Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

One of the things I plan to RECLAIM this year is my garden.  I've been gardening since I was a little girl.  My dad was an avid gardener and he always tilled up a little space for me. 

In 2018 we went on vacation at the end of April and I was booked with living estate sales during prime planting time.  We did get the garden planted, but then got busy with my sales.  It was also a weird weather year.   I feel that I didn't have enough time to spend in the garden and my spirit and emotional health felt it! 

My friend Renee, has an incredible garden!  She reaps more in hers than I do with double the space.  This year she grew these amazing squash called Lakota.  They were beautiful!  Those squash led me to Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.  I just received my 2019 seed book!  First, the pictures - wow!  Then I found their YouTube channel.  Each video is a 2-5 minute history lesson on each variety.  I'm hooked!

https://www.youtube.com/user/BakerCreekSeeds/featured

It's January in Wisconsin, what do gardeners do?  We dream and plan.  I have an area on the south side of our house that was set up like a little patio.  Since becoming empty nesters, we really don't use it.  Then it hit me, that space could be a project for a post as an area to RECLAIM.  Today, I'm making plans for cold frames, creative containers and of course seeds!  

What does your garden look like in January?  What types of seeds do you want to plant in 2019?  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Norwegian Immigrant Cupboard

I love primitive cupboards.  This was my anniversary and birthday gift all in one.   This was in the basement of an old farm house, it was dark, it was dirty and I had no idea the real color.  I spit on it and was tickled to see something in the green or Robin's egg blue color.   We bought it and other cool pieces that I will sell.  

This cupboard is in 2 very large and heavy pieces.  As we proceeded up the steps, I actually fell backward, hard on my back and the cabinet top fell on me.  I was shaken, but acted like it wasn't that bad.  As we drove away with a trailer full of stuff we both looked at each other and almost at the same time said..."it's been fun, but we can't do that, like that, any more."  Fast forward a summer and fall full of living estate sales, moving, lifting, twisting, hauling...I couldn't walk with out hunching over.  Doctor appointment, several xrays later - I have a slipped disc and pinched nerve.   I start a treatment plan next week.  

This primitive cupboard was in my trailer from the end of May till mid December.  I finally cleaned out an area that it would fit in.  I didn't think of that when I bought it, I just wanted it.  Al and I brought it in the house and 3 hours of cleaning later I'm in love!

The drawers in the center go way back and are at a peak so that it fits in all the space of the corner.  It is wonderfuly made by a true craftsman.  I can't help but think on the family that enjoyed this for probably 150 years, maybe more.  

I am now going to paint the adjoining room within this same color palette.  I will hate to paint over the stenciling I did back in 1995, I still like it, but it's dated.    

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://www.create-with-joy.com/2019/01/friendship-friday-blog-hop-360.html

http://itsasmalltownlife.blogspot.com/2019/01/thankful-thursday.html

Reclaim - My 2019 Word of The Year

Definition of reclaim 

transitive verb

1a: to recall from wrong or improper conduct : REFORM

b: TAME, SUBDUE

2a: to rescue from an undesirable statealso : to restore to a previous natural statereclaim mining sites

b: to make available for human use by changing natural conditionsreclaim swampland

3: to obtain from a waste product or by-product : RECOVERreclaimed plastic

4a: to demand or obtain the return of

b: to regain possession of

My word for 2019 is RECLAIM.  

Why did I pick that word?  It has been on my heart for well over a month.  

When I was thinking of my 2018, what worked and what didn't, all I kept thinking of was, what I'm NOT going to do; "well, I won't do that again..."  

I feel my word of 2018 STRIVE applied...I did in each situation that came my way.

When I first thought of RECLAIM it was the definition of:  to retrieve or recover.  To me, 2018 flew by!  I was busy, but I don't feel like I did enough for "me."  So, I need to RECLAIM myself, health, buildings, garden....get the picture.  

It wasn't until about 10 minutes ago when I looked up the definition and added it here, that I realized HOW much I need to RECLAIM.  It never ceases to amaze me how God uses these little moments to teach me a lesson.  

Let's start....

1.  "Improper conduct" - reform, tame, subdue.  If you know me at all, you know I am not one to tame or subdue.  I am the one who likes to say and do things I think will get a laugh...I could do a whole blog post about this...why I'm the "entertainer."  It's been through much soul searching as I tried to STRIVE though 2018, that I want to "reform" my behavior, "tame" my humor and "subdue" myself.   I do stupid stuff!  It's mostly unintentional!  I tend to speak first, think later and then I torment myself with it.  I have after 52 years, resolved that; I did it, it's over, shut up about it, never talk about it again and distance yourself from the situation.  So, here goes, if I've asked, repeated, said or done something that affected you - please forgive me.  How can I start to RECLAIM if I don't REFORM?  

2. "Rescue from an undesirable state" that one hits home!  Rescue:  my health, my pole building, my gardens, the girl's old bedrooms, the basement, my shop and studio - it's all in an undesirable state - shameful actually.  "Restore" - I hope to with a realistic agenda and plan.  It won't happen all at once, but it won't happen if I don't start.

3.  "Recover" I think of like a battle or search and rescue.  It will be a battle.  

4.  "Regain" is my goal.  Taking back what was once mine; steps toward my spiritual, mental and physical healing and growth.  

Yes, that was a TMI post!  That's the only posts I know how to do.  My blog is a digital documentation of my life - that I just happen to share with all of you.  I find it interesting that the 1-4 progression of the definition is also the steps I will take toward healing.  

So, welcome 2019!  I will charge forward the next 365 days thinking of ways to RECLAIM all that I can.  After all, RECLAIM is a verb and it requires my actions!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  
Linked to:  http://www.create-with-joy.com/2019/01/inspire-me-monday-week-364.html

Most Popular Post - 2018

The most popular blog post this year .....

http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2018/08/ringle-harvest-day-featured-article.html

An extremely close second was:

http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2018/06/vintage-photo-shoot.html

My blog was one of the things that I let slide this past year.  It was hard to come up with new, original content each month to keep up with the high volumn of page views I was hitting - so, I just didn't try.  

Also, I didn't share much on blog hops or link parties.  Are there any of those left?  If you know of a good one, please leave me a comment.  Most of my favorites have quit.  

Here is to more writing in 2019.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

2018 Year in Review - Most Beautiful

I know to some, I am a "home body," however I have always loved to travel.  It's just we have farm animals and it's hard to go as often as I would like.  Don't get me wrong, I have always said, "why would I want to go anywhere, I have all I need right here on my farm."  However, since becoming an empty nester, I will admit, I've been taking flight and leaving my nest more.

In October, Anna and I went to Washington state.  We had a wonderful time.  Anna planned it all and I only needed to follow along.  I had no idea how much I would like the Pacific Northwest.  After a few days in Seattle, we rented a car and Anna drove us to Mt. Rainer.  We spent 2 nights at Copper Creek cabins.  The view of the mountain wasn't always clear.  In fact, the locals said the day we were going up was one of the nicest days of the season.  Some of the roads in the park were already closed and this was the last week it was open.  The views were amazing.  

I was able to travel and see many parts of the states this year.  From Ringle, WI, Pensacola, FL to Seattle, WA and everywhere in between, it was a beautiful.  Mt. Rainer took the prize!  Here's to more adventure and travel in 2019.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

2018 Year In Review - 30 year Accomphishment

We live in an instant, high speed, drive thru, pay for it later world.  We toss it out, up grade and up cylcle.  We follow trends - then post it, share it and forget it - moments on every social media site available.  It's a mixed up world we are living in - fake book, insta sham...it's all for appearances.  To make something "last" in sickness and health for richer or poorer for 30 years is an accomplishment.  

I've been in a working and loving relationship with Al, my soul mate.  The very and I mean very moment I saw Al, I knew I was going to marry him, God revealed it to me.  I can't explain it.  However, I have had 4 0r 5 of these moments thus far in my life where I knew or perceived some kind of destiny.  I came home and told my mom that I saw the man I was going to marry.   I was 19, NEVER been kissed, didn't know or understand the first thing about having a boyfriend, much less a husband.  However, I did know in an instant that he was meant for me.  Al, however, did not.  It was within a semester at NTC that I convinced him, that he was mine.  Thinking back on it, I can see how God had it all worked out, the steps it took for us to meet and become who we are today.  

We've remodeled 2 houses, a barn, built several outbuildings, quit jobs, lived unemployment, loss of loved ones, faced our child's cancer, raised 2 successful daughters, multiple critters, cleaned out dozens of estate homes, sifted through mountains of junk, ups and downs, financial hardship and blessings.  Of which I wouldn't change a moment of these 30 years that we faced all of this together.  We, no matter what, not only held on to each other tighter, but more importantly Jesus.  We did not let failure or success separate us from each other or Him.  No fake or sham, no instant success - it was commitment and hard work.  That is the blessing of accomplishment.  

My 2018 was celebrated in April with our 30th anniversary.  We drove down to the gulf shores and back up the Mississippi river picking and filling our van.  We had a blast!  So thankful for my man and what he does to me and for me!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.    



  

2018 - Year in Review - Most Embarrassing

I am doing several blog posts to close out 2018 with my year in review - most _(fill in the blank)_____.   My disclaimer is, I'm not the brightest bulb, I'm technologically challenged and not the most social media savvy.  With that said....here goes....

If you follow along, you know that Lisa and I worked several living estate sales this year.  At each one, I take pictures so that I can post them to Craigslist and other social sites.   We happen to be working on the Podolske sale and my phone was full of photos.  Lisa and I have a booth at Once & Again in Birnamwood.  Carl and Darlene are the owners.  They like to come to our sales.  This particular sale had many items I thought Carl would like.  So, when I was restocking my booth, I gave him my phone so they could preview the items.  

As I pulled them up, I said "just scroll this way...."  As they were looking and asking questions about some of the items, he stops, turns the phone to the side, then back again and says, "what is this?"  He turned the phone to me....I had no idea what that was...my mind was thinking of all the items at that house....nope, I don't know.  

Then it hit me, blue and white stripes?? hmmmm....I screamed..."Carl, give me back my phone!!"  He quickly handed it back to me.  I started laughing and laughing.....he and Darlene looked at me and said "what is that?"  I couldn't even get it out, because I was laughing so hard!  "It's me....in my underwear....Carl!!!!  I'm so sorry!"  He said...."well, I couldn't make it out anyway" and they both started laughing.  Here he is, a Christian man with grand and great grand children looking at my phone with his wife and I'm showing him a picture of me in my underwear.    It was only a small snippet of the side and blurry, but still!  

I was thinking about how did that even happen!?  Who knows...trust me, at my size and age I don't take pictures of me in my underwear!  However, this did teach me a lesson...phone down until fully dressed!

You know, these types of things happen to me all the time.  I don't get excited or upset, I laugh them off.  You know what scripture says...."A joyful heart is good medicine."  I look forward to more embarrassing moments in 2019 of which I'm sure to share!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.