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Across the Fence:  MaryJane wannabees  |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 5:10:34 PM
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Is it my imagination or is everyone getting on the farmgirl bandwagon? Which is a good thing, don't get me wrong....
I have never been a big magazine buyer (except for MaryJanesFarm), but lately I have been on a kick of buying and looking through a lot of them. And you know what? I see yo-yo art in Country Living, apron articles all over the place, organic gardening tips and recipes, outdoor tent rooms, and just farmgirl photos and lifestyle articles everywhere! It is like seeing a MaryJanesFarm Magazine look alike! I see it in Cottage Living, and many others.....even Architectural Digest.
There is definitely a trend here, and MaryJane was at the front! Love it!
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
Edited by - jpbluesky on Jun 11 2008 5:15:36 PM |
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SusieQue
True Blue Farmgirl
603 Posts
Susie
Greenville
Ga
Georgia
603 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 5:38:11 PM
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| Yes, you are right...everyone is joining in and Mary Jane is at the head of the class. She has been an inspiration to us all! |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 5:54:03 PM
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MaryJane really stands alone in the field of promoting the farmgirl lifestyle, and her generosity of spirit is so wonderful. I'm not surprised others are jumping on their own bandwagons with ideas they may have gotten from MaryJane's Farm.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
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amyartgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
991 Posts
Amy
Junction City
Ohio
USA
991 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 6:46:08 PM
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I have noticed that too...I read a lot of the Somerset publications, like Somerset Life and Somerset Studio. They are working on 3 new publications for 2009 that focuses on aprons, quilts and stuffed items/toys. All farmgirly stuff :-)
Farmgirl Sister #21
Heart of Ohio Farmgirls
Proud member of Bees w/o Borders and ArtFuL SisTeRs
http://artfulheart.blogspot.com
http://farmgirltales.blogspot.com |
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Tammy Claxton
True Blue Farmgirl
1559 Posts
Tammy
Glen Burnie
Maryland
USA
1559 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 7:51:45 PM
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Ya know, now that I think about it - Mary Maxim craft catalog has yoyo crafts now! lol Go figure. I have never seen them in there before even though making yoyos has been around forever!
I've also been seeing more aprons, felting, and other things in magazines as well. MaryJane has started something here....hmmmmmm
Crafty Bay Farmgirl Chapter
"What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger"
Farmgirl #152
http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/ |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 9:44:11 PM
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Actually, Mary Maxim has been around since the 1950's and yoyo crafts (xmas trees, clowns) as long as I can remember have been in their catalogs...ditto for Hershnerrs as well.
I will say tho, in the FAll 2008 Mary Maxim catalogue(mine just arrived today) on the inside left page there are some cute pumpkins and a cat made with yoyo's,,,now that I have not seen before and they are so cute!
I am happy to see such a resurgance of love for aprons, felting, yoyos and penny rugs.
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
mjf#72
Sisters on the Fly#472
www.katmom4.blogspot.com
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 11:09:10 PM
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I think that with the way the economy is going right now, we women are once again seeking a more "sustainable" lifestyle-- kind of like our Grandma's, and GREAT-Grandma's, did before us. I've watched the trends for the last several years now and have been buying all the books I could find on sustainable living (most of them I found in thrift and antique stores pretty cheap!!) because I felt they would come in VERY handy. I'm so glad I payed attention!
I DO believe that Our Wonderful Ms. Maryjane has helped the self sufficiency trend along, and I am so grateful to be the proud owner of HER books as well!!! (though I haven't ordered the new one yet. I'll have to do that!)
Thanks Maryjane for helping to inspire us in the "lost" arts of home, AND farm keeping. I know I'M taking all your suggestions, and all your tips to heart. Farmgirl Hugs and Blessings ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
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palmettogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
571 Posts
sue
camden
south carolina
USA
571 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2008 : 06:15:29 AM
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| i think a lot of the other magazines were catering to the "keeping up with the jones's" rat race people. kind of like that "silent majority", there were evidently a lot of us out there who were sick of that, and more interested in getting "back to basics". when mary jane stepped forward with her books, magazines, web site, etc., it gave a place for many of us to "unite"! let's face it, all the other magazines have people constantly watching for trends and competition, well, they discovered there are many of us out there interested in the things (such as the aprons, organic meals, etc.)that you mentioned and they want a piece of the pie! like you said, good for us!!! have a great day, everybody!! |
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2008 : 5:01:52 PM
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i once saw the most wonderful short film about 'life being an instant replay' ... (everything old .. is .. new again) i love how life is like a circle which brings us all back to our 'roots' at some point in time. xoxo
(when i have more time .. i'll tell you about the film that moved me to 'sweet nostalgic' HAPPY tears). xo
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2008 : 5:55:34 PM
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It reminds me of that old song that says "I was country, when country wasnt cool".....By Barbara Mandrell.....The thing about maryJane is that she is authentic.. and as we all know that cannot be dublicated.. you either are or arent.. but what excites me about this sudden surge, is that it shows that folks are wanting to go back to a simplier time.. and for my money, if they are following maryjane they are learning from the best......
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
" Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge. Hosea 10:12 |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2008 : 06:34:44 AM
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our sweet MaryJane has entered the hearts of women all over the country (and city) .. i am so grateful to have found her .. and this group of wonderful women!
i remember my first 'glimpse' of 'country' that i loved about 30 years ago .. it was through another mary .. Mary Emmerling. It showed a more 'primitive' style that spoke to my heart. i so wish that she, too, would pull together another book .. i also own all of her books.
i do have friends that still love a more modern style of living and furnishing their homes .. and this too, is very valid .. i have friends who love to dress up real pretty and have their hair and nails done each week .. and belong to a 'gym' .. who work in he 'city' and love eating in restaurants .. and i love who they have chosen to be too.
i've reeeeeely enjoyed a 'plethora' of stores to shop in while here in 'the big city of toledo!!' .. and have had my hair and nails 'done' several times while here. i do miss great shops and salons in our small town living. but ahhhhhh .. the 'quiet' of that little valley we live in tucked into the hollers of kentucky .. i can hardly wait to get back to them too! i love that i have the option of both lifestyles.
i think all this variety in life is awesome .. i've had and loved several 'styles' of living during my lifetime and wouldn't trade those experiences for anything .. now that i'm 'retired' .. i'm in a special place now too .. a slower-paced life (WELL .. SOMEWHAT!) my daughter thinks i'm a 'whirling dervish'!) and i do find that i'm getting 'ancie' to have a 'grande adventure' trip with honey-hunk soon!
country living .. city living .. mountains and seaside .. all styles of life can be truly grande. xoxo
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2008 : 07:13:12 AM
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very well said, frannie.
i do think that our lives need to be our own and that the farmgirl experience isnt for everyone, and well it is just important that people be who THEY are.
having said that, the manicures and city life is not for me, i do like to visit my friends in the city now and then, and well....i have children who love being city girls but i myself am happy to have found my spot here at the farm and here at mj's site.
i think maryjane is a woman who is living her authentic life and really is just ahead of the times. now the times are catching up with her, because she was living a truth that couldnt be denied.
while i think this site helps to unite us and is a great comfort to all of us,i do find myself wondering why maryjane hasnt been "discovered" by the national press or the national media.
while i am a big fan of all women who promote positive things, oprah, martha stewart, mary emmerling, etc etc. i feel that maryjane's creativity and message is every bit as powerful as these women, and i hope one day to see maryjane on oprah.
that is one of my farmgirl dreams. maryjane on oprah, come on girls i know we can visualize it!
love
frannie in texas
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/) |
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frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2008 : 07:20:47 AM
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okay, i knew i wasnt quite finished.
while i love my little martha, she is such a power maniac (hehe)
i dont visualize maryjane on martha because her segments are too short and she really has a problem with other folks being the expert. i am araid that maryjane would unintentionally intimidate martha and martha would end up arm wrestling her or something.
of course, i have noticed that if ya get martha a little tipsy she doesnt interrupt as much. but i havent figured out how maryjane could do a spot on her show and get martha tipsy.
anyway, i think maryjane needs to be on oprah, cause oprah is really better at featuring a person and i think she should be like dr. phil and do a series of shows, where the audience gets to learn from her, like they did dr. phil and that new doc they have on there with the body parts.
okay, i know i have been watching too much tv.
love
frannie in texas
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/) |
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2008 : 11:58:17 AM
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I wonder if Maryjane feels like I do about this life?
It's not about gaining notoriety or fame. It's about teaching others to be independant and self sufficient. It's teaching other's that we DON'T need to rely on industry to see to our own needs and the needs of our loved ones. It's giving us back the control over our own lives and our own health.
I love my farming life. It's HARD work, YES! But it's SOOOO rewarding. At the end of the day, after the garden is watered and weeded, when I'm covered from head to toe in Horse goobers, with chicken poo on my shoes, dirt under my nails and smelling like a dirty goat (or a wet wool blanket!) 'cause I just came from the barn after cuddling with my kids and lambs, the satisfaction that I feel is priceless. It's also a good lesson for my kids--- that hard work really DOES pay off, and you gotta learn to do things for YOURSELF in this life-- you can't just sit back and expect others to do it for you. Hugs to all~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2008 : 2:16:44 PM
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Well, my thought is that it takes all kinds of people to make the world go round...more power to the "city folk"...if they keep congregating in the city...leaves more room in the country for farm girls, don't you think? Plus, I always admire those that still have a bit of country in them no matter if they do live in a city...and they hold fast to it. Country "roots."
Tracy, had to laugh at your description of your "goobered" parts...I always have horse "stuff" on my sleeve (gotta have a rub over the fence at least) and sheep doo doo is just a fact of life around here..with much boots at every door.
I do believe the sustainable "movement" or going green, etc. is having an effect on the masses heading to the farm in their publications, etc. There are originals like MaryJane and then there are knock-offs..versions that kind of look the same but don't usually have the quality of content that the original does.
Jami in WA |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2008 : 5:32:15 PM
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hey gurlfrenz .. i'm thinkin' more OPRAH on MARYJANE's show .. IF .. maryjane ever has such aspirations .. but then .. we'd have to 'clone' her to do all she does AND have a tv show! i believe she is reaching those she is supposed to be reaching. not everyone wants the simple life .. but we surely could everyone of us benefit by her philosophies and ideals incorporated into our lives in some ways .. no matter where we choose to live.
there are many wonderful 'prophets' of the 'good life lived for a healthy earth' out there. i, for one, have admired Al Gore for many, many years.
i remember living this lifestyle 35 years ago when i lived in the foothills of colorado .. this is more like de ja vue for me. most of the people in evergreen, colorado at the time lived a very much self-sustained and healthy lifestyle. my children attended the
'open living school' at the time (there was both GOOD and BAD in it!) but if you take the good and leave off the bad .. it was a wonderful school.
there were farmers and ranchers and surburbanites who travelled the 50 miles down the mountain to work at 'city jobs'
in denver. it was a time of 'wailing willie' (nelson) who had a home in evergreen. it was a time of shared gardens and community trips to local health food groceries. like i said in an earlier posting: LIFE IS AN INSTANT REPLAY.
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2008 : 6:14:26 PM
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once again, frannie i have to agree with you. everything old is new again.
i discovered organics after the birth of my daughter, who is now 33 years old.
many of the new things that i read about being "green" i have been reading about or living since the 60s-70s, as many others have, wish we had really been able to make some of the changes then in a global way, and maybe our world would be different.
when i had the opportunity(?) to reclaim my life after my divorce, i decided to try and live the life i thought i was going to build with my first husband, and as we can i think we do that here.
the road to a farm can be a very tangled one, but i am grateful for all the farmgirl friends here no matter if they be city or country, and i actually have more faith that with the young folks, many of the "old" ways will really take hold and become the norm.
now about mr. gore, i too am a big fan of his, and wonder, girlfriend frannie if you have ever met him? seems like you could have! also wonder if ya ever met my favorite, president jimmy.
i know in some circles he is not liked but i have many reasons for liking him and i wish that we could have followed some of his advice about oil and the environment.
not to get into a heated debate here, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, i am just telling mine, and hopefully trying to get some great story out of you, frannie, as i love to hear them.
love
frannie in texas
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/) |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Jun 14 2008 : 12:37:09 PM
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honey hunk has met him .. (hank was a special litigation attorney for the environment division at the u.s. department of justice .. my kids and lucas have met him ... they are 'big time' enviornmentalists (ha! and DEMOCRATS!) but i've never had the honor to personally meet him in all my years in d.c.
never met president jimmy either .. but, i too, admire him for many reasons.
ha! my biggest memories go back to NIXON and the watergate era ... of course, i was there under (NOT literally!) quite a few presidents .. but KENNEDY was my most memorable.
frannie .. who has been your mos' fav president during your lifetime? xo
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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AlpacaRenee
Farmgirl in Training
10 Posts
Renee
Wilton
Ca
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - Jun 15 2008 : 8:22:47 PM
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Hi y'all,
This conversation is SO me! I always have told people that I feel like I was born 100 years too late. Since I was a little girl, I was doing things that my great great grandma might have done, from sewing, darning socks, inventing/designing things out of things that were intended for other uses...I feel like maybe I was a prarie frontier woman 150 years ago. When I saw the PBS series Frontier House, I felt a deep homesickness in my bones. It was weirdly familiar; I couldn't explain it to any of my "non farmgirl" friends...they thought I was insane. But I know you all understand what I mean. I have lived all over this country for my "bill-paying job" and I can be happy anywhere, but I am happiest in a rural setting.
I love you like the sisters I never had,
Renee
Finney's Fiber Farm Alpacas...where being dense is a GOOD thing! |
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frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Jun 15 2008 : 9:50:32 PM
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kentucky frannie
my favorite was john kennedy, because he was an irish catholic and we were irish catholics,(or so i thought, but thats another story.) anyway, i was 10 and we were all so excited to have someone who seemed "just like us" becoming president kinda like what is going on now with hillary, and with obama. i have just always loved all things, kennedy, even with all their faults. my favorite kennedy was robert.
now as an adult, i really loved jimmy carter, and was really discourage when he wasnt able to implement some of the things that he was trying to do. my opinion is that he rattled the status quo and scared the tar out of the money folks, but i could be wrong, i just think some of his ideas were "for the good of all" and that he was just ahead of his time.
i think if he had been successful then the merge between government and corporate america might not have occured.
i am enjoying politics, now more than i ever have and i guess because of this, i really had a hard time this weekend with the death of tim russert. i just boohooed like a little baby when the announced it, and i watched all weekend when they ran the tributes to him. well, when i wasnt helping dh with a project we had going to close off a small room and add some french doors. the computer room, i'm in there now and it is so cozy.
anyway, would love to hear more.
love
frannie in texas
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/) |
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LunaTheFarmLady
True Blue Farmgirl
448 Posts
Luna
Rineyville
KY
USA
448 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2008 : 07:23:16 AM
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I think what MaryJane has done is legitimize what we so called hippies were doing in the 70's while living her life authentically through the decades. It has taken 40 years for the media and the mainstream to come around to what many of us were doing then and have been doing and have kept doing either consciously or on the back burner through the years. I applaud MaryJane for being true to who she has been throughout her life and validating the values that I have always believed in and mainstream life has tried to belittle and devalue. Yes, it's all in the big media now, but as Frannie said there are some who have also carried the thread through these decades. Mary Emmerling was and still is one of the originals, living her life authentically, I think. The small farm movement and the sustainable living movement are both part of the larger shift in consciousness that is taking place in the larger world and it's affect is being felt in many ways.
Ultimately, I think it's a babyboomer thing. Whatever we are into, the world and the media try to capitalize on. And unfortunately, often it is cheapened and diminished. I personally, would not want to see MJ on either Oprah or Martha. I think that they are both too commercialized and the true value of 'the farm girl' life would be lost and turned into another empty, short lived trend for many. I would rather see the movement spread through forums like this where people of all generations can truly learn and be encouraged to pursue their personal dreams authentically rather than through media sound bytes. As Tracy said, it is hard work, real work and for me the most rewarding work. To each their own as Jami says...but keep it real. For me, part of the reward is my sheep's lovely soft wool fragrant with lanolin mixed in the evening air with the scents of cilantro and basil in the herb garden.The crunch of my own fresh picked greens and veggies. The long horizons and the starlit nights. The poo on my boots are just an added bonus!
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
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mima
True Blue Farmgirl
1573 Posts
1573 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2008 : 08:38:48 AM
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I'M such a Maryjane wannnabee!!!!  My kids crack up! I actually got my hair long enough to get in a braid and my kids rolled their eyes and said "Oh. hi. Maryjane.."!( hey- sister mary..if your'e reading this thought you'd get a kick out of that!!!!)
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frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2008 : 09:38:04 AM
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It was mentioned above that the farmgirl dream is very popular among the boomers, and those of us who wanted a simple life in the 70's. I agree. Interestingly enough though, there seems to be a resurgence among young women also. I certainly see it here on this site, as we have so many young women, and I see it among my daughter's friends. They make their own bread, eat organic, garden and love to keep life more simple for their children. I love that it is transcending the years and staying alive!
And Renee, I loved your response, too! Welcome again!
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
Edited by - jpbluesky on Jun 17 2008 09:38:47 AM |
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LunaTheFarmLady
True Blue Farmgirl
448 Posts
Luna
Rineyville
KY
USA
448 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2008 : 09:52:15 AM
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Yes it is wonderful to see so many younger women (and men too) creating this life for themselves. I see so many young people doing so many creative and energising things to better their world in their own way. It's the cumulative value of all those small actions, whether in the city, suburbs or the farm that will carry through.
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
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Across the Fence: MaryJane wannabees |
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MaryJane wannabees
