Ethan: “I Love You Jesus!”

 

I just have to share this cute story.  We were in town on Thursday and on a very busy corner in Schofield, WI was 2 men, one dressed as a Roman soldier and the other Jesus with a huge cross.  It was really neat!  I do not know what church or organization did this but, thank you.  Apparently it causes some problems – as people were calling in complaints to the police and fire department.  One of the ladies who work at the fire department went to see for herself – it brought her to tears.  She called into the local Christian station 89Q to say “thanks” to whomever did that and brought to attention the real meaning of Easter. 

I was telling my brother about this.  He said his daughter, my niece and great nephews also drove by this.  The windows were open and when her middle son, Ethan, saw Jesus, he yelled out…”Jesus I Love You!”  The man yelled back “I love you too.”  Isn’t that neat.  I don’t know if Ethan really thought that was Jesus – you never know what little kids are thinking.  He knows Jesus is alive and real – so, you never know. 

Can you believe people complained….it wasn’t but a few months ago when at that same corner there were Scott Walker protesters…..no one complained about them.  Well, probably because they were too afraid to!  We still live in America and have our freedoms….at least I thought so…

 

Jesus I Love You!  Blessings from Wisconsin!

Coloring Eggs

 

I found something in a Martha Stewart book – marbalized eggs.  To do this, you put vegetable oil in the dye.  You stir it around and put the egg in.  The spots where the oil touches will not hold the dye.  Then you wipe off the oil and dip in a different color – the effect is nice. 

We also tried some other things…tyedye, glitz paint, sponge – different.  They look antique. 

Blessings from Wisconsin.

Market Lamb Time

 

Here is Mr. Buttons.   This is one of Anna’s market lambs for showing this year.  She bought him at an auction in River Falls, WI.  He actually is from Minnesota, G. String Ranch.   Anna bought 2 lambs from them last year.  Their lambs are so friendly and are natural bracers. 

He is already “setting up”.   He is on the small side, so is lamb 2, he is still being weaned.  Anna is trying to win the Rate of Gain Champion – this is goes to the lamb that gains the most weight between the weight in day and fair check in day without going over 150# with a rate of gain .45#/day.  This isn’t easy to do, sometimes lambs will go off feed and not gain – so we will see….

Note:  this is a what not to do….don’t wear flip flops…

Waiting for his “friend” to come….

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.

Interesting Facts about April

 

April – Latin word Aprillus – means “to open or opening”.  Spring month, blossoms opening, the month of rebirth and hope for future.

Flower:  Sweet Pea

Birthstone:  Diamond

“Sweet April showers, do spring May flowers”  Thomas Tusser

“April is a promise May is bound to keep”  Hal Borland

“Here cometh April again, and as far as I can se the world hath more fools than ever.”  Charles Lamb

Week 1:  Library Week

Week 2:  Garden Week

Week 3:  Organize your Files Week

Week 4:  Administrative Assistant Week

April is, National: Humor Month

                         Keep America Beautiful Month

                         Lawn & Garden Month

                         Pecan Month

                         Stress Awareness Month

Each Day of April:

1st:  April Fool’s Day

2nd:  Children’s Book Day

3rd:  Tweed Day

4th:  School Librarian Day

5th:  Go for Broke Day – “Take a Chance Day”

6th:  GOOD FRIDAY

7th:  World Health Day

8th:  EASTER

9TH:  Middle Name Pride Day

10th:  National Siblings Day

11th:  Submarine Day

12th:  Big Wind Day

13th:  Scrabble Day – invented by Hasbro in 1938

14th:  National Pecan Day

15th:  AMERICAN INCOME TAX DAY

16th:  National Stress Awareness Day

17th:  “Honey Do” List Day

18th:  International Juggler’s Day – “multi tasker’s day”

19th:  National Garlic Day

20th:  Look A Like Day

21st:  Kindergarten Day

22nd:  National Jelly Bean Day

23rd:  Lover’s Day

24th:  Pig in a Blanket Day

25th:  East Meets West Day

26th:  National Pretzel Day

27th:  Tell a Story Day

28th:  Kiss Your Mate Day

29th:  Greenery Day – “Go for a Nature Walk Day”

30th:  National Honest Day

 

 I hope you enjoy these facts.  Blessings from Wisconsin.

Needle Felting

 

Needle Felting:  piercing tufts of raw wool hundreds of times using a very sharp needle with tiny barbs to sculpt shapes into fibers.

(Photo – Google Image)

Roving is wool that has been washed, combed, carded as well as sometimes dyed.  It is shaped into a thick “rope” that can be spun into yarn.

Wool roving shouldn’t be cut – rather pulled apart into small pieces that are easier to work with.  You can purchase several tools to help with felting.  One such tool is this needle that has several barbed needles all together – this will help you go faster.  You can also make one of these by poking several holes in an old cork and pushing several needles into it. 

You can also purchase a base that looks like a huge comb.  Or you can purchase a piece of foam and put that under your felting project.  If you are working on a flat surface this prevents the tip of your needle from breaking. 

You can felt into any type of fiber – wool works best.  Wool can be expensive – new – so always check out the thrift shops for fabric or things made of wool that you can recycle.  You can also “felt” a wool sweater.  To do this, just machine wash and dry an old sweater made of 100% wool.  This process is called felting and condenses and matts the fibers together.  You can do this to make a “canvas” to “felt paint” on. 

Once you learn to needle felt, you can make all kinds of things.  You could try sculpting and making animals, to do this you would start with a raw wool batting and begin felting the roving into the batting and sculpting them into whatever shape you would like.

I recently taught needle felting at a Hands On Day, county wide 4-H class.  It was at the UWMC (Marathon County).  We felted eggs. 

I started by making each kit an egg.  This is really easy to do.  You cut 4 leaf shaped pieces.

Sew them together in pairs.  Open them up and sew the two together.  Leave an opening for stuffing.

Whip stich the egg closed.  Then using your felting needle, begin felting the roving into the wool egg.  Keep punching and molding with your hands to shape into the right size.  The more you felt it the better it looks. 

Here are two examples of the eggs that were made.  All the kids and even adults had fun making these eggs.  I enjoyed teaching the class. 

Blessings from Wisconsin.

DePere Antique Show, bicycle accident and surgery

 

This past 2 weeks I have been busy working on my business.  I set up a booth at the DePere Antique Show.  One thing about being self employed is that you are only as good as the effort you put into it.   With that said – my efforts paid off!  I had a great sale. 

With that said, this week hasn’t been so good.  My husband had a bicycle accident and broke his wrist.  He had surgery and will be at home for several weeks.  Things to be thankful for:  he wasn’t hurt more…or run over by traffic, he had a week of built up vacation time which will carry us to his long term disability insurance time, that his work carries this long term policy for employees, the surgeon didn’t have to put 2 plates in or filler bones, we winterized our garden in the fall and now I only have to rototill and not plow the garden (I am going to have to learn how to drive the tractor – it was on my leap list anyway), the weather has been so mild that we don’t have to worry about snow plowing or blowing, we will have some time to spend together – maybe rummaging and that Jesus is faithful to our needs – especially in times of need.

I hope to get caught up on my weekly cookies and posting some projects and a class I taught on needle felting soon.

Blessings from Wisconsin.

Blog Award

 

I recently was nominated for a Liebster award.  I was also recognized previously:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2011/09/liebster-award.html

Liebster" is a German word meaning dear, sweet, kind, nice, good, beloved, lovely, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.

The Liebster is awarded to spotlight up and coming bloggers who currently have less than 200 followers.

How fun!! Now for the rules:

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.

2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.

4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.

5. And most of all - have fun!

http://doublehphoto.blogspot.com/2012/01/award.html#comment-form

Double H Photography – a blog about real, hands on experiences living on a ranch.  I LOVE bloggers that post about what they have done – not necessarily what they read about.  To me, real live experiences are “priceless”.  She has another website where she sells her photos.  Her pictures are actually what drew me to look at her blog.  After reading her posts about ranch life – I was hooked.  Her love for the family farm and lifestyle she grew up in shows in how she writes.  Check out her blog and website – the photos are awesome!

So, my 5 picks are (some slightly over 200 followers):

1.  Gracie’s Cottage:  http://cobblecreek.blogspot.com/.  She posts about her antique and flea shows and finds.  I actually introduced myself to her at the Junk Bonanza in MN.  She currently has a new selling spot at an antique shop in Waterloo, WI.  She has an etsy account too.  Check out her decorating style and “goodies” in her booths. 

2.  Looking for Firsts:  http://lookingforfirst.blogspot.com/.  This blogger, Calli, actually was in my 4-H group.  She has since grown up and moved to Alaska!  Her blog is about all the “firsts” in her life and that of her son, Seth.  She is doing a great job as a “mama” and has just announced that she is expecting baby #2.  Congratulations!

3.  Willow Homestead:  http://willowhomestead.blogspot.com/.  “Bo Peep” is the blogger at my next nominee.  Her blog is about the retro lifestyle.  She is an expert seamstress and has this apron challenge (sorry I haven’t entered yet…) where she makes an apron a month.  She posts about her hobby farm life, sewing projects, sheep and spinning.  Check out her fun blog.

4.  Wisteria & Roses:  http://simplypractical.blogspot.com/:  “Bama Girl” has an informative blog about her life in Alabama.  She posts about gardening, cooking, frugal and simple living.  Her posts are full of pictures and very informative.  Check it out. 

5.  Hometown Victory Girls:  http://hometownvictorygirls.blogspot.com/.  Wild Kat and Bo Peep post to this blog.  This one is all about retro living.  They share a passion for this era and all it offered us.  Including what a real woman should look like – “pin up” shape….  They even do a “Pin Up” beauty contest, held right here in Wisconsin.  They both are very creative and share many ideas.   Check it out. 

So, I am happy that I have been recognized not only once, but twice.  I enjoy blogging and have connected with some really nice people.

Blessings from Wisconsin!