Blogging is Back - 2026 Trends Say

 I heard it from a professional content creator a few weeks ago that blogging is back.  Thanks to the same looking posts, AI, fast paced scrolling and lack of personality.  Many want to go back to sharing more than 35 words or a few seconds of time.  I noticed on youtube that several influencers are going toward a slow living trend.  I knew they would burn out - you can't do all that - and still vlog/blog/post about it multiple times a week.   I know many of them have staff that do most of the things for them.  However, you became an influencer because of your originality...not what you've grown in to.  O.k. I'm off my soap box now.  I believe AI free will be the next thing.  I will remain AI free.  My content has always been original - flop or not.  

So, as I move forward into a less mobile world, blogging I hope to keep up with.  I may in time need a device that types for me.  Until then, I will keep moving my fingers the best I can.  

Here is our dog Lady as I am sitting working on this...she thinks the chair is hers.  

So things you may see more of in 2026

Oh, I've tried just about every little "gimmick" to get people to read my blog:  Motivational Monday, Tips on Tuesday, Whatcha Got Wednesday, Thrifscore Thursday and Farmhouse Friday.  What it is you like to read about or see on the blogs you love?  

Remember the "bloghops" - I sure miss those.  I gained many followers from sharing on those hosted by other blogs.  

Any tips or ideas of content you would like to see from me?

Thanks.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Thanks for the Lessons 2025

“Faith often leads us through both joy and sorrow, but God’s love carries us through.”

I could write a post about how bad 2025 was for me.  However, I'm an optimist, "little Miss Sunshine" and "find the silver lining" type of a person.  Anyway, no one likes depressing posts.

So, thanks for the lessons 2025:

January - don't "jump to conclusions" (not ALS but IBM)

February - be "aggressive" when it comes to yourself.  I can when it comes to my family.  So, my family pushed me to not wait for answers - call Mayo.

March - Focus on the day ahead, not too far in the future.

April - I CAN do HARD things!  

May - Rugs are not my friend (I forgot about that in Oct.)  Come to terms with your limitations.

June - Enjoy each day outside during the summer.  I can do what I love even if on a small scale.

July - I can still manage to stay working with help from friends.

August - Asking for help, isn't a sign of weakness.  "Jacky, you have always helped others when they need it, now let them help you."  

September - Enjoyed a family vacation working with my mobility issues - it was still fun!  Don't just sit home - go out and enjoy.  

October - Thankfully (with help) another successful Ringle Harvest Day.  Even in most painful, drug induced, foggy, I still don't remember some days of my hospital stay - Jesus was with me, in my room every day. 

November - Reminder that my community appreciates me.  They made me a permanent sign at the own hall.  I was told "this is not a memorial - but a recognition for all your years of service.  We still expect you to stick around."  (Lord willing)

December - my family (church, 4H, friends, children, grands) builds me up, holds me up and are vital to my health and healing.  

As the year progressed, I just seemed to roll with the punches.  

Al and I did another year of hiding God's word in our hearts.  Studying, reading and praying His word - is about the only thing that helped me through it.  

So, here's to you 2025 - the worst year of my life, but I fooled you and accepted it ALL for my good.   

Blessings from Ringle Wisconsin.   

The In Between Week

 It's the in between week - Christmas and New Year

I honestly don't even know for sure what day it is, but I don't care.    So, what have I (we) been doing?  

Starting to take all of this down and pack away.

This was my Christmas gift from Al.  I somehow scrolled on Pinterest and saw this cover to this book.  I did some research on it and knew I wanted a copy.  This is 1949, 1st Edition, based on real chickens the author owned and to top it off, one of my favorite illustrators.  It's a smaller chapter book a couple hour read.  I LOVE the story to it!  It had me in tears and laughing - message behind it was so special.  

I (we) watched Netflix, Victoria and Empress, however I (we) am taking a break from starting anything new now.  

I (we) want to clean up pantry by using up old before we restock with new.  So we made lasagna and I made 3 freezer meals for later.  When I was in the hospital, Al said it would have been nice to have something I made (smile).  So, I think we will keep doing bigger batch cooking and freezing for ease or convenience later.

We had so much cheese left over from Christmas too.  Is that just a Wisconsin thing?  Well, one can never have too much cheese.  

I did lasagna roll ups for the freezer.  

Al has been using the sauna.  I hope I can get in there sometime soon.  I don't want to risk falling so maybe by February.  I miss it.

I had in home physical therapy today.  Tomorrow I have a reevaluation of my progress.  They will send it over to the surgeon, whom I see on Monday.  

My granddaugter is coming over on Thursday.  She wants to have a "spa" day here.  It is my daughter and son-in-law's 12 th anniversary lunch date and whatever other plans they have.  I'm sure some cards will be played as she is such a little card shark!

I plan to do a New Years Day little LIVE sale for my business.  Not sure what I will sell yet, I'll find something tomorrow.  

Well, that's about it.  Several naps taken as well.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Citrus Craisin Shortbread Cookies

 

I didn't have a recipe, but I knew the basic of how to make them - so I guess this is my version of a Citrus Craisin Shortbread Cookie

Recipe:

Start with the citrus, zest an orange and lemon.  Squeeze the juice of each and put in separate bowl.  Chop craisins into little chunks.  

1 Cup of butter

1 Cup of powdered sugar; cream together

add the chopped craisins and zests

mix well

add:

1 teaspoon vanilla

3-4 tablespoons of juice from orange and lemon 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

2 Cups of flour (1 Cup at a time)

mix together

roll dough into a log and refrigerate until hard enough to slice.

Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes. 

I had some left over melted chocolate, so I dipped the edge of each for fun.  You wouldn't have to do that.  However, if you like orange and chocolate together, you'll want to do this.  So good!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin 

Last Minute Christmas Decorations

 This is such an old idea, but a good one.  The smells are positively Christmas.  All you need is a few oranges, whole cloves and a tooth pick (or 2).  

To save your fingertips some pain, use a toothpick to poke the holes first.  Insert a clove.  These orange pomanders have historically been used to protect against infection and ward of foul smells (according to Google).  Mine are pretty plain.  You can look online and see some very elaborate ones.  Other citrus fruits used as well.  

Place them in a bed of cedar, balsam or pine needles or add a ribbon to them and hang them.  I put mine in an old crockery plate and added cinnamon sticks and cranberries.  Super easy.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle

Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle

Peanut brittle was one of my mom's specialties.   This is how she taught me to make it.  Spray or butter a pan and have it ready.

Peanut Brittle

2 C Sugar
1 C Karo Corn Syrup
1/2 C Water

Bring this to a boil in a heavy bottom kettle.  Attach your candy thermometer to the side, but make sure it doesn't touch the bottom of the kettle.  While this is working up to boil, get all your other ingredients ready and set to the side.  You want to have this handy as once your brittle hits hard crack you want to be able to dump them in without stopping to measure.

3 C Peanuts
2 T Butter
1 t. Vanilla
2 t.  Baking Soda

Add peanuts to boiling syrup and cook until hard crack stage.  Stir continuously.

Once this reaches hard crack stage, remove from heat and dump in the butter, soda and vanilla.  Stir vigorously, this will foam up, pour it into your pan.

Wait for it to cool - or, if you live in Wisconsin, take it outside and let it sit on your snow covered bench.  

Once cool and hard, break into pieces.  

Every time I make this, I think of my mom and the batches upon batches she would make.  It is so good and easy too.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin. 

My Go To Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

Gingerbread Bears

Gingerbread Bears 

1 C butter
1 C brown sugar
1 C molasses
2 eggs
1 1/2 t salt
4 t cinnamon
4 t ginger
1 t allspice
1 1/2 t ground cloves
1/2 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
5 C flour

Cream the butter and brown sugar together, add the molasses and eggs, mix well.  Add the spices, baking powder and soda.  Add the flour 1 cup at a time until well blended.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.  Roll 1/4" on lightly floured board, cut out in desired shapes - I did bears.   Bake 350 for 8-10 min.

I use meringue powder to make royal icing for decorating.

Very gingery, dark cookies - Al loves them!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.