While we are now in the mini Fall session of The Proper Mountain Woman Club, I’ve been spending some time reflecting on my favorite badges/activities of the summer session.
What is The Proper Mountain Woman Club you ask? It is a community of women who work toward badges in order to get out of comfort zones, get kudos for things we need to get done, be creative, and more.
The summer session was my 2nd session – Winter being my first. I came to the club through a book club. A few members of the book club were also members of Proper Mountain. When they first starting sharing about it, I didn’t see the point. Why not just do the things? Why would we need badges?
But the more they talked about it, and the more I saw the fun they were having, I started to get it. Because, in reality, we don’t “just do the thing”. There are always tasks that push the ‘just for us’ activities to the back of the list. There are also things that we know we need to do, but doing them is a hassle, so having the nudge of getting a badge, makes all the difference in getting the appointment scheduled. Sometimes we just need the feeling of permission to do something silly or to try something new. Proper Mountain Woman Club gives us that and more.
Each session has badges in 12 categories: Arts and Crafts, Beauty, Health and Fitness, Home and Hygge, Kitchen, Knowledge, Mischief, Nature, Self-Reliance, Service, Social, and Spiritual.
These were my favorite badges of the summer session:
Arts and Crafts
Make a Flower Press – I would never even think to press flowers, so making a press was not on my radar. This one made it on the favorites list because I was able to make something with my mom. Jason prepped everything for us, and we got to use some power tools to make the press.
Cross Stitch (and Needlepoint) – The two crafts are very similar, but while I found I loved cross stitch, I wasn’t a fan of needlepoint. After completing the project for the badge, I’ve since completed another one, and started one more.
September Photo Challenge – I love challenges and this one was right up my alley. I had the added benefit of seeing everyone else’s pictures too which just added to the joy.
Beauty
Boots – It had been a long time since I’d owned a pair of boots. While it was a bit hot most of the time, I am glad this badge gave me the excuse to get a new pair. I look forward to wearing them more in the fall.
Health and Fitness
Rucking – I found that I really enjoyed rucking (hiking with added weight). I liked that it provided multiple benefits in one activity and it was something that Jason and I could do together (Prince and Axle too!)
Home and Hygge
Reading Time – of course one of my favorites would involve reading. Here are my 5 star reads from the summer session.
Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas – re-read – these books have my whole heart and soul
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center — a love letter to rom-coms
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto – I’m not usually a fan of angst, but this one did it right
Business Casual by B.K. Borison – the final book in the Lovelight Farms series had my heart bursting
Wild Eyes by Elise Silver – Weston Belmont gives Cade Eaton a run for his money in this one
Phantasma by Kalie Smith – a competition following the levels of hell makes for a great spooky season read
These books I wouldn’t have read without the carrot of the badge, but that I really enjoyed were:
True Grit by Charles Portis – I’d watched the movie, but found I like the book more
The Outlaw Noble Salt by Amy Harmon – a reimagining of the Butch Cassidy myth had all the adventure and romance you would expect
Kitchen
Bold Flavor Queen – for this badge we were tasked with making 4 different dishes using walnut, fig, white chocolate, and peach. I made Maple Walnut muffins, Balsamic Fig Chicken, White Chocolate and Cranberry cookies, and Peach Oatmeal bars.
Knowledge
Knots – Unfortunately, I’m not sure I remember how to do any of these knots, but learning about them with such a wonderful group of women, make it a favorite badge of the summer. We also did some lassoing, which was a riot.
Lasso – Cole trying to teach me to lasso had us laughing so hard we were crying.
Mischief
Cow Tipping – while no actual cows were harmed during this badge, we did have a good time with the play on words. We had a Tip the Cow jar and Tip the Cow beer.
Nature
Paddle 3 – This one pushed me a little. I haven’t done much paddling due to a somewhat traumatic kayaking experience back in my youth, but I was ready to move on from that fear. Luckily, I have friends and a husband that know just how to gently goad me into getting out of my comfort zone. I actually ended up with 4 different crafts – paddle board, kayak, john boat, and canoe.
Self-Reliance/Service/Spiritual
I have a hard time completing the badges in these categories, so I don’t have many to choose from when picking a ‘favorite’.
Donate Blood – This is another one that came out on top because I was able to do it with my mom. We stacked this badge with another one (attend a bluegrass festival), so got to donate and then listen to some good music.
Social
Summer Solstice/Fall Equinox – these have become 2 of my favorite celebrations due to the community I’ve found in this group.
Date Night – Jason and I spent a very fun night out – we went to a Tiki Bar, a Speakeasy, and played arcade games.
Final Thoughts
My favorite thing about this summer session by far, regardless of badges, was the abundance of gatherings that accompanied them. We had our kick off party, summer solstice, finding out our colors and learning new games, lake weekend, ready to run 5K, craft weekend, fall equinox, and saloon night/end of session party.
It also gave Jason and I some direction on our camping trips. The two of us hiked/rucked, listened to bluegrass, swam in lakes and the ocean, played all the cornhole, watched three Spaghetti Westerns, and paddled a trail in a canoe. Not to mention our date night, time at the lake with family (we bought all the rounds), and making chicken fried steak.
After a successful Winter and Summer session, plus being well on the way to having a fun Mini Fall Session, I’m looking forward to more!
Happy Reading!
**affiliate links to Bookshop.org
You’ve gone from being skeptical of the club to the poster child for it! Ha! You have described the club better than I can! I loved reading of your summer and everything you did. Thanks for being in the troop and making us look good.
This is SO good! I love it!!!