Winner!!! GIVEAWAY: “Flour Sacks, Courage+Dreams=”

OldPhotoArchive.com

The winner of the stack of vintage flour-sack fabric from our Flour Sacks giveaway is Brenda Forrest, who said in response to our query, “tell me why you connect with the nostalgia of MaryJanesFarm” … 

Picking up a MaryJanesFarm magazine at the local grocer newsstand several years ago was a true ‘pick up’ life saver. The magazine has been inspirational, a dream builder, a challenger, and yes, even nostalgic. I grew up in a city but now live in a small rural town. (My brother thinks I lost my mind loving the slower pace; personally, I question his sanity spending hours in traffic.) I could go on for hours with stories of the items I’ve crafted (from a clothespin bag to a small home), but the inner joy and encouragement the magazine has brought me tops the list. That said, I couldn’t resist the chance to comment on your blog about ‘flour sacks’. My flour-sack memory holds a special place because while visiting country cousins during my childhood (about 12 years old), we stitched cheerleading outfits from my aunt’s stash and competed with the girls at the next farm. Although cheerleading was not my ‘thing’, I was awed with the origins, textures, and colors of the fabric used for our outfits.

So, thanks for the opportunity to relive memories, ideas for projects, and encouragement to dream in this season of my life, which by the way is my 6th decade of life. I ‘met’ MaryJane’s magazine when I was in my 50s! Testimonial for ‘It’s never too late!’

Congratulations, Brenda! Watch for an email from the farm. 

Thank you to all the women who responded with such lovely comments. I thoroughly enjoyed reading them!

  1. Trini Stickle says:

    I never had a dress made from a flour sack, but I remember using them as dishtowels in my childhood!

  2. Carol Mcbride says:

    My Mom’s family were farmers or worked for farmer’s. I remember loving flour sack dresses worn by School mates when I went to a one room school house in fourth and fifth grade. They were happy and stylish in my eye. I always dreamt of having one but , alas never did.

  3. Adriana Cronin says:

    Hello! I came across an article from you that appeared within the many Pinterest RV remodel posts I had gone through. It was about Lily, the Airstream.

    To say I’ve been searching for the right one myself is an understatement, and as I turned 62, I realized it’s time to do it! I tried to click on the link to the step by step instructions, but nothing came up and noticed the article was from 2012. I know this may be a long shot, but do you still happen to have this information on hand? I’m so impressed and thank you for sharing your time and talents with everyone!
    Adriana, Naples, FL

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

GIVEAWAY: “Flickers, Sunbeams”

In the Aug/Sept 2022 issue of MaryJanesFarm, “Sunbeams” (on newsstands July 5), I led you here to my journal for a chance to win 12 shiny, flicker-deterring CDs.

For a chance to win, share your flicker stories, tips, tricks, and hints OR share a tip or trick you’ve learned for deterring any pest around your home or farm in the comments below. (It might make it into one of our upcoming issues.) I’ll toss your name into a hat and draw a lucky winner sometime soon.

Stay tuned for more magazine-related giveaways. If you’re not yet a subscriber to my magazine, MaryJanesFarmsubscribe here for $19.95/year.

  1. Diana Johnson says:

    When I planted my sweet corn, I had a radio playing in the rows to keep animals away. Plus I also hung, on a stick, aluminum pie dishes, when the wind blew, the noise scared any animals away.

  2. Linda Hulbert says:

    I put cds tied on twine between posts to keep birds out of the garden , it helps to keep our tomatoes from getting pecked.

  3. James Brougham says:

    My wife and I refurbished an old Totem Pole. After 3 weeks a @#$%flicker pecked a 3inch hole where I had plugged a prior hole. One week later the flicker returned and pecked another 3 inch hole…it was repaired and we hung shiny streamers all on it…the flicker has not returned…I don’t seea place to post a photo….

  4. James Brougham says:

    After 2 attacks to our recent refurbished Totem Pole we hung shining streamers ..flicker hasn’t been back..would like to post a photo but do not see where I can do that

  5. Pamela K. Hassell says:

    Here in Texas, we have a recipe for deterring those annoying black birds, “Cackles” that noisily flock together and leave behind their droppings ! All u need is several aluminum pie pans hung from tree branches ! It must be the reflection from the sun that the birds don’t like ! It works wonders

  6. Robyn Wise says:

    1/2 Pine sol and 1/2 water in a spray bottle will get the flys away…

  7. Marcy Hogan says:

    We live in Priest River, ID, and have our fair share of flickers. This year we had one of them peck a hold in the cedar siding on our house. Cedar is supposed to be a natural deterrent for insects and whatnot so we’re not sure what Mr. Flicker was searching for. Perhaps he was attempting to hollow out a nest in the side of our house?! My husband did a lot of research and tried all the spray solutions, which kept Mr. Flicker at bay for maybe a day or two. In the end, we invested in a Bird-B-Gone Super Sonic Bird Chase and have not had an issue since! It is an outdoor sound device designed to deter pest birds. It generates distress and predator calls from over 22 types of birds. You can adjust the volume, frequency, and calls for whatever pest you are encountering. I was concerned it would deter all the other birds on our property from visiting but that has not been the case. We have plenty of other birds visiting our porch, roof, and areas surrounding our property. Even Mr. Flicker and his cohorts come around but they are now pecking on the trees, not on our house or outbuildings. I highly recommend this device. It has saved our cedar siding!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

GIVEAWAY: “Sunbeams, BakeOver Skillet”

In the Aug/Sept 2022 issue of MaryJanesFarm, “Sunbeams” (on newsstands July 5), I led you here to my journal for a chance to win one of my Perfect BakeOver Skillets.

For a chance to win, tell me one of your experiences using either our recipes or products in the comments below. (It might make it into one of our upcoming issues.) I’ll toss your name into a hat and draw a lucky winner sometime soon.

Stay tuned for more magazine-related giveaways. If you’re not yet a subscriber to my magazine, MaryJanesFarmsubscribe here for $19.95/year.

  1. Amanda says:

    I love your Strawberry Jam recipe that uses ChillOver Powder. It’s a game changer!

  2. D'Wanna Hanes says:

    I love my Farmgirl badge and “Certified Farmgirl” bumper stick – they remind me that even though we now live in a small apartment, I’m still a farmgirl at heart and that adapting to change is one of a farmgirl’s superpowers! I’m “farming” in our kitchen and on our porch, in containers 🙂

  3. Donna Rowe says:

    I am so happy and into year 5 now of following your sourdough bread book. It has been a life changer! I was very happy stretching myself with your kamut grain but now it is very hard to come by! Thank you again for giving us such confidence!

  4. Mary Jo Taylor says:

    The BakeOver recipes were an inspiration! I made the Sweet Potato & Garbanzo BakeOver the day my Mary Jane’s arrived (yesterday). I had to improvise the pan but love the dish. Looking forward to trying all of them!

  5. Penney J Miller says:

    When I read all the BakeOver Easy recipes in the April/May 2022 issue I wanted to try them all. The first two I tried were the Cabbage BakeOver Easy and the Apple BakeOver Easy. It’s so great to make exactly the right size in the right cast iron pan. And like the name, so easy!

    Now I can’t wait to try every one of the new recipes for the Original Bake Over. It will be so hard to choose which to make first!

    Every time a new issue of MaryJane’s Farm is in the mail I know where I will be spending the afternoon. Keep up your amazing work.

  6. Joyce Walls says:

    I made the Quiche Tartlets from the Aug-Seo issue and they are delicious 😋 I always try the recipes because cooking is my thing.

  7. Deborah Nay says:

    I have had my wok from maryjanes for years. Still using it. I have made everything in it. Love her bake overs or anything she has. I need to order me a new one for sure. I am 67 so that tells you how long. Her magazine is the only one I get each month.

  8. Karen Rowell says:

    Haven’t done it yet, but I’m looking forward to using your Chill Over!

  9. Cynthia Szelag says:

    My husband feels that bread in the grocery stores are not healthy because of all the nut oils and other toxic oils that are used. So, I decided that for Mother’s Day, I would ask my grown-up kids for the Wild Bread book so I could make my own sourdough starter and start making a much more healthy bread for us to eat. I did get this great book for Mother’s Day, and then life took over and I have not been able to start making the “counter mother” because I was away so much. Now that things have settled down, I can get the “mother” started and start baking!!!

  10. Donna says:

    I love your cast iron pan recipes! The first one I tried was the bread. It was the best bread I ever had. Came out perfect the first time. When I get your magazine the cast iron recipe is one of the first things I check out and make. Thank you for a wonderful magazine!

  11. Lisa OConnor says:

    I have the jar recipes going at all times. It’s so nice to have something ready to pull out of the fridge, weather it’s sweet or savory. It’s also a good way to have portion control and what could be prettier than colorful little jars filled with goodness when you open your fridge!

  12. Virginia Bentz says:

    My mother loves to read her Mary Jane’s. She will read front to back and back to front. She reads articles out loud to me and is always trying a fun new recipe she finds in issues of magazines.

  13. Lori Moon says:

    I love scones. but hsd never made them myself. I tried your walnut orange scone mix. It was SO GOOD.
    It gave me the courage to try a from scratch recipe. Loved your scones.

  14. Jennifer Kallstrom says:

    Haven’t had the opportunity to try any items or receipes yet but they look and sound good!

    • Peggy Shrefler says:

      I haven’t tried any of the recipes or ideas from the magazine yet.
      I just became a new member of the magazine, as my friend bought me a subscription. I must say the day it comes I sit on my front porch reading every word. It is so full of interesting facts.
      My husband and I for years raised our own vegetables, berries, pigs, chickens, turkeys, etc. Now he has passed and I don’t do all that myself, but I continue canning from a local farmer’s market.
      I’m anxious to try some of your Bake Over recipes, they look so good.

  15. Alissa says:

    I havent yet tried a bakeover but they look delicious! Im certain my boys and husband will love it!

  16. Missy says:

    With every golden magazine that I receive I’m taken back to a simpler time in the present. The classic traditional touches I read and see in the art are comforting to me as I’m sure they are for all your readers. I thank you for that.
    I also would like to thank you for making it so easy to “veganize” or make your recipes vegetarian. When I got the April/May issue I had to have the Cabbage BakeOver ASAP! Oh Boy was that delicious and so much so I made twice in one week.
    Mary Janes Farm Magazine is my golden ticket fr simpler times in the rough times. God Bless

  17. Janice R. Elie-Wright says:

    I’ve not tried your recipes yet. I’m a new subscriber to Mary Jane’s Farm. I look forward to each section of the magazine. A new recipe is in my future!!

  18. Tammy Kitchen says:

    I have enjoyed Mary Jane’s farm from the first time I picked one up in my local farm supply store. At that time I was new to hobby farming with a few goats, sheep and a donkey. I sent a message about sitting by the fire with my spinning wheel on New Year’s Day and discovered you’d printed it in your letters section. Years later you had a great article about a lady raising sheep and spinning the wool like I’ve done. Your magazine inspires me to enjoy each day as it comes out here in my little piece of paradise.

  19. Connie Godwin says:

    Anxious to try your recipes for all of the BakeOver meals (gluten free of course)! Would love to have one of your perfect skillets that make all the meals in your magazine look scrumptious!

  20. Mary W says:

    MaryJane – I love your magazine and your recipes have never steered us wrong! I asked for ‘Wild Bread’ for my birthday and have been making us homemade bread ever since. Now, we have embraced the BakeOver! With a newborn and toddler at home, I love being able to prep ahead and have minimal hands on time at the 5pm ‘witching hour’.

    For now, our BakeOvers are a bit under the weather….I have been using my coated cast iron pan but as you say, it’s too heavy to flip. We like the recipes as pies, but would love to get flipping soon. Hence, please enter us in your giveaway!

  21. Susan Arend says:

    I just returned from a lake vacation, soothed with family boat rides, rippling water, and green, green , green! I live in a city and have to admit, feel a bit lost when I return. That evening, my mailbox practically giggled when I opened it- my Eating Pure in a Processed Foods World book had arrived, along with a lovely handwritten note from Colleen and Joyce. Asparagus bake and oatmeal spice cake are on my radar first! Thanks for soul- consoling Mary Jane’s Farm everything. I’m here to stay!

  22. Terry Steinmetz says:

    I am so thankful that I tried MJ”s Bake overs. Now when I get too many leftovers, I clean the left-overs onto my island, decide the right combinations, heat in my cast iron pan (which is heavy!) saute the veggies, meat etc.. Then I make the crust, bake and enjoy an easy meal, with leftovers used and eaten. Happy me…happy hubby!

  23. Vicki Atkinson says:

    I am so excited to see a recipe using gluten free flours! I would love to win one of your Perfect Bakeover skillets. This sounds like a perfect dinner for just the two us now that we’re empty nesters. I love my Mary Janes farm magazine, read it cover to cover.

  24. Jenni Burgoyne says:

    Hi I fell in love with your magazine when a friend showed me one of your issues. My bf just bought me my very first one yesterday. The August issue. I was so excited I brought it for lunch to show my friend. I’m excited to try this skillet biscuit mix. Thank you for sharing.

  25. Kerri Chaney says:

    I subscribe to a CSA in the city of Cincinnati. Cooking with in-season veggies can sometimes be a bit challenging (kale or greens all winter long?). The BakeOver Easy recipes are so fun and such a nice way to use up all the different veggies our family receives from our CSA. Thanks for helping me use it up & change it up with these recipes!

    • Vicki S. Atkinson says:

      I am a gluten free girl and when I saw your bake over recipe I was so hoping it would taste great. What a sweet surprise! So many gluten free breads are not good at all but I loved your recipe and I’ve used it with several different fillings! I’m so happy when I find good gf recipes, one of my favorites!

  26. Theresa Donner says:

    I am a long time MayJane’s Farm subscriber! And I have them all! My son is a beekeeper and I share a lot of articles with him; he has also dabbled in home made kombucha which I love! I showed your articles to him on those too! I would love to be the proud owner of your BakeOver Skillet so I can try the amazing recipes. I love your magazine and will continue to subscribe and share! Glamping is also on my buckey list!

  27. I have been a MaryJane’s Farm magazine subscriber for many, many years. I made your Honey Sweet-Potato Coins with Ricotta-Cranberry Sauce from the Dec 2020-Jan 2021 magazine for Thanksgiving that year and Christmas and again in 2021. These were a big hit! Frankly I love all your recipe ideas and ideas in general and have often bought items according to your recommendations. Thank you for a wonderful magazine and this giveaway.

  28. Sharon Koelling says:

    I am dying to try the Sweet Potato and Garbanzo Bakeover but do not have an appropriate skillet! It sounds amazing and I usually have all the ingredients on hand. I have a herb garden so I can use fresh or, in the winter, my own organic herbs.

  29. Mardell Grayhek says:

    If I have to narrow down a recipe, it will be the Cast Iron Skillet Bread. A delight! The whole Wild Bread cookbook is wonderful simply to read and learn. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories about the Barron Flour Mill. We used to buy flour from them so it is good to have that history. I had fun telling our girls all about the mill and of course, Mary Jane!

  30. Maxine Brown says:

    just recently got my first magazine and ordered future ones by sending a check, I found many interesting items

  31. Kelly K Vriezen says:

    I’m new to Mary Jane’s Farm magazine and I’m smitten! I immediately subscribed and my menu for the upcoming week now includes the Steak & Potato BakeOver, Black Bean & Corn BakeOver, Chicken, Bacon & Swiss Hand Pies, and Quiche Tartlets. I’m also going to try my hand at inventing a sweet BakeOver! Maybe peaches & blueberries? I definitely need your BakeOver Skillet!

  32. Irene L. Shank says:

    I recently subscribed to your magazine. When I received my first issue, I thought I would sit down and read it completely in an hour or so. Was I completely surprised! It has taken me days to go through the August-September 2022 issue. It is so interesting and educational that I cannot just skim the page and move on. Every page has intriguing and thought-provocating information that I find I have to concentrate and absorb every word. Thanks for reading material that is so relevant to living our best life.
    Needless to say, the BakeOver Skillet would be great addition to my kitchen!

    • Mardell Grayhek says:

      Irene, I think these BakeOver Skillet recipes are just what we need in these times where groceries have sky-rocketed and they are so versatile too!

  33. Linda Moser says:

    First time I ever purchased your magazine, seems like a very informative and interesting read, can’t wait to try some of the recipes and other things I’ve been reading about.

  34. Barbara Swanson says:

    I cannot count how often I have pored over your Bakeover recipes. Many times I had the urge to try them but either didn’t have a mentioned ingredient or just plain didn’t get it made. One day in a flurry of inspiration, I made my first Bakeover! Again, I did not have a mentioned ingredient but…I decided to improvise. So, I took one potato, one beet, one turnip a bit of chopped onion and made my first one. I’m a fairly good country cuisine cook but this recipe totally took my husband by surprise. He’s hooked on Bakeovers. The problem now is…keeping up with my new inspiration. Thank you for a wonderful addition to our meal planning!

    P. S. He still doesn’t know how easy this recipe is. 😊

    • Mardell Grayhek says:

      Barbara Swanson, I think improvising is the best way to get started. It looks like we may be in for some more shortages this fall so I will probably do the same. I love this recipe and all the ways you can make it new each time.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *