Viva La Cottage Vintage Market, Bailey's Harbor, WI

I have been following Viva La Cottage's blog for some time.  http://www.vivalacottage.blogspot.com/.  She hosts a vintage market in beautiful Door County, WI.  My friend and I decided to take a drive over there and check it out.  Very scenic drive and beautiful little town.

 

The market was lovely!  Beautiful setting, well run, organized flow to the booths, reasonable prices and friendly vendors.  I really want to do this one next year....so Viva, if you are reading this...please let me in...I have good junk.. :)

This was the view across the street - gorgeous! 

(I like the name Justice - maybe for a grandchild....)

There were several bed and breakfast and inns on this street with beautiful gardens.

Added bonus - it is cherry picking time in Door County!  We came home with pints of cherries, blueberries, dried cherries, frozen cherries...fudge...pies...cherry donuts.....o.k. you get the picture! 

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

2013 Chalk Fest, Wausau, WI

This is a "big" weekend in Wausau, WI.  They have an annual chalk fest, rib fest and balloon rally and glow (hot air balloons) and the national canoe finals.   Thousands of people from all over the state and country come to these combined events.  We walked around the 400 block to see the artists working.  Some really nice pictures.  They even had an area for the kids to draw on a chalk board.  This was a neat event and I really want to do it next year. 

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Hay Time Round 2

We had window of several nice days in a row - so, we had an opportunity to cut the 2nd side of our hay field.  Justine took some pictures of Al and I working - so, I thought I would post them.  

That's me in red.  I actually like stacking the wagon.  We did have a snag or two in equipment on the first half.  However, yesterday we didn't.  It took us MANY years to get the right stuff to do our own hay.  What we could afford then, we now have to replace again.  When we first moved out here, our neighbor did all this for us.  We took a few hundred bales and gave them the rest.  I thought of this yesterday and a boy from our 4-H group who would help that family at haying time.  Derek - was a crazy kid we met through 4-H.  I can still see him high on the hay wagon circling our field.  Derek was in a horrific motorcycle accident in 2010 that took his life.  I prayed for his mom and dad, sisters and now nephew - and had a little talk with Derek.  This time of year really makes me remember the funny kid he was.  

Blessings from Ringle, WI.

Lessons on Thursday

I set out in the morning for Antigo.  Picking berries is one of these chores with a sweet reward.  I was head down picking my row, when these 2 cute kids came down the row next to me.  I was busy picking and said "don't forget to eat as you go."  I looked up at their mom - I was so surprised to see Lisa, my cousin's daughter.  I had so much fun picking next them, talking and enjoying spending time with them.

I must confess, that I had left the house kinda sad as both of my kids were working and couldn't come with me.  Then when I got to the field, I saw another friend who says to me..."I'm all by myself, the first time ever - I don't know what to do with my empty nest."  As she is saying this the boy who works for the farm hands me a basket and says "yep, my parents are having a hard time with their empty nest too."  THANKS.  

So, when I saw family it made me so happy.  

On the way home I took the back roads.  We have a wildlife viewing area on Hwy G.  I had to stop my car and let this gaggle of geese cross the road.  By the time I got my camera they were making such a racket running up the hill next to the pond.  They were not happy with me.   

I had to take a picture of their well beaten path.

I had plans on making strawberry short scones for the first bible study that my brother is doing.  Here is the cute building he is renting.  

The scones were really good with the fresh berries.  I even made "real" whipped cream.    I have 2 more flats to cut up and freeze today.  Nothing is better than Wisconsin strawberries in January.  

Blessings from Ringle, WI.  

Good Samaritan, Elderon, WI - An Apostolic Bible Study

I'm very excited to finally be able to "spill the beans" about a new ministry my brother Frank is starting in Elderon, WI. 

Good Samaritan bible study - will meet every Thursday evening at 7 p.m.  This ministry has been in the works in this area for over 40 years....honestly.  When I was a little girl, we had several families living in the Birnamwood area that attended our church in Wausau.  I remember always hearing..."we will have a church in Birnamwood - some day."  Brother and Sister Groves and their children waited for this to happen as long as I can remember.  Too bad, Brother Groves passed on this Spring and never saw this ministry in the works.  

My sister Lori, moved to Eland over 20 years ago and has hosted a Tuesday night youth bible study in her home for almost as long.  Her children have been very involved in this youth ministry and have witnessed to MANY friends at their school.  Some of which have since married other family members.  Some are no longer involved in our church because it is over 30 miles away.  Her family has been waiting for a church in this area for many years.  Not everyone is willing to drive 30 - 45 minutes to attend a church service and twice on Sunday...

This area is located around 2 Indian Reservations.  Since we are Native - we have an established relationship with members in those communities.  This area also has MANY Hispanic families - there are many large dairy and potato farms to work at.  Frank - is often asked if he is Mexican.  I know that being part of a minority, it is easier to be accepted into a community when you "look like" others.  I know not everything I say is politically correct - however, it is the truth - as I see and live it anyway.   I think that Frank will be an excellent fit out here.  I am so looking forward to his being used to share the gospel with those who really need to hear it - including ME!  I'm not known for my faithfulness...to a building anyway. 

My friend Lisa called me back in February and said "I think I found a church for Frank."  She was right!  The building was already a church and the congregation outgrew this one and built a new church in Birnamwood.  Frank has been trying to go about all of this in the "right" way.  I hate politics - especially in the church (that is my opinion).  It has taken longer than we expected.  I don't want to say anything here that might sound like a complaint.  I'm not complaining - rather I'm testifying to the fact that God answers prayers.  It might take over 40 years - like Moses in the wilderness - but, prayers have been answered!  

This ministry is only a bible study for now.  However, I know that there is a need for one in this area.  Frank is calling it Good Samaritan - because, that is what he feels led to be.  He  doesn't want to leave anyone behind, on the side of the road - rather encourage them, help them stand up and brush themselves off and begin their "walk" again.  This bible study will more be about the study of scripture not an organization.  All will be welcome to come as you are - barn boots and all!

I know I have a lot of baggage - luggage actually - that I carry around.  I am so willing to leave it on the steps of this little church and go in and worship - being accepted for who I am and where I happen to be in my relationship with Him.  I don't want to pick it back up when I leave.  

I have had a tremendous year of growth.  Emotionally, spiritually, physically (actually loss not growth) and feel that it will be nice to have a Good Samaritan stop and pick me up and help me brush myself off.  I hope I can do the same for someone too.  Please feel free to pray for the bible study in Elderon, WI.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

 

Long 4th Weekend!

Making hay, helping with friend's chores, canoeing, cook out, family time and beautiful long 4th of July weekend!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Smile for the Camera!

Hi Dottie - whatcha doing?

Are you keeping cool in the barn?

Keeping a watchful eye on the barn yard?

Yep, I know that face - you're the boss here...oh wait, I see the lips moving....are you chewing your cud?

There's the happy girl...my your teeth are bright!  (I did not photo shop this..I don't know how...this is how the picture came out natrually).  Smile for the camera!

O.K. you too little one!  I thought these photos were so funny!  I LOVE my critters!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.