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Merit Badge Awardees - Woo-hoo Sisters!: Farmgirl Sisterhood Merit Badge Awardees  |
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MaryJane
Queen Bee
7453 Posts
MaryJane
Moscow
Idaho
USA
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 Posted - Oct 04 2010 : 12:27:03 PM
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Deana Miller (dmiller2003, #1118) has received a certificate of achievement in Cleaning Up for earning a intermediate level Going Green badge.
"We finally did it. We made our own laundry detergent! My husband and I have talked about it for awhile and finally took the plunge. We are using vinegar for the fabric softner and a mixture I found on your website for the laundry detergent. Borax, castille soap, washing soda, hot water(I think that was all). I put it into half gallon mason jars. My 3 year old son and I made our own all purpose cleaner the other day as well. He loved it. And made my own dish washing soap. Also using vinegar for the rinse aide.
Love the laundry detergent. The half gallon mason jars look so cute in the laundry room. And we do so much laundry that we estimate we will save about $800-$1000 a year by making our own laundry detergent and fabric softner. We bought the more expensive brands before that were green and for sensitive skin, my son has excema. The all purpose cleaner is working great. And I love it that my kids can help me clean now and I don't have to worry about smelly and harmful chemicals. Thanks for all the great ideas in your magazine and on your website. I love my MaryJane magazines!" |
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MaryJane
Queen Bee
7453 Posts
MaryJane
Moscow
Idaho
USA
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Posted - Oct 04 2010 : 12:45:19 PM
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Sue Frelick (Sunshine_Sue, #2133) has received a certificate of achievement in Each Other for earning a beginner and intermediate level Entrepreneurial Spirit badge.
"I’m not sure I have earned the merit badge for Entrepreneurial Spirit because I already have a tiny studio in my home where I taught about 7 elementary school children how to sew last year. However, here are my experiences over the last week.
I had closed the studio doors at the beginning of August due to my being so overwhelmed by disorganization and not knowing in which direction, or how quickly, I wanted the business to grow.
I had written part of a business plan a couple of years ago, but got hung up on the money part, and left the document uncompleted. This is why I chose to start working on the Entrepreneurial Spirit merit badge. Deep down I knew I needed to finish the business plan to understand how to proceed with the business, and believe it or not, the thought of having my work recognised by someone other than family was just the incentive I needed.
To finish the business plan I had to change and add information to the first draft because my goals have changed. After making the necessary changes to the original document I spent several hours poring over the numbers and finding out costs etc.
After the money information was organised I started working on a timeline. Although most of the necessaries are already in place I want to make several improvements in the physical arrangements of the studio and book keeping in time to re-open in October.
Let me tell you, working out a projected business budget was a huge eye-opener for me. It has helped me realize that I need to seek ways to make better use of my money and time, and to get my paperwork better organized (I mean to actually have it organized with a proper place to put it ;-).
Working on the badge has given me a reality check too. I am not going to make independent living teaching children to sew if I stay in my little studio.
This means that now I have some serious thinking to do – how to proceed from here. As you can see, this exercise has created a paradigm shift for me. A wonderful one!
I am so grateful to MaryJane’s Farmgirl Sisterhood for providing the motivation to get my business ducks in a row and recommence classes on October 18, 2010. I would have been spinning my wheels for months had I not found the incentive I needed to move forward. Here is the link to my studio blog if you would like to see photos
http://southshoresewingstudio.blogspot.com/" |
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MaryJane
Queen Bee
7453 Posts
MaryJane
Moscow
Idaho
USA
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Posted - Oct 04 2010 : 1:16:47 PM
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Linda Douglas (lindadouglas, #2117) has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning a beginner level Heirlooms Forever! badge.
"This past summer I replaced all but two (a big boy and a better boy) of my tomato plants with heirloom tomatoes, and that was because my husband likes them better. I also planted my watermelons and sunflowers from last years seeds.
My tomatoes did wonderfully. I didn't care for the ones called mortgage lifters. they were light pink and mushy, but I think it was just the type(not that it was an heirloom). My sunflowers fell down and broke the second storm I had, but again that wasn't necessarily because they were last years seeds. My watermelons were great!" |
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MaryJane
Queen Bee
7453 Posts
MaryJane
Moscow
Idaho
USA
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Posted - Oct 04 2010 : 1:25:37 PM
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Linda Douglas (lindadouglas, #2117) has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning a intermediate level Backyard Farmer badge.
"I only learned how to milk goats a few years ago. This past spring my two nanny goats both had twins. Gertie had a buckling and a doeling, and Lily had two stillborn bucklings. They both have been in milk since Mother's Day. I attempted to teach my six year old how to milk.
She was a little scared at first but eventually did get some into the mason jar. :) Still won't do it by herself and now it is time to freshen them again, so there is always next year. I have enclosed pictures of Gertie's babies just a few hours after they were born. How sweet!"
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MaryJane
Queen Bee
7453 Posts
MaryJane
Moscow
Idaho
USA
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Posted - Oct 04 2010 : 1:33:59 PM
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Linda Douglas (lindadouglas, #2117) has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning a beginner level What's Your Beef? badge.
"I did go to the website but did not find much info that I wasn't already aware of. I will always have at least two chickens running around in my backyard for the reasons stated at the website. My chickens eggs are so much better than grocery store eggs and we have a locally owned butcher company that offers grass fed organic meat for sale...we usually buy several pounds every month or so. I also raised all organic free range turkeys this year at my best friends farm. Thanksgiving dinner is looking better and better all the time.
The only thing is I wish I could find is fresh free range poultry meat that wasn't full of antibiotics and steriods. I know, I know. I have it right outside my back door, but my six year old would be so mad at me if I ate her "baby." Lol!
The picture enclosed is my 2 year old holding one of our sweet little egg layers."
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MaryJane
Queen Bee
7453 Posts
MaryJane
Moscow
Idaho
USA
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Posted - Oct 04 2010 : 1:43:35 PM
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Hallie Harris (Hallie, #1112) has received a certificate of achievement in Make It Easy for earning a beginner level Light the Way badge.
"I used fencing wire to make the Outpost Chandelier in the Ideabook. I thought it needed a little more glitz, so I also strung some clear beads on wire to make drops and chandelier "jewels".
In order to develop a video for MaryJanesFarm.tv, I ended up making several and I like the outpost chandelier now more than ever. A few variations, and some experimentation with decorative elements, and I realized how versatile this project is. I also learned that things made from wire can be difficult to photograph." |
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MaryJane
Queen Bee
7453 Posts
MaryJane
Moscow
Idaho
USA
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Posted - Oct 04 2010 : 1:50:56 PM
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Hallie Harris (Hallie, #1112) has received a certificate of achievement in Make It Easy for earning a beginner level In the Garden badge.
"I made a rustic bean teepee for my peas this year out of some branches from my plum trees. It kept the peas off the ground and they've been very productive.
I tied a few sticks together to make a trellis, but somebody thought that wasn't very interesting for a video, so I did a little research into the ancient art of willow bending. Willow bending is probably best known in the British Isles where it is used to create baskets, living sculptures, and pleached fences -- the latter are excellent for controlling erosion and keeping livestock out of river areas. It turns out you can use just about any small greenwood branch to make bent willow sculpture.
I ended up making a trellis out of some young willow branches growing by the pond at the farm. I made guides for my willow branches by drilling some holes in a piece of scrap wood. The branches went in the guide holes, then got bent and tied together with floral wire. After about a week, the branches dried out and maintained their shape, although I didn't remove the wire as the open shape of the trellis can use the extra stability. You can see an overview of the process with video on (MaryJanesFarm.tv).
The bent wood trellis was fun and ended up quite pretty if I do say so myself. I haven't actually put it in the garden yet, but maybe next year. As for my pea teepee, well my peas are coming back for another round now, so they seem pretty happy."
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MaryJane
Queen Bee
7453 Posts
MaryJane
Moscow
Idaho
USA
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Posted - Oct 04 2010 : 2:18:53 PM
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Tera Barton (Tera Barton, #1704) has received a certificate of achievement in Farm Kitchen for earning a beginner level Self-sufficiency badge.
"I dried some texas tarragon that I had grown in my garden. I put up about 1 cup full of dried tarragon and also dried some lemon zest. I mixed the two together to make a chicken, meat seasoning. Also added dried rosemary.
It made my chicken soup and homemade noodles delicious! This will be a keeper recipe for our family." |
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MaryJane
Queen Bee
7453 Posts
MaryJane
Moscow
Idaho
USA
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Posted - Oct 04 2010 : 2:50:57 PM
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Patty Byrd (thebyrdhaus, #1840) has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning a beginner level Gaining Ground badge.
"I have maintained a compost bin in my garden for a couple of years. I also have a worm bin in my kitchen for kitchen compost. I have read “Worms Eat My Garbage” by Mary Appelhof, and use it as a reference.
I have more compost and worm tea than I can use, lol. I feel as though I am doing my part in being "green" as well as I have had the prettiest, most productive organic garden in the neighborhood."
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MaryJane
Queen Bee
7453 Posts
MaryJane
Moscow
Idaho
USA
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Posted - Oct 04 2010 : 3:11:13 PM
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Patty Byrd (thebyrdhaus, #1840) has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning a beginner level 3 R's Rule (Reuse, Recycle, Revive!) badge.
"I made plant markers out of old window blinds. I do sharpen my own garden tools and clean and oil them down well after using them.
I have practiced caring for garden tools for years. My father always kept a lidded bucket of used oil in the shed to dip our garden tools after cleaning and he always stressed how important it was."
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MaryJane
Queen Bee
7453 Posts
MaryJane
Moscow
Idaho
USA
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Posted - Oct 04 2010 : 3:25:13 PM
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Tammy Schroeder (tea_lady_tammy, #1889) has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning a beginner level Bee Good to Your Mother Earth badge.
"I decided to start out with a small herb garden and at the same time learn about growing a small vegetable garden for next spring. I planted Parsley, Chives, Oregano, Rosemary, two kinds of Lavender, Sage, and Thyme. They are very forgiving in our soil. Hubby helped me learn how to make our soil richer. We used organic mulch and then we also used old hay as well.
My plants are doing very well. I am now getting ready to transplant a few into pots so I can have some herbs in my kitchen for cooking. I have planted basil and oregano, and mint into pots. But I plan to take out one of each plant for my pots. Then prepare the rest for winter. Hubby has said he will help learn how to do this. I so enjoyed learning about herbs and adding them to recipes. I am looking forward to next spring when I can get started earlier and have more for harvest. This year I mostly have used them for cooking as there is not enough to really harvest for oils, etc. So I hope to expand my plants next year as I will be beginning at the beginning of the growing season rather than mid season."
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MaryJane
Queen Bee
7453 Posts
MaryJane
Moscow
Idaho
USA
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Posted - Oct 04 2010 : 3:38:04 PM
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Patty Byrd (thebyrdhaus, #1840) has received a certificate of achievement in Stitching & Crafting for earning a beginner level Buttoned Up badge.
"I have been collecting buttons since I was a child. Now my granddaughters enjoy sorting and playing with the jars and jars of buttons that I have collected. I never discard clothing without removing the buttons.
Many years collecting and thousands of buttons."
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MaryJane
Queen Bee
7453 Posts
MaryJane
Moscow
Idaho
USA
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Posted - Oct 04 2010 : 3:49:33 PM
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Patty Byrd (thebyrdhaus, #1840) has received a certificate of achievement in Stitching & Crafting for earning a intermediate level Buttoned Up badge.
"I made a button bracelet. Using buttons from my collection and stretch cord. I make many of these. I make all kinds of articles from recycled items.
It turned out fantastic!"
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MaryJane
Queen Bee
7453 Posts
MaryJane
Moscow
Idaho
USA
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Posted - Oct 04 2010 : 4:03:51 PM
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Christy Harrill (MerryHeartSister, #1951) has received a certificate of achievement in Each Other for earning a beginner level Farmgirl Shutterbugs badge.
"I looked up the terms f-stop, shutter speed and ISO on this website, http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/
The terms make sense but I'm still a little confused on how exactly to apply it to my camera. My camera doesn't allow for the changing of settings. Instead, I have a dial with pictures for things like Night, Landscape, Close up, Sports, etc. Should be pretty simple but I have gotten in the habit of just using Auto and letting the camera do the best it can. I experimented with the Close up setting with my craft pictures. I used Landscape to get a picture of horses in the pasture. I used Sports to take pictures of my active children. I also paid attention to framing, the rule of thirds, depth of field and leading lines when taking my photos. I learned a lot.
http://s223.photobucket.com/albums/dd268/glutenfreebaby/Farmgirl%20Shutterbugs/" |
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MaryJane
Queen Bee
7453 Posts
MaryJane
Moscow
Idaho
USA
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Posted - Oct 04 2010 : 4:31:20 PM
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Joan Van Roo (Tourguide Joan, #1413) has received a certificate of achievement in Farm Kitchen for earning a intermediate level Know Your Food badge.
"I read "Omnivore's Dilemma." What an incredibly informative book! I tell everyone they should read it! I have eliminated high fructose corn syrup from my diet...not easy. It is in everything! I was alerted to this fact by Michael Pollen's book. For dessert once a week I have unsweetned chunky applesauce or a baked apple.
At the present time I am eating at least 75% organic.
I have learned so much about agriculture in the United States, processed foods. I now realize the importance of organic food for the health of our bodies, my eating habits are radically different." |
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Merit Badge Awardees - Woo-hoo Sisters!: Farmgirl Sisterhood Merit Badge Awardees |
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Farmgirl Sisterhood Merit Badge Awardees
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