Raw Honey Rhubarb Butter

I finally have some productive rhubarb plants.  I tried to make something a little bit different, I was thinking on a butter or sauce.  This is a bit of a combination of the 2.

Rhubarb is packed with minerals, vitamins, organic compounds, and other nutrients that make it ideal for keeping our bodies healthy. Some of these precious components are dietary fiber, protein, vitamin C, vitamin K, B complex vitamins, calcium, potassium, manganese, and magnesium.

Raw Honey Rhubarb Butter

Let me tell you, this is super tasty!  Here is how I made it.

5 large stalks of rhubarb diced - about 7 cups
2 apples diced with peeling left on...natural pectin
1 t salt
1 C raw honey

Put all in a heavy bottom kettle and cook until soft and bubbly - 15 min or so.

Add 1 t. cinnamon and cook for another 10-15 minutes until thickened.

Blend till smooth with an immersion blender.  Spoon into jars.  You could seal the jars in a hot water bath.  I plan to eat mine now, so I will keep it in the refrigerator.  

I hope you give this recipe a try - it's really good.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin  

Linked to:  http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2017/06/foodie-friday-and-everything-else.html

Rhubarb Biscuits

Rhubarb Biscuits:

1 C diced rhubarb
1/2 orange - zest and juice
2 T sugar

Dice rhubarb, let it sit in juice, zest and sugar while you mix the dough

2 C flour
1/2 C shortening

Cut the shortening into the flour

3 T sugar
2 t baking powder
1 t salt

blend together, add the rhubarb and mix together

3/4 C milk
1 t vanilla

blend all together - will look a bit wet

Drop by tablespoons on parchment covered pan, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.  Mine had some nutmeg too.  Bake at 400 for 12-15 minutes till light brown.

Enjoy!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Memorial Stones

Happy Memorial Day.  This past week, my message at our ladies bible study was on Memorial Stones.  Our passage was from Joshua 3 and 4, when the Israelites crossed over the Jordan river with the Ark of the Covenant.  God told Joshua that he would hold back the waters of the river so they could cross - just like He did for Moses.  God told Joshua to appoint 1 man from each of the 12 tribes to stop in the middle of the river and pick up 1 large stone.  These stones were placed at the crossed sided of the Jordan as a memorial to what God did for them.  "That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty; that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever."

You know, 1 Peter 2:5 tell us that we are "living stones" - built into a spiritual house.  As living stones, we are to be place on the cornerstone, Jesus Christ.  Jesus told Peter - you are the rock upon which I will build my church.  Peter told them on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:38 "Repent and be baptized everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."  This is my foundation upon which I have built my house - my living stone.   

This had me thinking about what types of things do we have as Memorial Stones?  What do we put in on our homes that remind us of God's grace?

I can't help but think of the rainbow - God's promise never to destroy the Earth with water again.  The Cross - our sacrificial lamb, Jesus.  Communion - bread/body; wine/blood "do this in memory of me."  As a Christian, these are Memorial Stones - when we see them we think on God's goodness and grace.

On a more personal level, I can't help but think of our daughter Anna's Bravery Beads.  When she was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Bladder the doctors gave us a protocol sheet, showing the standard treatment for her type of pediatric cancer.  At each step and stage, every treatment, surgery, radiation, hospital stay and such she was given a bead - Bravery Beads - that she has looped into 2 long necklaces.  They are still hanging in her room.  These beads will forever be to our family a memorial stone to God's healing, His grace.  

I encourage you to think about your memorial stones.  We all have them - God is good!  Set it out so that as you pass by it, you will be thankful for what He has done for you.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_29.html

Spring Here at the Farm

It sure has been raining...and raining...and raining...here in Wisconsin.  One positive is that the rain is helping my rhubarb become JUMBO

I found this primitive wheelbarrow on accident at an unadvertised country sale.  I pulled up and asked "how much?"  We haggled a bit on the price and I bought it.  As he was helping me load it in my van, he saw some old hunting pants I just bought at an earlier rummage sale.  He asked if I wanted to sell them, "of course, it's all for sale," I said.  So we did another deal with the price and I ended up only paying what I wanted to, to begin with, with the trade.  This "business" sure is silly at times.  

I divided up some plants for a "vintage plant sale" at Jackie's Antique Mall.  

I am looking forward, once it stops raining, to get out in my garden.  We have a Killdeer that decided that our garden was the "perfect" spot for her nest.  Crazy bird!  I have to plant around her, as she is so protective!  I hope they hatch out this year - last year something ate them.  

Our Kestrels have returned.  They are busy in their nest and hunting, flying from the barn to the woods.  Their call is so beautiful.  

This photo is compliments of Wikipedia.  I've tried, but they are too fast.  

We ordered our "meat" chicks - 60 of them.  When I told one of my little 4Hrs that we (we is actually Al) are going to butcher them, he said "can I come help?"  I don't know if he understands what will happen, how it all works, but he assures me he wants to....we will see.  

We planted more blueberry bushes.  This time I made sure not to pick out the dwarf ones.  I'm not going crazy with the vegetables this year.  Sweet corn, pumpkins and squash do the best in our clay soil.  I will add some tomato plants to the raised beds along with carrots, beets and kale.  I love those seed tapes for these tiny seeds.  My eyes aren't what they use to be!  I want to clean out and divide up my herb bed, oh the chives and spearmint, too much!  

We are going to have a busy Summer here as well.  We have plans, if we can afford it, to jack up the barn and fix the foundation.  Landscape where the new well was dug...it's a muddy mess now.  Hopefully, kill off some "creeping Charlie" and where that was, put some kind of rock, wood chips, decking, I'm not sure yet.  I am sure I will blog about all this as it happens.  

Oh, and I have hired a "Summer intern" to help me clean out my pole buildings.  I hope to have a sale here or somewhere with all my overstock of inventory.  Pray I can do this!  I have many friends who have volunteered to help as well.  The woman I hired, Shannon, actually had the availability I was looking for, but I am sure I will still need friend's help too.  

I hope all is going well at your homes, homesteads or farms.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.   

"What? Are You Everywhere?"

If, I only had a dollar for every time I heard that one!  This post will tie in with the "I ain't as good as I once was" post, you can read it here:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2017/04/i-aint-as-good-as-i-once-was.html

I haven't mentioned this on here, but...Lisa and I did an estate sale Saturday.  We weren't hired as our Estately Yours Business, however was referred through our other partner's husband, Mike.  Jackie and Mike have other family commitments that need attending to, so we haven't been actively seeking sales this year.  We did meet with this contact as they were looking for a "buy out" option.  Once I talked with the family and they told me their wishes, we did set up an estate sale for them.  

When the sale opened Saturday, this is what we heard..."what? are you everywhere?"  I had to laugh, it was almost like the regulars thought we were tricking them.  You know any good antique dealer LOVES to go to a family run estate sale.   As, they think the family doesn't know what prices to use and they will get a good deal.  (smile)

This "line" was also used by an "old" crafting friend of ours who was a vendor at many shows Lisa and I did in the 1990's-2000's.  She came up to the garage and said that very line to me.  I laughed as I handed her a flier for Jackie's plant sale, which by the way, was the same day.  She looked so confused..."wait, now you own a shop too?"  (Calgon....take me away....how many times do Jackie and I have to explain this...!!!...).  I said in a very calm voice, "no, that's City Jackie, I'm Country Jacky and I do sell there, in fact, I dug up some perennials for the sale today."  She said...."Oh, ok, are you also a part of that Theme thing?  My friend told me about this shop on 3rd and I looked at the pictures and I said....that has to be Jacky."  "Yes, I am."  She said, "so, you are everywhere"  I quickly said "for a few more years...(smile)....I'm getting old!"  We both laughed.  She should point fingers, as she use to do a craft show every weekend.  

I hope you don't think I'm bragging about what I do.  This isn't meant to be that.   It was just funny to me because who do Lisa and I think we are?  We aren't "spring chickens" any more, we are 2 "old hens!"  Oh, and did I mention, we are doing 2 sales on Saturday in 2 different states?!?  We couldn't do that without the help of our friend Joi, who is going to watch our booth here in Wisconsin.  Thank you Joi.

I almost can't wait till next week...but, "this is so much fun"...no, it really is!  I want to enjoy this as long as I can do it.  I've been blessed with some pretty awesome people that help me do what I do!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Tansy Hill Farm - Barn Bazaar

Tansy Hill Farm  Is hosting an event this Saturday

With the help of my friend Joi from 
https://www.facebook.com/ParisFleaMarketWausau/

Lisa and I will be able to have a booth here.  We have another show that day, but Becky from Tansy Hill Farm was kind enough to offer us an early set up so we can still be involved.  Thanks girls, I appreciate it!

I will have all my large farm and industrial type items.  I will post pictures on https://www.facebook.com/Town-Hall-Trinkets-LLC-729693193716630/ as I clean and load...I'm still working on that....(smile).  

If you happen to be in the area, please stop by the event.  Becky is a very talented gardener, her wedding venue is outstanding and its all in a very inviting farm setting.  Come hungry as her little kids will be selling some treats.  I'm praying for a wonderful day full of great sales for all involved.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Only a Mother, My Children Could Love

Yes, I am .... it is true...."only a mother, my children could love."  

Do you have any embarrassing "mom" moments?  Oh, I have so many, just ask my girls.

I started thinking about this, because I was sharing with a friend about this big old van I once owned.  We bought it from the Wisconsin Forestry Department surplus auction.  It was a green, like no other - it stood out - we called the "Scooby Doo Van" (smile).  It was a 15 passenger with removable seats.  As a junker, picker you know that those seats hardly were in there.  

The story is that I went to an auction during the day, no one was really there, so...I bought...lots....   The thing with that van is that it had lots of windows....  As I hurried back to town, to wait in line at the middle school to pick up Justine, I had other mothers looking in the window......"is that for sale?"   Well, like any good junk dealer...I sold.  Well, as this was all going on...school let out...I hardly noticed....  I think on it now and laugh....as I think of all the other kids getting picked up by their moms...Ford Explorers, Jeeps, Expeditions....me....the "Scooby Doo Van."  I can imagine this scenario..."Justine, where is your mom?"  "Oh, she's the one over there....selling junk out of her van...."  Many a time, we would drop off at school and out would roll something....some item (s) that was being stored/hoarded in one of my vehicles.  What an embarrassing mom!

When you buy out estates, your children grow up claiming items with the original owner's names - hey, they might even wear a coat that had a deceased person's name printed on the back tag....lol.  "Oh, it's over there by the Dr. Forrester chair..."  or  "Elva's blanket" - these things....only my children would grow up saying...what an embarrassing mom!

When you go to auctions and pile your purchases in a heap...and something is missing, because you have a photographic memory when it comes to junk....you might yell and stop the auctioneer from selling...."who stole my shopping carts!  I know Jesus might forgive you, but I won't...."  To which I hear one of my children...."mom, I'm using it to load the van..."  YIKES!  What an embarrassing mom!

When you grow up living on a farm with animals, you might see a famous picture in a history book and announce to the class...."that rooster is riding that hen..."  to the amazement of the rest of the class and the teacher, they had a little lesson on how "chickens do it...in the words I explained to her so she could understand" - what an embarrassing mom!

I could go on...but, I best not...as some of you might think I'm a cool blogger....hahaha

To these and many more embarrassing mom moments - I treasure!  I enjoyed every minute of it!  I will keep doing things my children will be embarrassed by, hey, why stop now?!  I live up to and look forward to being "the mother, only my children could love."  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Words from Mark 3:27

It never ceases to amaze me, when I need something, I can turn to scripture and there is the answer.  Thank you Jesus.  He knows what we need if we are sensitive to see and seek it. 

I know I am supposed to "Embrace" my year, but April threw me some rough punches.  I went 9 rounds with myself. 

I am a very optimistic person, I don't let myself dwell on negative things, I just don't....period.  However, lately, I've been struggling with this.  

This was my reading today in Mark 3:27: "In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man.  Then he can rob his house."  

As I read that I happen to think - my body is the temple of the Holy Ghost - why would I let negativity take up residence there?!  It doesn't pay rent - I do!  So, listen here Dicky Bird...this body is my house, I'm a strong woman and no one or thing can take away my joy or rob me of anything  - untie yourself and stop thinking about it.  I've been reciting that to myself all day...............

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin  

Motivational Monday - Seek Ye First

I will leave you today with a simple post for Motivational Monday.  This is something I've been thinking a lot about lately.  

"But, seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

In a word full of social media over load - smoke and mirrors - fake news - self promotion - one can become so drained.  His righteousness left so lacking in the posts we see or read.  

I forever am reminding myself that "it's not about me or what I want to do" rather, I want to see me, in relation to His plans for me.  I need to seek after it.  Not so all the things I want can be added to me, rather what He wants for me.  After all, God's plans are better than any I could dream of.

Seeking His will - Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.