Thank you for dropping by my Raising Jane Journal to participate in my giveaways! We’ve chosen a winner for this giveaway already (click here for details), but don’t be afraid to leave a comment anyway. I love reading them. And stay tuned for more great MaryJanesFarm giveaways.
This copy of my first book, MaryJane’s Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook: For the Farmgirl in All of Us, was in our store window 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 Amazon’s “Never Enough Books”:
“I’ve been a farmgirl, citygirl, tried the Mother Earth News route years ago, so it was with some skepticism that I checked out this book from my library. Don’t be put off by the reference to “Martha Stewart of the West” because the only similarity I can see is that both Martha Stewart and MaryJane Butters are hard-working women. I don’t think I have ever before read any non-fiction book as closely and with as much pleasure as MaryJane’s Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook. I couldn’t be satisfied with the library’s copy, but had to have my own, plus ordered one for my daughter-in-law. The pictures are beautiful, from antique implements to happy people. The verbal sketches of family, friends, and helpers is uplifting.
What struck me most about Butters was her positive attitude. She advocates organic farming and living, but rather than trying to force others to conform to her way of thinking and doing, she found ways to work with local farmers. In using local products, she has connected growers with consumers and built a business for herself, family, and friends.
I’d rate this right up there with Aldo Leopold and Sand County Almanac.”
To lay claim to this (sun-faded) copy, tell me what at MaryJanesFarm has inspired you … magazine, books, products, chatroom, or journal. We’ll put your names in a basket and pull out a lucky winner sometime soon. Check back to see if it’s headed your way.
I am an OR nurse during the week and a visiting farm girl one weekend a month. My in laws live upstate NY. Vegetable farms, dairies, and down to earth people. I truly would love a copy o f your book. I had one but loaned it out never to be returned.
I grew up on a farm in the 50s, but I have lived in the Twin Cities since finishing school. Your magazine is like a trip home (even though home isn’t there anymore) I can feel the warm sun, hear the crickets singing, the sweet smell of warm earth in the spring. The stars at night that are not visible in the city, the early morning sun and smell of the fresh cut hay as we work to turn it into bales for winter. I see my mother in the farm girl in every issue standing on the wire wheel in her plaid shirt and sweet smile.
Am hoping not to be judged by My cover too.
I’ve been a country girl (a red dirt girl) all my life. Growing up with parents that grew their own rabbits & chickens both for the freezer, show and of course eggs. Some years we’d have a cow for milk, but the goats were easier to keep, would eat the poison oak and the milk MmmMmm good, oh and they loved to show off at the fair. Pigeons for squab which I thought EveryOne ate until later in my life. Ponds to swim and fish in, horses to ride & show; 1/4acre garden where dad would be found sitting and watching, a place I would enjoy a one on one with, a place I learned to eat fresh foods that tasted so marvelous (before cooked by mom who often cooked things to death). Looking back at my life with Mom & Dad is heart warming. So a book with an Old Look that is filled with surprises would be wonderful to have.
The information about glamping has inspired me the most! I am longing to hit the road!
The magazine has inspired me to use things I already have around the house to make something new and of joy to the eye.
There is so many things in your magazine that gives me inspiration, but mostly I find it relaxing just to even look at the cover.
I became a Mary Jane fan after reading about the Sisters on the Fly in an older issue. I love the can-do attitude and willingness to make something that will do the job instead of just running out to buy a new thing. I am intrigued by her family and the neighborhood. In short, she shares personal things without it being too much but we get the feeling she truly cares about her readers. Once I took an old sheet and made a new nightgown, I was hooked. I have loaned my Glamping book out last weekend, but will likely buy one for my friend to get mine back. We bought a camper with glamping in mind. I also have 2 clawfoot tubs that are begging to be put to use again.
I love your magazine. I learn new things every time I read it. It is antithetical to most magazines out there, that try to get you to buy into whatever the current trend of lifestyle is. Mary Jane’s Farm truly encourages you to be you and to follow your own trends that embrace who you are and what you love. We all need to be nurturing ourselves and our planet and Mary Jane’s Farm shares the know how we need to do so.
I love the far girl idea. I was born in Nebraska and moved to Cleveland,Ohio as a child. I tell people all the time that I have country in my blood even though I was raised in the city. Your magazine helps me keep in touch with those country roots. And at my age I doubt I will ever live on a farm.but a girl can dream.
I have loved the magazine since discovering during my ten years in Yemen. It and the Sisterhood made a huge difference in my life.
Tracy Lacina
I love your magazine. I found the magazine one day several years ago at a quilt store in Waco, Texas and I don’t think that I have missed an issue since my first purchase. I subscribe now and even gave a gift subscription to my sister. I love all of the articles even though I live in the big city of Houston, Texas. The craft (quilting at the top of that list) projects are my favorite part but I almost feel bad saying that since I read it cover to cover and enjoy every moment I get to spend dreaming over the magazine. I don’t want the other articles to fill like I don’t love them too. It is such a treat when it comes in the mail. I would love the sun faded cookbook, cookbooks are the best when they tell a story along with the recipes and that is a story getting to sunbathe in a store window.
I’m a little sun faded myself! The Mary Janes Farm magazine is one I read from cover to cover, including all the advertising. There are numerous individual ideas I have utilized; but it is best to say that the magazine inspires me to completely enjoy my life on our seven acres of heaven on earth.
My Mom inspired me to go to this site!!!
Your site and books plus magazine have inspired to eat better.
The projects have inspired me the most. Sometimes they’re simple and I can do them in a matter of an hour or two. And, sometimes, I wrangle up my girlfriends and we do projects that take more time, enjoying the whole journey along the way with laughing. Love your books! In fact, I’m waiting for the Wild Bread book I ordered in January. Can’t wait!
I have been a Mary Jane subscriber for several years. I love her magazine. I also have some of her books. Would love to add this to our family book self to be handed down for generations to share. Thank you for the opportunity.
I bought my first issue of MJF when we owned a second home in the mountains, a country getaway from our city residence. We have since relocated to a small town, living rural full-time, and the magazine remains the most authentic,entertaining and beautiful resource for the country life. I love it.
I have enjoyed your magazine. Find ideas to share with my friends. Some time we will try them together. Other times I do them on my own. Am back in to having goats. Thanks for all of the great ideas
I LOVE everything about MaryJane!! I am extremely picking when buying magazines and this is my all time favorite!!
The pictures are amazing. The recipes are delicious. The advertisers are worth trying. The crafts are fun, decorative and useful. Overall, the magazine is a treasure to keep around and keep on using.
Your magazine takes me back to a simpler life when vegetables were home-grown and hard work was enjoyed. I love your crafts, gardening and recipes! Even though I am a township girl, I can always dream of owning a sunflower farm…someday : )
OMG! I just checked this book out at the local library to see if it’s something I want to buy and it is!!! I would LOVE to WIN!!! So what if it’s sun faded, so am I! 🙂 I am a faithful subscriber to your wonderful magazine (you know how long our winters can be here in Idaho) and I so look forward to each issue. Mary Jane you are an amazing woman who inspires all of us, young and young-at-heart alike. Thank you!!!
The magazine has helped me look back, appreciate the “now”, and anticipate a better future!
I have had a subscription to your magazine for many years. I always turn to the recipe section first! Then read it cover to cover.
I have been inspired to look for and enjoy the world around me. I would love to have the book.
Mary Jane has inspired me to become more than a homesteader into a full time farmer! I have learned so much from the books and magazine that I try to use ideas and ‘glam’ my own farm! I am working on making the chicken house into something more than just a place- but more of a ‘home’ for my girls. 🙂
MaryJane’s Farm magazine is so exciting to me as it encompasses everything I love! I am a new subscriber and so glad I subscribed. I love the crochet in the latest issue as I am always doing that myself. Also, I expect to have a new flock of chicks coming my way this fall. Gardening and nature are my happy places. This is a magazine of the wonderful things in life which are also the simplest.
Wow! Loaded question deserves loaded answer.
Does everything even begin to cover it? I grew up in a then small town. But my mothers people were mid western farmers and I too after her family. So imagine my delight when a friend sent me a gift of MaryJanes Farm magazine not long after your first issue.
At that point I had been a farm girl in practice for over twenty years. But what a treat networking farm girls , recipes , tips and organic lifestyle all in one place.
Now looking seventy in the eye and hoping for another seventy to do all the crafts, recipes and sharing with all those amazing young farm girls coming up the ladder.
EVERTHING about your magazine is an inspiration to me…I moved to The wilds of The Ozarks three years ago…and have been an avid subscriber of Mary Jane’s Farm magazine since I moved here. In a world of shrinking magazines and rising subscription rates…your magazine is well worth the reasonable. Subscription rate. It is well designed..clear …concise …and beautifully appointed. I deeply treasure each and every copy.
I have had a subscription for many years and will continue. I love your magazine, I have been inspired by many of your ideas, articles and recipes. Look forward to every issue.
I have found a lot of inspiration from the magazine, books (I have the Milk Cow Kitchen) and blogs from the ranch and suburban farm girls.
I love your magazine so much. It’s like an old friend stopping by each month.
I look forward to my magazine coming. One of my favorite mail days.
I love the magazines. They are inspirational and have so many recipes and interesting articles. They put me on the path to eating healthier and having a homestead. I did give my original homestead up to take care of my mom but am making plans to start another one.
Mary Janes Farm magazine is one of my favorites. It is down to earth and practical. I was raised on a small ranch and I still live within 17 miles of it. My brothers were able to take it over and we still spend time going out there for family get togethers. It was a favorite place for my children and their cousins to hang out also, and now we have even more kids hanging out there! When I sit and read my magazine, it takes me back to my favorite time. My husband and I plan on moving to that area in the very near future and I want to get outside and do my thing again. I love the recipes, all the ideas, and the fact your products are more natural based. It’s all good.
I read alll the magazines & books. Now that I’ll have more time, I’m hoping to get more involved in the online stuff.
Hi! Mary Jane’s magazine inspires me to sit down for a moment, look at the magazine and look at the recipes, natural ideas and stories. It’s a great respite for me in a busy day and just makes me feel good when I look over the pages.
I have been inspired by Mary Jane Farms magazine for about 5 years. Have gotten chickens and lots of projects have been done from the magazine. This is my favorite magazine and look forward to receiving it. I’m a suburban farmgirl but dream of the country life,but make the best of my mini farm.
I have been folowing MJF for years and I can’t wait for the next magazine issue to be mailed and new book releases. It is so nice to sit down with a hot cup of herbal tea and read MJF. I have picked up hobbies that bring out my inner Mary Jane. Thanks Mary Jane for all that you do.
I am a farm woman with a flock of sheep, milk cow, gardener, herd of angus cattle, bees, and a housewife and helpmate. I was born to farm, and have a “simple” life!
I love the magazine from cover to cover! Read every page every word and then can’t wait until I receive the next one! Makes my heart happy!!
I love reading the magazine from cover to cover and I am inspired to try new activities.
I love Mary Janes farm through and through , the magazine, journals, and all. I’ve been reading your magazine for years since the beginning . I love knowing us farmgirls all have the love of farmlife in some form or another even though a lot of us are not as suburban as others.
I love everything about your magazine!!
Your magazine is an inspiration and one of my favorites! I would really enjoy the book!
Your magazines and books have encouraged me to grow more of my own food.
I love your magizine and just recently received your Cowgirl love book…. Love it! Hwlpes mw perfect my butter
I discovered Mary Jane’s Farm a few years ago and absolutely fell in love. The magazine is my absolute favorite I just love it all!! I am gathering ideas as in the next couple of years my husband and I will move to my family farm–can’t wait to put my collection of ideas to use.
I am so glad that I am receiving the Mary Jane Farms magazine. So many wonderful recipes and so much positive feeling for women. I can not wait to become a chicken women. I have read so much about what to do and not to do and am super exited.
Thanks Mary Jane Magazine
Everything feels and looks natural, clean, healthy, inspiring and most of all doable for the average down to earth person, so simple.