Vintage Valentine Vignettes

Is it too early for a Valentine posts?  Here are a few vignettes from my home.  

I know this is "Thrifty Thursday" - all of these vintage items were picked up at thrift stores or auctions.  I sell vintage Valentines - most $1 or less.  St. Vinny's are the best places to pick up these types of items!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:
http://madeinaday.com/2014/01/30/made-u-look-linky-party-101/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=made-u-look-linky-party-101

The View as I Blog

My dog Minnie, loves the electric blanket (so do I).  As soon as she thinks I am going to sit down, she dances around waiting for the blanket - seriously.  She is a nut!  This is the view from my lap top - she sleeps between my legs.  

In our defense, you all know it is cold up here right.  I don't need to post about the polar vortex - Wisconsin is a polar vortex!  However, our state is under a propane shortage.  We were lucky to call 3 weeks ago and have them deliver.  They would only sell us 300 gallons, now it is 100 gallon limit.  We paid $1.89/gal. -now it is over $5.  So, we lowered our thermostat to 62.  However, when you live in an old farm house - our inside temp yesterday was 59.5.  That is why we love the electric blanket!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Sweet & Spicy Rub

I came up with this sweet and spicy rub yesterday.  I have watched plenty of cooking shows; they throw this and that into a rub, so I decided to do the same.  Boy, was it good.  The house smelled amazing while this ham roast cooked.  I think this rub would be good on any meat.

Here is how I made it.  1/2 C brown sugar and 1 tsp. of the following:  salt, pepper, chili powder, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, dried minced onion mix it all together.

The last hog butchered, we decided not to smoke the ham.  Rather, have them cut it into ham roasts.  Spread the sweet and spicy rub over the meat and massage it in.  

Make sure to get all the sides.  Bake low and slow for several hours - you could put this in the crock pot as well.   I did mine at 250 for 6 hours the last 30 min. at 350.  

Take the meat out of the pan and slice it up.  

I think I am going to mix up a batch of this sweet & spicy rub and put it in a mason jar.  That way, it is all ready to use when I need it.  I think it might taste great on roasted vegetables as well.   

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:
http://www.tillysnest.com/2014/01/down-home-blog-hopnumber-73-diy-wedding.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TillysNest+%28Tilly%27s+Nest%29

Grief -vs- Relief

Most of you know that my mom passed on the day before Thanksgiving this past year.  Her wishes were not to have an obituary, so some people didn't know she passed.  I had to keep a positive attitude, as Justine's shower and wedding were within the next month.  So, some emotions were pushed back.  

I have been working at the shop (Grand Repeats) while the owner and my friend, Gloria (Dave) took a much deserved vacation to visit their children and grandchildren.  It has been fun, I've enjoyed myself, visiting and seeing customers.  Several customers/friends came in and told me that they didn't know my mom had passed on and gave me their sympathy.  I thanked them and in many cases shared the story of her passing.  

My friend Sue came in to visit.  Her husband, Dan, passed on in 2012.  Read my tribute to him here:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2012/12/good-bye-for-now-dan-my-junkin-buddy.html

I mentioned to Sue that I had been thinking about grief and relief.  That there is a fine line between the two.  Now, I don't mean in all cases.  I have a friend who's son (12) died in a skiing accident - he had a whole life to live.  I'm talking about those that are here and in pain or suffering.  Dan was in a lot of pain before he passed.  My mom was one strong woman, but she too was always fighting something with her health.  They both were "ready" to go.  Even if we weren't ready to let them.  

It is weird to wake up now and not think about my mom and her needs.  Is she going to need me; or will one of the worker's call in sick; it is so cold out, how is the furnace running; do we need to shovel; does she need milk or bread...whatever, it was...each day I would wonder (worry).  I don't want to sound like I'm complaining, as I'm not.  We were blessed to have her as long as we did and she was blessed to be in her own home as long as she was.  I'm just saying that for several years these thoughts were pressing on me each day.  Now...not.  I actually feel guilty...because, it is nice not to have to worry. 

That is when I thought about grief -vs- relief. 

*grief:  they are gone                  *relief:  no longer in pain
*grief:  won't see them here      *relief:  in a better place
*grief:  miss them                       *relief:  with other loved ones
*grief: my loss of "purpose "     *relief:  my not worrying

I know that everyday, I will think of my mom.  I will grieve the loss of her company.  I also know that I am relieved that she is no longer in a wheelchair and with our dad.  I don't know if the relief ever overpowers the grief - not as of yet.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivation Monday - Brainy Quotes

Motivational quotes for us today.  

  










Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Banana Oatmeal Bread 3 Ways

One simple recipe - done 3 ways.

Basic Banana Oatmeal Bread:

#1 - Banana Oatmeal Bread

1 stick soft butter
1 C brown sugar
2 eggs
1 C mashed bananas (3)

Mix together, add:

1 t baking soda
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 C oatmeal
***1 C flour
***1 t vanilla

#2:  Banana Oatmeal Cherry Bread

Same ingredients until *** replace with
*** 1 C whole wheat flour
*** 1 t cinnamon
*** 1/4 C chopped dried Wisconsin- Door Co. :) cherries

#3:  Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Bread

Same ingredients until *** replace with
*** 1 C whole wheat flour
*** 1/2 C cocoa powder
*** 1 t instant coffee powder
*** 1/2 C mini chocolate chips

Blend dry ingredients with wet.  Put in prepared pan.  Bake 350 for 45 min. - 1 hr.  or until tooth pick comes out clean.

I made these for the shop this week.  I hope the customers enjoy them.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Linked to:
http://www.create-with-joy.com/2014/01/inspire-me-monday-week-108.html

http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/01/homestead-barn-hop-144.html

Poaching Chicken and Teriyaki Chicken Breast

I enjoy time saving and fugal tips.  Here is one I always do and I have posted about it many times...read here:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2012/01/week-of-meals-chicken.html

Cook smarter.  On Sunday, I roasted 2 chickens - we had company after church.  On Monday, I boiled down both of the carcasses (just like in the post above) - we had chicken dumpling soup.  I had extra stock and put it in the refrigerator.  

Yesterday, I took that extra stock, some veggies that were getting rather wimpy and put them in my slow cooker with a bag of frozen chicken breasts.  Add water and cook on low for several hours to poach.  

In doing this, you not only are making a few meals, but you making a healthy choice.  Once the chicken is done, take out the meat and run the stock through a colander.  Toss the cooked veggies and keep the stock.  You can freeze this in smaller portions to use later.  

Anna wanted me to make Teriyaki chicken sandwiches.  With the chicken already cooked it was super easy.  I put a few pats of butter in pan and reheated the chicken breasts.   I added this sauce - you could add whatever sauce you like.   

I broiled up some pineapple, toasted some buns and made some home fries - who needs to eat out?  Not you, if you plan your meals and cook smarter.  

Bonus - you still have chicken in the refrigerator and some beautiful stock in the freezer.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Linked to:  
http://www.thedwellingtree.com/2014/01/lets-be-friends-blog-hop-50-is-live.html


http://madeinaday.com/2014/01/28/blog-hop-social-linky-103/

Wordless Wednesday - Winter on the Farm

"Hurry up...we're waiting..."

"We are too..."

"Sorry, no eggs today....it's too cold..."

"Yes, those are my ladies down there..."

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin 

Linked to:  http://www.create-with-joy.com/2014/01/wordless-wednesday-shadow-gazer.html