| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Kati |
Posted - May 31 2007 : 11:34:53 AM
Hi. My name's Kati!!! I live in (and was raised here in) North Pole, Alaska. I'm 28 years old with one child: a 9-1/2 year old daughter. (Who, btw, is already starting into puberty.) Her Daddy & I have been married for about 9-1/2 years as well. I have 2 dogs, both pound puppies, so we're not completely sure of their bloodlines. We only know they're likely not PURE anything. *grin* I shouldn't say I'm a total farm-girl wannabe, because truthfully I don't know that I'd really enjoy living on a farm. But, I DO enjoy a lot of the activities many others here seem to enjoy.
I've always loved baking bread & other fresh goodies and cooking. (Well, MOST of the time I like cooking. Occasionally we get burnt out & I lack inspiration.)
I learned to crochet almost 8 years ago, and while I don't do a LOT of crocheting anymore, I do still do enough to keep my hand in. My project lately has been making crocheted cotton-net grocery sacks to sell. I've sold 3 to coworkers, and have 7 made (working on my 8th) to sell if I find somebody who's interested in buying. I've been selling them for $20 dollars a piece. And, for the record, the pattern I use is one of my own design, though poorly written out.
I picked up sewing a couple of years ago when I spent a short stint working at a local Ben Franklin's Crafts store. Sewing itself is not my favorite craft, but I DO like what I can make with it. (Mainly skirts & aprons to this point. Though I did sew our living-room curtains last summer.) I've made myself a couple of aprons, with a couple more in planning stages or fabric bought but not yet completed. In fact, my halloween costume last fall was a bib-apron made out of some pretty blue fabric that had witch's hats printed all over. I wore an old costume hat of my daughter's, tucked a dishcloth in the waist-band of my apron, and went to work as a Kitchen Witch, that day. *grin* Got lots of compliments!
I work at the largest of our local libraries, though some day I'd like to be at the smaller of the two public library branches, working as a library assistant. For now I am a Circulation Page, which means I spend a lot of time schlepping books, and also do check-ins & check-outs of books to & from people. I love working in a library. I did spend 4-1/2 years being a SAHM to my only child (a 9-1/2 year old daughter) before getting my first job at my local library (schlepped books for 10 hours a week, for almost 3 years, while there). Now I work 30 hours a week at the larger branch library and wouldn't quit for anything. I know some farmgirls feel like they prefer to be SAHMs, and that's perfectly fine. But I'm not one of them. I like having a couple of days a week to garden & bake & craft, but I also love spending time sharing my love of books with people I DON'T live with.
Gardening is another new activity for me. For 4 years now we've had a garden plot over at my inlaw's house. This is the first year we've used the whole 30x60 foot plot. And this is the first year that the soil actually looks & feels like good turned soil should. We've managed to get most of the big rocks out, after 4 years of rototilling the same area over & over. The brambles & the sticks are few & far between. And this past Saturday when we were planting our veggies in for the summer, I was able to safely get out in our garden plot & walk about in naught but my bare feet. Our soil is still somewhat sandy, but my Father-in-Law is actively talking about a compost heap/barrel (he's not sure which he'd prefer) this summer. It's only taken me talking about it for 3 years to get him convinced that it was his idea in the first place. *wink* If our garden produces to it's fullest capacity this year (which I hope for, but don't plan on), we could feasibly feed both of our families (MIL, FIL, DH, DD, and myself) on the veggies put-up from our garden. And we've planted a bit of everything EXCEPT tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and beets this year. So, fingers crossed for a good production year.
So, I think that's enough about me for now. I have been reading here for several months, but finally decided to register when I saw that a HS class-mate of mine has founded a local Farmgirl chapter here in our home-town. |
| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| katmom |
Posted - Jun 03 2007 : 12:36:08 AM
Welcome Katie,
like Alee said, you don't have to live on a farm to be a farm girl or a part of our group,,,we all have special talents, be it gardening, sewing, soapmaking or what ever, it's just a pleasure to share with like minded gals. You will enjoy the bits of information & support that you get here.
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
www.katmom4.blogspot.com |
| Carol Sue |
Posted - Jun 02 2007 : 11:47:57 PM
Welcome Kati.
You have quite the life. Thanks for sharing about your growing season. It is always fun to learn how other people do things. I am new as well and could sit here and read stuff forever but life butts in. Hehehe. Have a great day, later, Carol Sue
Life is short, enjoy every moment. |
| Maryjane Lee |
Posted - Jun 02 2007 : 9:53:01 PM
A Big warm welcome to you Kati! You will have to let us see your crochet grosery bags! Take a picture for us! Looking forward to getting to know you. You will love it here!
Hugs,
Maryjane Lee
"Cherish the memories and in our hearts they shall live forever!" |
| Kati |
Posted - May 31 2007 : 5:22:16 PM
Thanks for all the welcomes, everyone!!!!
Just to answer about the weather in AK. We've got a short summer (really, mid May to mid August), but by that point in Mid May, we get well over half our our day filled with sunshine (or, at least not night). So even though we don't have a long growing season, technically our veggies get a LOT of sunshine, almost more concentrated. Our cabbages get HUGE here because they have the sun 24/7 for a couple of weeks, mid-summer. On the other hand, we can't grow plants like corn that need dark. Just doesn't work out well.
Today the temp is reasonable, in the 70's, without being overly warm. We had a cloud-burst first thing this morning, then it's been partly cloudy all day, with thunderstorm potential (though I've yet to ACTUALLY hear any thunder). Somewhat breezy, as well, without being overly windy. Pretty well a nice day!
Thanks again for the welcomes!!!! |
| Bee Haven Maven |
Posted - May 31 2007 : 4:02:41 PM
Welcome Kati.....I, too make grocery bags (out of pillow ticking). It is a wonderful idea to cut down in our plastic consumption! So glad you joined us. Can't wait to hear more about life at the North Pole!!
Keep Smiling.....Bev
Check out my shoppe at www.honeybeez.etsy.com
www.beehavenacres.blogspot.com , www.beehavenmaven.blogspot.com |
| blueroses |
Posted - May 31 2007 : 3:41:01 PM
Hi Kati,
Welcome to the group. Your grocery bags sound great. It's great that you have a farmgirl chapter in your town.
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
| Annie S |
Posted - May 31 2007 : 2:33:24 PM
Welcome Kati! You'll find that this an endless source of information for you and when you have a question - find a forum and just ask away - someone's going to have an answer for you. Everyone is so very friendly and warm.
Peace and love.
Annie  |
| Alee |
Posted - May 31 2007 : 1:41:08 PM
Hi Kati! Welcome!
You don't have to want to or live on a farm to be a farmgirl! As MaryJane often says "Farmgirl is a condition of the heart!"
You sewing and craft projects sound great! Have you tried selling them on www.etsy.com ? A lot of the ladies on this forum seem to have good luck with that!
Your garden sounds fabulous! I am really jealous of all you farmgirls that have such large garden plots!
I can't wait to get to know you more!
Alee |
| Bluewrenn |
Posted - May 31 2007 : 1:22:46 PM
Welcome Kati! You will love it here!
My Homesteading Journal http://toomyvara.livejournal.com
My craft journal http://bluewrenn.livejournal.com
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| cinnamongirl |
Posted - May 31 2007 : 12:46:25 PM
Wow Kati you will fit right in. A big warm welcome to you! Now you got gardening down will have to get you canning! Go to barter and post if you want to trade or sell. Hope your weather is good. |
| BotanicalBath |
Posted - May 31 2007 : 12:02:47 PM
Welcome Kati!
E-
BotanicalBath@peoplepc.com
www.Botanical-Bath.com
"I do my housework in the nude. It gives me an incentive to clean the mirrors as quickly as possible." |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - May 31 2007 : 11:46:51 AM
welcome to the group Kati.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com and
http://photosbytina.etsy.com
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| Mikki |
Posted - May 31 2007 : 11:43:08 AM
Kati hi and a big welcome to you! Sounds like your a busy gal!!! So glad you've joined us here at the farm, you'll just love it and meet some wonderful gals! WELCOME!!!
~~Blessings, Mikki Jo
www.mikkijo.etsy.com
http://burningmeadowsprings.blogspot.com/
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| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - May 31 2007 : 11:41:44 AM
WElcome Kati!! You sound like great fun. I think working at a library would be so fun!! My younger daughter says right now that she wants to be a librarian when she grows up. I think she would be great at it. We are all readers in our family (well, husband not so much) and spend alot of time at our little local library.
How long is your growing season there? Is a short growing season the reason for not planting tomatoes and peppers? They are my personal favorites!
Alaska is for sure a place I would love to visit some day!
Anyway, welcome to the group..I am sure you will love it here!
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 |
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