Gladsome Sisters!!! | Raising Jane

Self-sufficiency

Posted on January 28, 2013 by mbajane

The adorable, always humorous MBA Jane is my way of honoring our Sisterhood Merit Badge program, now with 4,690 dues-paying members who have earned an amazing number of merit badges so far—6,500 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 …

Now that I’ve cultivated my green thumb with my ever-so-lovely herb garden, it was time to dry some herbs and package them as gifts for this beginner-level Self-Sufficiency Badge. There’s nothing better than a DIY gift, I always say, and these were going to be fabulous.

My marjoram and thyme and basil were pretty much out of control. Those babies were over-running my kitchen windowsill. They were like weeds, only much more fragrant and tasty. They grew at a phenomenal rate, kinda like the plant in Little Shop of Horrors, only they hadn’t eaten anyone (yet).

My parsley was a little peaked, I must confess, and my cilantro was hit and miss. I also had a couple of different kinds of oregano, a rosemary tree (that I may or may not have to decorate), and a gorgeous batch of velvety sage, not to mention some beautiful dill that had me craving pickles every time I walked by.

I’m telling you what, girls, if you want your home to smell like a Williams-Sonoma store or a Yankee Candle shop, then get thee to a seed store, posthaste! My kitchen always smells amazing, if I do say so myself (and I do).

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Winnie Nielsen says:

January 28, 2013 at 4:07 am

I love finding recipes to make homemade versions of spice mixes or potpourri. They always taste and smell better than the fake ones. This spice rub is quite interesting with a touch of dill and paprika. Sounds like a great way to make some interesting chicken on the grill.

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Terry Steinmetz says:

January 28, 2013 at 5:36 am

I love the seasoned salt recipe. Thanks again.

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Karlyne says:

January 28, 2013 at 8:24 pm

I like the seasoned salt recipe; I think I’ve never put enough salt in mine before!

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You’ve Got Mail!

Posted on January 28, 2013 by maryjane

“We love your magazine, it’s refreshing after a day of mud and manure at the barn, followed by laundry and dishes (sometimes mud and manure too) at the house.

We have 30-acres in West Virginia, complete with geese, ducks, chickens, cattle, and an occasional lamb or turkey. These are our girls washing their now-grown bottle baby, ‘Rocky,’ before the county fair. They, and my son are truly country kids.

This was our daughter’s first showmanship class. Hope you can use these pics somewhere.”

Kelly

Terry Steinmetz says:

January 28, 2013 at 5:38 am

It is good to see the next generation growing up with the animals! They will have cherished memories later.

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photo-of-the-day

Posted on January 26, 2013 by maryjane

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Build It Green Merit Badge

Posted on January 26, 2013 by mbajane

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

For this week’s Beginner Level Make It Easy/Build It Green Merit Badge, I’m going green in my decorating. At first, yes, I may or may not have thought that meant a green theme, as in the color green, as in sage, pea soup, lime, forest, emerald, etc. But I quickly wrapped my brain around what it really meant: responsible, earth friendly, no regrets, kind of green. I knew that!

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Hear Ye!

Posted on January 25, 2013 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 … Marsha Gulick!

Marsha (Osagegypsy, #2988) has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning an expert Level Horse Dreams badge!

“In 2005 I bought four Gypsy Horses with the savings my father left me. He always wanted to give me a horse, so I knew this was a good investment for me. I researched the Gypsy Breed, sometimes called Vanners or Cobs; and where it originated in the UK. I joined a forum and learned SO much from the folks I met there. After researching and buying Gypsy Horses, the REAL learning started. I read books, The Soul of a Horse, Foaling books and magazines.

We now own 10 horses and have raised and sold a number of them.

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Nellie Will-Do, Part II

Posted on January 20, 2013 by mbajane

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

In Part I of this beginner level Stitching and Crafting Nellie Will-do Badge, I gathered all my supplies for my “What Not to Sit Upon” upholstery makeover. Then I got hungry and took a break. Now, we’re ready to roll. Staple gun in hand, I’m all business.

Speaking of the staple gun, that thing is a beast! My thumbs will be sore for weeks, I do believe. (My texting is really going to suffer. I may have to *gasp!* call someone! Like, with my voice. I’m not sure I remember how to do that. Why, I haven’t held a phone to my ear in, like, forever.) Also, it’s quite loud—the gun, I mean. When I finally got it to fire correctly, I screamed and ducked and nearly ran for cover. Of course, I’ve been watching too many crime dramas, so I may have thought for a moment I was in the middle of a drive-by.

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Hear Ye!

Posted on January 18, 2013 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 … Krystle Townsend!

Krystle Townsend (countrymommy85, #2595) has received a certificate of achievement in Cleaning Up for earning an expert level Going Green badge!

“I’ve been making my own soaps now for just over a year now. We use homemade cleaners for the house also. We strictly use a clothesline and drying rack in the summer and use the drying rack in the winter and use the dryer only when necessary. If we re-paint we will ONLY use non-toxic paint. We removed all the carpet from our house and have tile and hardwood floors now! I’ve helped my family (more than the required 10 hours) be self sufficient and green clean! I’ve offered my books and materials to help even further.

It has been a slow process but one well worth it. After removing the carpet, I was shocked to see how much dirt and nastiness was hiding underneath!!! So glad that germ and gas trap is gone. It is neat to see how much healthier and peaceful your house becomes without chemical cleaners. It almost seems they are a stimulant of some sort. Nothing like putting on clean clothes in the morning and being able to smell the sunshine on them.”

Terry Steinmetz says:

January 18, 2013 at 9:08 am

I agree! Thanks for the encouragement. That’s the best part seeing all the merit badges being awarded; I get to see what other ideas have come about!

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Nellie Will-Do, Part I

Posted on January 16, 2013 by mbajane

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

This is a beginner level Stitching and Crafting Merit Badge that made my living room smile. Hello dolly!, did my living room need a makeover, stat. The problem? My furniture all had good bones (after all, it’s been handed down for generations, mostly from the original Dream House), but the upholstery was …

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Elizabeth says:

January 16, 2013 at 1:03 am

Oh how this is perfect timing, again! Just so happens that I took a large piece of furniture apart yesterday (the first time I had ever done such a thing). Had no idea what I was getting myself into, seeing how much labor goes into disassembling a heavy piece of well crafted furniture. This part of a mechanically operated chair is brand new~out of the box & never been slept on; sat in or exposed to dust bunnies.

Very happy to report that I accomplished this task of staple strip removal in only three hours! And I didn’t even damage any of the material (my main concern). It was such a learning experience to see how this particular piece of furniture was put together. I was so proud of the person/s (or manufacturer) who put this piece of furniture together as so many things now days are slapped together in such a shoddy & careless fashion that it did my heart good to see that someone really cared about a product they probably worked on a long while.

It must sound odd then that I should be taking apart such a fine piece of furniture but don’t despair as I plan to use ever piece of it…except the flexible strips of heavy duty staples:-)

Not long ago, I was inspired to try the above project after reading the upholstery chapter in your Idea’s Book. Your books have had a profound effect on me as I’ve tried so many new fun (& sometimes frustrating) projects since you exposed me to so many new idea’s. Thank You!

Hope you share pictures tomorrow of your part II project.

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- MaryJane says:
  
  January 16, 2013 at 4:52 am
  
  I know the excitement when you discover the bones of a piece are sound and the workmanship good. And use every piece? You’re awesome Elizabeth. Your post made my day, er, I mean MBA Jane’s!
  
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photo-of-the-day

Posted on January 11, 2013 by maryjane

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Glamper Galorium

Posted on January 11, 2013 by maryjane

I know the holidays are over but I haven’t put away my glampers just yet. This beauty and the birdhouse below were thoughtful gifts from the three women who are the heart and soul of our Coeur d’Alene store.

Doesn’t this just make you want to put your tailfeathers on?

Drum roll for cute-as-a-button Jordan …

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Winnie Nielsen says:

January 11, 2013 at 4:04 am

Love that glamper ornament! Your store is a must visit for me. It looks so inviting and beautiful inside. Currently, I am hoping to visit Idaho next July, right after I retire. Guess where my rental car will be going????

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- MaryJane says:
  
  January 11, 2013 at 6:21 am
  
  That is great news! Ah, the R word. Love it. Life begins at R.
  
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Debbie Ray says:

January 11, 2013 at 1:45 pm

My husband and I have bought us a used vintage camper. We have had so much fun. We bought your Glamper book. It is wonderful.
How can I get the camper ornament? We would like to buy one if it’s not too late.

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Regina says:

January 15, 2013 at 5:01 am

Me To! Me Too….I want an ornament too….both! so cute and so looking forward to traveling in glamping style this spring!
Thanks so much,
Regina

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