I’m calling you out!!!! On a roll … call, here’s where you can read about the amazing accomplishments of Sisters who earn Merit Badges. “Hear YE!”
Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)
Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)
My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Lynne Parmenter!!!
Lynne Parmenter (Sister #5089) has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning an Expert Level Herbs Merit Badge!
“This year, I have planted six types of herbs: lavender, Italian basil, pineapple sage, oregano, parsley, and thyme. In the past years, I have grown herbs and always dry them to use during winter months and will continue to do so. I like to use them fresh during the summer and fall months. My family and friends have always taken some home with them, both fresh and dry.
I have grown mint and chocolate mint. With these herbs, I use them in drinks during summer and fall seasons, sharing with family and friends. Once dried, I shared them and we use them in many recipes. The chocolate mint was delicious in the crock-pot cakes when we were home and in the Dutch-oven cakes we made camping. This year is the first year growing lavender. I will dry it and include it in the grapevine wreaths I make in fall—which I give away—and I also want to make some sachets for fresh scents.
I have always done well growing my herbs. This year, I had to grow them in containers on my deck, but in the past, I have had them grow over their beds and when my husband mowed the lawn, you could smell their fresh scents. I have already used the herbs that I have grown this year. This is the first year for pineapple sage, and I enjoy using it when I prepare and cook pork. So delicious!!! I look forward to continue growing and using herbs. It certainly is enjoyable and relaxing.”
Winnie Nielsen says: Congratulations Lynne on the expert badge level! I love to grow herbs but lately they have not done well for me. Not sure why but I think I should try some container growing since you had a lot of success with that option. There is nothing better than fresh herbs to just cut and use in a recipe!
Anita Rainey says: I, too, have been growing herbs in containers and had great success. My largest crops are in raised beds near our garden, and they have been spectacular. One bed is Sweet Basil, and we are enjoying fresh pesto at every opportunity. Sage and Rosemary share a bed, but I think they want their own spaces in the future. If you haven’t tried Browned Butter Sage Sauce on pasta, you are missing an eyeball rolling taste treat! And Rosemary/Garlic Roasted Tomatoes (the small ones, grape or cherry), or Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary & Garlic (white or sweet potatoes, or a combination) are so delicious with meat entrees. Obviously, my garden and my kitchen have a wonderful relationship. Being a country ‘girl’ is a dream come true for me. Glad to know Mary Jane and all her followers.
This year I discovered what they say about cilantro is TRUE! It turns to coriander very fast, especially in the hot Virginia sun. So I plucked it from the ground, hung it upside down on the potting porch and am harvesting as I need. First thing I did? Cold pack pickles—-yum. Second thing? Zucchini with cartelized onions and whole seeds! OMMJShood. At first I thought I’d never grow cilantro again. Guess what! I will every spring from now on.
This iPad corrects everything and I always forget.
Cukes, Zukes, and onions come from my dirt patch outback.
Barbara Tabb says: I have 3 – 4 large shallow (perhaps 6 ins deep) pots for herbs that I set on top of a picnic table each summer….they are the perfect size and I grow perhaps 15 different herbs, making sure I have plenty additional of my faves: chives, basil, parsley. Those I tend to use the most I keep plenty of! It’s a big joke at our house….we call it my massive garden. One summer they stayed fresh and plentiful until Thanksgiving and it was a treat to cut fresh sage to use for my turkey! I’ve been doing my herbs this way for years – the deer just enjoyed my parsley too much when put out in the garden, decided to try it tabletop and it works great!
Margaret Taffi says: Congratulations! Isn’t this a fun group to belong to???? I haven’t done much herb growing but want to do it next season so I can dry them to use through out the year!
Lori Peters says: congratulations! Makes my mouth water! Has anyone tried to grow Stevia as a natural sweetener? My plant is beautiful, and the fresh leaves are oh so sweet. But now I don’t know how to process it. I just want to sweeten tea and coffee, not for baking. Any ideas?
Lynne Parmenter says: Thank you to all my Farmgirl Sisters. Yes, this is a really fun group to belong to. I am enjoying it so much. I will be trying the recipes and tips for growing herbs. I really appreciate all your suggestions and reading your experiences.
Have a fantastic day and lots of fun earning your badges 🙂
The adorable, always humorous MBA Jane is my way of honoring our Sisterhood Merit Badge program, now with 5,344 dues-paying members who have earned an amazing number of merit badges so far—7,177 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 Farm Kitchen/Cheese Making Merit Badge, I was movin’ on up, to the East side, to a deluxe apartment in the sky … Oops. Sorry. Sometimes I am overtaken by a wild urge to sing the lyrics to classic television shows. Anyway, back to the badge, Madge!
I was movin’ on up, if you will, to the Intermediate Level of the Cheese Making badge. Because, let’s face it chickadees, if there is cheese, I will be there. When it comes to snack foods, I come to snack foods! And since my buttermilk and yogurt were both a resounding success, I was feeling pretty confident. I was already having daydreams about Aged Gouda, Smoked Mozzarella, Garlic Jack, Drunken Goat, and a creamy Bleu! The stinkier the cheese, the closer to heaven, isn’t that right? I’m pretty sure I read that somewhere.
Winnie Nielsen says: My daughter makes and sells soft goat cheese from her herd of Lamancha goats. When we first learned to make it in my kitchen ( she is married now and a small farm of her own), we came up with two recipes that still seem to be today’s popular requests. One is to make fresh basil pesto and add that to the cheese. The second is to mix a honey, orange zest, 1/2 squeezed orange juice, pinch of cinnamon and chopped walnuts to the mix. This blend is great for a breakfast spread on toast, bagels, waffles or biscuits. Once you make soft cheese, you quickly get hooked because it is easy and so versatile to flavor Oh my, what a treat!!
MaryJane says: I agree. Those are the best ingredients for just about anything. Pesto makes everything betta! I like a combination of the the two on pizza–pesto and walnuts and honey (but not the orange and cinnamon.) How is staying home from work? I’ll bet your days are still full and you’re wondering how you ever had time to “work” also:)
Winnie Nielsen says: Staying home is great!! I am working on a knitting project, and today I made an apron and potholder for an upcoming swap on the Connection. Sewing in the day is fabulous! Also, I finished the book you sent two nights ago. It is about a Welsh community family during the reign of Queen Victoria when workers were struggling to get unions established for safer working conditions and pay in the coal mines. What dreadful work these poor souls did everyday with no protections. The story was also written like a translation of how the Welsh talk the Queen’s English. It was interesting and hard to put down. Thanks so much for sending it to me and kicking off my summer reading I have been looking forward to doing!!
Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)
Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)
My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … April Choate!!!
When a Farmgirl Sisterhood member earns a certificate of achievement in the Farmgirl Legends category, it is a really big deal. That means that this Sister has taken on a particularly monumental farmgirl task and met the challenge head on.
April has earned a certificate of achievement, and the honorary title of – Chapter Guru. The requirements for earning this distinction takes a lot of planning and work. Here is how it is listed:
So what does April do?
Over the last 3 years April has hosted TEN meetings. That’s more than 3 times the effort required and deserves a standing round of applause! Here’s the full report…
“Presentation Number 1
The second meeting that I held after the startup of River Valley Farmgirls in 2010 was on Square Foot Gardening. I could hardly believe the attendance! There were 13 of us in my small living room. I took them through the basics of what Square Foot Gardening was using Mel Bartholomew’s book as my guide. I had a handout for them to write notes on and everyone had a bazillion questions. It was a super successful and fun evening of learning about the ins and outs of Square Foot Gardening. From that one meeting, 7 of the ladies started their own Square Foot Garden in their backyards and still have them today!
Winnie Nielsen says: Congratulations April!! I sure wish I lived closer to you and could join the group. Your group learning sessions look like they were so fun and informative. Everyone is having such a great time in the photos. Planning such meetings does take a lot of time and preparation, and I congratulate you on making it seem so easy, when in reality it took hours of prep time. You are inspiring!!
Marcia Hippen says: Yeah, April! Your motivation to be a guru farmgirl has benefitted so many! I love our group and can’t wait for more. Thank you a million times over for all of your meetings, tips, and above all sharing your love for your fellow sisters!
Congratulations April! You have been an inspiring Farmgirl and have coordinated a wonderful group of “sisters” too! I’m honored to be a part of the group and look forward to more Farmgirl fun and follies to come!! Cheers to you!
Darlene Ricotta says: April, that was wonderful and I bet it would be very interesting to sit in on your meetings and learn what you have taught already,
Congratulation’s April
darlene
Congratulations April! I wish I could get a LOCAL group together here to do stuff with! You go girl!
CJ
Kristi Kern says: Congratulations, April! So proud of my friend! Wish you were back home in Kansas so I could be a part of all that you are doing! Your zest for family and farm life (and especially your organizational skills) always encourage and inspire me!
Winnie Nielsen says: Those boots are adorable!
MJ, love this photo… you are such a clever farmgirl! 🙂
You must be on edge waiting for your new grand to arrive!
Hugs! Deb
MaryJane says: Any day now and Ashley is still determined to show up in her attempt to get us ahead on recipes over under Growing Jane. Shes’ so very awesome! Can’t wait to meet Alina Kathleen.
Amber says: What brand are those boots?
MaryJane says: I bought mine about 4 years ago when they first started making them. They’re handmade. I just checked and they still exist. You wouldn’t think it but they are light as a feather and so VERY comfortable. I wear them often when I spend the day in airports and never have sore feet from walking after. Great arch support.
http://no6store.com/no6-clog-boots/leather.html
Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)
Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)
My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Sarah Hall!!!
Sarah Hall has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning a Beginner Level Horse Dreams Merit Badge!
“I live in an area where horses are not hard to find. My husband and I took a bike ride a few miles from our house and looked at the fields of beautiful horses. I really liked the American Painted Horses and swooned over all of the miniature horses!
I scheduled an hour-long ride near Rocky Mountain National Park and brought a friend along with me.
This truly turned out great! My first and only experience with a horse prior to this was at summer camp when I was a child. The horse stepped on my foot, crushing it, and I had many months of recovery with added complications due to my type I diabetes. I was traumatized by the experience but have always still admired horses (from afar). When I saw this badge, I knew that it was time for me to try to get over my fear of being too close to them (I do know that what happened to me as a kid was due to my inexperience and not the horse, but I was fearful none the less).
I was very nervous being near the horse and getting on it, but once I was in the saddle, my fear went away. The horse I rode was gentle and the ride was amazing (AND she was an American Paint Horse by chance). I really had the time of my life and would love the opportunity to go again! (I am in the white shirt with the huge smile on my face!)”
Winnie Nielsen says: Congratulations Sarah! What a great summer badge to work on. I love the mountain background in the photo with you on the American Paint Horse.
Terry Steinmetz says: Awesome, Sarah! I’m so glad this experience was better than your other one!
Laurie Dimino says: You look like a natural Sarah! Congratulations on getting into the saddle! Horses are amazing aren’t they?
You sure do look right at home!
Elizabeth says: That is awesome Sarah! The horse you’re riding looks beautiful & you look so happy. Was brave of you to give horseback riding another try & I’m happy to see it turned out nicely:-)
Karlyne says: I’m so glad you gave it another try! I got smooshed on as a kid, too, but I was lucky – it was only a Welsh pony, and he more or less slid down my foot and stayed there placidly looking at me with what I swear was a twinkle in his eyes, until I finally convinced him to move off. The dirt was soft or I might still be there to this day…
Sarah says: Thanks so much! It really was a wonderful experience and has totally changed the way that I look at horses. I am so grateful that it went the way that it did and I can’t wait to have another opportunity to ride. 🙂
Brian gave me certificates to sign for Sisterhood membership renewals recently and I was moved to tears when I realized we have Sisters who’ve been with us seven years. S-e-v-e-n years.
Noelle Miller #111, Vicki Meeds #120, Rene Groom #185, Mary Setzer #378, and Samantha Douglas #449, we would love to send you a set of our MaryJane’s Home organic bed sheets as a token of our deepest appreciation (not to mention our intense need to want to pamper you).
Please email Brian your bed size and color preference (white, blue, green, yellow) and they’re on their way, brianogle@maryjanesfarm.org.
Coming up on year seven in one more year are 27!!!!!!!! Sisters! I love you!
Elizabeth says: Congratulations ladies. Great idea Brian! It’s the personal touches MaryJane puts on everything that make your books~magazine~site so special.
Winnie Nielsen says: We love you, Mary Jane! The Sisterhood and the Connection have been great sources of learning, friendships, and connecting for me and all of us! Who would have guessed there were so many of us “closet Farmgirls” who just needed someone to say ; Farmgirl is a matter of heart. That is the only prerequisite. Sign me up!! It gave me the permission to start a collection of aprons to wear everyday and embark on some badges for fun and self study. Plus, I have made friends that are the unexpected treasures of the whole process. Priceless!
Laurie Dimino says: Congratulations Ladies! Lucky gals, to be Blessed to be a farmgirl sister for 7 years. Finding Mary Jane’s Farm, the sisterhood, and all the good that goes along with it, has been such a wonderful blessing to me. It has changed my life for the better, introduced me to so many great ideas, and positively affected my outlook on everything I do on a daily basis. Of course the amazing friendships I have made and the warm and caring sisters whom I have been fortunate enough to meet in person are priceless!
So THANK YOU Mary Jane, for bringing us together, and sprinkling our lives with happiness!
Thank You So much!!! It has been seven years of learning from the most amazing SISTERS a girl could ask for. Here is to seven more….
Mary Setzer says: Oh my goodness!! Thank you so much! The easy part is being a Sister! The hard part will be choosing which color to receive! 🙂 Thank you for seven years of laughter, love, and inspiration!
Vicki Meeds says: Wow! This is a great gift! I agree with Rene, it has been a great seven years and I’m still loving it!
Thanks MaryJane and Brian!
Noelle Miller says: What a lovely gift! I still remember finding MJF on the newsstand years ago and thinking, “I love the beauty and idealism with which Mary Jane lives her life– how can I do the same?” More than anything I think you inspire each of us to be a FarmGirl in whatever way we can, where we live. It’s so nice to be appreciated just for enjoying what you have shared with us 🙂 Thanks! Here’s to 7 more years!
The adorable, always humorous MBA Jane is my way of honoring our Sisterhood Merit Badge program, now with 5,205 dues-paying members who have earned an amazing number of merit badges so far—7,043 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 Outpost/Glamping Merit Badge, I steeled myself for an overnight with my favorite triplets. Midge’s kiddos are somewhere between the ages of 6 and 12, respectively. Hey, I’m a single gal: I’m not great with guessing children’s ages! I just know they are old enough to buckle their own seat belts, but not old enough to get a learner’s permit.
Anyway …
Midge needed an overnight sitter, so Yours Truly volunteered. Well, volunteer is a strong word … more like my deer-in-the-headlights look must have masqueraded as a pick-me look. I’d better work on that. But all kidding aside, I was psyched, amped up, phat, chillaxed, you know, to be the cool auntie for a night, plus it was the perfect opportunity to earn another badge! Which one, you might ask?
The ever-popular Glamping one.
Oh. Yes. Indeedy.
Though I’d heard of glamping, collected a Pinterest wall of glamping ideas, have friends who have done it, and daydreamed of all it entailed, I still hadn’t left my house.
My comfy, comfy house.
With that comfy, comfy bathroom.
Yes, I’m a wimp. A pathetic excuse for a farmgirl. I’ve said it.
But no more! I was going glamping. Even if it was just in the backyard.
Close to that comfy, comfy bathroom.
Don’t fret, chickadees, I don’t plan to cheat.
Unless completely necessary.
Elizabeth says: Hopefully the weather was perfect for your camp~over. The moon was said to be super bright & extra big last weekend & just maybe you & the girls got to see lightning bugs (one of my favorite things about being outdoors as night falls).
My first time camping it rained all night; our tent was…inadequate; rain water seemed to gush inside our tent & over us; our sleeping bags got soaked & so did we. It was chilly & to be honest a little bit creepy. And not one lightning bug was spotted all weekend long. But the weekend wasn’t a total washout as I won 1st prize for catching the biggest fish from the well stocked campsite pond (yep, we fished in the rain). My 1st prize choices were a new beach towel or a roll of 35mm film. And when the rain stooped & the sun peeked out we took a horseback ride through a long winding trail (my 1st time on a horse). I can still remember the horses name…& being reprimanded by our guide for lagging way behind because I allowed the horse to stop whenever it wanted & eat the surrounding vegetation until its giant heart was completely content & he was ready to stroll once more:-)
Winnie Nielsen says: I love how this Farmgirl just let the inspiration flow for a true glamping experience with the twins! I bet it will be a memory that none of them ever forget. One memorable night under the stars inspired by MJF glampers. Who knows what that one experience will create within the hearts and minds of those 3 children? I predict there is a Farmgirl growing inside one of them. Who knows, one of them might be buying one of the glamped up trailers from one of us older Farmgirls who have to downsize in our 70s!! Hahaha!! The beat goes on.
Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)
Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)
My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Sarah Hall!
Sarah Hall (mrssarahhall, #5223) has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning a Beginner Level Birds Merit Badge!
“I spent a day researching birds native to my area and selected several I would like to see. I made a wish list that I hope I can attach here with photos of the birds I would like to see and some of the information I learned about them through my research.
I really enjoyed learning about the birds. I didn’t realize that a lot of birds look different while they are mating. I particularly enjoyed reading about the sage grouse mating rituals, called strutting. I bet this is where the term “Strutting one’s stuff” came from! Owls are my favorite animal and it was challenging for me to not make an entire wish list of owls, of course I had to include one!”
Winnie Nielsen says: We have several species of Owls that live here in the city. There is a Barn Owl who lives about somewhere and when he sits in the tree in the early morning, he is surrounded by a swirl of Bluejays protesting his presence. His big sweet face looks so innocent but that is not a descriptor the other birds would use!! When he tires of the heckling , he just flies away on that amazing wing span!
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.
Your flowers are lovely out in Idaho!! So many different varieties than Florida.