A Reason To Fight - Disturbed

Crossing off another concert from our "bucket list" - Disturbed!   Every, and I mean, every time I tell people I like (most of) this type of music, they are shocked.  I know, I'm a Christian and 'metal' is viewed as the opposite of this - and for good reason....however, you can NOT deny the power in these lyrics!  Now, don't get hung up on the word demon - we all have them....drugs, alcohol, food, junk....fill in the blank.....

I linked the youtube videos.  For you who can't understand the words...teehee...the first is lyrics and the second is the actual video for the song.  Take time to listen....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2axiYQYJMUU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4382UVl0oc

Many people have loved ones fighting a "demon."  Our world is crazy, turned upside down in illegal and legal, prescription filled lives of despair.  It's a national, dare I say, global epidemic!  Forget global warming "destroying our world in 12 years" - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - this is destroying our families now and I can't imagine 12 years from!  

I hate to get on a soap box here, but as a member of the Forest County Potawatomi community - albeit off reservation, I can tell you addiction knows no off or on reservation lines.   Our tribe is pushing an aggressive campaign against opioid abuse: 
 https://wsau.com/news/articles/2018/dec/06/forest-co-potawatomi-opioid-plan/  God bless them for doing so!

This is a real reason to fight.  Fight for your children, grand children!  No amount of anything is worth them, their safety - your love!  This addiction is the decline in all social, familial, moral decay!  This...is the demon, dare I say DEVIL at work!

Now, I'm not preaching here, but I do know a thing or two about this.  I've seen it my whole life.  From kitchen cabinets filled with every bottle of pill one could take - and that wasn't even the Native side - to little foster babies in my mom's care - taken from their mamas due to addition.   We had many native foster children while I was growing up.  Some even came back and thanked my parents for their care.  One little girl, Latisha, my mom almost died when they took her away from us.  We picked her up from the hospital just 2 days old and had her for over a year.  They returned her to her birth mother - whom later we found out - threw her down the stairs.  I hate to tell this story, but this is the ugly truth behind addiction!  Many years later, my parents lived on reservation in an assisted living - that mother, was also there.  She was unrecognizable due to her addictions - debilitated by them!  SAD!!!

O.k.  I've said enough, now.  Wait, no I haven't....I know the answer.  You won't hear it on the news, social media, at school or maybe even in your home.  The answer is JESUS.  My relationship with Him, His Spirit in my life - kept me, keeps me from - healed me of - .......fill in the blank.....   

If you would like to know more, ask me.  In fact, a tribal member has a very nice apostolic church in Elderon, Wisconsin near Wittenberg.  He is not only my brother, but he is my pastor.  We can help you find your path to peace!   I can guarantee you there is no more a Spiritual experience than this!  

Matthew 11:28-30 King James Version (KJV)

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Week 46 - Dicky Bird's '3 Sisters' Cookie

I made these up in honor of my heritage.  My mom and dad are in picture above.  My dad, a Native American, Potawatomi, was an avid gardener.  He always grew his corn, beans and pumpkin/squash in the 3 Sister's method of companion planting, which I can assume was passed down to him.  I do this same thing.  My mom was an avid cook and baker.  She could turn any old "commodity" (which the federal government provided to Native Americans) into an amazing meal.  I feel these cookies best exemplify what I gleaned from each!  

I was unsure of the bean part of the cookie but, I have to tell you, I'm doing this again!  You could use any bean puree, I'm sure.  I used what I had, mind you these were not the flavored refried beans.   

Dicky Bird's 3 Sisters Cookie

1 C - bean puree (I used refried)
1/2 stick of soft butter
1 C brown sugar (I used dark)
cream together, then add

1 C pumpkin puree
1 egg
1 t. vanilla
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
2 t. pumpkin pie spice
blend well.  Add
1 C corn meal
2 C flour

Beat all together.  Make balls, roll into brown sugar and place on a prepared pan.  Use a fork to criss/cross pattern in the cookie.  Bake 350 for 10-12 min. make about 3 doz.

I've been working on this cookbook idea for years.  "52 Weeks of Cookies with Dicky Bird's Nest" and I am on Week 46.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Week 45 - Dicky Bird's Breakfast Cookie

I was inspired to make a "healthier" cookie after I made some homemade applesauce yesterday.  I needed to clean my freezer to make room for some beef.  We had such a great apple year and I didn't have time to process them, so I used an apple peeler and slicer and just bagged them and put them in the freezer.  I just cooked them down, no sugar and warm spices as the apples are sweet enough.  

Dicky Bird's Breakfast Cookie (taste healthy)

1/2 C applesauce (no sugar)
1 egg
1 t. vanilla
1/4 C our raw honey
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon

Put all in a bowl and mix together - I did by hand.

Add:

1 T. chia seeds
1 T. Flax seeds
1/2 C. sunflower seeds
1/2 C. Raisins
Stir together

Add:
1 C. Muesli cereal (or a granola)
1 C. whole wheat flour
1 C. flour
Stir, it will be stiff not wet

Roll into balls and use a fork to make a criss/cross in the dough.  Bake at 350 for 12 - 14  min.  Makes 2 1/2 doz.

This is before baking....

Like I said, they taste healthy, but you could always add more honey or substitute some sugar.  To me, they are reminiscent to a protein bar.  I like them, especially since I'm on a diet.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin

The Hobby Farm - Where There's Wool.....

I have had an overwhelming number of requests for my teaching needle felting classes.  I was thinking about offering my "classes" in a way where I would come to a party or event.  I would meet with the host and prepare a personalized project for them.  I would give them an "invitation" to announce it and come with all the supplies and teach.  I'm calling it:  "Where there's WOOL, there's a way"  Here is a picture I made.  

I have already been doing this for years.  Hundreds of 4H and Girl Scouts, UWSP and at my studio - from Wausau to Milwaukee.   My regular followers know this, but I have some new ones.  

Here are just a few of the projects we could do.....

I post many of my project on Instagram too.  There are links to my other social media sites at the top of this page, should you want to follow along.  

So, keep me in mind...."where there's WOOL, there's a way!"

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivational Monday - Overcoming

Overcoming:  (verb) succeed in dealing with (problem or difficulty).

James 1:2-4:  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Groundhog Day the movie, with Billy Murry, comes to my mind today.  The "repeat pattern" is more what I'm talking about.  How he had to live out the same day, over and over, until he made that day better.  His change in attitude and actions were instrumental in his overcoming.  

Have you ever felt like some of life's lessons were on a repeat pattern for you?  You know, like maybe after several times of this same "problem or difficulty" finding you, you are working on a James 1 lesson for your life.  

I just experienced my "overcoming" and understand that it was a James 1 lesson.  Truth!  I don't need to go into the details, but I can tell you that when this situation was presented to me, I intuitively knew it was going to turn out like it did.  Trust me, life presented this "problem or difficulty" to me many times over the past 30 years - my Groundhog Day.   I just knew, "this" was going to turn out the way it did.  However, I was prepared for the "repeat pattern" and I was setting the stage.   I was already at peace with it and knew it was ME who needed to overcome.  

Yep, me, Did Dicky Bird...not the situation, not the person(s), not the (_____) fill in the blank.  I need to overcome and no one can do it for me.  I actually, can "count it all joy," as Jesus loves me enough to keep working on me, testing my faith.  I don't want to be found lacking in His will for me.  I needed to change my attitude and actions.  

As it was a situation my daughter's were aware of and they both know my struggle, I shared with them that I am not mad, hurt yes, but I'm at peace with "it" because "it" isn't eternal.  What is eternal is my response, my actions.  In the overall scheme of His will in my life - "it" doesn't matter.  

I share this little story with you today in hopes of motivating you to look at your Groundhog Day situation for what it is.  How can you change your attitude and actions so that you can overcome it.  I'm one tough old Dicky Bird and hold no special talents in overcoming!  It is hard, but if I can do it, you can too!   I now am looking for my other James 1 lessons...good Lord knows I have them!   I actually look at this lesson as one of my RECLAIM moments.   Check!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Week 44 - 'Bran'ana Cookies

This cookies might not be for everyone.   I made these up as well, I like them.  They are puffy and soft and on the healthier side of cookies...it's funny to even say!

'Bran'ana Cookies

1 C mashed bananas (2)
1/2 C Greek yogurt (I used vanilla)
1/2 C honey (I used our raw honey)
1 t. vanilla
2 eggs
beat all together, this will be soupy

In another bowl add;

2 C flour
1 C All Bran Buds cereal
1/2 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
2 t. cinnamon 
1/2 C chopped walnuts
blend together - will be a bit thick

Drop by rounded tablespoons on parchment lined pans.  Bake 350 for 8-10 min.  Makes 2 1/2 doz.  

The insides are pillow like...

I'm done now making up cookies with the bran cereal...lol.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Tips on Tuesday - Wise Words

At one of the estate sales we did last year, our client had this little daily motivational, flip card thing....you've seen them.  Long before the digital age of daily inspirational texts.   I thought it would be fun to buy it and use it the next year.  Well here it is.  I am NOT looking forward, it feeds into my "quirkiness" in that I look forward to a cup of coffee and seeing what my words are for that day.  I don't believe in coincidences, I look for signs....anyway, another "quirk" I have.

So, for my Tips on Tuesday (which really fell to the way side last year) I thought I would share some from this past month.  A few times a week, my friend Lisa will send me a picture of her "word of the day quote" and I will send her one of these from Rosie's little book.  

I will tell you, that on the days I most needed to "hear" a word....I could see how this little quote applied to my life.  That right there feeds into my "quirks...too!"  

That is a good one! 
"Faith the grain of a mustard seed" Matt. 17:20

This was the day we both were trying to take down our Christmas trees!  I have to say, I think no truer a saying has there been!  When you do what you least want to, you are blessed when you complete it!  The blessing is in the clean whatever...that's for me...  Yes, it was a monkey on my back - but, I did it and I'm happy it's done (I have a zoo full of monkeys).  

For me, this one came on a day I was particularly feeling a bit underwhelmed with my "job" and a bit "jelly" of others....yes, I can admit that...truthfully, I (Lisa too) have been doing some of the things that are now the trends 25 years ago, but everyone thought they were dumb.  "You are having a sale in a barn...ewwww!"  There are more.....  God created me with all my "quirks" He must intend on using them and I need to pray about how.....

....teehee....I don't need to say more....(HAAAA!)

This one was today....hmmm, I was going to say I don't harbor grudges....but, then I just typed..."you're having a sale in a barn....ewwww" - so, that'a be a lie I guess.  Lord help me!  

As you can see, I'm enjoying this little calendar.  I hope you can glean some tips from these....I surely did!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivational Monday - "Doing it All"

I don't really even know how to start this post.  No matter how I do, it seems to come across like I'm mad, sad or defeated.  This couldn't be farther from the truth.  I want to state I'm blessed!  I've been able to do so many rewarding things in my life and I plan to continue doing so.  

I grew up watching this:  "I can bring home bacon (dadundadun), fry it up in a pan and never, never let you forget you're a man, cuz I'm a woman.....Enjoli"  

Enjoli Commercial:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_kzJ-f5C9U

First, I didn't even know what "never let you forget you're a man" meant...hahah....but, the jest of it I did get..."do it all kinda woman."  I feel for the most part, women of my similar age, had huge shoes to fill.  A home, children, work and then try to do what our mother's did bake, cook from scratch, garden and canning.  I'm sure I wasn't the only woman to feel this way.  At this time society looked at women differently - times were changing and we were caught in the middle.  It's true.  

Thank the Lord I married a man, who is independent and within the first month of marriage he said "don't worry about me, I can take care of myself." (which now, I enjoy teasing him with when he wants my help doing something..."I thought you could take care of yourself!")  I'm glad his mama raised him right!  He did/does fulfill the commercial; hahah... he brings home the bacon, he not only fries it he can smoke it and he knows how to never let me forget I'm a woman!  

I am making light of this, but for real, we put too much pressure on ourselves to "do it all."  Old  habits die hard they say.  No one can do it all!  If you think they do, they have support behind the scenes you know nothing about.  Or, they hire it out.  I remember one time as a young mother, I was invited to a friends house.  It was so clean...how does she do this...clean house, kids head of the class, dog groomed....kinda thing....then I found out she had a cleaning lady!   When I asked she said..."did you think I could do all this?  I work full time so I don't have to clean" oh how we laughed.  

You may be in your 20's in college, working part-time, single mother or 80 something in an assisted living facility - you can't do it all!  Be wise and chose what you can do.  I only wish I had come to this conclusion earlier in my life.  I might have been a more patient mother, loving wife, better sister, friend or co-worker without the pressure of trying to do what I felt society thought I should....it all!   Sorry Dicky Bird....

Yes, the younger me had some pretty lofty dreams - not all came to be.  Like I said, I've been blessed in it all, whether it was a part of my plan or not.  It was His plan for me.  

The direction I want to motivate us in, is this, something I said to Al over coffee a week or so ago.  "Well, I can't do it all, but, I can do what I want to do."  Not in a spoiled brat..."I'm going to do what I want"...don't read that into this.  It was a, well I only have so much time and energy to devote to (life) and I can't do everything, but I can do things I'm really interested in or want to do.  Get it?!?   I know, Dicky Bird was a spoiled brat...but, she is a much wiser older woman now...teehee....

I can today, look at my stage of life, where I am, where I want to be and set goals to achieve them.  When we do, we will be able to do it all because we will be doing what we want to do.   I don't want to waste time pushing myself to do things I feel I "should" do.  None of us should!  

I believe "doing it all" is good when you are doing all you want to do.  By all means, put your "all" into it!  I'm never going to be a master gardener, but I won't let that stop me from diggin in the dirt.   

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Week 43 - 'Bran'ownie Cookies

I had a box of All Bran Buds cereal.  Hmmm what kind of cookie can I use these in?  'Bran'ana....still might do that one too, as it's too funny not to.  I really wanted a brownie....hey, 'Bran'ownie...you know this word combo thing I do is a part of my OCD right?  I have always made words and my events with the same letters...Manic Monday, Cup & Coop - I could go on, but this is a cookie post.   So, here is the 'Bran'ownies.

1 stick of soft butter
1 C brown sugar
1 T vanilla
Cream all this together and then add
2 eggs
Mix well.  

In another bowl mix together;
1 C flour
1/2 C coco powder
1/2 t salt
1 t baking powder
Blend all of this together till the lumps are out.

In another bowl mix together;
1/2 C chocolate chips
1/2 C All Bran Buds Cereal
1/2 C chopped walnuts
Stir together just enough to mix - could do by hand

Drop by rounded tablespoons on to a parchment lined cookie sheet, bake 350 for 8-10 min.  Makes 2 doz.

I did drizzle some chocolate ganache on them (I had some left over from the 'Mini'lano cookies here:   https://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2019/01/week-42-cookie-minilanos.html)

These are just "healthy" enough not to feel guilty eating 1 or 4.  Enjoy!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  
http://www.create-with-joy.com/2019/01/friendship-friday-blog-hop-362.html

Nancy's Antiques For Sale

I met with a new client this week.  Truthfully, I was unsure about this consultation.  In almost 30 years of meeting with people for various estate liquidation needs, I've only told 1 person NO.  She was shocked when I said, "being self-employed, I can choose who and who not to work with and I choose NOT to work with you."  A bossy attitude, talking down to me and having my address her as "Mrs. SuchandSuch, nope you can find some one else.   This lady all but told me I HAD to work with her, her attorney said so.  HA!!! No one is telling me that!

So, when Nancy called me, I had that vibe from her.  I even went with no contract, that's how sure I was, that I was going to say NO.   I was so wrong.  She was a lovely lady and we had such a nice visit.  This was yet again another lesson of "don't judge a book by it's cover."  

Nancy is in the beginning stages of downsizing.  She has many things passed down to her from her aunt.  Her daughter, who has debilitating health issues, will not be able to have these passed on to her.  (which could have been the urgency in the tone she had when she first called...sad face...).  I believe I will be helping her on and off for the next year.  

These are the items we are going to start with.

The Roseville and McCoy pottery along with the tea set will be in my booth at the Wausau Antique Show on February 9 & 10.  http://www.antiqueshowsinwis.com/Wausau.html

This eagle statue, is a limited edition, Kitty Cantrell, "Windwalker" is mixed metal media and very heavy.  I did look this up on ebay, I had no idea the value...wow.   This will be at the show as well.  

These pictures do not do justice to the beauty of this coffee table.  The history of this piece is it was a friend's nephew who bought this at the Capistrano Mission.  It's a Stardust Co., California Buck Eye Burl, mid-century with blue quartz, crystals or gemstones two tiered coffee table.  If you do a google or ebay search, these are rather pricey.  Go look....

  

I will be listing this on my Town Hall Trinkets On Line group to my business facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1914536328603700/?source_id=729693193716630

This rocking chair will also be listed

I did buy a few things that I will sell and this one I am keeping....Shawnee cat pitcher

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.