Five Marys Farms & Five Marys Burgerhouse

Today, we make our way back to Fort Jones, California to spend time with the crew at Five Marys Farms. Crafted in Carhartt visited a year ago, and we thought we’d check back in to see how they’re doing. Turns out, the team’s been busy!

Last New Year’s Eve, Five Marys Burgerhouse opened its doors just 5 minutes from the family farm. The menu is filled with all sorts of comfort food and local meats raised by the Heffernans.

The Heffernan family raises the beef, pork, and lamb served in the restaurant just a few miles down the road at Five Marys Farms. 

Meet Amanda Turner. She’s an outdoor adventurer and nature lover. Amanda works at 5 Marys Burgerhouse. Her favorite item on the menu is the Rancher Burger.

“Honestly what I love most about Five Marys is working for such an amazing family! I love being around the Heffernan’s can do attitudes, and watching and interacting with their incredibly talented and helpful girls. They truly embody the definition of a family business. I love that the girls are so involved whether it be feeding the animals, writing thank you notes for the shipments, or brightening the nights of guests at the restaurant taking orders.” -Amanda Turner

Meanwhile, back on the farm…

Mary Heffernan, mother to 4 daughters also named Mary, is constantly hard at work. If she’s not feeding the livestock, she’s at their new restaurant, 5 Marys Burgerhouse, or keeping her instagram followers up to date with the daily happenings of life with her family on the ranch.

Mary recently released an ebook “They Can Do It. What I Learned About Raising Kids by Moving to the Country.” In it, she highlights the ways her extraordinary daughters have grown and developed in their new lifestyle. The book is filled with insights, much like the Heffernan family motto, “Be Kind. Don’t Whine. Be Tough.”

Find out how you can get a copy for yourself here.

“I’m no expert at raising kids, but when our life changed pretty drastically by moving to the ranch almost four years ago, I started noticing changes in our girls and in our parenting. By necessity things work different on a ranch and kids have to be more independent and resourceful and more is expected of them.” -Mary Heffernan

There’s nothing quite like a quiet night with the family on the highest peak of the ranch–filling bellies with s’mores and the night air with mischievous giggles from the most adventurous of girls.

Montana Farmer Elizabeth Henric

Meet Elizabeth Henric. She’s farmed all over the world. Now she works at Amalthea Dairy Farm in Montana.

“There are so many things I love about working at Amaltheia—seeing my friends every day, greeting the animals, early mornings with snow capped mountain sunrises. I think most of all I love working outside and getting my hands dirty.” -Farmer Elizabeth Henric

“I feel so blessed to have a job that I can have her with me. That being said, it was also very challenging. I could not have any expectations for the day. Some days we’d work one hour and it would be really stressful. Other days we’d work 5 and it would be a breeze. I had to time my tasks to meet her needs. Some things were only possible once she was napping on my back. Sometimes she would fall asleep easily without a fuss. Other times we had to go out for a long walk before she’d relax enough to close her eyes. There were days when we’d be at the farm for four hours but only get a couple hours of work done. I’d get frustrated but remind myself that spending time with her is just as important as my work.” -Elizabeth Henric

Elizabeth’s advice to others interested in farming,

“Don’t wait! Don’t wait till you live in the perfect place or you’re able to buy land or you have enough money or whatever excuse! Find ways to be in nature and work with plants and animals, whether it be volunteering at a local farm, putting a few plants in the ground or in a pot at your house, or like I did—make a list of some of the things you want to learn and work seasonally, traveling to different farms to learn those things.” -Elizabeth Henric

Christine and Corinne Chop Down a Christmas Tree

Kristine and her daughter, Corinne, took off to the tree farm to find the perfect tree. Row after row planted as if they were meant for hide and seek. After a few minutes of running around the great expanse, the duo spotted exactly what they were looking for. It was a great team effort. You can’t saw alone, after all. What a wonderful mother daughter moment of strength and fun!

Kristine is wearing: Carhartt Women’s Plaid Gallatin Coat, Series 1889 Slim Double Front Denim Dungaree, Striped Knit Hat, & Dex Glove.
Corinee is wearing: Wildwood Jacket, Brushed Fleec Pant, Trapper Hat, & Stripe Mitten.

Seaweed by the Seashore

Visiting the quaint Maine community located on Gotts Island is like stepping back in time. There are no cars and the only way on and off the island is by ferry service. The Weinberg family is one of the last families to live there year round. They grow their own food, raise their own animals, and even use wood to heat their cabin in the winter.

The mother and daughter team of Claire and Carly Weinberg, source natural products from the earth and ocean to make various skin care products for their family run company, Dulse and Rugosa. From homegrown roses to local seaweeds, Claire and Carly hope to bring a bit of Gotts Island’s goodness to others. Their skincare products would make great Christmas gifts. Check out what they have to offer.

“I have loved Carhartt clothing for years and really do believe that it is the only outwear worth wearing in Maine.  I love the fact that I can move in it without loosing warmth, which has been super important especially during a Maine winter.  I want to thank you for providing clothing that I know I can count on.  Clothing I know won’t fall apart.  Clothing that I feel strong in.  Clothing that I put on everyday and which still makes me smile, even though I have had it for years.”  -Carly Weinberg

Carly is wearing the Carhartt Women’s Sandstone Sierra Jacket.
(if you have a Carhartt fan photo you’d like to share, submit it to craftedincarhartt@carhartt.com)

You Haven’t Lived Until You’ve Experienced Puppy Breath

Every family has their own distinct vibe, an essence etched on each member, reflected differently in every person’s case, yet offering a striking resemblance among the group as a whole. That spirit seems to grow stronger the larger the family, and that is undoubtedly true of the Kamermans.

The family of seven lives and works on a dairy farm in Montana. It was a joy spending the day with Lori and her four daughters: Malaya, Mali, Mikaya, and Hannah. Lori and the girls breed golden retrievers.

The tone of the Kamerman household is strongly influenced by their surroundings. A nature of adventure is required to live in the wilderness of Montana. And an inclination of selflessness and thoughtfulness is necessary when caring for animals daily, especially when those animals happen to be puppies.
As with humans, each dog has their own personality. Lori and the girls get to sit back and watch as they develop. Their aim is to help the pups get acclimated to family life. They bring the litters up in an atmosphere where human interaction is a norm, so each one can thrive in their future loving homes.

It must be such a great joy to watch these sweet puppies grow and mature while watching your own daughters grow and mature along side them, both instilled with a fierce love of family.

Jennifer Philipps of ERA Test, LLC in Montana

Wake up early. Analyze lab results. Prepare reports for clients. Go to scheduled air inspections in commercial and residential environments. Submit samples to a lab in Washington. Then back to office work and equipment maintenance. That’s the typical day in the life of an Indoor Air Quality Inspector. Meet Jennifer Philipps of ERA Test, LLC in Montana. She and her mom, Lisa, own and operate the business. They test air to detect threats like mold, asbestos, radon, and methamphetamine. Together they are able to work across the entire state. The dynamics of the mother/daughter relationship in a work environment have brought the family closer together. They are able to lean on and learn from one another. It’s much more common to come across family businesses that are passed from father to son. I must say, it was really exciting to come across a multi-generational family trade that not only involves the women, but is entirely run by them. What an awesome gift of knowledge and skill to bestow. Jennifer’s work wear: Carhartt Women’s Clarksburg Zip-Front Sweatshirt & Women’s Sibley Denim Cropped Pant  

The Family That Fixes Cars Together

There has been a lot of talk lately concerning the typical gender codes for children’s toys. Boys usually play with water guns and model cars. Girls commonly play with dolls and tea sets. When kids deviate from the gender driven stereotypes, it can cause a bit of a stir. It’s about time we learn to let kids do what they love. Don’t stifle passions and interests. They can lead to great things.
For Diane Fallstone, that mentality rings true. She grew up tagging along with her brother: building forts, climbing trees, and playing with Hot Wheels. As time passed, her interests continued along the automotive path. She became the owner of her own mobile restoration company in the San Francisco area. Diane learned that in the automotive world, women have to work harder to prove they have what it takes. In the long run, that extra effort makes you more adept and skilled at your craft.
Now Diane and her family live in Portland. Her whole family is in love with the business and lends a hand. Her daughters Madi and Brooklyn are following in their mother’s footsteps. Working together draws them closer as a family and allows knowledge to pass down from one generation to the next. It’s encouraging to see the nurturing side of the mother-daughter relationship break down stereotypes.
Let those power tools roar!

Check out these featured looks:
Diane’s outfit: Carhartt Women’s El Paso Utility Vest, Clarksburg Zip-Front Sweatshirt, Kenmare Henley, & Women’s Series 1889 Slim Double-Front Denim Dungaree. Madi’s Outfit: Carhartt Women’s Tucker Jean Jacket, Clarksburg Zip-Front Sweatshirt, Calumet V-Neck Shirt, & Relaxed-Fit Weathered Duck Straughn Pant. Brooklyn’s Outfit: Carhartt Women’s Force Equator Jacket, Minto Shirt, Denim Bib Overall, & Osmore Conductor Hat.

DIY Using Nature in Holiday Decorations

For last minute decorations this holiday season, just step outside and integrate aspects of nature into your trimming. This is a great activity to do with kids. It will get the wheels turing in their heads and keep them active. What do you have lying around the house that can add to the festivities? Maybe some ornaments, ribbon for wrapping gifts, and pine cones collected from the backyard can do the trick. Use thin string or wire to tie your found objects onto the wreath. Check out Ellen and Elle’s creation. Decorating is fun for the whole family. Get outside and enjoy the season with the ones you love.

Ellen’s outfit: Carhartt Women’s Active Jac, Women’s Clarksburg Sweatshirt, Original Fit Canvas Crawford Dungaree, & Watch Hat / Elle’s outfit: Girl’s Redwood Jacket, Girl’s Brushed Fleece Sweatshirt, Girl’s Micro-Washed Canvas Pant, & Kid’s Watch Hat