Grebe's Cooking Class - Chinese Hot Pot

For the past 2 years, my daughters and I have signed up to take a cooking class at Grebe's Chef Center.  (Link: https://www.grebesonline.com/)  In this world of Walmart and Dollar Store "take over" - it is wonderful to support this family run business.  Truthfully, in Wausau they are the only store like this.  They are able to compete because they still offer what the other lacks:  individual customer service, an actual service department, QUALITY items, unique, high end kitchenware and this...their cooking classes.  

We love Asian food - of all kinds.  Justine and Josh were blessed enough to travel to China and experienced it first hand.  When we saw that Joy, who was born in China, teaches Chinese in Wausau Schools, was teaching cooking classes, we knew our hot pot experience would be authentic.  It was!  

This is Joy's hot pot.  We cooked ours in fondue pots.  I might have to find us these authentic pots for Christmas.  The broth, traditionally bone broth, has garlic, green onion, sliced tomato, Chinese dates, goji berries, dark vinegar and other spices added.  We had our choice of the spicy or tomato base for our pot.  You bring that all to a boil and add your choice of meat and veggies.  The broth is so hot, it only takes minutes for most to cook.  We had thinly sliced lamb, beef, fish, shrimp, fish and seafood balls, quail eggs, tofu and veggies of all kinds.  Once cooked, you eat right out of the pot.  We didn't, we used a big spoon to scoop our individual choices....it's flu season here...teehee.   

It was fun!  I can't wait to see what classes they offer next time.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Week 50 - Dicky Bird's Cheese Cake Cookies

Dicky Bird's Cheese Cake Cookies

1 stick soft butter
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C honey
Cream together, add

1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
blend together and add

1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 1/2 C flour

Roll this into balls.  Take a mellon baller or back of a spoon to press into the middle of each ball to make a "divot" to put in the cheese cake mixture.

Cheese Cake Mixture:

1 8 oz. cream cheese
1 egg 
1 1/2 C powdered sugar

Fill in the "divot" with this mixture.  I added 3 blueberries, but I think chocolate chips would be good or raspberries.

Bake these at 350 for 8-10 min.  This made 30 cookies.  They are good!  Enjoy.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Week 49 - Cream Cheese Cookies

8 oz. soft cream cheese
1 stick soft butter
cream together, and add

2 C powdered sugar
2 tsp. almond extract
1 egg
blend together, and add

1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
3 C flour
Mix well, make round balls and press with fork.  Bake 350 for 8-10 min.  Makes 2 doz.  Once cooled, dust with sifted powdered sugar

A light, fluffy, biscuit type of cookie.  Easy again, with simple ingredients.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Tips on Tuesday - Painting Furniture

For my tips on Tuesday, I thought I would share a few on painting furniture.  I have painted and repurposed furniture, almost my entire life.  As a child, we would "pick" while rummaging all kinds of pieces "in the rough."  Some, my mom would repaint and others she would take up north to my grandpa to refinish.  Truthfully, I just assumed everyone did this!

1.  Have the good sense to know when to paint a piece and when NOT to!  I have to say, in this painting of furniture craze...it pains me to see some of these natural beauties painted.  Often times, when you understand the wood and the time frame these pieces were from, painting them is just wrong.  Not only does it lessen their value, most times they turn out "ugly."  Now, I say that as one who paints furniture.  But, I also know antiques.  Research your piece, before you paint it.  

2.  Prep, prep, sand, sand, wash, wash ..... get the picture?   You will never regret the time put into prep and cleaning of a piece before you paint it!  You will, however, regret when a greasy stain, chippy corner or even a bubbly veneer comes through your painted piece.  Fix it before you paint it.

3.  I do not follow trends in paint.  I am a classic acrylic painter.  I have used both milk and chalk paint, I just don't like the finish.  I'm an old dog...I don't want to learn new tricks...but, that doesn't mean my pieces look dated.  I do keep up with color trends.  One time I did a piece and the shopkeeper told me that the buyer's said..."it's as smooth as silk" and that piece was.  Pick your poison and master it!

4.  Always complete a piece.  Paint the back, underneath, back of feet, turn the piece every which way and look at it...is every area covered.  It is a pet peeve of mine, when I see a beautiful painted piece and then I look at the back, the legs, even the back of legs....no paint.  If you are going to paint it - then paint it.

5.  Find the right product for finishing.  When a customer spends $300 on a painted buffet, they want to be able to use it without leaving rings or scratches.  Stain, poly or some other kind of finishing of your choice, but this step is crucial.

Here are a few pieces I've done in the past:

I love to paint in layers and add the aged patina

I also like to heavily distress using masking tape to pull off to achieve this antique aged look.

This was an example of knowing when NOT to repaint a piece.  I took off the old linoleum and cleaned it up.  Primitive pieces rarely, actually, I'm going to say NEVER need painting.  This took cleaning, sanding, sanding, oil and wax...repeat....it was work!  It sold at a show to another antique dealer in minutes of my putting it out....it probably was too cheap...

Here are 2 examples of pieces that were already painted, probably years before, but I just took the sander to them and "knocked them down" - truthfully, it was part of the prep stage, but they looked so good that way, I didn't want to paint them.  Sometimes this will happen. 

6.  If the piece is talking to you .... listen.   

I will end with this one, probably one of my favorites.  I had an old can of paint I bought off the clearance rack.  It was an odd color.  My intentions were to use it as a primer and first layer of color.  Once distressed, it left this piece so soft and warm...you wouldn't know to look at it, but this has 6 or 7 different layers of "product" on it.  This was the "smooth as silk" piece I early mentioned.

Good luck and I hope these tips help you for your next project.   

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivational Monday - His "Honey Do" List

It's Monday already?!  HELP!  

I was rather motivated this morning and I accomplished most everything on my list, including giving the dog a bath and cutting her nails.  She hates that!  

I wrote about "MyONday" (read it here:  https://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2019/01/motivational-monday-its-myonday.html) and I repeat this to myself - "it's myONday!"  I was looking forward to doing what I wanted to do today, like needle felt the day away.  However, when I flipped my inspirational daily calendar...it said..."a worthy wife is her husband's joy and crown."  Prov. 12:4 ....ughhh....  So, to motivate me, I made my list of things Al would want me to do and the dog was top on his list - she was stinky. 

So, he will be home soon to scrubbed floors, vacuumed furniture and rugs, sorted laundry, made bed...(teehee), dusted cabinets and saucy steaks in the oven.  Yep, it wasn't "myONday" - but, his.  In doing these tasks, even though I didn't want to, I do feel quite motivated!  I might even make a dessert!  

Next time you feel less than eager to complete some tasks on his "honey do list" - think about Prov. 12:4.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Week 48 - Cocoa & Chips Cookie

2 sticks of soft butter
1 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar
Cream together, add:

2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix together,

2 1/2 C flour
1/2 C Cocoa
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
mix together in a separate bowl, slowly blend into mixture

2 1/2 C white chocolate chips
stir into the dough and drop by tablespoons onto a lightly greased pan.  Bake 350 for 8-10 min.  You will smell when to check on them.  These are a crispy cookie.  Makes 2 1/2 doz.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Wendy

I've been needle felting and writing little poems about them.  This is Wendy.

I know you've grown weary 
of all this Winter's snow,
warmer days will soon be here 
and then it'll be time for me to go.

I weathered the polar vortex
blizzard winds and grey skies
yet it's not hindered my spirits
nor dimmed my shiny eyes.

For the gaze upon your house, 
chicken coop and barn too,
made my days oh so happy
and took away my blues.

Winter is but a little time 
and just a few flakes away
nature's season of rest 
and my time to play.

I wonder if with a happy heart
when out your window view
you saw me as I sat guard 
while the cold winds blew.

So, when working in the Summer's sun 
and you look upon this place,
I hope you will remember me
and my smiling face.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Rhythm of the Season

If there is one thing I enjoy, it's a routine, detailed calendar, schedule of what to do...not that I do it all...but, the accountability and documentation is needed.  

When my girls were little, we would spend our summer days lallygagging it away.  When school would roll back around, I had a list of all the fun stuff we did each and every day!  I started that because a friend of mine said to me..."what did you do all summer?"  We enjoyed the "Rhythm of the Season."  I'm so happy we did!

It is in January and February that maybe we change that to .... "submit to the rhythm of the season."  I took that quote from a youtuber I watch - it was just what I had been thinking on.  Here is a link to their channel, The Elliott Homestead:  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0Z-pSogImY&t=4s
I said to Al, "we are held captive to winter."  

I see all kinds of posts about relating to how L O N G this snowy winter has been.  Spring is ____ days away.  You know the ones I'm talking about.  I'm over here in the same leggings one of my 4H mom's gave me as a gift on Monday night...is today Thursday?  I need to take a shower!  

This....that...is the rhythm of my week.  However, I have enjoyed this quiet, creative time.  I've seen the #tags, #intentionalslothing.  Really?  Do we need a #tag for everything?  I don't know about you, but the rhythm of all that is getting to be too much!

Back to the rhythm of this post...teehee 

I'm telling you, in May when I have a ground full of seeds to plant, gardens to weed, 2 antique shows in a row....I want to think back on this time, the rhythm of this season.  This will get me through that.  "To everything there is a season,"  Ecclesiates 3: 1-8.  I know we are held captive, but we need to enjoy this too.  Submit to the rhythm of letting our bodies rest, our minds dream, our spirits recharge.

So today my dear friends, if you are shoveling that 5" of snow, running round bales through drifts to the feeders, at your 9-5 desk looking out the window or sitting at your laptop in the same clothes since Tuesday....it's alright!  This is the rhythm - let's drum up a beat, dance a little jig, skip an extra step....because, before you know it...we will be longing for these days again.   Enjoy it!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Rosie the Curious Bunny

I made this little needle felted rabbit.  It turned out so cute, I was inspired to "spin a little yarn" about her....

Rosie the Curious Bunny

"Rosie my dear
please stay here
as the world can be unkind"

"I've made you a nest
now do your best
to sit still while I leave you behind"

So Rosie did lay there in the ground 
and she listened for any sound
I think I'll hop out to see the world
I just want to look around

She peeked her head up from down below
with long her ears held way back low
No man nor beast were far or near 
so she hopped out really slow

If I can just make it to the fence
I will run along it's side
and go and see what I can find 
If I hear something I will hide

Roie was curious of each and every thing
What's this? What's that?  If I only knew!
All of a sudden she heard a loud "ping" 
With ears perked up away she flew

Where do I go? Where can I hide?
Then from the corner of her eye 
she saw just the spot
an old wheel barrow turned on it's side
next to a garden pot

I don't think she can see me, oh now what can I do?
All Rosie could think of was her Mama's warning
"you will be turned into stew!"

The farmer's wife saw Rosie sitting ever so still 
her sweet little face poking out from beneath the wheel 
The farmer's wife enjoyed her garden
with peas, radish and carrot so bountiful

I can't have a rabbit in here
no, that just won't do
then she remembered her own little ones
now grown up and moved away too

If I leave this little bunny 
and let her go back home
I could enjoy her company 
while I'm out here all alone

So she winked at Rosie and gave a wave 
to let her know all was good 
and she slipped out of the garden gate
and watched Rosie as she stood

Rosie was scared, shaking no doubt 
but she knew that she must run
good bye to the farmer's wife, the fence 
and to the warm lovely sun

She hopped back into the hole
so cold and damp and brown
she thought of the fun she would have 
in the garden when she is grown.

Then Rosie felt a soft push and her mama's kiss
Slowly she awakened and thought about that close miss
Did I really go outside and see the farmer's wife
Was this it all just a dream or was it in real life?

Then Rosie looked down upon her feet
still black from the dirt she had ran
and she knew right there, that one day soon
she would be hopping around in the garden again.

I hope you enjoyed this.  Please respect me by not reproducing this.   My plans are to do that.  I've had others in the past take my writings, print and use them as their own.  It is my desire to one day print some children's books.  Thank you for understanding.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Tips on Tuesday - Planning Meals

Years ago, when we had our girls home, I did a series of posts about cooking.  They are exactly what I want to share today, please go look at them:  A Week of Meals links here:

https://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2014/09/motivation-monday-week-of-one-pot-meals.html

https://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2012/01/week-of-meals-chicken.html

https://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2012/01/week-of-meals-ham.html

Planning meals no matter the size of your family, will save you money and time with a little preparation.  

As a homesteader, we do raise much of what we eat, from protein to produce.  However, if you don't do this, that's o.k.

I've always been passionate about food.  I believe in home cooked meals with simple, whole ingredients.  A falsehood that goes along with cooking from scratch often is "I don't have time." Believe me, cooking this way, saves time!  Not only that, it is healthier!  A day of planning, prepping and cooking will save you time during the week.  

I tend to think of my protein first.  Please click on the links above - the chicken one is a great example!  You would be amazed at how much meat is actually on a whole chicken and what you can do with it.  

Don't over think your planning.  Simple meals are the best.  Yes, I tend to get overly ambitious with some of mine, but the best ones, often times, have the fewest ingredients.   

Have a well stocked pantry.  Basics:  rice, flour, oatmeal, sugar, beans, lentils, honey and spices.  If you happen upon a great deal at the store, stock up.  Sometimes we have a 10 for $10 - 10 cans of tomato juice, even if you can your own, is an awesome staple in any pantry.

Splurge on produce, especially now in winter when we don't have our own.  Go to the winter farmer's market or join a CSA and support your local farmer.   I can't tell you how much I enjoy having even a lemon on hand; slice in a glass of water, zest on top of pasta, juice for baking...a simple lemon can brighten up the bleakest of snowy days!  

Buy a freezer and use it!  Consider purchasing  1/2 a cow or pig from a farmer or as a bundle deal from a local meat plant.  It will be a hit to your wallet at first, but you will save in the long run.  

Also, we enjoy an occasional breakfast for supper.  Soups are inexpensive to make, will last for days and often times taste better the second day.  

I hope you can glean some tips from this post.  Until next time....
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivational Monday - Being a Tiger

This past week we celebrated Valentine's day.  Al gave me a sweet card and told me I was his tiger.  Sometimes when I get all "riley" about something, Al will say "calm down tiger!"  However, he said I was his tiger because I always fight for him.  Not fight WITH him...FOR him.  In 30 years of marriage we rarely have fought.  Hmmm.... maybe because I'm such a tiger ....  (smile).

Anyway this had my thinking about me and all the stuff I was a tiger over and "had" to fight about.  I told Al some of these thoughts and asked for his advice on how to make this a Motivational Monday post.  He quickly said, "well, NOW you know what to fight for and when to be a tiger."  Yes, that is true!  

Each decade of life brings their own issues and fights.  Things I had to be a tiger with in my 20's and 30's were different in my 40's.  If you remember, we had a child with cancer, a tiger I was and so was she!   In reflection, I can see where at times a tiger wasn't needed or warranted and I do have some regrets in my actions.  That is what this post is about.  

There was a time, if someone would say, "you can't do that!"  I had the attitude, oh ya, watch me!  (dare I say..."don't tell me what to do").  Does anyone really like being told what to do?  I hate it!  Anyway....I would make sure if someone thought "you can't do that" I would prove them wrong!  I had to laugh because now instead of them saying "you can't do that" It's my saying it!  "I can't do that"....it's a wise person who understands their limits.   The issues I face in my 50's thus far have extended my limits, physically more than any other.  I just "can't do it" and I'm beginning to accept it.  

When you overexert yourself, nothing goes right.  I would rather drag a piece of furniture to the trailer than ask for help...I hate asking people to help me.  If you can't see I'm struggling and don't offer to help I surely am not going to ask for it!   I know...still taming that tiger...

Side note:  I did know a real lion and tiger tamer, Mr. Behn from Aniwa, WI read about it here:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2011/03/lions-tigers-and-bears-oh-my-thanks-for.html

So, why a motivational post?  Why being a tiger?

Well, friend, sometimes you need to be a tiger.  When you have small children, no one is going to fight for them if you don't.  When you are self-employed and you need to scratch and claw your way though ideas, dreams, plans and social media branding.  When you know to do right and see other's doing wrong.  When you see that just maybe there is more to life behind you than in front and you need to RECLAIM (my word of the year) some of yourself this year.  These are the things to be a tiger over!  Being a tiger isn't bad.  Fighting for those you love and what you believe in is a good thing.  Just understand that not everything warrants a tiger or fight.  Be a wise one....

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Week 47 - Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies

While Al was plowing us out from the 15" or more of snow, I mixed up a batch of these cookies for him to have when he came in from the cold.  I just threw together the ingredients in a bowl and stirred together with a wooden spoon.  This is simple cookie with simple ingredients.  

Dicky Bird's Simple Applesauce Oatmeal Cookie

1 1/2 C oatmeal
1 1/2 C flour
1 C brown sugar
1 stick super soft butter
2 eggs
pinch or two salt
1 t baking powder (I just used the end of the wooden spoon)
1/2 C applesauce (I used my own-flavored with cinnamon)

Mix together in a bowl.  Lightly spray cookie sheets, drop by rounded tablespoon and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.  Bake 8-10 minutes at 350.  Makes 2 dozen.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivational Monday - Cabin Fever

Seems like this winter has held many of us hostage over the past 3 weeks.  Polar Vortex, ice storms, blizzards...more tomorrow...it's hard to get motivated.  It's a worry to drive anywhere in this, but life must go on.  As a self-employed woman, I have to keep up with my client appointments and consignment pickups.  This has been hard to do.  I've had to cancel and/or change - EVERY one of them!  I even had one of my new clients message me yesterday (this week would have been the 3rd attempt to meet) - "let's just do 'this' in Spring!"  Yes, there's that!

I did have the Wausau Antique Show this past weekend.  It was a frigid set up with the gymnasium overhead doors open all day (-15 or so?) for loading, slippery/slimmy floors and snow blowing in.  It took me over an hour and a hot bath to quit shivering when I returned home.  The first day of the sale the morning temperature at my farm -25!  However, that did not stop the customers.  It was a busy day pretty much all day.  Sunday welcomed steady snow fall all day about 5" or so!  I'm glad I live only 20 miles from the venue.  We had a fun sale with many customers "getting" our haberdashery look.  The antique paper stopped and talked with us and took some pictures.  I don't know it will make the "cut" - but, was nice to be noticed.  

I didn't post a Motivation Monday last week...I wasn't too motivated I guess...Al and I both fell on the snow covered ice...I procrastinated working on my inventory...oh, other things...sometimes I just can't stand me!  I need to do better.  Lisa and I were talking and I said..."you know, we really aren't that successful!"  When it was mild in December, we should have been digging!  We said it to each other...but, neither listened!  LOL

So new Monday, still snowing, still cancelling client appointments and stuck here in good ol' Ringle....but, I'm motivated?!?....At least, I'm telling myself that!   I'm going to empty my van, today, before the next round of snow.  I am going to go to the shop I sell at and add new inventory, today, before the next round of snow.  I have to meet with a new doctor, today, before the next round of snow.  I have to....I think you get it....today, before the next round of snow.

However, tomorrow, when I am stuck here in good ol' Ringle, cabin fever setting in, I will needle felt!  I have a class to teach and need to make various prototypes.  I will also work on my class for the UWSP - "What to Keep, What to Sell and What do Donate" - which I found out was SOLD out.  (eeeek!).  I will let the "we are not successful at this" lessons....cabin fever....snow....motivate me to get things done when I have a change in my schedule to take advantage of getting ahead...or at least try.  

What do you do to motivate yourself in the type of weather?  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.