May is National Vinegar Month

May is National Vinegar Month

Here are a few uses for vinegar.

Kill weeds and grass in crevices and cracks by pouring full strength vinegar on them.

As any one tried this? I am looking for a safe weed killer?

Give acid-loving plants (azaleas, hydrangeas, gardenias) some help by watering them every now and then with a mixture of one cup vinegar to a gallon of tap water.

Increase soil acidity by adding white vinegar to your watering can.

Get rid of rust on spigots, tools, screws or bolts by soaking them overnight or for a few days in undiluted white vinegar.

Neutralize garden lime by adding white distilled vinegar to the area.

Sanitize outdoor furniture and picnic tables with a cloth soaked in white vinegar.

Remove berry stains from your hands by rubbing them with vinegar.

Use white distilled vinegar instead of soap or detergent to clean a hummingbird feeder.

And now for the best part...

Dark Chocolate Cake

4 1/2 cups all purpose flour

3 cups sugar

1/2 + 1 Tablespoon of cocoa

1 1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 Tablespoon of baking soda

1 Tablespoon of vanilla

3 teaspoon almond extract

3 Tablespoon of vinegar

 

1 cup + 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

3 Cups of cold water

 

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa, salt and baking soda. In a separate bowl, beat together the vanilla, almond extract, vinegar, vegetable oil and water. Add the wet ingredients, beating until well combined.

 

Grease and flour three 9 inch round cake pans.

Divide the batter among the pans. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until cakes test done. Cool completely before frosting.

 

To fill and frost:

Fill between layers with chocolate pudding or mouse, or raspberry jam or raspberry mouse.

 

Frost with chocolate icing made by melting 2 cups chocolate chips with 2 tablespoons butter, or melting 2 cups chocolate chips with 1 1/4 cups heavy cream.

 

*** Note, you do not need to make a layered cake. I made cupcakes for my AWANA group. Yummy, they were a hit.

Enjoy! ***

 

Who knew how awesome Vinegar was?

  

 

Thank You!

 Thank You, to all of the United States Military!

 

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Declaration of Independence 

We are...a people who have come from every corner of the globe, most of us in the last century, and all of us in pursuit of a most noble and remarkable vision - that in this land men and women could live in freedom and liberty with their God - given rights respected.

Charles Colson

 

Giveaway

Hello

I am part of the Wisconsin Street Team,  The Moo Crew on Etsy. 

Being part of a team is helpful with your adventure of having a business and sharing your business on Etsy. I like that you are able to ask questions and other sellers may have experience in the area you need help.

You are able to meet other artists and learn what works for them. They can give you ideas for your shop. And I ended up chatting with a seller and she found my last name unique. She asked if I was related to Jason TePaske. Well, yes, he is my husbands brother. She use to have a store next to his. Wow, how fun.

I recently met Heather of Shamrock Soaps, she asked the Wisconsin Street Team to join her in a giveaway.

Click on

Giveaway

 

Cards from Studio206 featured in the giveaway.

You will receive two blank cards,  Spy Cat and Yellow Zinnia. And one Happy Birthday card Brick Kayaker.

Good Luck!

On the Road Friday to Little Falls

On the Road Friday

Hello 

We are off to take a trip to the Flambeau River State Forest

During the spring thaw we hiked in to check out the waterfalls.

 The Flambeau River. During high water the river and falls roar. You can hear it, before you can see it.

 A little, little waterfall. Just right to make up a fun fairy story.

  Little Falls

 Another view of Little Falls

 During the summer months the river can get very low. You are able to cross to Slough Gundy. Today, I think we best stay put!

 The crossing to Slough Gundy.

 The beauty and power of the river.

 The hike is easy. If you are not much of an outdoor person, you still would be able to enjoy the beauty of the Flambeau River.

  Thank you for coming along today!

Click here for my 2011 post of Flambeau River State Forest for more information.

 

The Brick Brothers

A plug for a new blog I am following

The Brick Brothers, a blog created by my two boys

The Brick Brothers 

Click the above link to read my adventure with Sam, Little B and a ????

 Sam and Little B

Thank you for reading and taking time to hop over to the boys blog.

XX OO 

Gorgeous Green

Spring is singing in Northwest Wisconsin.

Just over the weekend, our plants sang for joy and grew.

I love all the green.

Gorgeous Green

 

We have received several inches of rain in the last few days, I love trying to capture rain drops on the plants.

 

Our rose bush...with rain drops.

Now a song has come to my mind...I must share

 

"Love is friendship set to music" Anonymous

" I meant to do my work today...but a brown bird sang in the apple tree. And a butterfly flitted across the field. And all the leaves were calling me"

Richard Le Gallienne

Who is behind Studio206?

Who is behind Studio206?

Studio206 is our Etsy business. We got the idea to share our photo's by making them into cards. It was my husband, Jeremy's idea. He knows how much I enjoy sending cards to family, friends and folks who have touched our life some way.

I still feel, that in this fast paced world we live in, receiving a handwritten note can make a person smile.

Our cards are fun for all ages.

A few fun ideas...

 A perfect Birthday card!

 

 Recently, a customer shared she used our Rooster card to send a chicken recipe to newlyweds.

 

Happy Father's Day

A unique photo, that actually turned out looking like a painting.

We also have posters available of some of our photos.

Thank you for checking out our shop.  

If you have any questions, please ask.

Have fun sending a smile.  

 

Centershot

Centershot

Making Christ the Target of Our Lives

The boys participated in Centershot this spring at our Church. Centershot teaches students the life-skill of archery while sharing the good news of Jesus Christ at the same time.

 Centershot was an eight week program.

 Atticus getting ready.

 Coach Mike, standing close to give help.

 A fantastic turnout!

 A  surprise for us...Sam received 1st place in his age division.

We were so excited. 

This was both Sam and Atticus first time shooting archery. 

Yay!

 Sam asked for photos to be taken with his coach, Sean.

   And his coach, Mike.

A big thank you to all of the Centershot staff for helping the kids. Our boys were ready to go every Tuesday night. They enjoyed the Bible study and learning archery.

The life of two cats

The life of our two cats.

The gray cat is a kitten...but you would not know it, he is just as big as Max. Max our orange cat is 3 years old. Needless to say he was not happy we brought a kitten into his life last October.

As this photo shows, the two have become best of friends. 

One of our favorite things to do is to find where and how they are sleeping. We chuckle each time we find them. 

Today they are cozy on Atticus' bed, looks like they are sleeping with a stuffed snake or using it as a pillow.

How about you, do your pets sleep in fun places?   

Does it matter?

In our busy world, it is easy to underestimate the significance of one. It is easy to underestimate the value of YOU!

"I stand against this."

Does it matter if we get involved or not? 

It matters greatly, it matters to your character!

Do you wrestle with getting involved? Sometimes I do. 

Then I remember, I have to keep trying and never give up! I have to be an example to my boys.

"Who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?"

Esther 4:14 

  

A fork in the road

At the fork of each road, we need faith and action to follow God's leading. It is a turning point, where we must make a decision.

Last year at this time, we were facing a fork in the road.  The decision was difficult. It was difficult because of the fear we had of how others would handle it.

We followed the one way that was calling us. We kicked the fear of pleasing others aside and did what we were called to do.

I struggle with people pleasing...so this was a big thing for me.

And I am so happy to have been strong and followed the direction that given to us.

  

Only one way will get you where you want to go. So you have to make a decision. You can try to go both directions but it will not work.

All  the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant.

Psalm 25:10  

 

Strawberry Oatmeal Smoothies

Strawberry Oatmeal Smoothies

1 1/2 cups of ice cubes

1 medium banana

1 cup frozen, whole strawberries, no sugar added

1/2 cup oatmeal

1 cup milk

Honey or sugar to taste

Combine all ingredients in blender until smooth.

Voila!

MMMmmmmm  

 

Happy Mother's Day

Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.

Marion C. Garretty

On The Road Friday to Crystal Cave

 Explore 70 feet below in Wisconsin's longest cave, Crystal Cave. Not only get to see cool rock formations, and go down, down, down. You get to see bats! Crystal Cave is the home to four different kind of bats.

As my story continues, I will let you in on a secret. I am not a fan of bats. I dislike spiders more then bats, but I really don't want to hang out with either.

From a past experience (a blog post for another day) I dressed BAT PROOF. My favorite turtle neck (so nothing decided to drop down my neck). My winter hat (so nothing would decide to go into my hair). And gloves!

Okay, I am ready.

Just as we are to venture down, our tour guide shares with us the bats should have left the cave already. But because of the XXL WINTER we are having, they are getting a bit restless.

The guide reminds us to keep our voices soft, do not take flash photos of the bats and do not get close to them.

The first group of sleeping bats we see, the younger kids in our tour start to shout, "We found the bats." 

I know they can not help it, they are excited to see bats in a cave. But, I did get a little nervous, waiting for one to let go.

 

For the rest of the story...the tour was great. Our guide was amazing and I made it to the end of the tour with out getting scared about the bats. Our tour was just over an hour.

As our tour guide was thanking us, and taking us out of the cave, four bats started to fly around and around. 

I was leaving just in time.

Crystal Cave is located in Spring Valley, Wisconsin.

A beautiful little town.

The boys loved the cave.

If you are planning a trip to Wisconsin this summer, put Crystal Cave on your tour list. It is perfect for a hot day, the cave stays a refreshing 50 degrees and is dry.   

      

 Down inside the cave.

 Another twist and turn.

 Coins?

In the past you were allowed to put a coin in the cave wall. 

As of 2013 Crystal Cave has new owners. They have found that putting coins in the cave walls is not a great idea. 

Crystal Cave has a great gift shop too. The boys love rocks, so this was a great day.

Thank you for coming along!

Nuts over Nuts

Nuts over Nuts

Recipe by Carla

  2 pound bag of mixed nuts

1/2 cup butter melted

Add to the melted butter the following

A generous dash of Cholula Hot Sauce

A generous dash of Worcestershire Sauce

A nice dash of Roasted Garlic Sea Salt Blend

Mix the nuts into the butter mixture, spread on a pan and bake at 250°  for 15 minutes, stir and bake for another 15 minutes.

Lay out on a paper bag and let cool for a good 2 hours.

Bag and give as a treat! 

 Enjoy

 

♥