Year End Review 2022 - Town Hall Trinkets, LLC

 

Another year in the books for  Town Hall Trinkets, LLC

We were blessed to work with some wonderful people and families.  We did some kind of selling or sale at least every month, many months it was every 2 weeks.  From -20 digging and selling in a storage unit, to 95 hot and humid crawling in outbuildings.  Sales within 2 miles to 45 miles away.  Empty spaces ready to fill to full spaces to empty before staging a sale.  On line lots, LIVE sneak peeks and selling, pick up dates to sign in notebooks. From looking at estates you didn't get, to getting estates another company referred to you.  We have had a FULL year!  Thanks for all the support, we appreciate your patronage.

I asked Lisa, Paul (her husband), Al (my husband) and myself the following questions:

1.  What was your favorite sale and why?

     Lisa:  Melzer, so many unusual things

     Paul:  Schlei, open space to set up, everything went smoothly

     Al:  Melzer, cool stuff

     Me:  Melzer, I loved digging in all the boxes

2.  What was your favorite item that was found or sold?

      Lisa:  a substantial amount of a cash, squirreled away in a drawer.  The daughter was so surprised!  We were too!

      Paul:  the whole farm at Schlei (wink) and trailer

      Al:  kick start motor for a washing machine

     Me:  original to the building, it was an old store, huge butcher block

3.  What was the least favorite thing that happened?

     Lisa - spirit encounters, knocking on walls, seeing shadows and getting locked in a closet (eek!) she was yelling for me, but I was outside.  

     Paul - trying to carry heavy furniture down narrow steps without scratching the walls

     Al:  the lamp breaking incident he was blamed for that he didn't do

     Me:  getting so stuck in the mud that my tires were buried and Al coming to pull me out and his hitting a wall - awful - then dragging my van across the back yard.  

We often get people say, "you must have so much fun!"  For the most part it is, but it IS still work and not so much fun at times.  

I don't know how many more years we will be doing this, but I will remember this year as one of the best!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

2022 Coming to an End

 As we wind down on 2022, it's a time of reflection.  In the past, I did pick a word of the year, last year I did a phrase.  You can read it here:  Happy New Year 2022  I was thinking about something my friend Lisa sent me.  It was a tiktok, that has the F word in it...it's F free '23.  It's funny and true even with the word in it.  So, you think of 1 thing you will quit caring about so much.  Rid yourself of the burden, be free from it, hence F free '23.

Truthfully, I can think of several things I could list.  But, I guess, it was making a resolution, word or phrase that came first to mind.  Soon our social media feeds will be full of those.  All with idealistic photos, motivational quotes and such.  Then, I will feel like I'm missing out on not doing it (that's a 7 enneagram trait) and I will post something, that I know I won't do.  I start out strong in January, but .... you all know how it goes. 

So, my first, I'm going to call them, "Free in '23" is: 

1.  Resolution Free '23.

I was thinking as the year progresses, I will add to the "Free in '23" list.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Dicky Bird's Ginger Cake

 

Dicky Bird's Ginger Cake:

1 stick soft butter

1/2 C brown sugar, mix together

add to creamed mixture

1 egg

1/2 C molasses

1/4 t anise extract (or vanilla)

2 t ground ginger

3 t cinnamon

1/2 t ground coves

1/2 t allspice, mix together

add to wet mixture

1/2 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

2 C flour, mix well

this will be really dry, then you add a cup of cold coffee.  I used almost the whole cup, however, I added a splash or 2 at a time until it was the consistency I wanted. 

pour into a greased pan, bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.  

With the left over cake, I made a ginger bread pudding.   So easy to make, just cube up your "bread" and put in buttered dish.   Whisk together a few eggs, milk, spices and pour over the bread.  Bake at 350 until it pulls from sides and isn't wet.  

With the left over bread pudding, I cut into serving size and placed in the freezer.  On a morning when I want something different I will have these.   I do this when I make waffles too.  

I like to make up "my own" recipes.  I was thinking about an old recipe my mom made for gingerbread and she added a cup of cold coffee, that is why I did that.  So good!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Simple Christmas Decor - Annalee Collection

 The very first time I saw an Annalee doll, was when I was dating Al.  Marlene, my now mother-in-law, had them.  She bought them at the Naval Exchange when they lived in Maryland.  I instantly was hooked on their cute little faces.  I've always been drawn to felt in some form or another.

These little "dolls" were once made in Meredith, New Hampshire but now not (sad face).  Here is their official website:  Annalee Dolls.  The new ones, in my opinion, aren't as cute as the older ones.  I always look for the older ones.   Over the years, Al and I have picked up some for his mom to add to her collection (which may be mine one day).  Several years ago, while at Oronoco Gold Rush days in Rochester, MN, there was a booth with dozens of these Christmas ones.  I asked how much if I bought ALL (ya, I do that too) it was soooo cheap!  I left with 2 garbage bags full.  When you walk around with 2 garbage bags at a flea market, be prepared to have everyone stop and ask why you bought...ahaha  

I don't get these out every year, but this year I bought some large ones from our estate sale in Antigo.  I decided to make these the center of my decoration.  You know, you can pick a "theme" and still incorporate your collection.  You don't need to go and buy new, work with what you have.  Also, this will be our first Christmas with 2 grandchildren and I wanted a whimsical tree.  We will celebrate with them on New Year's Eve.

Well, this will be my last post before my video tonight.  Here is the link:  Very Merry Scottish Christmas Tour

I just wanted to remind you, that this is a simple tour.  No fancy, frills just me walking around showing a few things.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Simple Tartan

  

I've always been drawn to textiles with wool being my favorite.  I've picked up many of these wool blankets over the years at auctions, thrift shops and our estate sales.  See the little book in the middle?  That was a pick I made from one of our estate sales this past year.  It has a silk cover and has all the Clans of Scotland and their family tartan.  

I actually found one I have

One thing I regret that I didn't do on our trip was buy yardage of wool.  I should have bought and shipped it home or at least filled my carry on.  

I purchased sweaters instead...ahahah...another favorite of mine.  

I wanted to share a little more about Scotland from my previous posts.  

The 2 photos above are ones I took, near Glen Coe, Highlands, Scotland.  I really felt connected to the highlands with its beautiful, melancholy scenery.  You can read about the history of Glen Coe in a post I did here: The Story of Glen Coe  It's no wonder I come from a long line of "cautious" heritage (native too) it's in my genes I guess.  I recall many a "can't trust the...." in my lifetime.  However, most will tell you that I am too trusting...that's in the gene pool as well.  

I look forward to sharing my A Very Merry Scottish Christmas live video tomorrow night.  I hope you can join me.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

The Simple Thistle

 

I first heard this story on our CIE tour of Scotland.  The thistle is the "flower of Scotland" and truthfully, every time we cut one down in our hay field, I think of this story.  I bought this ornament as a souvenir, but it the first time it's adorned a Christmas tree.  

This little artificial tree is in my entry.  I have the Nativity near, both create a simple vignette.  Don't forget, if you have facebook, I am doing a little, simple virtual tour on Friday night.  

Here is the link:  A Very Merry Scottish Christmas

It's just going to be a short, simple tour.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Views of Scotland (and Ireland) Thanks Justine

 http://justinechristalphotography.blogspot.com/2016/11/my-scotland-and-ireland-adventure.html

Please click on the above link to see some pretty amazing pictures of Scotland.  We went on a mother and daughters trip in 2016.  This link is to my daughter, Justine's, old blog....

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Simple Tartan Ornaments

 

These were left at the Antigo estate sale, so I bought them.  The whole box for $5.  I wanted to make some ornaments and needed styrofoam and happen to think of these.  And, I just may use the red and green as is.  

I cut a square of the tartan fabric I had and just pulled it up around the silk ornament.  I used a piece of wire to secure to the paperclip I attached to the hook.  

Then I cut the excess fabric close to the clip.  I added a jute bow, some small bells to represent berries and made the holly leaves out of a felted sweater.  

 I had a sweet customer donate several boxes of felted sweaters she no longer wanted to use.  I was thrilled to get them, as she did all the "work" in getting them to the stage I like.  I thought about doing that same process but with a felted sweater.  

I would like to say that one was as simple to make, but due to the cable knit being so tight in the felting it was very bumpy and hard to attach.  I ended up cutting slits and some chunks at each end before I glued them down.  It worked, but not as clean as I would like.  I had a tartan ribbon that covered most of the imperfections.  I attached the holly and berries.  

A few more to make to add to my whimsical Scottish tree.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Simple Culinary Christmas Decor

Often times, simple is the best and can make the biggest impact.

The orange pomander ball's history goes back to Europe to the middle ages.  They were used as herbal amulets, worn around the neck or placed in the home to protect from negative spirits, energy, envy, harm and jealousy.  At that time, personal hygiene, left much to be desired and illness was linked to smell.  The herbalist used warm spices to ward off illness and bring strength and good fortune.  Orange oil, purifies the air and lifts spirits, cinnamon helps maintain a healthy immune system, cloves as well as cardamom are antioxidants.  

I first made these pomander balls back in 1988 when Al and I first were married.  Every County Living magazine, every picture of a primitive home at that time, had these in crocks, wooden bowls and in garlands.  In fact, after Christmas I rolled these orange pomanders in a thick coat of cinnamon and just left them out all year.  They dried out naturally and I had them for years. 

I'm sure I don't need to give directions for you to make these, but a tip would be to use a toothpick to poke a hole first.  Saves your fingers.  

I used a crock plate, sprinkled the spices on the bottom, added fresh cedar branches, the oranges, cinnamon sticks and cranberries.  Now, how simple and festive.  As I sit here this morning typing this, I can smell it - Christmas.  

When I thought of items for my "Very Merry Scottish Christmas" this was one of the first things I thought to make.  I like simple and natural things.  I hope you try this one, you won't be disappointed.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.