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**Welcome Wagon:  New in Santa Barbara  |
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kreativeblonde
True Blue Farmgirl
135 Posts
Amanda
Summerland
Ca
USA
135 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 06 2007 : 11:31:30 AM
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Hi! I am thrilled to be a part of the maryjane's connection. My name is Amanda and I live just outside of Santa Barbara in a cute little beach community called Summerland. My first connection with maryjane was the latest magazine- The Apron issue. Boy, did thst bring back memories! I have such fond memories of my nana and granny wearing aprons while doing just about everthing; baking days, where the entire counter was covered with tins of baked goods; raising chickens in the backyard; my first garden; visiting my aunt and uncles dairy farm and "helping" guide the cows up the street for the evening milking; learning to knit and crochet from the elders; hanging the wash out to dry on the big clothing lines; family car trips and so much more.
Now days I spend my free time working on my garden. This is my second year having a plot at one of the local community gardens. I have learned so much from the other gardeners,some of which have been gardening for many many years. I haven't had a garden since I was little so it was quite an experince to say the least. After going through severe frosts, rain, wind and a still in a cast broken arm I am getting ready to start this years garden soon after getting my cast off-just 2 more weeks!
I also participate in our local Summer Solstice parade every June, which is the largest single-day event in our area. It celebrates the start of summer and the longest day of the year. This is my 13th year being in the parade, and my 3rd year having my own group. this parade takes the farmgirl approach to everyday objects one step further. My very first costume (a female tin woodsman) had a skirt that was made from a hollowed out metal washtub, which was packed VERY tightly with a lot of heavy foam and duct tape. I then added siler suspenders. I've also had a group called, "tossed salad", which consisted of a large "bowl" (open in the middle" with human "lettuce" and giant cherry tomatoes, beets, cucumber and carrot slices all made from papier mache, foam, or some other substance. This year my group is "flamingo fandango" a flamingo drill team. I'm not sure what happened this year, but we got an extremely early start on things. Usually we start in late May, but this year we started in late December!. I currently have about 25 people commited to the project; the costumes have been designed (we'll make the ourselves in the next 2 months); the float has been designed and I've met with the man whose going to help me build it-usually I do a lot of the work and get additional construction from the people that work at the workshop and are much better at the measuring and actual structural aspect than I. It has been a busy few months, but once my cast is off I will be excited to plant my garden-right now it just has strawberries (which is not a bad thing at all); work on the parade and get back to dressing myself 
Does anybody have any great ideas for things to plant this year?
Amanda |
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knewslady
True Blue Farmgirl
555 Posts
Kathy
Russellville
KY
USA
555 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2007 : 11:58:53 AM
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You are definitely going to fit right in here Amanda. Welcome aboard and join in on the fun.
Kathy
Will always be a farmgirl at heart
Visit my online shop at http://thebackfence.etsy.com |
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shelle
True Blue Farmgirl
404 Posts
Shelle
oklahoma
USA
404 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2007 : 3:10:03 PM
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Hi Amanda-
Wow those are some great memories! Join us down at Garden's Gate! We have some great conversations going on about planting and crops for this year.
Welcome!
Alee |
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Luzy
True Blue Farmgirl
922 Posts
Luanne
Pueblo
Colorado
USA
922 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2007 : 3:26:46 PM
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Welcome to the farm Amanda! You are gonna love it here! Good luck with your cast, when does it come off? Lu
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May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am. |
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Mikki
True Blue Farmgirl
1510 Posts
Mikki
Austin
Indiana
USA
1510 Posts |
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2007 : 7:29:05 PM
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| Hi Amanda, Welcome. Wish I could go to your parade, sounds like fun. |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2007 : 8:03:15 PM
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welcome to the group Amanda.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4541 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4541 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2007 : 04:08:11 AM
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| Hi Amanda-whew sounds like you do alot. Have fun Michele |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17453 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17453 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2007 : 10:38:01 AM
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Hey Amanda,
Welcome aboard!
I live in Moorpark, (Ventura CO.) about a 45min south of you. I love hitting the antique stores there in Summerland.
Have fun making new friends at MJF's
tata-4-now
grace
>^..^< |
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kreativeblonde
True Blue Farmgirl
135 Posts
Amanda
Summerland
Ca
USA
135 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2007 : 10:25:42 AM
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Thanks for the welcome everybody!
My cast comes off in 2 weeks from tomorrow...and I can hardly wait. I'm really looking forward to sooooooo many things (after hand therapy, of course), but honestly I am going to be thrilled with being able to do my hair-properly. I use a "gloss" to make my hair shiny, but since the cast I just have patches of glossy hair...it's a great look I'm sure :-) Anyhow, I've surprised myself with the things I have been able to do with my left hand. |
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kreativeblonde
True Blue Farmgirl
135 Posts
Amanda
Summerland
Ca
USA
135 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2007 : 10:52:59 AM
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thanks for letting me know about the Garden's gate.There are so many great resources and people so willing to share.
quote:
Originally posted by Alee
Hi Amanda-
Wow those are some great memories! Join us down at Garden's Gate! We have some great conversations going on about planting and crops for this year.
Welcome!
Alee
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lamamama
True Blue Farmgirl
255 Posts
Melanie
CA
USA
255 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2007 : 12:14:16 PM
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Welcome, Amanda!
I'm certain that you will enjoy yourself here...... it's a fount of creative & inspirational ideas! Given your obviously HUGE imagination, you'll fit right in.
I loved reading about the parade, & your various themes!! If I lived around there, I'm positive I'd be marching with you. :) What a hoot!
And I often do wish I lived in Santa Barbara; it is one of my favorite places.
Looking forward to hearing more of your artistic adventures.
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sewgirlie
True Blue Farmgirl
1894 Posts
Sheryl-lyn
Calverton
NY
USA
1894 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2007 : 12:22:25 PM
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Welcome Amanda! Sounds like you have a happy, full life. You will love it here!
Sheryl-lyn |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2007 : 1:31:58 PM
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Welcome, Amanda! Love your farmgirl ingenuity for your costumes!! You will love it here!
Karin
Wherever you go, there you are. |
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OregonGal
True Blue Farmgirl
511 Posts
Chris
No. IL
USA
511 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2007 : 5:34:49 PM
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| Welcome Amanda - yes it sounds like you are a very energetic and busy lady. Glad you found this site. Its nice to get to know you. |
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Ronna
True Blue Farmgirl
1891 Posts
Ronna
Fernley
NV
USA
1891 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2007 : 5:39:00 PM
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Summerland is such a neat little town, like it's been lost in the 50's or 60's...if it's not changed and sounds like it's the same. I used to live in 1000 Oaks and went to Santa Barbara once a week for my job. Hit all the wondeful thrift shops in Santa Barbara too. Glad to have you here.
Ronna |
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kreativeblonde
True Blue Farmgirl
135 Posts
Amanda
Summerland
Ca
USA
135 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2007 : 6:03:35 PM
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Well, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but....we've moved up to the 80's. A lot of it's still the same as you remember, but noe there are houses built back far into the hillside and strangest of all there are million dollar homes at the edge of summerland, just behind where I live, which is all pretty funny when you consider that my apartment was built in the 70's...and looks like it!. The Nugget is still here, but the Big Yellow House has closed and some guy has planned an "upscale" resturant for the space, which anyone from around here knows is soooooooooo not what this town is about. we're way more laidback than that. Oh, and....we have a fabulous new bike path! It wraps around the oceanside of the hill (by the freeway) so there's no more schelping your bike over the hill and trying to avoid getting run over on the way down. Can't wait to try it out! Just got a bike, so once I'm healed from my broken arm, i'll be riding my bike to the friday morning farmer's market come summertime 
quote:
Originally posted by Ronna
Summerland is such a neat little town, like it's been lost in the 50's or 60's...if it's not changed and sounds like it's the same. I used to live in 1000 Oaks and went to Santa Barbara once a week for my job. Hit all the wondeful thrift shops in Santa Barbara too. Glad to have you here.
Ronna
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Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2007 : 8:06:18 PM
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Amanda,
Welcome!! So neat to hear all about your activities there! Can't wait to hear more about your garden plans and other hobbies as well! We are glad you found us and I can't wait to get to know you better as I see you 'round!
Hugz!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2007 : 09:09:45 AM
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Hi Amanda..welcome to the group!! I grew up north of you in Arroyo Grande..and am actually here on vavacation right now. You will love this group of gals!!
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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mima
True Blue Farmgirl
1573 Posts
1573 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2007 : 09:56:14 AM
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| Welcome from another Central Coast gal!!! You should try to meet up with us on our field trip to Ventura! Would love to meet you! |
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Bee Haven Maven
True Blue Farmgirl
1862 Posts
Beverly
Pennsylvania
USA
1862 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2007 : 4:06:45 PM
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Welcome Amanda....be sure and post some pictures from your Summer Solstice. Would love to see the end result of all your hard costume work. Sounds like a great little town. Welcome to the farm!
Keep Smiling.....Bev
Bee Haven Acres
http://beehavenacres.blogspot.com/ |
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blueroses
True Blue Farmgirl
1323 Posts
Debbie
in the Pandhandle of
Idaho
USA
1323 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 11:31:28 AM
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Hi Amanda,
Welcome to the group. Love your ideas - I really love the flamingo fandango idea. What fun. Your town sound pretty nice.
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
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Maryjane Lee
True Blue Farmgirl
2195 Posts
Maryjane
CA
USA
2195 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 4:41:51 PM
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Welcome Amanda! I love Summerland! It's so beautiful there! Done some fun shopping in the Yellow House area! I have family in Santa Barbara, Solvang and Santa Maria! Looking forward to knowing you!
Hugs,
Maryjane Lee
A House Is A Home Where Love Dwells |
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kreativeblonde
True Blue Farmgirl
135 Posts
Amanda
Summerland
Ca
USA
135 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 4:45:47 PM
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I can't wait to meet up with the "local" MJ farm girls!
Picked my first strawberries of the season yesterday-about 20+, not sure of the # since My friends and I may have eaten a few :-). Took a picture of what we didn't eat, which i'll post momentarily
Amanda
quote:
Originally posted by mima
Welcome from another Central Coast gal!!! You should try to meet up with us on our field trip to Ventura! Would love to meet you!
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Edited by - kreativeblonde on Apr 11 2007 4:50:01 PM |
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**Welcome Wagon: New in Santa Barbara |
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New in Santa Barbara
