Like almost every other blogger out there, I'm doing a post to end out my year. I'm thankful and glad for the blessings and lessons each day gave me.
Top 5 Blog Posts in 2019:
1. https://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2019/01/rachels-antiques-for-sale.html
2. https://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2019/01/saturday-morning-devotions.html
3. https://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2019/03/motivational-monday-important.html
4. https://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2019/11/opening-up-our-hearts.html
5. https://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2019/01/cupboard-vignettes.html
My 2019 Word of the Year was "Reclaim." Without going into all the details, nails and fails, I'll just say, I feel I adequately fulfilled my word.
I find it interesting that one of my top 5 was a Motivational Monday post about...my not feeling "it" (I haven't really felt "it" all year). Looking back, it was and is probably some menopausal issue. I know, no one cares, no one talks about it; but, it is real and women of my age suffer from and with "it." It's funny to me, because ALL women go through it, but don't share about it.
I wanted to post about our Community Christmas service we did for our church. I did a parody to "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" both song and story. I was going to do this long post and type it all out...then, I didn't...it was meant for that audience and besides once my words are on here they really aren't mine. I was taught that from my posts about "Mama Hen Lessons" - once I realized they were being reproduced I didn't post them any more. I was afraid it would happen to me again. So, I will only share a few lines that really sum up my year. I wanted the audience to think of the Grinch as 2019, life and the things that happen to us.
"You're a mean one, 2019
You really are a drain
You're as fun as overwhelming, with a long list of things to do
.....2019.....
You're nothing but 365 days of strain"
I proceeded to do this with each line of the song...I thought it was clever...teehee...
Then I added some lines of the book:
"I know just what to do....
I'll come in their homes and give them the flu
I'll send some discouragement to make them depressed
I'll send the most evil of unwanted guest"
I think you get the picture. I did a little "talk" on this....why 2019 was like a Grinch. However, I didn't leave it there....I ended it with....
"You see, Jesus came just the same
He'll listen to your problems and help with your pain
All you need do is call on his name"
It is true, 2019 may have had some ups and downs, every year does. My stage of life, personal issues, health issues etc. this year - 2019, you did your best to make me mad and turn my happiness to sad...it's the end of this year and I'm glad!
With all that said, 2019 had me out of sorts over the holidays, but I am still thankful because I know WHO is in control of my days. I can thank Him for the lessons and blessings.
Tune in tomorrow for my 2020 word of the year.
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
Savory Spoon Cooking School, Ellison Bay:
https://savoryspoon.com/
Door County, Wisconsin is our little "jewel" in more ways than one. I don't visit near as much as I should. Mostly, because between me and it is a huge bridge that I hate driving over - Leo Frigo Bridge in Green Bay. If I am driving, I do NOT go on the interstate or drive over that bridge. I will go through Green Bay. It's just too scary, my anxiety level is so high, I have all I can do but scream while even riding over it. I usually close my eyes...."tell me when we are over"..... I just can't!
Anyway, I've been following a Youtube Channel, The Parisienne Farmgirl:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4P9zhII6woD8WriaQwk6bw
She lives in Sister Bay, Wisconsin. She mentioned on her channel that we was going to be teaching at the Savory Spoon Cooking School. I wanted to meet her, so I signed up. Shannon and I went. The theme was "Monet's Masterpiece." I would encourage you to go over to her channel and follow along. I enjoy watching.
You break off into groups and each prepares a portion of that meal for the class to partake in. We signed up for the apple galette, made with Door County apples of course. The beautiful mushrooms were foraged locally - they were amazing! My favorite part of the meal.
The class was so fun, that I decided to sign up for another with my daughters. We made a whole weekend of it. You can't go to Door County without enjoying a fish boil.
I had an idea the role the Potawatomi played in Door County history, but not in the fish boil. I am Potawatomi and listening to the history lesson behind the fish boil was pretty special to me.
We went horseback riding, on a hike to a see the fall colors and watched the sun set on the water. I enjoy these little times I can spend with my girls!
Our class was handmade pasta. We made the pesto one above. It was wonderful. Pasta is actually very easy to make. I've made it before, but I should do it more often.
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
I've been watching a youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvE08bJqdQEbvRH3PxoqEMA Northern Heart. She did several posts about Swedish Advent. I don't even remember how I came across her page, but I'm happy I did. She inspired my desire to create a simple hygee Christmas.
I actually gave myself the gift of simple. I limited myself to 3 sweets I wanted to make. I tried a new recipe, pepparkakor gingerbread cookies. Made one of my husband's favorite, pecan balls. And tried my hand at almond bark made with pistachios and Door County cherries. I also made Swedish meatballs for our main dish.
This is the first year in my 53 years that I had an artificial tree. I usually end up with a sinus infection, sore throat at Christmas and was thinking it was the tree...nope, I still woke this morning with it...getting sick...the gift that keeps giving. Anyway, I decorated it with part of my collection of Annalee Dolls. I absolutely LOVE how it turned out!
My daughters and I met in Appleton a few weeks back. We went shopping and stopped at Ye Old Goat. I went back to my 2 favorite booths - along back wall by the bathroom - they did not disappoint! I found the most adorable, vintage, handmade felt Nordic "sports" ornaments! I was willing to even let it "snap" and buy them all. Truthfully, I had a hard time justifying the price...I don't need them...but, they are soooo cute! Well, at the check out, I was happy to know her booth was 25% off. Yay! I do LOVE them too! Merry Christmas to me!
I also, gave myself the gift of not bombarding my social media sites with images of this or that. It may be the menopause talking but, to me, it's all getting to be too much. I little snip it here and there - great - the dash after dash on insta story...not thanks...O.k. that sounded harsh, but I did say I woke with a sore throat, coughing...runny nose and eyes...that must be it! (wink, wink)
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
I'm hosting a 12 Days Before Christmas Give Away Event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/583713522363122/
Day 12 - Vintage Ceramic Christmas Tree
First, this is an actual handmade, 1981 vintage one. Not the new ones you can make now or even get at Walmart. I'm not knockin' the new, but nothing, for me, beats the originals.
Do you remember these? I remember them as something the teacher had on her desk or on a special table in the classroom. It was the "safe/fire hazard free." Speaking on that, I remember when I first saw an aluminum Christmas tree. I was in 3rd grade at Schofield Elementary School. The school had a "no real tree" rule. So, Holly Kalbes' mom let us use their "old" tree for the school hallway. It even had the spinning light! Oh, boy...if we only knew then, what all of that is worth today!
I just acquired this ceramic Christmas tree, as part of the "do you want to buy all the Christmas from the storage unit that I bought out?" - (thanks LM). Of course I want to buy that.
If you happen not to win this one, I see these all the time at thrift shops - but, they don't have all the plastic bulbs. This one does have them all, 2 birds and a star for the top. Doc Holiday Molds, 1981, is on the base of this one. Atlantic Mold, also very popular, came out with these in 1958.
After I first married, my mom, sister Bonnie and I did ceramics classes together. I have so many fond memories of this time spent with both of them at Shirley's house. We went once a week for a long time. Molds like this tree were readily available for us to make. I never did, probably because it would have been a bit pricey for my budget at that time. Whenever I'm thrifting and see a hand painted ceramic from that decade...it brings me right back to Shirley's basement and all the fun we had.
I already have a tree like this .... only bigger and in the original box.... from one of my estate buy outs. You know I do keep some stuff (wink, wink). If I keep it to sell next year, it will probably only get broke - this happens a lot! I just have soooo much inventory....and I don't need it all.....so, why not spread some Christmas cheer to those who bring me cheer throughout the year. Thanks again.
Thanks for all the Likes, Comments and Shares. I appreciate all the compliments too.
Merry Christmas and Blessing from Ringle, Wisconsin.
I'm hosting a 12 Days Before Christmas Give Away Event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/583713522363122/
Day 11 - Vintage Cards & Such
I love ephemera - antique and vintage Christmas cards rank among my favorite! What better way to display them than in this small little metal Christmas Card List Box dated 1954. Mid century modern (MCM) at it's best.
The little silver church cards are used, however the colorful MCM ones are unused. 15 cards in all.
I also found the little box of 3 angel candles at an antique shop. I do collect holiday Gurley Tavern candles and enjoy bringing each ones out during the year.
The box of tinsel garland I was going to craft with, but I can't let myself cut it up. Tinsel sure makes a tree shine.
I'll let the pictures speak for themselves on this post. They are cute enough.
Thanks again for all the Likes, Shares and Comments. Every one each day gets put in that day's drawing. Good luck. One more day ....
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin
I'm hosting a 12 Days Before Christmas Give Away Event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/583713522363122/?active_tab=discussion
Day 12 - A re purposed antique chair and pillow.
What do you do with a single antique chair? We did a living estate sale in June for a sweet gentleman named Elroy. This chair was left after the sale, so I bought it. Here is the before picture of the chair.
Shannon, who works "with" me, helps me by cleaning, sanding, priming and hands them off to me to complete. I can't tell you how much more I like painting now...teehee.... This year, I think we did some pretty cute pieces...yet, some did not sell...I don't know why? Truth be known...2019 will go down as one of my slowest selling years....?? On to 2020!
Well, while digging for something else in my pole building, I came across this stadium blanket. It had that same blue/green in it that the paint did. I knew I was going to use it as the seat. So, I "let" myself wash it and cut it up. I also made a few pillows. I could keep this chair, but I don't really need it. I do like it! Maybe one of you will too.
Day 10 give away is for 1 re purposed chair and 1 pillow.
Thanks for playing along! Just Like, Share or Comment on the post. I pick the winner from that day's list of names. I will tell you, I do put in ALL the names for all 3 (like, share, comment) some of you are really helping me!!! I have no idea how your names can be in the mix like 6-8 times and Al still not draw it....I'm actually "rooting for you" to be picked. I appreciate all of the activity!
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
I'm hosting a 12 Days Before Christmas Give Away Event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/583713522363122/
Day 9 - Wool Sweater
I LOVE, LOVE wool sweaters! I always have! The "uglier" the better for me. I don't really think any of them are ugly, I just call them that.
I peruse all the thrift shops and flea markets for them. Some can be pricey! Even if they are too small for me, I pick them up to resell them. This sweater is a ladies small. However, I am a L-XL and I can squeeze myself into it...I just look like I'm stuffed into it....teehee...
The traditional Nordic sweater features wide decorative pattern around the neckline which is the same all the way around, meaning that you can wear it either way round and it wouldn't make a difference. It's named from the Icelandic "lopapeysa from lopa" meaning wool and "peysa" which is sweater.
This one is not original Nordic one, but made to look like it. Also, if you win this one, you will need to have it dry cleaned or I wash them in Woolite and hang to air dry. It's probably clean, but I store them....sometimes for years....ahahahah.
This give away is for 1 Cambridge Dry Goods wool sweater, size S.
Thanks for the Likes, Comments and Shares! EVERY one EACH day gets entered into the drawing for that day's give away. Thanks
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
I'm hosting a 12 Days Before Christmas Give Away Event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/583713522363122/
Day 8 - Antique set of pewter candle holders and a OOAK folk art paper mache' and wool angel made by me.
Paper mache' is one of the mediums I enjoy working with. It goes to the root of creating something out of nothing and working in 3D sculptural form. The angel could be used as a tree topper as well. I made her out of a store display. It is a paper mache' cone that was used to hold plastic flowers. I bought 100's years ago from an auction at a 5 & 10 Variety Store. However, I have never thought of covering one with wool. I bought this cute sweater from a thrift shop and shrunk it (felted it). I had no idea I was going to do this until I looked at them laying next to each other...sometimes, beauty can come out of chaos....because my hoarded stash of art supplies is rather chaotic...teehee.
Angels of some kind are a part of most Christmas decorations because Angels played a role in the Christmas story. However, in keeping with the Hygee Christmas, you can't help but think of Sweden. The little metal angel chimes that spin from the heat of a candle. Or, Santa Lucia celebrations.
In keeping with the simplicity of Swedish design, I just painted the angel silver - no face, no aging - my normal primitive style - I just love how she turned out. To make the most out of the sweater floral design, I had to piece it together and I added the button embellishments.
Pewter, is also very hygee because it's simple, but stately. A shelf or mantle would only really need a pair of pewter candle holders to create a warm and inviting look.
This give away is for 1 original, one of a kind (OOAK) paper mache' and wool angel and a pair of pewter candle holders.
Thank for playing along.
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
