| Author | Merit Badge Chit Chat:  Just a bit of merit badge chit chat  | 
              
                | KnyttWytchTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
    94 Posts
 
  Hilary
 Cambridge 
                Cambridgeshire
 United Kingdom
 94 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Feb 16 2017 :  12:34:59 PM   
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                      | Thanks Brian! 
 Disabled knitter and stitcher (lover of real food!)
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                | isewberninaTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
     223 Posts
 
 Kathy
 Salina 
                KS
 USA
 223 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Mar 18 2017 :  4:29:07 PM   
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                      | I started reading the posts on Merit Badge Chit Chat and found the walnut cracker post and that I know I am able to do and will make some for gifts. Here in Kansas we have oodles of Black Walnuts and they are difficult to crack. A friend of mine in the MO Ozarks told me to put them on a cookie sheet in a 200* oven for 2-3 hours to warm them after the green outer hull is taken off. When the walnuts are warm the shell will open and you will be able to take the nutmeat out easily. Kathy in KS
 
 I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift should be curiosity. Eleanor Roosevelt
 
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                | MaryJanesNieceTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      7961 Posts
 
  Krista
 Utah
 USA
 7961 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Mar 20 2017 :  12:45:41 PM   
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                      | Kathy, let us know how that turns out when you try it! 
 Krista
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                | ceridwenTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      899 Posts
 
  Carole
 New York
 USA
 899 Posts
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                | forgetmenotTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      3602 Posts
 
 Judith
 Nora Springs 
                IA
 USA
 3602 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Mar 24 2017 :  11:07:26 AM   
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                      | Carole, thank you so much for sharing this link to the MOP buttons of Muscatine! Such an interesting site and story. 
 Farmgirl sister #3926
 
 "Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something is more important than fear." Ambrose Red Moon
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                | forgetmenotTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      3602 Posts
 
 Judith
 Nora Springs 
                IA
 USA
 3602 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Mar 24 2017 :  11:16:37 AM   
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                      | We have many black walnut trees. I spend many winter eves cracking and shelling walnuts. I'll be trying the oven warming method. Thanks for sharing the tip! 
 Farmgirl sister #3926
 
 "Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something is more important than fear." Ambrose Red Moon
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                | ceridwenTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      899 Posts
 
  Carole
 New York
 USA
 899 Posts
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                | ceejay48Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
 
      13855 Posts
 
  CeeJay (CJ)
 Dolores 
                Colorado
 USA
 13855 Posts
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                | PixiedustdevilTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
    68 Posts
 
  
 Temperate Rainforest 
                Oregon
 USA
 68 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Apr 29 2017 :  7:32:47 PM   
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                      | Yes I still live! Had to go on hiatus for a while, and now that it's spring cleaning and garden planning; I won't be applying for as many merit badges. But I just requested the book for the beginner calligraphy. I kind of dabble in that already so hopefully that will be an easy one. I also need to work on the Language and culture badge. I can read Japanese, but can't speak it, weird right? I just need to do my intermediate and expert sections of the badge. With the garden season I'll be able to start the 'Good, bad, and ugly bugs' badge. I suggest the name for that badge and I have to admit i'm tickled that they went with the name I suggested LOL. And lastly I need to submit for the 'Stargazing Chicks' badge. I've done the work, but need to organize it and submit it. Looking at the night sky is difficult when you live in a temperate rainforest, the rainy season lasts for 8 months here. 
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 Sisterhood #6941
 
 Jack of all trades, master of none,
 though oftentimes better than master of one.
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                | KnyttWytchTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
    94 Posts
 
  Hilary
 Cambridge 
                Cambridgeshire
 United Kingdom
 94 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Apr 30 2017 :  05:20:56 AM   
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                      | I finished a needlepoint this week - not sure if I can use it for any badges on here but it was fun anyway  
 
  
 Disabled knitter and stitcher (lover of real food!)
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                | janamariejeTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      1022 Posts
 
  Jana
 Southern California
 USA
 1022 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Apr 30 2017 :  06:15:31 AM   
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                      | Wow, that is beautiful Hilary!  How long did it take you to make this needlepoint?  Will you frame it or make it into a pillow or cushion? 
 Jana
 #7110
 
 http://www.emhardt.com
 
 https://www.etsy.com/shop/cjcraftsstudio
 
 Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes. ~Author Unknown
 All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt! ~Charles Schulz
 
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                | KnyttWytchTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
    94 Posts
 
  Hilary
 Cambridge 
                Cambridgeshire
 United Kingdom
 94 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Apr 30 2017 :  07:30:06 AM   
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                      | It took me about 5 years on and off! and it will become a cushion along with this 
 
  
 Disabled knitter and stitcher (lover of real food!)
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                | MaryJanesNieceTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      7961 Posts
 
  Krista
 Utah
 USA
 7961 Posts
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                      |  Posted - May 01 2017 :  11:28:05 AM   
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                      | Welcome back Cyrie! Looks like you are already off to a busy start!  That is so cool you can read Japanese. How did you learn to do that? Good luck with all your merit badge work! 
 Hilary, your needlepoint is beautiful! 5 years seems like a long time. Way to go.
 
 Krista
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                | ceridwenTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      899 Posts
 
  Carole
 New York
 USA
 899 Posts
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                      |  Posted - May 02 2017 :  08:15:42 AM   
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                      | Hilary, your needlepoint piece is beautiful! 
 I had a neighbour many moons ago that had an antique needlepoint rug (flowers on black background). They were squares stitched together to make a large area rug. It was gorgeous. I did think of doing something like that for my home and then the thought just vanished! lol
 
 Carole
 Farmgirl Sister 3610 - Nov 7/2011
 http://www.carolesquiltingetc.com
 http://www.fibrejunction.com
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                      | Edited by - ceridwen on May 02 2017  08:16:44 AM
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                | ceejay48Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
 
      13855 Posts
 
  CeeJay (CJ)
 Dolores 
                Colorado
 USA
 13855 Posts
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                | PixiedustdevilTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
    68 Posts
 
  
 Temperate Rainforest 
                Oregon
 USA
 68 Posts
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                      |  Posted - May 02 2017 :  4:21:34 PM   
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                      | Those needlepoints are pretty! Are they based off of  the 'Lady and the Unicorn' tapestry? Now your making me want to finish my cross-stitch, which has been sitting in the UFO pile since 2011.... not so much a UFO pile but the pile of shame. :P
 
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 Sisterhood #6941
 
 Jack of all trades, master of none,
 though oftentimes better than master of one.
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                | MaryJanesNieceTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      7961 Posts
 
  Krista
 Utah
 USA
 7961 Posts
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                      |  Posted - May 26 2017 :  10:17:14 AM   
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                      | What Merit badges are you all working on? How are they coming along? 
 Krista
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                | farmgirl68True Blue Farmgirl
 
     369 Posts
 
 Katie
 Bangor 
                Pennsylvania
 USA
 369 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 11 2017 :  09:06:58 AM   
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                      | Hi y'all, I'm Katie.  I'm brand new here and am just getting started on my merit badges.  I, too, had a difficult time narrowing them down to get started ~ they all sound nifty and fun! 
 A little bit about myself first.  I am disabled and am afflicted with a progressive nerve condition however I try not to let it get me down!!!  My husband and I have a little homestead where I do my therapy (physical, emotional, etc.) in the garden.  It has kept me alive!  When I stumbled upon the Farmgirl Connection it seemed a perfect fit to keep my mind active to learn new things, remind me of skills I already know, and almost most of all, meet new ladies of similar mindset.  I crave that.
 
 So, all that being said, here is what I have chosen to begin with...
 
 Sew Wonderful - I already know how to sew but I look forward to sharing my skills with someone else.  I already have someone in mind.
 
 Aprons - Can I just say I LOVE aprons!!! But, can you believe I never made one.  So this is the time ladies. I'm going to do it
  
 Knitting - Hmmm, I know a little, very little.  My grandma taught me 40 years ago but she was lefty and I'm a righty so I never really caught on.  This is a skill I really want to learn.
 
 Self-Sufficiency - This is near and dear to me and something I try to stick to already.  I look forward to creating the spice blends and I already have a gifting idea.  I can but want to try my hand at fermenting this year.  This gives me the perfect opportunity to try.
 
 Homespun Christmas - It's that time to start thinking about crafting for the holidays.  I'm giving myself a heftier goal than the 25%, I'm going for 50%!
 
 Music - I have a degree in violin performance that I haven't "used" in years.  On rainy days I look forward to working with some of my past knowledge and doing some research.  Work those grey cells
  
 Herbs - I have, if I do say so myself, a beautiful herb garden but I "do" very little with it except maintain it and use the culinary herbs.  I'd like to learn more about teas and medicinal herbs.
 
 Finally,
 Speak for the Trees - I love trees, enough said.
 
 So there you have it.  Like I said, I'm new, I'd love to get to know some of you
  
 Katie Reichenbach
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                | churungaTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      3989 Posts
 
  Marie
 Minneapolis 
                MN
 USA
 3989 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 11 2017 :  09:47:59 AM   
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                      | Katie, welcome to the farm.  Those are some ambitious goals.  Email me anytime with questions about knitting, crafting and herbs.  I have a couple really good medicinal herb books from which I can research any questions or ideas. 
 Good luck and keep us informed.
 
 Marie, Sister #5142
 Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
 
 Try everything once and the fun things twice.
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                | jillydTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      744 Posts
 
  Jill
 Saanichton 
                British Columbia
 Canada
 744 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 11 2017 :  09:59:50 AM   
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                      | Welcome Katie.  You've found the right place to hang out! 
 Jill
 Farmgirl #6748
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                | farmgirl68True Blue Farmgirl
 
     369 Posts
 
 Katie
 Bangor 
                Pennsylvania
 USA
 369 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 11 2017 :  10:04:27 AM   
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                      | I have a question... 
 In working on herbs, I have already done the beginner and intermediate levels.  How do I document these?  For instance, I've been growing an herb garden for years. I added many things this year, however.
 
 KTBug
 Friends are the flowers that bloom in life's garden.
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                | farmgirl68True Blue Farmgirl
 
     369 Posts
 
 Katie
 Bangor 
                Pennsylvania
 USA
 369 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 11 2017 :  10:07:09 AM   
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                      | Hilary, those are beautiful needlepoints! 
 KTBug
 Friends are the flowers that bloom in life's garden.
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                | MaryJanesNieceTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
      7961 Posts
 
  Krista
 Utah
 USA
 7961 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 11 2017 :  6:11:33 PM   
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                      | Glad you found the topic, Katie! You have some chosen some wonderful badges to start with. I can't wait to see your progress with each of them! 
 Krista
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                | PixiedustdevilTrue Blue Farmgirl
 
    68 Posts
 
  
 Temperate Rainforest 
                Oregon
 USA
 68 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 11 2017 :  7:47:45 PM   
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                      | @Katie 
 Welcome!
 
 I'm not sure what you mean by 'document.'
 You just need Expert level, correct? That only involves planting 3 more herbs, harvest, and give some to your friends with recipes to use them in.
 When it says to plant 3 more herbs they don't have to be a whole new herb you don't have (and never use) it could be a different breed. An example would be I have plain thyme, but then I bought a lemon and lime thyme, which tastes different. Or have different varieties of mint. Last year I planted pepper mint, pineapple mint, and a chocolate mint.
 
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 *Sisterhood #6941
 *Farmgirl sister of the year 2017
 
 Jack of all trades, master of none,
 though oftentimes better than master of one.
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                | farmgirl68True Blue Farmgirl
 
     369 Posts
 
 Katie
 Bangor 
                Pennsylvania
 USA
 369 Posts
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                      |  Posted - Jul 12 2017 :  06:04:13 AM   
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                      | Thank you everyone! 
 KTBug
 Friends are the flowers that bloom in life's garden.
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                | Merit Badge Chit Chat:  Just a bit of merit badge chit chat  |  |