2020 - 12 Pictures of Year Review

 January 2020 

Our Dolly, was a faithful, selfless friend - I will miss her forever.  (sad face)

February 2020

4H community service project - making lunches for the homeless shelter.  This was our last 4H meeting of the year (sad face).

March 2020

Needle felting class.  This was the last one for 2020 - I did have a full schedule of classes (sad face).

April 2020

We had the addition of my little grandlove.  She calls me Gram Bird and I babysit for her 1 day a week (happy face).

May 2020

I started my virtual sales.  Blog stories with staged items for sale. LIVE selling events on facebook.  Reinvented a way to sell (happy face).

June 2020

Lots of chickens on the farm, our hens love to be mamas and I let them. (happy face).  I did reduce my flock due to crowing complaints...I still have a few roosters to let go of. (sad face) 

July 2020

Jon and Anna raised some meat chickens and we went down for butchering/processing day.  Homeraised food (happy face).

August 2020

Processing garden bounty.  My friend Renee always shares her produce with me. (happy face)  I had about 3 cucumbers thanks to all the chickens scratching and pecking in my garden. (sad face).

September 2020

This is my anniversary, mother's day, birthday and Christmas gifts all rolled into one beautiful, stick built greenhouse Al made me.  I love it! (happy face)

October 2020

We took several little day trips this past year.  We had plans to go out west, but with Covid, nope.  However, we discovered several fun spots within Wisconsin and UP.  (happy face)

November 2020

Time spent with my girls doing what we love - afternoon tea at a Johanna May's Tea House.  (happy face)

December 2020 

We added 2 puppies to our nest.  Ginger and Lady.  They are part Blue Heeler and "terror" (ahahah - they chew on everything!) actually, Rat Terrier. (scared face...ahahha) 

This is only a small peek in my year.  God has been so good to me in good times and bad.  I look foward to connecting with you all in 2021.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

It's a Wondeful Life - Even in 2020

My all time favorite Christmas movie is, It's a Wonderful Life!  I've liked it during all the stages of my life thus far and it has held a different meaning depending on that stage.  The message this movie portrays is timeless.  Times have changed and our American way of life looks different from that 1940's era.  The message, has not. 

At our most hopeless and desperate times, we should take a cue from George Bailey.  As he sat on the bar stool, looking at his insurance policy, he turned to God for answers.  "Dear father in heaven, I'm not a praying man but, if you are up there and you can hear me, show me the way.  I'm at the end of my rope, show me the way God."    

This really hit me differently this year than any other.  Many of us are facing the changes that 2020 has gifted us with.  Yes, I say gifted, I know many not the most pleasant, but it's a gift.  How did you open it?  With a fake smile, "oh, it's just want I always wanted..." or did you say "it's not what I wanted, but I will make it work."  I am an optimist, "Little Miss Sunshine" as my neighbor Mrs. Klein called me.  Not to say, I haven't faced life altering changes, I have!  

I guess, I had my George Bailey moment, I know when it exactly was....the phone rang, I answered and heard my brother say,  "Dicky Bird, they are taking mom to the hospital, she had a stroke."  I fell on my knees, in front of my couch and said "Jesus, I'm sorry I never really 'needed' you, it's your fault, because you gave me such a good mama, but I need you now, please don't let my mom die."  ohhh that moment....and I grew up in the church.  A call on the name of Jesus, clapping hands, speaking in tongues kinda church.  And, I still needed my George Bailey moment.  Little did I know, that moment, in my brokeness, He had plans for my life.  His plans involved my totally needing Him - this brokeness over my mom, who did survive, built my faith in Him.  His ability to help me in that desperate time, was the foundation He was building in me so that when I heard "your little girl has cancer" I could face it and open that gift.  

Maybe in this wonderful life of 202o, you feel hopeless and desperate.  I can tell you, from personal experience, a good ol' George Bailey moment...will make it easier.  It won't make it perfect, because, we aren't in control of anything, we really aren't.   I try to focus on the most wonderful life here, so that in the one here after, it will be the BEST.

"All you can take with you, is that which you've given away" (Peter Bailey, George's dad).  I love that one!  It was on a plaque hanging on the wall in the Bailey Building and Loan.  

My hope for you dear reader is that when you are faced with your Geroge Bailey moment, you can think on his prayer and maybe even mine.  Brokeness, as hard as it is, is a gift.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Christmas Gift

 I completed the 2020 12 Days of Give Aways on my business facebook page: Town Hall Trinkets, LLC this year it was "Jacky's Favorite Things."  Here they are:

I enjoy finding little themed gifts to share with my customers.  I appreciate their following along and supporting my little business, none more so than this crazy year.  I've tried some "new" things in the way I sell, some I will carry forward with and others not.  Technology is always changing, new ways to connect, new sites to join....it's not easy trying to keep up.  I've decided that things all seem "too much" - in more ways than one.  

On one of my give away days, I asked the question:  "What was your most memorable Christmas gift?"  Reading them, did boost my Christmas Cheer, so I will share a few with you (permission was granted).  No names, just the gifts .... here goes: 

Crocheted items from my grandma

My twin sister and I got a Troll house!!! Back in the 60's those Trolls were the hot toy. I wish we still had them

My most memorable was the year I got engaged

2007 ; when my husband came home from Afghanistan. I knew but we surprised our boys and all my family. 

My most wonderful gift was my newborn son, born on Dec 22. No. better. gift. EVER. 

In hindsight, the Christmas that stands out was the one where I received new golf clubs. My dad was doctoring but at the time nothing worrisome. It was a beautiful Christmas Day and we went golfing!! In Wisconsin! It’s been a bit over 30 years, and I just discovered I had been given the clubs so my Mom would have a golfing partner. My dad knew deep down he had cancer, and just in case he wanted my mom to continue with her golfing. She is still my partner to this day! Mom is 83! And golfs 4 times a week in season!

A Conner Toys wooden kitchen set! I still have them!

A big white Samoyed dog stuffed animal

My white Partridge Family boots...just like the ones that Laurie Partridge wore on the TV show. I also had the outfit to go with lol

My most memorable gift was from my dad in 1985. It’s a German made pyramid with candles. The heat of the candles makes the pyramid spin. I love it.

I grew up in Holland (the country, not MI) and the big gift-giving event is St Nick’s in December 5th. I remember getting one gift under the tree every year. So my Christmas gift memories are fairly recent. I think last year’s ballroom dancing lessons with my husband was one of the best 

 The most memorable gift for me was when my husband and both my parents were alive and my Mom, dad, brothers and I with our families celebrated Christmas together on Christmas Day. My dad's been gone since 1995, my mom in 1998, and my husband in 2011. Oh to have one more Christmas with everyone. 

My most memorable gift was my blonde ponytail Barbie. I still have her!

That’s a tough one. Probably the Christmas I wasn’t working and my family was blessed by so many people that helped to make our Christmas wonderful.

My most memorable Christmas gift was my Barbie Dream Cottage. Probably one of the coolest gifts I ever received as a kid.

A gift I got early when I was 5 and had my tonsils removed it was a complicated surgery there was an abscess of some kind I was under so long and so sick afterwards that when I was still so sick at home that November I got my Christmas presents early I think my folks thought I was going to die before Christmas. My favorite were a pair of red velvet shoes with sparkles on them I still have them and cherish them

Horse book! Always wanted a horse, but grew up in the city!

... my Children’s Bible. You know it. The big brown one with the great pictures!!!!! Still have it!

When I was younger it was a cabbage patch doll baby as an adult my husband got me a st Bernard puppy our first Christmas together, I always wanted one  

These, tell us alot about Christmas gifts.  Many of the gifts are still treasured and some not even purchased.  I wanted to share this today, as you are bustling around, preparing food, wrapping presents....your "gifts" are WHO you do that for.  

I gave myself the "gift" of NOT doing all that, I want a simple Christmas.  Oh, if you know me, I'm holding back the reins...on myself....I want to enjoy the experience and be a joy to be around.  Sometimes, and this may just be me, doing "it all" for a "show" made me not a joy to be around.  

If my 2020 PROGRESSION (word of year) has taught me one major thing...."it's not a competition and you don't need to compare your (fill in the blank) with others."  I have some words for 2021 already, I can't wait to see what fate picks for me.

Have a WONDERFUL Christmas - Jesus is the gift - that keeps giving, He does to me, every day!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Banana, Lemon, Blueberry Muffins

 

Special guests coming for coffee, what do I whip up...I looked in the refrigerator and came up with this.

3 ripe bananas

1 lemon, zest & juice

Smash the bananas and add the zest and juice of lemon, set aside.

2 C flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 heaping cup of sugar

mix dry ingredients with a fork in a bowl, add the banana mixture

1 stick melted butter

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

mix all together with the fork just in same bowl.  

1 c (could do more if you have it) blueberries, I rolled them in flour to coat them, that way they don't sink as much.

Fill muffin cups and sprinkle additional sugar on top.   Bake 350 maybe 30 min. or until a tooth pick comes out clean...that's my test.

So easy, so good!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Funny Little Story - Tips on Tuesday

 I don't know what made me think of this today, but it's a funny story from several years ago.  Our daughter's and I went on a CIE tour of Scotland and Ireland.  You know, I'm "real country" right?  I probably epitomize "rural America" to a T.  So, here is the story.

We were on some "free" time in Edinburgh.  As we walked from the castle to a tea house Anna made reservations to, we saw an antique shop.  Now, an antique shop, well this one anyway, in Scotland doesn't look like your average antique mall here in Wisconsin.  

When we walked in, there was a very well dressed man sitting by the counter, "are you looking for anything in particular?"  He had all the "snobs" (voice, look, condisending....you know what I mean).  "Well, I was wondering if you had any milk bottles?"  Now, you know Al loves milk bottles with advertising on them.  Different dairies and such.  He tilts his head down and looks over his glasses, "milk bottle?"  So, I proceed to "school" him on what my definition of "milk bottle" is.  Ahahha

"Ma'am, this is an antiquities shop, our antiques are centuries old.  America is younger than some of these things in this shop."  "We, do NOT sell milk bottles."  Oh boy...."thanks anyway..."

So, my tips would be:

1.  Pick shopping at a place that suits you.

2.  Never "school" a shop owner.

3.  Always be pleasant, even in the face of "snobbery."

4.  Take your business to a proprietor who appreciates it.  

5.  Collect what you like, even if you are told "it's not valuable."

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Things I've Been Thinking About

 Ever get into a writing "funk?"  I guess, that's where I'm at.  My regualar themed weekly posts, nahh just not into it.  I am sure I'm not alone in saying, that this year has offered all of us loads of things to reflect on.  I don't "do" political posts, so this won't be any of that.

My 2020 word of the year is PROGRESSION.  I know the word of the year thing is getting old to some, but not to me.  I usually start making a list of interesting words that come to my attention, from now till end of year.  These are words that when I hear them, it pricks something in my heart.  I put them in a hat and draw one on January 1.  I let "fate" pick it.  That's how I roll.

So, today's post is on somethings I thought of lately that runs the path of my progression.  I don't know what word fate could possibly pick for me in 2021 that would better fit me than this year's word.  That word gave me direction.  I joined Noom, lost over 20 pounds and still working on, Covid stopped my being able to sell for others and focus on cleaning out my "stash" and I even sought out counseling for my personality weaknesses.  I really made some remarkable progression.  In doing so, I found these things to be true and I hope they can help you too.

1.  See worth in who I am JUST the way I am.  This, for me, was an inside kind of healing, but once I worked on that, my outside changed too and for the better.

2.  You can't escape who you are, no matter how much you socially distance.  I've always said, "I have to live with me" as a way to keep myself in check.  No amount of distancing from someone or problem will be a true escape, until you accept yourself and others for who THEY are and face those difficult issues in your life.

3.  What I WANT isn't what will make me happy.  I've wanted all kinds of things for myself, events to create, places to sell, spaces to stage - all of "that" for someone or place other than for me and here.  I found happiness in my own "stash" and created a new selling experience for my business that I had no idea of doing prior to Covid.  That leads me to this one....

4.  EMBRACE the opportunities in front of you instead of those you wish were there.  "There's no place like home" kinda for me.  InstaSHAM, FAKEbook feeds really had me down - "if I only could do that" or "I wish I had that opportunity" - stop it Dicky Bird, look around - your opportunity abounds!

5.  Reflect on NEEDS vs. WANTS - physically, emotionally, mentally and spirtually.  This is far more deep than just "I want a crock but I don't need one" kind of thing.  For me, it was way more than that, although, I did do a lot of that too.  Or rather, didn't do, I'm not sure how to say that - didn't buy much.

I plan to do more posts like this before the year's end.  I just have had an amazing PROGRESSION this year.  I hate to even say it, because I hate bragging....remember my post "there's a fine line in sayin' and braggin' "  I've just been working on accepting my reality as an opportunity to grow and put in some work on myself.  You know it's been said, one can work to live or live to work.  That applies to more than a 9-5.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Dicky Bird's Pantry Cookie

 What to do on a snowy unmotivated Monday?  Bake.  Baking is my comfort.  So, I looked in the pantry, what do I have?  A bit of this and a bit of that (I already have a cookie with that name....teehee).  So, I decided to call it a pantry cookie.

I love to make up recipes.  It's not that hard to do.  Cookies are easier because every recipe has a ratio of wet to dry.  

This is how I made them:

1/2 C butter

1/2 C vegetable shortening

1 C brown sugar

1C sugar

Cream together, add

2 large eggs

1 C applesauce

1 T cinnamon

1 t baking soda

1 t baking powder

1/2 t salt

3 C oatmeal

mix together, add

3 C flour

2 C raisins

2 C flaked coconut

2 C chips (I did white chocolate)

mix together and drop by large rounded tablespoon on to parchment lined cookie sheet.  Bake 350 for 14-16 minutes until the tops are light brown.  These are a soft cookie and this make 3 dozen large cookies.  

I hope you give these a try.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivational Monday - We Have the Power

 I know this Monday, may be hard for 1/2 of you politically.  Motivation is hard to find when your "party" faces a loss.  2020 has been tough, not just for us here in America, but for all.  Let's remember that!  

As one who doesn't put her faith in politicians or politics, this really isn't that hard for me.  Truth, in my 40's I was a "loud mouth" poltically.  When I think of some of the unkind things I said then, I am ashamed.  Oh, don't get me wrong, I still have strong convictions and conspiricy concepts that may be even stornger today.  However, an older, Dicky Bird understand that "my steps are/were ordained by the Lord" and I had to walk that path to know, I don't want to act that way today.  

So, for today's Motivational Monday, I want to motivate, encourage and remind us of this thing:  we have the power.  YOU my reader, have the POWER within you to FEEL whatever way you want.  It's your choice.  I know I've done many posts on this, but even I needed the reminding today.  

This isn't a long post, just one to remind us that we CAN be encouraged during "this" (whatever "this" is for you).  There are still good people doing good things - look for them.  Better yet, be one of them.  Seek out the good things in your day, relish in them.  Finding that power within yourself starts small, "the sun is shinning, yay!"  If you start looking for these things, really thinking about it, motivation will come.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

  

Are you Karen or Carin'?

 First, I had to have someone explain to me what a "Karen" is.  I did Google it too.  As I thought about it, was there a term like "Karen" used on any other generation of women?  I can't think of one, if you know of one, please leave a comment.   

I will not let the term "Karen" define my generation of women or use the term to make an excuse for a coniviction.  I will do my part to show the younger and honestly even older women that a "Karen" can choose to be "carin'" (I had to say in slangish to make it rhyme)

I am appalled and saddened at the comments on social media between ladies that I graduated with.  The women of my age, all acting like "Karen" democrats and republicans.  I know it says that a, "Karen" is an angry white woman - all ya all fittin' that bill.  I know better than to comment on ANY political post, because you all are "Karens."  I wanted to comment some kind words or something that would bring unity.  I went to bed last night so sad!  You are all being so mean to one another.   Who cares who did what first, when, to whom - come one now "Karen" ..... you know I speak truth!  The women of our age group are missing an opportunity to be carin' (caring) and not "Karen."  

Do I think "this or that" about it all?  Of course I do!  We all are entitled to our own opinion.  Will I still stand on my convictions?  Of course I will!   No comment, mean, hurtful or otherwise will make me change my mind on any of it.  

So, I woke to these 2 words - Karen and carin' - that was enough for me.  Therefore, this middle aged woman is going to do her part not to be defined as a "Karen."  Rather, I choose my mother and her generation as an example.  Like them, I will be "carin" for my family, community, church and others.  I will choose my words carefully, show kindness and mercy, speak truth when asked and love to the best of my abilty.  This is HOW you show who you are.  Actions speak louder than words!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin

Farmhouse Friday - Daily Grind

Good Farmhouse Friday morning.  The weather here in Marathon County Wisconsin has been glorious!   I took advantage of it, by working outside and cleaning up the barnyard before the snow.  I still need to winterize the chicken coop, Al needs to pull by business trailers under the lean, take out all the wire cages from the garden so they don't blow away and put the patio set away.  We have the weekend to do that.  

Speaking of working outside, I had to clean up a "mess" outside my pole building before the snow.  It was so nice out that I pulled out 10 or so lots each day to sell on my 

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1914536328603700  

I was able to meet with people for SOLD item pick ups too.  I actually am very pleased with what I was able to accomplish this summer in my destashing.  One of my friends came to pick up her items and I "let" her look in my pole building (I rarely, let anyone in there as it should be on an episode of Hoarders) as bad as it still is, she said "well, you're making progress."  Then she holds up a doll size drying rack with a broken leg, "should I put this in burn pile?"  "No, I said, here is it's leg."  She smiled and put it back...help me Lord...baby steps.

While I was working, this was Dolly.  She is getting so thin, she is 13 now and this is how I will remember her, sitting in the sun  and supervising all the activity in the yard.

Al made us a "gym" in the barn.  We have been going out to the barn, after supper, walking, he rides an exercise bike and hold our bunnies.  I look forward to this routine during the long winter months.  I figure, in boots and Carharts I'll really be working out!

Nellie, was hanging on to the carrot.  She is so cute, but still fiesty, she almost nips me daily.  "Hey, I just gave you a carrot" ahaha.  

My kids were sick this week, so I made some chicken and wild rice soup and gave them a "care" package.   I made a bed of herbs, celery, onions and roasted the chicken breasts on top.  I really like the seasoning in the picture too.

I worked the first 6 days of this week, now today, I'm going to have fun.  I am off to Shawano and Bonduel to drop off some SOLD lots and go thrifting.  Not that I need a thing...but, no harm in looking.  (wink, wink).  

What is going on with you this Friday?  I would love to hear about it.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.