Farm Livin' Is the Life For Me

Look at that bucket of black gold.   Thank you horses!

Adding that good compost to the raised beds and garden.  Getting ready to plant soon.  It's still too early here.

People always ask, "why are the yolks so yellow?"  Well, for one, they are fresh and for another, my chickens are free ranged.  In addition to their feed, they scratch around for bugs and such all over the farm yard and the yolks reflect their good diet.  Those 2 hens were eating worms out of my hand.  

I have many different breeds of chickens and they lay the most eclectic eggs, such a variety of size and colors.  They have been really "happy" over the past week, giving me so many eggs that I was able to share with others.  I have enjoyed all that this farm life has given me.  I couldn't imagine living any other way.

In light of all the Covid 19, safer at home orders, lack of ability to conduct my business ... all of it .... I find joy in this!  I am now looking forward to spending the time needed in my garden, here at the farm, cleaning out and fixing our outbuildings....no excuses now.  

I laughed as I said this to Lisa, "did it take a pandemic for us to slow down?"  It seems we are so busy doing setting up at events, conducting estate sales and such for others that our "stuff" never gets done.   Not too many years ago, we could do both, not now....or, I won't speak for Lisa, but ..... it just is getting harder for me to get it "all" done like I use to.   So, I look forward to time spent at the farm this summer and doing a few of my own barn sales too!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin  

Tips on Tuesday - Maneuvering Mid Life #1

Maneuvering Mid Life #1 (I'm sure I'll do others)

Wouldn't it be convenient, if just before a new stage of life begins, you were handed an instruction manual.  This is what Dicky Bird's 20, 30, 40 and 50's will look like; you should expect....  Well, life isn't like that.  We enter, crawl, stumble, walk and run through each of these and grow into them.  

Maneuvering other stages before mid life, seemed more fun and exciting.  Going on to school, getting married, having kids, staying at home, starting a business...fun stuff.  Mid life on the other hand, not so much.  Menapouse, empty nest, arthritis, bad back, child/parent -vs- parent/child role reversals on both levels, end of life decisons....it's all not fun!  

Stop it Dicky Bird!!  You haven't been called "little miss sunshine" for that attitude!  So, today I will share 5 tips on things I've learned thus far in maneuvering through my mid life.

1.  You are no longer the "main" influence in your child(ren)'s life.  If you raised them well, they will make great decisions all on their own.  You don't need to tell them what, when, where or how to do something - truthfully, unless they ask.  This happened for me when my girls married.  They were only 20 and 22 and I couldn't be more proud of the women they've become and the decisions they've made.   They also married true "helpers" they compliment each other.  I've taken the lead of my mother-in-law and I stay out of their business....all of it....unless asked.  I do not ask ANY questions.  Tips 1, letting your children, make their own decisions, while supporting and praying from afar.

2.  Keep moving.  I should have been better at this and now I'm playing catch up.  At one time, I could lift a couch over my head, now I can hardly lift my head off the couch some days.  Tip 2, move it or you lose it.  

3.  Save, save, save.  You are rounding the corner in your income earning potential.  Work hard at paying off your debt.  I wouldn't make any major purchases or at least ones you're not able to pay off before you retire.  I've recently been offered buildings to purchase for my business....maybe in my 40's, not now...that dream is done and I don't have time to pay it off.    Tip 3, you should be building your "nest egg" and my advice is...put some of it in a coffee can....that way, you have what you have and don't lose it in a stock market fall.

4.  Share what you know.  Become a mentor for someone or a group.  You know, what pleasure in gaining some knowledge if you don't pass it on or share it.  My dad had a saying, now I understand it..."Dicky Bird, just when I get all the answers figured out, I'm too old and no one will listen to me."  I laughed then and I laugh now at how true that was/is.  Tip 4, share with those who want to know, not those who didn't ask.

5.  Be the bigger person.  "Let it go," forgive, forget and move on with whatever amount of time is left, don't spend it bitterly or in regret.  Forgiving and Forgetting is FREEING...all F words....just like the other one you might want to say or do.  Tip 5 is "just F it."

If you have been reading my blog long, you know I handle my life with lots of humor.  Be happy, be able to laugh with others and at yourself.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

What's a Business Owner To Do?

Let's start off with this, this is not a political post.  I actually HATE those.  I don't join any groups, share posts on social media sites....it's all too polorizing.  I have family that are D, R, I and L so, no one wins when you spout off all your views.  I've done that before and it alienated me from the ones I loved.  That was Dicky Bird then, this is Dicky Bird now.  I save all my opinions and conspiracy theories for only a select few.   Lucky them!  LOL 

Were do I look for my answers as to what to do?  Well, my guide book is the Bible.  It may not be yours, so you don't have to finish reading....however, if you do choose, here is my thoughts.  

Romans 13 New International Version (NIV)

Submission to Governing Authorities

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.  

Now, don't think that I am "happy" with what is going on.  I am not!  In fact, if Illinois cabin owners bring that crap up here and NO ONE is infected north of 52, east of 17....it better stay that way if I've stayed home!  It isn't fair that, other states that surround us, with way more infected are reopening on April 30, May 1 and Wisconsin remains closed until May 26.  Don't fool yourselves....you know all of those cabin owners are going to come up here...o.k....now I'm done now.

With all of that said, I am held to a higher authority than Donald Trump or Tony Evers!  My authority is God Almighty.  If He, in His word, tells me to submit to authority, the authority He established - I must obey.  I will, as long as what they are telling me to do isn't in conflict with His word.  I am not in submission to "them" rather HIM as a "matter of conscience."

I know, Dicky Bird, where is your patirotism?  Why are you not exercising your civil disobedience?  Your business has been directly affected by this, are you not going to take a stand?  

I guess, I am taking a stand - doing what was ordained by God to do - submit.  You may choose not to, that's your business.  As for me and my business, I will follow the rules.  "Then do what is right and you will be commended," That isn't an earthly one I seek, money comes and money goes, people buy and people sell - I'm thinking on my eternal one.  

There will be plenty of this - when the time is right.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farm House Friday - Comforts of Home

Where has this week gone?  To me, this was the fastest week yet in this "safer at home" order.  I didn't get as much done as I would have liked.  For me, this lack of - joy - started Saturday....I know, it was Easter weekend and all....but, we had 2 letters in the mail - one good news and the other not.  So, my winds were knocked out of my sails... 

How does Dicky Bird feel better?  She bakes!  Both Al and Justine said these were the best sugar cookies I ever made.  It was the classic Betty Crocker one with powdered sugar.  Super delicate and buttery.  I wanted to make spring looking ones for my little grand....

It was SAD not having Anna and Jon up, they were planning to come for Easter weekend.  I made a turkey for lunch and we had turkey for days.  I did make bone broth from the carcass.  I've been having a bowl every day for lunch.

I came up with this simple, low fat, what I'm calling "blender pancake."  Put 1/2 C oatmeal, 1 banana, 1 egg (or just whites) a sprinkle of cinnamon.  Wizz it up and pour into a pan.  Actually good!  

Can you see the trend here?  Comforts of Home for me is food and my antiques.  This picture doesn't catch the sun the way it was, but I love this little picture I bought in Ireland.  It's nestled in a shelf with the little old sheep in front.  It made me happy to look at it.  

This week, for me, was the most diappointing thus far.  After our governor, Tony Evers, declared our state to maintain a "safer from home" order until May 26th...it was too much!  Al and I decided, we were going to support Culvers and our favorite soft serve icecream place.  I posted this picture with the caption:  Well played Corona....better played Briq's Soft Serve.  What a response I got!  It was the crunch coat.....

So, today on this Farm House Friday, I'm going to keep moving forward.  I have seeds to start, bread rising, chickens laying (22 yesterday), snow melting, warmer days in forcast and maybe, just maybe a bit of crafting....which, is also a comfort.  

Take care of yourself and the ones you love.  Enjoy them for who they are and share what you have.  I've been thinking on this scripture:  "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delighteth in his way."  Psalms 37:23  

Making better steps from here on out.....

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivational Monday - Now -v- Most -v- Choosing

Truth time - I can't think of anything!  I am having a hard time on week...who even remembers...of this "safer at home."  Is it 5 weeks now? 

I even looked back at old Motivational Mondays for inspiration - none.  However, I was reminded as to the "why" I started writing these.  It was a difficult time for me, when I had to accept another's decision that hurt and changed me and my business.  Reading that post, I guess did inspire this one, because it made me think about how strong I had to be during that time.  

I love this quote from one of my favorite heroes - Abraham Lincoln.  

"Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most."  

I needed it then, during that time, just as much as I need it today during "this" time.

We all want to get out and go - NOW, but we need to be disciplined to stay home so that MOST of us can get back to work.   Not every American in every area will be allowed to do this at the same time, that's a given.  I don't know if you understand how hard this is for me to say.  I'm very much in tune with my "rights" as an American and I DO feel that they have been infringed upon over these past weeks.  I usually don't get political, but I don't like to be told what, how or where to do - what it is I want to do!  There, I said it!  

O.k...now, let's look at that quote again.  Discipline is CHOOSING between what you want now and what you want most.  I'm choosing to follow the "rules" even though I don't like them.  

O.k....let's wrap it around full circle...at "this" time, I need to accept another's decison again, that has hurt and changed me and my business.  I may not bounce back from this for the rest of the year.  It is going to be hard to recoup some of the choices that were made for me and my business - financially.

So, how is this even motivating...it's sounds gloomy....well, gloomy can be motivating.  It's making me think...hey, I'm creative, I think outside the box, I have reinvented my business multiple times over the years and I have remained strong.  And...friend...you can too.  Take this time, reevaluate your goals and think about the discipline it will take now to get what you want most!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Saturday is for Staging - Easter Decorations

We take a break......from the regularly scheduled Covid 19 quarantine........to show you a few pictures of my Easter vignette in my entry.  I had ALL the tubs up, wanted to go all out, however....I settled for this....this year....

Happy Easter
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Farm House Friday - Dicky Bird's Fruit & Nut Bread

I come from a long line of bread masters.  My brother was actually a professional baker.  I've always let that intimidate my lack of being able to make bread.  "Bread making is a science" have you heard this?  Well, I am not mathmatical or scientific.  I'm artistic and creative.  So, after decades of feeling intimidated by the science of successfully working with yeast, I decided to just do my own thing.  I wanted you to know this as a disclaimer, because this bread recipe might have been successful, however over the years, my chickens have enjoyed many that were not.   

Dicky Bird's Fruit & Nut Bread

1 C warm water (105-110) too hot or cold the yeast won't work
1 tsp. honey or sugar - this helps to activate the yeast
2 tsp. yeast (1 packet)

Leave sit until it becomes foamy/frothy

While this is activating, put this in your mixer with dough hook, you probably could do by hand too.

2 C all purpose flour
2 C whole wheat flour
1/4 C honey
1 T cinnamon

pour in the foamy yeast, mix a bit and then add

1 stick of melted butter
1 C warm milk
I melted and warmed together in microwave

Pour into the ingredients while mixer is running

Add the fruit and nuts

1 C dried fruit (raisin, craisin, cherries, dates) 
1 C chopped nuts 
(I used 1/2 C craisin, 1/2 C cherries and 1 C sliced almonds)

Mix a bit and then add all purpose flour 1/2 C at a time (I used 1 1/2 C - so total for the bread was 3 1/2 C all purpose and 2 C whole wheat) add until the dough pulls away from the side of bowl and attaches to the hook.

Dump onto a floured counter and knead a bit so all the fruit and nuts are well mixed.  Put dough in sprayed bowl.  I put this in my oven set a proof with a wet towel covering it.  Let rise until doubled.  

Once risen, take dough and divide in half.  Roll out into a rectangle, spread with melted butter and a combination of spices.  

1/2 stick melted butter
1/2 C brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg

Roll up and put in prepared loaf pan, let rise again until doubled.

Bake at 375 for about 25 minutes

Enjoy
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin

Wednesday's Word - Preparedness

Preparedness:  the state of readiness

When the smoke clears after all of this, I sure hope one of the lessons will be - preparedness.  

A little back story here, at one time in our married life, Al lost his job and I was pregnant with Justine, on doctor's orders for bed rest.  We were down and out, for real.   This experience, early on in our marriage, as tough as it was, created a lifestyle of preparedness.   From times of naught to times of plenty, for over almost 32 years, we live prepared.

Now, preparedness requires sacrifice.  If you don't have 3 month's expenses squirreled away in savings somewhere, I don't think you need to eat out all the time.  Harsh, but real.  Eating out, going out, new clothes, new car, whatever it is that is draining your earnings...stop.  A little sacrifice for preparedness will save you from finding yourself behind in bills, empty shelves and no toilet paper.

Take this time, to make lists of what it is you found you couldn't live without.  Also, take this time to make a list of things you could live without.  I'm sure the later is greater than the first.  Use that information, once back on your feet, to create a list, life and habit of preparedness.  

Take this time to research "how to....(fill in the blank)" find ways that you can save by doing for yourself.  Al has saved us tens of thousands of dollars by looking up on youtube "how to fix the brakes on, suspension to...whatever" and I have "how to make your own..." everyone of these lessons, builds upon each other to create your life of preparedness.

Now, I would be remiss not to mention that your spritual life should be one of preparedness as well.  Without my faith in Him and His will in our life.....'I'd a quit' a long time ago!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Tips on Tuesday - Emptying Your Nest

Our daughters each have their "forever" homes now and we could not be more proud and happy for them.  So, we thought now is the time for them to take their tubs of memories and toys to their houses.  These tubs took up most of our basement storage area.  I didn't even want to tackle it, however we did.   

I can say that each of these tubs were packed by them.  As they outgrew or redecorated their rooms they decided what to keep.  So these tubs were things that they really wanted - at that time - and put in storage downstairs.  I didn't make any decision for them as to what to keep.  However, in their donate or toss pile, I may have picked items I wanted for my memories (smile).   

My tips for emptying your nest.

1.  First, if you are a mama with a nest still full of littles, I would suggest letting them make their own decisions.  You could still do some encouraging with getting rid of or pull items you want.  It teaches children how to let go.  You don't want to be the, "my mom made me get rid of everthing when I was little" or "I sure wish I still had that toy."  Honestly, it seems like yesterday when these tubs were filled, it all goes by so fast.    

2.  When you do put the items in tubs, make sure to mark them with what it is and who it belonged to.  Each had their own tubs "Barbies, Polly Pockets" kind of thing.  This made sorting the tubs so much easier.   

3.  Let it go.  I told them "I was the curator of these items for you, your memories, now it's up to you to do what you want with it."  We did part of this the last time Anna was up.  We came across a box of letters from when she was 11 and had cancer.  She took it all with her and later message me "I forgot how much people loved and supported me.   Thank you for saving these and by the way, I found some money."  I felt a weight lift from my shoulders, I really did, I was able to let go of "that," give it to her and she took on it's responsiblity.  It was what pushed my getting more done.   Making myself not only go through stuff, but the emotions behind it. 

4.  Do this in stages.  Every time they come for a visit, ask them to take something with them.  You don't need to do it all at once like a band-aid.  It's a change for all of you, take time to adjust.  Our girls have been out of this house for  6 years.  Now that they are in their forever homes, it was time to clean the basement of the tubs.

5.  Save something for your "grandma's toy box."  I may have heard "hey, that was mine" but, I'm not keeping it from you, I'm sharing it with you.  You can have it back someday.  I have to have some special toys here too, ones that I can say, "when mama was little, Gram Bird played this with her too." 

I know with our "stay at home" orders, many of you are cleaning.  I hope this gives you some tips and things to think about.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivational Monday - Safer At Home

Another Monday with "safer at home" order in place.  I don't know if Governor Evers knows, but I'm NOT safer at home...I am baking and cooking like a crazy woman...Hahaha.  My daughter's mother-in-law shared something funny...."I have gained my Covid 19 (like Freshman 15)."  That is the truth!

I believe, well it's true for those I talked to, that when you can't do something, or rather, don't know what to do to fix something, you turn to doing what you know how to do; that which gives you comfort.  To me...it's food.  

I enjoy all aspects of food.  Planting seeds, growing and raising our own, canning, freezing, cooking and baking.  I've posted several recipes I made up over the past few days and more is on the way.  I should be cleaning more, working on organizing but, that doesn't give me comfort...teehee!  However, this week I will be working on that more.  I HAVE to!  

So for this Motivational Monday, I want to remind you, during this safer at home - month?!? who knows, to take time to do something that gives you comfort.  The beauty of this is that we shouldn't even feel guilty about it.  We've been "ordered" to stay at home, so we might as well do the stuff we never have time for and always wish we did.  Enjoy!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Dicky Bird's Not Yo Mama's Pumpkin Bread

Dicky Bird's Not Yo Mama's Pumpkin Bread

2 C Pumpkin puree
4 whole eggs
1 C nonfat greek yogurt
1 C honey
1 tsp. vanilla
Put all wet ingredients in a bowl and whisk together

1 C sugar
1 T cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. mace
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
3 C flour
Put all dry ingredients in a bowl and whisk together

Add dry to the wet, whisk until not lumpy

1 C chopped walnuts
1 C pumpkin seeds

Stir together, put in 2 prepared loaf pans, bake 350 for 1 hour and 10 minutes - 1 hour 20 minutes, when tooth pick comes out clean.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Dicky Bird's Spicy Guilt Free Pumpkin Pie

Dicky Bird's Spicy Guilt Free Pumpkin Pie

I did a bit of research on crustless pies and custards.  I want something sweet, but not the calories.  So, I came up with this.  I used our own garden pumpkin.  I bake them, scoop them out, puree and put in freezer bags - just pumpkin, nothing added.

I also used 1% milk instead of evaporated milk.  This is what I did.  I took 2 cups of milk (it was a bit expired...I was going to make sour milk pancakes) and I brought it to a boil and let it scald and evaporate a bit.  It actually had a sweet smell, like evaporated milk, but not as thick.  This was 1/3 the calories.  It wasn't hard to do, but it took about 30 minutes.

Milk in the kettle

Bring to a full rolling boil and turn down to a simmer for about 30 minutes or until it has reduced a bit.  

Set it to the side and let it cool a bit.

Mix all of this in a bowl.  I just used a wire whisk

1 C pumkin 
1 T molasses
2 T cornstarch
1 T cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1/4 C sugar (could add up to 1/2 C I didn't miss it tho)

Stir all together; add 
1 1/2 C scalded milk
Mix until smooth

Place custard cups in a pan, pour mixture into cups and pour hot water up to 1/2 the sides of the cups.  Bake for 35-40 minutes at 350.  You know it's done, when you poke a knife in center and it comes out clean.  

I couldn't wait till it was cool...smelled so good!!

I think each of these, well depends on size of your custard cup, has around 75 calories.  I put one of these in my oatmeal this morning it was so good!!!

I hope you enjoy!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.