Author Archives: maryjane

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larger than life

Posted on March 21, 2016 by maryjane

I just ran across this photo of one of the largest bulls in the world:

Chilli, dailymail.co.uk

Chilli is a Friesian bull who lives at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary in Somerset, England. He weighs more than a ton and is over 6 feet tall (the same height as a small elephant!).

A few other giants of the animal world:

Hercules, the largest cat in the world.

Hercules, via guinnessworldrecords.com

Hercules weighs over 900 pounds, is nearly 11 feet long and a little over 4 feet tall (to compare, about 1 1/2 feet taller than the average desk).

Or how about Zeus, “the tallest dog ever” at 44 inches (just for reference, a standard kitchen counter is 36 inches tall, so I’m guessing Zeus’ owners never leave things on the counter).

photo, guinnessworldrecords.com

Then, there’s Romulus, the tallest donkey in the world, at 5 feet, 8 inches at the withers.

photo, guinnessworldrecords.com

Compared to KneeHi, the shortest donkey on record at just over 25 inches, Romulus is a true giant.

photo, guinnessworldrecords.com

Author Portrait: maryjane

photo-of-the-day

Posted on March 20, 2016 by maryjane

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Author Portrait: maryjane

Hear Ye!

Posted on March 20, 2016 by maryjane

Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)

Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)

My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Krista Butters Davis!!!

Krista Butters Davis (MaryJanesNiece, #528) has received a certificate of achievement in Stitching & Crafting for earning a Beginner Level Crochet Merit Badge!

“I earned my merit badge by first learning how to crochet. I tried teaching myself by reading books. With no success, I asked a friend to come and teach me how to do some basic stitches. Once I got the hang of it, I decided to make a simple scarf for my little boy. After the scarf was done, I decided I wanted to add some easy tassels to the ends. Since the scarf was light blue, I wanted a dark color for the tassels and chose black. Then I decided to create a simple dishcloth for me. I chose to use a bright and fun colored yarn that would help me smile as I did the dishes.

The scarf turned out pretty good for being my first crochet project. I’ve seen the places where my stitches were tight and other places where they were loose. I only restarted a couple of times. My washcloth tuned out really nice. I was very pleased once I put an edge around it.”

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Krista’s Auntie MJ (moi) couldn’t be more proud.

Author Portrait: maryjane

photo-of-the-day

Posted on March 19, 2016 by maryjane

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Author Portrait: maryjane

Today’s Recipe: Hot Cross Bunnies

Posted on March 19, 2016 by maryjane

I meant to run Ashley’s hot cross bunnies recipe this morning so you’d have time to work it into your Easter menu. I’ll leave the chili up just in case someone saw the luscious photos and decided it was perfect for Saturday night’s movie fest.

growing_jane-hot_cross_bunnies-10937

Continue reading →

Author Portrait: maryjane

photo-of-the-day

Posted on March 17, 2016 by maryjane

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Author Portrait: maryjane

photo-of-the-day

Posted on March 15, 2016 by maryjane

farm-romance_8298

Author Portrait: maryjane

Where in the world?

Posted on March 15, 2016 by maryjane

Can you name a place where a flock of these …

Photo by HBieser via Pixabay

Might be seen grazing alongside a flock of THESE?

Photo by Ben Tubby via Wikimedia Commons

Kooky, right?

Here’s a hint from Modern Farmer: “Home to around 3,000 people and roughly half-a-million sheep, [this] British territory is a major wool producer. Besides being one of the only places in the world where sheep and penguins routinely share pasture, [this place] bears the distinction as the nation with the highest percentage of certified organic land.”

If you’re thinking New Zealand …

Photo by MartinStr via Pixabay

You’re close—well, hemispherically speaking, anyway—but no cigar, sister.

The location where sheep and cattle share space with penguins (and occasional beached sea lions) is some 5,200 ocean miles east of New Zealand, just around the tip of South America’s Cape Horn:

Image courtesy of Eric Gaba via Wikipedia

The Falkland Islands.

“You’ll see sheep walking right through the middle of the penguin colony, and the penguins don’t even turn a head,” Falkland farmer Mike Rendell told Modern Farmer with a chuckle. “You don’t see a cow going up and licking a penguin or anything like that, they just get on with their own lives. They don’t seem to have any issues at all.”

Plan a farm stay in this unusual destination at FalklandIslands.com.

Author Portrait: maryjane

photo-of-the-day

Posted on March 13, 2016 by maryjane

farm-romance_8190

Author Portrait: maryjane

Hear Ye!

Posted on March 13, 2016 by maryjane

Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)

Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)

My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Marcy Lundy!!!

Marcy Lundy (#170) has received a certificate of achievement in Stitching & Crafting for earning a Beginner Level Cross-Stitch Merit Badge!

“I have been cross stitching for years. When I saw this pattern, I knew that I had to make it. I love cats … well, I really love all animals. And I thought this bookmark was perfect!

I love how it came out! I don’t like turning over book corners, and I just know I will use this a lot.”

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