Wordless Wednesday - Flowers Around the Farm

Wordless Wednesday - Flowers Around the Farm

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Rubbish Tuesday - Rusty and Crusty

I love rusty and crusty!  I have a rock garden that runs our paddock area filled with rubbish!  Here are a few items.

These items show their wear - just the way I like it!  Linking up to Rubbish Tuesday.

Link:  http://rubbishbyroan.blogspot.com/2014/06/rubbish-tuesday-7.html

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Jacky's Craft Camp 2014 - Painted Message Boards

Jacky's Craft Camp 2014 is underway.  I decided to do the projects every Monday evening for the next 5 weeks.  This way, those children with working parents and/or in Summer school can still come.  Of course, most of the ideas were from pinterest - how did we live without it?  

Project 1:  Painted Message Boards (clothes pin for clip)

I was able to offer this class for FREE as I found all the little wooden plaques at a rummage sale for like 0.20 each and all the paint was donated by Hikchick (blog here:  http://hikchik-hikchik.blogspot.com/)  Thanks Vikki.  

I had 16 kids? plus or minus a few younger siblings.  I really enjoy having the kids over and sharing my love of creating with them.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivation Monday - Building Up Strength

Motivation Monday - Building Up Strength

I found that quote on pinterest.  It pretty much sums up everything I could say about strength.  There is a difference in being strong and having strength.  

I know many strong women; women who were wise enough to use the lessons on their journey to give them strength.

Being "strong:"

When I was much younger, I was pretty strong.  I remember the days when Al and I could clean out an estate by ourselves, lifting and carrying all the furniture - at times even on our shoulders.  We were physically strong.  

Now that we are getting older, we are learning our physical limits.  This last estate buy out really "kicked our butts."  It took us a day or two to recover.  A week later we both are battered with bruises.  Thank goodness we had Justine, Anna and Jon helping us.  We needed help as we aren't as strong as we once were.   

Gaining "strength:"

Over the years, I would make offers on all kinds of estates just to have items to sell.  Often times, not making much if any money once factoring in our time and effort.  Being left with unwanted merchandise and storing it at our place for years.  Pretty weak business practices.

Now, however, I understand the work involved, the time and expense it takes to do it.  I have learned to weight out the advantages of each offer, keeping in mind my profit.  I don't "need" to buy things just to sell them for what I paid for them or less.  Building up my business by experience and having strength enough to say "no."

I am still tempted with the $1 boxes at auctions!  I have the hoarder gene after all!  I'm reminded of a quote from my old boss, Pete Hittner:  "work smarter not harder." 

So, I share all of this on my motivational Monday post to remind us that while on our journey, we might come across some stumbling blocks.  Climb over them, roll them out of your way and kick the pebbles to the side.  Keep on your own path, look back at those old stumbling blocks as blessings that have helped you move forward not only stronger, but with strength.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.   

Happy Father's Day

I have been blessed in my life to be surrounded by men who stand by their convictions, say what they mean and mean what they say, work hard for the things they have, love unconditionally, mechanical, artistic, can do spirit, love and respect for ALL living things, spiritual, inspirational - role models for me, my children, my siblings, my nieces and nephews, my great nieces and nephews and cousins.  Happy Father's Day to the men in my life who have help shape me into the woman I am today.  A special Happy Father's Day to the man that has shown me the depths of my love - Alan, I love you deeply!  Thanks for giving me the 2 greatest joys in my life - Justine & Anna!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin. 

Slate Message Board - Thanks for the Idea!

I have to share a story with you.  We grew up a few blocks down from the Rothschild swimming pool.  You could find me there every day, all day long - I love to swim.  All of us in my family grew up down at the pool.  One such day, oh I was about 5 0r 6 (my sister Lori was with me) I saw the most pretty girls.  They were sisters, all blonde and beautiful (and still are).  I was so taken with them, that I went up to them and asked if they were Barbie dolls.  I remember they chuckled - I also loved Barbie dolls.  They were the "Spangler girls."  I later was in Jr. and Sr. High with one of them, Mary Pat, or "Fritz" as her family called her.

One of the sisters, Pam, is very involved with the fair too.   She is also a part of the Partnership for Progressive Agriculture, PPA (where Justine worked last summer).   Anyway, her sister, gave me this awesome idea.  

I have had these old roof slates in my barn for at least 15 years.  I was always going to paint on them or something.  One of my many "oh, I'm going to do this with that things."  We bought them from and auction in the Town of Easton.  We were told that they came off the old Wausau High School.  Neat!

This is how I made them, really simple.  I took advantage of the holes that are alreay in them and ran a piece of jute through.  I then tied on a piece of chalk - that is it.  

  

I will have these tomorrow at the Wittenberg Community Days.  Hope to see some of you there.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.   

Linked to:  http://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2014/06/the-homeacre-hop-75.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

Wittenberg Wisconsin, Community Days

This Saturday, I will be setting up at the Wittenberg Community Days.  The booths are FREE - I had to take advantage of that!  If you are looking for me, I will be on Webb Street, across from the food stands and in front of the school.  I think my sister Lynn and niece Jessi will be in the booths next to me.

I have been posting about all the needle felting I have been doing - had been doing - this long cold winter.  I made these items thinking about my upcoming folk art shows.  

I have been busy creating and finishing up these items this week.  I will also have some vintage items:  hats, purses, costume jewelry and whatever else I can dig up.  

In addition to that, my friend Ali is having a sale at her place and invited me to bring some items over.  I was in a "pink" kinda mood when I set up this vignette.  These items will be at her sale Friday.  Look her up at Bouvet Barn to find out the address.  

Oh, ya and today, I am teaching a class at 4-H Junior Camp.  I have planned "map art"; we are making tile coasters and pins.  We will have rotations of over 55 kids.  It will be fun!  

So, until later...Blessing from Ringle, Wisconsin.