Banana, Lemon, Blueberry Muffins

 

Special guests coming for coffee, what do I whip up...I looked in the refrigerator and came up with this.

3 ripe bananas

1 lemon, zest & juice

Smash the bananas and add the zest and juice of lemon, set aside.

2 C flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 heaping cup of sugar

mix dry ingredients with a fork in a bowl, add the banana mixture

1 stick melted butter

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

mix all together with the fork just in same bowl.  

1 c (could do more if you have it) blueberries, I rolled them in flour to coat them, that way they don't sink as much.

Fill muffin cups and sprinkle additional sugar on top.   Bake 350 maybe 30 min. or until a tooth pick comes out clean...that's my test.

So easy, so good!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Funny Little Story - Tips on Tuesday

 I don't know what made me think of this today, but it's a funny story from several years ago.  Our daughter's and I went on a CIE tour of Scotland and Ireland.  You know, I'm "real country" right?  I probably epitomize "rural America" to a T.  So, here is the story.

We were on some "free" time in Edinburgh.  As we walked from the castle to a tea house Anna made reservations to, we saw an antique shop.  Now, an antique shop, well this one anyway, in Scotland doesn't look like your average antique mall here in Wisconsin.  

When we walked in, there was a very well dressed man sitting by the counter, "are you looking for anything in particular?"  He had all the "snobs" (voice, look, condisending....you know what I mean).  "Well, I was wondering if you had any milk bottles?"  Now, you know Al loves milk bottles with advertising on them.  Different dairies and such.  He tilts his head down and looks over his glasses, "milk bottle?"  So, I proceed to "school" him on what my definition of "milk bottle" is.  Ahahha

"Ma'am, this is an antiquities shop, our antiques are centuries old.  America is younger than some of these things in this shop."  "We, do NOT sell milk bottles."  Oh boy...."thanks anyway..."

So, my tips would be:

1.  Pick shopping at a place that suits you.

2.  Never "school" a shop owner.

3.  Always be pleasant, even in the face of "snobbery."

4.  Take your business to a proprietor who appreciates it.  

5.  Collect what you like, even if you are told "it's not valuable."

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Things I've Been Thinking About

 Ever get into a writing "funk?"  I guess, that's where I'm at.  My regualar themed weekly posts, nahh just not into it.  I am sure I'm not alone in saying, that this year has offered all of us loads of things to reflect on.  I don't "do" political posts, so this won't be any of that.

My 2020 word of the year is PROGRESSION.  I know the word of the year thing is getting old to some, but not to me.  I usually start making a list of interesting words that come to my attention, from now till end of year.  These are words that when I hear them, it pricks something in my heart.  I put them in a hat and draw one on January 1.  I let "fate" pick it.  That's how I roll.

So, today's post is on somethings I thought of lately that runs the path of my progression.  I don't know what word fate could possibly pick for me in 2021 that would better fit me than this year's word.  That word gave me direction.  I joined Noom, lost over 20 pounds and still working on, Covid stopped my being able to sell for others and focus on cleaning out my "stash" and I even sought out counseling for my personality weaknesses.  I really made some remarkable progression.  In doing so, I found these things to be true and I hope they can help you too.

1.  See worth in who I am JUST the way I am.  This, for me, was an inside kind of healing, but once I worked on that, my outside changed too and for the better.

2.  You can't escape who you are, no matter how much you socially distance.  I've always said, "I have to live with me" as a way to keep myself in check.  No amount of distancing from someone or problem will be a true escape, until you accept yourself and others for who THEY are and face those difficult issues in your life.

3.  What I WANT isn't what will make me happy.  I've wanted all kinds of things for myself, events to create, places to sell, spaces to stage - all of "that" for someone or place other than for me and here.  I found happiness in my own "stash" and created a new selling experience for my business that I had no idea of doing prior to Covid.  That leads me to this one....

4.  EMBRACE the opportunities in front of you instead of those you wish were there.  "There's no place like home" kinda for me.  InstaSHAM, FAKEbook feeds really had me down - "if I only could do that" or "I wish I had that opportunity" - stop it Dicky Bird, look around - your opportunity abounds!

5.  Reflect on NEEDS vs. WANTS - physically, emotionally, mentally and spirtually.  This is far more deep than just "I want a crock but I don't need one" kind of thing.  For me, it was way more than that, although, I did do a lot of that too.  Or rather, didn't do, I'm not sure how to say that - didn't buy much.

I plan to do more posts like this before the year's end.  I just have had an amazing PROGRESSION this year.  I hate to even say it, because I hate bragging....remember my post "there's a fine line in sayin' and braggin' "  I've just been working on accepting my reality as an opportunity to grow and put in some work on myself.  You know it's been said, one can work to live or live to work.  That applies to more than a 9-5.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Dicky Bird's Pantry Cookie

 What to do on a snowy unmotivated Monday?  Bake.  Baking is my comfort.  So, I looked in the pantry, what do I have?  A bit of this and a bit of that (I already have a cookie with that name....teehee).  So, I decided to call it a pantry cookie.

I love to make up recipes.  It's not that hard to do.  Cookies are easier because every recipe has a ratio of wet to dry.  

This is how I made them:

1/2 C butter

1/2 C vegetable shortening

1 C brown sugar

1C sugar

Cream together, add

2 large eggs

1 C applesauce

1 T cinnamon

1 t baking soda

1 t baking powder

1/2 t salt

3 C oatmeal

mix together, add

3 C flour

2 C raisins

2 C flaked coconut

2 C chips (I did white chocolate)

mix together and drop by large rounded tablespoon on to parchment lined cookie sheet.  Bake 350 for 14-16 minutes until the tops are light brown.  These are a soft cookie and this make 3 dozen large cookies.  

I hope you give these a try.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Motivational Monday - We Have the Power

 I know this Monday, may be hard for 1/2 of you politically.  Motivation is hard to find when your "party" faces a loss.  2020 has been tough, not just for us here in America, but for all.  Let's remember that!  

As one who doesn't put her faith in politicians or politics, this really isn't that hard for me.  Truth, in my 40's I was a "loud mouth" poltically.  When I think of some of the unkind things I said then, I am ashamed.  Oh, don't get me wrong, I still have strong convictions and conspiricy concepts that may be even stornger today.  However, an older, Dicky Bird understand that "my steps are/were ordained by the Lord" and I had to walk that path to know, I don't want to act that way today.  

So, for today's Motivational Monday, I want to motivate, encourage and remind us of this thing:  we have the power.  YOU my reader, have the POWER within you to FEEL whatever way you want.  It's your choice.  I know I've done many posts on this, but even I needed the reminding today.  

This isn't a long post, just one to remind us that we CAN be encouraged during "this" (whatever "this" is for you).  There are still good people doing good things - look for them.  Better yet, be one of them.  Seek out the good things in your day, relish in them.  Finding that power within yourself starts small, "the sun is shinning, yay!"  If you start looking for these things, really thinking about it, motivation will come.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

  

Are you Karen or Carin'?

 First, I had to have someone explain to me what a "Karen" is.  I did Google it too.  As I thought about it, was there a term like "Karen" used on any other generation of women?  I can't think of one, if you know of one, please leave a comment.   

I will not let the term "Karen" define my generation of women or use the term to make an excuse for a coniviction.  I will do my part to show the younger and honestly even older women that a "Karen" can choose to be "carin'" (I had to say in slangish to make it rhyme)

I am appalled and saddened at the comments on social media between ladies that I graduated with.  The women of my age, all acting like "Karen" democrats and republicans.  I know it says that a, "Karen" is an angry white woman - all ya all fittin' that bill.  I know better than to comment on ANY political post, because you all are "Karens."  I wanted to comment some kind words or something that would bring unity.  I went to bed last night so sad!  You are all being so mean to one another.   Who cares who did what first, when, to whom - come one now "Karen" ..... you know I speak truth!  The women of our age group are missing an opportunity to be carin' (caring) and not "Karen."  

Do I think "this or that" about it all?  Of course I do!  We all are entitled to our own opinion.  Will I still stand on my convictions?  Of course I will!   No comment, mean, hurtful or otherwise will make me change my mind on any of it.  

So, I woke to these 2 words - Karen and carin' - that was enough for me.  Therefore, this middle aged woman is going to do her part not to be defined as a "Karen."  Rather, I choose my mother and her generation as an example.  Like them, I will be "carin" for my family, community, church and others.  I will choose my words carefully, show kindness and mercy, speak truth when asked and love to the best of my abilty.  This is HOW you show who you are.  Actions speak louder than words!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin

Farmhouse Friday - Daily Grind

Good Farmhouse Friday morning.  The weather here in Marathon County Wisconsin has been glorious!   I took advantage of it, by working outside and cleaning up the barnyard before the snow.  I still need to winterize the chicken coop, Al needs to pull by business trailers under the lean, take out all the wire cages from the garden so they don't blow away and put the patio set away.  We have the weekend to do that.  

Speaking of working outside, I had to clean up a "mess" outside my pole building before the snow.  It was so nice out that I pulled out 10 or so lots each day to sell on my 

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1914536328603700  

I was able to meet with people for SOLD item pick ups too.  I actually am very pleased with what I was able to accomplish this summer in my destashing.  One of my friends came to pick up her items and I "let" her look in my pole building (I rarely, let anyone in there as it should be on an episode of Hoarders) as bad as it still is, she said "well, you're making progress."  Then she holds up a doll size drying rack with a broken leg, "should I put this in burn pile?"  "No, I said, here is it's leg."  She smiled and put it back...help me Lord...baby steps.

While I was working, this was Dolly.  She is getting so thin, she is 13 now and this is how I will remember her, sitting in the sun  and supervising all the activity in the yard.

Al made us a "gym" in the barn.  We have been going out to the barn, after supper, walking, he rides an exercise bike and hold our bunnies.  I look forward to this routine during the long winter months.  I figure, in boots and Carharts I'll really be working out!

Nellie, was hanging on to the carrot.  She is so cute, but still fiesty, she almost nips me daily.  "Hey, I just gave you a carrot" ahaha.  

My kids were sick this week, so I made some chicken and wild rice soup and gave them a "care" package.   I made a bed of herbs, celery, onions and roasted the chicken breasts on top.  I really like the seasoning in the picture too.

I worked the first 6 days of this week, now today, I'm going to have fun.  I am off to Shawano and Bonduel to drop off some SOLD lots and go thrifting.  Not that I need a thing...but, no harm in looking.  (wink, wink).  

What is going on with you this Friday?  I would love to hear about it.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.