Friday, February 3, 2012

Farmer's Wife Friday: True to Her Higher Ideas

I've had a cold all week, and honestly, when I read through this letter from the farmer's wife in Nodaway County, Missouri, it made me feel tired and inadequate (although that could have just been because I was tired of coughing...). "The most perfect specimens of womanhood are found on the farm; the mother who has borne and reared a large family under good conditions and with the exercise of intelligent management is the best preserved, most cheerful and beloved of them all."

She goes on to say, "I sometimes read morbid articles on the monotony of farm life!" Wouldn't it be interesting to read those "morbid" articles in 2012?

"I am thankful at such times for a well-developed sense of humor; I smile, and to rest my eyes, look long into the shadows of the dark evergreens close beside the window..."

#67 Pine Tree

...the tender green rows across the garden; the long brown furrows beyond, the wheat field's new glory; the first tulips and jonquils..."

#96 Tulip
Mark grew up on a farm. It was a lot of work. He had four siblings and his mother's life was not an easy one. We're halfway through the blocks and I think it is about time for him to share his thoughts on how he thinks his mother would have answered the question of whether she wanted her daughter to marry a farmer.
Progress so far:
I'm sure Carla has some wonderful insight into the farmer's wife this week. And her blocks are always so cheery.

Hope your weekend is wonderful.

16 comments:

05 08
dutchcomfort said... #

Your Farmer’s wife blocks are amazing! Love those shot cottons!

Mary said... #

Gorgeous blocks! My daughter is an Animal Science major through the College of Agriculture. There are so few students seeking majors in this area...compared to the other Colleges within the University. It is sad really...farming has played such an important role in our country.

Erin @ Why Not Sew? Quilts said... #

your blocks look great! hope your cold is getting better.

Randi Skaggs said... #

Gorgeous! Love the shot of your progress so far. I'm so used to liking things on instagram that I tried to double tap the computer screen on your photo! Have a great weekend and feel better!

Katy Cameron said... #

Love all the colours you've used in this quilt, the overall effect is fab!

Becky (My Fabric Obsession) said... #

Your blocks are perfect, well done! My hubby grew up on a farm as well. He loves to tease me and call me soft, but I wouldn't want to be a farmers wife that's for sure. I am soft!

Mrs Flying Blind... said... #

I really should get my wives out of the box again!

Letterpress said... #

To join with the others, my mother grew up on a farm, which is why when I see a dog, I think "dog" and not "furry person." She had no romance about it, but I know that the seasons are ingrained in her like etching on marble--in spring you planted, in summer you watered (they had both a wet farm and a dry farm) and in fall you harvested. I think I've carried some of that forward as well.

Hope your cough is getting better, and I really hope you didn't get that horrid bronchitis that's going around. If you get to feeling worse, call the dr.

Tell Mark hi!
E.

Carla said... #

Oh my goodness. look at you go!

Terriaw said... #

beautiful blocks! your blocks look so awesome together. Hope you're feeing better soon!!

Deborah said... #

I love your blocks! I agree that the overall effect is stunning!

pinsandneedles said... #

Your blocks are so lovely. I really love the shot cottons.

Michelle said... #

Your blocks are beautiful! I love reading your Farmer's Wife postings. I hope you share with us Mark's thoughts :)

Diane Kelsey said... #

Your blocks are really looking great, your quilt is certainly coming together.

Diane Kelsey said... #

Your blocks are really looking great, your quilt is certainly coming together.

Lucy | Charm About You said... #

Beautiful! They look so amazing all together