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Farmgirl Chapter Chatter:  The Mavens' Haven - December 20, 2008  |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 20 2008 : 09:04:29 AM
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THE MAVENS’ HAVEN
December 20, 2008
Save Our Seeds – Feed Our Future
Welcome to MJ’s Heirloom Mavens!
What a week this has been, I must say! Here in St. Louis one of the weather station’s dubbed it Winter Weather Week. Every day it seems there was a forecast for a different kind of intense winter weather, everything from snow to ice to freezing cold winds. And we are not alone here. It seems only our southern mavens have been spared from getting snowed in this week. I heard on the news yesterday that it snowed in Las Vegas so you have to wonder if before this winter season is over (which doesn’t even officially start until tomorrow) if we won’t all have snowy stories to tell. I guess we can’t say “It will be a snowy day in Las Vegas before I’ll….” any more!
Holiday activities are in full swing for the mavens this week. From cookie-baking to pajama-making to scrapbooking and everything around and in-between, we are busy, busy, busy. It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of trying to get everything done that we can become a bit less than merry and need a little nudge to be reminded of what’s really important. So I will leave you with a thought from Teresa Sue after her tree fell for the second time in two years, breaking some of her precious ornaments: “…things come and go in our lives. We enjoy them while they are here, cherish the memories that we had from them, but remember they are just things, so I let them go. We have to remember to ALWAYS, ALWAYS put people and our relationships with them, above things and places.”
Merry Christmas, y’all!
**** MAVEN TO MAVEN ****
In the Life of a Maven
Alee (Alee) is finished with all of her classes for this semester. WOO HOO!!! Now that she has lots more free time you can voice and video chat with her at the yahoo.com messenger service.
Tina (Tina Michelle) and Denise (levisgrammy) are on the mend after their dental surgery. Just in time for the holiday feasts!
Lillian (Ms. Lilly) and Dawn (deeredawn) are under the weather this week. Let’s send some healing thoughts their way so they can truly enjoy the holidays.
New Mavens
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 ****
Welcoming Our Newest Maven
Welcome to our newest maven, Sue (Sue Feely)! She has posted her bio in the henhouse. If you haven’t had the chance to greet her yet, here’s your link: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=696
The Maven’s Haven on Hiatus
There will not be a posting of newsletter next week. With all of the holiday activities and much needed rest afterwards, I thought we could all use a break. As our thoughts then turn to gardening (oh, yes, finally!!!), get ready for a super-sized newsletter to kick off 2009.
Until then as your thoughts turn to the new year, please post your goals and dreams for 2009 in the henhouse at http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=704 Rene (prosserfarmgirl) posted somewhere on the connection about a goals board she creates every year. I tried to find the post but, alas, no luck. Rene, can you help me out here?
Brewing Up Some New Ideas
Teresa Sue (Contrary Wife) is not letting any grass grow under her feet. Now that the HMBC has completed their first selection, she is thinking up new adventures for the mavens. Be watching for them after the first of the year.
Cause and Effect
If you haven’t had the chance yet, rush over to the henhouse to read our Mother Hen Dawn’s (deeredawn) wonderful post for the season. If you’re feeling like a grinch, this article will make your heart grow three sizes. Then spread Christmas joy with everyone who crosses your path, especially those in your own home. Just a thought! Here’s the link to make it easy for you: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=698
It’s Maven Christmas Time!
And it’s in full-force now! The cards and gifts are flying through the mail and the thank you’s keep flying on the DOE.
If you want to get a jump start on next year, Corinne (Corinnelouise) will be organizing a maven Christmas ornament exchange. I don’t know about all of you but I can always use as much advance notice as possible – and still I manage to fall behind!
Merry Monday Maven Madness
It’s almost here! The Monday you’ve been waiting for! Block out an hour – or two or three – Monday evening for some good heart-warming, gut-busting, full-out fun chatting with your maven sisters. The gab-fest will begin at 9pm EST / 8pm CST / 7pm MST / 6pm PST.
A New Blog in Town
Tina has a new blogspot, www.thevictorygardener.blogspot.com “I still have my Garden Goose Blog..but the new blog is totally geared towards gardening” Not one to let any grass grow under her feet either, she also is opening an etsy shop. For a sneak preview, check it out at http://www.myvictorygarden.etsy.com
Harvest Thyme Farm & Market
Want to help a fellow maven (a.k.a. our QMD)? Here’s how:
“I am really tossing around some ideas for the farm market. Maybe that's why the holidays are not foremost on my mind. All I can think about is planting. Baker Creek Seeds has seed stands available for wholesale..... what do you think? Should I become a 'distributor' of Heirloom Baker Seeds? I wanted to run it by 'family' first. I could have them here by Spring Fling to go along with the plant sale... Also, … I want to fill the market with homemade goodies. If any of you want to send me things to put up in the shop I will. All I ask is that you pay for your shipping and handling, and I will send you all your profits. I think it'd be neat to say "oh, my sister makes those....." wink wink!”
Post your thoughts to Dawn on the DOE.
Seed Catalogs A-Comin’
Mavens are reporting SSE (Seed Saver Exchange) and Baker’s Creek seed catalogs showing up in their mailboxes. As you’re making your lists and checking them twice, be sure to send them to Marcy (Marcy Jo) and Amy Grace (graciegreeneyes). They will be making a master list and coordinating seed-swapping activities. After the holidays this will kick into full gear as we all seem to have visions of seeds rather than sugarplums dancing in our heads this year.
More WinterSown Goodies
While wandering around the Garden Gate forum I found a post by Heather (catscharm74) for seed packets from the Winter Sown website. They have packets for flowers, herbs, tomatoes, veggies and ornamentals. Just print, cut, tape and you’re in business. Check it out at http://www.wintersown.org/wseo1/SeedPackets.html For those of us with the scrapbooking bug, we can have a field day (pardon the pun) with this!
HMBC (Heirloom Maven Book Club)
We made it! After 10 weeks plowing through “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” by Barbara Kingsolver, it’s time to celebrate. It certainly was like plowing through a field – sometimes easy, sometimes hard, always forcing us to keep our eyes focused straight ahead so we know where we’re going to get the results we desire. Thank you, Teresa Sue, our bookclub coordinator, for all of your hard work.
The next selection for the book club is “Gardening with Heirloom Seeds” by Lynn Coulter. From Teresa Sue: “That book will lay the foundation on the how-tos. I think it will help us understand, hence we will be able to articulate to others the basics of heirloom gardening and seed saving. To convince others, we HAVE to know what we are talking about.”
**** FUTURE ATTRACTIONS ****
Heirloom Mavens in Next Edition of MaryJane’s Farm Magazine???
After dropping this little tidbit on the DOE, Rene left us drooling for the arrival of the next issue. We’ll just have to be patient, mavens. Easier said than done, I know.
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 |
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Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - Dec 20 2008 : 09:16:23 AM
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Wonderfully done Karen. You deserve a week off after Christmas!!!! Thanks for all the time you spend on our newletter. I love ya, Sista!
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 |
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homemom
True Blue Farmgirl
1593 Posts
Ruth
Warwick
RI
USA
1593 Posts |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Dec 21 2008 : 8:18:34 PM
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Yay Karen,
Have a great Christmas
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Dec 22 2008 : 09:24:03 AM
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OMG: karen, you are the bomb. it just keeps gettin better & better!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens-Mother Hen
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marcy jo
True Blue Farmgirl
453 Posts
Marcy
Wawaka
Indiana
USA
453 Posts |
Posted - Dec 22 2008 : 1:57:49 PM
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Thanks Karen!! Great job!!!
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) |
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Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - Dec 22 2008 : 4:01:22 PM
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No, no, Dawn, it's da Bomb, giggle.
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 |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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Farmgirl Chapter Chatter: The Mavens' Haven - December 20, 2008 |
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The Mavens' Haven - December 20, 2008
