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Book Ideas:  A few things I'd like to see...  |
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LisaBee
True Blue Farmgirl
149 Posts
Lisa
Sparta
TN
USA
149 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 14 2005 : 9:46:56 PM
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| some information on living organic from a very "beginner" standpoint, keeping beehives, making soap, owning a bed 'n breakfast, raising alpacas, juicing and dehydrating, composting and some lessons in how to fix things and have a well-stocked tool box that I can use. I know the book and magazines have mentioned several of these, but I would like MORE! |
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Bridge
True Blue Farmgirl
814 Posts
Bridgette
Southern
Indiana
USA
814 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2006 : 1:59:48 PM
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| I agree that I would like to see info on living organic from a very "beginner" standpoint, How to do things to live lightly and make less of a footprint on the earth. I would also like to see info on MJF view on the “commercial” big organic farms. Maybe some how to’s for making soap, lotions and such. More articles on herbs and gardening would be awesome also!!! |
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junebug
True Blue Farmgirl
2421 Posts
Sue
West Plains,
Mo.
USA
2421 Posts |
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Jan 16 2006 : 8:03:52 PM
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I totally agree Lisa about the beginner standpoint in those particular areas. There is not a lot, if anything, about these books to assist those that want to learn from the very beginning. I've had several farmers ask me how to get into honeymaking as well as other things. However, I have only been able to refer them to other places to look....would LOVE to refer them to another wonderful publication by Mary Jane and crew!
Jessica~Miss Wilma's Niece
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dandelionhouse
True Blue Farmgirl
205 Posts
Debbie
Plymouth
Mass
USA
205 Posts |
Posted - Dec 03 2010 : 4:20:46 PM
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I agree.. I would love more detailed info on beginner organic gardening and things like how to build your own raised beds, organic seed recommendations, and at-home health and beauty remedies.
and while we're at it... because painting cast off furniture is one of my first loves, WOULD ANYONE FIND a work book designed to help the novice farmgirl choose flee market finds and make them over using basic decorative painting techniques and minimal repairs useful?
We could call it Born AGAIN Creations]
Hand Painted Furniture for every room in your home and porch too!
~ Up cycle your flea market finds farmgirl style using basic decorative painting techniques. Learn to decoupage, distress, drag, rag and roll. Use vintage tiles to perty up an end table or serving tray. Try your hand at mosic, stenciling and for the fancy farmgirl, light it up with gold leaf.
I would love to CONTRIBUTE to THIS workbook! I'm brainstorming already! Oh Mary Jaaaaaane..... can you hear me?
Other workbook ideas:
Farmgirl Garden Art~ up-cycled planters for growing more organic veggies and prettying up your garden spaces - Shery J's Lust for Rust planters would be fun for this one!
Farmgirl Construction Manual [b]with ten basic projects and tool list:
1. Raised Beds
what's next sisters?
2.
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Your turn now!!!
farmgirl sister #1199
Deb~
www.deborahjeansdandelionhouse.com
" home is where we all craft the life of our dreams." |
Edited by - dandelionhouse on Dec 03 2010 4:24:35 PM |
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nicoya
Farmgirl at Heart
1 Posts
Nicoya
Surprise
Arizona
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2011 : 4:01:13 PM
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For me I'd like to see more good old fashioned frugality and household tips. Our mothers and grandmothers used to run a home on a shoestring (or less). Expensive cleaners, special organizing systems, solutions that don't really solve anything seems to be abundant in blogs everywhere. What I'd like to see is some good down to earth home management. For example, I recently downloaded "The American Frugal Housewife" for free on my smartphone Kindle app (can you see the irony in this???) LOL This book is FULL of great advise for going back to a simpler lifestyle. Short of giving up my smartphone and my internet I'm game! LOL :)
With smiles... :o)
Nicoya (Nikki) |
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reereebee
True Blue Farmgirl
142 Posts
Marie
Clark
WY
USA
142 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2011 : 4:43:31 PM
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I'm in! Let's share ideas girls....
I planted all my garden goodies in pots (mostly because I live in a FL State Park and can't plant in the ground), but raised beds would sure be nice for next planting season.
As for frugal ideas for around the house, I'm always searching. I, luckily, was raised by a very frugal mother who passed along her wisdom to me. I can do alot with a little, but new ideas are what keeps me going. Are there any specific areas in which you're trying to be more frugal, I'd be happy to share anything I already practice.
--Marie--
Farmgirl Sister #1627
www.reereebee.etsy.com
“Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else” - J.M. BARRIE, Novelist
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LucyLobo511
True Blue Farmgirl
177 Posts
Mari-lyn
Capron
IL
USA
177 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2011 : 6:15:40 PM
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OH OH OH This is what I have been in search of for years and it has been hard because no one else I know wants to do things less or from scratch. I feel silly always searching on my computer for a more simpler way to do things. I have made up my mind just to reinvent things of days gone by all on my own, but any help from my fellow farm sisters I will take. You always hear of doing things from scratch but how does a person do these things without spending alot of money. Sometimes spending to save doesnt make sense to me. I CRAVE THE SIMPLE LIFE.
Lisa get yourself a hammer paint the handle pink so everyone knows it is yours, then you need a screwdriver that has a interchangable head. Put these two things where only you know where they are. There are alot of things that you can fix with a hammer and screwdriver. And I just do things over and over my way whether right or wrong till I make it work. Compost? just start a pile of scraps in a corner of your yard throw in everything except meat and let it rot I was shocked at how easy it was and how many garbage bags I cut down on, last week for our family of four we had one small bag of garbage. I turn over the pile once a week and I have beautiful black gold to add to my garden. Think simple.
Insane and Blissfully Happy
Mari-lyn
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highlandviewpantry
True Blue Farmgirl
214 Posts
WV
USA
214 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2011 : 7:10:31 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by nicoya
For me I'd like to see more good old fashioned frugality and household tips. Our mothers and grandmothers used to run a home on a shoestring (or less). Expensive cleaners, special organizing systems, solutions that don't really solve anything seems to be abundant in blogs everywhere. What I'd like to see is some good down to earth home management. For example, I recently downloaded "The American Frugal Housewife" for free on my smartphone Kindle app (can you see the irony in this???) LOL This book is FULL of great advise for going back to a simpler lifestyle. Short of giving up my smartphone and my internet I'm game! LOL :)
With smiles... :o)
Nicoya (Nikki)
You are so right - so many modern solutions create clutter and make a mess. Simple solutions are so much better. There used to be a series of how-to pamphlets sold in Country-Living magazin. I would love to write similar how-to's. Covering gardening, home-keeping, crafting, etc...
www.thehighlandviewpantry.blogspot.com |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Apr 23 2011 : 1:44:44 PM
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How about Green parenting? ie: cloth diapering, making your own baby wipes, baby food recipes, etc.
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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Oggie
True Blue Farmgirl
526 Posts
Ginny
Machias
Maine
USA
526 Posts |
Posted - Apr 27 2011 : 8:04:25 PM
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I have my own toolbox and my husband seems to like to get into it because it's easier to find the things you need rather than walking to the basement to the workroom! Besides a hammer & screwdriver, I have a staple gun, a box of various size nails, a pliers, steel wool and sandpaper, a small sander that has a pointed end, a jigsaw, & a cordless screwdriver which I LOVE! I have a lot more in it too I just can't remember off the top of my head. I keep it in the closet my vacuum and steam vac are in. I also bought a small dry/vac I use to suck up the wood chips around the woodstove along with cleaning our pet rabbit's cage.
As to making food from scratch, I don't think it's hard but then I've never done it any other way. When I was first starting out my Mother gave me a list of staples I should always have in my kitchen. Things like flour, sugar, crisco, vanilla, baking soda, baking powder, rice, elbow macaroni, salt & pepper of course, some of your favorite spices, broth, and of course milk and eggs. I can make rice pudding, bread, cookies, biscuits, pancakes, french toast, scrambled eggs, omelets, just to name a few items with those ingredients. Take macaroni, cream of mushroom soup and a veggie and chopped meat or tuna and you have a casserole. Broth and some of the above ingredients will make you dumplings. Maybe you should look at getting older cookbooks to learn to cook from scratch. I can tell you how to stretch meals if you are interested. For instance, if you are making french toast we always add a little bit of milk or 1/2 and 1/2 and it stretches the need for one or two more eggs. It works for scrambled eggs & omelets too. Just a few ideas for you.
Ginny
Farmgirl #2343
www.thedewhopinn.com
"I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I'm with."
"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it." Both by Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart) in the Movie Harvey
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Heartbroken farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
604 Posts
Annette
rio vista
Ca
USA
604 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2011 : 08:35:57 AM
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I would absolutely LOVE to see a book on starting a B&B! That is my life long retirement dream. I'd mentioned it to my DH years ago, and couldn't gauge his response. Recently, he was the one to tell a friend "Annette wants to do a B&B and try have it self sustaining, so I'm pretty sure those are my retirement plans." LOL. I tell you, my heart flipped cartwheels! I would love to visit Mary Janes one day, but a full book on the ins and outs would be spectacular!
The tears I shed then, watered the flowers I harvest now.
www.broken908.blogspot.com
http://forums.familyfriendpoems.com/broken908
"The aim of education is the knowledge not of facts but of values."-Dean William Ralph Inge |
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AutumnSpices
True Blue Farmgirl
149 Posts
Andrea
Blaine
Tennessee
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2011 : 2:46:10 PM
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1. Raised Beds
what's next sisters?
2. Beginning Canning
3. Building/Digging Out and Maintaining a Root Cellar
4. Making My Own Soaps
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Your turn now!!! |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2011 : 9:34:23 PM
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You know what I would really like to learn a little more about? Telling the weather and seasonal changes by watching the signs in nature: through animal behavior, changes in plants, etc. I think that'd be both fascinating and beneficial.
I'd also really like to learn a lot more about home health remedies - natural medicine and herbal wisdom. I would also love to know how to recognize these plants by sight or out in the wild.
Oh! And jelly-making. My aunt used to make the best. We always say next time we're together she'll have to teach me, but when we do get precious time to visit, there's just never enough time.
Thanks for letting me add my three cents! LOL! :)
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2011 : 9:35:25 PM
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One (two?) more: companion planting and intercropping - what the farmgirls have found that work best...
Okay... I'm done for now... ;)
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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blackfell_farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
96 Posts
Casey
Chandler
AZ
USA
96 Posts |
Posted - May 10 2011 : 09:03:06 AM
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Hello MaryJane and Farmgirls!
I would love to see a MaryJanes farmgirl book about keeping small livestock and horses. Cherry Hill has a couple of great horse books, but MaryJane has the best books. The look and feel of her books are perfect!! I love the strong sense of femininity and the family feel of them.
That is my two cents worth! Thanks! 
blackfell+farmgirl
HorseCrazy! |
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cowgirlandboys
True Blue Farmgirl
308 Posts
Rachael
Missouri
USA
308 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2011 : 8:38:20 PM
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Frugality is a lost art and I would love to see more of it in Maryjanes. I think most of us who live a simple lifestyle forget how not simple it is to learn to live this way. Things that are logical to us are not to the beginner. The Tightwad Gazette was the last real piece of writing that covered this topic and I would love to see more of it.
Happy Trails!
Rachael
Farmgirl Sister #535 |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6592 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6592 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2011 : 09:42:54 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by cowgirlandboys
Frugality is a lost art and I would love to see more of it in Maryjanes. I think most of us who live a simple lifestyle forget how not simple it is to learn to live this way. Things that are logical to us are not to the beginner. The Tightwad Gazette was the last real piece of writing that covered this topic and I would love to see more of it.
Happy Trails!
Rachael
Farmgirl Sister #535
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6592 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6592 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2011 : 09:53:09 AM
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Hi RAchael- I agree with you that I too would like MJF to continue to share with us thoses long and sometimes forgotten frugal living tips our mothers and grandmothers from the depression era knew so well. It is daunting to try and re-order 31 years of married life not living the wasteful and non-organic lifestyle we have been used to. So, I am on a path of conversion in small steps. I recently focused on the MJF Farm Kithen Unprocessed badge to get me searching the community for organic foods and supplies. From that I see I have a TON more to learn but that was a great kickoff for me. I was thinking I wish MJF had a week in her Pay Dirt School for us Farm chicks who would like to focus on those aspects in the home more than out in the garden. I was thinking about a week that included a trip to the Mill and lessons on using a grain grinder and making bread, a visit to the school house and some lessons on how to support community togetherness and gatherings, some entreprenerial tips for stating your own business like a B&B, organic shopping and maybe some canning lessons, and so much more!!
Farmgirls what do you think?
Red Tractor Girl #3109 |
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BarnChickCecily
True Blue Farmgirl
673 Posts
Cecily
Corydon
IN
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2011 : 10:27:24 AM
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LoVE this topic...I also downloaded the Frugal Housewife on my kindle months ago. It's so useful! Mary Jane definately needs a new book!
Farmgirl Sister # 241
www.thebarnchick.blogspot.com/ |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2011 : 04:52:59 AM
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Winnie, you just described a perfect vacation to me! That would be so awesome! I'd love to go to MaryJanes Farm not only to relax, but to LEARN as well!
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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Book Ideas: A few things I'd like to see... |
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A few things I'd like to see...
