You know that pondering tilt of the head a person gives a work of art they’ve just completed? Writing about your life is that exactly. You step back, pick up your paint brush, apply a dab of compassion here, a brush stroke of flair over there. Putting your life on canvas allows you to see what your life looks like through the eyes of others.
Going Granny (actually my grandkids call me Nanny) is my best achievement yet! Here’s a phone message my barely two-year grandgirl left for me on my 58th b-day. I guarantee it; this will make your day.
Our adorable Karina (graphic designer/photographer) has tied the knot this past Saturday. We plan on sharing more photos from her big day in an upcoming issue of MaryJanesFarm, but couldn’t wait to share just a photo or two. Let’s give Karina and Adam a big CONGRATS!!!!
It seemed only fitting to send them off under a halo of fireworks, not that their chemistry doesn’t already sparkle, snap, and soar.
Such happiness!!!! What would we do without weddings?????
UK Conservationist Damian Aspinall raises gorillas at his wild animal conservatory, under the Aspinall Foundation. Kwibi, a gorilla he hand-raised until age 5, was released into the wilds of West Africa five years ago as part of a conservation program.
Their reunion couldn’t be more surprising or sweeter!
Winnie Nielsen says: Their meeting just makes me cry it is so sweet!! What an amazing life advocation and Damian seems perfectly suited for the task. It gives me hope and good cheer that the world has people like Damian doing such worthwhile work!
Laurie Dimno says: Well, thanks for the Sunday morning cry! Oh my, how sweet that story is. I agree with Winnie- the world is a better place thanks to people like Damian.
Thank you for sharing the story of Damian and his animals.
Did you ever have one of those cardboard kitchen sets as a kid?
Photo courtesy of Edeenut Creates http://edeenutcreates.blogspot.com/2010/11/play-kitchen.html
Or, maybe your mother helped you make a simply splendid cardboard cottage …
Photo courtesy of A Girl and a Glue Gun http://www.agirlandagluegun.com/2010/06/cardboard-playhouse.html
My siblings and I were famous for fashioning elaborate forts out of boxes and blankets (yeah, I might have slipped a doily or two into our DIY décor!).
No matter what you constructed with cardboard, it was fabulous, wasn’t it?
Sturdy, stylish, and real.
So, here’s a point to ponder:
Winnie Nielsen says: In the university town of Gainesville, each semester end results in unwanted furniture piled on the side of the road getting rained on till it gets picked up. Sofas, broken desks, chairs etc. were all purchased cheaply and did not survive the student living. Zach’s idea would be a perfect solution for student furniture! Eco friendly, functional, and I think a great solution to the problem of cheap and wasted furniture. Just think about all the college towns across the US like mine dealing with broken down, soggy junk every semester clogging up the landfills. I say Zach Rotholz is on to something here!
Deborah Granay says: Does anybody out there remember the original Barbie Dreamhouse? I received one for my 8th birthday in 1960. All of the furniture included with the house was constructed from cardboard similarly to Chairgami and the pieces were very sturdy.
My Dad had to follow detailed instructions as to how to assemble the furniture. I had opened the gift before school and my Dad was finishing up the assembly of the furniture when I got home from school. Yes, it took him that long and he was an engineer.
I especially remember the easy chair which looked very similar to the armless chair above. Why not cardboard furniture? If it was good enough for Barbie, it is good enough for temp use for us!
Denise says: Watching my little ones and now their little ones my husband always said we were just going to give them cardboard boxes for Christmas because they always seem to get much more enjoyment from playing with the box more than the gift inside. Of course we never did give them those as gifts but it sure opens up a child’s imagination when you give them a box to play with.
I think these are a wonderful idea! And saves the landfills to boot.
Eliza Belle is here! And a sleepyhead girl at that.
The doctors and students at the Washington State University Veterinary School were so amazing and took such good care of Etta Jane and little Eliza Belle (born Tuesday morning at 1 a.m.). Here’s a commemorative photo taken when Eliza Belle was just 12 hours old. From left to right, Dr. Lisa Pearson, Erika Larsonberg (2nd year veterinary student), and Dr. Alexis Campbell.
Eliza Belle may just be the smallest calf ever born there, weighing in at only 30 pounds. Click here for Eliza Belle’s debut on the WSU website. I’d also like to thank Dr. Ahmed Tibary and Vet Tech Shirley Sandoval for their generous help as well. It took a village!
Diana says: Thanks for sharing the beautiful pics!
Jenny Williams says: She is BEAUTIFUL! I love the mark on her forehead.
Kimberly Owens says: She is just so sweet!!! I just love her. I know that you are so proud. Thank you for sharing her with us 😀
elaine reeves says: What a cutie pie!! Transported me right back to grammy and grampies dairy. when I was abt 5 grampy would stand me up on the feed box in the milking parlor and i would look out the window and watch the cows calve. Thanks for the memories.
I can’t stand it!!!! THOSE EYE LASHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE AND HUGS!!! Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS!!!Yes, I am YELLING!!!
lol
Deb
Eileen says: What a beauty!
Karlyne says: We are coveting Eliza Belle!
Hi Mary Jane, Love your website.. Went to WSU during Carla Emery’s time.. My husband and I were going to help teach at her school 1975, until a mudslide destroyed all the buildings.. I am living in Jemez Springs, NM.. I have a quarter acre farm land.. After 25 years I am farming again.. Raised my daughter by myself.. Still working part time at the Jemez Bath house as a massage therapist.. Such a pretty calf.. My daughters name is Eliza.. She is the one who showed me your site.. You are awesome!!!!
Kim Platt says: What a beautiful little lady!!
Laurie Dimno says: Congratulations Mary Jane!!! Eliza Belle is a stunning beauty! I am so happy that all went well with the birth for Etta Jane, and thrilled for you that you got the girl you were hoping for!
Another future milking girl for you! Hooray!
Enjoy her (although I know you already are!)
Hugs,
Sarah says: what a sweet baby. I love cows and these pics draw up such emotion in me. congratulations! you are very blessed to be abe to do what you do. 🙂 a little jealous! 🙂
Brenda Cassady says: These pictures were my stress buster for today. Thank you for sharing. Mother and daughter are absolutely beautiful.
Jan says: Oh, what a darlin baby girl!! Mamma is a pretty one too. Congratulations.
Cristan says: I think that my heart grew ten sizes! I cannot express the adoration that I feel when I look at the pictures of baby girl, Eliza Belle! I want to kiss and hug her to pieces. <3
Daniele says: She’s a cutie
Laurie says: She is sooo cute! It brings joy to my heart.
Laurel Bake says: I popped by earlier to see if Etta had popped, and was going to lament that we were STILL waiting on Lily…
Glad I checked the barn, first!
http://instagram.com/p/cxKZ-KoLTf/
🙂
Kay (Old Cowgirl) Montoya says: Hi Mary Jane,
I commented on how the magazine picture of the Cow was the one to go with. It had brought back so many wonderful memories for me. Now that I see little, perfect Lily, my heart has swelled to maximum. So many times a small calf would be born to one of my friends ranch and the Mother would reject it. We had to put a finger in his/her mouth to get it to suck to take a bottle until we could get another Mother to except it. Memories! Aren’t they great!
Love you all and Blessings to one and all.
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
Congratulations to Karina & Adam! 🙂 Ohhh what a lovely gown that bride has on. Best wishes for continued happiness.
A big Congratulations to Adam and Karina~
May you be Blessed with a lifetime of happiness!
Best Wishes to Karin and Adam! Gosh, what a lovely, dress she chose. Perfect for twirling and skipping through fireworks in high style! Looking forward to more photos and details about the special day in the next issue.
Congratulations to Karina and Adam! Looks like there was a wonderful wedding celebration!
Prayers for happiness!
CJ
Oh so gorgeous! Warmest congratulations to Karina & Adam (and gosh, Karina, I love your style)!!
Oh Karina, you were and still are such a beautiful person. We are so glad we could share in your amazing day. I have never been to a wedding where the commitment was so strong and the vows were so perfectly written. I’ve known you for so many years but now I look forward to getting to know Adam as well. May God continue to bless you both for many years to come. Remember…marriage is hard work!
Shannon Weaver
I think the fascinator is absolutely gorgeous! well, the dress is, too, but there’s something about netting over the face that’s so…romantic.
Congratulations Karin and Adam. I wish you many, many years of love and happiness. What a beautiful bride and I love the dancing.
I do believe that is the loveliest wedding dress I have ever seen. LOVE!