Week 5- FARM GIRL BLOG A THON- "GETTING CRAFTY"(4/28-08-5/2/08)

WELCOME TO WEEK 5 -FARM GIRL BLOG A THON-

"GETTING CRAFTY"

(4/28/08 to 5/2/08)

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Are you a Farm Girl or Farm Girl at heart?
Do you love having that little flock of back yard chickens (even in the city?/or dream of having chickens in your yard one day?)
Do you love growing your own food items?
Love being thrifty and frugal?
Love wearing an apron, or simply collecting them?
Love a "dirty manicure" from planting seeds in the soil?Do you love bringing the simpler ways of living into your life and home?

Love cooking good old home style meals?

Love canning your own foods?

Or dream about one day actually having a bit of land to stretch out on?

Then you are a Farm Girl!..(or Farm Girl at heart!)

Let "Blogland" know you are "PROUD TO BE A FARM GIRL!!"

Join the Fun here from 4-7-08 to 5/7/08

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THIS WEEK"S THEME-"GETTING CRAFTY" (4/28/08---5/2/08)

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Share with us something you have created lately.

A tea towel, a wall hanging, a new set of kitchen curtains,a dress,an apron..an altered art creation...anything "crafty" that you have created lately.

We'd like to see photos of course!

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*** ATTENTION***To participate in the fun there are a few wee things we ask you to do:

-----------------------
This blog-a-thon will run for 6 weeks.

It will begin on Monday 4/7/08 and run until 5/7/08!

What we are going to do is this.

Everyone that participates in the blog-a-thon will put a link in their posts for that weeks blog-a-thon theme entry to Mary Jane's Farm.(http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/)

(A simple wording like this at the end of your posts will work: "To share with other farm girls and to learn about the Farm Girl way of life visit: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/ ")

Each week of the "blog-a-thon" will have a Farmgirl theme for the week.

To participate:
You will need to leave a comment here(on each week's theme announcement page)to let me know that you have posted an entry pertaining to the weeks theme...and that you have posted a link back to Mary Jane's Farm on your blog.

***at the end of the blog-a-thon I will be drawing a name for a surprise package"***

---Let's cultivate our "inner farm girl"And be proud to say "I'm a Farm girl..or "I'm a Farm girl at heart".

Let's Do It Girls!!

----------------------------------------

BE SURE TO VISIT THESE FARM GIRL BLOGS!!!

--------------------------

Jeannie at: http://www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com/

Amy at: http://farmgirltales.blogspot.com/

Julie at:http://willowtreecreek.wordpress.com/

Heather at: http://heathersheartfeltstitches.blogspot.com/

Karin at: http://madrekarin.blogspot.com/
Meg at:http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/
Heather at: http://www.plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/

Bonnie at: http://beequilting.blogspot.com/

Luna at: http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/

Virtual Farmgirl at:http://virtual-farmgirl.blogspot.com/

Laura at:http://2lmzfarms.blogspot.com/

Jenn at:http://primitiveewe.wordpress.com/

Peggy at: http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

Denise at: http://homeschoolblogger.com/mominpa

Jessica at: http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/

Frannie at: http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com/
Judy at: http://grandlakelife.blogspot.com/
Alee at: http://farmgirlalee.blogspot.com/

Aunt Jenny at: http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/

Kay at: http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com/

Amy at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/SimpleFolk/94259/
Monica at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/Mennobrarian
Belle at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/homesteading/
Linda at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/ourlittlehouseintown
Tammy at:http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/
Emily at:http://auntieemshouse.blogspot.com/
Ruth at: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth/517198/

Karen at: http://edgehillherbfarmer.spaces.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0

Frannie at : http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/

GP at: http://fvclassic.wordpress.com/

Betty Jo at:http://bboopster.blogspot.com/

Michelle at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/preciouspeas/96125/
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THANKS FOR JOINING THE FUN!
~THE GARDEN GOOSE~

Some of my garden images

Sorry I'm a little late myself on posting this weeks theme.

Anyhow..here are some images of what you'll find currently blooming in my yard. In the lettuce bed, in the herb garden I have some pansies, then in the cottage garden also.

And in the strawberry bed.With the exception of the butterfly..which was a visitor back in October..it is a Gulf Fritillary butterfly which lays its eggs on the passion vine/caterpillars use the passion vine as host plant.All other images are what you'll find currently in bloom in my yard.

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Enjoy!

~The Garden Goose~

WEEK 4/ IN THE GARDEN /FARMGIRL BLOG THON 4/23/08-4/27/08

Welcome to Week 4 of the Farm Girl Blog A Thon!(4/23/08 to 4/27/06)

-----------------------

Are you a Farm Girl or Farm Girl at heart?

Do you love having that little flock of back yard chickens (even in the city?/or dream of having chickens in your yard one day?)

Do you love growing your own food items?

Love being thrifty and frugal?

Love wearing an apron, or simply collecting them?

Love a "dirty manicure" from planting seeds in the soil?
Do you love bringing the simpler ways of living into your life and home?
Love cooking good old home style meals? Love canning your own foods?
Or dream about one day actually having a bit of land to stretch out on?

Then you are a Farm Girl!..(or Farm Girl at heart!)

Let "Blogland" know you are "PROUD TO BE A FARM GIRL!!"
Join the Fun here from 4-7-08 to 5/7/08

---------------------------------

THIS WEEK"S THEME: "IN THE GARDEN"

------------------------

Share with us a photo of your favorite Flower or Vegetable that you have grown.

A photo of your garden/veggie plot...or pot garden.

Or if you do not have a garden..share a photo of your favorite house plant.

If you care to share your favorite vegetable recipe or a gardening tip..that would be great.

Maybe you have a cool garden item that you have found?..or a garden craft that you have created that makes your garden even more special to you..Share it with us.

Anything that says "garden/gardening" is fair game for this weeks theme.

(even a photo of your "dirty manicure" will work)

We love to see photos of what you are growing/cultivating in your little corner of the world.

----------------------------------------------

*** ATTENTION***
To participate in the fun there are a few wee things we ask you to do:-----------------------

This blog-a-thon will run for 6 weeks.
It will begin on Monday 4/7/08 and run until 5/7/08!

What we are going to do is this.

Everyone that participates in the blog-a-thon will put a link in their posts for that weeks blog-a-thon theme entry to Mary Jane's Farm.(http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/)
(A simple wording like this at the end of your posts will work: "To share with other farm girls and to learn about the Farm Girl way of life visit: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/ ")
Each week of the "blog-a-thon" will have a Farmgirl theme for the week.

To participate:

You will need to leave a comment here(on each week's theme announcement page)to let me know that you have posted an entry pertaining to the weeks theme...and that you have posted a link back to Mary Jane's Farm on your blog.

***at the end of the blog-a-thon I will be drawing a name for a surprise package"***

---Let's cultivate our "inner farm girl"And be proud to say "I'm a Farm girl..or "I'm a Farm girl at heart".

Let's Do It Girls!!

---------------------------------------

BE SURE TO VISIT THESE FARM GIRL BLOGS!!

----------------------------------

Jeannie at: http://www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com/
Amy at: http://farmgirltales.blogspot.com/
Julie at:http://willowtreecreek.wordpress.com/
Heather at: http://heathersheartfeltstitches.blogspot.com/
Karin at: http://madrekarin.blogspot.com/

Meg at:http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/

Heather at: http://www.plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/
Bonnie at: http://beequilting.blogspot.com/
Luna at: http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
Virtual Farmgirl at:http://virtual-farmgirl.blogspot.com/
Laura at:http://2lmzfarms.blogspot.com/
Jenn at:http://primitiveewe.wordpress.com/
Peggy at: http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/
Denise at: http://homeschoolblogger.com/mominpa
Jessica at: http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/
Frannie at: http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com/

Judy at: http://grandlakelife.blogspot.com/

Alee at: http://farmgirlalee.blogspot.com/
Aunt Jenny at: http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/
Kay at: http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com/
Amy at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/SimpleFolk/94259/

Monica at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/Mennobrarian

Belle at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/homesteading/

Linda at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/ourlittlehouseintown

Tammy at:http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/

Emily at:http://auntieemshouse.blogspot.com/

Ruth at: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth/517198/
Karen at: http://edgehillherbfarmer.spaces.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0
Frannie at : http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/
GP at: http://fvclassic.wordpress.com/
Betty Jo at:http://bboopster.blogspot.com/

-----------------------------------------

THANKS FOR JOINING THE FUN!

~THE GARDEN GOOSE~

Nice day..

Had a nice first day at my new job..lots to learn ..but I think it will be pretty easy to get down pat after a week.

Boss only gave me a couple of hours today..and sent me home an hour early..I didn't feel so bad as she sent the other part time gal home after just an hour.

At least I got 21/2 hours in.

But certainly would have liked to have gotten the 4 hrs that I thought I was going to get.

Anyhow...she sent me home with one of every kind of coookie that we sell there at the shop...so that I can get an idea of the product, and be able to talk it up to the customer..grant it not that I needed cookies..sheesh..I am trying to lose weight here after all..but..it wasn't so bad when I cut each cookie into 5th's and shared them all with my family.

The computer system for doing sales will be easy to master.As will the part on taking web orders and call in messages left on the phone.

And the stocking and keeping the front area looking presentable will be pretty easy too.

We'll start serving coffee soon also.

I go back to work on Thursday to learn how to create each of the items that we'll offer..cookie bouquets,trays, and mugs and so forth.

So far it was fun.

I do hope though that my boss will be able to give me more hours than just the very few that I had today..I honestly hope that she will be consistent in giving me 4 hr days....not just 2 1/2 hour days...as I do have to drive nearly half an hour across town just to get to work..and really was hoping for 4 hr days and more days than just twice a week.

That part of things sort of bummed me today.

So..hopefully she'll be able to give me more work.

I hope I can learn things quickly to where she will be willing to give me the hours.

We'll see.

But..at least this will get me back out into working retail and give me a good experience.

And if she can't afford to have me there(she did mention she is struggling a bit/blamed recession/that sort of thing) well..there is a Hobby Lobby nearby that I know needs help in their fabric department..but..that's unless this doesn't pan out.

I hope this one does as it was a fun day today and I enjoyed it..but I have to be realistic too..and with the cost of gas and my time on the road to get there and back..I need more than just 2 hr days.

Anyhow...that's how the day went..and the kids really enjoyed the "perks" I was able to bring home today..ha.

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UPDATE: 4/24/08

Well, my boss called last night when I was out doing errands with hubby, and she told daughter to tell me to call on Monday..I was "supposed" to go in today at 2 but she told daughter to have me just call on Monday..any how I went ahead and called this afternoon cause I knew something was up and really had a feeling she had hired me without really thinking about her financial/business situation.So...well I guess I'm doing the 'work for a day" experience...ha. The job didn't pan out..the lady admitted that her business is failing and she can't afford to hire anyone and is afraid that she'll be out knocking on doors herself soon. I told her that I had a feeling that was the case when we only had 3 customers in 2 1/2 hrs and the total sales were less than $30 and she was trying to have 3 employees/plus pay her overhead/plus pay the guy she bought the business from that to have that little amount of income coming in and trying to pay employees with nothing coming in wasn't going to be feasible..and she said yes..I should have looked at it better but I am in over my head right now basically and really struggling.And am afraid I may have to shut the doors soon here.She said that if the tide changes that of course she'd hire me again in a heartbeat cause she liked me and my attitude and all.So anyhow..that was that. I went around today to about 9 different stores getting applications. So..something should pan out.I'm a bit frustrated/bummed because I did want to work at the cookie shop..but such is life.And my last experience prior to this one was with a horrible lady/situation..and didn't pan out either..at least this gal was sweet about things but I wish she'd have been 100 percent honest with me before she tried hiring me..that she really couldn't afford to hire anyone right now.Sigh..anyhow..the search is on again.

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Well..on another note....I have put the items on the other blog "Garden Goose

-Gifts"(see left side bar for link) "on sale" and also have them available to "barter"/trade" if anyone is interested. I listed my barter interests if this is something you like to do.

So basically the blog there is a "for sale or barter."

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Our garden is doing well..I will have to get photos soon. Have to get the lawn mowed first though..it's looking a wee shaggy..grass has started to grow pretty well now.

But anyhow..the squash and tomato plants and watermelon are doing wonderfully as are the broccoli plants..and we have carrot seeds sprouting into little plants now...and beans and peas and corn sprouting up well.

So..hopefully we shall have nice crops soon.

We just harvested a basket full of Spring lettuces(spinach,mesclun and romaine leaves) in our "cut and come again bed". We will have to water it with a fish emulsion mixture to encourage another burst of growth.

But we shall have a nice Spring salad tomorrow.Probably toss some strawberry slices and pecans in the salad for a different taste..and oh..a poppy seed dressing..doesn't that sound delish??

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This evening I prepared a very quick and easy family favorite.

Cut up sausage mixed with red baby potato chunks and green beans..sauted/simmered with a little water in the skillet. Cover and let cook on low until tender. yum.

I sear the sausages first then add the potatoes and green beans...with just a touch of water to simmer it to tender stage.

Yum yum!

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well..I do hope that you all had a lovely day!

Thanks so much for joining me in "blogland"

~The Garden Goose~

A Day in my Cottage Garden

The bees are back! What a delight to see both mason bees and good old honeybees back in my cottage garden! This really excites me..as last year..sad to say..we only saw one..yes..only one..lone honeybee in the yard last year..it was so sad.

This year though..what a delight to find half a dozen of them so far in my yard! The plight of the honeybee has been of concern to me..and even though I do not raise honeybees... I have always found them to be amazing and wonderful little creatures.One day I do hope to be able to have a few hives of them.
I have spoken to Dr. Jamie Ellis of the University in Gainesville,FL/ Entymology dept.... and asked him what should backyard gardener's do to help the honeybee population to be able to come back?

He replied.."plant wildflowers!" "Plant as many natural wildflowers,native to your area that you can!" So..plant wildflowers I did! I created a lovely little cottage garden in my backyard..and so far every year it comes back better than ever! In fact today we tossed even more wildflower seeds into the little plot..so come next Spring there will be even more flowers!
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Here are pictures from the garden yesterday!
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The pansy,roses,and amaryllis,and geranium are in different garden areas than the cottage garden..the pansies grow in my little herb garden,the geranium grows in a pot by the back door as does the amaryllis..and the roses are in a rose garden.
All other flowers are from my cottage garden/wildflower garden.
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I hope you enjoyed the photos!
And hey..plant some wildflowers in your yard this year! You'll be glad you did!
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~The Garden Goose~

Busy weekend..and Ch.ch..ch..Changes...and more

A wee bit of a busy weekend..I've been going through my house again..gathering items for a garage sale.

Not that I'm thrilled to have one...quite the contrary..but..we do have some large items tht we need to clear out.

Aww well..I hate having garage sales..but..a little extra room will be nice and it's always nice to clear out the clutter.

And have a nice Spring clean out.

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Well..I wound up getting a part time job..at our local "Cookies By Design" shop..I start on Monday. Something to get me out of the house for a little bit and back into retail work.I'm nervous and excited as it has been 18 yrs since I have worked outside the home.

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I'm looking forward to it.

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I hope that you all are having a lovely weekend.

I have decided to offer the first 3 items (cat meow collection,barware set,and vintage ironstone bowls) up for barter..if anyone has a full apron to trade for one of the collections..I'd like to trade for an apron..not half apron... but a full apron.

As I want to have a few on hand in case my new job involves baking and decorating..which it very well may from time to time..I'd like to be able to protect my clothes and look cute at the same time.:0)

And..also be able to clear out the items that I no longer need/want and that maybe you just might.:0)

So...anybody wanna trade?

Let's talk!

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Well..that's all for now..thanks for joining me in "blogland"

~The Garden Goose~

Farmette Living

We live in the city..but..we are different..we have created for ourselves a little "farmette in the city"

I guess my motto lately is "If you can't join em..be a rebel"..ha.And I've never been a "city girl" anyhow.Country living is just in my blood..always will be.

There's always been a little bit of a "wild child/be different than the main stream populace" in my blood anyhow..ha.

I just never can be the conformist it seems..hee hee.

So... in the city here we have a garden in our back yard.

In fact a pretty good sized one now that we have started this year.

And..we have chickens..and as of yesterday..our chicken flock has grown from 2 to 4..and..we have a new baby duckling ..again.

I know I had said no more ducks.....but...but...yep..I got suckered in.

I figure if I only have one..instead of a pair.... that the one..by its lonseome..will remain sweet.

So..yep..I am a wee bit of a rebel.

My neighbors are all cool with it too.

In fact I met one of my neighbors a few houses down and they mentioned having peeked into my back yard recently while out walking..and saw my chickens..and they were like.."that's neat" because they actually want to get a mini donkey..ha..but won't until they move to S. Carolina though.

But they were like.."what's your couple of chickens compared to the 200 goats around the corner??"

So..that's neat to have neighbors that are cool with it.

Then the one neighbor that I thought surely would have a problem..actually spoke to hubby the other day and mentioned how she'd love to get herself a duck in her back yard!

I think my farm girl ways are rubbing off on the neighborhood....hee hee!

Sometimes being a "rebel" isn't so bad..ha.

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Have included some pics of our new 'farmette babies"

The baby duckling is a crested peking duckling(she actually has a "topknot" of feathers on the top of her head although you can't see it in the photo)... that I have named "Marigold"

It is supposed to be a girl duck...and nope..I will not get a boy duck..this duckling shall be a pet..and if I get more than one..generally the males get a bit aggressive during breeding season if there is a female around..so a lone duck makes for a much better pet and stays sweet.

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Then my daughter got herself 2 teensy tiny bantam chicks..oh my goodness are they so very tiny!Truly half the size of a regular baby chick. They are tiny,tiny! but cheep just as loudly..ha.

The feed store got in a mixed batch of chicks and don't know what types they are.

So..we have some "surprise chicks"

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So..that's the latest from our little "farmette in the city"

~The Garden Goose~

Week 3/ Domestic Bliss/In The Kitchen (Farm Girl Blog-A-Thon)

I love to cook and bake....and sometimes I come up with new recipes "from scratch" from time to time that are real "winners" for my family.

It seems sometimes that the ones that I create off the top of my head..are the ones they rave about..ha. So, when something like that happens... I quickly try to remember exactly how I created my "toss together meal/creation" and write it down for later use.

I also was blessed to have been given a lot of my grandmothers recipes before she passed away. My Granny Helen was a wonderful cook(in fact she used to own her own resturaunt in Euphrata,Wa years ago..a little cafe called the "Corner Cafe")......

Anyhow I'd like to share a recipe of mine and one of granny's recipes with you all.

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Here is one of my "from scratch" recipes .

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STRAWBERRY PRESERVES

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3 pints fresh strawberries/stems cut off and halved/hulled

4 cups sugar

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 package strawberry flavored Jello gelatin

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Cook strawberries,sugar and lemon juice over medium heat until very soft.Mash lumps with spoon.

After about 20 minutes add jello and cook for about 5-10 minutes more.

Put into jars and let cool.

Makes about 2 large jars. Store in refrigerator.

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and here is one of my Granny Helen's recipes....

HAMBURGER WITH BAKED BEANS

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Cut 2 strips bacon into small pieces,add 1 chopped medium onion,saute.

Brown 1 lb. ground beef with the above. Drain fat.

Add 2 -1 lb. cans pork and beans,1/2 cup molasses,1/2 cup catsup,1/2 tsp. dry mustard,salt,worchestershire sauce(salt and worchestershire to taste..a few shakes of worcestershire and just a little salt)

Mix and pour into casserole dish.Bake at 375 degrees for 1/2 hour.

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Enjoy!!

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~The Garden Goose~

FARM GIRL BLOG -A-THON WEEK 3 ~"Domestic Bliss/In the Kitchen"

WELCOME TO WEEK 3 (4-14/-08---4-22/08)

of the "FARM GIRL BLOG-A-THON"

---------------------------

Are you a Farm Girl or Farm Girl at heart?
Do you love having that little flock of back yard chickens (even in the city?/or dream of having chickens in your yard one day?)
Do you love growing your own food items?
Love being thrifty and frugal?
Love wearing an apron, or simply collecting them?
Love a "dirty manicure" from planting seeds in the soil?

Do you love bringing the simpler ways of living into your life and home?

Love cooking good old home style meals? Love canning your own foods?

Or dream about one day actually having a bit of land to stretch out on?

Then you are a Farm Girl!..(or Farm Girl at heart!)Let "Blogland" know you are "PROUD TO BE A FARM GIRL!!"

Join the Fun here from 4-7-08 to 5/7/08

---------------------------------

THIS WEEK's THEME:

"IN THE KITCHEN/DOMESTIC BLISS"

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Show us your latest kitchen creation.

Have you canned anything lately?

Made a "wow!" recipe?

Do you have a favorite kitchen collection/theme?

How about sharing your favorite farmstyle recipe?

Pictures of course are fun to see.

Show us what's been stirring in your kitchen!

----------------------

*** ATTENTION***

To participate in the fun there are a few wee things we ask you to do:
-----------------------

This blog-a-thon will run for 6 weeks.

It will begin on Monday 4/7/08 and run until 5/7/08!

What we are going to do is this.
Everyone that participates in the blog-a-thon will put a link in their posts for that weeks blog-a-thon theme entry to Mary Jane's Farm.(http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/)

(A simple wording like this at the end of your posts will work: "To share with other farm girls and to learn about the Farm Girl way of life visit: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/ ")

Each week of the "blog-a-thon" will have a Farmgirl theme for the week.

To participate:
You will need to leave a comment here(on each week's theme announcement page)to let me know that you have posted an entry pertaining to the weeks theme...and that you have posted a link back to Mary Jane's Farm on your blog.

***at the end of the blog-a-thon I will be drawing a name for a surprise package"***

---Let's cultivate our "inner farm girl"And be proud to say "I'm a Farm girl..or "I'm a Farm girl at heart".
Let's Do It Girls!!

-------------------------------

BE SURE TO VISIT THESE FARM GIRL BLOGS!!!
---------------------------------------------

Jeannie at: http://www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com/

Amy at: http://farmgirltales.blogspot.com/

Julie at:http://willowtreecreek.wordpress.com/

Heather at: http://heathersheartfeltstitches.blogspot.com/

Karin at: http://madrekarin.blogspot.com/
Meg at:http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/
Heather at: http://www.plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/

Bonnie at: http://beequilting.blogspot.com/

Luna at: http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/

Virtual Farmgirl at:http://virtual-farmgirl.blogspot.com/

Laura at:http://2lmzfarms.blogspot.com/

Jenn at:http://primitiveewe.wordpress.com/

Peggy at: http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

Denise at: http://homeschoolblogger.com/mominpa

Jessica at: http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/

Frannie at: http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com/
Judy at: http://grandlakelife.blogspot.com/
Alee at: http://farmgirlalee.blogspot.com/

Aunt Jenny at: http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/

Kay at: http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com/

Amy at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/SimpleFolk/94259/
Monica at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/Mennobrarian
Belle at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/homesteading/
Linda at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/ourlittlehouseintown
Tammy at:http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/
Emily at:http://auntieemshouse.blogspot.com/
Ruth at: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth/517198/

Karen at: http://edgehillherbfarmer.spaces.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0

Frannie at : http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/

GP at: http://fvclassic.wordpress.com/

Betty Jo at:http://bboopster.blogspot.com/

----------------------------------------

Thanks for joining in the fun!

~The Garden Goose~

new wares added over on Garden Goose Gifts blog

added some new wares today over in the gift shop..at:
http://gardengoosegifts.blogspot.com/

Check them out!


Thanks and have a lovely evening!

~The Garden Goose~

ANNOUNCING !!! GARDEN GOOSE GIFTS BOUTIQUE BLOG!!!

I am delighted to bring to you my new blog!!

"GARDEN GOOSE GIFTS" at:

http://www.gardengoosegifts.blogspot.com/

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I have decided to create a seperate blog devoted strictly to my art creations, my treasure finds,and my Etsy shop,and my fine art photography.

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This way..I keep things a bit more organized..and "user friendly" here on my "about me/personal chit chat blog"

And I can highlight lots of my art creations and found treasures as well as my fine art photography on my new blog!

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Garden Goose Gifts Boutique will offer fun things to make your house a "Home!"

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I stumble across some neat treasures from time to time , and of course I love to create beautiful items from time to time as well.The selection will always be changing!And always be lots of fun! You just never know what I'll find..or create that will add that "perfect" touch to your home.

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This new blog allows me to showcase these items for you.

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Stay tuned!...and I invite you to stop by today where my first item is up for grabs.

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A lovely Vintage Tea Kettle awaits a new home.

Check it out at:

http://www.gardengoosegifts.blogspot.com/

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You'll find that I have also "cleaned up" a wee bit around my blog and will be consolidating my blog links onto a seperate page also real soon.

Looks like a wee bit of "Spring cleaning" going on here at Garden Goose.

I hope that you like the changes..and will visit my new boutique soon!

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Link to new blog is also on left hand side bar here.

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~Tina~a.k.a.~ The Garden Goose

Farm Girl Heart - 4/12/08 - 4/16/08

I believe that I have always been a Farm Girl At Heart.

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Growing up in South Florida..I was always exposed to frequent trips to the orange groves where my daddy worked..he'd load the entire family up in our old station wagon, and we'd all ride along over the bumpy pathways in the orange groves amongst hundreds upon hundreds of orange trees...

some of our excursions were to gather fruit..and some of them were because back then my daddy was a hunter...

back when I was only about 4 yrs. old... he'd load us all up and we'd go driving through the groves looking for deer or rabbit.

All four of us kids,mama,and granny too.(me, my brother and granny in the picture in the orange groves)

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Daddy worked the orange groves as a backhoe operator for many years of my growing up time..and of course we moved to a few different towns in South Florida to be where the work was.

But most of his work involved grove work.Up until I was about 15 yrs of age.

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During these times daddy would rescue all manner of wildlife from the ditches areas/canal areas of the groves and bring them home for us kids to learn about and raise.

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We had the opportunity to watch alligator eggs hatch(no we didn't keep the gators..they wre donated to a zoo facility),we raised an orphaned skunk until..well the skunk did what skunks do..ha,we raised bullfrogs too...and much more....

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When I was 12 we moved to the yellow house..the yellow house was located in Arcadia, Fl. on about 5 acres with 40 acres behind the house that the landlord told my folks that us kids could play on as long as he wasn't renting the land to a cattle rancher.

(of course being kids we didn't care about the cows..we would outrun them and head lickety split to climb over the barb wire fencing..there was always a trick to climbing those fences too..you'd have to get to the poles where the wire was attached..that was the best area for climbing up and over/hardly any give to the wire...but outrun those bulls and heifers we did!)

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The 40 acres were where we romped and played and learned so much about nature. The yellow house held for me some of my fondest childhood memories.

The 40 acres also had a several acre pond on it..oh I'd say about 5 acres of the land was pond. We'd take our fishing poles out there and try to catch catfish..sometimes we got lucky..most times we didn't. But..the one time we did..wouldn't you know..those fish loved kaboom cereal marshmallows..yep..the dried marshmallows from cereal!

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We'd take off running into the field on extremely foggy nights when you couldn't see your hand in front of your face...and dance in the fog.

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Come summer time granny would send us out into the 40 acres to look for the wild blackberry patches. She'd arm us kids with big bowls and tell us to come back with them full because she'd make jam and cobblers and pies for us.

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During this time we'd of course have all manner of wildlife up near the house..

an orphaned baby possum one day that we raised and eventually donated to the zoo facility,...baby birds tht had fallen from nests,we even had a pet squirrel named "Red Baron" that had been orphaned.

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On the property that our house sat..was an old used to be blacksmith shop with all the old blacksmithing equipment and the old milking areas/stalls and a very old milk cooling room..this was where my daddy would keep the baby calves we raised...and when there were'nt baby calves being raised....we kids used this old barn as our "club house hang out"

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Behind the barn was an old watering trough..it was made of concrete and was big and round....and conveniently located right next to the pump....

We'd stuff the hole in the bottom of the trough...with rags..and have the perfect..farm style swimming pool!

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One day us kids created a mini pond in our backyard by digging a hole and lining it with plastic..and going down to the pond on the 40 acres and gathering guppies to fill it..and also gathering plants from around the big pond to create our own little wild life area in our backyard.

Imagine our surprise when the next day we found a big soft shell turtle laying in our mini pond and our guppies all gone!

Well..my dad decided that right there was laying supper!

Yep..I was the water hose holding gal everytime an animal was skinned.

So there was supper..turtle meat with gravy!(as dad said "tastes like chicken"...but I never was fond of it)

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Back on the 40 acres it was nearly a weekly occurence for my brother and I to go trekking on the 40 acres hunting together. My job was the spotter/his job was shooter. We'd hunt for rabbit together.Of course I never skinned them out, but it was like I said..always my job to hold the water hose.

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One day dad and I went to Winn Dixie to get some groceries and we pulled up and saw a truck that said "___________Alligator Farm"..in the back of the truck were boxes and boxes of baby chicks. Dad waited until the lady driving the truck came back out and asked her if he could buy about 4 boxes of baby chicks from her..

She said "oh they are destined for the alligators, I tell you what I'll just give them to you, but do you know that each box has 50 chicks in it?"

Dad didn't even blink..ha. He said "oh that's o.k." and there we went back home lickety split with 200 baby chickens!!

Oh dear! Well dad built a cage straight away..but of course for a while we had 200 baby chicks in galvanized tubs in our bathroom!..ha

Of course with the neighbors allowing their doberman puppies out unattended to roam everywhere..our flock dwindled drastically and quickly..and dad gave most of the remaining chickens away except for about 15 of them.

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Anyhow..we had loads of fun growing up "Country"..and it has always been in my blood and in my heart.

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I have always enjoyed growing things and enjoying nature.

So..I've always.... and ever will be a FARMGIRL AT HEART!!!

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~The Garden Goose~

(****To share with other farmgirls and to learn more about the farm girl way of life visit: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/)

Farm Girl Blog-A-Thon Week 2/ 4-12-08-4-16-08/ Farm Girl Heart

Welcome to the "FARM GIRL BLOG-A-THON WEEK- 2"

( 4-12/08-4-16/08)

THEME: "FARM GIRL HEART" .....WHAT BEING A FARM GIRL MEANS TO YOU.

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Are you a Farm Girl or Farm Girl at heart?

Do you love having that little flock of back yard chickens (even in the city?/or dream of having chickens in your yard one day?)

Do you love growing your own food items?

Love being thrifty and frugal?

Love wearing an apron, or simply collecting them?

Love a "dirty manicure" from planting seeds in the soil?
Do you love bringing the simpler ways of living into your life and home?Love cooking good old home style meals? Love canning your own foods?Or dream about one day actually having a bit of land to stretch out on?
Then you are a Farm Girl!..(or Farm Girl at heart!)
Let "Blogland" know you are "PROUD TO BE A FARM GIRL!!"
Join the Fun here from 4-7-08 to 5/7/08

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THIS WEEK's THEME: FARMGIRL MEANING!/FARMGIRL HEART!

WHAT BEING A FARMGIRL MEANS TO YOU!

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What does being a Farm Girl mean to you?

Please post a photo of either yourself, or your farm or home...or something in your home that shouts "Farm Girl and proud of it!"

(example..chicken collection,John Deere collection,old farm tools,etc.)

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*** ATTENTION***
To participate in the fun there are a few wee things we ask you to do:

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This blog-a-thon will run for 6 weeks.

It will begin on Monday 4/7/08 and run until 5/7/08!

What we are going to do is this.

Everyone that participates in the blog-a-thon will put a link in their posts for that weeks blog-a-thon theme entry to Mary Jane's Farm.(http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/)

(A simple wording like this at the end of your posts will work: "To share with other farm girls and to learn about the Farm Girl way of life visit: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/ ")

Each week of the "blog-a-thon" will have a Farmgirl theme for the week.

To participate:

You will need to leave a comment here(on each week's theme announcement page)
to let me know that you have posted an entry pertaining to the weeks theme...and that you have posted a link back to Mary Jane's Farm on your blog.

***at the end of the blog-a-thon I will be drawing a name for a surprise package"***

---Let's cultivate our "inner farm girl"And be proud to say "I'm a Farm girl..or "I'm a Farm girl at heart".

Let's Do It Girls!!

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BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE FARM GIRL BLOGS!

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Jeannie at: http://www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com/
Amy at: http://farmgirltales.blogspot.com/
Julie at:http://willowtreecreek.wordpress.com/
Heather at: http://heathersheartfeltstitches.blogspot.com/
Karin at: http://madrekarin.blogspot.com/

Meg at:http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/

Heather at: http://www.plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/
Bonnie at: http://beequilting.blogspot.com/
Luna at: http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
Virtual Farmgirl at:http://virtual-farmgirl.blogspot.com/
Laura at:http://2lmzfarms.blogspot.com/
Jenn at:http://primitiveewe.wordpress.com/
Peggy at: http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/
Denise at: http://homeschoolblogger.com/mominpa
Jessica at: http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/
Frannie at: http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com/

Judy at: http://grandlakelife.blogspot.com/

Alee at: http://farmgirlalee.blogspot.com/
Aunt Jenny at: http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/
Kay at: http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com/
Amy at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/SimpleFolk/94259/

Monica at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/Mennobrarian

Belle at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/homesteading/

Linda at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/ourlittlehouseintown

Tammy at:http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/

Emily at:http://auntieemshouse.blogspot.com/

Ruth at: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth/517198/

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~The Garden Goose~

Stitchery-A-Tea ...and latest cool finds... and more

I've been participating in the Tea Time Blog-A-Thon over at "Gracious Hospitality" for the last few weeks.
..and this week's event was to show some of your tea related stitchery items that you own.

Well..I don't have anything in a tea cup/tea pot theme as far as stitchery items go...

but...I do like to collect such things as vintage hankies,doilies, and women's gloves and the like...

so...I thought I'd share a photo of some of my collection.

Now mind you this is a wee portion of the collection...ha..I have a few more..but don't we usually..hee hee.

Anyhow here are a few of my fun things.

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I've been thrifting a little bit lately..not much...just a little...ha... and came across some really fun finds the last few days. It is always so fun to find things that you really like..and that make a "housse" a ...HOME!!

A vintage watering can for a real steal of a deal! I filled it with bright cheery gerbera daisies(fake ones..ha) and have it in my entry way now.

Then I found a darling set of tea cups with plates..with tiny yellow roses on them! yay!

Then I found a mixed set of 12 Wedgewood blue bar ware glasses from the 1950's!

wow!

And then a very large serving tray/that was originally going to be altered with altered art..but..it makes for such a nice tray to display tea cups on top of and of course perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals..so..it won't be altered after all.

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Then my dear mama sent me these absolutely darling little plates to use in my decor! Aren't they just lovely! Thanks mom!

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Last but not least are the latest finds in my yard/ in pots in my yard up under the arbour.

I was given this lovely copper colored iris plant several years ago by a photographer friend named Jenn..and I honestly thought that it had died..way back then..and lo and behold thre it was sending up lovely new growth this year in a large pot..I had no idea what I had planted in the pot..then all the sudden it started sending up stalks..and I was like.."whoa..some sort of iris!..but what color?" Then all the sudden here comes an iris in a burgundy~ish/copper color!!

Isn't it just amazing! The stalk had about 5 irises on one stalk! Breathtaking!

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Then my dear daddy gave me a bunch of these lovely red amaryllis bulbs before he passed away..they were some of his favorite flowers. So I keep them in a large terra cotta pot and keep them covered in the winter when the temperatures get real cold, as I have a sentimental attachment to these of course. Anyhow..these beauties have started blooming this week..and aren't they just gorgeous too! Love them!

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Well..I hope to be able to post some more images of my apron collection before we start a new theme on the Farm Girl Blog A Thon also.

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Thanks for visiting with me today! I hope that you all have a lovely weekend!

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~The Garden Goose~