December - A Few of My FavoriteThings

Here it is almost Christmas.  

Maybe my being in a walking boot and brace for 8 weeks prepared me for a more relaxed holiday season.  I have been mindful and realistic with HOW I wanted to spend my time, HOW I wanted to decorate and HOW much I wanted to bake and create.  The younger me, tried to do "it all" - truthfully, I did...ahaha, but, somehow in all that busyness, the feeling of the season often times escaped me.  Not that I didn't enjoy it all, I did.  It is just that I didn't "need" to do all that.  

So, what have I done differently this year?  

Created experiences for those I love.  

My daughters and grands came over for a gingerbread house and cookie day.  We decided to make this a tradition on the first Friday of December.  I made the kits and assembled them so that we had time to do the "fun" part together.  

My grands, Ezra and Lauren.

I hosted a Christmas Craft night with my 4H kids.  I supplied all the materials.  I also made kits of projects that they could take home and complete, this is my gift to them.  The first project, the sweater ornament, materials were supplied by Cheri.

I love these! I made 12 for my own tree.

You can see the kits, I put in baggies.  

A tree for me (wink, wink) I do have a lot of Annalee dolls.  This past summer, I was lucky to find so many from a flea market in Minnesota and my mother in law had a collection that we divided before here estate sale and I now have hers.  She was the one who got me hooked on these little felt cuties.  So my whole tree and pretty much only decorations this year are them.  I did do a Nativity area with my mother in laws old set.  

Finally hung the closet doors.  

We are breaking with the traditional Christmas meal and replacing it with a Christmas brunch.  I asked what they wanted to eat and smoked fish won (I will have some ham for Jon).  So today, Al and I went to Green Bay to Bearcat Fish House.  We also stopped at Woodmans (HUGE grocery store) - we instantly regretted it as it was a 3 ring circus.  However, I needed stuff to make my candies with tomorrow.  We stopped at a St. Vinny and I found this, I love it.  

Tomorrow I will make some candies that I have wanted to make for a couple of Christmases.  Monday I will bake cookies - I like them to be fresh.  We will have a get together with Al's sister and brother and families after Christmas.  First Christmas without grandma.  

On Sunday, I will be reading The Tale of the Three Trees for our church presentation.  This year, they asked everyone to participate if they wanted.  I bought this book for my grands last year and it's a tear jerker.  I hope I can read it without crying.  If not, that is o.k. too.  

Have you planned anything special for yourself or others this Christmas?  

Blessing from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

I Guess I Was Wrong

 Well, honestly, since August, 2024 has been teaching me some tough life lessons.  In my last post, I mentioned I "rolled" my ankle - nope I fractured my leg in 2 spots.  One on each side of my ankle.  So....I was wrong...I did need to see a doctor.  When she showed me the x-rays she said "you must have a high tolerance for pain" - I've been told that many times in my life.

So, I am still wearing that until Monday....I hope.  The doctor said I may need a pin or 2....I hope not.  I have had to REST, you all know I can't REST.  However, I made myself cancel lots of things so I could stay off of it.  

I wasn't up to all of my decorating for fall and Thanksgiving this year, but I did do this little cupboard scape with what I had on the main level of the house.

My bittersweet are loaded this year.  I can see them from my kitchen window.  Al went out and cut me a few branches.  

My friend's nephew, Sammy, made this chicken for me.  I love it!!!  Sammy, is non verbal, but he speaks volumes thru his art.  When I see him, he is like an old school gentleman who kisses the top of my hand.  He is pretty special!  

We studied Egypt this week.  

Al built this nesting box for our chickens.  Our old metal ones were falling apart.  I bought them at a farm auction 30 years ago.  We plan to do a bit of remodeling of this coop in the spring.  Al has taken an interest in the chickens and will be doing the chores for me now.

I am also trying to find a good home for my 2 rabbits.  With this recent fall, upcoming icy path to barn, I just don't think I can take care of them.  I also, have already been feeling guilty with not spending time with them.  I have mixed feelings about it, especially the part of my not being strong enough to do the chores.  I didn't know I would be this gimpy this fast. 

Oh ok, that is where I am at physically and emotionally....but I am still thankful for what I am able to do.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Hello November

 

I made these muffins one day this past week.  Super easy, mix in 1 bowl with wooden spoon easy.  It's getting to be that time of year when you want to bake something and have your home filled with all the smells.  

I want to "work on" the recipe before I share it.  

This week we studied Costa Rica.  

I didn't know about the history of the colorful oxen carts used in Costa Rica.  We watched a little YouTube video on it.  We tried to make our own.  

The estate "pick up clean up" filled my medium size trailer and there is still more to go get this next Monday.  I hope that will be it.  There were some nice things, so I hope it will be worth the work.  

I did my tradition of planting my garlic on Halloween.  This year I ordered some from Baker Heirloom Seeds and also saved the largest bulbs from my own cultivated garlic.  In between the cold rain drops, I planted 100 bulbs.  I can't wait to see them in the spring along with the dozens of tulips I planted.  

We took in 20 "homeless" chickens from Al's cousin several weeks back.  They have begun to lay eggs for us now.  I don't normally push egg production in winter, but I may this year.  

My ankle is still giving me troubles.  I read a severe sprain can take longer than a break.  So, I've been taking it slow.  

I probably won't post again before the election.  I'm rather anxious about what will happen after one of those "devils" are chosen as president.  Our country is so divided and both sides have "crazies" that potentially could cause problems.  I have out of state plans for the end of next week....in larger cities...if it's crazy, I'm staying home.  

Praying for a peaceful election.  However, I feel this is the beginning of the end - no matter the results.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

A Love the Sauna!

 

We have been enjoying the sauna.  We use it probably 3-4 times a week.  Only one time we almost "killed" ourselves - it was waaay to hot.  We now know what we can tolerate...I almost...almost...can't wait for snow.  Haha

I had to do a sleep study at the hospital.  I think a CPAP is in my future.  

Have any of you seen the Northern Lights?  Quite the show a week or so back.  

These are actually not good pictures.  Some of the colors people we capturing on their phones were amazing.  You could see them dance like in the last picture.  

Look at us babies!  I have an engagement ring on my finger, this must have been Al's 21st birthday.  We were 21 when we married.  Not sure what I would tell that girl in the picture.  Probably nothing, I wouldn't change any of it - good and bad.

More countries we studied for Grandma Bird's home school day, Nepal and Norway.  

I can't remember the name of these, but they were delicious.  Dipping sauce was a bit spicy but so good.

Lefse - was a bit thick, but for our first attempt it was good.  Lauren LOVED these!  

I fell twice last week.  I would share the photo, but I've made that mistake before and everyone all of a sudden is a doctor - hahaha.  The first fall was at Lauren's soccer game, I slipped on a hill.  The second was just a few hours later at church I stumbled on a rock.  My ankle went one way, my knee the other and face plant on the ground.  I thought for sure I broke something.  Thank the Lord I didn't.  I had to do that blended market show the next day.  I could hardly walk.  I somehow made it.  It has been so bruised...really bruised...it hurts to walk but I'm able to.  Sucks to get old.  And my neurological whatever I have they can't diagnose makes me older, weaker and off balance.  And No, it's not MS they tested me for that.  Like I said - everyone is a doctor .... it's been annoying explaining this over and over.  

This week we do a "pick up, clean up" of an estate we have been helping with for a year.  The family has been going through 3 levels of this home - 1 room at a time.  It was VERY FULL.  We are taking a trailer to pick up remaining inventory.  Then we plan to sell on our online site over the next couple months.  I have been trying to stick with my "I work and the office is open on Tuesdays from 1-6 pm."  Self employment will run you if you don't set some boundaries.  

Well, have a good week!  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

The "Tea" in Dicky Bird's Nest's World

 

What have I been up to...what's the "tea"

Setting up and promoting the 28th Annual Ringle Harvest Day.  I tried my "hand" at doing reels to promote the event this year.  I did a Facebook boost campaign that had around 130,000 views.  We saw so many new customers this year.  Cheese curd guy sold out and did better than his past two events.  I had several vendors tell me it was their "best" year yet.  I tried new vendors like face painting, henna and added farmer's market vendors.  I did a coupon and cash drawing.  I drove around on the 4 wheeler and randomly selected shoppers to pick out of the basket of coupons and $5 bills.  I drove down to the end of 2 very long roads that required much walking....and gave many out to those shoppers.  

Here are a few pictures from our booth.  Thankfully Lisa watched it all day (Tessa and Paul helped).  

It's the one big thing I do for our community.  I think more people like it and not...haha.  

I also taught a beginner needle felting class last night at the UW

I am always amazed at the creations and how none of them look the same.  I enjoy sharing my craft with others.

Working at my office today.  $10 Tuesday Lot Drop tonight.  Wednesday "home school" day - the country of Napal.  Thursday get ready for the Antigo Junior Woman's Club Blended Marketplace Show then Lauren's soccer game.  Friday, finish loading for the show and then show set up.  Saturday - show! 

Well, once this week is done, moving on to cleaning up unsold lots, returning to clients, making donation boxes from some, totally cleaning out the front of office, rearranging for a better flow of inventory, getting ready for the holiday season.  

Thanks for following along.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Farmhouse Friday - A Few Weeks in Pictures

 Good Morning

It's Farmhouse Friday - just don't ask me what week it is.  Mine have been a blur.  I don't think I mentioned this, but my mother in law passed on August 5.  She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend.  She was 89 and we weren't ready yet...  In 7 weeks since her passing, we (the family) took items from the home we each wanted, we sold some, had a sale at her home, donated some and tossed some.  The house is on the market as of October 1.  So, that's what I've been doing.  In addition to my keeping my office and business going and still helping on Wednesdays home school my granddaughter.  Oh and organizing the Ringle Harvest Day which is the flea market that started on our farm 28 years ago.  It now takes over, basically the whole community.  

Here are a few highlights of the past couple weeks.

I revived "doughdee" my sourdough starter.  

I won this cool crocheted bag from my friend Nancy's give away.  Here is a link to her Facebook page:  Nancy's Hook n Needle

On Wednesdays I help home school - only in art and home economics (wink, wink).  I do go over reading and flash cards, but by the time I come over so Justine can go to work, Lauren is pretty much done with her other stuff.   I did the post about the country of the week with China.  We've studied Australia, Ireland, Mexico and this past week she had a field trip to the Little Red School House.  So we did a Laura Ingals Wilder day.

Fairy houses for Ireland...

"Ma's Johnny Cakes" and Short bread cookies...(ours was a fail, but tasted good)  

apple sauce/chutney/gravy....thick cooked down spicy apples - so good! 

Well, that's about it.  My flowers are still blooming.  We have had a dry, beautiful fall so far.  I was up early today, its still dark...I may go lay back down....wink, wink

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin