Happy Anniversary

♥

A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without love

Max Muller

♥ 

May, 31, 2015, we celebrate 18 years

May every tomorrow be twice as sunny and sweet as all the days that have passed

 ♥

 

 

Homemade Onion Rings

Homemade Onion Rings

2 large Sweet Onion Rings

1 1/2 quart Peanut Oil

2 cups Buttermilk

4 cups Flour divided

Salt and Pepper

Peel and slice onions 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch thick

Line a baking sheet with paper towel

Heat oil in a heavy pot to 375°

Divide flour into two containers

Season both with salt and pepper

 Pour buttermilk into deep bowl, season with salt and pepper

Dredge a batch of onions in flour - buttermilk - flour

Coating evenly

Fry rings for 4 - 5 minutes

 Turning after 3 minutes

Place on paper towel lined pan

Repeat for remaining rings

ENJOY!

 

It is a Take Me Out To The Ballgame Hodgepodge

Hello ~ It is Wednesday, it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks us the questions.

We answer the questions.

 

Click here to join in the fun

1.  Did you do anything 'memorable' this past weekend?

We spent time with my parents. Our boys enjoyed making memories on my parents farm.

2. Ronald Reagan is quoted as saying-

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."  

Your thoughts? Do you somehow acknowledge and appreciate the freedoms you enjoy? Did your upbringing contribute to that sense of appreciation? If you're a parent, are there specific things you do to pass on this sense of responsibility and appreciation to your own children in regard to the freedoms they enjoy?

My Grandpa served in WWII. Many of my dad's friends served in Vietnam. My dear friend Marv, fought in the Korean War. Our neighbor served in the Gulf War.  Talking with all of these great people makes me appreciate the freedom we have as a people. Many stories, stories of survival, stories of watching friends die and stories of coming home and not wanting to go back to the front.

We have taught our boys about the sacrifice many of our service men and women do for all of us. One way we encourage them to learn more is we have many friends in the Military. We send care packages, try to get in touch with them when they are home on leave and listen to their stories.

 

 

3. Loudest noise you've ever heard?

Lately, it is the truck down the street. WAY to LOUD!!!

4. What was the last thing you ate that might be considered 'junk food'? Did you enjoy it?

My husband loves to grill. Hamburgers with a slice of Wisconsin Colby cheese melted on top. Add a few homemade Onion Rings! 

Yes, I enjoyed it!

 5. When was the last time you were somewhere the crowd felt 'packed in like sardines'?

 Heading up to the top of the Willis Tower/Sears Tower in Chicago. I really felt packed in to the elevator. I was not comfortable at all. I hate packed in elevators. The attendants at the elevator just continued to pack the people in to the elevator, just like sardines!

 6. Are you organized when it comes to packing for a trip? Do you make a list weeks in advance or toss items in last minute? Are you a carry-on only sort of packer or do you need an entire suitcase for your shoes?

 I am an organized packer. I like to plan my outfits for the days of the trip. I am a planner, so yes I have lists in advance and a list of the lists. ;-)

I like to pack light. I am a one bag for me kind of girl.

7. What was the last sporting event you attended in person? Did your team win? Did you care?

 I love Baseball!

I have not attended a game as of this season. I hope to get to an Eau Clarie Express game yet this summer. 

My last baseball game was last summer in Great Falls, Montana. My husband treated me to the Great Falls Voyagers vs. Helena Brewers.

 8.  Insert your own random thought here.

 We have been blessed with many rain showers this past weekend. The frogs are just singing. I love to listen to the frogs sing at the pond I walk by on my daily walk. It just makes me smile.

Long May She Wave

 Long May She Wave

America has always been proud to say, "This is what we stand for."

My Grandpa, a WWII Veteran

Thank You to all of the service men and women.

Happy Memorial Day

and 

Thank You! 

An All Boys Birthday Gift

Our boys both celebrated Birthday's recently. 

April and May birthday boys.

One of the all time favorite gifts was Duke Cannon Soap.

 Take the time to read the box. I think you will get a good chuckle.

 My husband loved the last quote on this side of the box.

"He holds international records in both horseshoes and lawn darts and enjoys talking about the good ol' days when hockey players didn't wear helmets."

 

 A BIG Thank You to our men and women who have served our country!

 Made in the USA

 A perfect soap for my boys, after a day of hard play.

It smells good too. I am the only girl in this house, unless we count my dog, Molly. Then we have two females in the household. Good smelling men equal a happy me! :-)

Have a great weekend.

♥♥ 

Carla

 

 

It is a Fashion Statement Hodgepodge

Hello and Welcome, to the Fashion Statement Hodgepodge

Don't you just love those shoes!

 It is Wednesday and it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Head on over and visit Joyce. 

She asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun

1.  Did you make someone laugh yesterday? Was it intentional?

Yes, I made this goof ball laugh. He made me laugh too.

We are a family that loves to tease each other. So silliness is a regular thing at our house. 

 2. What's a simple question with a complicated answer?

Why does bad stuff happen? I have been asked this by my kids and I have even asked this question as an adult. I know the answer, sometimes I still ask why.

  3. Rhododendrons or azaleas...you have to choose. Are either currently blooming in your yard?

I do not have either blooming in my yard.

I would pick azaleas.

  4. May 21st is National Waitstaff Day. Have you ever worked as a waiter/waitress? How would you rate the experience? What was the best/worst part of the job?

Yes, I worked as a waitress. That is how I met my husband. 

I would rate the experience very good, but I was also getting to know my future husband and having a real good time with that as well.

The best part of the job, were the tips. I worked at a Supper Club, some nights I came home feeling rich for a 17 year old. The worst part of the job was cleaning up the gross dishes.

5. What fashion trend for women should be outlawed? How about one for men?

For both, it would be the trend of...Lack of Apparel.

I am not into nakedness.

 6. Name a writer who inspires you....now tell us why.

I have many writers who inspire me. 

Jeff Goins

Nicholas Sparks

Beverly Cleary

All of the above give advice of how to become a writer. Honesty, do not write like someone else, write like you and read, read, read.

 7. What well known quote or saying sums up your plans for today or this week?

Plant four seeds in a row

One for the mouse and one for the crow

One to rot and one to grow

 

 
  This weekend I will be planting my garden. If you are new to my blog, I am a gardener.I have a Fresh Cut Flower and Produce Stand in the Summer and Autumn months. The man in the last photo is my mentor. 86 year old Marv. A dear friend of mine and the best gardener I know! This will be my second year gardening with Marv at the Community Gardens.

The photos above are all taken last year during the planting time.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

 Thank you to all of our United States Military.

Thank you to all the men and women who have served our country.

 

Home Sweet Home

 On a road trip back in March, I saw this house.  I always wonder if I should take photos of peoples homes. I get so nervous. How about you? Can you take photos of strangers homes?

I just thought this house was so amazing. It was setting up on a hill over looking a small town. 

I always wonder who had this home built? Was it a founder of the town?  If the walls could only speak! I would love to peek inside and see all the character and charm.

It is hard to see in my photo but the home has a rock siding and rock porch.

The  decorative gable ends. The roof. It is just full of old time charm.

"Home is where your story begins"

 

On the Road Friday ~ The Dock Coffee, Spooner, Wisconsin

It is time for a road trip.

A few weeks ago a dear friend and her four boys and me with my two boys went on a little adventure. One of our many stops was to The Dock Coffee a new coffee shop in Spooner, Wisconsin. We were not just visiting to have a cup of coffee, but to also check out something fun my husband helped design at The Dock Coffee.

 The owners of The Dock Coffee, also work at Smithco West Inc. the same company my husband works at. My husband is an engineer at Smithco and helped design a couple items at The Dock Coffee.

This is what my boys were all excited to see when we went to visit the coffee shop.

My husband helped design the counter.

 Click here to learn more about The Dock Coffee

 I love this sign. I would not mind having one for my house.

The owners son painted this sign.

Another shot of the counter.

The black and white photo you see are the owners children sitting on the dock.

 Several beautiful antiques.

 Smithco also helped design and make the railing and banister.

 And now for the real fun part of this trip. 

We are so proud of my husband to be part of this. The boys and I got to meet the owners. They are so appreciative of the support. They gave us a glass for my husband.

The boys were so excited to show it to daddy when we got home.

 If you are traveling to Spooner, Wisconsin be sure to stop in at The Dock Coffee. My boys had a smoothie and a malt. I had a mocha. Yummy!

Thank you for coming along today, on an extra special trip.

Have a great weekend.

Carla

 

The Spring Flower's are Blooming Hodgepodge

It is Spring Flower's are Blooming Hodgepodge

You can join in the fun! Click here to join in!

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

  

 1. When is your next big deadline? What's it for?

I am happy to say, I do not have one!

SMILE

 

 2. May is National Barbecue Month. Do you prefer cooking indoors or out? What's the best thing about a barbecue? What's the last thing you cooked on an outdoor grill?

Yummy! We love to grill. The best thing when we grill, is I do not have to cook! My husband loves to take charge of the grill. He is a Grill Master! Monday night we had grilled chicken breasts with grilled pineapple. Yummy!

 3. What is one thing on your "never again" list?

We were young and dumb when we bought the house we live in today. We did not take the time to take a LOOK at the house like we should have.  Never again! Will take our time and NOT be pressured by realtors.

 4. What's something that annoys you about people your own age? Something you love about your generation?

What is something that annoys me about people my own age? People who are wearing clothing that is not at all appropriate for our age! GROSS!

Something that I love about my generation, we are FAMILY oriented.

In 2011 "The Generation X Report" (based on annual surveys used in the Longitudinal Study of today's adults) found Gen Xers, defined in the report as people born between 1961 and 1981, to be highly educated, active, balanced, happy and family oriented.  

Source: Wikipedia

5. Lilac, iris, hyacinth, pansy...your favorite purple flower?

I love them all!

 6. Whats a song that always calms you down?

Johann Pachelbel - Canon in D Major 

Four Seasons ~ Vivaldi 

 Yo-Yo Ma

 

  7. What's the last thing you donated?

 We cleaned our basement before and after our basement wall project. 

Go here to read about our basement wall.

Crash, Boom, Bang...down goes the basement wall 

We donated some Christmas items we no longer use. Some toys and sport equipment the boys have outgrown. We took a few items to our local ReStore, an electric heater and title from a finished project.

 8. Insert your own random thought here.

If "Plan A" did not work, the alphabet has 25 more letters.

  

Dandelion

Dandelion's cheery flower

Opens with the sun.

It closes to avoid rain

Or when the day is done.

Dent - De - Lion

In French, its name means "Tooth of Lion" because of its pointed leaves.

When it's finished blooming,

It shuts to make the seeds,

And turns into a ball of fluff

To catch the passing breeze.

 

Make a Wish

 

Common Uses

 Blossoms for Wine

 Leaves for Salad

Roots for Coffee

Bouquets for Mom's, Grandmas and other loved ones.

   Have you received a lovely bouquet of dandelion's?

A Stroll in the Garden

May brings us armfuls of delight,

Bird - song, warm sun and gardens bright.

 Tasha Tudor

 Our Spring weather has just been a blessing to us. It is so hard to stay inside after a cold Winter. Everything is coming alive in the garden and backyard.

Just drink in the beauty. Oh, how I wish I could send along the sweet smell too.

 As I write this, the petals are already starting to fall. We call it Pink Snow.

 Apple blossoms on our trees in the backyard.

Wishing you a beautiful week.

We will be dancing under the crab apple tree in the pink snow.

 

 

Happy Mother's Day Hodgepodge

Happy Mother's Day

Welcome to the Hodgepodge

Joyce asks us the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join in the fun! 

 

1. What's a phrase your mother often said to you? If you're a parent, is this something you now say to your own children?

" Did you turn off the lights?"

Yes, I do yell ask, "Did you turn off the lights?" to my kids.

Both my mom and dad would say, "Sleep tight, Do not let the bed bugs bite." before bed.

I always say that to my boys. 

2. What is a scent you associate with your mother or your childhood home?

 My mom loves the fragrance Wind Song. She always wears it and dabs a little extra on when going out with my dad.

 3. What's an activity you remember always doing with your mother (or someone who was a mother figure in your life)?

My mom was my Girl Scout leader and the Head Leader of our area Girl Scout Troop. I remember taking many fun adventures with her during my Girl Scout years. I also remember her helping many other young girls. Several of the young girls  came to our house for meetings and mentoring.

 4. Flared jeans, maxi dresses, and jumpsuits are 70's fashion trends back this spring. Are you on board? Which trend would you be most inclined to try? For the men...flared corduroys, wide-collared shirts, and floral prints...what say you? 

A fun maxi dress

 5. May 6th is Teacher Appreciation Day and also Nurse Appreciation Day. Is there a nurse or teacher  you have especially appreciated along the way? Tell us why?

 

Mr. Heath was my High School Biology teacher. He was a fabulous teacher. He made learning fun. He loved the outdoors and he enjoyed taking his students out and about. He was very hands on. He was easy to ask questions and made time for students.

 6. If I came by your house, what would I find on your frig door?

Eggs, Milk, Butter, Lemon Juice, Ketchup, Mustard, Barbecue Sauce....

I just noticed I read the question - What would I find IN your frig door! LOL
Okay, no I am not this messy. LOL
You would find
Milwaukee Brewers 2015  Schedule
Rice Lake Warrbirds Trap Shooting Team Schedule
Family Photos
Quotes 
Fun magnates of places we have visited

 7. Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana made her royal entrance on Saturday, May 2nd. On a scale of 1-10, how much attention did you give to all the news coverage? 1=Who's Charlotte? 10=sat glued to the telly, cuppa in hand.

 4

  My husband told me right away Saturday morning "It is a Girl!" I was excited to see the first photos and I could not wait to find out what they decided to name her.

 8.  Insert your own random thought here.

 My cup is full. I would not trade 

My job with any other,

Be it rich man, ruler, prince, or king,

I am my children's mother.

I found this poem in a 1963 Mother-Daughter Banquet Idea Book