Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July

Each 4th of July I make up Red, White and Blue, daisy bouquets.

It is easy to do.

Pick your bouquet of daisies.

Add food coloring to your water in your vases.

Your daisies will drink up the water and the petals will change color.

It will take a few days for the petals to change color. It is worth the wait. 

You will have a fun 4th of July bouquet made by you!

 

Wishing you a fun filled week!

I will be taking a blog break to spend time with family and friends.

Be back soon!

 

 ♥

Carla

 

 

You've Got Mail at The Little Garden That Could

 This week we have been very busy working at the gardens. Each day it is always fun to check for mail. Yippee, our flag was up, You've Got Mail at The Little Garden That Could.

We received a dinner reservation.

We received a thank you.

And we received....we will get to that.

In case you missed my post about the The Little Garden That Could mailbox, Click here

 Today we received the following note in the mailbox

There's a wood chuck eating up your garden!!

It goes under the rock pallets by the water tanks - 

spotted one more!!

 

GULP! Any ideas? Anyone want a woodchuck for a pet?

Have a great weekend!

 ♥

Carla

 

 

It is a Rose Smelling Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Hodgepodge!

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun 

 1. June 23rd is National Pink Day. What's your favorite something pink?

 Pink is my second favorite color.

I had a pink bedroom growing up.

My grandma bought me pink satin sheets when I was in 8th grade. 

Today, I have a pink phone case. The color is actually called POWER PINK!

 2. What did you enjoy most about gym class when you were in school? How about the least?

Our gym class loved to play floor hockey. Our Phy Ed teacher was the best. He just let us play floor hockey just about the entire year.

Volleyball was my least favorite sport to play. I just could not get that volleyball to go forward. 

 3. What memory is brought to mind by the smell of roses?

 The entry to my Grandparents home was surrounded by roses on both sides. 

 4. Do you prefer to read or write?

I like to do both.

 5. Sam Keen is quoted as saying, 'Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.' Would you agree? Is laziness ever respectable? How will you be lazy this summer?

 

I do not know if I am ever lazy. I always seem to be doing something.

Relaxing on the deck with a new book. 

Canoeing on the river.

Picking wildflowers.

6. The Florida Keys, Disney World, or a resort somewhere on the Gulf Coast...which Florida destination would you choose (and why) if the trip were today?

Disney World

I think my boys would enjoy it.

Disney Hollywood Studios

Star Wars

Yes, I think they would love that.

Disney Animal Kingdom would be next.

  7. What question do you hate to answer?

Do you wish one of your boys was a girl?

I hate that question and usually roll my eyes at the inconsiderate person who asked it.

My husband and I have been blessed with two healthy boys.

We are thankful!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  

 

Funny on Monday

A man went into a Wells Fargo bank and planned to rob it. He got a deposit slip
and wrote on it: "This iz a stikup. Put all the munny in this bag." Then he stood in line.
But he got nervous thinking that someone might have seen him write the note. So he left
the bank and crossed the street to the Bank of America. He waited in line, then handed
the note to the teller. After reading the note, the teller determined that the man was not
very bright. So he told him he could not accept the stickup note because it was written on
a Wells Fargo deposit slip. He would either have to fill out a Bank of America deposit
slip or go back to the Wells Fargo. Looking somewhat defeated, the man said, "OK," and
returned to the Wells Fargo where he was arrested while standing in line.

Have a Happy Monday!

 

On the Road Friday ~ Northstar Bison

Welcome to, On the Road Friday.

Today, we are taking a trip to Northstar Bison, Rice Lake, Wisconsin.

 June 5th our family had the opportunity to tour Northstar Bison.

Northstar Bison is a family owned and operated, vertically integrated enterprise, that was birthed in September 1994 with the purchase of 2 young bison from Bluemound State Park in Luverne, Minnesota, to fulfill a life-long dream. Shortly after, in January of 1995, we added six bred cows which contributed to the growth of the herd to 14. During that time, the decision to market the meat directly was made and formed the distribution division. In pursuit of learning how to raise and produce the highest quality of meat, we realized that 100% grassfed bison was the best all around; good for land, good for the animals and good for people. This became our motto. We determined to make quality product and excellent customer service our primary commitment to our customers.

Click here to learn more 

If you have time, be sure to watch the video tour of the ranch on the website.

It is a great way to learn more about the ranch and see the beauty.

 

 We went out on a wagon, right into the field with the bison.

Pollen was floating all around during our tour.  

No, you do not see bugs in the air.  It is pollen. 

  

I love you, Mom!

FUN FACT

 Male and female bison have horns.

 Sweet baby!

 Home on the Range

 Thank you for coming along today.

Have a Happy Weekend!

and 

Happy Father's Day!

 

It is an Adventure Hodgepodge

Hello, welcome to the Hodgepodge!

My son Atticus, learning how to bird hunt with his daddy.

 Happy Father's Day 

Joyce asks us the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 

1. June is National Great Outdoors Month. Have you spent any time appreciating the great outdoors this month? If so where, and if not do you have any plans to enjoy the great outdoors before the calendar turns?

Yes, we enjoyed a hike Tuesday, June 16th.  We hiked 6 miles on the Tuscobia State Trail. We enjoyed a lovely day with temperatures in the 70's and no humidity. 

Tuscobia State Trail 

Sunday we plan to celebrate Father's Day biking on a local bike trail.

2. What's a current hot button issue for you?

People who think the food they purchase at the grocery store just is made right at the grocery store. I know that may sound strange. Sadly it is true. So many people have no idea what goes into feeding this world. 

Lack of water in California is a HUGE issue. This week farmers have been asked to reduce the amount of water they use AGAIN.

Living in the Northland of Wisconsin, I sure do appreciate all the California farmers who are working hard so I can enjoy fresh celery in January!

The water issue has been something California has struggled with for years. I pray as people are educated about where and how our food ends up at the store, we can find ways to help solve some of the farmers struggles.

 3. What's a food or treat that 'disappears like hotcakes' in your house?

 Fruit! My boys love fruit. 

My husband will put his name on a few apples in the fruit bowl. If he does not, by the time he  comes home from work, they will be gone. Our boys love fruit, I can not complain about that.

  4. How hot is too hot?

I do not mind heat. I can not stand heat and humidity. 80 degrees in Wisconsin with 85% humidity....HELP!

  5. Do you have an artistic outlook on life? What does that mean to you?

I notice beauty or I will find beauty in something that may not seem beautiful.

So, I think I do.

6. What's one question you'd like to ask your father, or one you wish you could ask your father?

 My dad's father passed away in an accident when he was 15 years old. I have always wanted to know more about my dad's dad, my grandpa, but it is not an easy subject to bring up with my dad.

 
7. Something you learned from your father?

INDEPENDENCE

My husband calls this "You can be so stubborn, why don't you ask me for help?!?"

 8.  Insert your own random thought here.

 

 "Too many people try to fake their way through life. That is why the real ones shine so brightly...."

Rules of the Road

Joan Bauer

 

Pink Lemonade Moth

While shopping a few weeks ago, we walked out of a store to find this moth. I never seen such a moth and immediately decided I found a new species, the Pink Lemonade Moth. 

Once we got home, we searched on the Internet and found that this moth is the Rosy Maple Moth. 

Click here for more information 

I think the Rosy Maple Moth is one of most beautiful moths I have ever seen.

And I do wonder if she was shopping and simply got tired out from not finding what she was looking for, like I do sometimes.

Before your sight,

Mounts on the breeze the butterfly,

 and soars,

Small creature as she is, from earth's bright flowers

Into the dewy clouds.

Wordsworth

 

 

 

One Man's Trash is a Girl's Treasure

Our neighbor had this mailbox out for the trash.

I ran out and made it mine.

 A fun idea was swimming in my mind. 

"How about a mailbox out at the community gardens?"

 A little spray paint and permanent markers.

 My husband helped me put my mailbox up.

"You've Got Mail"

 I named my garden, The Little Garden That Could.

One of my favorite things about gardening out at the community gardens is meeting all the gardeners. Last week Saturday we went out to work. One of our gardening neighbors came over to ask us some questions about bugs. We talked about remedies for bugs and deer. I mentioned my Keep the Deer Out recipe Click here for recipe

The couple asked if I would share the recipe. The husband said to me"Just leave it in your mailbox with the  flag up, we will know to look for it"

I also received a fun little note from a friend in my mailbox, wishing me a great garden season.

 

One man's trash has indeed become a treasure. The Little Garden That Could, has already made me smile.

Stop the Car ~ I need to take a picture

 "Stop the car, I need to take a photo of this house...my little dream house." I say.

My husband slows and I take a photo of this charming house, that I would love to be mine. 

It is so sweet and full of flower gardens.

My husband knows how much I love this property. It is not really on the way to our destination, but every once in awhile, he will take the out of the way route for me to see my house.

Look at that window up top. I do wonder. I would love a peek inside.

Do you have a dream house?

"My mother desires me to tell you that I am a very good housekeeper, which I have no reluctance in doing, because I really think it my peculiar excellence, and for this reason -  I always take care to provide such things as please my own appetite, which I consider as the chief merit in housekeeping."

The Wit and Wisdom of Jane Austen

Letters to Cassandra November 17 - 18, 1798

 

 

Do you have Deer visit your Garden?

 

 

I am posting this again. It is a new garden season and we all can use advice. Last garden season we used Marv's Deer Juice recipe faithfully.  We even used it on our potatoes and it killed potato bugs!  We call it the "Wonder Spray" and it is all natural.

 

 

 

 

Yes, we have deer in the garden. So far they have not eaten anything. We just find their tracks along the gardens edge.

 Our trick of keeping the deer out of our garden has been Marv's Deer Solution or as my husband calls it, Marv's Deer Juice. He also drew the fun deer on the jug. Our boys just laugh and laugh when they look at dad's art work. :-)

If you have deer trouble in your yard or garden, try the following recipe. It has worked well for us.

Marv's Deer Solution

1 cup milk

2 eggs

1 TBSP dish detergent

1 TBSP cooking oil

Add everything (except dish soap) whip on high in blender. Let settle, add dish soap, put into a gallon jug, fill remaining with water. Let solution sit in the sun to get stinky.

Spray plants and watch the deer walk past.

You must spray again after a rain and the plants are dry.

Do you have a deer solution that works for you?

Rain

The rain was like a little mouse,

Quiet, small, and gray,

It pattered all around the house

And then it went away.

It did not come, I understand, 

Indoors at all, until,

I found an open window and 

Left tracks across the sill.

Elizabeth Coatsworth

 

 

On the Road Friday ~ Minnesota Ballet

Hello, Welcome to On the Road Friday. 

We are going to take a trip to Duluth, Minnesota to the Symphony Hall and enjoy Sleeping Beauty ~ The Ballet Story.

The performance was presented by the Minnesota Ballet Company.

Minnesota Ballet Company 

 The DECC 

Click here for more information

Located on the shores of Lake Superior in the resort city of Duluth, the DECC offers world-class convention, sport, special event and entertainment facilities. We’re just steps away from quaint Canal Park and Downtown, offering shops, restaurants and hotels. And did we mention the panoramic views of the Aerial Lift Bridge and the Harbor?

If you’re looking for entertainment in Northeastern Minnesota, look no further. The DECC is home to the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, Broadway series, concerts, Home and Sports Shows, Minnesota Ballet, UMD Men’s and Women’s Bulldog Hockey and the William A. Irvin ore boat museum.

 Nice and warm inside the Symphony Hall.

 Looking out at Lake Superior

 Comfortable seating for the ballet.

This was a first for our boys. I enjoy ballet, I was not sure if they would or not. I wanted to treat them to a ballet. Sleeping Beauty is a story they already know, so I thought it would be a good ballet for them to experience.

To my delight, they loved it. 

We are not allowed to take photos during the performance...so I leave you with

Once Upon A Time

Do you enjoy ballet? Do you have a favorite?

  

June is Dairy Month in Wisconsin ~ Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Hodgepodge

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

  Click here to join the fun!

Joyce will be taking next week off, so be sure to join in the fun this week!

1. What's something you're looking forward to in the month of June?

June is Dairy Month in Wisconsin. I look forward to it, because my parents are diary farmers. I love the fact that I grew up on a farm. I am very aware of what it takes to feed a nation and a world. I am proud my parents have worked so hard to continue to dairy farm. Knowing that the milk from their cows makes delicious, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and so may more great items, makes me smile.

2. In what way have you come full circle? 

In answering question number 1, I explained how much I enjoyed growing up on a farm. Currently I live in a small town. I have struggled with this for many years and dreamed of moving to the country. As the years have gone by, I have gotten use to town life. What really helped me recently is having a garden at the Community Gardens. I have 4 garden plots....which my boys says looks like a small field. I guess I am starting to close in on that farming life with my big garden. I am able to plant all the flowers and vegetables I want, and I have a Fresh Flower and Produce Stand right in my front yard. Providing fresh veggies for my small town neighbors.

3. Lonely Planet lists 10 spots in America you should see in 2015 and the reasons why. How many on the list have you seen? Which one on the list would you most like to see?

Queens NY, Western South Dakota, New Orleans, Colorado River Region, North Conway NH, Indianapolis IN, Greenville SC, Oakland CA, Duluth MN, and the Mount Shasta Region CA
 

Duluth, Minnesota

December, 2012

We love Duluth, Minnesota and visit Duluth every year. This year we visited the last weekend of March. We hope to get back yet this summer. Duluth is full of wonderful places to explore. 

We live about 110 miles from Duluth.

We have also visited Western South Dakota.

Out of the rest, the one I would like to visit the most would be the Colorado River Region.

 4. A song that describes your mood right now?

 "If You're Happy and You Know It"

"Clap your hands"

Clap

Clap

 5. Strawberry ice cream, strawberry short cake, strawberry pie, or strawberries right off the vine...your favorite?

Fresh Strawberries....yummy!

6. Aesop's birthday is celebrated on June 4th, although there is some disagreement as to whether or not that's accurate, or if he was even a real person. Regardless, the name Aesop is associated to this day with many well known fables. Which of the following best applies to something in your life right now? The Tortoise and the Hare (Slow and Steady wins the race), The Ant and the Grasshopper (Be prepared), The Fox and the Goat (Look before you leap) or The Crow and the Pitcher (Necessity is the mother of invention)?

The Tortoise and the Hare

Slow and Steady wins the race. You can not push planting a garden. You have to take your time and remind yourself slow and steady. We had several days of hard rain and then very cold weather. Seeds and plants need care and patience.

 7. The answer is yes...what's the question?

The question is, Are you happy?

The answer is, Yes!

On May 31st, my husband and I celebrated our 18th Anniversary. 

I am happy and blessed. 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments.

Janet Kilburn Phillips