About The River

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

It is a Wood Violet Hodgepodge


Happy Wednesday
 It is time for the Hodgepodge.
Joyce asks the questions.
We answer the questions.






 1. It's October so let's get this out there first thing...have you jumped on the all-things-pumpkin bandwagon? How so?


 I made pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting.
After church on Sunday we visited a fun Pumpkin Patch just outside of Rice Lake.
The boys still enjoy picking out a big pumpkin to carve.


 2.  "We have more power than will; and it is often by way of excuse to ourselves that we fancy things are impossible." Francois Duc De la Rochefoucauld  

What's something you once thought impossible, but in hindsight see as more a matter of lack of will?

Some of you are going to laugh at this. I just have to be real about this, so here it goes.
We have a very narrow driveway, that goes right along our house and then a one car garage. I hated backing out of the garage and driving into the garage. I would not do it, I was so nervous about hitting the house or not being able to see to drive into the garage.
One day I decided, this is silly, I can do this!
I did it.
My husband was so proud of me. He never complained about my struggles. He was just a sweet heart and would always have our truck ready for me on a day he knew I needed to be on the road.
 I am happy to say, I can do it on my own.
I have not hit the house or anything.

 3. The rose is America's National Flower, but every state also has its own (click here to see the list). Are you happy with yours? If you were in charge what would you declare your state's flower? If you're outside the U.S. what bloom would you like to see labeled as your country's national flower?

Wisconsin's State flower is the Wood Violet.
It blooms in the spring. After a long Wisconsin winter, the wood violet is a welcomed sight.
 
This information is from the Wisconsin DNR.
State flowers were first nominated in 1908. When the official tally was taken on Arbor Day 1909, school children selected the wood violet (Viola papilionacea) over the wild rose, trailing arbutus, and the white water lily. It was a close vote.
The wood violet is a small flower commonly seen in wet woodland and meadow areas, and along roadsides. This purple violet is very popular in the eastern United States and blooms between March and June. Not only is it the state flower for Wisconsin, but it also holds this title in Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Believe it or not, the leaves are very tasty and can be used in salads, candies, and jellies.

 
 4. What have you lost interest in recently?
Keeping up with American politics.

5. In your opinion, who's the best living musician?
 John Williams

6. S'mores-love 'em or no? Ever make them indoors? Last time you sat around an outdoor fire? Are making s'mores and sitting round a fire pit on your autumn bucket list? Do you have an autumn bucket list?

Yes, our family loves S'mores!! No we have not made them indoors. We enjoyed a fire in September and had S'mores. We love to use Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and York Peppermint Patties to make S'mores.
We will be making S'mores this weekend. 

7. Your favorite small town? Why?
Cameron, Wisconsin  
Cameron has been my hometown for 18 years now. It is a small town. We have a Mom and Pop grocery store, we enjoy doing business at Brion's Grocery. Gen and Gregg know us by name. We have the best small library, again, I can pop into the library and everyone know my name.
The same with Village Hall. When we go to vote, many times we spend a good hour chatting after with neighbors. We have enjoyed Cameron. 
My dad named one of his farm cats Cameron, in honor of us living in Cameron, Wisconsin. 

 
8. Insert your own random thought here. 



 
 

16 comments:

  1. Those violets are so pretty! I've been picking up pumpkins here and there but haven't been to the pumpkin patch yet. I've also enjoyed pumpkin icecream at a few places. ;) Your small town sounds so perfect! I used to be nervous about pulling in and out of the garage too!

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  2. I LOVE seeing pumpkins in the fall! John Williams: YES!!!! I just wrote down the first thing that popped in my mind!
    My mom grew up in Cameron, but not in Wisconsin! It's also a small town!!

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  3. Great pictures and I love those big old pumpkins. I know right where Cameron is and have been through there a few times. It's a great little town....love it. Funny about the garage! xoDiana

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  4. Cute photo of the boys and pumpkin! Please keep those pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting far, far away from me! Especially if they have walnuts or pecans in them. I have absolutely no willpower against things like that if they're on my counter. :-(( You have BOYS to feed them to! LOL Fun to see that you're also a fan of John Williams. Now you need to listen to some John Rutter arrangements. :-) BTW, I saw a program recently about John Williams on Great Performances, I think it was (PBS). Love that.

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  5. Love your state flower, so pretty. Way to go on conquering the drive into the garage. John Williams is a great choice. I will have to make a point of visiting Cameron someday. I love Wisconsin. That is one giant pumpkin.

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  6. I love your story about the garage! And I *totally understand* because I am afraid to drive through a car wash...and also onto a ferry! (I know, it is irrational.)

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  7. I loved your story about the garage. I have a similar problem just getting into the driveway. With our son at home and his car is in the driveway and if Bob pulls in before me..I cannot back out for fear of backing into the ditch. I have to back in before the second vehicle pulls in so I have a clear shot out in the morning. However, I had to back in the other day as the boys were both in the drive before me, but not at home. Ugh..it took me aboout 15 minutes trying to get in..but I did it. Janice

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  8. Love the delicate color of those wood violets. And that pumpkin.... wow!

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  9. You know I love these! Pumpkin symbolizes October to me, the perfect post to kick off October! I love the story of your driveway! Carla! We have the same issue - it's awful and I may have taken out our mailbox 8 years ago when we moved in, and my side mirror last Spring. I'm proud of you for mastering yours. It's not easy! We haven't had a campfire but it's on our Fall list! Thank you for that Reese's reminder! We need to try it!

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  10. I love that pumpkin photo!! Awesome! I used to not care for peppermint, but in the last couple of years it's become one of my favorite flavors. I think I might like to try a s'more made with peppermint patties : )

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  11. Yeah good for you Carla on the backing out!!!! Love the pumpkin pic and glad the boys had a great time getting the right pumpkin. Have a great week.
    Kris

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  12. Cliff wants to have Smores tomorrow night after I told him about your Smores!
    I absolutely LOVE that your dad named their cat after your town, that is so cool!
    Is the pumpkin patch the one we heard of that does the pumpkin chunkin? Love the picture of the boys by the pumpkin. Are they going to try raising a monster pumpkin?

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  13. Enjoyed the read - thank you.

    Your boys look good ... and isn't violet a great colour!

    All the best Jan

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  14. Enjoyed the read - thank you.

    Your boys look good ... and isn't violet a great colour!

    All the best Jan

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  15. I love violets! They're one of the first signs of spring in my yard. I always let them grow wherever they pop up in my garden - they don't take up much room and are so pretty. My youngest daughter learned how to make violet jelly this year - it turns such a beautiful color, I would make it just to look at. :)
    My pumpkins didn't do well this year, but a friend gave me some of hers - so far we've had pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, and pumpkin pancakes. I think maybe while my niece is over this weekend we'll make some pumpkin cheesecake (she loves cheesecake - and so do I!)

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High Fives from Wisconsin!