What do you Dream About?

This question, "what do you dream about?" is for sleeping dreams not the "I want to do this sometime" dreams...lol.  Lord knows I have too many of each.  (smile)

Anyway, I've been learning a lot about me, how I don't want to be, in my dreams.  This week was full of my fighting...with my mom (she has passed on), my sisters, niece, Al - that was just one night!  Al said I was yelling in my sleep.  I woke thinking, gosh I surly don't want to do that!  I learned how not to behave by behaving badly in my dream....it sounds silly, but this blessed me.  I don't want to act out the way I did in that dream.

So, last night was just as big of a learning lesson.  Like I said, I was able to pick a farm this week.  Well, I was unable to take all I wanted and there is still stuff for others that I don't want.  Anyway, in my dream I was over there making my deal and picking when I looked over by the barn.  There was a couple there with a huge pile of the stuff I wanted....oh, I can be one crazy woman....I yelled "hey, that's my stuff" and other uncomplimentary things that I won't shame myself with telling.  I woke up, and thought you silly woman - who cares if someone else gets that stuff...you DON'T NEED IT...and it never happened - it was just a dream.  So, when I do go back and if there are others that are picking or have picked - I will NOT shame myself with bad behavior - it is just junk.  I will remember how I didn't like myself when I did that in my dream.  

My word of the year is EMBRACE and I have been doing that with my dreams.  Thank you Lord for showing me how I don't want to act, so that I can let your light shine and not my selfish self....I'm a work in progress....

Blessing from Ringle, Wisconsin

Five on Friday - Inspiration

For my Five on Friday, I decided to post 5 things that inspired me this week.  

1.  The unseasonably warm weather we have enjoyed this week in my "neck of the woods."  I was outside in only a sweatshirt...it's February in Wisconsin.  The snow was gone, but like Winter in Wisconsin it returned today with 12" expected.

2.  At the beginning of the week, I posted about "just keep swimming" - in relation to my business and slow sales.  Well, I had a great week at my booths and even sold a huge cabinet I was not looking forward to moving to another booth...so YAY!  

3.  With the warm weather, I was able to go out in my pole building and dig for new inventory.  I had a pile of hangers from various estates in my way, they were a tangled mess so I made myself organized them.  I actually found $350 in a wallet that was sewn into a cover over one of those hangers.  I was so excited....like a treasure hunt.  This normally never happens, just so you know.

4.  My daily bible reading.  I find the more I read, the more His word is applicable to the world we live in.  I was reading in II Corinthians 13:13 and this really struck me; "...live in peace and the God of love and peace will be with you."  You all know that it has been a very contentious time here in the USA.  Everyone is at odds over everything....it's really difficult to even have discussions with people.  Anyway, I found comfort in that verse and happen to think...those rioting and protesting violently, are not at peace or living in peace...they won't find peace either.  I'm all for standing up for what you believe in - having a voice - showing it...with actions...but, peaceably.  

5.  My husband's work ethic and ability to fix stuff himself and save money.  He had a problem with his truck.  He looked on you tube and found other people with this same problem and they showed how to fix it.  He was able to fix it without taking it to the mechanic.  He does this all the time.  We had some bad news about our well...it is over 60-70 years old...anyway, he has figured out a way to "make it work (fingers crossed...)" until Spring when the professionals can dig in the ground....it's been warm, but it still is February in Wisconsin.

I hope you enjoyed reading my 5 this week.  I look forward to reading others in the links too.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.com/2017/02/five-on-friday-linkup-post-12.html

What I'm Working on Wednesday, February 22, 2017

We have had unseasonably wonderful weather here in Wisconsin.  So, I've taken advantage of that and worked outside in my trailer and pole building - shuffling inventory.  Well, I did make some boxes for Goodwill, had a burn pile and found....$350!  Yes, $350 in CASH.  It was hidden in a homemade hanger cover...a wallet...I almost didn't even go through those hangers - yet again - they are such a tangled mess.  However, I made myself do it and was rewarded (smile).  

This is why, when you help grandma move, clean out a house or buy out an estate - always look in EVERYTHING.  

I also went to look at a farm and barn pick.  I took 1 load and will be going back for more.  I will also be helping them with a digger sale at the end of April.  

Those who dig, find treasure!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://www.mittenstatesheepandwool.com/2017/02/simple-homestead-blog-hop-92.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ClearwaterFarmJournal+%28Clearwater+Farm+Journal%29

Hodge Podge Wednesday Q & A

"From This Side of The Pond" asks the questions, we answer...link here:  http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2017/02/gone-fishin-in-hodgepodge.html


1. Have you ever been fishing? Did you catch a fish? If so did you keep it or throw it back? If you haven't been fishing is that something you'd like to try?

I have fished plenty.  If they aren't big enough we throw them back.  The last time I went fishing, I took 2 boys from our church.  They were catching fish like crazy.  

Fish out of water, big fish in a small pond, living in a fishbowl, packed in like sardines, this is a fine kettle of fish, plenty of fish in the sea, or cut bait...which fishy phrase most recently applies to some area of your life?

I just did a blog post Monday - I say that I'm a little fish in a big pond.  In relationship to my business and what I do.

2. What's something you're always fishing for in your purse, wallet, desk, or kitchen junk drawer?

Keys or a pen

3. Your favorite fish tale or movie?

This was also in my blog post Monday...http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2017/02/motivational-monday-just-keep-swiming.html  Finding Nemo.

4. Are you sunrise, daylight, twilight or night? Explain why you chose your answer.

I am a sunrise, I love to wake up early and see the day begin.

5. What's the oldest piece of clothing you own and still wear?

Probably a pair of pajamas, they are old, but comfortable.  No one sees them anyway...well....

6. We've got one more month of (officially) winter here in the Northern hemisphere. Are you feeling the need for a getaway? What's been the best and worst part of your winter so far?

Yes, I wanted to just keep driving the other day and end up someplace south of here for an adventure.  The best and worst are the same...my husband had surgery and was off for 6 weeks.  Best because we were able to spend time together and worst because I had to shovel and use the snowblower.

7.  The Wednesday Hodgepodge lands on National Margarita Day...will you be celebrating? Frozen or on the rocks? Are you a Jimmy Buffet fan? If so, what's your favorite JB tune?

I don't drink.  I do love non-alcoholic ones; raspberry or strawberry would be my favorite.  I don't really know any Jimmy Buffet songs, but I do know the Alan Jackson song with him in it.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Our state bird is the Robin.  Here in Wisconsin, when you see a Robin, you know Spring is on it's way.  We have an old saying, "it has to snow 3 times upon a Robin's back before we can see Spring."  Do you have any sayings like this where you live?  I would love to hear them.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivational Monday - Just "Keep Swiming"

Finding Nemo, is one of my favorite movies.  Dory and her "just keep swimming...just keep swimming..."  I can relate to that especially this past two weeks.  As I have shared with you on my What I'm Working on Wednesday's posts, I've been busy getting ready for a sale and restocking my booths.  Well, you know how things go, it just seemed that all that effort didn't equal the bottom line...not that I didn't do well...just, I had higher hopes.  

I didn't get down about it, I just kept saying..."just keep swimming..."  Without missing a beat, I kept marking and loading; driving here and there restocking and switching inventory from one booth/shop to another...it really is a job.  I do all of this by myself.  This past week, rolling a huge galvanized water/feeding trough from my van, around the corner, down the sidewalk to the shop, through the front door, squeezing down the isles, pushing it upright on it's end into the elevator door, squeezing myself in, once to second floor without a dolly, pushing it on the carpet all the way to my booth....ya, this is work!  That was just one load. I did several at that shop and many others to another.   However, I had a great weekend of sales!  Yay!  So, last week's work, paid off.

There has been some changes with how I have been trying to operate my little business (s - I'm involved in a few...)...."just keep swimming..."  Even if you are a tiny fish in a big ocean, "just keep swimming."  

  

Just when you think you might be swimming in a shallow pond...you get rain....it fills up your "pool" and you can face a new week with a new desire to swim.  

In fact, today, I will be "swimming" at a farm/barn pick from a country neighbor who happen to call yesterday and say..."Jacky, we want to sell!"  Yay!   "I'll just keep swimming.....in my own pond....and not worry about other fish or where they are swimming" and I will EMBRACE it.    

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Everything But The Kitchen Sink

My refrigerator was beginning to stink...something was rotten.  As I dug to find it, I started to fill my stock pot with the not so fresh vegetables I found.  The rubbery mushrooms, the 1/2 of a red pepper, some bendable celery...you get the picture.  I found the stinky...it was a piece of ginger I forgot about in the back of the crisper...not so crispy now.  

The pot wasn't full yet, so I added some wrinkly potatoes, 1/2 of a container of dried tomatoes, bay leaves and some spices and then filled the pot with water.  

Once it reached boil, I turned it way down to simmer for about an hour.  After the vegetables where nice and mushy, I strained them off (that I fed to the chickens).  The stock was a rich, dark color (was the mushroom and red onions).  

I took that beautiful stock and added some fresh veggies, a jar of my garden canned tomatoes and beans.  It was so good!

For me, one of the most rewarding things to do is take something that normally would be tossed or deemed "not worth the effort" and turn it into something great!   Trust me, cooking this way IS worth the effort.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2017/02/simple-homestead-blog-hop-91.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OakHillHomestead+%28Oak+Hill+Homestead%29

Valentine Scones

I wanted to make something special today for our ladies bible study today, I was thinking scones.  Then I remembered I had this antique heart pan/mold - I've always wanted to use it.  So, heart shaped orange, craisin scones it is.

Orange, Craisin Scones

2 C flour
2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1/3 C sugar
Mix together

1 egg
1/2 C heavy cream
1 t almond extract
zest of 1 orange
Whisk together in separate bowl
Add to dry mix

1/2 C cold butter cut into very small pieces
mix/blend with the mixture
beat in
1/2 C craisins

Bake 425 for 10-12 min.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Linked to:  http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2017/02/foodie-friday-and-everything-else_16.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FkkeNxN+%28Rattlebridge+Farm%29

Gingerbread Cupcakes

Gingerbread Cupcakes:

1/2 C soft butter
1/2 C brown sugar
1 large egg
1 C heavy cream
1/2 C molasses
1 t vanilla
1 1/2 C flour
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
1 t ginger
1/2 t nutmeg
1/4 t allspice

Cream butter, sugar and egg together.  Add heavy cream, molasses and vanilla.  Mix together with flour, baking soda, powder, salt, ginger, nutmeg and allspice.  Line muffin tin, fill 3/4 full.  Bake 350 for 30-35 min.  Makes 12 muffins.

Frost with ginger butter cream - beat heavy cream, powder sugar, butter together with 1 t ginger - beat until light and fluffy.  I didn't measure...sorry, but just like a normal frosting.  I did grate some fresh nutmeg on top.

Tomorrow is our ladies bible study.  I am talking about "God's Conversation Hearts" to us.  I am making another batch of these cupcakes for tomorrow.  Al really liked them - they are good without frosting as well!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.   

Linked to:  
http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_13.html

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2017/02/foodie-friday-and-everything-else_16.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FkkeNxN+%28Rattlebridge+Farm%29

Five on Friday - LOVE on Pinterest

Things I found this week that I LOVE on Pinterest:  

Linked to:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sheep-mittens-3

Unable to connect to the link...sorry.  

Linked to:  http://www.thegraydoormarket.com/olde-tyme-marketplace-open-house/

Linked to:  http://timewarpwife.com/bible-study-resources-learning-to-love-week-4-part-1/

Linked to:  http://sunlitspaces.com/2014/03/05/8-steps-to-installing-your-own-fireplace/2/


Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Blog Hop with:  http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Five%20on%20Friday

http://monroega.blogspot.com/2017/02/willy-nilly-friday-5-no-118.html

What I'm Working on Wednesday

Yesterday I shared a post about a dresser I am painting.  You can read about it here:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2017/02/very-pink.html

Here is the finished dresser.  If you have been following along for very long, you know that I enjoy painting and repurposing antique furniture.  I like to take an otherwise over looked piece and try to bring some new life to it.  I don't like my pieces to look too perfect or redone....so, some of you might not "get" my look....but, that's o.k.  I have customers that do...LOL....and the world would be boring if we all liked the same style.  

Here is the finished dresser.  The Pepto Bismol pink is toned down a bit....  

I paint the back too...thanks Vikki for that tip and advice.  

This dresser will be in my booth at Jackie's Antique Mall on Brown http://www.jackiesantiquemall.com/ today.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2017/02/diy-salvaged-junk-projects-365.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FKCcu+%28New+Post%21+Funky+Junk+Interiors%29

Hodge Podge Wednesday Q&A

Thank you From This Side of the Pond for the blog hop and interesting questions this week.  Linked to the hop here:  http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2017/02/a-hodgepodge-thats-easy-to-love.html

1. What's the last thing you did that someone else thought was super? 

I made an angel food cake with vanilla and caramel frosting on Sunday for lunch - the family said it super.

2. The last thing you ate that tasted superb? 

I went to lunch with my friends Renee and Stacy last Friday.  We ate at Sconni's in Schofield:  http://www.sconnis.com/.  I had one of their daily specials, Smoked White Fish Risotto.  Delish!  The white fish was from Sturgeon Bay, WI.

3. Supersensitive, superstitious, superwoman, superambitious, supercilious, supervisor, superficial...pick a super word from the list and tell us how it relates to your life in some way recently or currently. 

I better go this route....as I could go another...it's been a "week" - it's tempting, but if I did, I wouldn't be showing my answer to question 8.  I would say superambitious - my friend, Lisa and I have decided to join our booths at 2 of the shops we sell at to save on rent - this savings quickly went into 2 new booths we will be sharing....we must be crazy!!

4. Do you love easily? If you're comfortable doing so, explain why you think that is. 

Let's say, I LIKE easily - my stoic Native American and hard headed German genes, sometimes get in the way.  

5. Valentine's Day lands on a Tuesday this year. Will you mark the day in some way? If you're celebrating with a dinner out somewhere will it be on Tuesday or will you celebrate over the weekend? 

Al and I just talked about this last night, we probably will go out to eat on Monday or Wednesday night to miss the crowds...we don't like crowds....

6. What's something you are loving right now? 

My bible reading and daily devotions each morning.  Each day as I read I think....well, this was for me today. 

7 Write a three word (or less) phrase you'd like to see on a Valentine candy heart.  

Just Because

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

It is easy to know what love is...but scripture also tells us what love is not....boastful, proud, envious, dishonors others, self-seeking, not easily angered and keeps no records of wrongs;  I Corinthians 13:4-5.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Very Pink?

I like to paint my furniture with acrylics.  I was at the store and found a pint on the clearance shelf,  it said "special customer mix - very pink."  The color spot on top was pretty, so I bought it.  

I found this dresser at St. Vincent's it needed some knobs and TLC.  I decided to use the "very pink."  Yikes...when I opened the can...it was Pepto Bismol pink!   Nothing like the color spot on the top of the can!  I decided to go for it...I just did it.  

I'm not afraid...I will post a picture tomorrow of the finished dresser.  I have a plan.  

Before:

During:

After:  will be posted tomorrow.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Here is the link to the finished project:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2017/02/what-im-working-on-wednesday_8.html

Motivational Monday - How To EMBRACE Another's Decision

My word of the year is EMBRACE.  As the year goes on, I plan to post about how I applied this word to my life and the lessons learned.  Here goes:

Lesson 1:  How to Embrace Another's Decision

Not in a million, did I think this would be my first challenge to the word EMBRACE.  I never thought of my having to embrace another's decision.  Especially when their decision effects me.   I thought I would embrace my own problems, I never thought of this scenario, however, here I am.  

Remember waiting in a group of kids in gym class..."I pick Becky...I pick Mark...I pick Joey...."  Finally, usually in my case..."o.k. we'll take Jacky..."    

How about this one..."well, we do appreciate your hard work and your great attitude, but we decided to go in another direction and give the promotion (or raise) to .....   

How about this one:  I called an antique show promoter and asked about being a vendor..."who are you?  Oh, I don't think so, you would need about 30 boxes of inventory to do one of my shows."  Only later, to set up at a different show and she came into my booth.  She introduced herself and gave me a card.  I reminded her about the conversation we had..."oh, was that you...???...well, YES!   I would love to have you set up at our shows."  

Whatever the "how about is" a decision was made, one that effects us.  A decision that maybe to no fault of your own, hurts us, our feelings and makes us sad.  How can we embrace that?  

Well, guess what?  If you want to move forward you HAVE to!

Getting picked last, did make me work harder.  Not getting the promotion or salary I deserved made me take the steps to self-employment.  Not being accepted as a vendor at one show didn't stop me from doing other shows; and in turn that opened new doors.  Each of those decisions did cause me to be hurt, but, now I can see now how it helped me become stronger and in a better place.  

It becomes hard, when you are dealing with someone you really care about and still remain in a relationship with.  If you care about the person or your relationship, you will let them make their own decision and you will respect it.

As long as we respect the decision and EMBRACE it - we won't have to worry about losing a friendship.  

So, as I move forward in 2017, I know it will "look" different.  When I look back on my path, 2016 will be another "monument" marking something I really enjoyed doing and to a job well done.  Moving forward will be hard, but I intend to EMBRACE it.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.   

Lined to:  http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please.html



  

Five on Friday - Five Things That Made Me Happy This Week

I'm following the idea of Maggie at Normandy Life:  https://normandylife.blogspot.com/2017/02/five-on-friday-9-5-things-that-made-me.html 

Check out the cute horse on her blog - click on the link above.

Five things that made me happy this week.

1.  I found this picture of me and my dad on a family face book page.  I must have been about 3 or 4?  I was the last of 6 kids and my dad was 40 when I was born.  Well, his birthday is the day after mine - so he was almost 40....  My dad was 1/2 Native American - Potawatomi.  He was born and raised on a reservation near Crandon, Wisconsin. 

(ignore my picking my nose....lol)

2.  Part 2 of the picture above - my dad loved ugly sweaters too!!!  I laughed when I saw this picture.  Funny thing is, I can remember it, it was actually like mohair, soft and cozy.  Oh how I wish I had it to go with my other 40 or so vintage ugly sweaters.  (I wear them!)

3.  I have been trying to eat better and I made this brown rice, quinoa and raw veggies bowl.  It was very good.  I'm happy to say, I lost another 1.5 pounds so a grand total of 6.5 in January.  Yay!  

4.  After last week of being sick, I "kicked it up a notch" and was very productive this week.  Here is a post about it:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2017/02/what-im-working-on-wednesday.html  These wool hearts make me happy.

5.  I found this magazine and 2 pattern package at Sam's Club.  It had the Euro price.  For my new followers and friends from abroad, I fell in love with the word Haberdashery while in Scotland and Ireland.  I set up "pop up" sales.  I rent a building for a weekend or longer and set up a mini shop.  Similar to your "boot sales" - only not from my car - although I have done that too!  Anyway, I have plans to bring a Haberdashery of vintage sewing to my little piece of the world hopefully in April.  

I hope you each found something to be happy about this past week.  Thanks Maggie for the inspiration.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Linked to:   Thanks Amy from Love Made My Home for the blog hop.   http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.com/2017/02/five-on-friday-linkup-number-9.html

What I'm Working On Wednesday

I spent many hours working on this huge kitchen step back cupboard this week.  I used mineral spirits, steel wool, sand paper, Restore a Finish, wax and added new/old hardware.  It was a lot of work - but, I like how it looks now.  I also painted the inside a light cotton color.  I've had this for sale for 7 months and had it marked down to about what I paid for it....so, I had to do something...here's hoping it finally sells.  I've also been painting some small pieces of furniture, digging up and marking inventory and making wool hearts.  Whew...I still have so much more to do to fill my booths next week for Valentine's weekend.   

Keep busy, but don't work too hard!  My mom's dear friend Esther would say this all the time.  I never understood this as a child, but now I do!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.