One of the many benefits of living near two state universities is the steady flow of art and culture they bring to the geographical area I call home. Recently, I had the pleasure of a free afternoon in which I found myself wandering among a poignant collection of work by street photographer Vivian Maier that was on display at the Washington State University Museum of Art. I was really struck by the candid nature of her photos, and when I returned home, I did a little more research on this fascinating woman.
Man with mirror via vivianmaier.com
I love the thought of Vivian Maier wandering in 1950s New York City, camera in hand, capturing ordinary life for five solid decades. And I am truly fascinated by the number of “selfies” she took, celebrating her unique character at a time in our history when that type of behavior was often considered “unladylike.” She certainly couldn’t hold her Rolleiflex camera out at arm’s length like we do today, so she had to capture her reflection, which in turn, often captured unintentional snippets of life in the background.
self portrait via VivianMaier.com
I found some of my favorites from the gallery at VivianMaier.com. It’s worth some time to browse her story and portfolios and get to know her a little better.
The adorable, always humorous MBA Jane is my way of honoring our Sisterhood Merit Badge program, now with 6,399 dues-paying members who have earned an amazing number of merit badges so far—9,095 total! Take it away, MBA Jane!!! MJ
For this week’s Make It Easy/Candlemaking Intermediate Level Merit Badge, I was thrilled to put all my candlemaking know-how into action. I gathered my supplies and got to work to make two entirely different types and scents of candles to gift to two entirely different girlfriends. You don’t have to gift them to girlfriends—I can attest to my own Mr. Wonderful loving a good Cracklin’ Fire taper, or an Autumn Leaves pillar. Well, actually he requested a Bacon and Sausage scent, but … yeah. Haven’t exactly found a meat-scented essential oil yet.
Lavender Soy Candle in a Teacup
Slowly melt your wax. If you’re like me even a little bit, put one pot atop another as a double boiler. This will keep your wax from burning when you get distracted by a phone call, a sandwich hankering, or a Downton Abbey marathon.
Use your chopstick to spread a bit of melted wax on the bottom of your wick. This works as adhesive to keep it held to the bottom of your teacup. It also works as an adhesive if you get some on your fingers and then tuck your wayward hair behind your ears. I told you to use the other chopstick, didn’t I?
Add in your herbs and swirl in a loving manner. Pour carefully into teacups. Allow to cool. Give to girlfriend with much aplomb and the proper humility when she gushes over your cleverness.
*Other options: use Mason jars, juice glasses, salt cellars, baby bowls, coffee mugs, wine glasses, shot glasses, champagne flutes, spice jars, ramekins, or those wee little individual casserole dishes.
Coffee and Coconut Candle
To make this type of candle, you will follow the directions above, only you won’t make as many mistakes (ahem). Now beeswax is a little more temperamental, so you might want to use a candy thermometer and stop the melting procedure when it gets to about 160-164°F.
When your wicks are attached to the bottom of your jars or tins, stir in your coffee beans and add the whole concoction to your containers. Let set. If you’d like, you can add in some organic food coloring, but I liked the contrast of the white candle with the brown beans.
Mr. Wonderful says the coffee aroma is nearly as good as bacon. Honest.
Drop everything, and come with me …
Photo by bs70 via Wikimedia Commons
Today, we’re blazing a trail to Belgium, where an entire forest is abloom with bluebells.
Bluebells, photo by MichaelMaggs via Wikimedia Commons
Like a setting from a fairy tale, the Hallerbos (Halle’s Wood) was once part of the Sonian Forest, Europe’s largest beech forest, which spanned the southern part of Brussels. The forest was ravaged by occupying forces during World War I, but a few ancient oak and beech trees survived, and reforestation projects helped heal the scars of war. The wild bluebell hyacinths, an ancient facet of the woodland, reclaimed the forest floor and continue to muster their magic each year in mid-April.
Photo by David Edgar via Wikipedia
“Possibly one of Belgium’s best kept secrets, the flower fields offer one of the most amazing natural spectacles you will encounter,” says Eupedia. “The millions of purple-blue, bell-shaped liliaceae spreading in all directions, as far as the eye can see, make the scenery simply breathtaking. These sumptuous flowerbeds in the outskirt of Brussels are all natural (it’s not a man-made garden) and access is free of charge.”
What a perfect place to celebrate springtime …
Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)
Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)
My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Katie Wright!!!
Katie Wright (#5600) has received a certificate of achievement in Stitching & Crafting for earning a Beginner, Intermediate & Expert Level Aprons Merit Badge!
“I made several aprons from old pillowcases, decorated them with some old doilies, and made waistbands from patterned fabrics, matching some to the bottom of a few of the aprons.
I wear aprons in my kitchen whenever I am cooking or baking. I like the full aprons, but use the half aprons mostly for gifts.
The half aprons were very pretty and made simple, but special, gifts for several friends.
These are the types of aprons that I enjoy wearing. Maybe it is because I get flour all over when baking breads or making pies. I have made some special aprons for friends and family. Recently I helped my granddaughter, almost 13 years old, sew a full apron. I wore one of my aprons to her house, and we enjoyed an apron day, making her apron, wearing mine, looking at some of my others, and having lunch that her mom made for us.
Alorah’s apron turned out wonderful. My latest apron was fun to do, and I like the pattern. I also enjoy the print, which I purchased at our local quilt shop, The Hickory Stick, in downtown Hannibal. It is one of the 10 top quilt shops in the nation. Both aprons are nice, and I believe we will both enjoy them for years. It also built wonderful memories for us both.
My apron is not that frilly, and I do have some frillier ones, but the most recent apron I made has such a lovely print … it has aprons all over it. It makes it special to me, an apron lady. I also made one for a friend for a Christmas gift, so have not given it to her yet. As far as wearing it, I wore it to my family’s home today, 4/20/15, but I wore it to my knitting circle last week after finishing it. I told them I was working on my MaryJanesFarm merit badges.
The apron turned out well. I like the black bias tape on the edges, which make the fabric “pop” even more. I also like the fitted sides and back. It’s almost like a dress coverlet. I believe this apron will be worn lots. However, I do have some others I like just as well, simply made, but pretty prints. I even take my aprons, a few, in my camper to wear when cooking over the campfire.”
If you’ve had daydreams of glamping already this year, raise your hand.
Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes via Wikimedia Commons
I knew it.
What was your cue?
Flowers blooming? Froggies singing?
Photo by Cary Bass via Wikimedia Commons
There’s just something in the springtime air that tells us to take out the tent or tidy up the trailer.
It’s time to get back OUT THERE.
Photo by Emilian Robert Vicol via Wikimedia Commons
Of course, locating the perfect place to pitch camp can be a challenge. While the Internet has endless info on where to go, it’s not always easy to pin down a campground that has exactly what you’re looking for in an outdoor getaway. Does it allow dogs? Are grills provided? How far is the nearest shower? Hopping from website to website in search of answers can take hours.
Not anymore.
All hail Hipcamp.
While it may sound like a resource reserved for intrepid young hipsters, Hipcamp is shaping up to be an excellent go-to guide for anyone seeking a campsite that’s just right.
“Hipcamp is the only place you can go that lists campgrounds across all government platforms (national parks, state parks, national forests, etc.),” says co-founder Eric Bach. “We make it easy for users to filter through campgrounds based on what matters most. So, you can easily answer questions like, ‘Where can I go camping by a lake with my dog next weekend?’ We’re bringing the world’s public campgrounds online, unlocking private lands for camping, and working overall to increase access to the outdoors.”
Hipcamp currently covers 367 parks, 2,170 campgrounds, and 56,375 campsites in California, Texas, Florida, and Oregon. The team’s goal is to add more states this summer and offer national coverage by the early fall. In the meantime, you can help beef up the site by adding your own information and impressions to the cache.
“Our users (or tribe) play a key role in helping us paint a more complete picture of a state’s camping experience,” Bach explains. “They can upload photos and tips directly to the site. We could use any and all content around past camping trips. It’s what helps us get more people outside!”
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.
