Farmhouse Friday Week 8 - Ever So Humble Home

 Good Friday Morning.  

How was your week?

This is my mom's parents, Grandma and Grandpa Kincaid.  They lived in a very humble, part log, part roofing (asphalt/tar paper type) for siding, little house.  I've heard some call it a shack.  I would never call it that.  For me, it was the best place - right there along that old chrome kitchen table.  I have memories of coming through the door at their house and running right to that table.  When we would come up to visit, grandma always had trays of cookies all on the table and covered with a dishcloth.  If you look the the far left side there is someone with long hair....that might be me?  Right there, as you entered that little back porch, I can still see my grandpa using a mixer to blend the 10 pounds of mashed potatoes.  Oh, we couldn't wait to come home from Sunday school and dig into the good ol' "lake o butter" in the middle of all the potatoes.  Not to mention the plates of fried chickens...yes chickens...s added.  Grandma used to feed it seemed like all us and half the church.  I now know they didn't have much money, how did they always feed everyone?  Then after our bellies were full, grandpa would get out his fiddle, banjo or harmonica and start in with old time gospel music.  My cousin or brother would join in with guitars and my aunt would sing. They fed us both - bellies and soul.  Then grandma would say "well, Jess, lets load up some plates of food and deliver to (lots of people) and go visit the "old people" at the nursing home."   We did that EVERY Sunday I was up and I'm sure they did it on a regular basis.  They were old people themselves!  Wonderful, wonderful memories I wouldn't trade of the best house or biggest inheritance EVER!!!  My inheritance they invest back into me and I'm the richest for it!

O.k. I guess I was feeling a bit nostalgic.

Our estate sale went about as good as I expected.  This week we are staging and posting what is left for a lot drop on our selling group.

I worked on my "window swag" - if you remember, the branch I hung above my kitchen window.  I plan to decorate it seasonally until I get sick of it. ahaha

I'll share it next week when I have it all done.  

I did teach the second needle felting class to the group of home schooled girls.  Wow, I was so impressed with their creations!

I also was thinking about my Easter and spring decorations and started to "force" some bulbs.  They seem to like the sunny spot in my laundry room.

  I had more physical therapy this week.  I did confess to my therapist that I almost didn't come back.  She asked "why?"  I said, "I'm a repeat offender....I'm sure you see people like me that don't keep up with their heath and need to come back again and again."  She said, "well, we do...."  I guess the first step in recovery is admission.  So, "hey, it's me, I'm my own problem..."

Now, on to step 2 - "I can't do this by myself"

Step 3 - "Lord help me, help myself.  If you do, I will do my best to keep up this time."  

Step 4 - "I know my limits and lack there of of them."

I'm still working on the others....I'm looking at this like a 12 step program.  Because for me, it is!  

Are you doing anything fun this weekend?  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

The Trouble with Being an Optimist

 Hello friends:

If you are new to my blog, welcome.  

Question:  What do you see?  A weed or wish?

I'm sure those who know me, even it you only do through reading my posts, can guess I am an optimist.  As long as I can remember; even being called "Little Miss Sunshine" from the neighbor lady and several grade school teachers.  

I have to say, I do have a "knack" for finding the "silver lining."

The problem with that, I have come to realize the older I get, is that optimists are often misunderstood.  

"Oh Jacky, my dog died" - "I'm sorry, but you gave it a good life."

"My mother had a stroke" - "Mine did too, enjoy her while she is still here." 

"I am tired of walking" - "I'm am too, but we are almost there."

Do you see it?  

My coping and dealing with trials lets call them, is finding the good in whatever it is.  I mean, I can't help myself at times, because I don't want to go down a path of sadness, it leads no where.  I've been surrounded by family, even faced it myself, that suffer from depression.  I watched, witnessed and wondered why they felt such deep sadness.  

Don't get me wrong here, I've had trials that have knocked me on my knees (in prayer).  I've been down too.  I just seem to find a way out - that "silver lining."  Because of this, optimists like myself, can come across as "unsympathetic."  It's not that I don't recognize other's trauma or trials, I do.  I feel for them.  I guess, I just jump to something positive to try to help them.  

Recently, I read an article about my personality type (enneagram 7) and it shared things that we 7's do that we could improve on.  One was, before we turn on the "bright side," we take time to acknowledge the pain or dismay with what our friend is telling us.  We, 7's, want to help....sometimes, helping is just listening and giving advice later.

I've tried to do this more, since becoming aware of it in myself.  I believe each feeling, emotion deserves a bit of reflection.  If someone tells me their "bad news" now, I try to listen, acknowledge and be sympathetic.  But, mark my words if after a awhile, one is still down in the dumps, "Little Miss Sunshine" will be on her way sharing unwanted advice.....ahahaha.  I only do this out of love.  Truly! 

If you happen to be an optimist too, or know one, please keep this post in your thoughts.  Don't judge the optimists too harshly, they are just coping with what you told them, the best they know how.  We don't want your thinking we belittle the situation, we are just trying to help you.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farmhouse Friday Week 7 - Family Fun

 Good Friday Morning

This past weekend, we went to Wisconsin Dells with our children.  In case you don't know, this area is known for all the water parks - outside and in.  Where we stayed, it was all families and not as busy as I thought it would be (super bowl weekend).  We all had so much fun!  

I'm thankful for the time we were able to share.

I started physical therapy this week.  The therapist showed me a stretch, (I need Al to help at home) where she pushed down on the top of my feet/ankle while my knees to my chest.  Wow did that open up that area in my lower back - great stretch.  I also showed her all the stuff we do at Strong Bodies.  Which she said were excellent exercises for me too.  I told her my difficulty with 2 of them and she gave me some tips, I have no idea why I didn't think to do it that way.   

Lisa and I worked all week on setting up the estate sale, it's today and tomorrow.  I have no idea how it will go, as it's mostly glass and dishes.  However, I think that some of that is making a come back.  Let's hope.  We try to keep reasonable prices so that items sell.  We did look almost everything up, she has some super nice things and I guess we have to start somewhere.  Anyway, we split our commission and after guesstimating what we might sell....let's just say, I may be on board with the crazy California Senate candidate asking for a $50 minimum wage...ahaha!   I'm not complaining, as I do like what I do, but sometimes .... the numbers and time don't make "book sense."  I do like that I get to "pick first" so for me that is worth something too.  Here is a link to the sale (if you have facebook) Town Hall Trinkets Online Estate Sales

I guess that was pretty much my week.  

Have you ever worked at something that you loved, but at times doesn't make "book sense?"  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Happy Vintage Valentine's Day

 

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farmhouse Friday Week 6 - Needle Felting

 

Good Friday Morning - February 9, 2024

This past week, I spent some valuable time with youth in both Shawano and Marathon Counties, teaching them needle felting.  I believe it was almost 60, that includes a few mamas.  The above 2 hearts were my samples for the largest group.  I will return in 2 weeks to share with that group again, only that time, they can pick what they want to make.  

Here are a few pictures.  

Look at all the educational classes offered by Shawano County 4H.  The projects were amazing!  The kids all seemed to have so much fun!  

The largest group was for home school education.  It was all girls.  I did overhear several of them (middle age) talking about boys.  I had to chuckle when one says "ya, and boys, they kill rabbits just for fun!"  I had to hold my laughter, but I knew boys like that too at that age....ahahah!  One of my 4H moms referred me.  When I was setting up, she mentioned that her daughter saw my bread on instagram and wanted to learn that...then the one mom says "yes please, you can teach it here" - sometimes, my bread doesn't turn out...so, I'll have to think on it...ahaha.  

That last one is so happy, it just makes me smile!

Other than, all the tests on my weakness that I mentioned in previous post, we worked on our next estate sale.  

That will be next Friday and Saturday.  

The estate sale is for my friend, Jan.  She grew up in the same neighborhood I did, she was my brother's age.  I really got to know her when Al and I bought our first home, across the alley from her childhood home (she lived in too).   The family, boxed up all the items they wanted us to sell.  Lisa and I have no idea what the items in the boxes look like.  It's like Christmas!  Lisa did squeal, I did too, a few times because something was really cute.  We are telling ourselves "you don't need it, you don't need it!"  We both might weaken on this little bag of cardboard farm animals (we can split it).    

Did you hear, Wisconsin for the first time ever, had a tornado yesterday?  Not up here by me, but in southern Wisconsin.  Crazy weather!  We have very little snow.  We may get a dusting to 2" next week, but other than that - not a Winter Wonderland.  In fact, many northern businesses, aren't even open due to lack ice fishing and snowmobiling crowds.  Sad for those who depend on tourism.  

What is the weather like, by you?  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Missing an Ingredient

Last night, I had some sourdough looking at me - it was ready to be fed.  So, I looked up "sourdough discard recipes" yet again.  I wanted to try a sandwich bread.  I am old school, so I wrote down the recipe on paper.  I made a mistake and missed an ingredient...but, it turned out anyway.  Not everything turns out when you miss an ingredient.  

I may have to circle back to that concept for a ladies Bible study.  

I started late - as in 6 pm.  Sometimes, I am ready for, even at times, in bed at 8 pm.  I yelled to Al in the living room "it's going to be a late night for me.  I'm starting bread."  I am also old school with the mix and kneading it by hand.  I got a workout with this loaf, but it was worth it.  I put the dough in a container with a lid and actually, I used my dishwasher.  I usually open the door and let my dishes air dry instead of using the washer.  Then it hit me...I'm going to put the dough in there for the first rise.  It was perfectly warm.  I cut the doubling by at least 30 minutes.  Well, that worked so well, that I rolled the dough and put it in a loaf pan and put it back in the dishwasher.  

That took half the time as well.  Maybe it won't be a late night after all.  I baked it, let it cool on the counter and went to bed.  I fell asleep to the wonderful smell of fresh bread - it's the little things really (wink, wink).

I'm so pleased with how it turned out.  I don't even miss the ingredient (butter) - well, I put enough on the finished product anyway. 

Toast with my spiced apple butter jelly.  So good!  

So, what is the point of this post?  Dicky Bird, we've seen enough of your bread now...move on.  The point is, what I need to hear this Wednesday - hump day - just because you may be missing an "ingredient" doesn't mean the "product" is ruined.  Just go with it, "bake" it anyway.  It may end up being something better than what you expected.  

Dicky Bird, you are missing (xyz), but, be yourself, do what you can do, keep plugging along....all is not lost.  You may feel like you need a rapid rise, in half the time....you can do it.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

P.S.  The testing ruled out all the "scary" stuff....so, now I need to get to the "rapid rise" stage - with missing ingredients - so I can be whole again.  

Farmhouse Friday Week 5 - Finding Balance

 Good Friday Morning!  

I have really enjoyed January!  I basically took off 6 weeks from doing "estate work."  I did do 2 "lot drops" on my business group and was available for sold lot pickups.  However, I purposefully took this time off to regroup, recharge, rejuvenate what it is I do.  I needed these weeks off to give me time to do some things I find pleasure in.  Self employment and finding a balance between work and pleasure is difficult.  Especially, since what I do for pleasure is also what I do for a job....ahaha.  Anyway, Lisa and I are back to work on Monday.  We have an estate sale mid February.  

We have had unseasonably warm weather in Wisconsin.  My brother actually saw 3 Robins this week.  My friend is already collecting maple sap - by the milk truck loads.  In almost 30 years of keeping chickens, I have never let my birds out to "scratch around" this many days in January!  Now, this is still Wisconsin - winter is not done.  Al did move my Christmas gift - rusty old VW Bug - in the wild flower field.  We thought we better do it while ground still hard enough to do it.  

He had quite the line up out there.  Truck, flatbed trailer, VW and tractor.  It worked!  

Monday night after our Strong Bodies class, I took Nancy out for her birthday dinner.  We ate at Chet & Emil's, a landmark in Birnamwood, Wisconsin.  They are known for their broasted chicken.  Al and I had our wedding reception there almost 36 years ago.  

I've been buying out estates for 35 years.  I have some really nice cupboards that I have no intention of selling while I'm alive.  Our daughter, Justine, sent me a message and asked "if you ever find a cupboard like this" - I said "I have one, please come get it."  This piece, we bought from a house on Kent Street, in Wausau, Wisconsin before she was even born.  It had been in our house for many years, but I moved it out to my studio/shop where I used it for storage.  It has a roll top desk, with pigeon holes and the drawers are deep.  I believe it is a one of kind and probably made by a skilled craftsman for personal use.  It is very heavy, but comes in 2 pieces.  It had some condition issues, which she didn't mind.  I'm so happy she gave this wonderful piece a new life and home.  Here it is in her's.  

Today, I get to have Lauren over here for a few hours.  I won't lie, I did make all of the treats for her.  I made some cupcakes.  I was planning on taking them to church last night too for our "kitchen table Bible study."  I found the recipe on pinterest, deep, rich chocolate batter with a fluffy frosting.  They were good!

That cute little face is my great-nephew, Arty.  He seriously, has the funniest little faces!  It's hard not to laugh when he is being a bit rascally.  Anyway, he really liked the frosting!  

I had a gift card to Hobby Lobby that I used part of for some Valentine craft and decorations.  I saw these sprinkles and melting chocolates and thought about popcorn.  I air popped the corn, spread it out on parchment and drizzled the chocolate over the top and used ALL the sprinkles.  I wanted to put conversation heart candy in the bottom of the bags, but I couldn't find any at Hobby Lobby.  So, I put in these little wooden hearts.  

I also tried focaccia bread from my sour dough discard.  It was fantastic!  So easy.  

You only have so many days to spend with children, so, for my grandchildren, I want each time I get them to be fun and magical.  I had Lauren in mind for all I did today.  

She asked me what my table will look like "next time" and I said, "it'll be a surprise."  The popcorn was a big hit!  So were the cupcakes.  

Do you have any tips in keeping balance between work and fun?

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.