs and found my way home…back to the farm.
audra lebaron says: I love the old way of things. Whether gardening, making bread, hanging clothes to dry, repurposing whatever I can, or just being happy from whatever simplicity life brings.
Lucille Leerhoff says: I was born a farm girl and for most of my adult life, have had the pleasure of living on our farm. We live long, sometimes hard working days, producing and sharing what we have. We are at the stage in our lives when the grandchildren are our delight and they love the berry picking, garden and wide open spaces. I am so grateful and blessed to be a farm girl!
Ellen Pergande says: Ohoooo, I would love love to have this book. I have been wishing for this book for years and years. I live on a small farm and desperately need all the inspiration I can get !!!
I am a farmgirl. So I can grow healthy food for my family. So I can be independant and teach life skills to my children. I would love a copy of this book. I love Mary Jane. reading her magazines, makes my day…I jump for joy when I find it in the mail box.
Cori says: I love the peace and quiet of county life and the business inside a country home.
I’m a MJ Farm Girl, because I love everything about your site. I love to chatter w/ other Farm Girls about chickens, baking from scratch, my dream farm, knitting, canning, and more! I feel there’s a Farm Girl in all of us whether we live on a farm or in the city. Thanks for having such an incredible place to hang out!
Bernadette Saliski says: I am a Farmgirl because it is an ingrained part of who I am and a much simpler way to be.
Tamra Schmitt says: God created me a farm girl and for this, I am most thankful! Life on the farm taught me so many invaluable life lessons…a strong work ethic, integrity of character, and an endless bond, rooted in the love of family.
Michele Conard says: I’m not a farm girl yet but working on it. Saving to buy land in Montana then will raise goats for milk, chickens for eggs and grow as much of our own food as we can. Sounds like this book would come in handy 🙂
Angela Burnette says: I’m a farmgirl because farmgirls are the best in the world! I grew up a farmgirl, playin in the dirt and climbin trees. Gardening has always been a huge passion with me and I have passed it down to all my girls! Raised and raisin farmgirls forever!
Sandra Bowersock says: I have been a farm girl since birth. We raised our garden, beef, chickens and ducks. The old shack we lived in is gone now. No electricity until I was 6. Wood cook stove and I’d help grandma can the whole cow! We were the homesteaders people look for today. Home made bread everyday. Washed clothes on a washboard. Bathes were in a big galvanized tub. Outside under the shade tree in the summer. Hair curlers were brown paper bags torn in strips and wound hair around and twisted on top. It worked. We were beautiful. Dad hunted. We ate squirrels, rabbit, and raccoon. We were poor but had a very memorable life. Love to see things about living in the not so convenient lifestyle . I would truly enjoy your book. I’d say I am a true country girl
Kathleen Feathers says: I love books like this.
Connie Howard says: I grew up in the Los Angeles area, but now live in rural in N. CA. Recently, my daughter and granddaughter moved in with us. They’re so excited about living the farm life; and have begun raising darling chicks and clearing land for crops. I just know that your book would be so useful and inspirational ! Thank you so much for this give away opportunity 🙂
And the winner of the Glamping with MaryJane giveaway is:
Lisa, who said: “We tent-camp, so a little hard to glamp up. Maybe the book would give me ideas!”
And the original post for the GIVEAWAY was (thank you to all who participated):
While autographing a stack of my Glamping with MaryJane books, I found this copy with a little spot on the front cover. Perfect for a giveaway!
To win this copy, tell me one thing you’ll do this summer to make your camp-spot a glamp-spot. We’ll put your name in a basket and pull out one lucky winner sometime in the next week or so. Check back to see if you’re the winner!
Winnie Nielsen says: Congratulations Lisa! You are going to love this book and I predict there will be many ideas to get you inspired for more camping!
nicole parks says: We are going camping in July to mount rushmore at the KOA there. I’m gonna decorate my tent with hanging lanterns with Crystals hanging off them for sparkle effect. A blow up matress with lots of pillows an a nice comforter an leopard rug an two wodden end tables with pictures of my family.
Lisa A says: Thanks Winnie! And thank you Mary Jane and staff for the giveaway, I love it!!
Yolanda Solferino says: I love lanterns, table cloths and lights hanging from our awning. I can’t wait to camp this spring!
And the winner of the One World Family Calendar giveaway is:
Lisa VonSaunder, who said:
“These herder woman look like Masai tribeswomen. I support small business people in emerging nations by donating small amounts to Kiva.com. which is a micro lending organization. They loan like $100 or so to small businesses usually run by women, and then that allows them to make huge changes in their lives. They have a 95% repayment log. I urge you to go the site and look at the people you can help make a living directly. I chose my latest person, a cobbler in Burkina Faso, the poorest nation in the world, and he paid back my loan in less than a year. That is equivalent to double his yearly salary! This is the way I think and help globally.”
And the original post for the GIVEAWAY was (thank you to all who participated):
I recently picked up two of these handy “family calendars” with the intent of gifting one. Plus, I wanted to support the organization behind it. The One World Family Calendar features beautiful photography of people from around the world, along with space for daily schedules for up to five people. It’s a beautiful calendar that will help you plan the rest of your family’s year.
This calendar comes from the New Internationalist: People, Ideas, and Action for Global Justice.
With new technologies, the whole wide world is at our fingertips, and we can help those in other countries as well as our own by shopping with a global responsibility in mind. And if you don’t think you support buying things from overseas, take a closer look around … that melon purchased in December probably came from South America, and that cell phone positively came from the other side of the globe. And wait … before venting about buying American-made, please realize that it’s an opinion typed on a computer that was most certainly made in China, Japan, or Taiwan. Sorry, Dorothy, but we’re not in Kansas anymore. We’re all part of a bigger picture, and that picture involves supporting workers around the world—not governments, but workers, people like you and me. So my stand is, I support workers, wherever they happen to live. Made in the USA, awesome. Project F.A.R.M. (First-class American Rural Made), love it. And yes, Made in the World. For me, they’re no longer mutually exclusive.
To win this beautiful calendar, tell me why you’ve decided to embrace the whole wide world and ALL the working people in it. We’ll put your name in a hat and pull out one lucky winner sometime in the next week or so. Stay tuned!
Winnie Nielsen says: Yay Lisa!! I enjoyed hearing about your work with Kiva.com too. It is amazing how sometimes the smallest investment will launch someone in a poor country out of desperate poverty.
Winnie Nielsen says: I really like these new bee themed fabric colors. The slate blue is my favorite.
Cindi says: I love that honeybee fabric and even more what you have used it for! Haven’t tackled those magic pillowcases yet ~ they are definitely at the top of my to-do list. Maybe it is time to start scheduling some vacation days so I can get busy whittling that list down!
And the winner of the Magic Pillowcases giveaway is:
Molly Welsh, who said:
“The DH is Mike, but the nic’ is Mr.Mikey. :~)
So cute cases!”
And the original post for the GIVEAWAY was (thank you to all who participated):
In the Dec/Jan issue of MaryJanesFarm, “Home for the Holidays,” we taught you how to make “magic pillowcases.”
Now, you can win a set of the pillowcases featured in that article, made from my Bee My Honey fabric collection. The body fabric is my “Colony Hum” print, the cuff fabric is the “Honey” pattern in “Gold” color, and the trim fabric is “Multi” in “Grey.” The giveaway includes two standard-size pillowcases and a pretty, pinked-edged poinsettia bow made from another of my collection’s patterns.
To win, tell me your pet name for your favorite honey (guy or gal) in the comments section below. We’ll put your answers in a pillowcase, shake them up, and draw one lucky winner. Come back sometime next week to see who wins.
Winnie Nielsen says: Congratulations Molly! These new bee fabrics are gorgeous. Enjoy!
Sandy says: We affectionately call each other Pooh Bear and Piglet
Yolanda Solferino says: Believe it or not it’s baby butt! Lol
Patrisha Murphy says: poophead
I have several pet names for my honey, but the most distinguished loving title is “The Bearded Wonder.”
While autographing a stack of my Glamping with MaryJane books, I found this copy with a little spot on the front cover. Perfect for a giveaway!
To win this copy, tell me one thing you’ll do this summer to make your camp-spot a glamp-spot. We’ll put your name in a basket and pull out one lucky winner sometime in the next week or so. Check back to see if you’re the winner!
Winnie Nielsen says: Since I already own this book, I will just say, it is the best go-to resource for kicking up camping to a whole new experience. Like all of MaryJane’s books, it is packed with great ideas, beautiful pictures, and new perspectives for getting outdoors and enjoying parks and weekends with your family and friends.
maria lawrence says: Candles!! I wish I had a cute trailer but instead we have a huge fifth wheel 🙁
I/we will get our little glamper trailer, the “Reiver’s Rest” out in all of her glory, dress up her windows with flower boxes and glamp outside with lacy linens, china and flowers!
I have this book but would love to win one to use as a gift for a glamper friend!
Thanks Mary Jane!
CJ
Carrie Davis says: I have had to park&hoping my trailer at our view of the Rogue River. I couldn’t wait to retire and travel with the trailer. But my husband has gotten Alzheimer’s and so were grounded. But now people will have to come to us. And I shall share your book ..hugs
Carrie Davis says: Sorry that is “Park and pointing”
Karlyne says: Glass wine glasses. Nothing says glamping like the real stuff!
shawna m says: My husband & I are not glampers yet but we are going to a glamper event in September at the Flying Flags RV Park in Buellton, Ca to check out the possibilities!
Cathy R says: Just found butterfly solar string lights that would be adorable for glamping. I also have the book but will definitely use it as a gift. Thanks and blessings to all of you!
Dwan Loomis says: Beautiful flowers on the table as a perfect center piece!
Colleen Maki says: I plan to make some really cute curtains for my 1971 Airstream, from fabric that was designed by you, Mary Jane. . . the “glamping” fabric. I also plan to have a lot of candles, and I’m moving my regular mattress into it for the summer (I teach, so therefore have the whole summer for glamping). Gather a little campfire wood, and let the fun begin.
Rhonda Williamson says: plan to take our 1956 Chevy and the vintage restored playmor rv camping
Nikki Hurlbut says: This summer, my camp spot will have electricity!! I am in the National Guard so having electricity is a luxury that is not always granted when I am typically out in the wilderness!!
Michelle Beck says: I will be taking my “Hilda, The Bumpy Broomstick” on some art workshops this summer. I set up a Belgian waffle making station outside on a long table with all the fresh fruit, real maple syrup,whipped cream and bacon and sausage my friends and family can eat!At night I set up a cozy area with my warm quilt and me and my sister share the blanky and some gossip while we sip martinis out of fishbowl sized glasses with huge olives,lol. good memories are always made!
Mason jar with candles in them, to hang from the trees! I’d love to win this book!!
Kay Stacey says: I have a cute little vintage Woodsman I bought for 300.00 and will be turning it into a glamped out trailer this summer. Would love to have your book to help guide me.
Janet B says: A fabric tablecloth and real wine glasses !
Debi Olson says: i have a camping / RV themed fabric which I made into a tablecloth for the picnic table. I will use that and place fresh flowers on the table as well. This will be surrounded with lights. Do it every year – love it.
Elizabeth says: I think I’ll start by getting a camper! I know the first thing to do then is make curtains!
Deanna Bancroft says: Love this book. Looking to make a camper a Woman’s Getaway!!
Stacy S says: Fleece electric blankets and air mattresses in the tent, along with cozy flannel sheets really take our 6 person tent to the next level!
Carol says: I am going to set a beautiful table complete with flowers and lace table cloth. Bringinging along the crystal goblets .
Sandy T. says: We’re tent campers, but we can still glam it up! First goal-get camping on the calendar! Glamping goal- I think I’ll start with something I can make myself like one of those cute pennant garlands. With kids, I have to have to start simple. 🙂
Julie Wemken says: I would love to set up an outdoor bath area with a claw foot tub. I would surround it with pretty curtains, candles and books to read.
jaylyn morehouse says: This summer we are renting an RV and touring up the Appalachian trail, stopping at all the local craft beer places, cute boutiques, and hopefully finding lot of bluegrass music along the way! To make our camper a ‘glamper’ I am bringing all of our favorite quilts and pillows to make it feel more like home, and I’m bringing along my fiddle to play some tunes. Maybe I’ll even get to jam with some locals:)
Wendy Curling says: I don’t have this one but would love to!!
Diane Adams says: I am taking my collection of orange, red, and white vintage Melmac to serve tea on.
Wendy says: I will use the enamelware pots & pans I have been collecting to cook over the camp fire.
I will be sporting my new solar floor lamp to read by! Refurbished floor lamp with its new solar fixings!!
Patrisha Murphy says: I don’t glamp as of yet. I just want the book!!!!!!! Thx.
Nancy in Carnation says: Camping will involve the annual gathering for our family paintball tournament. I think a ‘Girls Night’ of chocolate and wine with my sisters and daughters are the way to go… wrapping up a wonderful, fun-filled day! 🙂
Laura says: flowering curtains with little tea lights, and a good spring cleaning from being closed up all winter!
I’m going to make curtains and a table runner from burlap and trim the ends with vintage handmade ivory lace that I found recently at a thrift shop!
I’m taking candles, cloth napkins and cloth tablecloth for the picnic table. I’m also taking candles (battery operated ones)to set the mood in our tent.Can’t wait to go camping.
Yolanda Solferino says: We love to camp! I like putting up lights around our camp site, and a table cloth on the table with candles.
Tammy says: hang some chandelier crystals around to get more sparkle!
Crystal Koelzer says: This summer we will be tent camping in the badlands and yellowstone. We will have pretty lights up when I can but the book would greatly help with ideas!
Holly Carver says: My sister and I love to camp together, bringing our families together for fun times and memory making…we have so enjoyed glamping!!! We are going to bring doilies for the lanterns, as well as crocheted coasters for our tables!!! She brings beautiful flowers for the tables every year! So much fun to dress up the site and make it our special temporary home!
Toni H says: Definitely candles, wine, cheese, gourmet chocolate. Old vintage wool blankets, perfect for chilly evenings out west!
Queenbee says: Continue to search resale shops for those unique decorating finds & dream about getting a glamper up & running
Amelia Duluccio says: Wind chimes and solar lights add beauty and glam while using nature’s energy.
margaret howk says: This summer I will be glamping with my new friends from North Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, NY. I will be making lots great memories with my Daughter who turns 16 this summer. We are having fun with our 1978 Trailer Kit Companion.
Doreen J says: We don’t have a camper but my dream is to own a vintage Airstream! In the meantime, I’m going to dress up the firepit my husband made last summer with candles and put some lights on the table umbrella.
Lisa A says: We tent-camp, so a little hard to glamp up, maybe the book would give me ideas!
Martha says: We are just learning how to camp. We are really greenhorns! But since I’ve got three girls, making it a romantic and feminine adventure seems the way to go. That is why I love Mary Jane’s magazine, too. It makes the country life so appealing to my girls, unlike so many other farm magazines.
Karen(old cowgirl) Montoya says: I have always loved camping and now glamping is right up my ally. I plan on doing some of that when I get this place sold and move to my forever home. Right now and for the next few months I will be moving out of my house in to a rental then after the new foundation is built and the house moved on to it, the new roof put on and a couple of problems inside the house is fixed then it is move back into the house and fix some more things. Then selling it when I have some buyers. Hopefully, before winter. I will then be moving to a new town and my forever home. So I guess I could say next year I will be glamping, just not in a trailer as I can not afford one. I will however, be glamping in places that have cabins to rent. I will take my glamping things with me and enjoy the outdoors with my wonderful dog (companion). Would love the book.
Robin "duck mama" DeBaere says: Taking my little 1965 vintage camper out to the ocean side, setting out my home made canopy with solar lights, and resting in my reproduction chair while sipping on a piña colada and watching the waves roll in.
Cheryl C says: I will be making a new quilt and coordinating curtains for my sweet trailer. Just brought her home from winter storage yesterday and can’t wait to hit the road.
Debra Brodie says: I live in the western N.C. mountains. On the knoll behind my house, I am building a platform tent complete with ornate iron bed and claw foot tub. The finishing touch will be the glam chandelier my husband is rewiring to be solar powered for me. This girly refuge next to the “girls” in my hen house is my ultimate “get away from it all” spot to think or plan my next sewing/craft project. I may even get the courage to blog about my project to all my Farmgirl sisters.
I have been collecting vintage linens for glamping and I will also be replacing those cheap plastic dinner ware and cups for vintage glass table ware and tea cups. I can’t wait to go glamping soon!
Caron VanSlyke says: i plan to have better flooring in my tent. Maybe wood slats laid over a tarp or better rugs, still deciding. But either will make sleeping on the ground a little more enjoyable!
Maryellen Benton says: I will put out pretty rugs and pretty flowers. I am making a pennant to hang. I also want to figure out some new decorative lighting. I want to make it feel very welcoming.
Marianne Regan says: I would put down brightly painted throw rugs everywhere!
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.
The color of this sky reminds me of what it looks like right before a bad Spring thunderstorm. Kind of spooky and worrisome looking. Or maybe it is just early morning fog?
That looks cold, eerie, amazing, old but new… I ran out of adjectives. Like
A stormy day indeed..looks like a scene from the Wizard of Oz…we’re not in Kansas, anymore, Dorothy!