Where You Need to Be

 I recently read a quote that required some pondering.  The quote was:  "I'm exactly where I need to be."  Reciting that to yourself, was that challenge.  Well....not so sure....hence the pondering.

Right were I need to be?  I'm exactly where?  I don't feel like it.  I've had some health issues, still working through and I don't feel like I'm where I need to be.  I only wish it.  More pondering....

So, when that happens, I look to the only source of truth in my life, God's word.  I was encouraged with Psalm 37:23-24

"If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."  

I've fallen, but didn't break.  Not just spiritually, but physically as well.  I've been thinking of a way to share this - a year's worth of doctoring and more to come.  I have had some walking, stumbling, balance issues for several years.  I've been to every "ist" imaginable last year.  

To put it in construction terms; I've met with the "general contractor" (family doctor) to tackle my problems 1 at a time.  I met with the "demo guy" (surgeon) to fix my hand.  I was sent to the "furnace man" (Cardiologist) by the "demo guy" and my "general contractor" to make sure all was good for surgery and for family history.  I was given the "green" light to move on with the construction.  I worked with an "interior designer" (physical therapist) for my hand work smoothly.  Problem 1 done.  Back to the "general contractor" for issue 2.  I was sent to the "plumber" (urologist) to check on my "pipes" and all was in working order.  I met with their "interior designer" for tips on how to keep my "pipes" for leaking.  Problem 2 - working on.  Moving on to problem 3 which I've been working on for 3 years.  I was sent back to the "demo guy" who referred me to the "builder" (Spine and Neurosciences) who sent me back to the "draftsman" (radiologist) to review my blue print.  After that report, the "builder" sent me on to the "electrician" (neurologist) who is still working on "it" and more tests from the "draftsman" next week.

I use this kind of example because my "builder" used it and it all makes sense when you think of your body as a "house."  Mine is under construction.  

In church on Sunday, I actually came to the conclusion that, whatever the outcome of all of this "construction" I will be thankful in whatever state my "house" is in.  I will count on the Lord giving me strength to do it, because I know he "holds me in His hands."  

Do I recite "I'm exactly where I need to be?" I guess I can, because I am in His hands.  

This post, that quote, could be applied to anyone and their current situations in life.  I would challenge you to ponder on that for yourself.  Find a place to appreciate where you are at, even it you don't understand why.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Week 45 - Dicky Bird's PB&J Blossoms

 I started this project - years ago....52 Weeks of Cookies.  I think I left off at 45.  Maybe I'll finish thru 52 this year....(wink, wink).

Recipe for Dicky Bird's PB&J Blossoms

1/2 C peanut butter

1/2 C butter

1/2 C granulated sugar

1/2 C brown sugar

Cream together and add

2 eggs

1 t vanilla

1/2 t salt

1 t baking powder

1 t cinnamon

Blend add

1 1/2 C oats

2 C flour

Roll into balls.   Then push a dent in each and filled with jam.  

Bake 350 for 18-20 minutes (depends on size of cookie).  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Dicky Bird's Spiced Zucchini Bundt Cake

 

More from cleaning out the freezer....zucchini....

If you plant a garden and grow zucchini, you know you'll have more than you know what to do with.  I also, can't stand to waste them (the chickens end up with the huge ones).  Having grated zucchini in the freezer for winter baking is great!  So this morning, I looked through recipes for a "formula" and came up with this one I made up.  It is very good!

I did entertain myself by creating insta stories all day while doing it...ahahah.

Recipe:

2 C zucchini

3/4 C melted butter

1/4 C milk

1/4 C sour cream

2 t. vanilla

3 eggs

1 T baking powder

1 t baking soda

1 t salt

1 t cinnamon

1 t allspice

1 t ginger

1 1/2 C sugar

3 C flour

I mixed in the ingredients in that order.   Bake 250 for 50-60 minutes.  

I mixed up another and made mini muffins and mini bundt cakes.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.   

Farmhouse Friday Week 4 - Class Time

 Good Friday Morning!  

It's a rather rainy, yes, rainy day here in Ringle, Wisconsin.  When it freezes - it won't be nice!  

How was your week?  

This week, I've been to a new doctor (more on this story soon), had my office open, had an art class for Lauren's school, took a soap making class, went to Strong Bodies class, went to supper with 2 friends, picked up 1/2 a beef and cleaned out the freezers.

Here is my week in review with photos....ahaha....

Al's cousin's daughter, Brigette and granddaughter, Grace were in my soap class!  I had no idea, neither did they, but we had fun.  Thanks Abigail Schulz Happy Healthy Mommy for teaching us.  Abigail is a friend of our daughters and I've watched her grow up from a girl to mother.  The link is to her page and she also has a podcast.  

Then I had a fun art class with Lauren's school at Clay Corner Studio.  Marti, the owner, had a well organized class ready for the students to make their own project.  

I started attending a strengthening, using weights, class last Fall, called Strong Bodies.  We meet in Birnamwood, every Monday and Thursday from 3-4 pm.  I started because our friend, Nancy and my sister Lori did.  We have a lot of fun and a good work out too.  Barb is a great teacher.  

Nancy (left) and my sister, Lori (right).

My plate from Tine & Cellar.  I was happy to get together with my friends, Stacy and Renee.  Life is so busy, especially during calving and lambing time, but, we managed to get together just the same.  

Last month we ordered a whole hog from one of my 4H families and now this month we did a half of beef.  My friend Renee has the BEST beef here is a link to the family business if you live in the area:  S & R Angus.   Just look at these beautiful steaks!

So, to make room for all that, we had to empty a freezer.  I wasn't sure what some of the bags were at the bottom, so the chickens have had lots of treats the past few days.  It is so nice to be prepared, eat locally raised meats and know you have something tasty to cook up.  What a blessing, Thank You Jesus!

Freezer 1 - pork to eat first, blue berries and beef.

Freezer above the garage refrigerator.  Squash and some stew or soup (not sure, but we will eat it, there is no "we" that should say I'll eat it hahaha).

Freezer 2, venison, chicken, this year's pork and any extras that we will use.  

I took some items out of the freezer and left them on top of the freezer in the garage.  It was only overnight, but it started to defrost.  That's o.k. I was going to use, what I can identify...ahahaha...the next day anyway.

Cranberry sauce and Bumbleberry (mix of 3 different berries, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries) jam.  

The cranberry sauce was easy, but the bumbleberry jam....well...

Sticky mess....  I ended up using 2 pots to cook down smaller one faster.  I also didn't have any pectin.  However, if you cook anything long enough with lots of sugar it will jell....so, this is not "healthy" but since when did it become necessary for jam to be healthy....it's a treat.  

I am already thinking of my February Birthday cake for church, this beautiful, deep red jam will be part of it.  

I guess that is why I chose the title for this week, as I was in a "class" of some kind almost every day.  

What is the last class you took?  I'd love to know.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Enjoying my Christmas Gift

 

My great-niece, Aaliyah, gave me this "game" for Christmas.  I don't think "game" is right word, but whatever the word would be, I love it!  

Each day you pick a card, you could go in order or randomly choose one, then try to accomplish that challenge.  Here are a few examples of what they are:  

I'm just OCD enough (ahaha) to let "fate" pick my daily card.  I have been writing down the daily challenge in my planner, giving a check if I was able to complete or circle if not.  I was unable to do 1 so far (planking...).  I do want to revisit the circled ones and work on them so I can eventually check them off.   I have a hard time sticking to stuff....but this...this is fun.  

Now, if someone would make a "game" like this for food or diet (ahaha).  If they made THAT fun, I'd stick to it!  As an enneagram 7 - we need fun, exciting to motivate us.  It is what it is.  

Thank you Aaliyah!  

Blessing from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

I'd Rather Play - Keep Up -vs- Catch Up

 Good Monday Morning!  

I've been thinking about this blog post over the past couple weeks.  A few thoughts that came to me and how I am using them for my own discipline.  

You know, I like to crawl in my bed at night.  However, I LOVE to crawl into a made bed.

You know, I like to drink coffee at my kitchen table in the morning.  However, I LOVE to drink my coffee looking at a clean kitchen.

You know, I like the smell of fresh laundry.  However, I LOVE the smell even more, when the laundry is put away in my drawers, not in baskets.  

Can you see the theme here?  

Making a bed daily, washing counters full of dishes or at very least loading the dishwasher and even putting laundry away are daily tasks.  I don't always "enjoy" doing them.  However, I have been more mindful and aware of how doing them makes me feel.  Often times, I may be running a bit late, but I haven't made my bed.  So, I'll just skip it.  However, I've been stopping and telling myself....take time to do it now, you'll enjoy it so much better when you go to bed.  It takes only minutes.  Do it!

Each of those tasks and dozens of others, if left undone, often times stays undone.  O.k. maybe it's only me.  So, that's when this title of the blog post came to me.  I'd rather play keep up than catch up.  Who wants to look at 5 baskets of laundry at the foot of the bed...apparently, I did.  By the time I get to putting it away, I've "riffled" through it and now I have to refold.  This process now is an hour.  Just keep up, the catch up is too hard.  

This idea of "keep up -vs- catch up"....

I'd rather keep up with my Bible reading, than to catch up.  You miss the meditation on the Word when you're now rushed to just crossing off boxes on the daily reading chart.  

I'd rather keep up with my barn chores than catch up.  Granted in the winter here is Wisconsin it is challenging, but if you keep up with the frozen turd, it won't turn into a frozen pile of turds.

I'd rather weed in the garden a row at at time daily, than catch up with an "all dayer" by the end of day, laying on the ground, crawling along pulling weeds.  

Let's not even get into paperwork.....I'm still catching up.  

I think you get the message here.  

I often times, make my life harder, by turning everything in to catch up, not keep up.  I have been reminding myself multiple times a day, "do you want to keep up or catch up."  Believe it or not, it's really helping me.  I did a post My On Day (Monday)  you can read it by clicking on that link.   Since that day, I have preached that not only to myself, but those who know me well, understand that Monday is "My On Day."  I think this new Dicky Bird catch phrase, "Keep up -vs- Catch up" will be another one to not only motivate me, but discipline me to be mindful for my joy's sake.   

My Motivational Monday blog posts, once a regular thing, has been dormant - just like my motivation.  As, I don't plan to do a weekly post anymore, I will share these little thoughts as they pop into my head.  Hopefully, if they help me, they will help another reader.  

What would you rather play "keep up -vs- catch up" with?  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farmhouse Friday 2024 - Week 3

 It's Friday, how was your week?

Here in Wisconsin and many other places, we have had snow storms and arctic temperatures.  Many things were cancelled.  So, what did I do instead .... baked!  

I have been on a sourdough kick.  

Bagels and pretzels.  My friend, Becky H., shared the recipes.

Then I made donuts and shared the recipe with her.

As far as my "work" .... I was able to get a lot drop done on Saturday evening.  However, I didn't open on Tuesday.  

I took advantage of time at home to also do my business book work, pay out clients, work on sales taxes.  It was nice to leave and not have that hanging over my head.

On Wednesday I drove down by Anna.  Their farm is "between the lakes" (Lake Winnebago and Lake Michigan) and they had waaaaayyyyy more snow than we did.  Some of the snow in the drifted areas, the snowbanks were just under the street signs.  We went thrifting and and met Jon for pizza at a new place in Elkhart Lake (so good!!!).  We had so much fun.  We woke up, played and then off to Sheboygan thrifting.  I was looking for a fancier dress for our nephew's wedding.  I found 4 to choose from.  Two were never worn.  Between the 4 I spent.....$45!  I think I will wear the light blue one as it is in the end of April.  We'll see...

Ezra loves tractors!  I've never seen anything like it!  He even knows what they are, like "bom bine" (combine).  He loves them!  We didn't buy these, he just played with them while we shopped and then said "back" (I didn't put my stuff back - ahahaha).  

Today, Friday, January 19, Lisa and I are going to look at a partial estate.  Al was nice enough to empty my van, when I was gone, just in case we buy.  Then, I'm going to pick up a crystal chandelier from a friend who is salvaging a house.  Even if it isn't a "good" one, the parts will still sell.  

And, that's about it for this week.  My chickens, rabbits and barn cat all got extra treats this week.  Once we "make it" through Saturday overnights, looks like -temps are gone for awhile.  Yay!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.