Farmhouse Fridays 15, 16 - Blessings From Ringle, WI

 

Not too much going on in old Ringle, Wisconsin when these photos were taken.  Chickens scratched up all my garlic (ugh!), our cousin made me that fountain, Al made our sauna "fall proof" (prayer hands), our grandson was coming for a visit (ended up being overnight).....why?....because of this.....

EF3 Tornado (winds of 145mph) on the ground in Ringle.  We were going to try to figure out how to get me in a safe spot.  I can not do steps.  Anyway, it blew over us, we saw stuff flying in the wind and our grandson heard Al say words he hardly says (wink, wink) and I hope he doesn't repeat.  We knew it was bad, it hit our neighbor's properties about 1/2 mile up hill.  They both had huge pine trees - now they look like match sticks on the ground.  I'm sharing pictures from our community page.

We have a 3rd generation Christmas Tree Farm....total loss.  Unbelievable amount of damage.  We have friends who have lost so much.  The tornado, wiped out and did damage to 75 homes and our elementary school.  Our daughter's friend was trapped in her basement with her 2 and 4 year old children.  She had to be dug out.  In all of this devistation - Praise God - not one injury!  

The outpouring of support, donations, volunteers from neighboring communities was unbelievable.  Central Wisconsin, Marathon County is a great place to live.  

It will be months for families to rebuild and resettle back into their homes.  I was touched by the messages from those of you who follow me on Instagram and Facebook.  You know I always have signed off "Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin" since post #1.  I had so many people send me "are you o.k.?"  So many vendors from the Ringle Harvest Day, "how is Ringle doing?"  Due to my physical limitations, I am not able to "help" pick up stuff, but I have been praying and donating items.  If you would, you could pray for our community.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farmhouse Fridays - Weeks 13, 14 - Playing Catch Up

 Hello and welcome to my blog.  Winter ice storm, Easter, Spring Break, still cleaning...about rounds out the past 2 weeks.  I'll share some of it in pictures.  

Cool things I can't part with - Halloween

Still going through boxes and totes carried down from our daughter's bedrooms where I stashed them.  However, look at the room now.  

I could NOT have done this without the support of my husband Al and his many, many, many trips down the steps with boxes and tubs.  Now it is ready for the 2 sleepovers planned for April.  Then it's rip out old carpet, paint walls and new flooring.  Yay!

I gave Anna and Justine each a set of "pretty dishes."  This is our table setting at Anna's house for Easter.  Before...

After....a Southern Themed menue.  We did an Easter egg hunt.  I stayed inside.  I did make it up her steps with my "step cane" but I was only doing that once....(wink, wink).

We also celebrated Ezra's 4th birthday

Then we had Lauren over for an afternoon during Spring break.  We -  mostly she - made a "jelly roll/log" cake.  I never made one before.  We used dark cocoa powder.  Was very light and good.   She also helped me make supper.  She is a very good helper.   We played board games (Life...I forgot how LONG that game goes on....).  No more "letting her win" - she is actually winning.  I was trying hard too.  She is a checkers master now.  

I did get my new mobility "wheels" - it's called Zeen.  I can walk standing, lower to bar seat height and even lower to chair height.  While standing, the seat is right under you and you are strapped in so you won't fall.  It is bigger than I thought, so not able to use as much as I wanted in the house.  I do believe I will use it outside, when I go somewhere and working in the kitchen.  It will take some getting used to, pulling it behind me.

We have had a tough 2 weeks dealing with my great-nieces mental health issues.  I did babysit her a lot, she was close in age to my girls.  Justine, our eldest, was like a little mother hen to her.  Truthfully, still is.  Justine has an equine mental health counseling clinic for youth.  Youth, actually like Aaliyah.  She would have benefited from this type of counseling when she was a little girl.  Only, for some reason, our family (who many could benefit from counseling) never chose that option.  We prayed...prayer is key...but, so is counseling.  I guess, the stigma of needing counseling over prayer and faith, maybe the problem.  I've seen many counselors for different, difficult times in my life.  I'm not too proud - I pray and have faith too.   Not sure what steps will be next for Aaliyah, I pray she seeks help and stays in treatment.  

I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday.  Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farmhouse Friday 2026 - Week 12 Doing What You Love

 

I started out this past week doing things I love.  We had potluck at church.  It was scheduled around "pie day" but the blizzard moved it back.  So I made a shepherd's/cottage pie.  I so love this little cook top at my height so I don't need to stand.  

I also made some yummy rice krispy treats.  

I was able to make it into our wood fired sauna this week after nearly 6 months of recovery from my broken femur.  I couldn't risk it when it was too snowy out there.  Oh it was lovely!  I rested on deck, listening to the spring birds sing.  

Speaking of spring birds....our chickens are laying again.  Time for egg salad sandwich, topped with sliced cabbage.  This helps with digestion...ahaha.

I met a fellow blogging friend, who came out to my shop/office on Tuesday for a nice visit.  She even came with a treat!  Thanks for the delicious coffee cake.  This photo of her son's little tree was sent to me by another customer.  All the needle felted ornaments, I made.  I love when customers share what they buy from me and how they use it.  

We've been working on 2 small estates.  I was looking up and checking prices for some pieces.  I couldn't believe the sold prices, so I googled "are home interior figurines in for 2026?"  I guess so!  I can see the trend leaving minimalism back to individualized, curated spaces.  Not the cluttered 1980/90's, but the heart of the trend is from that time period.  Even what was collected and the color schemes.  

I was able to do my aqua therapy.  The pool is closed for 2 weeks for maintenance and cleaning starting today.  My most productive days of the week usually are Monday - Wednesday.  Then it's back to this....

"PUTTERING" around.  I did keep up with the boxes.  Yesterday, I found something pretty special.  I forgot I even did it.  I'm going to complete it and gift it to my daughter, Anna. It has to do with her cancer testimony.  

It's Friday Fish Fry in Wisconsin.  This is a BIG DEAL here.  Is it that way by where you live?  

O.k. off to work on boxes.  Have a great weekend.  Keep working on doing what you love.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.