Farmhouse Friday Week 7 - My Fire Horse year

My daughter, Justine, told me that I was born under the Fire Horse sign.  I don't follow zodiac things, but she and I both find this interesting.  It only comes around every 60 years.  So, yes I'll be 60 this year.  For me, this is pretty accurate...

Being born under the Fire Horse (specifically 1966 or 2026) signifies a personality that is fiercely independent, charismatic, energetic, and highly ambitious, often ahead of their time. Fire amplifies the Horse's natural dynamism, leading to a passionate, sometimes impatient, and rebellious nature that seeks freedom and, historically, often challenged social norms. 

Key Characteristics and Context:

• Personality Traits: Those born in this year are considered magnetic, bold, and courageous but may struggle with impulsivity or burnout due to their intense, high-energy nature.
• Generational Impact: As it occurs once every 60 years in the Chinese zodiac cycle, it is seen as a "generational ignition" year for major transformation.
• The "Curse" Superstition: Historically, particularly in Japanese, and to a lesser extent Chinese, tradition, Fire Horse years—especially for girls—were viewed negatively, believed to produce women who were "too" strong-willed or independent for the traditional, submissive societal roles.
• Legacy: Rather than being truly "unlucky," the Fire Horse is associated with dramatic change and breaking down old, rigid structures. 

People born during these years (1966, 2026) are seen as natural leaders or disruptors, driven by a need to live authentically rather than conform

We are either an extrovert or introvert - I'm an extrovert.  I feel that my "Fire Horse" tendencies have set me a blaze many times in my life.  I have always stood by my convictions even if that left me out of the group.  I have always stuck up for the underdog at my own expense.  I am honest and tell it like it is.  I expect others to do the same to me.  If you're not, lie to me, cheat me or bully me - you awake a fire in me that I now can call my Fire Horse personality.  I have scared myself at times when that Fire Horse "rears up."   I try to keep it in the barn, but sometimes this Pony needs to run....ahaha

A “Curse” That Changed Demographics

In 1966, Japan saw a notable drop in births, which has been linked to the belief that women born in the Year of the Fire Horse would bring bad luck to their marriages and families, according to Nippon.com.

Neither the economy nor new policies caused this drop. It was driven by superstition.

For generations, people believed women born in the Year of the Fire Horse were too strong, too independent, and too disruptive for traditional families. They were seen as bad luck for marriage and home life. To avoid having a daughter with this label, many families chose to delay having children.

I know that one site said:  Fire Horse women, don't ask for permission - ahaha.  I NEVER ask, I just do....  Fire Horse women are "too much" - I've been told that a time or two.  Fire Horse women are "blazing trails" often times "too soon or ahead of their time."  My life's story!!!!   "EWW you have sales in a barn, no thank you" - really?? Now it's the thing to do.  "EWW you bought that from a rummage sale" - now, thrifting is trending.  I could go on....but, I'll stop.  Fire Horse "overly ambitious" often "burning out" - oh mamacita I get that!   

So, I plan to embrace this, my 60th Fire Horse year!  I have many challenges ahead of me that will require the best of what I am.  I think the Fire Horse is part of that.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.   

Farmhouse Friday Week 6 - Be Mine Valentine

 

Happy Valentine's Day (Al bought me these roses, Oreo cookies and Funyuns - teehee).  

What's going on at the farmhouse this week?

Monday was baking - sourdough and pretzel sourdough bread, sourdough discard coffee cake. 

Tuesday was Ladies Bible Study at my house (why I did baking) and working at the office/shop, lot drop of listings.

Wednesday was leisure day...ahaha 

Thursday was going to Orthopedic Surgery Center day.  I met with the surgeon now 4 months since surgery.  He seemed pleased with my progress and how I am healing.  I told him my little prepared speech about how good of job he did on me considering all my other issues.  He agreed aqua therapy best for me.  I start Monday.  

Friday was sister's tea day.  I made chicken salad, tomato soup, green salad with homemade croutons, fruit salad, brownies and orange craisin scones.  

Here is the recipe:

Orange & Craisin Scones

2 C flour

1/2 C sugar

1 T baking powder

1/2 t salt

Mix together and use a cheese grater for cold butter

1 stick butter (1/2 C)

use pastry blender until little chunks appear

Zest of 1 orange

1 t Vanilla

1 egg

1 C craisins

1/2 - 3/4 C heavy cream (add until comes together)

I find heavy cream makes best scones.  Try not to handle it too much, heat from your hand will melt the little chunks of butter.  You can roll into a disc and cut in traditional scone shapes for large scones.  I did 1/4 C measure balls and flattened down with hand - makes 12 scones.  Bake on parchement paper, brush each with heavy cream, bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes.  Lightly brown on top and bottom.  Orange glaze is powdered sugar mixed with the juice from the 1 orange and small amount of zest.  When scones cool, drizzle on top.  

My plate we made with the grands.  I love it.

Maybe the groundhog was wrong.  We've had beautiful warm (high 30-40's) here.  We have a south facing deck that we added just over a year ago.  It is always so warm out there.  I actually challenged myself to use my walker and get out there and enjoy some vitamin D.  Since my challenging mobility issues of almost a year now, this has been my "spot."  

Now I need to find a way to get over there....in the greenhouse.  

I had some weak moments on Monday with my challenges in the kitchen and baking.  I wasn't full of faith at all.  It even carried over into Tuesday at my work.  I had a customer come in and I shared my negative thoughts about my disease (not shining my light).  He quickly came back with 2 stories that lifted my faith.  As dark as my moments sometimes feel, there is always something or someone's situation that can be darker.  I've tried to "let my light shine" through all this, but some days are harder.  

I don't know about all the crazy news....horrible, unbelievable things...but, I'll have you know....when I believed it before the "files" came out...some said I was crazy.  I can NOT tell you how many "you were right Jacky's" I received this week.  Oh, there is more "Jacky is right about."  Jacky learned not to share them with everyone.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farmhouse Friday Week 5 - For the Vintage Shop Hop

 

Oh it was a "puttering" kind of week.  I can't believe it's already Friday!  Nothing too exciting happening at my farmhouse this week.  Well, nothing that the rest of you aren't doing too.

We did start something fun for our online estate sale business:  Town Hall Trinkets Online Estate Sales  We do Tuesday night "lot drops" (lots that we 'drop' on our Facebook group feed at 7 pm).  For fun in February, I thought of JUNKO like BINGO.  Each customer, who wants to participate, makes a JUNKO card like this

Each fills in their own squares with items that they think we might have for sale in the "lot drop."  If you have JUNKO you bring it into the shop for 10% off an item.  If you have JUNKO and you actually said SOLD on an item from the "lot drop" to purchase, you get 25% an item.  These will be redeemed at the Vintage Shop Hop Event on March 6 and 7.  

Did you see the February 2026 calendar?  Equal numbers of days that fill first Sunday through last Saturday of the month.  I think this is so cool.  

My favorite quote this week from my daily devotions.  Something to strive for.

After our wet felting last week, I decided to make some Spring or Easter felted art for the Vintage Shop Hop.  I came up with these heads (I had some round balls made already for pumpkins-wink, wink) that I plan to do something cute with.  I will share the finished ones later, closer to the event.  

We finished "The Durrells of Corfu" this week.  We so enjoy taking a little break in the afternoon and watching an episode or 2.  It's been my favorite part of the day.  Normally, Al doesn't like shows like these.  However, the one's we've picked, he likes!   We had no idea this was based on a real family.  At the Vintage Shop Hop, I will have several pieces of vintage clothing that look very much like Louisa Durrell's style.  

So yesterday, we started Poldark.  We are getting into this one as well.  I know, we could do something more productive.  My broken femur recovery, IMB disease, -45 below, snow, Winter in Wisconsin isn't just our excuse.  January and February are our well deserved break from all the time we spend doing things outside all Spring, Summer and Fall.  

I really miss the sauna!  Al is trying to figure out a ramp into it for me.  In addition to a bar that goes across in front of the furnace (wood fired) so if I trip, I don't fall into it.  I've been walking more with the walker, but this morning tweeked my back and can only think of how good a sauna would feel and heal.  He is in the sauna now.....perfect day, 32 and dusty light snow.  

This was my week.  How was yours?

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.