Gladsome Sisters!!! | Raising Jane

Know Your Food, Part I

Posted on January 5, 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 …

With my herb garden coming along nicely, my trellis supporting my roses, and my home cooking skills becoming more and more polished by the day, I decided it was time to try another foodie beginner Merit Badge: Know Your Food. This one involved quite a few steps, not the least being to grow my own sprouts.

Now sprouts are one of those things I tend to forget even exist. They’re just so unassuming and humble, the little sprout, that they are overshadowed by the larger and leafier greens. But have you ever skipped the ol’ iceberg in your sandwich and reached for the sprouts instead? Oh my, heaven on a bun! And in a salad? Did you even know it is entirely possible to make a salad without lettuce? I know. This is mind boggling stuff. So, when I remembered the very existence of the sprout, I was elated. And growing my own? I’m on it.

Continue reading →

Winnie Nielsen says:

January 5, 2013 at 4:18 pm

I love the way sprouts add crunch to salads. Two of my favorites are lentil sprouts and radish sprouts.

Reply
Sarah Rhynalds says:

January 5, 2013 at 6:31 pm

I just found my sprout growing jar today and was going to try some broccoli seeds…nice to see we are thinking alike!

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Your Response

Hear Ye!

Posted on January 4, 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 … Mary Jane Duffel!

Mary Jane Duffel (Madelina, Farmgirl Sister #3153) has received a certificate of achievement in Stitching Room for earning a Beginner Level Crochet Merit Badge!

“I decided to participate in a Dish Cloth swap on MaryJane’s chatroom last July and crocheted a simple grannie square project from cotton yarn.

This fall I taught a few women the very basics of crochet (chaining, turning, single crochet, and working on tension). I have enjoyed getting back into crocheting and am deciding on some future projects for the winter.

The ladies enjoyed the class and asked that we continue with the lessons in the New Year. I find that I really enjoy teaching and look forward to continuing our lessons.”

Elizabeth says:

January 4, 2013 at 3:12 am

Congratulations Mary Jane. You designed a lovely Dish Cloth; it’s perfect for the Holiday season.

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Your Response

photo-of-the-day

Posted on January 3, 2013 by maryjane

Leave a Comment Cancel Your Response

Hear Ye!

Posted on December 28, 2012 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 … Barbara Roberts!

Barbara Roberts (Healthy Eating, #2237) has received a certificate of achievement in Farm Kitchen for earning an intermediate level Organic on a Budget badge!

“My eating plan has continued with the gluten-free baking mix from MaryJanesFarm. I have saved quite a bit by using this as a basis for my meals and have been enjoying my efforts.

All of the veggies that I eat now are mostly organic (as much as I can) and many of them are out of my own garden. Therefore I know exactly what is in and on them, and it’s NOT chemicals.

Since I have been able to save some money on my grocery bills by doing this, I am going to indulge in one of my guilty pleasures and buy some more books. I’m like a kid in a candy store when it comes to books and I just love Amazon!

I even have a $10 coupon to use and I’m debating what I am going to get with it. I think it might be a book on gardening.”

Winnie Nielsen says:

December 28, 2012 at 5:06 am

Congratulations Barbara! It is inspiring to hear that you are saving dollars by applying your badge knowledge to your kitchen budget! Mary Jane’s mixes are indeed quite wonderful to use! Enjoy your book searching with your savings!

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Your Response

Dyeing for Color

Posted on December 24, 2012 by mbajane

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

Just the name alone gave me warm, fuzzy feelings. After all, my roots were coming in dreadfully and I’d been hoping to find an excuse to go dark chocolate brunette for Christmas Eve (nothing says holidays like dark chocolate, am I right, girls?) But turns out, the Merit Badge gurus were not talking about my tresses. They also weren’t talking about tie-dye parties, of which I’ve had one or two (tenth birthday—it was psychedelic, dudettes) but actual … um, like, dyeing for less trivial reasons? Well, whatever the reason, I got behind this beginner level Dyeing for Color Merit Badge!

I decided to try the ancient art (okay, maybe it’s not ancient, but still) of tea coloring. I mean, it was only logical—I love tea. The smell, the taste, the jolt, and I love the color, although not on my teeth. That brings me back to chocolate. Everything brings me back to chocolate, actually. I think I have a problem.

Is there a 12-step program for chocoholics? No? Never mind. Back to the badge.

You know, badge is very nearly spelled fudge …

Sorry. I’m focused now.

I have a beeyooTEAful lace tablecloth that my Gramma Barbie gave me years ago. I’m always afraid to use it on Christmas day because:

Continue reading →

Leave a Comment Cancel Your Response

photo-of-the-day

Posted on December 23, 2012 by maryjane

Leave a Comment Cancel Your Response

Homespun Christmas, Part II

Posted on December 23, 2012 by mbajane

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

With visions of sugarplums still dancing in my head, I got up early to get a jump on the rest of my Christmas crafting in order to earn my beginner level Homespun Christmas Merit Badge. I had salt dough to make and also a triple batch of dog biscuits (I decided why stop at my own doggie and the other one or two I could think of when the Humane Society had plenty of biscuit-less four-legged friends?)

Since the salt dough ornaments were going to take the longest, I started with them …

Continue reading →

Winnie Nielsen says:

December 25, 2012 at 6:41 pm

I made my annual batch of homemade dog biscuits for all the 5 dogs that are part of the family Christmas celebration. They always look so fun baked up on the cooling racks and then wrapped in bags to place in the stockings hung with care on the fireplace.

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Your Response

photo-of-the-day

Posted on December 21, 2012 by maryjane

Elizabeth says:

December 21, 2012 at 7:20 am

Must confess, I’m a little jealous of your picturesque snowfalls, as we have yet to see our 1st flurry…but I’m hopeful for a white Christmas anyway. And I will enjoy traipsing through your snowfall scenes until then:-)

Reply
Winnie Nielsen says:

December 21, 2012 at 8:43 am

This is so beautiful. I am reminded of how lovely the woods are in silence as the snow falls.

Reply
MaryBeth says:

December 21, 2012 at 5:53 pm

Ah the beautiful snow. We have RAIN and gray skies. The picture is lovely.
MB

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Your Response

Hear Ye!

Posted on December 21, 2012 by maryjane

Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)

Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)

The featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Rachel Nelson!

Rachel Nelson, (Yart #1081) has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning a beginner level Heirlooms Forever! badge.

“I was able to replace 5% of my planting with heirloom seeds. I was finally able to get Gardening with Heirloom Seeds from the library. It was on backorder forever … LOL! It had a ton of great information as well as a lot of varieties for things that I had never heard of before. I’m looking forward to finding Viroflay spinach. It’s considered monster spinach. And I had no idea there are so many different colors of nasturtiums. This book was well worth the time it took to get from the library.

Continue reading →

Elizabeth says:

December 21, 2012 at 7:28 am

Oh wow, just finished posting to your other two topics for today before I read this one; talk about being on the same page!

Way to go Rachel! Congratulations! Garden Gate is considered one of the top Gardening magazines available & I really enjoy it. Will delve deeper into the link MaryJane provided a bit later today. But most things Heirloom stand head-n-shoulders above the rest, in both looks & most assuredly taste:-)

Reply
MaryBeth says:

December 21, 2012 at 5:56 pm

They will be growing in our garden next spring. Looking good!!
I made Kale chips last night from Kale still growing in the garden. They are easy to make and realy krispy and melt in the mouth. Want the recipe???
MB

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Your Response

Wrapped In Love

Posted on December 19, 2012 by maryjane

You’ve got mail!!!!

Twenty-one women have wrapped me in their arms forever.

Continue reading →

Elizabeth says:

December 19, 2012 at 2:25 am

That is so very thoughtful & sweet of you Farmgirls. The look of joy on your face & in your actions is priceless MaryJane. Can’t think of anything better than a gift ~made & given~ from the heart. Looks like you are being wrapped in 21 harmonious patches of love. And the snow gently falling all around you makes it truly an enchanting scene.

Wonderful afghan/collage of care patches ladies.

Reply
Laurie Dimino says:

December 19, 2012 at 3:44 am

Just beautiful! What a wonderful gift of love to keep you warm. We truly have some very talented and thoughtful sisters. Enjoy your beautiful afghan Mary Jane.
Nice work Sistas!
Merry Christmas!

Reply
Terry Steinmetz says:

December 19, 2012 at 6:15 am

I love it, too! I can feel their arms around you, MaryJane! It’s the simple things in life that make the journey special. Way to go to the Farmgirl Sisters who made this happen! It’s beautiful!!

Reply
Debbie Fischer says:

December 19, 2012 at 8:46 am

Oh Mary Jane you look beautiful in it, it turned out wonderful and Diane did a fabulous job putting it all together for us and coming up with the idea. Thank you Diane you did good.
Hugs Mary Jane,
Debbie

Reply
Winnie Nielsen says:

December 19, 2012 at 8:51 am

Perfect,perfect, perfect for you in every way!! Love the colors and the diversity of it. Currently, I have been participating in all of the MJF Connection dishcloth swaps. This fall I decided to make an afghan type venue to put them all together . The one you have shown here looks just like what I had in my mind’s eye. When I purchase your Ideabook and sewing book 2 years ago, I found your crocheted dishcloth. Now I use that pattern and embellish it according to the swap and have so much fun. I am looking forward to the day I can wrap myself in Farmgirl love too. Getting pretty close! Maybe the end of 2013 I will be ready?? Thanks for sharing your new treasure today!!

Reply
Thayes Hower says:

December 19, 2012 at 9:34 am

Function, beauty and love. Everything a gift should be!

Reply
Cathy R says:

December 19, 2012 at 9:37 am

MaryJane! These are the most adorable pictures of you! Future magazine cover and story! LIFE is GRAND!
GOD is AWESOME! MERRY CHRISTMAS and sweet snuggles every time you wrap in that glorious throw!
Blessings, Cathy in Orofino

Reply
Toni Brownlee says:

December 19, 2012 at 9:40 am

Love your FB site….and your new afghan! What wonderful friends you have.

I love those boots you have on also and was wondering what brand they are? I’ve been looking for some grey boots and these are wonderful. Would you please share your source with me? Thanks! Toni

Reply
- MaryJane says:
  
  December 19, 2012 at 9:45 am
  
  I’ve had them for several years. They’re actually black but have that white’ish film that comes from shoe leather when it ages. (I actually love that patina when it happens and don’t try to polish it off.) The brand is ENDEVUR. (I bought them online.) Here’s the thing. I took them to my local shoemaker to put vibram soles on them. Also, the leather heel was boxy so I took them up to my shop and “whittled” them on the grinder to a cowgirl boot shape. Good luck!!!! (I do love them. They’re so comfortable, I could sleep in them.) Oh, and they had some sort of biker chain around the back heel that I took off and turned into a necklace! Lookee, here are some on Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/STEVE-MADDEN-Endevur-MOTORCYCLE-gray-leather-BOOTS-37-7-5-chain-harness-engineer-/251192854728
  
  Reply
jean says:

December 19, 2012 at 9:56 am

*swoon*
I love this for so many reasons — all the handwork that went into it, and all the love behind it. Truly a precious heirloom!

Reply
Diane Van Horn says:

December 19, 2012 at 10:16 am

So glad you love it! I think the Anthropology story is such a weird coincidence! I just had the idea after I finished my first afghan for myself. I thought wouldn’t it be fun to have my fellow Farmgirl Sisters crochet or knit a square and then stitch them all together like a Farmgirl Sampler. It came together nicely! There are some talented Farmgirls out there. Then I thought…who to give it to? Easy, our mentor and Mother Hen, MaryJane. You have inspired so many of us through your magazine, chatroom and now blog. Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Reply
CJ Armstrong says:

December 19, 2012 at 11:29 am

BEAUTIFUL! GORGEOUS! I love the afghan! Love the pictures of you relishing and enjoying it! I agree, a future magazine cover!

And, to the girls who made it for you . . . AWESOME WORK! Thanks for sharing your creativity and heart this way. (Maybe someday I’ll find the time to learn to crochet or knit!)

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU for encouraging all of us!!!
CJ

Reply
Diana Ketron says:

December 19, 2012 at 12:29 pm

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just LOVE to see the LOVE in it.

Yes this just has to be a mag. cover.!!!!!!

Reply
Julie Hofmann says:

December 20, 2012 at 12:36 pm

It was an honor to be a contributor to this project Mary Jane. You have given so much of yourself to so many it was a pleasure to be able to give to you. May you and your family have a blessed Christmas and a joyful New Year!

Reply