5 on Friday - Photos

 Dog sitting for Dilly

 My friend, Jackie, organized an Autumn Stroll Shop Hop, 3 shops I have booths in are participating.  https://www.facebook.com/events/1755725881383044/

 Working on the Ringle Harvest Day Vendor Map
https://www.facebook.com/RingleHarvestDayFleaMarket/
http://ringleharvestday.blogspot.com/

I tried to make a pretty crust...apple pie.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.com/2016/09/five-on-friday_30.html

Dilly - TBRI

This is Dilly, she is our daughter and son-in-law's dog.  We are dog sitting this week while they are in Texas.  Justine was awarded a scholarship from Focus on the Family to attend TCU Institute of Child Development - Trust Based Relational Intervention.  She has her masters in social work and is working toward her counseling license.  

  TBRI® is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. TBRI® uses Empowering Principles to address physical needs, Connecting Principles for attachment needs, and Correcting Principles to disarm fear-based behaviors. While the intervention is based on years of attachment, sensory processing, and neuroscience research, the heartbeat of TBRI® is connection.

“When you connect to the heart of a child, everything is possible.”

– Dr. Karyn Purvis

Karyn Purvis' ideals and concepts with foster care and adoption are ones that Justine admire.  Karyn recently lost her battle with cancer.   Justine really wanted to meet her.  Her "formula" is her legacy and one that has helped countless families.  

On to Dilly...

Justine and Josh adopted Dilly from the Marathon County Humane Society several months ago.  Dilly loves Justine and I'm told waits for her return by the door.  I wasn't sure how she would handle not having Justine for a whole week.  She waited by our front door the first day.  Now, she has taken over the roll of "boss" - our dog Dolly is very submissive.  

Yesterday, I heard some tiny little toe nails clippity clapping across the hard wood floor....it was Dilly dragging a raw hide bone.  I don't know where she found that, Dolly must have a hiding spot.  Anyway, it was Dilly's bone now!

She eventually carried it in the living room last night and was protecting her property.  Dolly couldn't even go near her - she growled.  Poor Dolly just wanted to run in and jump on the love seat...but Dilly and that bone were in between her and her "chair."  Al even came in to sit down and Dilly growled at him.  The whole time hovering over that bone.

This had me thinking about little Dilly.  We don't know her whole history, how many families she has had.  However, I can image that at some time in her little life she was hungry.  Her behavior reminds me of a child who never had any "toys" and when they finally get one, it's "that's mine" attitude comes into play.  Well, actually you can understand it, as they didn't have anything and when they finally get something they are possessive about it.  

So, this morning, while the bone lay unattended, we did our own - trust based relational intervention - we took the bone away.  No more growling.  As I write this, Dolly is on the love seat and Dilly laying on the rug, both sleeping.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Gathering Time

It's gathering time.  I can't help but think of the Little House on the Prairie books at this time of the year.  All the storage and keeping of food one had to do in those days.  Just putting away enough food for the livestock would have been a chore.  

My mom did lots of canning and keeping for our family.  She was always planning on "what if it is cold and we don't have anything to eat."  My poor mother was born in the depression, grew up during WWII and I know was cold and hungry at times in her life.  She wanted to make sure we never were and we weren't; far from it.  (smile - we are all overweight).

So, either by her example or some genetic "nesting" code, but I too scamper around the farm finding things in garden or nature that we might "need" in the winter.  

Last night, Al and I rode the 4-wheeler out to the edge of the woods to pick some more apples.  On the way back to the house, the sun was hitting the trees in just the perfect way.  My heart was full.  I said to Al, "I'm almost afraid to say this, but everything sure is going good for us now."  We have something we call the "luck o' the Luetschwager" it's actually not good luck, but bad luck.  Sometimes, it seems when things are going "good" - something bad usually happens to us.   "I don't even want to think it" I said.

"I've sure loved living here all these years!  We have been and are blessed!" I said.   He said "I know it, we sure had some good times here."  

It had me thinking about life, this post actually.  It is a gathering time...a gathering of memories and blessings.  Blessings that come in the form of sunshine and rain.   This old "luck o' the Luetschwager" has taught us a thing or two...we are blessed no matter what as long as we put our faith and trust in Jesus.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin

Linked to:  http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_26.html

Week 31 - Honey Spice Cutouts

Honey Spice Cutout Cookie

1 C soft butter
1/2 C honey (I used the raw honey made here at our farm)
Cream together and add

2 eggs (or 1 large egg as I have banty hens)
Blend and add



1/2 t salt
1/2 t ginger
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t baking powder
1/2t baking soda
Mix well togther and add 1 cup at a time,

3 C flour




Roll out the dough and cut into desired shapes
Bake 325 for 10-12 minutes.

I sprinkled the cookies with sanding sugar, but you could frost them and decorate too.  These are a soft cookie - almost biscuit like - lighly flavored.  I might add 1 t ginger and cinnamon next time to spice them up a bit more.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2016/09/foodie-friday-and-everything-else_22.html

Applesause 101

I'm writing this blog post as I enjoy a breakfast of my applesauce and toast.  Yum.  

I tried the "my story" feature on Instagram yesterday to do a few short videos during the day on making applesauce.  I messed up and forgot to post one in the middle.  I guess you need to press the check mark to post it.  So here is the blog post about Applesauce 101.

First step - pick the apples.  We have several apple trees on the edge of our woods.  I don't know what variety they are, but they are good.  We do not spray for any bugs, so some are ugly on the outside - but not on the inside.  I had to stand on the 4 wheeler to reach them.

Wash them off.  Cut out the core and any "bad" spots.  You need to cook your apples down, so make some apple juice with some of these.  Put in a kettle on warm.

I did a 1-4 ratio.  6 cups of juice to 24 cups of diced apples.  I left the skins on.  

These apples were so sweet, I didn't add any sugar.  I did add 1 tablespoon of salt for this whole batch.  Once they are soft, blend this up in the food processor.  

Sterilize your jars and lids in hot water.

It's at this point the pictures were lost to the video.  Anyway, from this point, you fill your jars to 1/4'' from the top.  Make sure you wipe down the rim of the jar before you put on the lid and ring.  I pressure can, so I processed at 10# for 10 minutes.  

I gave the pigs the cores and such...they loved it!

I made 2 batches yesterday.  One I added cranberries.  That batch I did put in 1/3 C sugar - still tart and very good.  

I had to take a picture with the antique baby dish.  

Making applesauce takes time, but is very easy.  You will be happy you did in the winter when you want a dish or even for baking.  Nothing beats homemade!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://www.mittenstatesheepandwool.com/2016/09/simple-homestead-blog-hop-70.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ClearwaterFarmJournal+%28Clearwater+Farm+Journal%29

Hodgepodge Wednesday - "Cha Cha Changes"

Questions asked by:  From This Side of the Pond

1. Thursday (September 22) is the first official day of autumn in this part of the world...how will you welcome the season? 

With pumpkins and squash from my garden.  I love acorn squash and this year I have a bunch!  

2. Apple pie or pumpkin pie? Apple cake or pumpkin bread? Warm apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte?

Pumpkin pie!  Apple cake.  Apple cider.

3. Do you occasionally suffer from what's sometimes referred to as an afternoon slump? What helps ward it off before it hits and/or tell us what helps you shake it off once it's here?

Oh, I don't suffer...I embrace it...I love to take a 15-30 minute nap on those types of days.  If, I "can't" or have too much to do...I just keep working and push through it.  I usually eat a piece of candy or get a quick boost from a soda.

4. Ladies-how have your friendships with women inspired you or made you a better person? For the men here today- how have your friendships with men inspired you or made you a better person?

Well, that's a tough one.  I grew up in a large family - so I didn't "need" outside frienships - I did have good childhood friends too and I cherish those memories.  With my adult relationships with women - I would say it's 50/50 as, the business I'm in makes people competitive and I hate that.  I try to surround myself with "like minded" people.  Lately, I've been saying..."I need more 'kites' than 'anchors'" - as I want to be in relationships (personal or business) where the other is just as passionate about things as I am - we lift each other up, not drag each other down.  

5. Are you a people pleaser? If you said yes, do you think that's a good or bad thing? If you said no, do you wish you were more of a people pleaser?

Honestly, yes I am.  I am however, waaayyy better at not doing this than I was in my 30's & 40's.  I think as I mature, I see what is really important - if it's not - I can say "NO" now.  It's the feeling guilty about it that I'm working on.  

6. The seasons are a-changin'...share a favorite song relating in some way to change (not necessarily seasonal change, it could be change of any kind).

Lately, Danny Gokey's "Tell Your Heart to Beat Again"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azYK8I2uoog

7. What do you wish would never change?

I actually like change, you grow with change.  With each new stage of life - I have challenged myself to be a "better" version of me.  I guess if I had to say...no, I can't even think of one...I was going to say flowers blooming...but, then I love the colors of fall and even the snowflakes.  So...I like change.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

In keeping with the "changes" theme.  I guess, I am thinking about the "change of life" - all women go through this.  I haven't really had too many changes yet.  I did have someone tell me ..."just wait till the 'menapouse mind' starts" - I have noticed,  lately, I have been a bit more forgetful.  O.k. bloggers, what is "good" about the "change?"  Help a girl out, what can I expect.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2016/09/ch-ch-ch-chodgepodge.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FromThisSideOfThePond+%28From+This+Side+of+the+Pond%29

Chickens For Sale

Oh my goodness, do I have the chicks.  I don't even know how it happened.  I was collecting eggs.  It's just that some very productive hens found hiding spots around the farm and now I have....around 50 little chicks.  I didn't count them, but my farrier did.  He also took a video - they are super cute!  

We can hardly walk to the barn in the morning with out having a flock of them following us.  They especially like me as I give them scraps.  

I have been wondering....maybe this is some residual effects of an empty nest.  I have enjoyed this past summer petting, snuggling, carrying and sharing these little chicks with every visitor that comes over.  

A car pulled in the driveway a few weeks back.  It was my neighbor and her 2 boys.  She wanted to know if they could look at the chicks.  She left with 5, yay!  The other neighbor's visiting grandchildren happened to walk by as I just found a nest of 13 chicks...they came up the driveway and played with them and the other older chicks for over an hour.   I've had several 4-H projects here as well this summer and those chicks have been loved and hugged all to pieces.  

I now need to "let some go" - so, if you are looking for some; hen set, hen raised, free range, antibiotic free, mixed banty breed cockerels, I have some for only $2 each or 6 for $10.  

We had someone come and do some field work for us yesterday, he said "how do you get so many chicks?  Our chickens are mean and stupid."  I said..."it's the banty breeds - they are the best mamas."  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

2 Week Wrap Up

 Harvest time...show time...Ringle Harvest Day flea time...

(She thinks she is helping me...)

T-shirts for our 20th Anniversary - logo and sponsorship

My booth at the Urban Farm Girl show Mainstreet Market in Rockford, IL.

Clean out and change out my booths....

These are our large Wolf River apples - huge this year!

 We did an "upscale living estate sale" for my childhood friend's parents.  While delivering a purchase to a customer, I was bit by their dog.  

While at the doctor, he says..."well...you're going to need a tetanus shot" to which I added "well....then you are going to need to bring me a sucker!"  I asked...I am the only 50 year old that requested a sucker with their shots...people, I don't know why?  A shot is icky at 5 or 50 and well deserving of a sucker!

So, now it's on to beets, apples and marking inventory for Ringle Harvest Day.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

"Do the Hustle"

"Do the Hustle!" - ba ba ba ba da didditty dum dum , ba ba ba  ba da diditty dum, dum....O.K. now that I have that song in your head...on to my post.

I've been doing the hustle lately.  You might even say, I've been hustling the hustle.  

Hustle:  1. anything you do to make money
               2. obtain by force, action or persuasion
               3. to move hurriedly in a direction  
              
Hmm...I see previous posts in those...

Sometimes I wonder why I work so hard at working.  Do I "need" to do "this" - or, should I just get a "real job?" 

I was recently asked those same questions.  I responded with "well, I've been free ranging it for so long, I don't think I can go back in to the coop."  

It hit me, I really don't think I CAN.  Once you have relished in the delight of self employment - success and failure - nothing matches it.  You know, like one of the "thrill seekers" who keeps doing more adventurous things to get the next "high."  That is how I would describe myself in self employment.

I want to be on the edge of the next thing.  I want to have (not really, but it happens) people copy me.  I want to be creative.  I want to push myself into uncomfortable situations to help myself grow my business and in turn fulfill a desire for the next "high."  

I happen to think, what does the Bible say about "the hustle?"  

Well, now that was enough inspiration for me to get on a "hustlin" today.   I don't need to list all of my efforts of late - as that would be bragging...but, know that I haven't been too lazy.  

I will be at the Urban Farm Girl Show https://urbanfarmgirl.com/mainstreetmarket/ - Main Street Market https://www.facebook.com/mainstreetmarketrockford/ 
at the historical Midway Village Museum http://www.midwayvillage.com/wordpress/ 
in Rockford, IL on Saturday.  

Then on to Ringle Harvest Day - it's our 20th year!  https://www.facebook.com/RingleHarvestDayFleaMarket/
http://ringleharvestday.blogspot.com/

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Wordless Wednesday - Welcome Fall

Wordless Wednesday - Welcome Fall:  sunflowers from my garden, hops vines from my flower bed, pumkins growing on the manure pile.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  
http://mymaplehillfarm.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-maple-hill-hop-149.html