Motivation Monday - Memories

Motivation Monday - Memories

My mom passed on at the end of November.  I miss her a lot!  I can only write this post as it relates to my feelings.  None of us grieve the same, as each loss is different.  I know many people who have faced loss or grief recently, I would never tell someone how to feel.  First, I'm not them, I'm me, I have a hard enough time dealing with my own emotions, much less telling someone how to deal with theirs.  I am writing this post to help me, if what I say helps someone else - great! 


I can not tell you how many things I see that reminded me of my mom.  On a recent trip to a favorite store of ours, I saw some of her favorite candy, for a minute I thought, I should pick this up for mom.  My hens have started laying pretty good now, I have thought I should take mom in a dozen.  I have made several meals with extras and thought, I will take this to mom's house.  The phone rang the other day with my sister Lynn's number, I thought, oh no, even Al, when he handed me the phone said, I wonder what happened with our mom.  

Maybe these thoughts, memories "haunt" us.  Obviously you feel sad or bad when situations like this come up.  Thinking about the "not" being able to do for her or to do something with her, makes me sad.  I took a blanket my mom crocheted home after she passed.  Each time I pull it over me, I say "thanks for the hug mom" - to me, I think of her and that she made this with her own hands - it's like she is giving me a hug.

Memories, how can they motivate?  Whether a good memory or a bad one - memories do motivate us - if we use wisdom and maturity and are willing to accept or change.   Let the memories of your loved ones bring you joy and peace.  Keep their memories alive by sharing and talking about them.  Learn from the memories and create new ones that involve lessons from the old.  Make memories that others will cherish when you are gone.  Love each other.

Memories
by:  Dicky Bird

Sometimes life is less than kind
"why me? or what now?"

Trials, hardships and loss
can really knock us down

Anger and pity - it's my right
sorrow, loss of hope

"I'm sorry this has happened to you?"
or "Time it heals all wounds?"

It's not like friends don't think of us
or that they show they care

It's just people don't know what to say
and they don't know what to do

Our memories are a beautiful gift
that God has let us keep

Sometimes they make us feel sad
and others our spirits they lift

Let our healing rely on those
sweet memories that we made

our love for them goes on and grows
missing them won't change 

think on those we have lost 
and their love will never fade.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin

  

Easter Art For My Booth At Grand Repeats((

I've been sewing and felting.  These are a few new items to be added to my booth at Grand Repeats in Wausau, WI.

(Small ones $5 each, large one $7.50)

 (Rabbit pillow - wool - $19.50)

(felted chicks in egg shells - each sold as pictured $7.50 each)

 (3 felted eggs in blue enamel pan $12.50)

(4 felted eggs in vintage egg cartons - $12.50 each)

Those neat vintage egg cartons came out of an estate that I bought from my friend Theresa Stubbe (it was her grandparents homestead) - they saved everything!  I'm so happy they did!

I'm still working on these pins.  I am signed up to do an art show in June.  I want to have lots of these ready by then.  These were the scraps from making the pillow and hoop art.  I can't stand to throw anything away - in case you didn't know that...haha!

I also made this skirt, reversible vest and hair doodle for my great-niece.  I used it as a sample for the girls signed up in the sewing project in my 4-H group.  No one is able to do the "dress review", however we are still going to make something like this for the fair.  

I post a lot of daily pictures on my instagram and face book pages.  If you want to follow my business page and "like" it .... I would LOVE it.  Here is the link:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Town-Hall-Trinkets-LLC/729693193716630?ref=hl

When I get 100 likes - I will give away one of my items.  Not sure what it will be yet.  

Welcome new followers.  I'm glad you are here!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Linked to:  http://www.tillysnest.com/2014/03/down-home-blog-hopnumber-81-upcycled.html

http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/03/homestead-barn-hop-152.html

http://beingfrugalbychoice.blogspot.com/2014/03/homemade-mondays-week-74.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:

Motivation Monday - "Lip Service"

Every Sunday morning at our little church, we have a member read a passage of scripture.  The choice is up to them to read what they want to share.  Last week, Dan, read - honestly, I can't remember where it was - but, the theme of it and what he said after is what I have been thinking about.  

Dan and at least 1 of his brothers served in our Military.  I respect those who choose to serve and their families for "letting" them.  What I have noticed about most service members is their ability to speak clearly and state the facts.  I love the can-do, git-r-done attitude and work ethic.  

I'm not one of those people who stands around and evaluates a "job" - "well, let's do it this way and then we will do this..."  NO, just pick something up and start working!  That is my attitude.  This has caused me to have to re-do somethings, but I can't stand it when I work with people who use their lips more than their feet!

Anyway, this does apply to my post, really....

So, Dan read about love.  How, we should love one another.  After he was done, he stated that we need to do more than just give "lip service" to people - we need to show them.  Do what it is we said we would do.

I liked that!

We do live in a world where things keep us busy.  How many times have you seen people somewhere, anywhere looking at their phones...on their phones...really not connected with what is going on around them.  Or, you ask someone "how are you doing?"  When they reply, you say..."oh, well, let me know if there is something I can do...or, I will say a prayer for you..."  As the week goes on, you forget about it.  

So, Dan challenged us and now I challenge you.  Don't just give "lip service."  

Let's show people the true love of Christ by loving them.  It is easy to hug a pretty super model type - it's the dirty homeless person that needs it.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Spring Chores

After a long cold Winter, it sure is nice to get out and do chores.  Not that we don't do chores everyday - it is just easier when there isn't so much ice, snow and cold.

A very real part of having animals is that what goes in...must go out...  Dealing with this, in -40 weather is not easy.  I can't tell you how many sleds full of poo I had to pull over the snow to the compost pile.  It was nice today to get out the tractor with the bucket.  It saves loads when you can fill the bucket and just dump it.  

I am NOT a good driver!  I would much rather be a passenger.  Al has been letting me drive the tractor.  I'm still afraid of it as too many personal injury pictures flash through my head from my old law office days.  A healthy fear is good and keeps one safe.  

We have an old barn and I love it.  Al wanted to make a hole in it to drop down hay to the horses.  I didn't want him to cut a hole in our old barn - but, I agreed.  I am glad I did, it makes feeding them this past Winter so much easier.

Even with mats, the ice makes it hard to keep them clean.  Not to mention - yet again - the polar vortex!

But, today was a nice day to get out and scrape them down again.  Still working on the frozen end part.  That is the north side - not too much sunlight to soften it up yet.  

These 4 sure are happy with the warmer days.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Teach Me Tuesday - Homemade Vanilla Butter

Homemade Vanilla Butter:

Add a pinch of salt and turn the beater. 

At this point, the little beater was beat....so I put the heavy cream into a mason jar and shook and shook...the whole process took 45 min.  What an arm work out!

It will separate into butter and butter milk.  I poured this into a strainer.  I will use the vanilla butter milk for a recipe later. 

This would be a great project for your kids.  When we first moved out here, I called my neighbor and asked if she could save me some cream so that the girls and I could make some butter.  They have Jersey cows.  We took it home and made butter in a mason jar just like this.   Easy and fun!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin. 

Linked to:
http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/03/homestead-barn-hop-151.html

http://www.thedwellingtree.com/2014/03/lets-be-friends-57th-blog-hop-is-now.html

http://mymaplehillfarm.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-maple-hill-hop-22.html

http://www.create-with-joy.com/2014/03/inspire-me-monday-week-115.html

What I've Been Up To....

It has been springlike here in Marathon County, Wisconsin!  I haven't seen a Robin yet - only the ones we made in 4-H Tuesday night.  The project is here:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2014/03/teach-me-tuesday-robin-bird-pattern.html

It was more of a "make and work on at home" project.  We had an excellent turn out!  Too many needles to thread!  All the mamas were threading needles.  We had guest speakers talking about Maple Syrup - Wisconsin ranks 3rd in U.S. production!  You can see the blue bags, lines and pails hanging on the trees now.  With daytime temps in 40's and over nights in teens....the sap should start a running.  The season is on average March 15 to April 15.  Soon we will see smoke from the "sugar shacks" cooking down the sap.  YUM!

I was asked to teach a class for my friend Sue and her coworkers.  It was fun sharing my love of needle felting with them.  They made a pillow top and Easter eggs.

I will be teaching this same class to a 4-H group, Rocky Ridge from Mosinee, WI. on Sunday afternoon.  Should be fun!

Today, I will be at the 4-H office working on the county-wide candy bar sales pick ups.  I'm bringing my felting to work on while I wait for pick ups.  

Tomorrow, I will be adding some inventory to my booth at Grand Repeats in Wausau.  I picked up these cute - shabby in all the right way - chairs.  I love the faded pink and original upholstery.

Sunday school lesson planning, my nephew's graduation and pinning party (he went back to school to be registered nurse) and visiting my mother-in-law are a few things I plan to do.  

Thank You to my new followers!  I'm so excited!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Teach Me Tuesday - Robin (bird) Pattern

I made up this pattern for our 4-H meeting tonight.  The Robin is Wisconsin's state bird.  With this cold winter, I have yet to see my first Robin, so I decided to make one.  If you would like the pattern, leave a comment asking for one and I will send it to you for FREE.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

If you are unable to leave a comment - become a follower or check out my business facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Town-Hall-Trinkets-LLC/729693193716630?ref=hl

Linked to:
http://www.create-with-joy.com/2014/03/inspire-me-monday-week-114.html
http://www.thedwellingtree.com/2014/03/lets-be-friends-blog-hop-56-is-now-live.html

Frosty Windows

Frosty Windows

Frosty windows, art on glass
temporary beauty that will not last

Photos taken, images saved
Polar Vortex memories made

Beauty found in spite of cold
Winter's grip has its hold

Cabin fever we may suffer here
wondering, "when will Spring appear?"

Till the sunny days return again 
Find peace in daily joys - Amen.

By: DickyBird

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Now You See Me - Now You Don't....

I have faithfully filled my bird feeder each day this LONG COLD winter.  I don't mind if the little squirrels come and eat - they are hungry too.  Due to the depth of snow, we have had no deer at the feeder.  Not too many birds either.  We have had snow, then crusting over with icy snow, more snow....so that the squirrels have created these tunnels under the layers.  They have a network from the feeder to the back porch.   I watched as they worked away...

This is another one coming out of the tunnel....

peek...

"Hello, are you coming out soon?"  I love the little paws on the tummy.    

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Linked to:
http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/03/homestead-barn-hop-149.html

http://www.tillysnest.com/2014/03/down-home-blog-hop-number-78-homemade.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TillysNest+%28Tilly%27s+Nest%29

Motivation Monday - "Hibernation Mode"

Motivation Monday - "Hibernation Mode"

This morning was a new record low for us here, -35.  I was thinking, it is almost impossible to think that anyone could actually succeed at weight loss in these conditions.  When you are outside working in this type of weather, your body naturally wants to conserve and hold on to your fat (insulation).  Think about it.....  Now I know I haven't been doing the best to stick to my program - but, would it even matter?  Yes, better food choices, tracking and counting points does matter.  I wouldn't want to think of how much I might have gained over this long winter otherwise.  

When Al told me how cold it was this morning when we woke up - I said to him...."this is un-natural!"  

So, motivation for this Monday - realizing that I might make good choices, but the weather is working against me!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

All I Need to Know I Learned From My Chickens - Sermonette

The 1st Saturday of each month, we go to Homme Nursing Home.  Today, I was asked to give the sermonette.  I talked about chickens.  I found this poem - "All I Need to Know I Learned from My Chickens" - with each trait listed in this poem, I found a scripture that related to it.  I also read, The Little Red Hen.  I shared that with each stage the little hen stayed positive and kept on with her work.  That is how we all should be, regardless of our age - keep, working at whatever challenge comes our way.  I brought in one of my "stuffed" taxidermy chickens.  

Something really neat actually happened.  I bought my first "stuffed" chicken from a flea market.  I purchased it from my flea friend Diane.  I was so delighted today, to see Diane in the room.  I asked her how long she has been living at the home and she said since November.  I told her that I haven't seen her at any of our "visits."  She said that she usually didn't come to these types of things.  I told her how happy I was that she came today, as I was going to talk about chickens.  She remembered that I bought my first one from her.  When I pushed her back to her room, she told me that "we" just made her day.  How "it wasn't a coincidence that I went down to your service today."  I knew it wasn't.  I hugged her and told her that next month I was going to come and get her.   She was in tears and said "God bless you."  Oh I had such a great time today!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.