More With Martha - My Independent Hen

In case you are a new follower, I have a hen named Martha.  She is very independent - smarter than the average hen.  She had been missing, or so I thought for over 11 days.  I looked everywhere, but no Martha.  Then I saw this black hen hop out of my hosta flower bed.  I looked but didn't see anything.   However, she was in there setting on a nest of eggs.  This afternoon I heard a "cheep, cheep" and I knew they were hatching.  Not all her chicks mind you....but she is the mama hen.  

Here's hoping these "make it" - I've not had much success with chicks this summer.  Speaking of that, the other morning, Al says look on the barn roof - we got the binoculars to see it more clearly - a white chicken body in pieces.  We think maybe an owl.   Circle of life.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

In all You Do...

I have been thinking of my dad and the hours he spent working in his garden.  My dad was reserved in his spiritual walk.  I know he was a praying man.  I can just imagine his talking to Jesus while he weeded.  He did have the best garden in the neighborhood - everyone knew it - all that praying must have helped.  

I start out each year with a dream of the picture perfect garden.  Some years it happens and others, not so much.  This year it is somewhere in the middle.  I'm happy with the results so far.  Tending a garden, at least one my size, is actually a lot of work.  I have enjoyed my time weeding and talking to Jesus as well.  

As I was weeding Monday, I was thinking about a scripture:  "and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;"  Colossians 3:23.  Help me Lord, to do the tasks set before me with joy and purpose.  

                    (the fence is keeping the deer out so far...)

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

It's The Little Things That Make Me Happy

So, I really like Instagram.  When I finally upgraded to an iPhone it was one of the first apps I added.  I love that you can take a picture and upload to twitter and facebook.  Now they just need to add blogger.   Maybe you can do this already.  I don't know because I'm technically or is it technologically challenged?

Just over a month ago, I posted a picture of my shirt full of eggs.  I mentioned something about it's the little things that make me happy.  Then it came to me, I'm going to post a picture of something that makes me happy each and every day for a year.  I'm on day 37.  My Instagram name is Dickybirdsnest - if you want to follow along.  

With my empty nest breathing down my neck - T minus 39 days and counting - I could be sad!  Truthfully, I have had my broken crying in the barn moments - I've been sad.  With my mama gone now and not having her to council me, I have been blessed to think on something she told me many years ago.  I was sad about not being "able" to have more children - she says to me..."well, you know the joy of motherhood and have been blessed by the experience.  Enjoy each moment while you can..."  I did, I have and I will.    

I know this is Tuesday, but this is my Motivation Monday post this week.  I challenge you to find something each day that makes you happy.  You don't have to take a picture of it and post it.  However, if you do the #tag is "itsthelittlethings.  Search for those little things, ordinary things that bring you joy.  In doing this, I've actually been looking forward to "what little thing will make me happy today?"  It makes me happy.  

Here are a few little things that made me happy that I have posted:

my old barn cats that greet me each morning and follow me to the barn

parades - with my great niece and nephew

wildflowers

rainows - God's promise

weeded and hilled rows of sweet corn

I encourage you to look for the the little things....it will make you happy.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/07/homestead-barn-hop-167.html

Foody Friday - Fried Potatoes

I've seen many a potato fried in my life.  My Grandma and Grandpa Kincaid lived and worked in logging camps in the "north woods" of Wisconsin and Michigan.  Fried potatoes were a staple.  No one could fry em up like my grandma!  

I don't fry things too often.  Especially the way she did - with lard (boy they sure were good!).  There are all kinds of frozen varieties of potatoes at the store one could use.  However, making them from scratch is easy.  

You can add all kinds the extras you want.  I also love them with diced bacon ends

(oops, my toes...I already ate this or I would take a new one)  Now that is a "logger's" breakfast.  

Here is how you do it.  Dice up your raw potato; I did reds and russets.   This is 3 cups.  You can even use the wrinkly older potatoes that you might have tossed.

Add these to a pan with about 3 T olive oil - or enough to coat the bottom of the pan - not too much.  Let the oil heat up a bit and then throw the potatoes in pan.  Salt and pepper to your liking and cover the pan - leave it alone.  The burner shouldn't be hot, rather medium heat.  You don't want the potatoes to burn.  Key is to heat up the oil first.  

You can see, not too much oil.  

While the potatoes are cooking, dice up the veggies you want to add.  I did onions, garlic, celery and a variety of peppers.  

After about 8-10 minutes or so, take the lid off the potatoes and stir them around.  Add the veggies, more salt and pepper and cover it again.  I did add a bit more olive oil.  

Pretty steamy...keep it covered while cooking.  When the potatoes are fork tender they are done.  Yummy.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Linking to:  http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2014/07/foodie-friday-july-11th.html

"New to Me" Bike

I bought a bike at one of the auctions I was working.  It is really cute!

I really don't exercise.  Don't get me wrong, I can load, stack and unload over 100 bales of hay per wagon; I can pick up a dresser and move it up a flight of stairs; I am strong - I'm just not athletic.  

I've set some small goals for myself when it comes to exercise.  I was pleased last night when I even exceeded one.  We live not too far from the Mountain/Bay Trail.  This is a multi-county managed bike, walking, snowmobile trail from Rib Mountain to Green Bay.  We have walked on this trail, Al and the girls have rode their bikes on the trail many times, but I never did.  That is until now.  My bike isn't fancy, or even a bike made for off road, but the trail by us is so nice.  It was actually easy to ride on.  We rode from Ringle to Hatley and back, which is maybe 9 miles or so.  I had so much fun.

I also was able to see the bench that our 4-H club purchased as a memorial for one of our past members who passed on.  I have wanted to go on the trail and see it, but it just seemed so far to walk or ride to.  I was so happy to make it to the bench and see what a nice spot it is in.  Derek was a great kid, young man - he would have loved this spot!  

I was slower than Al.  I kept telling him to not to wait for me, but he did.  He said he was just happy I came along.  This is something we will continue to do as "empty nesters."  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Hodgepodge Wednesday - New Weekly Link

Some of my favorite blogs have been linking up to Hodgepodge Wednesday - looks like fun so - I'm in.  

My past week in a few pictures:

Love, love, summer wildflowers!

Love, love this cute birdhouse I picked out of someone's garbage...in town..

My view while loading the hay wagon - lot's of chaff...

Why oh why??  Dolly, if left outside and alone too long....will find the stinkiest pile of chicken poo!  She hates baths, I don't understand why she keeps doing this....

How was your week?  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Linked to:  http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2014/07/front-porch-hodgepodge-sittin.html

Jacky's Craft Camp - Week 4 - String Art

This week, we made string art.  Thanks to Pinterest, string art has become popular once again.  I didn't get a picture of some of the finished projects, but they all turned out great.  

All you do is start out with your wood choice.  I had tree slabs, cabinet door panels and small wood plaques to choose from.   They could do a finished look or rustic.  After you choose your wood, you may paint it and the outline of image you will apply the sting too.  

Some of the kids "free" handed their ideas to the wood, while others made a pattern and taped it down.  Then you take small nails, we used panel nails, and start nailing them in to form your pattern.  Once all the nails are around the pattern, you pull away the paper and your image is ready to string.  

You can use all types of string, embroidery floss, yarn, jute and even wire.  Tie on your string to one of the nails with a double knot, cut off the tail.  We didn't hold ourselves to a pattern, we just wrapped the string from nail to nail in a free form manner.  You can download patterns that tell you what nail to run each string to if you want to make very intricate designs.  We found it easier to wrap the string around each nail twice and then move on to the next nail.  You can push down the string and make multiple levels of string if you want.  Once your image looks the way you want, you can run the string around the exterior to finish off the design.  Then tie off the string in a double or triple knot and cut off the tail.  That's it - really easy.  

 I did open Jacky's Craft Camp to other 4-Hrs not in our club.  This week we had a 4-H family sign up that even show in a different county - that's awesome!  Thanks for the donations, as this project was FREE for 4-Hrs as well!  

(By the way, if you have old craft supplies and want to donate them, let me know.  Thanks.)

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.