Saturday, January 23, 2010

Maryjanes Farm...



I just have to share a special magazine that I've fallen in love with.  It's Maryjanes Farm.  (It drives me nuts that there is no apostrophe in the name, but it's her magazine, after all.)  I bought my first issue of Maryjanes Farm a few years ago from our little hometown grocery store and I have looked for it ever since.  My daughter-in-love, bless her heart, gave me a subscription last summer for my birthday and I've enjoyed every single issue.  It is one magazine that I read from cover to cover.  Even the ads are interesting to peruse.

What kind of magazine is this?  Well, I'd say it's a magazine for any woman who loves country life, wishes she could live in the country, or who has the spirit of the country living within.  Between the pages you'll find articles on organic foods, gardening,  recipes, quilting, stitching or crafting, DIY projects, and lots of stories about women who either live in the country or who are bringing a little country to their urban spaces. The entire magazine has a clear organic theme, in fact it states on the front cover, "The Everyday Organic Lifestyle."  I'm fine with that, even though I don't consider myself an "organic" type, but more of the practical type.  Don't get me wrong, there is a heap of practical stuff in here amidst the organics.  I'd say that the two often go hand-in-hand.  You'll sit up and notice that the photography all through this periodical is gorgeous, inviting,  and homey.  You'll feel as if you just pulled up a rocker on the front porch for a long sit or walked through the door to be greeted with a slice of apple pie and a cup of coffee.   I love the fact that Maryjanes Farm is printed on non-glare paper which makes reading and picture gazing much more fun.

Here are a few of the articles that particularly caught my eye in the February/March issue:

Fast Foods That Aren't Junk
Hatching a Hobby (chickens)
Naturescaping:  Lawn-Free Yards
I Think my Treadle's Sexy (treadle sewing machines)
Grab that Carpenter's Apron -- Yes You (build a flower box)
Stencil Revival

After reading, I Think My Treadle's Sexy, I made up my mind that I'm going to go out to the old bunk house and drag my old Singer treadle machine out and see if there is any way to fix her up.  There were lots of tips in the article and even a diagram of all the parts in a treadle sewing machine.  MJ even listed a repair man, who repairs and trades treadle machines.  Here is a website that includes instructions on basic treadle maintenance for the do-it-yourselfer.  See what inspiration comes from a good magazine?


Even if you never do one thing from MJ's, you'll simply enjoy reading it and paging through the pictures.  It's like taking a mini-vacation without leaving home.  By the way, I do share this lovely magazine with my girls.  It's too wonderful not to share. 


6 comments:

  1. What I love about MJ is how she finds the BEST quotes for her magazine and in her book, this is also a delight. One of my friends went to the farm. She noticed that MJ is a smarty pants, but she keeps her husband in a separate house on the property. Funny, huh? She's amazing, that's for sure! I love the idea of hauling a bed outside but my husband and son called me cuckoo and I sort of lost my verve for THAT idea. I love the magazine, too. I'm going to go buy one today! Love your words, Jody-friend!

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  2. I JUST FOUND THIS MAGAZINE AND HAVE SUBSCRIBED TO IT MYSELF! IT IS SO DOWN TO EARTH, FILLED WITH GOOD STUFF! SO DIFFERENT THAN SO MANY OTHERS OUT THERE. COME SAY HI :D

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  3. You need to check out her books. I have all three and enjoy reading and re-reading them over and over again! She is so inspiring, and someday I will make it to her bed & breakfast!

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  4. OK Jodes,

    A question for you? Do you think I'd feel total intimidation by this mag? Will it inspire me or make me feel like a deweeb?

    Joyce

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  5. Joyce,
    I don't think anybody would feel intimidated by this magazine. It's FULL of inspiration. Even tho you may never raise a chicken or grow organic vegetables, you will still enjoy reading about it and if you don't enjoy reading about those things, you'll find LOTS of other things to read. It's not ALL about chickens and farm animals, after all. I think you would really enjoy this mag.

    Jody

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  6. I've enjoyed MaryJanes Farm over the years, but somehow I've failed to notice the lack of apostrophe. This is really going to bug me! I may never be able to read it again. On the other hand, I'd like to see that article on treadle sewing machines ...

    frances

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