Thursday, July 24, 2014

Martha and Her Chicks - A Video



Here is Martha and her chicks - they are still in the hostas.  She has been clucking trying to get them to "hop" out of the raised sides - I might have to "help" her.   

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://www.tillysnest.com/2014/07/down-home-blog-hopnumber-91-makeshift.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TillysNest+%28Tilly%27s+Nest%29

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Rubbish Tuesday - Diggin for Wedding Decorations

Rubbish or wedding decorations?  You will have to wait to see after August 22 - Anna and Jon's big day.  I have a few ideas for these things...







One good thing about being a hoarder - you can go shopping in your own barn and outbuildings.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Linked to:  

http://rubbishbyroan.blogspot.com/2014/07/rubbish-tuesday-12.html

Monday, July 21, 2014

"Recipe for Love" Anna's Vintage Bridal Shower

This past Saturday, was our daughter Anna's bridal shower.  Her theme was "A Recipe for Love."   

We asked each guest to bring at least one of their favorite recipes.  We added this to a photo album with enough space to write a note to her next to your recipe.  It was really nice.  

We played a measurement/equivalent game, 1950's housewife game, guess the spices, guess the ingredient and a  how well do you know the bride and groom. 

Each guest's spot had a recipe card that had a problem or suggestion written on it.  Things like:  5 date night ideas, how to resolve a fight, thrifty ideas, ways to show your love, etc.  These cards were drawn for the door prices.  The prices were a cookbook with most of the ingredients for a recipe from it in a basket.  We also did a Mad Lib game and Anna picked the best one from each table.  

To follow the theme, we made strawberry, lemonade mix in a pint Mason jar.  We used some of my "new" vintage quilting fabric for the tops.  These were really cute.  

For food we made little things in cups.  Veggies and dip in plastic shot glasses, taco dip, strawberry and spinach salad, fruit salad, cocktail bread size ham, beef and cheese sandwiches, olive spread and turkey rollups.  For the sweets, we had daisy sugar cookies, lemon cup cakes, and lime and pineapple parfait also in a cup.  Lemonade for drinks.

The tables had antique and vintage kitchen items.  We made little fun facts about different spices and kitchen poems on little stands.  We used lemons, limes and oranges down the middle as well.  We used neat kitchen appliances to put flowers and plants in.  It just turned out so nice.   All the bridesmaids and Anna wore vintage aprons.  Here are some pictures.  The fresh flowers were from my mom's and my gardens.  The plants, my sister Lynn potted up for us. 






















The ultimate compliments - "did you do all of this?  Was this catered?"  And my favorite from Janette "you outdid Pinterest by far" - not that I'm bragging - but, it was a lot of work.  Thanks to all who helped us pull it together.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://www.create-with-joy.com/2014/07/inspire-me-monday-week-133.html

http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/07/homestead-barn-hop-168.html

Sunday, July 20, 2014

More With Martha - My Independent Hen

In case you are a new follower, I have a hen named Martha.  She is very independent - smarter than the average hen.  She had been missing, or so I thought for over 11 days.  I looked everywhere, but no Martha.  Then I saw this black hen hop out of my hosta flower bed.  I looked but didn't see anything.   However, she was in there setting on a nest of eggs.  This afternoon I heard a "cheep, cheep" and I knew they were hatching.  Not all her chicks mind you....but she is the mama hen.  





Here's hoping these "make it" - I've not had much success with chicks this summer.  Speaking of that, the other morning, Al says look on the barn roof - we got the binoculars to see it more clearly - a white chicken body in pieces.  We think maybe an owl.   Circle of life.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

In all You Do...

I have been thinking of my dad and the hours he spent working in his garden.  My dad was reserved in his spiritual walk.  I know he was a praying man.  I can just imagine his talking to Jesus while he weeded.  He did have the best garden in the neighborhood - everyone knew it - all that praying must have helped.  

I start out each year with a dream of the picture perfect garden.  Some years it happens and others, not so much.  This year it is somewhere in the middle.  I'm happy with the results so far.  Tending a garden, at least one my size, is actually a lot of work.  I have enjoyed my time weeding and talking to Jesus as well.  

As I was weeding Monday, I was thinking about a scripture:  "and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;"  Colossians 3:23.  Help me Lord, to do the tasks set before me with joy and purpose.  


                    (the fence is keeping the deer out so far...)

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

It's The Little Things That Make Me Happy

So, I really like Instagram.  When I finally upgraded to an iPhone it was one of the first apps I added.  I love that you can take a picture and upload to twitter and facebook.  Now they just need to add blogger.   Maybe you can do this already.  I don't know because I'm technically or is it technologically challenged?

Just over a month ago, I posted a picture of my shirt full of eggs.  I mentioned something about it's the little things that make me happy.  Then it came to me, I'm going to post a picture of something that makes me happy each and every day for a year.  I'm on day 37.  My Instagram name is Dickybirdsnest - if you want to follow along.  

With my empty nest breathing down my neck - T minus 39 days and counting - I could be sad!  Truthfully, I have had my broken crying in the barn moments - I've been sad.  With my mama gone now and not having her to council me, I have been blessed to think on something she told me many years ago.  I was sad about not being "able" to have more children - she says to me..."well, you know the joy of motherhood and have been blessed by the experience.  Enjoy each moment while you can..."  I did, I have and I will.    

I know this is Tuesday, but this is my Motivation Monday post this week.  I challenge you to find something each day that makes you happy.  You don't have to take a picture of it and post it.  However, if you do the #tag is "itsthelittlethings.  Search for those little things, ordinary things that bring you joy.  In doing this, I've actually been looking forward to "what little thing will make me happy today?"  It makes me happy.  

Here are a few little things that made me happy that I have posted:


my old barn cats that greet me each morning and follow me to the barn

parades - with my great niece and nephew

wildflowers

rainows - God's promise

weeded and hilled rows of sweet corn

I encourage you to look for the the little things....it will make you happy.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/07/homestead-barn-hop-167.html