What does being 'BuffaloGals' mean?

 
A heck-of-a-lot!
     So, what does it all mean?
     Being the Buffalo Gal in Buffalo Gals Bakery & Country Store is more than just being a business owner. It's more like being a community.
     My little bakery and country store is my way of helping support our family farm.  It means I can use my domestic and homesteading skills to stay on the land that I love.    We have cattle and grains. And it's a bit like being the Pied Piper for me. My 'girlz' are mostly tame and follow me around like very big dogs.
     Buffalo Gals means self-sufficiency, giving, hard work and more. It's thinking outside the box to find solutions. It's helping others. It's enjoying the land and little play time.

Bohemian Brew Bag

     When somebody buys a  Bohemian Brew Bag , it doesn't just mean that I got paid for something I created. It helps a whole lot of other people. Right off the bat I give a percentage to Dakota Prairie Partners~A philanthropy group. "Hope, Inspiration & Vision"  It also means that the incredible lady from MoJo Roast Inc is doing well, because I am able to get the Coffee Bags from her. In turn, her being able to empty the coffee bags of beans, means that her dollars (and yours by purchasing her coffees) are supporting the Cafe Feminino program which in turn empowers women in Guatemala to be self sufficient. 
    When somebody buys Old Glory sugar cookies they are helping me support our troops. The proceeds from these fabulous soft cookies goes to Wounded Warrior Project. This is important to me, as I have two boys who serve. (Marines and Nat'l Guard)
  I also give to the PBR's Rider Relief Fund....
    Through my business I have met incredibly wonderful people, and had some amazing opportunities come my way. Last year I was able to participate in OSU's "An evening of Art & Fashion" by donating a handmade quilt to the silent auction.  The monies raised were used to help  Deployed Service Women finish their educations long distance.   
   It seems like we are all connected to each other in some way. Through giving, mentoring, donating and more.
   I know many, many other small business owners that give tirelessly of their time and talents outside of their own businesses.
   We ARE part of a Community.  

So~ Thank you!  For supporting my community ...

Katy

    
   
  
    
    

Make it do, or do without!

Remember the old adage "Use it up,
                                          Wear it Out,
                                          Make it Do,
                                          Or do Without"?
      My grandparents said that. My own parents said it. I even uttered it to my kids. Once.
What were we called? Thrifty. Penny-wise. Tight. Creative....

           Some people have been making do forever...I am one of them. Mine is more a crafty thing. I almost can't pass up a neglected object without thinking "Gee, I can make a......."
     Nowadays there a boodle of fancy names for it. "Green. Up-cycle. Re-cycle. Re-purpose. Salvage.Re-utilize.
      I know it absolutely drives my husband nuts when I drag something home.  I happen to have a pile of projects. In the spare room, in the potting shed, in the barn, in the basement, and sometimes on the kitchen table.
    Currently I have been making Purses and Aprons. I am very lucky to have friends that give me stuff. I have a good amount of Burlap Coffee Bags that I got from my friend Jo Khalifa at MoJo Roast. She is a "Personal Coffee Roaster". Good for me that she gets some killer coffee bags that she passes on!
    This is a Win-Win situation. She buys some of her coffees from the Cafe Feminino project. A portion of those proceeds go to women's causes in coffee producing countries. In turn, I receive the bags and am able to make purses and other items. The money from these not only funds my business, but allows me to give back in return.
    Leftover wood becomes garden trellis's, (usually painted some shocking color) Old jeans become quilts, Any kind of found boxes become planters....and so on.
   For those who know me, they know that found usually involves me tip-toeing cheerfully through some abandoned homestead, willfully plundering...:)  
    As much as I love Flea Markets, I try to stay away....I have found out that's where the Under Stuffed go to get more stuff! Too easy for this girl to get way too much.
   When was the last time you made something? Isn't creating fun?

Katy
  
  

                    

Doing good feels good!

Marine Jean Quilt

                 An Evening of Art & Fashion for a great cause.

     High fashion, Generous donations and a fabulous group of ladies from the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University made a difference in the lives of Military families.
    With a motto of " Breaking thorough barriers for women and girls" The OSU chapter of AAUW  put together this fundraiser to provide computers for Deployed Military Women to continue their educations online. And also funds for Single mothers to finish theirs.
                                           An Evening of Arts and Fashion

Ali B's Original Designs

   Among the donations was a Marine Jean Quilt, made by me. I got the jeans from the quilt from my son Cpl. Dillon Tapparo. He originally was acquiring jeans from his buddies on post so I would make him a new blanket. Luckily he gave me enough for two. Jeretta Nord Horn (director of the OSU chapter AAUW) decided that my quilt would do much better in the live auction-(Which also featured items from world renown designer Stella Thomas). There was fierce bidding for it .
      The Marine Jean Quit eventually was sold for 800 dollars. It was able to purchase THREE computers!
   Among the other donors was the incredibly talented Alanna Beoppre of Ali B's Originals in Bottineau, ND. She makes outstanding custom jewelry.
  Jo Khalifa of MoJo Roast in Westhope,ND "Your Personal Coffee Roaster" also generously gave of both her time and talents. As a friend of Jeretta Nord Horn, Jo was asked to be of assistance. Jo put out the word to North Dakota companies to provide donation items for a silent auction.

Original Stella Thomas Designs

                          The evening was a great success!
And what's more, these women that are benefiting from this event are leading the way with their Can Do Attitude. They are proving that anything is possible.
                                                   May God keep them safe.
 

Welcome to Buffalo Gals News

Hello! 
   Welcome to Buffalo Gals-
       I am Katy and I will be your 'Host' for these posts... We will have News, Recipes, Events, Gardening tips, Stories, Updates on our Bakery & Country Store and more.
    A little about us- We (my hubby & I) live on a farn in Central North Dakota. We have both cattle and crops. And I write the Restuarant/Food reviews and sometimes local History pieces for the Pairie Independant.
     Considered a 'Poor Man's Martha' (Stuart) by my friends, I have a nack for being able to bake, cook, grow, sew and make about anything I turn my hand to.  I learned to sew from my Grammy, garden from my Grandpa, Make cool stuff from my Mother and Mom-in-law. Cooking and Baking were self taught. I have a couple friends that could tell some very funny stories on my (bad) cooking skills when I was younger!
  I hope you find somthing that strikes your fancy within these pages!

Katy