| Author |
**Welcome Wagon:  Newbie in Spokane  |
|
|
JudyBlueEyes
True Blue Farmgirl
657 Posts
Judith
Spokane
Washington
USA
657 Posts |
 Posted - May 09 2006 : 1:23:33 PM
|
Hello, Everyone! I have lurked on & off on the site since maybe last summer when I heard Mary Jane on an NPR interview, I think when her Book first came out. But I had just bought a house and was kinda busy getting settled ... well, I still am! But, I just bought the Book, and some other products to try out, and after reading parts of the Book, I'm hooked, so I wanted to be able to share with the other FarmGirls. AND I had the great good fortune to meet Mary Jane last Saturday, as she was here in Spokane for a book signing. I came at the tail end of the schedule (had chores to do!) and was able to have a nice visit with her. I am also planning on going to Farm Fair, and I have a mini-van, so if local folks want to carpool, I'd be happy to take up to 6 more!
I have lived all over (Maryland, Ohio, Massachusetts, Germany, California), since my dad was in the Navy, but most recently for 27 years in San Diego, until I realized I really should buy a house and it was just too darn expensive in San Diego, or any part of California, really! I am divorced/no children and work as a secretary full time, but in my dreams, I could have my own little farm. I moved to Spokane in October 2004 and I just love it here!
As it is, I have my garden. I like useful plants - herbs and flowers with good scents, and veggies, of course. I was president of the San Diego Herb Club for several years running, and learned lots about herbs and what to do with them. My property (just a city lot) has an apple and apricot tree, which I have to get sprayed and pruned - I may not get much of a crop this year :( but I'll be thankful for what I get! In addition to composting and growing organically in my little part of the world, I love to cook, and make most of my food from scratch. I avoid "the center of the supermarket" as MJ says. My garden has been fun this Spring, seeing what bulbs have come up - I've got tulips, hyacinth, some daffodils, grape hyacinth...and I love them all!
In addition to cooking with herbs, I like using them in crafts - dream pillows, sachets, and I add some of them to my home made soaps. I've been soaping for almost 9 years and will have to search on the forums,as I know I've seen lots of conversation about soapmaking whilst I was lurking.
I also love playing with wool! I have been spinning for about 12 years - I wanted to learn so I could spin my dog's fur (at the time, I had a long haired German Shepherd dog with a lovely fluffy undercoat) and now I have a very fluffy Keeshond. In addition, I spin wool and I have a rigid heddle table top loom. It is a "simple" loom - not one with all the mechanics that you have to do actual math in order to warp it...that is too much like work for me. But I can make fun little craft projects, scarves, rugs, shawls, etc. with my loom and I love it. I also knit and crochet, nothing super duper, but I have fun with it.
I am not a great seamstress - my sister Joann got that gene from our mother, but I sew a straight line, so I can make curtains and such and last summer I found a huge piece of beautiful fabric at Goodwill for $5 and was able to make a duvet with it for my full size bed and 4 curtain panels to match - I used a cream fabric for the middle section, but the panels are big enough and pull the room together, in my humble opinion. But for sewing, I can sew enough to make cloth dolls, and I have several patterns that I am anxious to get to. I was in a cloth doll club in San Diego and those women were so inspiring to me...and I have always loved dolls. I have an eclectic collection and keep adding to it.
Well, I think this is enough for now. Probably more than enough, but that's just me.
If there's a Farm Girl chapter in the Spokane area, I'd love to hear about it, or if anyone wants to start one, I'd be interested.
Hugs! Judy
The Rooster crows, but the Hen lays the egg. ~ Texas Proverb |
|
|
blueroses
True Blue Farmgirl
1323 Posts
Debbie
in the Pandhandle of
Idaho
USA
1323 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2006 : 1:37:47 PM
|
Hi Judy,
I'm your neighbor over in North Idaho! You sound so interesting and fun. I really wanted to go to the book signing but we were participating in Bloomsday and had to go over to pick up our packets on Sat and then on Sun, of course, were in the Bloomsday festivities. I used to have a Keeshond and I absolutely love that breed. Welcome. So glad you decided to join in.
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
 |
|
|
KarenP
True Blue Farmgirl
666 Posts
Karen
Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2006 : 2:10:11 PM
|
Welcome Judy!
Sounds like you have all the crafts down already!
We'll expect you to share all your wisdom with us!
KarenP
"Purest Spring Water in the World" |
|
|
|
julia hayes
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
julia
medical lake
wa
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2006 : 3:11:18 PM
|
Judy, Welcome!! So glad to meet yet another Spokane Farmgirl. I am the new chapter leader of the Spokane farmgirl chapter group and we are in the process of figuring out a time to get together.. The end of this month is looking good for the one or 2 other women involved.. Would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to have you over. I live on 10 acres just outside of Airway Heights..in between Medical Lake and Reardon. I am putting in a new you pick flower garden and pumpkin patch this year along with all the other things we have going on here. I've also laid the groundwork for a simple 7 circuit walking labrynth, which should be pretty neat. I'm pregnant right now so my energy is lagging behind what my head wants to accomplish..Such is life and its lessons of patience and tolerance. I'm drooling over the thought of having a spinning connection. I have no idea how to do it and its something I've always wanted to learn. I'm a seamstress in terms of textiles but really want to learn the art of spinning and weaving. I have a table loom that I have no idea how to use. It was given to me by a friend in her 80's who could no longer weave. She was legally blind when she learned to weave and her vision deteriorated over time. Can you imagine? Welcome, welcome..will look forward to connecting with you.
Cheers, Julia Hayes
being simple to simply be |
|
|
|
JudyBlueEyes
True Blue Farmgirl
657 Posts
Judith
Spokane
Washington
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2006 : 3:56:14 PM
|
Hey, Girls!
Thanks for the welcomes! I'd love to meet up with you, Julia - I work in Airway Heights, at Zak Designs, so I'm right close to you! And the end of the month works, if that's when the chapter meets. I have friends visiting from Atlanta June 2-6, but before that, I'm free...well, except for cleaning the house and garden like a maniac! I swear, I'd never deep-clean if it wasn't for company!
Debbie, it's a shame you didn't get to visit MJ, but I think I read that you're planning on going to the Farm Fair? I am so looking forward to that!
Karen, I'll jump in with any wisdom I may be able to remember at the time...LOL.
Talk to you later! Judy
The Rooster crows, but the Hen lays the egg. ~ Texas Proverb |
|
|
|
julia hayes
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
julia
medical lake
wa
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2006 : 5:14:35 PM
|
Cool Judy!! i'll be out of town at the exact same time..no worries..If things don't pan out we can always hook up at farm fair. I'm planning on being there too with my children.. Hopefully will have a booth set up. Zak Designs!! How great is that..so close.. I drive by there each day on my way into town to bring my son to preschool.. Very fun thinking of a farmgirl in there..good luck with the cleaning and the gardening. I so know what you mean about company being a great motivator to get things done. Right now all I want to do is lay around on the couch and nap but no can do.. I'm off to pick up some equipment that was being repaired. Our handyman mechanic also has a cute little donkey that my 2 year old is dying to ride.. So we're going to saddle up that baby and get her riding.. should be such a treat...many smiles to you, Julia Hayes
being simple to simply be |
|
|
|
Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2006 : 10:15:28 PM
|
Welcome Judy!!
YOu sound so interesting..and how fun is that that you get to meet with Julia!!!
I am the same way about cleaning when I know company is coming. Especially overnight company!!! I just can't seem to get the inside or outside looking nice right now..usually it is one or the other. GUess I need to invite company to come for a few days..haha
I am glad you found us!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
|
|
|
JudyBlueEyes
True Blue Farmgirl
657 Posts
Judith
Spokane
Washington
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - May 10 2006 : 09:29:46 AM
|
Thanks for the welcome, Jenny! You know, one IMPORTANT thing I forgot to mention, was that with my house came a working wood cook stove in the basement! I think it was the deal-clincher for me, although I love the rest of my 1933 vintage home, too. I have never cooked on one, but am anxious to play with it. I took a bread baking class that the local parks & recreation sponsored in March. I figure if you can get bread right, then you're good to go with a turkey! My next door neighbor is a retired man and he is chomping at the bit to make some lefse and use the griddle top to cook it on. So we just have to cut some wood down to fit into the firebox and we're going for it. The previous owner used to use it all the time, and always cooked her turkey in it. I am SOOOOO glad the kids didn't want to move it...I'm going to have to check in with some of the collective wisdom here to learn the do's and don'ts. I have also found a bunch of old Mother Earth News magazines at a thrift store (thrift-shopping is one of my guilty pleasures!) and there are a couple articles in them, so that is helpful. And then, of course, there is the wealth of info on the internet! Another recent thread I read was about hanging clothes out - and my home also has a clothes line that I use. They were getting ready to take it out one day when I was over looking at the house, and I begged them not to! I figure the Good Lord gave me a solar clothes dryer, I should use it! :)
I'm glad I found you all too - I think being a FarmGirl is going to be a LOT of fun! Judy
The Rooster crows, but the Hen lays the egg. ~ Texas Proverb |
|
|
|
sugarsfarm
True Blue Farmgirl
272 Posts
Leah
Woodward
Iowa
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - May 10 2006 : 8:06:54 PM
|
Hi Judy!! You sound so fun!! you will definetly fit right in here and thats so great that you are so close some farmgirls!! I hope you enjoy it here as much as i do!!
You must be the change you want to see in the world.
Mahatma Gandhi |
|
|
|
Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - May 10 2006 : 8:28:05 PM
|
I would LOVE to have a wood cook stove some day. My kitchen (in my very old house) has a chimney right there at the stove...so someone used one here before. It isn't a big enough kitchen for me to have both an electric AND a woodstove though, which is a bummer....cuz I would sure do it.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
|
|
|
Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2006 : 12:48:34 PM
|
Hello, Judy - and welcome! It sounds to me like you have the farmgirl lifestyle running right along. That is so fun that you're close to Julia and some other WA farmgirls. So glad you found us!!!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
|
|
|
dargaonfly1054
True Blue Farmgirl
257 Posts
Georgette
Nicholville
NY
USA
257 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2006 : 09:32:32 AM
|
Hi Judith. I've just been looking and thinking and dreaming of moving out your way, or maybe even northern Idaho (Debbie) As it is I live on 5 acres with a barn that is attached to the house, very neat. I also am big time into herbs..........love them and try cooking with them all the time. (even tho I am not a great cook!) Welcome to the site and I also am new to it!! Howdy!
"We need the tonic of wildness, to wade sometimes in marshes where the bittern and the meadow-hen lurk..." Thoreau |
|
|
|
blueroses
True Blue Farmgirl
1323 Posts
Debbie
in the Pandhandle of
Idaho
USA
1323 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2006 : 10:45:12 AM
|
Georgette,
You should come visit to see if you like it here. Where is Nicholville? Northern or western NY? It sounds like it might nice where you are too.
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
|
|
|
dargaonfly1054
True Blue Farmgirl
257 Posts
Georgette
Nicholville
NY
USA
257 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2006 : 11:13:09 AM
|
Hi Debbie.......Nicholville is in the boonies of upstate (very near the Canadian border) New York. (my place is just inside the Adirondack Park) And actually we will be in Washington the last week of July for about 3 weeks. My new house mate has two children there and his son's wife is pregnant and due about the time we will be out there. So I am looking forward to being a "pseudo" grandma. Can we send pictures on this forum? I am so new to this, I am afraid I just bull my way in and don't bother to read much ........... just anxious to meet like minded friends!!
"We need the tonic of wildness, to wade sometimes in marshes where the bittern and the meadow-hen lurk..." Thoreau |
|
|
|
JudyBlueEyes
True Blue Farmgirl
657 Posts
Judith
Spokane
Washington
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2006 : 12:44:19 PM
|
Hi, Georgette! I haven't been back over here lately, so sorry for not replying sooner. It will be good to check out the Spokane/Northern Idaho area when you are here - where does your house mate's son live? If you have a chance, I'd love to meet you - I know I read somewhere how to contact each other by email, but I don't remember right now.
And you too, Debbie! You're going to Farm Fair, aren't you? I'll see you there! Take care, Judy
The Rooster crows, but the Hen lays the egg. ~ Texas Proverb |
|
|
|
okfarmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
11 Posts
Vicki
Bothell
WA
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - May 22 2006 : 1:50:37 PM
|
Hi Judy,
I really enjoyed reading your posts and learning about your interests! I live in Bothell "on the other side of the mountains", I am new to the group as well and I am having a blast reading posts and getting to know people. I am so glad that this group exists, what a great way to meet people that have the same interests and to make new friends. Your house sounds wonderful, especially the stove in the basement! My great grandparents had one and I loved it!
We live on a small 2.25 acre veggie farm on the outskirts of Seattle. We have 2 rabbits, 2 cats, 1 chicken and 1 Border Collie named Arya. Arya is a year old and she is learning agility and herding and we are having a blast watching her learn! Sometimes you can actually see the crank turn in her mind as she "gets" something that she has been taught. On the farm we are growing, corn, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins and sunflowers. We also have 2 orchards with apples, pears, cherries, plums & grapes and a variety of flowers along with a lavender garden. Its a lot of work, but its good work and we thoroughly enjoy it!
Welcome to the group!
Vicki
|
|
|
| |
**Welcome Wagon: Newbie in Spokane |
|
|
|
Newbie in Spokane
