Pinterest Quotes

O.K. I've been a little OCD with pinterest lately.  Some of the quotes are so funny!  Like this one:

I would know nothing about this....

Blessings from Wisconsin.

Take Another Look - Change Your Perspective

You know, we are all human.  Each with our own path to follow.  Sometimes as we walk along, we may come to a fork or a fallen tree; something obstructing our walk.  Life is like that. 

The decisions we make, our response to these obstructions is what God is interested in.  Each of us have come across things on our path.  I have had several and will continue to have them as long as the Lord is willing to have me here.

My experiences have taught me to have faith in His will for me.  My flesh and reactions sometimes get the better of me and I may not appreciate the trial set before me.   However, I have learned to look back at the path, remember how Jesus has helped me in the past and lean on the faith to overcome the new challenge.  Take a step back....look at the obstacle with new perspective. 

With a renewed insight, something beautiful might be set before you. 

"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."  1 Cor. 2:5

Blessings from my path in Wisconsin.

Edgar Steam Engine Show - 2012

We set up again at the Edgar Steam Engine Show and Flea Market this past weekend.  We had a great show and sold alot of stuff! 

Here are a few pictures.

Another fun year - and GREAT sales!

Blessings from Wisconsin.

Tour of the Wisconsin Black Bear Education Center

Our 4-H group had a wonderful time last night at the Wisconsin Black Bear Education Center.  We are fortunate to have this wonderful facility right here in our county.  This was my first tour, but I'm sure not my last. 

Jeff Traska and his wife manage the center.  It happens to be one of the most natural, privately owned, not-for-profit black bear education centers in the United States.  They manage 3 bears, Sonny, Vince and Moon.

Jeff told us that at one time he admired a bear from the back of his truck....but, learned nothing about them.  He said he has had a desire to help people understand the black bear, in hopes of dispelling the  myths and misconceptions that have led to the widespread, unnecesary persecution of bears.   

Black bears are extremely smart.  Even NASA is trying to figure out how they can replicate the hibernation mode in a bear's body.  Jeff does a wonderful job explaining why bears do some of the things they do in hopes of reducing human/bear conflict through education.  

He explains that a bear lives by his nose - they have a highly sensitive and unique nasal cavity.  There are 2 tiny holes in their nostrils that detect smells.  Even if a bear were blind, he could still survive in the wild by his nose.   If you happen to come upon a bear and see that it is raising up, lifting his head and opening his mouth - it is not because he is trying to kill you - he is trying to smell you.  A bear is more afraid of you than you are of it.  Just raise you hands and make a loud noise - show that you are not afraid - he will go the other way.  If you are on a hike or picking berries in the woods, before you even start, make noise, talk, sing this will give warning to a bear and they will leave. 

At this time of year, however, a bear is OCD with eating, building up their fat for hibernation.  Due to that fact, a bear might be so busy eating that you might scare one. 

I was so impressed with this tour and presentation.  His mission is to improve the lives of bears in captivity by serving as a high quality role model for bear housing and husbandry.  Job WELL DONE! 

This is Sonny, she was a real cutie.  They said she is very curious and smart.  She has even learned how to turn the waterfall on and off.  She is a prankster and loves attention.

This is Vince, he was the original bear.  He is now 12.  He is the laid back one.  He avoids conflict with the other bears and patiently waits for some attention.  Moon is 7, he made an appearance, but was off to the back to eat more acorns and berries.

The kids were throwing in acorns - Sonny was lovin it. 

Thanks - we had an awesome time!  Here is the link to their website.  http://www.wisconsinblackbears.com/

Blessing from Wisconsin. 

Jealous and Spoiled...Not me!

I saw this on pinterest and had to write a post about it.  I'm the baby in a family of 6.  My closest sibling is 7 years older.  I was the baby and treated like one.  My mom did spoil me as she knew I would be her last.  Don't get me wrong....I truly enjoyed it!

My mom babysat for a 2 little girls, who were just a bit older than me.  I was jealous of my mom's relationship with these 2 girls.  If only I knew then that their real mama left them with their dad and he was a single parent.  My mom was only showing them some mama love that they needed.  I truly was a terrible kid.  I hate to admit it now...but, it was true. 

Roxanne was in kindergarten (half days then) and my mom made us lunch.  It was french toast.  I was mad because Roxanne could eat more french toast than I could.  I can still see her face gobbling up all the french toast.  I don't know what came over me, but I had the fork in my mouth and flipped the end of the fork and it flew in the air and stuck in Roxanne's forehead.  Like I said...I was rotten.  She screamed and my mom came running over - the fork still stuck in Roxanne's forehead.  My mom pulled it out and there were 4 bloody hole marks.  This all just minutes before the bus came.  Roxanne was crying.  I don't know how my Mom stood me some days!

I can't even justify this behavior.  God is a jealous God...he created us with that emotion.  I've learned to curb it somewhat...but, my crazy sometimes wins.

Blessings from Wisconsin.

"Up North Storage Sale" August 17, 2012

A fellow blogger - Jadarie is having an inventory reduction sale in her "up north storage" in Kronenwetter. 

She lives in Chicago, but has roots up here.  Her sale is Friday, August 17th @ 8 a.m.   The address is:  2161 Conestoga Lane.   Just off of Kowalski Road.  Near X or XX. 

My girls and I plan to go and I hope to meet some of you there. 

Blessings from Wisconsin. 

Every Mother Has Been There

I was reading this post:  "When You Feel Like Screaming" - Lessons from Ivy.  http://www.lessonsfromivy.com/2012/08/when-you-feel-like-screaming.html

Every mother has been in a situation like this.  Believe it or not...raising kids can be "hazardous to your health."    I'm not really joking - tell that to a mama bear. 

In reading Ivy's post, it reminded me of this one day with my girls.  I quit my job to stay home.  I was doing craft sales to earn extra money.  One of the fabric stores was having a huge sale - like 90% off stuff.  I really wanted to get some deals.  So I set out with my 2 girls both under the age of 3 and went to the sale.  I had Anna on my hip and holding Justine's hand.  Before we even got into the store, Justine's fingers were pinched in the door.  She was crying, Anna was heavy and the store was packed!  I was stupid to even try to do this.  I was simply overwhelmed.  Women were staring at me, even giving me dirty looks.  I went down an isle, sat right on the floor and said out loud  "Jesus, please help me..."  in tears myself.   I managed to find a few "deals" (not really worth all of this) and proceeded to wait in a very long line.  Thankfully, some older woman let me go first, cut right to the front of the line.  Jesus did answer my prayer for help. 


I want to encourage the young mothers out there;  "this too will pass."  Believe me, you will miss these days!  Crazy, crying, hectic, biting, fighting, fevers and even the snotty noses - will be missed. 

I would advise that you enjoy the stage your kids are in while they are in it.  Embrace it in fact.  Relax, pace yourself and them.  Don't get wrapped up in comparing your parenting style or kids with others.  This is a HUGE mistake.  God created each of us with different talents and gifts - it is your job to help your children figure out what they are.  Try to remember that when a "well meaning" friend says:  "well, my children were doing this or that at that age..."  In one ear...out the other... 

It is our job as mothers, to understand that these little gifts from God are His, He has entrusted them to us.  His will in their lives will prevail - even if we think we can't live through it. 

Blessings from Wisconsin.

Grand Champion

I know there is a fine line in 'braggin' and 'sayin'....just 'sayin' ---Anna won Grand Champion lamb in carcass contest.  Her boyfriend, Jon, won Reserve Grand Champion.  We had our most successful year showing sheep. 

Blessings from Wisconsin.

Asian Inspired Beef Short Ribs & Zucchini Slaw

I've been trying to clean out the freezer, as we have a lamb and hog to make room for.  I'm not fond of beef short ribs because they are so fatty.  I found several packages and decided to make something Asian inspired.  This is what I did.

I filled my nesco with frozen ribs.  Cooked on slow/cook for 2 hours.  Keep in mind this is for a nesco full of meat, you could cut this back.  I then added 2C soy sauce, 1/2 C red wine vinegar and 4 C water.  This was enough to braise the meat.  Let that simmer away along with a mixture of the spices.  6 cloves of minced garlic, 1 diced onion, 1/2 C brown sugar, 1/8 C honey, 1/8 C molasses (both in 1/4 C), 1 tsp. red pepper flakes, 1 tsp. ground ginger, 1/2 C diced dried plums (prunes) and 1/2 C orange juice - pour over meat.

Continue cooking on low for several hours.  Then I took the ribs out and ran the juice through a strainer.  I skimmed off the fat and added 1 tsp. spicy black bean sauce and 1 tsp. chili garlic sauce.  Return ribs to nesco on low.

Reduce the sauce and pour back over the ribs in the nesco.  It is basically ready.  Serve on a bed of rice.

I also made a zucchini slaw.  I shredded a head of cabbage, zucchini and apples together.  I added the poppy seed dressing, raisins and sesame seeds. 

It was nice not only to clean out part of the freezer, but the garden as well. 

Blessings from Wisconsin.

Paul Harvey - "If I Were the Devil"

Someone sent this to me.  I just thought I would share this with my followers.  Amost 50 years ago...wow, sadly true to today!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/H3Az0okaHig?rel=0

Blessings from Wisconsin

August Interesting Facts

August:

birthstone:  peridot
flower:  gladiolas

Admit you're happy month
National Peach Month
Family Fun Month
National Picnic Month

Week 1:  Simplify your life week
Week 2:  Smile week
Week 3:  Friendship week
Week 4:  Be kind to humankind week

1st:  Raspberry Cream Pie
2nd: Icecream Sandwich Day
3rd:  Watermelon Day
4th:  Mustard Day
5th:  U.S. Coast Guard Day
6th:  Wiggle Your Toes Day
7th:  Lighthouse Day
8th:  Sneak Zucchini to your neighbor day
9th:  Book Lover's Day
10th:  Lazy Day
11th:  Son & Daughter Day
12th:  Middle Child Day
13th:  Left Hander's Day
14th:  Creamsickle Day
15th:  Relaxation Day
16th:  Tell a Joke Day
17th:  Thriftshop Day
18th:  Bad Poetry Day
19th:  Aviation Day
20th:  Radio Day
21st:  Senior Citizen Day
22nd:  Be an Angel Day
23rd:  Daughter's Day
24th:  Vesuvius Day (largest volcanic explosion)
25th:  Kiss & Make Up Day
26th:  Dog Day
27th:  Just Because Day
28th:  Race Your Mouse Day
29th:  More Herbs, Less Salt Day
30th:  Toasted Marshmallow Day
31st:  Trail Mix Day

"Fairest of the months!  Ripe Summer's Queen.  The hey-day of the year with robes that gleam with sunny sheen.  Sweet August doth appear."  R. Combe Miller

"Whilst August yet wears her golden crown, ripening fields lush-bright with promise.  Summer waxes long then wanes quietly passing her fading green glory on to riotous Autumn."  Michelle L. Thieme

"How sociable the garden was.  We ate talked in given light.  The children put their toys to grass all the warm wakeful August night."  Thomas Gunn

Blessings from Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Valley Fair - Part 2

We had a great fair this year.  Part 1 was progects and this post is mostly about the sheep.  In showmanship, Anna took 2nd blue!  Pretty exciting for such a large class of kids.  The judge had the top 2 give demonstrations to the younger classes. 

Dottie won Grand Champion Female in the Suffolk class.  We plan to breed her after the WLBA (Wisconsin Livestock Breeders Association) Summer Spectacular Show.  Anna is lucky to be like my husband's side of the family - petite.  Dottie is bigger than her....

Big Ben was her market lamb.  He was in the 140# weight class - (where the Grand Champion was in).  He was a red ribbon winner.  She sold him at the auction for $7/#.  She was so happy.  Our girls have been in this market animal project for 8 years and all the money they made went in their college fund.

Now for other things:  our club finally received a blue ribbon for our fair booth, Al and some of "my" 4-H kids did the fun run (this was the first year; it was one of the projects Anna did as the Vista 4-H intern) and Anna did some sheep demonstrations with the summer club kids.

Blessings from Wisconsin.