Take time to enjoy

Take time to LIVE your life. Enjoy nature, pets and people.

Don't miss a chance to make that phone call, write a note or send and e mail. 

Every moment is so precious and we're not guaranteed more than the moment we are in.

Caddie Woodlawn

Book Review 

Caddie Woodlawn

Author: Carol Ryrie Brink

And what do you have in the bag, Carla?

Horehound Drops

Caddie purchases Horehound Drops for some boys. Jeremy and I surprised  our boys with some. So grab some Horehound Drops and Caddie Woodlawn, curl up someplace comfortable and enjoy!

Oh for a book and a shady nook, either in door or out.

John Wilson  

We loved reading Caddie Woodlawn. She is a real adventurer. She'd rather hunt than sew and plow than bake, and tries to beat her brother's dares every chance she gets. 

One of my favorite parts in the story is when Caddie gets into trouble. She gets into BIG trouble.

Her father comes into her bedroom to talk to her, this is what he has to say.

It is the sisters and wives and mothers, you know, Caddie who keep the world sweet and beautiful. What a rough world it would be if there were only men and boys in it, doing things in their rough way! A women's task is to teach them gentleness and courtesy and love and kindness. It's a big task, too, Caddie - harder than cutting trees or building mills or damning rivers. 

I want you to be a woman with a wise and understanding heart, healthy body, and honest mind.

Enjoy!  

Go Brewers

This baseball season has not been the best for the Milwaukee Brewers. Lots of injuries and pitching trouble.

But, we are still faithful! Still cheering at home and listening to the games on the radio.

I shared about opening day here

This post inspired my cousin to make me a gift.

 She shared the following, "Your blog on the Brewers inspired me. It took me awhile to come up with a pattern but I made earrings."

 

 Go Brewers!

Do not wander

Don't wander without purpose.

Ask God for direction.

On the river

I am enjoying the river for a few days.

I have a few posts ready for the week ahead.

I will get back to reading all your wonderful blogs soon.

I hope you all can get outside and enjoy nature.

I do thank the one Lord God who created this world and divinely designed all its fabulous creatures.

Last week Jeremy and I had the oppourtunity to borrow our friends kayaks. We went up the Red Cedar River and then floated down.

We did not go up far and along came a River Otter. This was the first time for me to have a River Otter swim along with me. It was such joy! The silly guy was swimming along on his back, making a fun noise at me. I would do it back and he would do it back. It was wonderful. On our way back down, sure enough, he was in the same spot.

He was ready to play again!

He was a true buffoon! I can not wait to play with him again.

I  ♥ nature!

 

On the Road Friday - Vintage Base Ball

We are on the road this Friday, to watch some base ball.

"Hey, Carla, don't ya know how to spell baseball?"

Fun Fact

  (Base Ball was spelled as two words prior to the 1880's)

Pioneer Village Museum hosted a Vintage Base Ball weekend. We enjoyed watching and listening to the fun.

Click here for more information about Pioneer Village Museum.

Umpires or Coaches

Another difference in the game is the lack of umpires and base coaches. Only one umpire is required, and judgments are made only when needed or requested.

The umpire may ask the players or cranks (spectator) for assistance in making the call.

Players are presumed to be gentlemen, and in addition to not swearing, scratching, betting or spitting, courteously make their own decisions about who is out. An ungentlemanly player - or crank - may be fined 25 cents by the umpire. 

 Players (sometimes called "ballists") wear period reproduction uniforms, either with early - style long trousers and long sleeved "shield" shirt, or with later - style knickers and lace-up shirt.

Teams recreate the game as it was first played, using no gloves, masks or pads.

I like the first aid basket.

 Do you see the bell by the first aid basket?

A player crossing home base must tally the "ace" with the scorekeeper, often ringing a bell to announce the run.

 The arrangement of the 1860 field is familiar to modern fans or "cranks", but varies from that of today's game.

There are typically no fences and no groomed base lines.

There is no pitcher's mound.

The pitcher called the "hurler," can position himself anywhere behind a four-yard line that runs through the pitcher's point, 45 feet from home base.

Vintage base ball equipment is definitely not high tech. Wood bats made from the 1860 rules vintage clubs are not to exceed 2.5 inches in diameter with no limit to the length of the bat.

The single piece of leather covering the ball is hand stitched, so each ball is slightly different. Being handmade, the balls tend to be softer and do not carry as far as modern wound baseballs.

"Ballists" never wear gloves or "mitts" and similarly, the catcher - styled the "behind" - has no modern safety equipment.

Games were just as likely to be played after work on a Wednesday as on a Saturday, but never on a Sunday.

The signing of the national anthem prior to a game did not occur until after World War 2.

A chorus of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during a seventh inning stretch could not take place until after the song was written in 1908.

 We enjoyed our Saturday of Vintage Base Ball. We loved the fellowship on the field, lots of joking with each other.

Thank you for joining me today, for on the road Friday!

Bird's Nest Salad

Bird's Nest Salad

 I love to add a little crunch to my salad.

These little Bird's Nests are just the trick. They also are perfect for a tea party, Mother's day lunch or any good time to celebrate.

Bird's Nest Salad

1 egg 

3 cups chow mein noodles

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or salt

In a small bowl, beat egg. Add chow mein noodles and garlic powder and stir to coat. Drop by 1/3 cupfuls onto greased baking sheet. Using fingers, shape each into a nest with an indentation in the center of each. Bake at 350 ° for 10 - 12 minutes or until set. Cool for 3 minutes and remove to wire rack to cool completely.

Other ideas for use...add egg salad or chicken salad inside the nest.

Enjoy!

Johnny Tremain

Johnny Tremain

A story of Boston in Revolt

Author Esther Forbes

 We loved this book. In my opinion, the book is well done. The Disney movie is not.

The boys enjoyed the story. It is sad, has some humor and has lots of learning about an arrogant young man growing into a respectful gentleman.

Great for young readers who enjoy history.

 

My family

Heirlooms we don't have in our family, but stories we've got.

Rose Chernin

Ice Cream and more

Hi Friends, we had a busy week working on projects. We accomplished several projects. YAY! That always makes you feel good. I will share our projects in future posts.

Ding, Ding, Dong, Dong, Ding, Ding...

We could hear this fun music while working. What on earth is going on? Well, to our surprise an ICE CREAM truck, in little ol' Cameron, Wisconsin! They boys loved the idea. And yes, we had to have an ice cream break.

 

Having fun...in the summer sun.

One of our projects was to put up our snap pool. It takes a few days to warm up, but we had two brave boys. They just could not wait to jump in!

How was your weekend?

Did you hear Ding, Ding, Dong, Dong...and see an Ice Cream truck coming down the street?

How fun! I just love that folks have the courage to keep dreaming and trying new things. 

Fun, Fun, Fun!! 

Spring projects

"In the spring at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt."

Margaret Atwood

Hello,

This week, we will be busy with some projects around the house.

I hope you all have a great week, I will check in when I can.

Have a blessed week my friends.  

On the Road Friday to Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area

Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area offers 707 acres of preserved and restored wooded hills, wetlands, and prairie traversed with hiking and cross-country ski trails. A 60-foot-high observation tower crowns one of the highest points in Dunn County, offering spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, especially in autumn. Hoffman Hills is also an excellent bird watching area.

We recently took a trip to Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area  located in Dunn County, Wisconsin.

We enjoyed the beautiful hike to the 60 foot high observation tower. The view up top is well worth the steps.

Going up, up and up.

The beauty at the top!

Spring beauty.

 We hope to visit again during the autumn colors!

Amazing beauty, that we are blessed with to enjoy.

 Weeping Willows, one of my very favorite trees.

 

For more information on Hoffman Hills,  click here

Thank you for coming along today!

Have a great weekend.

What's Keeping You From Being Great?

 Hi,

Please click below and watch an amazing video.

It is 3 minutes and well worth it.

 

 Inspiration!

 

What's Keeping You From Being Great?

How do you like to sleep?

How do you like to sleep?

On your side?

On your back?

On your tummy?

 Little B, he likes to sleep on his back, paws on his chest and usually has his tail out.

Max, he likes to sleep curled up in a ball.

 I honestly do not know what to say!

Cute?

Silly Cat!

I just have to rub that tummy.

Have a great Wednesday!

Pink Snow

It was snowing...it was snowing pink snow!

 I just love our crab apple tree. Each year it blesses us with beautiful flowers and a romantic fragrance.

After a week or so, we receive pink snow.

 I just love the green and pink.

 I was starting to get carried away taking photos.

"It is just so pretty", I continued to say.

 Our crab apple tree. ♥

Add a little fun to summer....

 We love to feed the birds.

All winter long we have cardinals, chickadees, goldfinches and woodpeckers.

Summer is upon us, and we have hummingbirds.

All you need to do is purchase a fun feeder and mix the following.

Mix 4 cups water and 1 cup sugar.

Boil your water and mix in  the sugar.

Stir until completely dissolved.

Let cool.

Pour into feeder and enjoy!

 Can you find the hummingbird?

One of our favorite places to visit, David R. Obey Ice Age Interpretive Center

Click here for more information 

The Nature Center has many feeders. It is so much fun to sit and watch the show of hummingbirds.

Do you feed the birds?

Funny on Sunday

 Okay, a photo of a hole. 

This hole was not there when I was hiking along, enjoying the beauty of the spring day.

All of a sudden I went down. My husband was in shock, because I do not usually just fall down.

He says "Where did that hole come from?"

I was busy pulling my leg out of the hole and thankful I was alive!

I did not get hurt, if I did this would not be a Funny on Sunday. :-)

Beware of sink holes! If you do fall into one and survive, it will make you laugh afterward.

I fell up to my knee.

We placed a stick in the sink hole. Hope that will help the next group of hikers.

Happy Sunday

 

Welcome June

Welcome June

 Fun Facts

June is usually the wettest month

June 2nd - small mouth bass spawn

June 10th - watch for baby birds

June 16th - Happy Father's Day

June 18th - tadpoles turning into toads and frogs

June 21st - Summer begins

June 29th - look for lightning bugs