| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| daffodil dreamer |
Posted - Aug 06 2006 : 7:28:53 PM
I would like to say hi to all farmgirls. I have been reading the posts for a couple of weeks now, since I did a search for Tasha Tudor and up popped MaryJanes Farm!! Lucky me!!
I live in Western Australia in a town called Albany. I am dreaming of my farm (have been for 20 years - since I was a little girl and kept lists of the names I would call all my animals.) We have a third of an acre, so I can have my chickens at least and grow some vegies, but I dream of more! I am married, with three darlings - two girls aged 10 and 8 and a boy, nearly 2.
I love all things farmgirl - I think sometimes my husband doesn't quite understand how I can get SO MUCH satisfaction from seeing a row of jars of freshly made jam or how I can actually enjoy shelling peas. I am trying to show my children how the basics of life really work as I feel this will become more and more important in the future, even absolutely necessary.
I would like to live as self sufficiently as possible, which many of you seem to be doing, to differing extents. We only owe a small amount on our house now, so we could buy a farm and have no money owing. But the problem is my husband still doesn't think that it can be done. It doesn't matter how many books or websites I show him about people who are doing it. The other day he said he needs me to 'prove' that it works. I don't suppose any of you girls could drop me a quick line about how you make your farms work for you - I would really appreciate any ideas you have. I think he is just scared to make the plunge (and aren't we all scared to change our life completely).
About me, I LOVE daffodils, such a happy flower. It is nearly spring here and my daffs are blooming. I dream of meadows of daffs. When I first read a Tasha Tudor book, she talked about carrying thousands of daffodil bulbs into her new property in a backpack, and I thought 'that is my kind of lady'. Obviously, I love Tasha Tudor - I have four of the books about her and I look at them constantly. I would love to live just as she does. I do crafts of all sorts - knitting, quilting, cross stitch, embroidery, painting. And I love gardening and cooking.
I better stop now or I will just keep writing. Look forward to reading lots more interesting info in the forums. Thanks to you all for just being farmgirls!! |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| CityFarmGirl |
Posted - Aug 10 2006 : 12:58:14 PM
Mella, I am a huge L.M. Montgomery fan--I read the first few volumes of her journals--actually loved Emily of New Moon more than Anne of Green Gables, although Anne is of course, a classic. Just related to the brooding brunette wo wanted to be an authoress a little more than I did to the chatty redhead that is the splendiferous Anne, but of course I love Anne, too.
The characters in the Little House books were more homesteading types--the ones in the Anne books were not. Little House life was more "prmitive", as they say, the PEI was easier. That's one difference, at least.
Jayne, sorry to hear your sister-in-law might be moving away, although glad she likes it here--I was born and raised in NYC, so I do like it here, even with my farm dreams. I have been to Seattle and it is a lovely city. NY is technically actually about as rainy as Seattle, but in Seattle it is more of a constant misting of rain, whereas in NY you get more sunny days, but when it rains, it really rains.
And my name is Jennifer--but there are so many Jens here and elsewhere I thought it best to stick to CityFarmGirl for now to avoid any confusion! |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Aug 10 2006 : 12:31:13 PM
Welcome to the Group!
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
| mellaisbella |
Posted - Aug 10 2006 : 08:35:16 AM
Hi Jayne....yes, I can get ANYTHING Anne of Green Gables that your little heart desires...just let me know!
mellaisbella "I wanna touch the earth, I want to break it in my hands, I want to grow something wild and unruly" |
| mellaisbella |
Posted - Aug 10 2006 : 08:26:32 AM
oh..yes.. hi Newheart, from sunny prince edward island , canada....welcome to this wonderfully happy warm place , hugs to you, Mella
mellaisbella "I wanna touch the earth, I want to break it in my hands, I want to grow something wild and unruly" |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Aug 10 2006 : 06:30:57 AM
WELCOME MARGIE- I didn't want to let you get lost in the posts!! 
I wish you well in your recovery. As Kate and Jenny said- this is such a wonderful, friendly, healing place. You can be sure to find a sympathetic ear and lots of strong shoulders!! As well as quite a few laughs!
By the way ladies, all of this talk about Tasha Tudor reminded me that my oldest son has a signed copy of her "Mother Goose Rhymes" that his Grammy S. gave him on his 2nd birthday!! That was 22 years ago and it is one of the books that survived our house fire. 
It's in a box saved for his children. (If he ever meets a girl he likes!!)
Karin |
| Buttercup |
Posted - Aug 09 2006 : 9:57:39 PM
Jenny... yes if I ever buy all the books I want on there, Amazon will be VERY happy!! My hubbie asked me what I want for my b-day and I told him "BOOKS!" so he is supposed to be getting me a gift certificate for books from Amazon..dunno for how much yet..but you will hear a big whoop from Okinawa when I get them!! 
Hugz to All!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Aug 09 2006 : 9:41:33 PM
Yep..you MUST Get the Tasha cookbook..it is just so sweet! I have two other cookbooks that she illustrated that I love too...The Buttery cookbook and the Buttery Almanac ..both are really good. I don't have her Christmas book yet, but have the gardening one, crafts one and the one just about her world and then "Drawn from New England"..love that one!!
My amazon wishlist is something too!! I have a hard time resisting books.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Buttercup |
Posted - Aug 09 2006 : 9:40:58 PM
Shirley,
Thank you for the good word on the cookbook! It is on my wish list! I am looking forward to getting them sometime soon!
Jayne, if you want to do the swap, I am willing to pay for the shipping and swap with you, but am not sure if it would be too much for you on that end...but I honestly do not mind if you would really like to join in, just let me know! I have a friend here from Australia and she told me what it would cost to post it to you and I am more then happy to do it! You know I have never read the Anne of Green Gables Series.. I love Little House..is it similar? I did see the movie or series or something on TV once and loved it. Could someone please tell me what the books are like...(oh shucks...something else to add to my wish list ) And Jayne I feel like you. I have been so homesick and lonely over here and this site is like having a bunch of friends over for a good chat!
Hugz to All!!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
| daffodil dreamer |
Posted - Aug 09 2006 : 8:48:26 PM
Hi again,
Thanks for all the new welcomes - I can't believe how lovely everyone here is - such an antidote to the 'modern' world where not many seem to have time for a smile, let alone a leisurely chat. This is becoming like a chat on the porch on a sunny day for me. Thanks so much.
Tasha Tudor - what can we say? I have the four books about her, like Shirley has. I haven't got the cookbook, but it is on my amazon wishlist (yes, Talitha, my wishlist is so long that if I ever actually bought all the books, I would need a whole new room to put them in!) Apparently, the cookbook has more of her painting than the other books have, so I would get it just for that.
CityFarmGirl (didn't have your 'real' name listed), my sister-in-law lives in New York too. Originally an Australian girl, but moved there when she was 18, married an American, now has two little ones. I guess here we take our space for granted, as I don't know how she can have children without a backyard - I would go stir crazy if I couldn't send them out into the yard for a run around to burn off energy. But she loves it, although they may be moving to Seattle soon, which I hear is very rainy. We live in an area that is fairly mild all year round, not too hot in summer. There are plenty here like us, dreaming for the farm one day, so it's great to dream and hope together.
Melanie, I grew up addicted to the Anne of Green Gables series. I love reading and I'm sure I must have read the whole series at least ten times. In fact, I only just re-read them six months ago. I like to re-read the classics often, like Little Women, Jane Eyre, etc. Do they have any Anne related 'tourist'type things there? I did see the cookbook swap - but I wouldn't like to join something like that and then have someone have to post to Australia - it is hugely expensive to post to Australia from there.
Best wishes and keep dreaming,
Jayne |
| Shirley |
Posted - Aug 09 2006 : 4:39:15 PM
I have Tasha Tudors cookbook, and I love it, it has pictures she has painted throught out it.
I have the four other one about her life and gardening , and whatever else they are, I dont have many kids books that she has done. Corgi ville fair and the pumkin one are cute ,but the only ones I have for kids.
I have both of her tapes and they are also good, one is at christmas with her and the other is gardening. She has corgi's and so do we, love em |
| mellaisbella |
Posted - Aug 09 2006 : 09:39:50 AM
Jayne...welcome form sunny Prince Edward Island, Canada, home of Anne of Green Gables... I have never beem to Australia, but I do have two snail mail pen pals there...hey, maybe you would like to join our cookbook swap..just look up swap shop.. then you can get a neat cookbook from one of your farmgirl friends.... hugs, Mella
"I wanna touch the earth, I want to break it in my hands, I want to grow something wild and unruly" |
| CityFarmGirl |
Posted - Aug 09 2006 : 09:25:06 AM
Hi, Jayne--
And welcome! I have only posted a couple of times, but it is a great place to be! I think you ask a very good question and I would love to read the advice you are given myself! I live in NYC, which is about as far away from a farm as you can get, but I would love to have my own farm someday, too.
As a McLeod's Daughters fan, I have to say Australia is part of the reason I find farming so intriguing, although I know it is a lot harder than it appears on a TV soap! The scenery is gorgeous, though, although I understand it is very hot in the summer. And I just finished Bill Bryson's book, In A Sunburned Country, so it is very interesting to hear from Western Australia. Welcome again and I hope you get the bigger farm of your dreams someday, |
| Buttercup |
Posted - Aug 09 2006 : 07:16:30 AM
Jayne,
I just did a search on Tasha Tudor...HOW did I miss knowing about her?!?!  Seems so very neat..have a few of her books now saved on my wish list!!(which is now about a zillion pages long! ) I can not wait to get them! Thank you so much for mentioning her! I have something else I think I am going to love and have to add to my budding library!
Thanks n Hugz!
Talitha
PS. do you have her cookbook? Or does anyone have Tasha Tudors cookbook? was wondering if it is any good? Thanks!
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
| nouveau_farmchick |
Posted - Aug 09 2006 : 06:40:22 AM
Hi Jayne,
I too am a long time Tasha Tudor fan. Years ago I had a birthday party for my two girls Tasha Tudor style with the wren post and all. I wrote to tell her about it and my Corgi dogs and she wrote me a letter back! I treasure it as you can imagine.
We enjoy the simple joys of life as much as possible on our 5+acre farm, it is wonder to be as self sufficient as possible. It's wonderful that you are passing your skills on to your children. How much more memorable to them then some parents giving them video games!
Can't wait to here more of your news.
Pennie
God bless Farmers |
| Buttercup |
Posted - Aug 09 2006 : 01:03:21 AM
Jayne and Jenny...I have heard the name but never really knew who the name was attached to (Tasha Tudor) Something else I have to go look up  ... I LOVE learning new things here!! Thank you Jayne for telling us about her! Jayne, I think you and I have a permenant spot on Amazon!! lol I am there all the time and have a wish list like you would not believe! What about you? Do you have a wish list going?
Newheart Margie, Welcome!! I love to scrapbook too! And I just got my own craft/whatever room as well...I love it!! I have always planned to have a "girlie" room just for me and my friends to enjoy...but now it is a must!! I hope you will start your own thread on the welcome wagon and tell us even more about yourself, this way others will know there is a new friend to meet and they can all stop in and say "hello" !
Hugz to All!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
| daffodil dreamer |
Posted - Aug 08 2006 : 8:52:56 PM
Thanks again for all the lovely thoughts. And welcome to Margie!
Kate, Jenny is right - you would love Tasha Tudor. If you go on to the Amazon website and look up her books, you can look at some of the pages (not much, but just to have a look). She and her family also have a website.
Best wishes to all and keep dreaming,
Jayne |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Aug 08 2006 : 7:27:56 PM
Welcome Margie!! Like Kate said...I wish we were all physically closer..but you will find this a close knit group of friends..sounds like you will fit right in. I have been very into quilting right now..I tend to switch from project to project...always several things going...and phases...right now a quilting and embroidery phase..but always knitting in the background somewhere and spinning, and I love to sew. How fun to have a sewing and craft room just for you..I love that! What breed is your dog?? We are big dog lovers here!
I am so glad you found us!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| katiedid |
Posted - Aug 08 2006 : 5:45:50 PM
newheart! Hello! I wish you the very best in your recovery....how awful for you. You have found the best group of friends. The only way it could be better is if we all lived with an hour or so of each other...then we could visit in person, and help out. Like now, for you. If we were neighbors I would bring you dinner, a smile, and we would sit-a-spell and talk!
Make sure you start a topic of your own, on the welcome wagon....that way everyone can drop in and say hello.
Love
Kate |
| newheart |
Posted - Aug 08 2006 : 2:07:33 PM
Hello, I finally made it here. I am from Maryland, an avid quilter, do needlework, make cards, do scrapbooking, just got DH to make empty bed room into Sewing/Craft room for me.. Married 39 years , 3 kids,,,5 grandkids. one dog (belongs to them, I am just keeping her here....) Am going to browse around to see what I like...everything looks wonderful.. My user name is newheart, because I am just recuperating from Heart Attack and heart surgery.
newheart
8/8/06 |
| Utahfarmgirl |
Posted - Aug 08 2006 : 2:06:10 PM
Hi Jayne and welcome! These are all like-minded ladies whose friendship I'm sure you will enjoy. It's fun reading about someone on the other side of the world. Happy Winter!
Farmgirl hug,
Patricia
Come visit my Etsy store at www.chezPatricia.etsy.com
Farmgirls do it organically! |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Aug 08 2006 : 10:23:31 AM
Oh Kate!! Next time we get together..soon I hope...I will bring several books about Tasha Tudor. She is a children's illustrator...wonderful wonderful stuff..and lives a lifestyle so simple and old fashioned. I think 1830 is her "era" she likes to live like. It is amazing.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| katiedid |
Posted - Aug 08 2006 : 08:25:00 AM
Jayne~
Welcome! You have found the right place....I am wondering who Tasha Tudor is?? I would love to read some more good books about "good" living. I really like to learn something new.
I love your name! I have four daughters, and if I were ever to be blessed with a 5th, her name would be Jayne. I think it is such a pretty, classic sounding name.
As for your dream of a farm, keep it alive, it WILL happen...I am dreaming and working toward my own farm too. We'll get there, I just know it.
Glad to meet you.
Love
Kate |
| berries |
Posted - Aug 07 2006 : 6:56:02 PM
Welcome Jayne! It's true, you will love it! My husband calls me computer girl now! I want to read everything, and catch up on everyone! It is so much fun! Let me know if there's anything I can do for you! Love to hear more from you!
gloria g. Richards, TX
strawberry fields forever and ever! |
| daffodil dreamer |
Posted - Aug 07 2006 : 6:44:25 PM
Hi to all,
Huge thanks to you all again for the welcomes. Have just jumped on my computer this morning to have a look again - I promise I have done my morning chores first!! Thrilled to see so many more lovely words from you all. I think I may spend a LOT of time here!! |
| blueroses |
Posted - Aug 07 2006 : 4:09:52 PM
Hi Jayne,
Nice to meet you. Welcome to the forum.
Debbie
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
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