About The River

Friday, January 30, 2026

Episode #2 Tuscobia Trail

 

Hello Friends, it is time for 52 Weeks ~ Episode #2. My husband and I are trying to do a date each week. I plan to make a photo book of our 52 week adventures. For episode #2 we went for a hike at Tuscobia Trail in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. The above photo was my favorite of our adventure. We hiked 2 miles. 

 This 74-mile trail on a former rail corridor is one of the longest rail trails in the state, running from Park Falls to the Wild Rivers State Trail just north of Rice Lake. The trail passes through part of the Flambeau River State Forest and the rugged wilderness of Wisconsin's Blue Hills. The trail connects seven small communities in Barron, Washburn, Sawyer and Price counties, each providing year-round accommodations and services.


The weather was nice winter weather... 20 degrees ABOVE zero. 

We heard an owl on our hike. 

The sound of the water trickling was very peaceful.

We stopped by for our favorite pizza on the way home. 

 ♥


Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Crazy for Cabbage and it is the Hodgepodge

 

I am proud of my cabbage patch!

 

 

Happy Wednesday Friends,

It is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 

 1. I live in the south so we're pretty much only talking about the weather right now. Give us a weather report from where you live. Does the kind of weather you're having today affect your mood in some way? 

 We have sunshine, I am very thankful for that. We are currently at 0 degrees, we have a mighty wind chill of NEGATIVE 10! It is 11:30 AM as I write this post on January 27th, sitting at my desk in my cozy office space in Northern Wisconsin. 

I am very thankful for the sunshine. Even if it is cold out, if the sun is shining big and bright it makes a difference for me. 

2.  Avocados, kale, cauliflower and cottage cheese have all had their time to shine. 2026 brings us the year of the cabbage. Is this a vegetable you like? If so, what are some of your favorite dishes that call for cabbage?   

 I love cabbage. 

I enjoy growing cabbage.

I will eat a raw cabbage salad with my homegrown cabbage. It is so sweet and crunchy.

We enjoy making fresh coleslaw.

Last year we made sauerkraut for the first time, it turned out delicious.

Yep, I will be growing cabbage again this garden season. 

 

 

3. Was a Cabbage Patch Doll a part of your childhood? Or maybe your children's childhood? What's a toy trend from your childhood you remember wanting for your own? 

I did receive a baby cabbage patch doll for Christmas from my grandparents. My grandma and mom made clothes for my baby cabbage patch doll.  I still have the doll and clothes.

Strawberry Shortcake and My Pretty Pony are two toy trends I remember. I have a few  Strawberry Shortcake dolls and My Pretty Pony.

 

 4. Something you've spent a lot of time doing lately? 

 

Organizing my seed bin. I went through the seeds I have left over from years past. I went through the seed that I saved from plants in our garden. I made a list of what I needed to order from my favorite seed company. 

 

 5. Somehow it's the last week of January...sum up your month in just three sentences. 

 

Winter walks along the river.

Enjoying new recipes, that warmed our tummy. 

Cozy evenings by the fireplace.  

 

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 


 I pick out two different plants each year to grow. This year I am going to grow a new pepper, Candy Cane. I have not tried growing pumpkins for several years. I picked a pie pumpkin, Small Sugar. 

The photo above has two of my different plants to grow for me from last year, baby's breath and bachelor buttons.  

 

Monday, January 26, 2026

Joy List Monday

 Joy List Monday

 ♥ a weekly ritual ♥

a reminder to stop and pay attention to the little beauties and graces that make life magical and to set aside time for gratitude each day.

 


 

 ♥ a warm home ... we woke to NEGATIVE 31 degrees on Saturday morning

 ♥ people who care ... we had a frozen car battery ... having those around us who are willing to help

 ♥ warm clothing ... thermals, jackets, hats, mittens, scarves

♥ the cozy feeling of the fireplace warming the room 

 ♥ getting cozy with good reads and a hot drink

 ♥ pets to snuggle you on cold winter days

 


 

 Wishing you a beautiful week full of little things that make you smile.

♥ 

Carla