A day in the life of Dicky Bird
Up when the rooster crows....
with new seeds to plant in rows....
As I look at myself, I'm dirty from head to toe
But, I don't care, it's strawberry picking I go.
Then off to town to stage my booth with items for "Let the Bidding Begin" Blue rose dishes that are too pretty not to use again...
A quick appointment to look at a potential sale, but I had to pass as it was mostly household and way too much glass.
So, I returned home to this wonderful treat
kicked off my shoes and put up my feet.
Thinking on this now, I'm blessed and my life is pretty sweet.
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
Part of what I do that is so rewarding is....finding new homes for old things. Not everyone likes old stuff as much as I do, but old stuff still can be useful and bring another joy.
When working on "living" estate sales (where the owner is downsizing and still around) I use that saying as a way to help them let go of some of their "treasures."
Last week, I was referred to a couple, by the neighbor to a childhood friend. We did her parent's living estate sale (s) and the neighbor liked how we represented or conducted our business. I didn't know at the time, but she asked for our contact information "just in case I know someone who would need this type of service." Thanks!
The couple she referred us to sold their house in 6 hours! Under my advice and consulting, we worked on the process of "getting rid of." What was left, they just wanted me to buyout and not do a sale. So, I did. As we were filling my van, the husband says, "well, you should do good with this (some kind of tool)" and I said, "well, I'm keeping that!" Oh, he laughed!
This bench was part of what I bought. As soon as I read it, I knew it belonged with our daughter, Justine. She has a MSW and other acronyms I hate to admit I don't know what they mean. She has and is always seeking knowledge. She currently is working on her certification for the next feather in her cap - trust based equine therapy - as part of her future counseling services.
Truthfully, sometimes I find things for my daughters and they don't appreciate it or them as much as this! Hahaaa
I had a call yesterday from a potential client and as she was rattling off the items she wanted me to sell for her, I was making mental notes: yep, that one would be for ....; yep, I have a buyer for that.... and so it goes. The joys of resale!
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
This recipe could be used for any fruit or combination of fruit and its really easy.
Crust:
3 C flour
1 C sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 C (2 sticks) cold butter
Cut butter into flour mixture with a pastry blender. Once it is blended to a nice crumble add:
1 beaten egg (extra large or 2 small)
2 tsp. vanilla
Prepare a 9x13 pan with spray, press 2/3 of this mixture into the bottom of the pan and part way up the sides.
Prepare your fruit, this recipe calls for 4 C of fruit, I would use more depending on the smooshiness (is that a word?) of the fruit...apples cook down...so does rhubarb...that kind of smooshie...so you may want to add more.
I had some rhubarb and various kinds of fresh cherries, so I used them. I also used the zest and juice of 1 lemon and enough corn starch to cover the fruit and absorb the juice (2-3 Tbs.) - no additional sugar needed.
Mix this together and dump on the pressed down crust. Top with the remaining 1/3 crumbles and bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes - until crust is lightly brown and fruit is bubbling.
Before baking:
and after baking.
Like I said this is super easy and really good!
Look at the crust - I love corners!
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
Holiday weekend weeding. Do you see them? The tiny, tender carrot seedlings. Growing right next to the quack and pig weed. While I was ever so gently working, my fingers like surgical instruments plucking and pulling, I happen to think of an old saying my mom said, yours too probably: "Don't throw out the baby with the bath water." As pitiful as my garden is this year, I was pulling out carrot, kale and beet seedling trying to weed around them. I decided that I could "live" with some of them until the seedlings get bigger.
"Don't throw the baby out with the bath water," originates from Germany in 1500's and was a very common phrase. In those days, one filled the bath and all used it. The saying comes from the fact that by the time you washed the baby the water was very dirty and murky. I can't help but imagine, one must have tossed out a baby or we wouldn't have this phrase. It's proverbial meaning is: don't discard something valuable along with something undesirable.
I thought about this the whole time I was weeding. Thinking about all the different things I was pulling out from around my plants. "That's pig weed, quack, ground ivy, maple tree sprout, thistle, nettles and many I didn't know."
The thing with weeds is that they take their own share of the soil and nutrients. Some deeper, with long roots. Others shallow with tiny, tender roots. Some weeds filling up the open path between rows, while others growing right next to the seedling. Can you see where I'm going with this?
In my OCD attempt to pull out ...every single weed....I was also pulling out the few seedlings I did have right with them! Could I just live with some of the ones close to the plants, hilling up the soil and let it be? I decided yes!
Sometimes, we need to examine ourselves, our habits and choices. Oh, we may have some deep seeded, hard to change type issues that are taking up space. Doing a good job choking out all our good intentions. We also could have some shallow, "I'll just let this slide," "it won't be that bad" type issues that sneak up right next to what we desire. Growing so close that when we try to get rid of it, some of our dreams and ideals are lost too. Can you relate?
I will share one of my examples on this. Yes, I could stand to lose a few pounds (wink, wink). I actually have been working on it. I've cut out (weeded) some of my "favorites" - haven't bought, nor brought into the house. Will I NEVER eat this or that again? That's ridiculous, of course I will. However, when I've let myself indulge in a few little "favorites" I find that I actually enjoy them more!
In all honesty, I don't even crave some of them anymore. I let a little grow along with my changing habits and just like these hilled up onions, no weeds.....
So, I hope, as you work on yourself, you think on this Motivational Monday post and "don't throw out the baby with the bath water!"
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
Al bought a Ninja Air Fryer. I love it!
I was going to make pizza and then I had the idea to do these in the air fryer. Start with pizza dough (however you make it), dice up some string cheese, pull of a piece of dough and put cheese inside, roll into a ball in olive oil and garlic salt place in preheated fryer. Keep shaking and tossing them as they cook - every 2 minutes - until brown (about 9 minutes). They were so good!
I didn't want one of these air fryers, I don't know why? I can't wait to use it even more.
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
Good Morning!
I happen to look at my calendar, yes, I still have a paper date book. I can't image my not having one, I am a visual person and I need to see it in writing. Anyway....more power to those who use their devises. Today, is the middle of the year, 183 days gone, 183 days left (give or take a day...teehee).
I've always liked the beginnings of things. First of the month, week, year, school year, job....it's the "when I'm in the middle of all that" where I need motivating. How about you?
I decided, I'm going to set some goals for the remaining part of this year. That's 26 weeks. What could we accomplish in that time? I won't share with you all my personal goals. However, I am motivated to set some as I RECLAIM the rest of the year. I am also motivated by the goals I set earlier that I have accomplished even the ones I didn't.
These are the reasons why.....my loves....(not that I don't love my son-in-laws)....but, these are mine.
I NEED to clean out, get moving, lighten my "load" so that I can be available for them and their plans. I don't know His plans for us, but I do know He desires us to work, while we can. To be good stewards of what He gives us. Focus on what is important - Family. I have been so blessed!
So, I look at this half way point as a beginning. If that is what it takes to motivate me, I'm o.k. with that. I have never been a glass half empty kind of a person. I rarely let myself "pine over" the past. I have always been able to look at my past blessings and failures and take the lessons, the experiences and move forward. Not only move, but build upon them.
Here's to our being motivated, setting goals and getting some work done. How about you?
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
June, June, where did it go? I have to tell you about my June....in case you don't follow along on Instagram or Facebook. My June was about my word of the year RECLAIM. I had to reclaim a space to set up a sale. I called it "Cup & Coop - Vintage Pop Up Sale."
To accomplish this, I had 2 Tuesday night "barn" sales. It was supposed to be "under the tents" but the weather wasn't cooperating. June 4, June 11 - the barn sales. June 14 & 15 a living estate sale. June 21 & 22 the "cup & coop" sale. Whew...oh, June 29 the wedding of a friend of my daughters (and mine).
So, here it is July 1. I did RECLAIM my studio/shop section.
Here is before:
And afters:
I won't lie...it wasn't easy. While we were working, I thought of how many times I've filled and emptied this space. I'm going to try really hard to keep it a "working" space...not a "storage" space. I'm going to keep this momentum (Lord willing) going and move on the back section of this building next.
I purposefully left July open for a "work on my junk" month. It might take August as well....help me Lord.... Of course, I have had one call or message after another about "would you be interested in...." I always like to look. (wink,wink).
How has your summer been going thus far? Any major projects on your list?
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
