Midnight Brought Me a "Present"

This is a bad picture of me, but I thought I would share it.  Midnight is one of our old barn cats.  Over the past 12 years she has always been an excellent mouser.  I could hear her calling...that loud meow that mama cats do when they catch a mouse.  She has been spayed years ago, but still does this when she catches a mouse.  I guess, once a mama always a mama.  

She brought it in to the building I set up for the estate sale.  I guess she wanted to show the customers.  I took both of them out.  The customers liked it.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/06/homestead-barn-hop-165.html#sthash.LYvY51mz.dpbs

Marvin and Martha - The Happy Couple

Martha, my independent hen, has found herself a rooster.  They are so cute together!  I named him Marvin.  I never noticed this rooster being so friendly before.  He isn't the top rooster and is often chased away by the others.  Martha picked him out and they are now a couple.   

She is so smart!  She knows I feed them and bring out treats.  She usually comes running when she sees me.  Now she has this rooster, Marvin, doing the same.  He is smart too.  Al was getting a bucket of grain for the steer and dropped a few kernels on the floor of the shed.  Marvin "eye balled" the kernels and jumped in the building and pecked them up and hopped back down.  Al likes him too.  

They eat right out of my hands.  I just love them!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://www.viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/2014/06/saturdays-critters-30.html

Estate Sale Moved to the Farm

My followers know that I am self-employed and am a "junk dealer."  That title doesn't offend me - I relish in it - I LOVE junk!  

I was fortunate enough to "buy-out" this estate - just when I needed it the most.  Two weddings in 8 months is tight on any budget!  So, I did like any good junk dealer would do - invest some money to make some money.

I was surprised - shocked actually - when I looked up some of these fishing and camping items.  Boy, they are collectible!  My plan is to mark them so I can still make the maximum amount and still have some "deals."  However, did I mention that we have had 2 weddings in 8 months?.... 

I must admit, that I have made a connection with this gentleman through his items.  This is the plight of a hoarder.  He obviously was an avid fisherman.  He took really good care of his items.  He was in the military and has several neat WWII and Korean War era items.  His daughter told me that her parents lived in Nuremberg, Germany.  I had no idea he even had all of these items as he was actually using them on and as his work bench.  I do love the Survival tins - so me!  

So, today at 6 p.m.  I will have an early bird sale here as part of the new thing I'm doing..."It's all a Rave - Vintage PopUp Sales."  The estate sale is actually tomorrow.  I wanted to let the Rave followers "popup" here.  

  I kept those Hex signs out of this estate and put them on my building I love it!

 One good thing, if I don't sell it, the items are quality enough to put on Ebay.  However, I would rather have cash today and who am I kidding, will I do it?!  Or, will it sit in my pile of other "I will put this on Ebay..." items.  (Sue, this is like Dan's 2000 box!  He would have loved the stuff from this estate!)

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Rubbish Tuesday - More from Our Rock Garden

Here is another post for Rubbish Tuesday - more from our rock garden.

This old bench was at Al's Grandpa and Grandma's house.  I remember sitting on it when they lived in Antigo.  No one sits on it now except for an occasional chicken or cat.  

Linked to:  http://rubbishbyroan.blogspot.com/2014/06/rubbish-tuesday-8.html

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Jacky's Craft Camp 2014 - Week 2 - Map Art

Last night was week 2 of Jacky's Craft Camp 2014.  We made map art coasters.  It never ceases to amaze me that the easiest of projects are the biggest hit.  This is the 2nd time in 2 weeks I taught this class.  I was able to do this one at no charge too, as I found most of the tiles at a Savers in Madison for pennies each.  The maps were out of the estate I am working on.  

All you do is Modge Podge the map on the tile - simple.  We also added felt on the back of the tile to complete it.  It was cute listening to the kids decide what portion of the map they wanted to use.   Some were picked based on places they would like to go, where they were born, where Grandpa and Grandma lived - they had some great ideas! 

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Motivation Monday - Feeling Overwhelmed

As I mentioned, I "bought out" an estate.  I decided to have a sale here at the farm.  I use to have a shop here that was open 4 days a month.  I haven't had a sale here since 2005.  Since that time, my shop has hosted many "parties" - we put a t.v. out there, video games, chairs, etc. - the girl's friends loved it.   I hosted 4-H project days, graduation parties and Thanksgiving dinner out there.   Mostly, however these past 2 years it has become over run with stuff.  When I didn't know what to do with something - out there it went.  After a show and I didn't want stuff to go out in the pole building - out there it went.  When I bought out an estate and was working on pricing stuff - out there it went.  When I went to an auction and ran out of room - out there it went.  I think you get the picture.  It was a sty...a pigsty...something you would see on the show "hoarders."  More than one person has said "I'm calling Mike and Frank from American Pickers."  Ya Ya...I know, I will clean it out!

Something - life - seemed to come first.  It was just too overwhelming to even start.  I've posted pictures of my "stash" before - this was my shop as of last Monday.

I originally thought that I would just set up some tents in our yard and have the sale under there.  Because, that would be easier?!?  Well, we have had some strong winds and rain lately.  Al said to me last weekend that he thought it would be better to just clean out my shop and have the sale in there.  Really?  It just seemed like too much work.  I already told people that I was doing it.  I posted things on my business FB page.  I HAD to do it.  

It took me ALL week to do it.  First I had to clean out an area in my pole building to put the stuff in my shop - shuffle, shuffle, shuffle.  However, with the help of my great-nephew, Caleb, we were able to take (don't ask how many...) trailer loads out to make room for the estate.  I woke this morning so pleased with myself that I actually did it!   Now, I don't want it to get that way again!  Maybe I should print off these pictures and tape them to the door to my shop to remind me of this mess.  

This is what it looks like today 

I don't have all the smalls from the estate in there yet, but at least I have a clean slate to work from.  Thank you Al, Caleb and the Lord for helping me get this far in 1 week.  I feel so much better about myself.  

So, this Monday, if you are overwhelmed with something and everyone is, just get started on "fixing" it.  It was unimaginable to me last Monday to be at the point I am this Monday.  What it took, was determination, encouragement and hard work.  The reward of how I feel about myself today was so worth all the hard work.  Feeling good is a motivator in it's self.  Good luck!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

It's a Good Fence

The past few years, the deer have really taken their fair share of my garden.  Last year they took it all - even tomatoes.  So, this year, we put up a deer fence.  The black net type.  We put up permanent corner posts and removable T posts.  The net can be taken down for the winter.  So far, so good.  

Our farrier (I've posted about him before, he is a character) came over and was looking at the fence.  He says "boy, you must have some pretty smart deer out here."  I said yes and started to explain about last year....when he says, "no, I mean they must be able to read...."  It took me a minute....

We used what we had.  This tape is left over from the set up of our flea market - Ringle Harvest Day.  We put it up, because the net is hard to see.  All I could think of was waking up to a deer tangled and kicking in that net.  It also flaps around in the wind, making noises.  I have high hopes for some of my own sweet corn this year!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linking up to "Good Fences" :  http://run-a-roundranch.blogspot.com/2014/06/good-fences-13.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheRunaroundRanchReport+%28The+Run*A*Round+Ranch+Report%29

Wordless Wednesday - Flowers Around the Farm

Wordless Wednesday - Flowers Around the Farm

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Rubbish Tuesday - Rusty and Crusty

I love rusty and crusty!  I have a rock garden that runs our paddock area filled with rubbish!  Here are a few items.

These items show their wear - just the way I like it!  Linking up to Rubbish Tuesday.

Link:  http://rubbishbyroan.blogspot.com/2014/06/rubbish-tuesday-7.html

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Jacky's Craft Camp 2014 - Painted Message Boards

Jacky's Craft Camp 2014 is underway.  I decided to do the projects every Monday evening for the next 5 weeks.  This way, those children with working parents and/or in Summer school can still come.  Of course, most of the ideas were from pinterest - how did we live without it?  

Project 1:  Painted Message Boards (clothes pin for clip)

I was able to offer this class for FREE as I found all the little wooden plaques at a rummage sale for like 0.20 each and all the paint was donated by Hikchick (blog here:  http://hikchik-hikchik.blogspot.com/)  Thanks Vikki.  

I had 16 kids? plus or minus a few younger siblings.  I really enjoy having the kids over and sharing my love of creating with them.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivation Monday - Building Up Strength

Motivation Monday - Building Up Strength

I found that quote on pinterest.  It pretty much sums up everything I could say about strength.  There is a difference in being strong and having strength.  

I know many strong women; women who were wise enough to use the lessons on their journey to give them strength.

Being "strong:"

When I was much younger, I was pretty strong.  I remember the days when Al and I could clean out an estate by ourselves, lifting and carrying all the furniture - at times even on our shoulders.  We were physically strong.  

Now that we are getting older, we are learning our physical limits.  This last estate buy out really "kicked our butts."  It took us a day or two to recover.  A week later we both are battered with bruises.  Thank goodness we had Justine, Anna and Jon helping us.  We needed help as we aren't as strong as we once were.   

Gaining "strength:"

Over the years, I would make offers on all kinds of estates just to have items to sell.  Often times, not making much if any money once factoring in our time and effort.  Being left with unwanted merchandise and storing it at our place for years.  Pretty weak business practices.

Now, however, I understand the work involved, the time and expense it takes to do it.  I have learned to weight out the advantages of each offer, keeping in mind my profit.  I don't "need" to buy things just to sell them for what I paid for them or less.  Building up my business by experience and having strength enough to say "no."

I am still tempted with the $1 boxes at auctions!  I have the hoarder gene after all!  I'm reminded of a quote from my old boss, Pete Hittner:  "work smarter not harder." 

So, I share all of this on my motivational Monday post to remind us that while on our journey, we might come across some stumbling blocks.  Climb over them, roll them out of your way and kick the pebbles to the side.  Keep on your own path, look back at those old stumbling blocks as blessings that have helped you move forward not only stronger, but with strength.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.   

Happy Father's Day

I have been blessed in my life to be surrounded by men who stand by their convictions, say what they mean and mean what they say, work hard for the things they have, love unconditionally, mechanical, artistic, can do spirit, love and respect for ALL living things, spiritual, inspirational - role models for me, my children, my siblings, my nieces and nephews, my great nieces and nephews and cousins.  Happy Father's Day to the men in my life who have help shape me into the woman I am today.  A special Happy Father's Day to the man that has shown me the depths of my love - Alan, I love you deeply!  Thanks for giving me the 2 greatest joys in my life - Justine & Anna!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin. 

Slate Message Board - Thanks for the Idea!

I have to share a story with you.  We grew up a few blocks down from the Rothschild swimming pool.  You could find me there every day, all day long - I love to swim.  All of us in my family grew up down at the pool.  One such day, oh I was about 5 0r 6 (my sister Lori was with me) I saw the most pretty girls.  They were sisters, all blonde and beautiful (and still are).  I was so taken with them, that I went up to them and asked if they were Barbie dolls.  I remember they chuckled - I also loved Barbie dolls.  They were the "Spangler girls."  I later was in Jr. and Sr. High with one of them, Mary Pat, or "Fritz" as her family called her.

One of the sisters, Pam, is very involved with the fair too.   She is also a part of the Partnership for Progressive Agriculture, PPA (where Justine worked last summer).   Anyway, her sister, gave me this awesome idea.  

I have had these old roof slates in my barn for at least 15 years.  I was always going to paint on them or something.  One of my many "oh, I'm going to do this with that things."  We bought them from and auction in the Town of Easton.  We were told that they came off the old Wausau High School.  Neat!

This is how I made them, really simple.  I took advantage of the holes that are alreay in them and ran a piece of jute through.  I then tied on a piece of chalk - that is it.  

  

I will have these tomorrow at the Wittenberg Community Days.  Hope to see some of you there.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.   

Linked to:  http://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2014/06/the-homeacre-hop-75.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

Wittenberg Wisconsin, Community Days

This Saturday, I will be setting up at the Wittenberg Community Days.  The booths are FREE - I had to take advantage of that!  If you are looking for me, I will be on Webb Street, across from the food stands and in front of the school.  I think my sister Lynn and niece Jessi will be in the booths next to me.

I have been posting about all the needle felting I have been doing - had been doing - this long cold winter.  I made these items thinking about my upcoming folk art shows.  

I have been busy creating and finishing up these items this week.  I will also have some vintage items:  hats, purses, costume jewelry and whatever else I can dig up.  

In addition to that, my friend Ali is having a sale at her place and invited me to bring some items over.  I was in a "pink" kinda mood when I set up this vignette.  These items will be at her sale Friday.  Look her up at Bouvet Barn to find out the address.  

Oh, ya and today, I am teaching a class at 4-H Junior Camp.  I have planned "map art"; we are making tile coasters and pins.  We will have rotations of over 55 kids.  It will be fun!  

So, until later...Blessing from Ringle, Wisconsin.