Being a Farmgirl

This weeks entry in the Farmgirl Blog-A-Thon is about what being a farmgirl means to each of us. What does it mean to me? Hmmm. Well, I don't live on a farm, and never have. Never owned a chicken or a cow. Never cleaned a stall. So by all logical standards I am not literally a farmgirl. Somehow though, it is in my blood. The above picture is from my grandfather's farm. My dad grew up farming, but when he and his seven brothers and sisters grew up, the farm was sold. Dad became and electrician but he is a farmer at heart to this day. I think he has always owned a tractor. The place where we lived until I was about eight had enough land that he grew a few acres of corn to sell. Now he will rent land and grow anything from soybeans to hay. It's still his hobby. I don't remember him specifically instilling any love for land or farmers' ways into me, dad is just dad. He and mom looked over the years at a few small farms to buy, but that just never happened.

Somehow, whatever it is about the land, the outdoors, the growing, and the harvest that touches him, touches me too. It's bigger and broader than what I can put into words. And for me of course it goes indoors too. It's part of the aprons that tell me it's ok to be a housewife (even if I must work outside the home too) and make a warm home for my family. Learning to be simple and frugal and not feeling deprived because there is so much that fills my heart.

Years ago, I bemoaned the century I was born in because I felt I was supposed be a pioneer woman. (I'd last one day, tops!) Then I read in the Bible that God knew exactly what he was doing when He placed us where we are. So, I slowly came around to His thinking, wondering why I am often uncomfortable with modern ways of doing things. Ok, before you think I've kept myself in the dark ages, which would be silly to think since I'm on the computer; I do own a car, have running water and so on! Specifically I seem to meet more and more women that think it is offensive to cook and clean, and sewing? How archaic! How my heart sang when I picked up MaryJanes Idea Book. Honestly, I bought it because of the cover, but what was inside thrilled me. There were people like me who loved handmade, homegrown and back to basics. When I went to the website I found hundreds of women like me. No, we are not carbon copies of each other, which is fantastic because I learn in the areas I'm weak in (green living and gardening) and can enjoy and be inspired by others' creativity.

So you don't have to be living on a farm to be a Farmgirl, as MaryJane has said it is a matter of the heart. I encourage you to visit MaryJane's Farm on-line http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/

I promise you will be touched by the realness of the women who join the forum, you will laugh and cry with us and you may just learn a bit too!

Good Bye

As I write this and look at her picture it still does not seem real. At the same time it seems self-serving and ridiculous to be so torn up over a pet. But somehow, as it happens in many families, she was so much more.

Yes, Friday it was time to say goodbye. Jasmine was almost 12 and we found out in January that she had bone cancer. Since her diagnoses she had done remarkable well, even by our vet's standards. But last Sunday I noticed a change. She was still fighting with every ounce of energy she had to be where I was and follow her routines, but it was getting difficult for her. My husband and I agreed at the beginning that when her quality of life diminished we would do the responsible thing. We knew it was coming, but boy is it hard.

Funny thing is, is that she is my "husband's dog". When we married he wanted a dog. He had grown up with dogs but years of living in apartments had deprived him of that companionship. I had only had one dog when I was quite young and had grown up with cats. I didn't dislike dogs at all, I'm an animal lover. I just never thought about getting one. What set me back a little was the fact that he wanted a rottweiler. I had only know what I had seen on the news and other media of these big dogs. They didn't sound like the type of dog I wanted around my two children and daycare. To make a long story short, DH took me the breeder who was a sweet older woman who told me stories of her children and grandchildren growing up with these lovely dogs. She had a mama with pups, and I fell in love with the fact that mama let us handle her pups and just asked us for some lovin for herself. We got to pick from the litter.

My husband's dog became my shadow. She let our children dress her up, she like to play and romp with DH, but she always knew where I was. She didn't let me close a door behind me in the house, she'd scratch and whine if she couldn't nudge through it herself. She usually didn't get up until I got up in the morning, then she did her "boney dance" for a milk bone and we went outside. Whatever I had to do for the day, she would be nearby. If I was sewing, she would be on the couch in the sewing room (the only piece of furniture she was allowed on). And oh, how I will miss here when the weather warms and I can garden or take my book out to the spot we sat at under the apple trees.

So you get the picture. I'm trying to be adult and realize this is part of life, but every step I take seems to remind me that she's not here. It was weird when I realized that in the almost 12 years we have had her, I've never been alone!

I will smile at her memory soon. She left us plenty to smile about. I miss my puppy, but I thank her for being such a good friend.

~Blessings

Farmgirl Blog-a-thon: Tie One On!

Our dear friend Tina, at http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/ is hosting a Farmgirl Blog-A-Thon. There will be a different them each week. This week's theme is aprons!! Near and dear to my heart. She asked us to pick a favorite, that was kind of tought. I have aprons from farmgirl friends that I treasure. The friendship and love they pass along to me through their work is priceless!! I also have a few that I have picked up on-line or in thrift shops. These are not as sentimental, but often they are made of a darling vintage fabric that caught my eye.

The dearest ones to me though are from my grandmother. She actually thinks I'm kinda silly loving aprons ( I DO wear them also!) for she was relieved when they went out of style. She says they were just more laundry to do! Being a "modern woman" my mother never wore them at all! But the aprons grandma gave me are precious, one was even her mother's and another was her grandmothers! The apron I have pictured here she never wore. She passed it on to me half embroidered. It's a favorite because I finished her work and now I have something that she and I worked on "together"!

I have always had a heart for farm life and making things homemade as often as possible. I stumbled onto one of MaryJane Butter's books two years ago and found many kindred spirits. Please take the time to check out her website, there is definitely something for everyone there!!

http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/

Almost Vacation Time

I only have two more days to work next week then I am off for 12 whole days!!! The weather for next week is looking pretty good too; 60ish and sunny. (Hey don't laugh! that is good here!) I have cleaning plans and sewing plans and MAYBE some painting if the mood strikes.

I'm looking forward to the weekend. Tomorrow I get to watch my girlfriends 7 month old little boy. I haven't had a baby around here in ages!!!! So tomorrow I'll get up and do a vacuum/sweep/dust run and enjoy the day with Baby. I have pictures that I want to show, but it's not working at the moment. Maybe I'll get that straightened out again next week too.

Just the word v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n sounds so sweet right now!!! Hope you all don't get sick of me, cause I love to blog and visit when I'm home!! Hey....maybe another aprony give-away is in order! I'll see if I can find some fun fabric to use!!!

~Have a nice weekend but be sure to say Hi! before you go!!