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!”
For my 60th b-day, my daughter, Megan, and I traveled with Ace to Kansas to join up with a Farmgirls on the Loose event. I’m still sorting through all the photos we took and promise to share every detail of our fabulous time very soon.
Upon my arrival back home, there were plenty of b-day surprises awaiting my arrival.
Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)
Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)
For the second week in a row, my featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Mary Fitzpatrick!
“There is a local store that sells cultures and other cheese-making supplies. She also sells cultures to make sour cream, yogurt, and Keifer grains, as well as teaches classes on cheese-making. I have always known that once I moved to our new hobby farm and I would have access to raw milk, that I would want to learn how to make all of the above. Now that I am recently retired and settled on our hobby farm … I’m excited to learn all I can and make my own. I first started with yogurt. My first attempt was a disaster; I threw it out and tried again. My second attempt was awesome! I first started by warming the milk.
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/Farmgirl Spirit Merit Badge, I found a creative outlet for my spring fever. Spring fever? Say it isn’t so! Farm Romance Fever sounds more like it.
Having all these badges under my belt (figuratively speaking, of course), I really wanted to do something with them. Namely, show them off a bit. All in the name of hospitality, naturally. I didn’t really want to show off the badges, per se, but the skills I acquired earning those badges. Know what I mean, organic string bean?
Just a little farmgirl humor there …
I always host a party in Spring. Maybe it’s that the days are getting a bit longer, maybe it’s the fact that I’ve done my spring cleaning and want to show it off before the dust settles once again, maybe it’s the joy of packing up the sweaters and boots and pulling out the flip-flops and sundresses, but whatever it is, I’m always ready for some friendship and good eats ‘long about May! So, in my best handwriting, I mailed an invitation to my idol, a man who turned 80 yesterday, a man who has used his fame and fortune to help the farmers of America a tremendous amount—Willie Nelson. Imagine my surprise when not only did he RSVP, he RSVP-ed a resounding Yes! Evidently, I was not the only one in need of some farmgirl interaction, eh?
First things first, I planned my menu. I used to plan my menus based on whatever was on the cover of the first foodie magazine that caught my eye standing in line at the grocery store. Nowadays, I base my menu according to what’s in season and what’s calling my name at the Farmers’ Market.
Do you hear that?
Winnie Nielsen says: Maybe the Farmgirl Spirit Dinner will be the new name for Farm to Table events! It has a great ring to it, don’t you think? That name then gives a bit more license to Glamp up the table settings and set the stage for something like a “Round-up Weekend”–An opportunity to tent camp, trailer glamp, and wear your best cowgirl boots and lace skirts! Think of all the badges that could be used to pull off such an event.
Karlyne says: Wow, the portrait of you and Willie is amazing! And I like Winnie’s idea, too; send me Willie’s email address and I’ll see if he can make it to a Round-up Weekend. I think he’d like all those lace skirts and cowboy boots…
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.
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!
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.
Yup, made out like a bandit! Good for you!
Happy Birthday Hugs!
CJ
P.S. I see you, too, received one of “Birdie’s” awesome Zentangle cards! YAY
AND, Laurie’s lavendar hot chocolate . . YIPPEE!!
Happy birthday, MJ!! xoxoxo!
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
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!!!
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.
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,
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
What an awesome birthday! May you be blessed with many more.