Gladsome Sisters!!! | Raising Jane

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/I Should Have Been in the Movies! Merit Badge, I had to conquer a lifelong fear. A phobia. Not spiders, those misunderstood little gentlemen of the buggy world. Not heights, which give me a delicious, butterflies-in-the-ol’-tummy kind of thrill. Not deep water, which only makes me practice my mermaid kicks and hair tossing. Not even the dark, which just makes me crave warm milk and a nap. No, no, my fear is of … public speaking.

I know. You’re shocked, right? I kinda am, too. I mean, I’m an exuberant personality! A talkative gal! If I were to write my autobiography, it’d be chock full of exclamation points!!!!!!!!

But there’s something about putting me on stage, or *gulp* focusing a camera on Yours Truly, and I freeze.

Just ask my third grade teacher, Miss Trunchbull, who demoted me from Pretty Princess to Rock #4 faster than you could say, Speak up, Miss Jane, I can’t hear a word you’re saying over all that melodramatic knee knocking.

Memories. Some light the corners of your mind and some just need to be buried under a mountain of chocolate pudding.

Continue reading →

Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)

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 →

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Winnie Nielsen says:

May 24, 2013 at 6:46 am

Great idea and a wonderful tribute ! I have seen many creative ways to use old sweaters and they are all wonderful ways to recycle beautiful patterns .

Elizabeth says:

May 18, 2013 at 2:56 am

Love your outfit MBA Jane! Do you &/or your staff members makes those MBA Jane outfits too?

Winnie Nielsen says:

May 18, 2013 at 6:39 am

Cute , cute, cute! And very fun badge achievement.

Karlyne says:

May 18, 2013 at 7:01 pm

Memories… “buried under a mountain of chocolate pudding”. Love it!

Shari Doty says:

May 19, 2013 at 9:39 am

And where, pray tell, can we find said Chocolate Pudding recipe?

Winnie Nielsen says:

May 17, 2013 at 4:23 am

Wonderful post! I have never been to Missouri but I love knowing something about it now. What an amazing building built on $398 too! Historical research where one lives always turns up so many amazing stories and interesting tidbits. We do have an amazing country from coast to coast!

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.

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.