You know that pondering tilt of the head a person gives a work of art they’ve just completed? Writing about your life is that exactly. You step back, pick up your paint brush, apply a dab of compassion here, a brush stroke of flair over there. Putting your life on canvas allows you to see what your life looks like through the eyes of others.
Going Granny (actually my grandkids call me Nanny) is my best achievement yet! Here’s a phone message my barely two-year grandgirl left for me on my 58th b-day. I guarantee it; this will make your day.
Momma Butters (meemaw in her pinafore) has been churning away on her next book, Milk Cow Kitchen. That means we’re getting in on some serious cheese tasting. Manchego paired with pear anyone?
It can be delicious work, but I guess somebody has to do it. Not to be too cheesy, but who’s paring the cheese paired with pear, pared to the rind?
Gather ’round, Downton Abbey fans …
It’s time to dish!
Julian Fellowes, the Academy Award-winning fellow who created and writes Downton Abbey, has just offered up an interview about the series’ next season. (Here’s some fun trivia: In addition to playing numerous acting roles as English royalty, Julian is actually royalty himself—his full name is Julian Alexander Kitchener-Fellowes, Baron Fellowes of West Stafford.)
You may have a titch more self-control than I do,
and I totally respect that,
but if you are desperate to savor a few savory snippets of the season to come,
then surrender to temptation and read on …
“I’m not giving anything away by saying that one of the main themes is the rebuilding of Mary, that Mary has to rebuild her life in a society which is changing,” Fellows says. “We would see women’s roles in the ’20s as being very much behind women today. But it was a big advance on what it had been 30 years before. And that’s all explored in the show.”
Fellowes also alludes to his plans to write a new period drama for NBC.
Want more?
Elizabeth says: I’ll admit, I didn’t read the rest of the interview just because I want to be surprised. But I will share my take on how I believe the Downton story will end…?…
Seems as if some major characters are getting sick & passing away in the story. I suspect we will see most of the Downton Abbey characters meet a similar fate…that is, all, except Edith? In real life, it often seems to me that everyone except the wealthy spinster is left to live out her life alone, on an aging estate. Ending up with everything & nothing all at the same time?
How do you think it will end?
MaryJane says: Food for thought. I haven’t even thought about its ending but I like your theory. Go Edith!!!!
Winnie Nielsen says: I read this article in the New York Times and it made me sort of sad. Julian Fellows is so brilliant as writer of this series that his leaving has me worried about a premature end of it all after season 4!! My questions revolve around Branson’s child, and now the heir of the estate from Matthew. Surely, there will be much drama about these new comers? And I agree we have to have some resolve regarding Lady Edith. It rings of the prodigal son parable a tad.but whatever is in store, this Farmgirl will be glued to PBS for season 4!!!!
Eileen Stone says: Thanks! I LOVE this show & am specifically in love with the womens’ fashions!
It’s sad to have to have someone “die” when they leave a show but it makes sense as far as the story/plot goes. Edith?? Hmmmm . . . Elizabeth makes a good point.
I love “Grannie” and all the quips she makes . . cracks me up! Dame Maggie Smith is a great actress!
My hubby and I were watching those two vehicles approaching each other and were saying “Oh NO!” Guess we knew kind of what was coming. My hubby also says, there has to be loose ends left to lead into the next season. Will be interesting to see what happens indeed!
MaryJane says: I agree, I LOVE Granny the best.
Brandy says: I have been drooling over this series for a while now. I don’t want to watch it until I can get the beginning dvd’s. I MUST do it SOON!!!
Terry Steinmetz says: Thanks for the updates. I try not to make my own thoughts of what is coming–it spoils what really happens when I do see the series. I love the way the ladies are strong. This farmgirl will be tuning in to season 4 as well!
Happy Monday morning my dear friends!!!! Here’s what I’m hoping will be a fun exchange between us. Can you help me write the ending to my “story” (adventure, yarn, whopper, taradiddle, mare’s nest, fabrication, concoction)? It can be three words. Or many. A smiley face without any ending at all. A total dud, fall flat on its face idea. (Oh, the embarrassment.) Here goes my first attempt. But wait. My future alert is this: I hope to sometimes drift into Garrison Keillor territory with a yarn or two. Maybe the occasional fable of yore. Maybe a pretend game of “you’re about to cowgirl up your milk cow when up drives …”
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It’s happened before. But this time, she does it in an even larger group setting. She’s someone you care about a lot, enough so, you can’t bear the thought of correcting her privately, let alone publicly. What’s a girl to do?
Send her an anonymous note? You consider her reaction and embarrassment and that idea stops you dead in your tracks. You begin to weigh the consequences. When she finds out she’s had it wrong all along, she’ll spend time trying to replay all the many times she’s done it and who was there to witness it. It might affect her confidence. It might make her retreat. If she retreats only a tiny amount, that’s never a good thing. Worse yet, maybe she’ll retreat from you if she even suspects you’re the one …
“Silly. Just tell her the very next time it happens. You’re over-thinking it. On second thought, maybe I’m guilty of something similar and no one’s ever told me. Now, this is ruining MY confidence. This is starting to be too much …
Say nothing …
Oh, for heaven’s sake, just say it! Tell her point blank …
No, don’t. Who do I think I am anyway? Little Miss Blunder Director Corrector? She’s only a dear acquaintance, not a BFF …
I got it! Tell a close family member of hers so they can tell her … “
Never mind. That is WAY too manipulative and underhanded.
But. BUT. Every time she says …
Winnie Nielsen says: I have a hard time with this one because I find myself getting caught up in the worry that , who am I to decide how a person should be? If she isn’t hurting someone, then let the rest of the world draw their own conclusions about her quirks. The question is , am I the one embarrassed because I think it not correct? If others blow it off and not me, then the problem is mine and not hers. My take is just tell myself to not take myself so seriously and let the person be who she is. Washed pot and all!
Elizabeth says: Then you realize it’s your pal’s adorable accent from yesteryear resurfacing as a glimpse from the past…?
And decide it “all comes out in the watch” after-all;-)
…
Why can’t I see that her malapropisms are part of her charm? After all, in the scheme of human foibles, it is endearing. What is my problem?
Why do I fondly remember that boyfriend of old who called geraniums “Geronimos” and Sweet Allysum plants “Lisa Breath” but my skin crawls when a friend washes that never-to-boil pot?
My grandmother would know what to do if she were here. If only I were more like her.
It if funny how one woman’s simple mistake has led me to remember an old beau and yearn for my grandmother who is sorely missed.
Maybe what I should say to my friend, the next time I see her, is “thank you”.
Sheri says: The next time she said it, I would casually say , “My mom would always say that a Watched pot never boils but silly me will always watch it anyway. It seems like it’s even worse when I’m in a hurry. Isn’t it funny how those old sayings apply to so many things!”. And then, I would never give it a second thought if she continued to say it the same. It’s such a minor thing and I love her more than wanting to embarress her. After all, we all have our little quirks!
Kristi says: I have a dear friend who always tells me she has “come to a consensus” over a problem, and I have to giggle inside every time. She must have many parts. I don’t know why she never can “come to a conclusion.” I told her about it once, a long time ago, but she hasn’t changed, and I don’t want to change her.
Mary phillips says: Maybe I should just go the whole 8 yards and tell her it’s not “lick” the bucket, either!
Grace says: Even though the habit makes you cringe inside, you also smile just a little knowing that the flicker of confusion she sees on everyone’s face when she uses the wrong word is one of the ways that she makes sure that people are paying attention. 🙂
Emily says: You play like Andy Taylor, the Sheriff of Mayberry, and with a smile and a great dose of humility, avoid even thinking about correcting the Barney Fife in your friend. (Barney, if you do not know, was frequently mispronouncing words and misquoting sayings.) Especially do this if your friend is the humble type herself.
If your friend is a pride peacock, always looking to be right and correct others, it might serve her right to be put in her place. As unfriendly as that might seem, it also wouldn’t be a bad choice just letting her go on embarrassing herself is she is the proud type. I’ve spent many a time in company with what my grandfather referred to as “Know-ies”. . . you know, the sort of people who know everything and believe you know nothing. Sometimes it’s easier to just sit back and let those sort run on and run off everybody around them.
But a humble friend, innocent of such behavior. . . just let her be. Chances are she’s beloved by those around her, and they accept her wholly despite her linguistic imperfections.
And if it’s bothering you THAT MUCH that she keeps saying “a washed pot. . .”, then perhaps you’re taking life just too darn seriously. Just sayin’.
(Of course, the “you” in this doesn’t really mean “you”. . . it means the “you” who is discussing these things in her own head. No offense meant whatsoever! This is getting complicated, haha!)
Judy says: Maybe she’s deaf. My husband is and you should hear the words he sings to songs on the radio. Just lol a lot.
Winnie Nielsen says: This looks both delicious and healthy. Wish I had a bowl right now!
I’m curious. How did your significant other show-you-the-love on V-day? Me? I got not one (apparently he didn’t give me gooder grammar), but three, THREE baby dripping-with-sweetness, organic watermelons. (An out-of-season delicacy that had me swooning and spoonin’ in no time.)
And, AND … organic kale for my chickens. I kid you not. I’ve picked my greenhouse kale down to its very nubbins and was saying how sorry I felt for my chickens this time of year. “Poor things, I’m out of greens.” So what did hubby really give me in its most finest final form? Dark yellow yolks again, that’s what. (You know that’s what gives your homegrown eggs their vibrant color, right? Chlorophyll.)
Terry Steinmetz says: For V-day, my hubby grilled a special venison steak. We worked on packing for our trip to Florida. And we ate blackberry cheesecake that I made. A very nice day!
Winnie Nielsen says: Now kale is one very cool gift ! V- day gifts to share and uplift. Truly, a Farmgirl’s idea of perfect in every way. Me? We are not into V Day stuff. I am lucky in that my sweetie tells me every day he loves me. And with that after 34 years, who needs VDay?
MaryJane says: Indeed. You celebrate love day every day!
Grace says: We’ve been together a long time also so kept it kinda quiet this year…Barnes & Noble is my “happy place” and the gift card I got with a sweet greeting card was just fine.
Ruth says: It’s been such a long time ago that I’ve forgotten what year it was that my much younger husband dug a large hole in the front yard – in frozen earth! He brought in a couple of huge metal buckets full of dirt and sat them beside the wood stove in the basement to thaw out. On Valentine’s day he planted a pink dogwood in that hole, God love him! It’s still here, big and beautiful, and it won’t be long that it’ll be blooming again, God willing. It’s been my late Valentine gift every year since then.
MaryJane says: What a sweet, sweet story!!!!
Ali says: I’m throwing a party for all my gal friends who won’t be getting presents from any significant other. This holiday can be pretty depressing if you read too many “what did my sweetheart get me” type posts.
Char says: My sweet hubby of almost 44 years is taking me to Wegmans!I love Wegmans.He says anything you want you can have.I need to get the freshest ingredients for our Julia recipe,plus a good bottle of French wine(-:We are going to make a Julia Child dinner together.We have been doing this for some time.So much fun!
Rascal was born on Valentine’s Day, and so naturally, we had a party yesterday to celebrate!
Debbie Fischer says: Happy Birthday Rascal! Looks like you had a wonderful party, how fun.
Mary Jane the pictures are all so cute, the lambs are so, so sweet too.
Hugs,
Debbie
Winnie Nielsen says: Oh my, that is the sweetest collection of birthday invitees ever!! Rascal had a lovely party. What a wonderful day for such a cute kitty and friends!!
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Happy Valentine’s Day!
“Introducing a groundbreaking technique that seamlessly merges computer-generated and hand-drawn animation techniques, first-time director John Kahrs takes the art of animation in a bold new direction with the Oscar-nominated short, “Paperman.” Using a minimalist black-and-white style, the short follows the story of a lonely young man in mid-century New York City, whose destiny takes an unexpected turn after a chance meeting with a woman on his morning commute. Convinced the girl of his dreams is gone forever, he gets a second chance when he spots her in a skyscraper window across the avenue from his office. With only his heart, imagination, and a stack of papers to get her attention, his efforts are no match for what the fates have in store for him. Created by a small, innovative team working at Walt Disney Animation Studios.”
Winnie Nielsen says: It is amazing how animation works. We the viewer have no clue what goes on behind the scenes to make something seem so life like! Thanks for sharing.
Nan Roberts says: I love this. Great to wake up to, made me smile.
Let your mind drift back to the ’80s…
Remember the “The Love Shack” song by the beehives ‘n bling band, the B-52s?
I know—how could you forget?
(And now you’ll have it stuck in your head the rest of the day.)
The love shack is a little ol’ place where
we can get together …
Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
Now that I have you humming, come along with me to the decidedly deco desert getaway dreamed up by the B-52s’ red-headed bombshell, Kate Pierson.
LivePict.com (CC-BY-SA-3.0) via Wikimedia Commons
Kate has created her own oasis in Landers, California, that beckons visitors to bask in the exuberant glow of retro.
It’s called Kate’s Lazy Desert, a vintage-inspired resort destination housed entirely in re-fabbed Airstream trailers.
It all began a few years ago when Kate was tooling down a New York state back road in her orange VW bug …
“That’s when I first saw a gleaming silver Airstream with a ‘for sale’ sign on it, and I screeched to a halt … I called the number posted on the window, met the owner, and sealed the deal.”
That was Airstream number one, which became known as “Tinkerbell,” the first official Lazy Kate love shack.
Photo courtesy of Kate’s Lazy Desert
“The other Airstreams seemed to steer their way toward us by some magical force,” Kate says.
Winnie Nielsen says: Kate has chosen such a unique medium to create her art! Wow, she has created some incredible campers! It would be very cool to try out. But first , I would like to try out MJF B&B in the Wall Tents!
Terry Steinmetz says: I love all the ideas that Kate has made out of the Airstreams. Now I can imagine what I want in my glamper! The wait is horrible–creativity is calling me now. I guess I’ll just make items for my glamper until I find one.
When I first heard of glacier calving, I thought, “what on earth?” I mean, what a strange term. Come to find out, it has nothing to do with livestock giving birth on a cold winter’s night. Check out this AMAZING bit of footage (4:42 minutes) but make sure you stick with it to the end so you get the “drift” of its magnitude.
Winnie Nielsen says: Whoa!! Serious! This was both fascinating and scary. To see how much it has retreated in a few short years is disturbing. What an important documentation to share with the world about the status of our planet and global warming.
Laurie Dimino says: I have been fortunate enough to have traveled twice to Alaska, and have witnessed first hand Glacial Calving. To see it in person simply makes you awestruck! It is a beautiful and powerful sight that speaks volumes!
Perhaps someday all of the nay sayers will see that there really is a thing called global warming.
Nan Roberts says: Amazing! Thanks for sharing this kind of calving with us. Though it shows us global warming’s effects, which isn’t good, it’s still so awesome and amazing to watch.
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
GO MARY JANE!!!!
may I preorder Milk Cow Kitchen Yet? Yummy!
Soon but not yet. It doesn’t come out until the fall. Thanks!!!
Oh how exciting! Can’t wait til we can get our hands on your next book!
Hugs,
Laurie