Nutty Banana Cake

I love to make up my own creations when I bake and cook.  This one came to me as I'm trying to clean out my pantry.   So I came up with this cake:  Nutty Banana Cake

Sift dry ingredients together in a bowl:

1 1/2 C whole wheat flour
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t allspice
1/4 t salt

Cream together:

1 stick soft butter
1/2 C peanut butter - mine was chunky variety

Mix wet ingredients in a bowl:

3 mashed bananas
2 eggs
1/2 C (raw) honey

Add the wet mixture to the creamed butter and slowly add the dry ingredients.  Pour into a prepared square pan.  

Bake 350 for 35 min. or until done.

Once cooled, dust the top with sifted powdered sugar.  

My family liked it.  In fact, I'm enjoying a piece right now with a cup of coffee.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Selling Antiques with Provenance

Lisa and I met with new clients yesterday.  This couple, like the other's we have worked for this past year, are downsizing.  This couple was blessed with 2 boys, who now in their 50's are downsizing as well.  This is the same issue we have faced with several of our clients this year.  Not only that, but daughter-in-laws not necessarily as interested in "family" pieces as you would hope.  (smile).

This couple has a beautiful home filled with lovely antiques.  In the business we call them "brown" pieces.  You know the spoon carved, intricate and ornate furniture pieces that were like "works of art" in simplistic home decor.  The stand out, show stoppers.  If you are in the business, you know that these pieces as beautiful as they are, aren't in the current trends.  It's hard to be the bearer of this news, when the family loves each and every piece.  Not only love, but has a story - true provenance.  

As we walked around, she told the history and story for everything in her home.  It was like a history lesson.  One piece even has the receipt from 1869 - yep, 1869.  Her grandmother purchased it with her first paycheck from her first teaching job.  I mean....what can you say....if you know me..."make one of your sons take this!"  She is still trying!  

If you have ever bought something from me, you know that I enjoy giving provenance when I know it.  I usually do, as most of my pieces are purchased like this, where the family tells it to me and I can pass it on to the buyer.  To me, this is just as important as the antique itself.  I know my customers will even ask "Jacky, what is the story behind this piece."  

Lisa and I didn't know what our "next" job was, but it found us.  We will be sharing the provenance and pieces for sale soon - once she is done trying to convince her family to take it (wink, wink).  

Here are 2 items that will be for sale soon.  This little doll and these adorable metal child size chairs.  Our client was a kindergarten teacher and these were in her classroom.  She said not only her students, but sons and grandchildren all sat in them.  She was hesitant in letting them go.  It's hard downsizing and trying to help client's do so.   

Keep watching as I plan to blog about each piece, share the provenance and then list it.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

5 FDP Concert in Green Bay

When I tell people that I like....some...metal (music), they always are so surprised.  I know I'm a Christian, I know there are swear words in the music, I know they have Illuminati symbolism's....I am an educated listener - believe me I am.  I just LOVE the lyrics, the crackly voices, guitar and drum solos - I can't help it, I just do.  Now with all that cleared up....here goes my post.  

Al is more of a metal head than I, but we do share in our LIKE of several bands.  5FDP -  5 Finger Death Punch - is one of them.  He is always watching concerts near us and when he found out this one was going to be in Green Bay, we bought tickets ASAP - it sold out in a couple days.  In fact, we saw that tickets were being resold in our area for $1,700...people are crazy.  Glad we got ours.

Ashes to New, Bad Wolves, Breaking Benjamin and 5FDP - what a line up.  It was an interesting concert to say the least!  From the cop coming to get the puking lady in the row ahead of us, to the mash pit "human hamster ball" to the lady who fell from the bleacher seats - we were entertained.  We were also thankful we don't do stupid stuff like that - LOL

In my observations, I was thinking, what draws these people together?  Why metal?  The girl ahead of us knew EVERY lyric to EVERY song....she was belting and spittin' it out with every bodily gesture she could muster up.  I looked at these fans in a new light.  I know why I like this type of music, I just told you up above...but, then I was thinking...maybe it was more.  5FDP and other bands like them, have lyrics that have a draw to the - don't get mad - dare I say, "misfit."  I consider  myself a "misfit" in many ways.  In front of us was that girl and her much older partner, next to me was a rather nerdy, video game playing type kid and next to Al was a rather large, taking up 2 seats kinda girl...."misfits".....  I don't want to sound mean - but, I can imagine each of them have faced a type of bullying in their life - I have too.  So when I hear lyrics that represent this, an "escape" to vent anger....I can see why they like it.  

I guess, I don't approve of the "burn MFer, burn MFer, burn"....but, I get it!  Sometimes, I want to say it too...but, I don't.   I am more for the, "arms wide open, I stand alone, I'm no hero and I'm not made of stone, right or wrong, I can hardly tell....(wait for it)....I'm on the wrong side of Heaven and the righteous side of Hell"  and  "All in all it's a good life, I got what I want, I can't complain, I'm living the good life a toast to your now, it's all 'sham pain'..."  I have other blog post with those lyrics in the title too.  For me, this "misfit" some of the hurt runs deep.  I can image for the other fans it must too.  

All this and my thoughts on similar things, has inspired my Bible study this week...."don't let hate motivate."  If you want to hear how I use 5FDP lyrics and scripture....you'll have to come to Emma Kait's in Birnamwood, WI tomorrow at 10 am.  Till next post....

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivation Monday - Making Lists

Did you see this one?

Do you make lists?  I suppose some of you that are savvy, put it on your phone.  I like the feeling of crossing stuff off.  Do you?

I like writing out lists, it helps organize my thoughts.  I am an artistic person and therefore prefer visual reminders.  I have been doing this for years.  I'm just OCD enough to hold on to a page until the very last thing is crossed off.  Or, I rewrite an "icky task list."  Yes, I hold myself accountable to that....it might take months....but, I have it.  That list has changed with time too, the "reupholster Justine's chair" now has new fabric....it's still on the list tho.  (wink, wink).  

Just wondering, for those of you who make lists, do you tackle the worst first or the easiest?   We all know I lean to the procrastination side, so....there's that.  I'm currently trying to cross off as many of the tasks on that "icky list" as I can before 2019.   To use my 2018 word of the year...."I will STRIVE to complete it."

At times when I need to keep me on a schedule (self employed motivation ....) I will create a time frame:  8-9 am - clean the kitchen, 9-10 am - etc... and I even set the alarm on my phone for the worst tasks.  "Set an alarm for an hour from now" - ask Shannon, who works with me....I may or may not have said...."it's not an hour yet! Come on!"  However, when I see just how much I/we did in an hour - it motivates me to set the next alarm....after I cross off that task and take a break for a cup of tea of course!

So today, as I write this Motivational Monday post, I am mostly trying to motivate myself to get going!  I have several "monkeys on my back" that I want to shake off this week.  Those monkeys can really drag you down.  It's not that I don't have a plan to do them, or that I want to do them, I do.  These monkeys usually are self inflicted, a problem of over committing myself.  Some are personal, however most are professional.  I do try.... 

As I drink my cup of coffee, notebook in front and pen in hand I will create my "to do list for the week."  I already wrote the "monkeys" at the top of the page....LOL....I will look forward to crossing those off and STRIVE to complete them!

What kind of lists do you write?  What are your tips for completing the "icky tasks?"  Do you have any "monkeys on your back?"  I would really like to know.   Good luck! 

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Dicky Bird's Nest - VLOG

What did I say about diversify?  Here is a link to something I hope to spend more time developing.   I recently had a blogger friend share with me one of her favorite Youtube channels - VLOG - I'm addicted!  I've spent nights falling asleep watching these!  I like the ones that look like a cross between Martha Stewart, Tasha Tudor and Mr. Green Jeans all in one!   By the way...the Mr. Green Jeans - Jason at Cog Hill Farm - he is hilarious!

So, here is a link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE8jIRXiAfo

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivation Monday - Diversify in Your Business

I love vintage clothes!  Unfortunately, not many are plus sized...smile.  My favorite is "ugly" sweaters or anything wool.  If I like it, I will squeeze myself into it.  

So, I have a very inactive Etsy account.  I did sell one of those designer dresses I had from our vintage photo shoot.  So, now I'm encouraged to list more.  

This model is my daughter, Anna.  She helped me work on my trying to diversify by posing with these 2 vintage coats that I hope to list this week in my Esty shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/townhalltrinkets?ref=condensed_trust_header_title_sold

I often hear the word "diversify" which in business means to enlarge or vary the range of products or the field of operation of.   I have been doing that from day 1 and often times, I come up with these ideas too early for our area to understand my vision...it's true.  "A barn...you are having a sale in a barn?!"  Ya....I have many of those ringing in my head....

There are 2 schools of thought on this.  Find the one thing you are good at and just do that.  Or, you could chose your interests and develop your brand in several areas within that genre. 

My interests are so varied and I am good at so many things...hahaha....not really!  I actually fail at many of my ideas.  Hey, I can say I at least tried.  

In reflection of being thankful this week and the quickly approaching end of 2018 I had to reflect on my "word of the year" - Strive.   I did!  

So back to Motivational Monday - if you are a mom thinking on what can I do to make money so I can stay home, a retired talented person with too much yet to give or whomever you are....what you want out of your life or business....think about how to diversify.  Create a face book  group, on line business, you tube video or endless other possibilities.  

In our social media driven world, if you want to be "seen" you will need to come up with new and creative ideals.  If you have been around awhile recycle an old one, these younger followers will think it's new.  TeeHee 

So, put on your thinking caps, sit down on your tablet or with a tablet and pen, write down some goals, ideas and plans.  Make a calendar, time line of what to do and when you want to get it done by.  If you are like me, you will never cross them all off your list.  That's o.k.  Only you know what's on your list.  Try something new and see what happens.  I taught that class at the UWMC, and now  the director wants me to do 2 next semester....diversify...it's what success is made of!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

"What Do You Need That For?"

In over 30 years of selling "junk" I can't remember seeing this before.  Normally, it's the woman/wife/girlfriend who makes a "pile" of items and then feels the need to "justify" her selections to her man/husband/boyfriend.   It's the same in partnerships too.  I never do that, I just buy, maybe because we married young and I have always had my own money.  Or, it could be I hate to "ask" .... either way .... I don't.  

Anyway, over the weekend, I witnessed the opposite.  It was the man who had a stash of goodies.  I could hear his wife ask, "what do you need that for?"  He went on to tell her of his decorating ideas...which were very good ones...I could see her faces and such....but, she gave in.  As most spouses do.   

If you know me, you know I had to chime in with some additional assistance to the man..."oh, this could be used for this...or, you do that with it....he already had his own good ideas.  She says "well, he works hard for his money, if he wants to buy this stuff, I'm o.k. with it."  So she opens her purse...teehee...he didn't have any money....teehee...and buys it for him.  

I took such delight in this.  What an awesome relationship!  It was great to see it from the man's point of view this time.  

Another couple came in and she bought quite a bit of stuff too and her boyfriend says, "well, I guess you spent all your money, no Christmas gift for me."  I quickly added...."well, maybe your getting a gift money can't buy..."  (wink, wink)....he says..."well I hope so!"  Oh, she laughed.  

What do you need that for?  We don't really "need" any of this stuff, but we should enjoy making our loves happy.  

Just a little peek into my life.  

Blessing from Ringle, Wisconsin.