MaryJane Butters’ sense of purpose is as big as the Idaho landscape where her organic farm is nestled. She wants nothing less than to reconne...
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reviews
Jan 03, 2010
I picked this book up because I was fascinated by the buzz about it and the high price of used copies online. MaryJane Butters is selling - something - and I think it's time for Martha Stewart to move over! Who wouldn't want to be a 'Farmgirl'? Being a Farmgirl seems to include any girl with a hankering to cook, sew, knit or grow a few flowers? A former Utah Mormon, MaryJane's reminisces of the collective almost socialized life of late 50s Mormon Utah are a fascinating glimpse into a different e
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Mar 19, 2009
Cherie
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B "You're reading a book "for the farmgirl in all of us?"" Trevor asked me. Yes, I live in an urban environment but have secret daydreams about running through fields of wheat and picking blueberries from my backyard and sipping fresh squeezed lemonade and eating just picked strawberries while watching a summer sunset as my sheep and goats wander my backyard. Romanticized, yes, but this book gives some great tips on how I can be as much of a farmgirl as I can -- even in an ur
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Apr 19, 2009
Amy
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a fun book to look at, but it is an "idea book". I feel that she flits around too much in some areas. She owns an organic farm in northern Idaho and markets her farm, products, ideas. Kind of a "granola" Martha Stewart. I was intersted in her gardening tips--I am interested in the idea of "organic" gardening/farming.
The pages about the mustard plant--a natural pesticide/herbicide were facinating. SHe uses the oil to fuel her car & the mustard meal byprod More...
The pages about the mustard plant--a natural pesticide/herbicide were facinating. SHe uses the oil to fuel her car & the mustard meal byprod More...
Jun 30, 2011
Cheryl in CC NV
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OK here's the thing. I *was* a farmgirl. It was not fun or lovely. I'm sure that I know many of the skills she shares, use some of them, and deliberately choose not to use the rest. But still, I can't resist the idea of it.... so I'll get it from the library. ETA - done. Martha Stewart eat her dust. But really, embroidered clothespin bags? Lovely photos, a few good ideas if you are a high-energy person who really does like to get sweaty and dirty and bone-tired, and super tiny font that
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Jan 09, 2010
Smpaetz
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One of my all time favorite books. The photography is gorgeous. This is a beautiful book to just look at but the ideas and crafts in it are also wonderful. This book really made me a MaryJane fan. I own all her books but this one is my favorite. When a book is sold with lots of photos I always rate them compared to MaryJane's books.
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Aug 06, 2011
Kim
rated it:
A gift from your mother, grandmother, and aunts.
Read once, you will read again and again. You will learn the treasures of life.
And, you will learn how to stay cool when there is no air conditioner in sight!
Every young lady should read this book...or recieve it as a gift when she graduates from high school.
A must!!!!
Read once, you will read again and again. You will learn the treasures of life.
And, you will learn how to stay cool when there is no air conditioner in sight!
Every young lady should read this book...or recieve it as a gift when she graduates from high school.
A must!!!!
Oct 05, 2010
Joyce
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After thumbing through MaryJane's idea/cook/life book, reading an article here and there, I'm anxious to buy packets of ChillOver Powder to experiment new recipes and also make my first BakeOver. Basically a charming lifestyle promotion, that doesn't offend. She's lives the life, has a inspiring story, and great taste.
Mar 26, 2009
MichelleMarie
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I am pretty sure I read this the day I brought it home. The whole thing.
All I can say is just looking at the pictures and then reading the stories made me remember how strongly I desire to find myself on a small farm. This woman has a little bit of how to- for everything.
The farmgirl in myself came out that is for sure!
All I can say is just looking at the pictures and then reading the stories made me remember how strongly I desire to find myself on a small farm. This woman has a little bit of how to- for everything.
The farmgirl in myself came out that is for sure!
Jul 08, 2011
Tracie
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I loved reading bits and pieces of Maryjane's life mixed in with crafts, recipes, gardening, quilting, all things I love. It as an unusual format and quite appealing.
May 21, 2010
Judy
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I loved this book so much that I just purchased it from Amazon. This is a nice mixture of reminisce, encouragement, how-to live sustainably and great pictures. One of the things I like about this book and Mary Jane's magazine is the no-guilt, non-political approach to our environment. I enjoy repurposing and doing things to not damage the environment but I hate the media's preaching and hearing the phrase "go green". The media and government have inundated our world with catch phrases
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Dec 30, 2009
Jen
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I do love this book. Great pictures, and so many "old time" things that remind me of my childhood. Actually contains the directions for "tiddly winks" with buttons... and how to make those stilts with tin cans. Some recipes, great tips for farmstead parties.... and stories (short ones) about her life.
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Nov 01, 2009
Kathryn
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I think I have read every word in this book. It's inspirational, and chock full of wonderful things to do.
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Jun 09, 2008
I just picked up a copy of her quarterly magazine yesterday. (It was next to Hobby Farm Home, which I am totally getting a subscription to.) Very country in an organic Mary Engelbreit-meets-thrift-stores sort of way. Lots of cute useful ideas and projects. The only turnoff is that this "farmgirl" movement has gone business: she has a "brand image" that includes bed linens, flour and energy bars (that I saw advertised in the magazine). Slightly unsettling- possibly the p
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Jun 05, 2009
Dayna
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This book is a little bit of everything ... for the farmgirl in all of us. There are recipes, tips, and patterns. There are games and ideas for family vacations and solo trips. There is a little bit of history on women and farming, and a lot of inspiration! The photos and layout are really beautiful, and the text reads like a friendly conversation. If you've ever wanted to grow a garden or keep chickens or just make an old fashioned apron, then this book is for you!
Aug 10, 2010
Sandra
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I have paged through this book and don't know what I think of it. It's sort of a story book with pictures but there are also a scattered few recipes and crafts in the book. I paid full price for it, although I think it might be a nice gift or a thriftstore find...don't know if I should have gotten it. It was from a book club, so returning them is often more bother than just paying for them.
After I read it, I might change my mind. Who is Mary Jane anyways?
After I read it, I might change my mind. Who is Mary Jane anyways?
Apr 07, 2009
Sally
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Kind of like Better Homes and Gardens with a smattering of LDS Enrichment meeting. It's funny how she mentions her LDS upbringing, yet declines to explain why she left the LDS church. Mormon culture is all over the place in her stories and ideas.
Jul 21, 2009
Casey
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This book is full of great stories of the past. It is filled with cooking recipes and cleaning detergent recipes. It has good embroidery and sewing patterns, tips on livestock and the outdoors and just about anything else you need to know about! Oh..it has BEAUTIFUL pictures and quotes!! I was so excited by how interesting this book was that i was able to sit down and read the first 300 pages of it.
Dec 17, 2009
Kathie
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Christmas gift hint: Do yourself & your loved ones a favor & go buy about 15 of these books & give them to your female family members & close girlfriends. Country girl, city girl, it doesn't matter; everyone will adore this book. The only problem is that the MALES (young & old) in their households will swipe it to read & the ladies will have to wrangle it away from them!
Jul 07, 2008
Annie
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I live on a farm but I my farm girl image falls short of the farm girl life described in this book. I enjoyed the book; didn't read all the prose but flipped through the photos, jotted down some recipes and projects, and returned to the library. It's a fun book, but I'd recommend giving it a test drive from the library before paying for it.
May 29, 2008
Heather the Hillbilly Banjo Queen
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I would have liked this book better if she had not aired her dirty laundry and feelings about leaving her religion behind. That's her deal, I just want to know about the crafts and farming, not how she just didn't fit in or didn't like what someone was telling her. I didn't think that was the point of this book. But I could be wrong.
Dec 24, 2009
Cindy
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As a 'farm girl' now living in the city, I really enjoyed this book! I had to make copies of the pages that contained the sourdough starter recipe, salsa recipes, and different stitches with pictures...Wanted to copy much more! This book is going on my Wish List!! The stories were enjoyable and Maryjane Butters has a new fan!
Mar 23, 2009
I skimmed through most of this... it's a lovely book about farmgirl activities. I mostly loved the pages about stitching (embroidery, sewing, etc.).
Apr 21, 2010
Inder
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Fun fun fun. Not particularly useful, but fun. Lots of pretty pictures, a few cute ideas, and some nice looking recipes (one which I will definitely try). Lots of inspiration here, although this isn't the place to get concrete information about how to actually become a farmgirl. Don't buy it - check it out from the library like I did!
Sep 28, 2007
Shannon
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There is no farm girl in me, but this book makes me wish there was. The photographs are so stunning I thought I picked up a work of fiction. An amazing look at a simply beautiful lifestyle. Great recipes and ideas, my favorite is how to reuse old calendars by making them into bags. Another favorite, how to make your own hammock!
Jan 30, 2008
Kd
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Brought back such memories as she told how to make the clothes-pin holder for the outdoor clothes line, and the day of the weekday dish cloths. The food recipes were great also. Homemade Smores from the ground up, except for the chocolate. I never even imagined one could make marshmallows.
Nov 03, 2009
Molly
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I don't know... there were some interesting sections, but overall, I found it disjointed, too much reminiscing- too much "lifebook," not enough "ideabook" or "cookbook."
Apr 30, 2007
Nicole
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This book makes me wish I'd grown up on a farm. I've always been a crafty, home-maker type person, and this book is packed full of the stuff! Recipes, gardening, and frugal living.
Jan 07, 2008
JoDee
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Made me yearn for the simple life. Very enjoyable and relaxing to read. Prompted me to get back to some simple hand working (ie, crocheting).
Oct 14, 2010
Heather
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Fun and very educational. She is one hard-working lady with not only great ideas but follow-through. Like an organic Martha Stewart :)
