Good times...available FREE!

Welcome, welcome to the new year -- full of good times, challenging times, and wonderful things yet to be...

Milking it for all it's worth...

I was thinking the other morning that I would just love to have some company while milking my dear cow Evelynn (whose photo appears below). And, actually, I would love to show you all what I do and how I do it - I'm not an expert, but I've been pretty successful. And to all of you experienced milkers out there - I would love to hear your tips and hints, too!!!

 

With thanks...

Now is the time around the United States that folks focus on what they are grateful for - a time to give thanks for who we are, what we've been given and those who make our lives worthwhile. Yes, for me, you are all included...

 

Confessions of an almoster

Merriam-Webster defines "almost" this way:

ALMOST: adv.; very nearly, but not exactly or entirely.

And what does this have to do with this particular farmgirl and the past while? Well, go get yourself a cup of tea, sit down in a comfy chair and I'll tell you a little story...

 

...the door that is "almost" finished...

Ms. Margaret and the Past Little While

WOW! It's finally here - the dandelions and robins are the harbingers - but this spring is different on our farm, different than any other in so very many ways. Things come and go, and this year there are some biggies.

March comes in like a LION...

...and out like a lamb. In our case, it's for real! Come and check out the new babies at the corrals; you'll just fall in love.

Shear Madness

The time has finally come for shearing the sheep. Come on over with me to the corrals and let's see what our shearing operation looks like this year. Bring your muck boots and good humor!

It's all going to the birds...

After a couple of months of being so wrapped up in what's going on INSIDE the farmhouse with my family, I was amazed, AMAZED, when I went outside for a walk and noticed that the entire yard had gone to the birds...

Come on Over for a Visit

Now, there's one cold-weather (or warm weather, too, really!) activity that I'd like to bring back year-round, the "visit."

Happy Holidays!!!

Happiest of Holidays, my farmgirl friends!!!

It's finally winter!!! Can you even believe that this week is Christmas (and includes many other Hoildays, too!)? Come on in, and see what's going on around the farm and farmhouse. Oh, I love this season - it makes me think back on days and years past with such love and warmth. Put on the kettle, grab a gingersnap or two (okay, or five), sit down and let's chat...

Libbie Zenger in fields of iris

Libbie Zenger,
Our Current Rural Farmgirl,
is a small town Farmgirl who lives in the high-desert Sevier Valley of Central Utah with her husband and two darling (“if I do say so myself ...”) little farmboys — as well as 30 ewes; 60 new little lambs; a handful of rams; a lovely milk cow, Evelynn; an old horse, Doc; two dogs; a bunch o’ chickens; and two new little kittens.

She lives on a 140-year-old farm, in a farmhouse built by her great-great-grandfather, and tries to channel her grandmothers, HD Thoreau, and Auntie Mame (not necessarily in that order!).

“When I found MaryJanesFarm, I found a new sort of sisterhood — one in which hard work, ‘heart’ work, and handwork are truly valued, appreciated, and shared ... not to mention all the great times that farmgirls have!”

Column contents copyright © 2010– Libbie Zenger. All rights reserved.

Little Farmer Girl

Farmgirl
is a condition
of the heart.

René Groom
Previous Rural Farmgirl,
April 2009 – May 2010

René lives in Washington state’s wine country. She grew up in the dry-land wheat fields of E. Washington, where learning to drive the family truck and tractors, and “snipe hunting,” were rites of passage. She has dirt under her nails and in her veins. In true farmgirl fashion, there is no place on Earth she would rather be than on the farm.