Snowman Day

 Snowman Day

I'm blessed to be able to spend 1 day a week with my little grandlove.  She is so smart!  While she loves playing "horses," I just about ran out of ideas for that.  So, I plan to do some days as themes.  Yesterday was Snowman Day.  

We made marshmallow snowmen for snack time.  

Then for project time, we made melting snowmen.  I found the idea on Pinterest and it is super easy.  You mix baking soda and water until the consistency of play dough.  You can make any shape, but we did a snowman.  You can add buttons, sticks and other accessories to make the face - we used cloves.  I made mine a few days before and put it in the freezer.  It actually felt and looked like real snow.   Then you put some vinegar in a squirt bottle, drip it the snowman and watch him melt.   I have a cute video, but it won't come up on the blog.  

If you want to keep a toddler busy, this is a good idea.  Even after the snowman melted, we let the baking soda settle to bottom of pan and she wrote out her letters, used the "arm" sticks to draw in the pan - it was an hour of playing with that.  

Then we made snowman pizza's for lunch.  I used Naan bread for the crust.  

We read the book "What Snowmen Do At Night" then we took a nap.  Well, mostly Gramma Bird did...ahahha....  

Next up Ground Hog Day.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Storms -v- Barns

 Wisconsin has had record heavy, wet snowfall for the past couple of years.  Just within my drive to town, these storms have taken down 3 barns, 1 loafing shed and 1 garage.  In 1997, we had a tornado touch down on our road.  We are in a bit of a low spot, so the tornado hopped over our barn and hit our neighbor's.  These old barns are falling to lack of upkeep and storms, it's so sad.  So, we invested in our old barn and fixed it up.  I did a blog post about it here:  Barn Remodel and here:  Barn 2.

I mentioned all that to say, I've had dreams of our barn falling down, getting blown over for the past couple of decades.  However, none of these dreams were like the one I had this past week.  I know it holds a meaning or message for me, but maybe you can gain something from my sharing.

In my dream, we were driving home after a storm.  The road to our farm seemed long, like when you learn to draw perspective, our farm was like the tiny square at the end.  As we passed all the other houses, barns and outbuildings on this road (not our actual road) they were just flattened, blown apart boards and rubbish in piles.  As we approached our place, our house had part of the roof missing and then I looked at our barn.  It was how it looks today, red with green metal roof, only there were huge ropes tied to the roof and tethered to the ground.  As we drove past, my dad who no longer is living, waved to me and said "see Dicky Bird, I told you to anchor down your barn."  

Now, my dad was a wealth of information.  He helped Al and I remodel both our homes.  I trusted his advice in all areas of my life.  That is why this sticks out in my mind.  

We all know that life if full of storms.  Things that may blow apart your "home" and leave it in a tangled mess.  Other's you know or love may not weather these storms as well as you.  I can't help but think that my dad was telling me to, even in these upredictible times, to wrap a rope around it and tether it to an anchor.  Family is the ties that bind.  Christ is the rock upon which we build.  Thanks dad for reminding me of this. 

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.   

 

The Scholar with Correction

I read the name of this typewriter and knew I would write a blog post about it.  Most times, it's the little things that inspire me.  

This vintage, electric typewriter is at the virtual living estate sale we are doing.  If you want to see other items still available and new ones I'll be listing tonight, click on the link in the side bar or here:  Town Hall Trinkets On Line Estate Sales 

Social media, no matter the platform, has created a "scholar" out of many.  Giving a voice to anyone who is an "expert," in a hobby, farming, gardening, baking, junking, creating and their knowledge in that area, makes them a "scholar."  You may not agree with the term "scholar" for these "influencers," but they are.

I found this quote interesting....that's all I'll say....

"Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid"  Proverbs 12:15

Accepting correction is hard.  Children often pout, become sassy, stomp, cross their arms even run away when faced with correction.  Teenagers rebel, explore, experiment, make mistakes all while fleeing correction.  Adults, fight, seperate, divorce, quit, sue, move all while avoiding correction.  This is just a simple reflection, however, it's a wise person who can accept correction.  

We each have areas we are "scholars" in.  Let's study to gain knowlege, improve ourselves and be willing to accept life's corrections along the way.  

I try to moderate myself in words of correction as they don't taste so good served as seconds.  Just little things I think about.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.    

Cultivating Creativity

 As I have a long way to go, I've come a long way too.  Something I've noticed about creating a space to cultivate creativity in, is that - you need one!  

Currently, that space for me is in the house, as there is too much junk in front of the furnace in the studio/shop - that's the long way to go yet, that I mentioned...ahahha

It is that, that I want to post about.  

My journey as a (fill in the blank) has roots in (fill in the blank) that grew into what it is, that I am today.   Thing is, that sentence is true to ALL of us no matter what you fill your blanks in with.  

Cultivating more creativity in my life, will involve practicing a modified version in my lifestyle.  As someone who looks at other's estates, items or collections, ALOT, it's hard for me to keep my (fill in the blank) in check.  However, this most recent sale I'm doing, I have been really good!  I wanted more than I bought.  After my summer of "destash my stash" and shuffling "stash to other buildings" I don't need it.  Oh, and another "pat on the back" moment, was last week when I looked at some items for sale.  I could have made money on them, just not "enough" to make it worth my time.  I said "no thank you."  

In the past, I may have convinced myself that I needed these things to fill some kind of void.  I don't need to be reliant on objects to just have them or because they are a good deal.  This creates too much clutter and it's detrimental to my peace of mind.  Rather, I want to add items that bring joy and quality to my life.  

I have had (still do) a mountain of other's objects in my buildings.  I guess, I'm saving for "just in case" - I need to sell something for money.  I've made a life and living out of selling what I bought from others, including when I "needed" to.  I was able to replace the trasmittion in a van, $3,000, by selling some vintage Barbie items.  I wanted them, but I needed a van more.  Had I not bid on and bought all of that, for $300 at an auction, I wouldn't have had it for my "need to sell" moment.   

My, "I've come a long way" is that I really don't "need to." I've never been lacking, God has always provided for my needs.  I just happen to forget that at times.

For me, to CULTIVATE (2021 word of the year) creativity, I will begin here.  I will continue to create at my kitchen table, but I will also continue to let go of what is in front of the furnace in my studio/shop.  

This picture has everything I like, could have bought, could have made money on...but, I don't "need to."  

 Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

 

January Cultivating Friendships

 

Wisconsinites, well this one at least, are enjoying a mild winter so far.  I am glad for that, as we have been working on housebreaking puppies.  My day consists of multiple times of in and out, all day and early morning (3:45 today - it's hard to fall back to sleep once you've been outside in the cold).  

Yesterday, my friend, who is an excellent cook, had me and another friend over for brunch.  I regret not taking pictures of all the food she made for just us.  She made my favorite, little smokey sausage, wrapped in bacon, smothered in sauce; a beautiful fruit pizza, almost too pretty to cut into; cheesy, creamy hashbrown bake; mini quiche in wonton shells; and we finished with creme brulle.  We were so spoiled with her treats!  

My other friend made me the log cabin quilt with a sweater snowman in the pictures above.  I LOVE it!  

It was so nice, getting together with friends! I'm a social person and I miss my people!  I'm also more of an optimist, so if I am feeling this, I can't image how the rest are handling it.   A mild January helps!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Link to:

  https://mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com/2021/01/vintage-charm-party-267-and-2020.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MyThriftStoreAddiction+%28My+Thrift+Store+Addiction+%29

  

Happy Face

....song....

"pick out a pleasant outlook,

stick out that nobel chin;

wipe off that "full of doubt" look,

Slap on a happy grin!

And spread sunshine all over the place,

just put on a happy face!"

This litte doll was for sale at the living estate sale were are conducting virtually.  If you want to see what is for sale, the link in on the sidebar.  Anyway, a customer wanted me to ask the owner what the "story behind" the doll was.

My client, had to leave her home that she loves and move to an assisted living.  The home is split levels (4 of them) and truthfully, she didn't have an opportunity to go through all her treasures in the basement.  This little doll was one of them.

When I called her to ask the story for the buyer....she told me, "it was the only doll I ever owned, I forgot that was down there, I really would like to keep that."  Well, it's hers, all the items in the house are.  I told her she could keep it.  I'm just glad the customer is a good one and I believe understands the difficulty this process can be.  So, thanks for that!  

Anyway, the "only doll she ever owned."  Boy, we sure spoil our kids now.  Dollar store items and cheap junk will never be loved like this!  Even though she was in a paper box, in a corner on a shelf, in the basement, she is still loved - for over 75 years.  

So, little doll, do what you did for her as a child and spread sunshine all over her room.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Cultivate Culture

 In these posts, my use of the word "culture" will take on different meanings depending on the definition of it I use.  

The culture today, amid pandemic, social distancing, mask wearing, mandates, business closure, safer at home, no family visits, no hugs or shaking hands, all the "things," has become our daily routine.  With that, comes a wide range of opinions and feelings that compound on all the emotions.  I know that the health care workers are stretched thin, so are emotional health care professionals.  I dare say, I'm sure even they could use some of their own emotional support.  

I read a blog post by: Mamas Mercantile where she shares her feelings about this.  She lives on the Isle of Lewis.  Check out her post here:

  http://mamasmercantile.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-beauty-that-surrounds-us.html

In reading her post, I came up with this little quote:

"Find happy in good, instead of wishing for what could"

As we cultivate this new year of 2021, I want to not only be mindful of that quote, but write down at least 1 thing each day that I found "good" in.  

The American Culture of 2021 may look ugly to the world, but I will still be happy and find joy.  My hope doesn't rest in a president, truthfully, I don't even think we "need" one...but, I digress.  We can't put our hope in this old world and the people in it.  However, it is my goal, ministry to invest hope into it.  

When I start to feel the old doldrums (to quote mamas merchantile) and we all have them, I will try to find happy in some good.  Focus on what I can do and not what I could.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Cultivate Character

 Cultivate character posts, will hopefully leave you with something to ponder.  As I try to cultivate a better version of myself, I will share my journey.  Maybe, you can benefit from it.

I have struggled with competing and comparing for decades.  I don't need to go into all the trama and drama in my life that has led me to the culmination of these feelings.  I share these character weakness with you as part of my process in overcoming.  

Last year, pre Covid, I started counseling.  I was able attend several sessions, but truthfully, I felt more discouraged.  It could have been the dredging up a pool of emotions or maybe I wasn't totally ready but, I may or may not have "turned the tables" on my counselor.  It just bothered me that I felt judged.  I am what I am...but I ended up saying..."well, don't you ever feel this way?  You're a woman too."  Anyway, that was my last session due to Covid and my not wanting to return.  However, I have worked on this via youtube.  That youtube is amazing!  

This statement from a channel I follow, had to do with being an artist, but also life.  

"Art comes in many forms, complex and simple and each has it's own worth.  Even if your projects don't turn out exactly as you wished, don't judge it too harshly.  When we compare our creations with those of another, we devalue the story of the item we made.  It may not be perfect, but it is your own.  Living is an art, make it your own, don't compare your story with that of another."  

Oh, I love that!  

A good cultivator will dredge up the dirt, prepare the soil so that we may plant the seeds.  My process of compare and compete - it's not complete, I am still waiting for the fruit.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Cultivate Creativity - "Our Farm Below"

 

By:  Dicky Bird's Nest

"Our Farm Below"

Shadows of time

Flickers on snow

Bird's eye view 

of our farm below

Cultivate Change in a New Year

 My 2021 word of the year is CULTIVATE and the use of this word will define my plans for the year.  

I've been blogging for a decade now and it's time to switch it up a bit.  I've seen my "blogs you follow" list go from hundreds to just a handful of faithful writers in that time.  It's hard to come up with orginal content on a consistent basis, I get it.   Especially at times, when I think I write the "best posts" and the numbers don't reflect the reception I anticipated.    

Blogger, if I may say, is a relic in the social media world.  There are other more effecient or trendy ways to get "your word" out.  However, I am parital to my Blogger platform and it's where I started.  You know, everything is getting to be "too" much on those other sites...we may see a swing back to a more simple platform (fingers crossed).  

With all that said, welcome to 2021.  Over the years, I've stuck with some themed posts;  Motivational Monday, What I'm Working on Wednesday, Thrifty Thursday and Farmhouse Friday.  I will not be writing under those titles this year, rather I plan to do this; Cultivate Change, Cultivate Character, Cultivate Creativity and Cultivate Culture.  

I did cultivate change to my blog over the weekend, by fixing the layout, taking off the ads (they were too political...really and I had no control) deleting links to my other less active sites and adding more succesful ones.  It's simple and I plan to cultivate simple this year.  

Dicky Bird's Nest is a digital record of my life in pictures, recipes, lessons and so on.  Thanks for following along.  Let's get ready to Cultivate Change.   

Today, I cultivate change by cleaning up all the Christmas and putting it to rest for another year.  I am working on a living estate sale that will be listed in my online group (link on the sidebar now BTW).  I bought those little carved trees and carolers, marked East Germany, I love them.  They looked so good with our gingerbread houses and my buffet long display.  

With the puppies, we decided to put up a table top tree.  While on a walk in the woods, we found this little one with a nest in it.  My little grandlove liked it!  It adorned my tree in the most cozy of ways and I'm keeping the nest.

I have that little "found object from the farm" display, I added it to that.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.   

Cultivate 2021

 

Happy New Year!

2021 is here and I will try my best to CULTIVATE the best 365 days to live up to this word of the year.

Cultivate:  to prepare or prepare for use; to foster the growth; to improve by labor, care or study; to further or encourage; to seek and make friends with.

I am actually sad to see my 2020 word PROGRESSION go.  I did make huge strides in my self progression this year.  I really liked the word.  I had about 20 interesting words to pick from this morning.  I was hoping for this other word in there, but I picked CULTIVATE.  Now that I read the definition, it is my word to fit in right after progression.  I plan to foster my growth; improve on where I am currently at; further my progression; to seek and make friends with...myself, the things I do and where I am at in this stage of my life.  

I am already thinking of blog post titles using the word CULTIVATE.  

Do you pick a word of the year?  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.