Gladsome Sisters!!! | Raising Jane

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Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)

My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Nicole Christensen!

Nicole Christensen (texdane, #1155) has received a certificate of achievement in Stitching & Crafting for earning an Expert Level Knitting Merit Badge!

“Calling me a ‘knitting addict’ doesn’t quite cut it. It’s become an extension of who I am. My friend called me a ‘Master Knitter’ the other day when she introduced me to someone new. I was so complimented. Since I last applied for the Intermediate Badge in knitting, I have knitted up a storm! In addition to knitting projects along with my students in my knitting classes that I teach, I knitted a ruffled shawl, several drop-stitch lacy scarves, and made a size 4T jumper for my niece Kristina in Denmark. Her mom begged me to make it, having fallen in love with some beautiful cotton/wool blend hand-dyed sock yarn. We laugh that she is the only Danish person who can’t knit! It was very fine yarn, on small needles in the round, with an intricate pattern on the chest. That dress took a year and at least 50+ hours) to complete, but thankfully, she still needs to grow into it a bit!

I’ve taught several classes each semester, passing on everything I can about the art of knitting. This past Saturday, I was asked if I would have a booth at our town’s Earth Day celebration. Continue reading →

The adorable, always humorous MBA Jane is my way of honoring our Sisterhood Merit Badge program, now with 4,945 dues-paying members who have earned an amazing number of merit badges so far—6,765 total! Take it away, MBA Jane!!! MJ

Wondering who I am? I’m Merit Badge Awardee Jane (MBA Jane for short). In my former life …

For this week’s Each Other/Farmgirl Spirit Merit Badge, I found a creative outlet for my spring fever. Spring fever? Say it isn’t so! Farm Romance Fever sounds more like it.

Having all these badges under my belt (figuratively speaking, of course), I really wanted to do something with them. Namely, show them off a bit. All in the name of hospitality, naturally. I didn’t really want to show off the badges, per se, but the skills I acquired earning those badges. Know what I mean, organic string bean?

Just a little farmgirl humor there …

I always host a party in Spring. Maybe it’s that the days are getting a bit longer, maybe it’s the fact that I’ve done my spring cleaning and want to show it off before the dust settles once again, maybe it’s the joy of packing up the sweaters and boots and pulling out the flip-flops and sundresses, but whatever it is, I’m always ready for some friendship and good eats ‘long about May! So, in my best handwriting, I mailed an invitation to my idol, a man who turned 80 yesterday, a man who has used his fame and fortune to help the farmers of America a tremendous amount—Willie Nelson. Imagine my surprise when not only did he RSVP, he RSVP-ed a resounding Yes! Evidently, I was not the only one in need of some farmgirl interaction, eh?

First things first, I planned my menu. I used to plan my menus based on whatever was on the cover of the first foodie magazine that caught my eye standing in line at the grocery store. Nowadays, I base my menu according to what’s in season and what’s calling my name at the Farmers’ Market.

mba_jane-5306

Do you hear that?

Continue reading →

Laurie Dimino says:

May 10, 2013 at 3:53 am

Congratulation Nicole!
I happen to be the proud owner of one of Nicole’s beautiful scarves. Keep up the good work. Perhaps someday you can teach me how to knit!
Hugs,

Winnie Nielsen says:

May 10, 2013 at 4:19 am

Congratulations Nicole! The dress for your niece is just beautiful!! Having made a pair of socks once with that tiny sock yarn, I completely understand how sloooow the project goes! I love how you taught others to knit at the Earth Day celebration! Knitting has become my latest obsession as well. There is something so rewarding about watching the pretty yarn make into something fun to wear.

Nancy Boyd says:

May 15, 2013 at 10:54 am

Way to go Nichole!! The outfitt for your niece is absolutely gorgeous. I have been knitting off and on since I was little. Glad to hear others love to knit as well.

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Winnie Nielsen says:

May 9, 2013 at 4:31 am

Red Tulips are so rich in color. I love how they look bunched together in spring flower beds!

Elizabeth says:

May 8, 2013 at 3:17 am

Looks like your 60th Birthday celebration was indeed a Happy Birthday, filled with love & appreciation. I’m looking forward to seeing all of your celebration pictures:-)

You are most certainly cherished MaryJane. And I hope you always carry/feel those special gifts of love in your heart, mind & spirit. Happy 60th Birthday to our MaryJane Butters!

Winnie Nielsen says:

May 8, 2013 at 4:06 am

Happy, Happy Birthday Mary Jane!! What a lovely and deserving celebration you had for your 60th milestone. It will be very fun to see more photos of the Kansas trip as you have time to re-group and post us a few. I am so glad that you were able to plan and experience that perfect Glamping weekend with friends and fabulous glampers to make it the awesome 60th! WhooHooo!!! A good time was had by all.

CJ Armstrong says:

May 8, 2013 at 7:59 am

Yup, made out like a bandit! Good for you!
Happy Birthday Hugs!
CJ

CJ Armstrong says:

May 8, 2013 at 8:00 am

P.S. I see you, too, received one of “Birdie’s” awesome Zentangle cards! YAY
AND, Laurie’s lavendar hot chocolate . . YIPPEE!!

melyssa says:

May 8, 2013 at 8:53 am

Happy birthday, MJ!! xoxoxo!

Debbie Fischer says:

May 8, 2013 at 9:23 am

Oh to be loved is the greatest feeling in the world. I am so happy you had such a beautiful day and received so many wonderful cards for your birthday.
Hugs,
Debbie
#1582

Terry Steinmetz says:

May 8, 2013 at 9:25 am

Happy birthday, MaryJane!! I’m so glad that you are part of my life as a friend via email & The Sisterhood. You deserve even more hugs. So HUGS, HUGS & MORE HUGS!!!

Darlene Ricotta says:

May 8, 2013 at 9:25 pm

Mary Jane

Well you sure had an awesome birthday and I am really glad I could help you to celebrate it. The farm is the best thing I have been involved with besides having God in my life, and I am pleased and thankful to be a part of it.
You have a very good month as well because it is your birth month.
blessings and hugs and thanks.

Laurie Dimino says:

May 9, 2013 at 5:48 am

Oh Mary Jane- Happy Belated Birthday to you! My tail is between my legs that I missed your special day, but I am sending you smiles, and hugs, and love and good wishes. Happy 60th Birthday to our Queen Bee- you are a woman who has enriched the lives of so many simply by being you! You look FABULOUS! Heck, you ARE FABULOUS. I feel so blessed to have discovered all things Mary Jane over 3 years ago and want to say thank you for all that you do.
Enjoy your Birthday Month!
Hugs,

Grace Higbee says:

May 9, 2013 at 9:38 pm

Eve though I don’t know you really well, I feel that in a way I do. Happy 60th Birthday. May you have many more just like it. God Bless You always. A friend Grace

Kathy says:

May 11, 2013 at 4:20 pm

What an awesome birthday! May you be blessed with many more.

Winnie Nielsen says:

May 1, 2013 at 4:08 am

Maybe the Farmgirl Spirit Dinner will be the new name for Farm to Table events! It has a great ring to it, don’t you think? That name then gives a bit more license to Glamp up the table settings and set the stage for something like a “Round-up Weekend”–An opportunity to tent camp, trailer glamp, and wear your best cowgirl boots and lace skirts! Think of all the badges that could be used to pull off such an event.

Karlyne says:

May 1, 2013 at 10:18 am

Wow, the portrait of you and Willie is amazing! And I like Winnie’s idea, too; send me Willie’s email address and I’ll see if he can make it to a Round-up Weekend. I think he’d like all those lace skirts and cowboy boots…

Winnie Nielsen says:

April 30, 2013 at 4:08 am

I am in love with this coffee pot! I have a red enamelware coffee pot and have tried and tried to make decent coffee. No luck!! Can you make decent coffee in yours? If so, what is the secret?

Debbie says:

April 30, 2013 at 5:45 pm

MJ… is this the photo you were working on last Sunday before we chatted on the phone? I adore it! Those daffy’s and that red and white pot just say HAPPY!
We do make coffee in our Paula Dean percolator at the cottage and it’s yummy! We also have a vintage glass percolator and that one makes delicious coffee too… Darling photo!
hugs,
Deb

Winnie Nielsen says:

April 30, 2013 at 4:13 am

My friend did a huge project and made 1000 cranes one summer and then decorated the downtown in honor of the end of the WWII. It was pretty amazing and incredibly lovely!

Kathy says:

April 26, 2013 at 2:47 am

Love it! Great job.

Bernice Gronek says:

August 30, 2013 at 5:45 pm

I am planning on making some peach jam with wonderful peaches from Brigham city Utah. I have done this before. Is it okay to use the chill over powder for peach jam?
The recipe I am using calls for 1-2 ounce package dry pectin.

Thank you

Bernice Gronek

- MaryJane says:
  
  August 31, 2013 at 2:17 pm
  
  Yes it is okay!

Winnie Nielsen says:

April 24, 2013 at 4:12 am

Ohhh, I want a purse with that adorable embroidered Raisin Jane tag!!! I LOVE this! Maybe you will offer them in the shop??

Linda Radziminski says:

April 24, 2013 at 4:18 am

Love it.Great idea and use of materials Any instructions or pattern?

Traci says:

April 24, 2013 at 1:06 pm

Could you please let me know if this becomes for sale, I love it:)

Chrissy Powell says:

April 24, 2013 at 1:52 pm

I want one of these! Please send me info for purchase or a link!

Cheryl Fiske says:

April 26, 2013 at 3:58 pm

I have some old cloth feed bags and this inspires me to do something practical and fun with them!

Debbie Fischer says:

April 29, 2013 at 9:47 am

Oh, Mary Jane I would like one of these purses too, what a great travel purse. Are you going to sell them in your shop or have a Give Away for one? 🙂
Hugs,
Debbie
Scattered Prairie Gals
#1582

Kimberly Owens says:

June 27, 2013 at 7:35 am

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!! I want one, PLEASE? 😀