Sunday's Scriptures

"The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of God stands forever."  Isaiah 40:8

"How sweet are thy words unto my taste, yea sweeter than honey to my mouth."  Psalms 119:103

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farm House Fri...Wait is it Saturday?

One bad thing about a "holiday 3 day weekend" is not knowing what day it is...maybe it's just me.

I feel like I've been an absent blogger.  I have been playing "catch up" all week.  My friend message me and said..."I was going to read your Motivational Monday post...to see what you had to say....then I realized it was Tuesday."  I told her "same here!"...teehee

That was how the week started and I never caught up. 

So, what was going on at the farm this past week?

I was able to meet up with many of the buyers from my online estate sale group.  I told members to just keep buying and I would make a pile.  We will meet up after the quarantine is lifted.  So, in addition to making up lots for sale, I worked on my business stuff. 

I created some advertising photos for promotional purposes.  I found this one to use, I bought these letters a few years back....I wonder where they are?  

My "neighborhood" activities....

...."moooving" right along.....

As I was unloading (from a "pick") to loading up the online auction sold lots, Rosie thought she could come along with me.  She's ready to "fly the coop"....she's good at "scratchin & pickin" .....bugs that is....teehee

My kitchen smells amazing right now.  I woke early and put a turkey in the oven.  Our neice is graduating from high school tomorrow, I am making hot turkey sandwiches for the party.  I will be having turkey for lunch...

Today, is cool and less bugs, I want to work in my gardens.  I have some plants to divide and share with our daughters.  

This is a tiny variety of the hosta that I really like!  

Earlier in the week, our apple trees were beautiful!

The smell was intoxicating.  The bees were busy.

I would be remiss, not to mention, the horrific murderous actions of ignorance that has now spiraled into absolute chaos...unbelieveable.  As I sit here, in my kitchen on our farm in tiny Ringle, Wisconsin...I can tell you it's with heavy heart that I type any of this today.  Our world is, it really is, falling apart.  I can only cope by breaking it down to this...I am only responsible for me, what I do, how I treat others.  I woke thinking of this scripture:  "I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."  Psalm 121:1-2

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farmhouse Friday - Busy as a Bee

Good Farmhouse Friday Morning!

Whew, where did this week go?  I surely have enjoyed some nice sunny days here in Ringle!  It has been a buzz of activity at the farm this week!  Straight From The Hives: https://www.facebook.com/straightfromthehives/ delivered the bees that we keep for the summer.  Please go over to their facebook page for information about the products they offer.  

We have such a "sweet" deal with them!  Their bees stay here all summer and "honey" they are workers!  O.k. I'm done now...

Since I made the first mushroom for my "junkin' gardin'" everything I see now, I try to figure out how I can turn it into a mushroom.  Here is my most recent one.

On my ride home from babysitting, I saw something up ahead crossing the road.  I honestly, had no idea what it was, until I came closer.  It was they tiniest, wobbly legged little fawn.  If you happen upon one, please leave it.  The doe knows what she is doing.  I didn't see one dead on the road, so I knew she was close.  I did stop to snap this picture

As I pulled away, the doe came up from the ditch.  I won't lie I did worry this little one was going to get hit by a car.  As I drove about 1/4 mile down the road, a truck was coming rather fast...so, I started waving my arm out the window and pulled into the middle of the road.  The woman looked scared as she tried to creep past my van...I yelled at her...."HEY, slow down!  There is a fawn up in the road!  You're driving too fast anyway!"  I honestly, don't know how I have not been punched in the face more in my life....well, I do...I'd like see someone try! LOL  That's the truth!  I've been rather fiesty lately with "menopause mouth" this may have been an extension of it.  

We worked on planning a new project.  Last year, Al found some nice storm windows that were on Craigslist.  They were from the dorm remodel job at UWSP.  He is building me a greenhouse.  It will be a combination of these storm windows, built on a skid.  We wanted it moveable, because it will be close to some trees that may give too much shade in a few years.  

Shannon started working again this week.  It's been a long safer at home time of not "working" on Town Hall Trinkets, LLC:  https://www.facebook.com/Town-Hall-Trinkets-LLC-729693193716630/.  My "work week" has been busy, the virtual sale Saturday, the hide & seek pop up Wednesday, the listing items on the oneline estate sale and cleaning out my "booth" at Theme in Wausau.  I have had many questions about what is going to happen at Theme.  I really don't know...that's the truth!  I do know that I won't be selling there monthly any more.   It has nothing to do with the dynamics of the group of ladies I sell with, I love them all.  This past couple of months, my income has been changed and I need to weight out cost -vs- earnings - it's the bottom line - that's all.  

I did have someone send me this...teehee...

Well, June will be a time to move stuff out, that's for sure.  

As for this Farmhouse Friday I will not be working on that!  You may find me out in the barnyard or garden, the whole weekend in fact, even in the rain.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Thrifty Thursday - RAVE Hide & Seek Pop Up

I pulled off the RAVE Hide & Seek Pop UP - Covid 19 Style, I did not get a fine or told I had to leave.  In fact, not a problem at all...except for the wood ticks...teehee...  I just set up along side the road in the grass.  I limit these RAVE sales to 2 hours.

I went in with no expectations, I feel it's best to do that this year...I always do anyway.  I sold quite a bit and even gave some away.  Here is the AFTER:

BEFORE:

And, my front seat was full too.  It was nice not to have to take so much back to the farm.

Today, my plan is to list some of this on my online estate sale page.  Link here:
  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1914536328603700/

I had several ladies that do arts and crafts come.  We shared about the ideas they were going to do with the items they purchased.  Not one item over $5, I will do another like this.  I won't live long enough to do all the stuff I want to do with all of my inventory.  I might as well, pass it off to someone who can.  

This will hopefully be how my summer will go, live pop ups, virtural events, online estate sales and a few sales at the farm.

Thanks for the support.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

RAVE- Hide & Seek - Covid 19 Style

Good Morning.  I started a little "side" hussle, several years ago, called "It's a RAVE, Vintage Pop Up Sales," (link here:  https://www.facebook.com/itsapopup/   Selling in RAVE fashion - as I don't always have permission where I set up, I won't give much notice to where I will be or what I will sell.  In light of the "safer at home" orders, I wanted to do a true RAVE one as I didn't know how "legal" this would be to meet.  Since I created the event for this, the orders in Wisconsin have been lifted??  No one really understands all the rules...I know I don't!

I have been posting clues on the event as to where to find me.  Here is a link to the event and the list of clues.

https://www.facebook.com/events/536394587266165/permalink/540753906830233/

This "Hide & Seek" Pop Up might not be as illegal as I thought now. However, I am still going to do it this way. You never know what the rules will be today, tomorrow, so....I hope to see you 5:30-7:30 pm or until someone tells me I have to leave.

Clue 1: Somewhere between Ringle & Wausau
Clue 2: On an Avenue where East meets West and runs from the Town of....to Village of....
Clue 3: This Avenue can be seen from the highway...in spots...especially where I will be set up...(well                 maybe if you're looking for me...)
Clue 4: "Country Fresh" air on the south side of the highway
Clue 5: The water may be merky, but we can smell the jerky
UPDATE.....
Clue 6: Road construction started today on the dead end I wanted to be on - someone threw a              “Zinser” in my plans! No worries I’ll just “Progress Way” myself to a new spot.
Clue 7: In "Badgerland" you can often see a "Crane in the Meadow"
Clue 8: It will be "par" "fore" this "Birdie" if you can find a "hole-in-one"
Clue 9: A good bargain hunter considers it "Premier Sports" to find a deal
Clue 10: "From the Forest" you will have to look and "Progress Way" to find me.

That is it the 10 Clues...I hope some of you can find me....I plan to bring TLC small furniture items, garden decor items, some $1 items - most under $5.

A couple customers, who came at the farm yesterday to pick up their items from our virtual event, confirmed the general area where I will set up.  I think the clues were good.  I will post a picture of my spot too, just before I open the van.  

I have always, even as a little girl, hosted sales.  It's true, I would make Barbie furniture and clothes and sell them to the neighbor girls.  My sister and I would take our dad's garden produce and peddle it in the neighborhood.  My friend, Kathy and I, would make floral arrangements and sell them to the neighbor ladies (we may have helped ourselves to other neighbor's flower beds for our inventory).  I set up at my first craft sale when I was in high school.  Anyway, I like to do different things, come up with different ideals, I just do.

So, yesterday, Shannon and I filled my van.  I wanted to do a price of $5 or less as I pulled and boxed inventory.   It's just a hodge podge of stuff.  

Here are some pictures of my van.  My plan is to be on the side of the road at 5 pm and once the employees from the business on that road leave, I will start setting up.  I don't know how much I'll drag out, especially if no one shows up.  

Well, that is all on this one.  I hope to see some customers at 5:30-7:30 pm - or until I am told to leave.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

"Fostering" Grandma

I know, it should be "Tips on Tuesday" but, you may get some tips from this post as well.   

Fostering children is such a special "calling."  It's not for everyone.  My daughter and son-in-law, have invited this process into their life as their first choice for adding to their family.  So, as grandparents, that means, it is our choice as well.  I grew up in a family where we welcomed foster children, we had several in our home over the years.  My sister, once married and a young mother, opened their home to foster children.  We even added to our family, as they adopted my niece, Angie.  It can be a challenging but rewarding process.  

There is the sweetest little angel in my life right now.  I don't know how long she will be with us, as fostering's hope is to reunite families.  I couldn't imagine having someone as precious as her and not being able to be with her and I am praying for her biologicial family.

She is a little sponge, her age is that way, but she is espcially witty and quick to pick up .... trust me, just about anything you do.  The other day, we were playing and when we got up, she was walking all hunched over...and I thought...that is how I walk after I get up off the floor.  I also bring a walking stick when we go for little walks, she also wants "my 'tick' too" - I have a little wooden cane for her.  I could go on and on about all the fun and funny little things....but, I'm keeping them just for me.  

We don't know God's plan; for our life, much less hers, I'm using every opportunity I have to "build her up."  If she should leave me, this "GaBird" wants to know she left with a heart and ear full of kindness, love, positivity that will not only build a relationship with me, but more importantly Jesus.  I will admit, it is easier to do this with her than sometimes I think I did for my own daughters.  Not that she isn't "mine" because she is and will always hold a spot in my heart, but rather, that I am older, wiser now...or at least try.  

I am so blessed that they come over for Sunday Suppers.  I try to make things that are healthy, but she loves "treats" so much and I love to "treat with treats."  I wanted to try a new recipe from an old cookbook.  It was a cake with only 4 ingredients - how could that work?  Well, it does.  I decided to decorate it and while I was doing that, Al came in and said "that looks like a pricess cake."  He comes up with the best lines!  Princess Cake it was!

When she came in the kitchen, I said "GaBird" made you a "Princess Cake" - I will NEVER forget the look on her little face!  "A Princess Cake for me?!?".....heart is full...."Yes, 'GaBird' made it just for you!"  That's all of this precious little story I will tell you, other than, when we ate it, we wore some of my old costume jewelry as our "pricess beads."    

My tip here would be, to make those around you feel precious, special and loved.  In doing so, you will too!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivational Monday - When it Rains it Pours

What a windy, rainy, cool day here in Wisconsin.  I could have titled this post so many familar "rain" phrases.  I chose this one, because sometimes when "it" rains, "it" can pour.  One could think negatively about this...but, that wouldn't be very motivational now would it?  However, some negativity brings out motivation....or, maybe it's just that way for me.

One thing, that Covid-19, safer at home orders "made" me do, was to learn how to participate in a virtual world.  I have been a part of several Zoom meetings, virtual doctor appointment on my cell phone...ya, crazy...and virtual events, like Lisa and I did Saturday.  Our sale was very successful, I even woke to another almost $100 in sales, people still asking and buying even after the event was "closed."  

I think that virtual "living" is here to stay.  Maybe, you are from a larger city, or community that is technology forward, Ringle...it is neither.  ALL of this is very new to me.  

So, in the "rain" of this quarantine, it "poured" new concepts and ideals for me to adapt to.  Not just adapt, I "likie"...teehee.  I'm social, so live interaction is where I shine, I have no plans to stop doing the face to face type events, I will, however, be adding more of these virtual events to my calender.  

Sometimes, in the rain, it pours something better, unexepected even.  Maybe, you didn't even know what you were missing until you are standing in the pouring rain.

What have you had "rain" on you lately that ended up "pouring" something better?  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Virtual Event Vignettes

Today, at 9 am, the scheduled posts to the event will be up for your viewing and possible buying.  Doing things virtually, as we all discovered these past 2 months, can be challenging, especially for us - 2 old hens.  Teehee....

I will share the overall view of each vignette here as a sneak peek, however the individual posts have more pictures and pricing.  You may comment SOLD on the photos once posted at 9 am.  I didn't put measurements on items...I thought of it after we put it all away.  I can run out and measure something if need be.  Thanks for your support!

Here is the LINK to the event.  Posts will only be under the EVENT:  https://www.facebook.com/events/555141828760141/

Vintage Patio:

Vintage Bistro:

Porch Sitting:

Potting Shed:

Garden Gate:

Junkin' Gardin':

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farmhouse Friday - Virtual Event Preparation

What is going on at the farmhouse today?  Well, Lisa and I are staging our vignettes for our virtual event "We Won't BAIT, You'll Have to WAIT"  Link here:  
https://www.facebook.com/events/555141828760141/

The weather is working in our favor today.  Our plan is to post pictures of each vignette with prices listed for each item on Saturday morning, 9 ish.  They will be listed only in the event.  Purchases will be picked up at the farm next week.

Well where to begin.  As mentioned, we had been stashing away items for the event at Tansy Hill Barn - Link here:
  https://www.facebook.com/TansyHillFarmWausau/
But, due to Covid 19 Safer At Home Orders, it was cancelled.  I also have a couple of buildings that may or may not be filled to capacity...oh, and 2 horse stalls and sheep pens...oh, and the lean under the barn....oh, and 2 trailers...oh, and...stop!  I think you get what I am saying.   Lisa and I will be focusing on selling our own "junk" this summer.  We may be doing an estate sale - large one - if the client's house sells - or it might be in the early fall.  But, on to today.  

Truthfully, the vignettes are not staged with tons of smalls, those are too hard to see virtually in staged groupings.  Mostly large items.  

Earlier in the week, I did clean under the lean and started pulling stuff to store under there.  We had quite the pile, not all will make the "cut" for this event, but will make an appearance at the Hide & Seek Pop Up I'm doing next Wednesday evening.  I will share the completed vignettes tomorrow after I post them to the event page.  Our plans for selling May 16th had to change due to Covid 19, but this was fun too.     

These are feeder/gates/doors for hog pens.  Rusty in just the right way.  I think the red one would make a cool planter and the galvenized one would make a great sign.  These have been in our barn for almost 20 years.  

In thinking about outdoor spaces, yours should represent you and the things you like.  Maybe your space is farmy with feeders and galvenized tubs.  Maybe your space is girly with milk glass vases and white patio furniture.  Maybe your space is rustic with barn board, bird houses and ladders.  Whatever your space is, keep in mind that you don't need to spend alot of money to make it comfortable.  Every one of the items we are selling is preowned.  They belonged to someone who loved to garden and now has passed on, however these items still have life.  I'm partial to used, but ones that have been enjoyed in a garden or patio are some of my favorites.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Container Gardening & DIY Seed Tapes

In preparing for our sale on Saturday, Lisa and I were thinking about all the crazy things we would plant in for people to buy.  We didn't have social media back then and were far too busy with kids and life at the time to take any pictures for "proof" (AHHH HAAA, I'm such a brat!). 

We did a Spring sale EVERY year at Lisa's farm.  We even did "Boulevard Sales" at my mom's house on Grand Avenue.  For 2, trying to stay at home moms, these sales were our "seed" money for auctions and rummages for the Summer.  

Want to know where we "picked up" probably 90% of the containers we planted in?  Curbside...Wausau had what was called "Spring Clean Up" it was our "mom time"...picking in the garbage!  One time, I remember, my old van broke down outside Gretchen Kluz's house....I asked to use her phone...we didn't have cell phones then either.  Lee was nice enough to take us back to my farm.  Anyway, Gretchen said "what are you 2 doing out on Easter Sunday evening?"  Oh, I didn't want to say, but you know how honest I am...."picking in the garbage."  She looked at us like we were crazy.  Well, in September when we were set up at Art in the Park, Gretchen came past our booth.  In true Jacky fashion, I yelled...."Hey, Gretchen....this is what we do with the garbage we pick up!" ...I was trying to some how legitimize it....now it's a thing? Lisa said..."don't say that so loud!"  Oh the memories over 3 decades of doing this!  

It was just 20 degrees here the other morning, so I do not have any cool containers planted yet to show you in this post.  However, I did stop at Springer Family Farms Greenhouse yesterday on my way home from babysitting.  Here is the link to their website:  http://www.sfagreenhouse.com/  I wanted to pick up a few flowers for our vignettes.  

What I like to do, is arrange the plants you think you would like in a container on a table in the greenhouse, before you buy them.  You have the whole greenhouse to pick from.  You may not even know you wanted a certain plant, color or variety until you put them all together.  

Things we have used as a containers: (courtesy Pinterest)

Have you seen the seed tapes?  I bought some for the first time several years ago.  I will admit, I felt guilty about it, because they were "expensive" (teehee).    However, they were so easy to use, especially with my aging eyes and inabiltiy to "weed" out healthy plants...ahhahaa...I feel bad for them....wink, wink.  Anyway, every year since then, I have had a hard time finding the varieties I want to use.  

I was on Youtube watching one of my favorite homesteading channels and suggested videos popped up.  I wish I could tell you what channel this was on, to give her credit for the idea, but I don't know.  It's not my original idea and this will be my first year trying.  

Cut up strips of paper towel, toilet paper, tissue paper or newspaper, follow directions on seed pack as to spacing, mark off with a dot, put a dot of glue (I used washable) and place the seed on the paper.  Let dry and you're ready to go.  

Happy gardening and watch the sale on Saturday for interesting things you can plant in or add to your garden.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Vintage Patio - Garden Furniture

It could be argued that the original garden furniture was anything sat upon - rock, stump or any other natural feature that was located near the garden or outside of the home.   The Greeks, Romans and many other cultures used stones and marble to create garden seating.  The foundation to the modern patio.   

In an attempt to make outside spaces lovely, we can thank the Victorians for intoducing us to this idea.  I'm thinking of the intricate wicker furniture pieces made for the patio.  These were much more than utilitarian, they were beautiful pieces of art.  

Around the turn of the last century, Americans, took an interest in comfortable seating.  The main reason for this was the popularity of the Adirondack chair.  This, sparked an interest in casual outdoor furniture.  

Over the decades, many different types of materials have been used.  Wood, iron, aluminum, wicker, rattan, cloth, plastic....think about it, what other trend in home furnishing has seen decades of changes to update and create furniture for one purpose - patio and garden living.  I can't think of another!

Porch, patio and garden living, is another way to creatively decorate your outside "rooms" and spaces.  I'm not even touching on greenhouse or she sheds.  Carving out a space where one can relax in the outdoors....it's as old as time.  Afterall, time began in a garden!  

Lisa and I will be hosting a virtual event on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 9 am.  We plan to have 6 vignettes with items available for sale.  The themes of the vignettes are:  Vintage Patio, Vintage Bistro, Porch Sitting, Potting Shed, Garden Gate and Junkin' Gardin'.  Here is the link to the event:  https://www.facebook.com/events/555141828760141/

Here is an example of my "Gardin' Junkin'..."  I really like the lamp shade, but part of the stained glass broke.  You know I can't throw anything away, so I had a bird bath without a top and I put the shade on it....repurposed mushroom.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Tips on Tuesday - For the Overcommitted

One thing I've had ample time to do during this "safer at home" is a bit of self reflection.   Slowing down, opening up my calendar - with an actual "excuse"....other than saying "no" - to enlighten my direction.  

I've always been good at helping others.  I'm not saying that to get a pat on the back, it's just true.  Often times, to my own demise, I've helped.  I've tried to help people, even if I didn't know what I was doing, was already busy or whether they asked for it or not, it's just what I do.  I come from a long line of this....it is as inherent as learned....  

"You can't help everyone, Jacky, it's nice of you to try" (Renee) or "Mom, you can't help them, we don't even know where we are going" (Justine/Anna) " 'Cakes', can help you help me...here...a bit?!?" (Al).  It's that one....that wakes me up in a cold sweat during the night (it's more than just menapouse).   Last night was one of them, I couldn't fall back to sleep - thinking about all the stuff I should here - to make my life easier.  

After some study, reading, reflecting, sweating....I have worked on a few things for the "overcommitted" that may help you as well.  So, here are my 5 Tips.

Stop...Recognize....Admit....Reflect...Change

1.  Stop 

Listen to those who love you.  Listen to yourself, your body they are talking to you as well.  Find a way to be brutally honest with yourself.  It will only help you, overcommitting is hurting you.

2.  Recognize

"I want to change" and "I am not helping me."  Were a few things I said/say to remind myself of my habit of overcommitting.  It's hard to say "no," I know, I like people to be happy and like me.  It's just, lately, I don't like me and I have to live with me.  Take a look at just how "happy" doing "this" makes you...if you're not, change. 

3.  Admit

"Dicky Bird, you are an overcommitter!"  I know I do this.  It is because, I don't like to let people down.  I also know that when I was a bit younger, I could do more.  Now, not so much.  In fact, my doing more, isn't helping me mentally or physically.  Maybe you overcommit for other reasons.   Think about the why behind yours.

4.  Reflect

Make a Pie Chart (not my original idea - but, I like it).  Draw a circle, add 4 smaller circle lines to make 5 sections.  Divide the pie into 8 equal pieces.  Label each piece with the titles, or you can create your own as to what is important in our life.

Fill in the chunks on a scale of 1-5 ( 1 least, 5 greatest).  I plan to do this monthly, because as you change and grow, so will your pie chart.  O.k., here is mine, for an example.  I don't feel right now, that I am a 5 in any area.  Environment for me isn't the outside or my farm, I love it, that would be a 5.  Rather, it's how I use my buildings, my clutter inside...that is why it was a 1.  Fun is low too, because it seems like everything I do, involves my job.  That is a downside to self-employment.  Be honest with yourself.

So, why do this?  Well, when you are overcommitted, the important things lack...it's true.  Once you do this, you can see where to focus your energy.  Reflect on the why behind the change - breaking the habit of overcommitting.

5.  Change

I also made lists.  I know, I'm a list maker...it's the crossing off the list....I'm lacking!   I have a daily one, weekly and big picture (summer project) lists.  It will help you to stay focused.   "ring, ring....Hello, this is Jacky....Hi, I was wondering if you could...."  (shaking my head).  Now, I'm NOT going to stop doing things, to the contrary, this is helping me see exactly where I want to focus my talents and time, in the right now, next 4 months type of thing.  Fall will bring its own set of lists and hopefully a wiser, stronger me.  

Good luck!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

"We won't BAIT - You'll have to WAIT" Virtual Event

https://www.facebook.com/events/555141828760141/permalink/561206694820321/

(Tansy Hill Barn Bazaar booth 2019....."She Shed")

Lisa and I, had Tansy Hill Barn Bazaar on our calendar for May 16, 2020.  Unfortunately, that is one of many events that have been cancelled.   Over the past year, every buyout or estate sale we conducted, we had this event in mind.  We stashed away a little pile in each of our barns. 

Our theme, the staging was going to be "Vintage Patio"  and we have inventory that was waiting.  Well, we have waited too, so in keeping with the Covid 19 rules for Wisconsin, we have decided to do a virtual event.   

Now, this won't be like how we envisioned our booth at Tansy, but it will be an opportunity for us to stage, showcase and possibly sell some of these items.  Not all will be as "clean and ready" to go as we would like, because the weather this week isn't going to cooperate for outside washing.   

We hope to have a little staged set up area (s) here at my farm, I'm not sure all the details yet.  Lisa came up with the phrase..."won't bait, have to wait" and truthfully...the title is us...we tend to procrastinate...but, it usually works out in the end.  So, if this sounds interesting to you, please go over to the link in the top of this post and click on interested or going.  We will only post on the event that day.  No baiting...just waiting....to see what it will be. 

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Dicky Bird's Nest - TBT (Nesco)

Throw Back Thursday - Nesco cooking, Link here:

https://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2011/05/easy-slow-cooking-in-nesco-roaster.html

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Motivational Monday - Smaller Slices Gets It Done Too

I, along with many of you, I'm sure, haven't been too motivated in all of "this."  However, I had a spark return over the weekend.  

What inspired this post, was my working in the yard and garden.  I sent a friend a message something like this, "I am having to take so many breaks, what use to take me an hour to do in my 30's is taking all day!"  While I was digging up some sod/grass in one of my raised beds that I am cleaning out, I was reminded of my mother.  

When I was in my 20's and 30's my mom, Lisa and I had plant sales at her house.   One time I remember, I was digging up huge slices/chunks of plants.  She was filling the wheel barrow and then I would run them to the side of the road where we had perrenials for sale in cute antique containers.  I would come back and she only had a small shovel full.  I remember saying "mom, why can't you dig that up?"  My mom was always the strongest person I knew.  She could "out work" anyone.  She said "Dicky Bird, I just can't do that any more...just wait till you're older, things get harder to do."   (I didn't believe it.)

Well, yesterday, as I was using a shovel to dig in my garden, I remembered "just wait till you're older..."  I also thought about how she would do it...."smaller slices gets it done too."  So, I just so happy to be digging...I know silly...but, thinking on lessons on aging my mom taught me.  

Yes, smaller slices gets it done too!  In gardening, in life and in this pandemic.  Smaller slices of getting back to our (fill in the blank).  I had been rather overwhelmed when I found out Wisconsin would be shut down until 5/26!  I just couldn't...(fill in the blank)....a gamut of emotions.  I think I may have handled this Covid 19 in a manic/depressive manner.  I went from baking, cooking, sorting like a crazy woman to "where did this week go?" (It may have been 2 weeks)  I needed that little spark this weekend.  So, on to getting the smaller slices done...I can do that!   I hope this post motivates you to look at whatever it is that seems challenging and remember "smaller slices gets it done too."

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.