MaryJanesFarm Farmgirl Connection

All Forums

Farmgirl Chapters

Farmgirl Chapter Chatter

The Mavens' Haven - December 13, 2008

Note: You must be logged in to post.
To log in, click here.
To register, click here. Registration is FREE!

Screensize:

UserName:

Password:

Format Mode:

Format:

Message:

* HTML is OFF
* Forum Code is ON

Smilies

Check here to include your profile signature.
Check here to subscribe to this topic.

T O P I C R E V I E W
LivingWell4You	Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 05:52:36 AM THE MAVENS’ HAVEN December 13, 2008 *Save Our Seeds – Feed Our Future* Welcome to MJ’s Heirloom Mavens! Wasn’t that a wonderful chat Monday night? Finally, after weeks of having our chat time interrupted by holiday activities, several of us were able to meet online for some good ol’ maven bonding. Several mavens have told me (and I feel the same) that it’s amazing how close they feel to women they’ve never met. How can that be? I thought maybe it was because we’re like the farmgirl connection on steroids. You know, women of a like mind but super-focused on maintaining the quality of our food supply starting in our own backyards. It sounded good for awhile but I don’t think that’s it. At least that’s not all of it. What we have is something that defies explanation. It’s not just a meeting of the mind but a meeting of the soul with each of us bringing something unique and very special to the mix. It’s synergy – when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It’s organic. It’s an incredible blessing. ** MAVEN OF THE MONTH ** Hey, it’s me, Karen (LivingWell4You)! I’m not real comfortable about this but it’s been strongly suggested by some people that I should be the next MOM and I know better than to argue (most of the time, anyway, though my hubby would disagree). Since I do my thing at the beginning of each newsletter I’ve been struggling to figure what to write here. You all know how much the mavens mean to me. Most of you read my “What Heirloom Means to Me” post and understand why my heritage brought me to this point. (If you didn’t get to read it and would like to, this will save you searching the DOE: http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24908&whichpage=36 ). So I’ve had to do some soul-searching. I found the answer. I’m a maven because I’m a Christian. I can’t step outside the door of our house without thinking of God. Unfortunately, inside the house surrounded by man-made things doesn’t inspire a close relationship to Him. But once I walk out the door and see the trees and the sky and the beauty of nature, I’m there. Americans are sterotypically know for wanting everything bigger-better-faster-more. We don’t have the patience to wait for things and we should get what we want when we want it because that’s what our ancestors desired for us. It’s so refreshing every time I read about someone who shatters that mindset. It’s what I love about MaryJane and the farmgirls. Unfortunately most people aren’t living with that mindset because they don’t realize there’s another way. What really gets me though is when Christians don’t want to learn about caring for the earth because they don’t want to be “nature worshippers.” They see environmentalism as putting nature above God rather than as a gift from Him that we’ve been given stewardship over. A dear family from our church invited us to their house for Thanksgiving dinner this year. Another young family – and good friends – were there also. I was telling Jen about the garden we’re planning for next year and that it will be all heirloom varieties. I explained why and she turned to her husband and said, “Did you know this?” That response is why I’m a maven. As I’ve gotten more passionate about the issue the lack of discussion in the Christian community has become increasingly frustrating for me. Last fall I discovered I am not alone. (You know, the same feeling we all had when we found MaryJane.) Who knew but there’s a grass-roots movement of Christians that “get it.” They’ve started a creation care movement. One of the leaders is Dr. Matthew Sleeth, a former surgeon, author of Serve God, Save the Planet. I will leave you with a few of quotes from Dr. Sleeth: “People who are grateful for God’s abundant gifts, people of faith who are not afraid to be held accountable for care of His creation, will save it.” “The key is to shift from worrying about the problems to becoming an active part of the solution.” “Consumers are willing to make commitments and to work hard, but what are they choosing to serve? A material world or a spiritual world? At the end of a materially rich day, Consumerism says, ‘Buy more.’ At the end of a spiritually rich life, God says, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’” While I walk this earth I want my life to show I’m “living well for You.” Thanks for walking alongside me, mavens. It makes the journey much more pleasant. ** MAVEN TO MAVEN Maven Birthdays & Anniversaries Alee (Alee) celebrated her birthday on Thursday, December 11th. As a birthday bonus she finished her college courses Friday and is a free woman (until next semester anyway). This coming Thursday is Rene’s (prosserfarmgirl) birthday. WOO HOO, sister! Congratulations to Teresa Sue (Contrary Wife) and hubby, who celebrated their anniversary in comfortable style this past Sunday, with football, Christmas decorating and Mexican food! Mavens on the Road Corinne (Corinnelouise) is home and staying there until early January. What a wonderful Christmas gift! That means this week all the mavens are at home!!! In the Life of a Maven Congratulations to Queen Maven Dawn (deeredawn), the lucky recipient of the apron giveaway in the “Plowing Through” thread. Tina (Tina Michelle) is on the mend after having oral surgery last Wednesday to remove three of her wisdom teeth. Denise (levisgrammy) is further along on her recovery from oral surgery as she had a five day head start on Tina. On the positive side, Denise’s daughter became engaged on Thanksgiving and a wedding is planned for June. Brenda (Homespun Livin) is offline until further notice. Cards and letters would be very much appreciated to help with the HMWD symptoms (Heirloom Maven WithDrawal). Unfortunately her last day of posting was pre-empted by not one, but two major storms moving through the area (i.e. a tornado hit down just minutes from her house). Condolences to: Lora (FARMALLChick) and family on the loss of her step-father. He and her mother were married 32 wonderful years. New Mavens** Cristine (MsCwick) stopped by on Friday. Here’s hoping she comes back and settles in for a long stay (like forever). Are you someone who’s reading the maven posts but unsure about jumping in? Does this newsletter rev up your interest? If you want more information about MJ’s Heirloom Mavens, check out the Heirloom Mavens Beginners Guide http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=667 and then go to Magazine: Call for Entries / Keeping in Touch / Danger of Extinction Thread and introduce yourself. We’d love to get to know you! ** WEEKLY UPDATE We Are the Posting Queens Tuesday, December 9th, at 4:20pm MST we hit 200 PAGES! 200 pages x 15 posts per page = 3000 posts!!! And this isn’t even our busy season. It’s Maven Christmas Time! The cards and gifties keep pouring in. Isn’t is so much fun to find a little something special from a maven in your mailbox? Merry Monday Maven Madness Mark your calendars! Set your alarms! Monday, December 22, we will attempt to have all mavens online for a super duper maven chat fest as a special gift to ourselves. Postcards for Ian: Tina’s (Tina Michelle) son is learning about the states that make up our country. If your state is not included in this list and you have a chance to send Ian a postcard, please address it to Ian c/o Tina. He is enjoying getting postcards from around the US. He has received cards from: Oregon, California, Idaho, Illinois, Washington, Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, Texas, Michigan, New York, Kentucky, Georgia, Maryland, Washington, Missouri and New Jersey. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle This is it! The final week of the Heirloom Mavens Book Club 2008 selection. We are wrapping it up with Chapters 19 and 20 – “Hungry Month: February–March” and “Time Begins” (aka the miracle of turkey sex). Since this is our last week, how about posting what reading this book has meant to you. The holidays have drastically cut into our discussions (at least for me that’s true) so let’s go out with a shout. What say, mavens? Remember you can follow the discussion at http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=597 in the henhouse or in the HHM/HM Henhouse Connection thread http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=25556 Also this book is one of the requirements for the Farm Kitchen “Know Your Food” Beginner Level badge. See the Teresa Sue’s “Badge Alert!!!!” post for more info: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=609&whichpage=1 FUTURE ATTRACTIONS Heirloom Mavens in Next Edition of MaryJane’s Farm Magazine??? Yes, Rene dropped this little tidbit in her post on the DOE Friday morning. It’s hard enough waiting for the next edition to arrive. Now it will be next to impossible! Heirloom Minor at Farmgirl U The curriculum is nearing completion. Be watching on the DOE for an announcement from Rene in the near future. Guess Who’s Coming to PBS…(Part 2) Did you see it? The video for Farmer’s Almanac TV on PBS? Read Rene’s blurb at http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=26916 then click on the video and settle in for a wonderful visit with MaryJane and Meg. REMINDERS ** American Farmland Trust – www.farmland.org – still needs your vote. Please support them by letting them know your priorities so that America’s farm and ranch lands can be preserved. Monday Maven Madness: If you have trouble remembering the when the chatting begins, follow Dawn’s example and set an alarm! Then join us for at 9pm EST, 6pm PST, every Monday evening. Here’s where you can find information on badges the mavens are currently working toward: Beginner Farm Kitchen Badge: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=609&whichpage=1 Beginner Farmgirl Gratitude Badge: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=637 Beginner Bustin’ Out Badge: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=638 Remember to check out Our Mother Hen’s nest box in the henhouse where she will be laying her eggs filled with gardening tips, tidbits and treasures. It’s labeled as the bulletin board, but Nest Box is much more mavenly, dontcha think? http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=169 Be sure to check out maven Tina’s online magazine, Small Town Living at www.stliving.net The Heirloom Mavens Save Our Seeds – Feed Our Future bumper stickers are now available. For more information, go to the Heirloom Mavens Beginners Guide http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=667 You can use PayPal to purchase Heirloom Maven bumperstickers, bracelets and to donate to the Maven Scholarship Fund ( http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24908&whichpage=89 ) Check out the Heirloom Maven blog site at www.heirloommavens.blogspot.com When possible, purchase books through Seed Savers Exchange to support their efforts in saving heirloom seeds for future generations www.seedsavers.org Mark your calendars for the first annual Heirloom Maven Spring Fling and Farmgirl Round-Up http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=568 If you get lost in the Heirloom Maven lingo, you can find the lingo list in the Beginner’s Guide http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=582 That’s all for this week, mavens. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please send me an e-mail and I will get back with you a.s.a.m.p. In the meantime, have a great week and see you in the DOE and/or henhouse. God bless - Karen ~ Chickherder & Farmgirl Sister #311
8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Contrary Wife	Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 5:51:20 PM Karen that was a beautiful newsletter. Yes, you deserve to be Maven of the Month! Thank you for being part of our group. Huggs. Teresa Sue Farmgirl Sister #316 MJ's Heirloom Mavens Badgebadger MJ's Heirloom Mavens Bookclub Coordinator "Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama
graciegreeneyes	Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 4:01:25 PM Karen - how lovely to read your story. And, as usual, a wonderful job on the newsletter. I agree - I think we are stewards of the earth, we are here to care for creation, not to use it. Amy Grace Farmgirl #224 "use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
LivingWell4You	Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 11:48:50 AM Marcy, I so agree with you. Everyone wants to be accepted and so that usually means following the crowd. It's hard to make a difference when you're doing the same thing as everyone else. Where would we be today if MaryJane had followed the crowd? God bless - Karen ~ Chickherder & Farmgirl Sister #311
LivingWell4You	Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 11:42:56 AM Cheryl, thank you! It's so nice to get a post from someone who's been visiting in the background. I know there are more of you farmgirls out there reading this because it gets a lot more hits than there are mavens. So please feel free to come in, stay a spell, go to the Danger of Extinction thread and introduce yourself. We'd love to meet you and we get so excited when we find another kindred soul. God bless - Karen ~ Chickherder & Farmgirl Sister #311
marcy jo	Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 08:53:44 AM Thanks Karen! I too, am a Christian and it is difficult to watch others not really care about this planet God gave us. I think that all too often Christians are trying to "fit in" with the rest of the world and just get lost among it. Great job this week!!! Marcy #257 When I stand before God at the end of my life I hope that I would not have a bit of talent left and could say “I used everything You gave me”.(erma bombeck)
homemom	Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 07:55:36 AM Karen~I loved reading your story. I am also a Christian and it is so discouraging to see Christians not interested in caring for the wonderful planet God created. I have to look up Dr. Sleeth's book. I am so interested in reading it. I can't wait. Awesome story!! Thank you for another wonderful job!! Ruth Living the farm life in my heart. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth http://farmgirlinmyheart.blogspot.com/
K-Falls Farmgirl	Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 07:37:39 AM Thanks Karen, I appreciate the newsletter very much. I am especially thankful I found the MaryJane forum, it has inspired me and help me focus on the important things in my life..returning to the simplified life although it's not always not easy, living as a farmgirl. http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/ Cheryl #309 Farm girl sister Enjoy the little things in life....someday you'll look back and realize they were the big things.
Corinnelouise	Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 06:59:56 AM Karen, it is such a lovely newsletter with all your heart into it. You are truly and inspiration to me and I cannot thank you enough for being who you are. Corinne Sister # 101

Snitz Forums 2000