Deer Hunting

This past week was the 9 day deer hunt (gun).  This is a “big deal” up here.  All of the men in my life, while growing up, liked to hunt.   Respectful hunting and use of the meat – not being wasteful - is very important to us.

I do not hunt, however my husband does.  I thought with 2 daughters, he would be hunting by himself.  I was surprised when our daughter, Anna, wanted to go hunting.

Anna is a cancer survivor.  While in treatment and thereafter, we met many wonderful people.  One of which happened to be Bill Schroeder (played for the Green Bay Packers).   Bill Schroeder is an avid outdoorsman.  He is originally from Wisconsin and still lives here.  Well, he was asked by the Outdoor Channel to be in an episode that was a part of the Tony Semple Foundation for Hope.  Tony Semple played for the Detroit Lions.  These men love to hunt so the Outdoor Channel wanted to do an episode featuring this organization’s “Outdoor Adventure” they do.  This outdoor adventure allows kids who have faced life threatening illness and handicaps the opportunity to actually shoot a trophy buck. 

I will never forget the day Anna called me as said “Mom, can I go hunting with Bill Schroeder – I’m gonna be on T.V.”  The being on T.V. part, ya I could see Anna wanting to do that – but the hunting….”are you sure you want to do that…..you’re gonna have to kill something…”  She said “yes, I want to go..”  

So, several months later, Anna and my husband went on this hunt.  It was actually in northern Wisconsin.  They were there for several days and received instructions and opportunities to shoot a buck.  Anna actually shot a really nice one.  They were able to bring home the meat all cut and wrapped.  The organization also provided a mounting of the deer along with a plaque with the other kids in her “hunt”.   

  

This is it. 

                                                                                                                          

She has been out hunting every year since…including this year.   According to Al, she is actually good at it.  She has a good “shot”  (military background genes – Al’s side; or maybe my side – Native American genes)

She loves doing this with her Dad…who knew!  Another lesson we learned through Cancer.  This year, no deer – for either of them.  Which, was O.K. as we had both freezers full of other meat. 

Blessings from Wisconsin.

Fast Easy Breakfast

 

Pillsbury crescent rolls, chocolate spread, chopped nuts – that is it.

roll them up, more nuts on top – bake..delicious..

I’m sure I saw this somewhere  - but, I was thinking that a cream cheese spread with some herbs would be a nice savory one.

Blessings from Wisconsin.

Thankful

 

Yesterday was Thanksgiving in the U.S.  Abraham Lincoln, my favorite president, gave a speech where he set a side this day, as a national holiday.  His speech stated we should give thanks to our creator.  The speech was printed in our local paper – he sure had a way with words!  '

I try to be thankful everyday.  Jesus has blessed me and my family so much.  In good times and bad, I always try to find something to be thankful for.  

Yesterday, we had Al’s family over for lunch.  His family is small, compared to mine.  We made a new tradition, last year, that I do Thanksgiving, Jean, my sister-in-law, Christmas and Marlene, my mother-in-law, Easter.  So, this was our 2nd Thanksgiving here.

We, enjoyed the day, eating and watching the Packer Game.  Later in the evening, we went to my mom’s house, with some left-overs and to visit.  My great-niece made the whole meal at my mom’s.  She is only 14 and did an awesome job (she wanted to do this).  My mom has made many a turkey, however, she is not physically able to cook any more.  This really makes her depressed – so pray for her, please.   So, Aayliah, “helped” grandma cook…bless her heart!

Here are a few pictures of my house decorated for Thanksgiving. 

“Kid’s table”

I’ve been collecting these little candles for years – they are Tavern Candles.  I have a lot for Christmas. 

I set the table with a combination of antique and vintage plates.  Justine made the bread cornacopia, we added mini fruits.  It turned out so cute!

I hope you enjoyed your day.  Remember to find things to be thankful for everyday – Blessed in Wisconsin.

Cleaning Like Crazy

 

So, I have been cleaning like crazy, because my “in laws” are coming to our house for Thanksgiving.  I had a huge mess in my dining room – I do my ebay and crafting in there….enough said.  First, I have too much stuff, but I don’t want to get rid of some of my cupboards, they are getting harder to find.  So I moved this cupboard (still working on decorating) to here…

from this spot where I now put this cupboard.  I like the change. 

I forgot the green one was 2 pieces.  As I started to tip it down to “scooch” it on a rug into the other room, it fell toward me – guess what I didn’t even complain or get mad.  I even slammed my finger in the dishwasher door and I didn’t complain either – this 10 days without complaining is an eye opener!

When I get the rooms totally decorated, I will post some pictures. 

Thankful in Wisconsin.

Vintage Christmas Sale

 

I have been busy setting up trees, marking items and making Christmas folk art for my two booths.  When I had my shop open on the farm, I met many wonderful customers.  I know what they like and on occasion, I will set up a “private sale” for just for them.  This gives them a chance to “pick” first and buy before I stock my booths or go to a show.

So, I am showing you what I did.  Fortunately, this past year, as I dug in a box of stuff I put all the Christmas items in pile – so I could find it later. 

I started out with the –bones- you might say.  I carried in a table, all the extras I wanted for the display and the boxes and tubs of items for sale. 

I did this right in my entry….kinda tight – but it worked. 

I had an idea in my head of how I wanted it to look, I put the display items in place first and moved it around till I liked it.  My regular furniture helped with the backdrop and display. 

Once that was done, I could do the fun part and decorate.

I bought this neat old primitive cranberry scoop this past summer at a little auction “in town” – I’ve always wanted one, but they seem to go too high – not this one.  I am using it for my decorations when I host Thanksgiving here.

When she came in the house, she said “are you all ready for Christmas?”  I said “No, I did all of this for you…”  I think she liked it.  Well, I enjoyed the company, conversation and sales.

I will have some of these items on Ebay next week.  I hope to list Monday and Tuesday.  So, if you want, check it out.  I have a link at the top that goes to my seller page. 

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

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The Barn is Ready for Winter

 

The barn might be – but me – not yet.  I do love a snowy day, snuggled up in a blanket, working on a craft or baking – watching the white flakes fall.  Wisconsin is truly a Winter Wonderland.

This is the top of our barn.  I didn’t blog about it, but we cut and baled over 1,200 small square bales this summer.  In fact, we ran out of room for all the hay.

Looking down from top of pile.  We use 2 elevators (both were $10 each from farm auctions – excellent deals!) to stack the bales.  One to get the bales from outside to top and once we stack higher than we can reach, another to get them to my husband.  The system works for us.

I am pretty high up there…the cats LOVE sleeping in between the bales.  When they had kittens, I can’t tell you how many bales of hay I had to move to find crying kittens…peeping chicks too….

We actually gave away 2 wagons full of hay (each wagon has 125 + bales) to our friends.   Neither family has the equipment or acreage to make their own hay.  So, we shared.   We were so surprised to find a box of “meat” – pork was delivered to our house from one of the families…we didn’t expect that…but it was a good “trade.”

Here is one of the hams – I made for supper Tuesday.  I made fried rice with ham on Wednesday and today, I will make pea soup with left overs.  We’ve made chops and I can’t wait to eat the bacon!

Lined up and waiting for next year!

Blessings from Wisconsin!

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