Junk or Treasure?

As some of you may know I am a Mary Jane FarmGirl.! What does that mean? Well for each of us it is different. It is a state of mind and a belief in things, close to our hearts, that makes me......ME and you....YOU. Does that make sense? Maybe not, but for me it is a group, that shares interests in a vast list of activities. Some of us live in Metropolitan Cities, others live in rural communities, some at the beach and others on working farms. The title FarmGirl is that "State of Mind" I mentioned. We have online groups to exchange, ideas and interests of all kinds. If you want to learn a new skill, craft, or just meet some new friends.....check it out. Here is a link maryjanesfarm.org

So on to the reason for the above post. As a FarmGirl member we have the opportunity to learn new skills, or explore new interests, with suggestions on a way to approach the challenge.  "Merit Badges" ...All those old memories of earning badges as a "Brownie" in Canada. That idea appealed to me.
I have a love of vintage collectibles, live in an old farm house in semi rural TN. I want to learn some new skills, make healthy food for my family, and remove processed foods from my pantry.

When organizing my kitchen on moving to my farmhouse I wanted a storage system that was in keeping with the farmhouse era, and was bug proof. In our old house we did have problems with ants, and other insects. So "Canning Jars" are my solution. Add that to Collecting and there we are, my new passion / hobby.

 "Collecting Ball Mason Jars"

In the past I bought jars at the thrift store for storage, towards this end. Any jar in good shape was fine. Then I got a box, at an auction, of Aqua blue jars with old rubber seals and aluminum screw on lids. Looking at the embossed Logo's on the jars I realized they were not all the same. Off to the Internet I went, and now a new obsession has been born. The more I researched the topic, the more I realized I had to learn. The "Ball Mason Jar Company", has also released in the past year many commemorative canning jar colors, from the past. With the Craft Craze to make all kinds of projects from Mason Jars, I am looking forward to searching garage sales (now Spring is here), Antique malls and Thrift stores for new additions to my collection. I used to see bottles of all kinds for sale at auctions. Coke bottles, milk bottles, medicine bottles etc, and think why would anyone collect old bottles? Now I am hooked and beginning to understand! Don't forget.

One Woman's Junk is Another Woman's Treasure !

Baking area of my Farmhouse Kitchen © RJA

Start of my "Collection"  from 1923-1933 Logo  © RJA

© RJA

1910- 1923 Logo © RJA

Work in progress, but coming together. © RJA

 

 

 

If you have been bitten by the "Fruit Jar Collecting Bug" or have other comments. 

Please leave a note ...would love to hear from you!

Discovering Tasha Tudor !

Winter today is tempting us, with the belief that Spring is hiding, close by. This morning the sun is shining, with a cloudy, but blue sky. The wind is brisk and temperatures cold. Seed catalog's arrive in the mail, bringing dreams of blooming bulbs and trees in blossom. The mountains are still snow capped, like confectioner's sugar, topped cookies. There is something beautiful about every season....yes, this true, but I'm ready. Come Spring !!!  Clicking thru some of garden photos of last year, to keep my spirits up. Sharing some, here for your enjoyment also. The birds are stocking up for the colddd days ahead.

Spring Blossoms © RJA

Ready for Spring © RJA

Azaleas © RJA

Just spending a "Farm Girl" day here in East Tennessee.  In case some of you don't know about Mary Janes Farmgirls, here is a link so you can check it out.maryjanesfarm.org   The site is a place where women can socialize, share, things they love and get back to some of the things that are important in life. Things that technology, progress and the stresses of the modern world, have taken from us or that we have lost along the way. The main reason for me bringing this up, are Merit Badges, (like you earned in Girl Scouts). If you wished you'd learned to knit.....here is you chance to still do it,with friendly help and support.

I have been a member off and on for a few years, but retired now, I have time to pursue and learn new skills.
"Her Story" Merit Badge encourages exploring the lives of famous women in history and the present day. Which finally brings me to the point of this writing. "Tasha Tudor" is an author and illustrator of children's books. I had the opportunity to discover this interesting lady, in a book I borrowed from the library on heirloom crafts. She was an amazing woman that lived and practiced her love of nature, animals and a simple life style that I want to learn more about. I wanted to guide you to the website about her books and life, that is shared by her family. tashatudorandfamily.com
So I am off to explore, fire up my sewing machine and just have a day for Me. Pouring a hot cup of coffee and saying Bye for now !

Seonag