About The River

Monday, November 30, 2015

Hope



 Hope
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
Emily Dickinson

 


Monday, November 23, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving
Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving.
I will be taking a blog break to enjoy the holiday.

There are so many wonderful things to remind us that life is good,
and we are blessed every day!

Wishbone
Do not forget to keep the wishbone from your turkey.
Let it dry for a week.
Grab a friend and together pull...SNAP...who ever has the longest piece of the wishbone will get to make a wish.
 

 Happy Thanksgiving

Friday, November 20, 2015

On the Road Friday ~ Ashland, Wisconsin


Do you see the Dock in the background?
The above photo was taken in 2012 at our Book Across The Bay ski race.
 
That is/was the Ashland Oredock in the background.
On my sisters weekend, the Oredock was gone.

My last visit to Ashland was in 2013, and some of the Oredock was still in place.
It was a big change for me to not see the dock out in the bay  as I was driving into Ashland.
 

The former Wisconsin Central (Soo Line) Ore Dock was the iconic feature of Ashland in regards to its representation of the economic impact on one of the City’s founding industries, its visual impact to the cityscape, and its geographic impact to the community’s waterfront.
Despite the community’s efforts, the deteriorating, unmaintained superstructure on the dock was removed with dismantling commencing in 2011 and being completed in late 2013.


Today, what remains of the Ore Dock is the substantial 66’ wide concrete base which extends out more than 1,900’ into Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay.


In October while I was waiting for my sister to arrive in Ashland, I took a little walk on the new Ashland Dock.
 

The City of Ashland has done a great job of improving the water front.
I enjoyed my walk on the dock.
I am sharing a few of the photos I captured from the dock.


 Looking at Ashland, Wisconsin 
From the Dock


 Welcome Back On The Dock

  
Chequamegon Bay
South Shores of Lake Superior


 Living on the Water

 

Thank you to all who entered my Thanksgiving Giveaway.
was the winner!

Have a great weekend!
 

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Hello Wednesday, it is the Hodgepodge

Happy Wednesday

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

 1. What's surprised you most about your life, or about life in general?
Life can be hard. Full of ups and downs. What I have learned is how I react to it.
I try to keep this advice from Charles Swindoll in mind as I go along. 




2. Among others, these ten words were added to the Oxford English Dictionary this year...awesomesauce, beer o'clock, brain fart, buttdial, cat cafe (apparently this is a real thing), fatberg (gross-read the definition here), fat shame, hangry, Mx (gender neutral), and skippable. 

Your thoughts? In looking over the list, which word do you find most ridiculous? Which word would you never in a million years say out loud? Which word would you be most likely to use in conversation?
 
 I do not think I would use any of the following.
I sometimes pick up fun words my boys make up, I think I will stick with that.

 3. Do you like gravy? Is there a food you'd rather not eat unless it comes with gravy? Do you make your own or buy the canned or store-made variety? Turkey and gravy, sausage gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, country ham and red eye gravy, biscuits and chocolate gravy, pot roast and gravy...which one on the list is your favorite?

No, I do not usually like gravy. I think it covers up the taste of the food too much. I will put a little on some of my foods if it is offered. 
We do not make gravy here at our house.
My mom will make it, homemade and I will have a little of hers.

 4. Do you have a plan? Do you need a plan? Have you ever had a plan fall into a trillion pieces? Explain.

Yes, I am a planner! Yes, I usually need a plan of some kind. It is okay if the plan needs to be adjusted. I do not get all bent out of shape if it does. I am flexible.
Yes, I had a plan fall into a trillion pieces. When this happens, I sometimes cry, depends on what the plan was, and move to plan B.

 5. November 19 is National Play Monopoly Day. Do you own the original or some version of the game? Do you enjoy playing Monopoly? How likely is it you'll play a game of Monopoly on November 19th? Ever been to Atlantic City? Ever taken a ride on a railroad? Is parking in your town free? Last thing you took a chance on?

Yes, we have the original game and the Star Wars version.
Yes, I enjoy playing  Monopoly. I loved playing with my mom when I was in middle school.
I will not have time to play Monopoly on November 19th. I already have plans.
No, I have not been to Atlantic City.
Yes, I have taken a ride on a railroad.
Yes, parking is free in my town.
The last thing I took a chance on? The United States Postal Department. I honestly think the U.S. Mail service has it in for me. My mail, my packages get sent all over the the place, but to the person who is to receive them!
My parents live two hours East of Cameron....it took a over a week for my mom to receive a letter in the mail from me.
I think I could do a blog series on my U.S. Mail Stories.
This is kind of funny, my grandma worked for the U.S. Mail for 40 years! She had a rural route. I helped deliver mail with her many times.

 
6. A song you like that has the word (or some form of the word) thanks in the title, lyrics, or meaning?

Thank God I am a Country Boy


 7. In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude....what is something you're taking for granted that when you stop and think about it, you're grateful for?

My home. I can take my warm house for granted.  
Yesterday, it was cold and rainy here in Wisconsin.
After running some errands, it was so nice to know, I would come home to a nice warm house.

8. Insert your own random thought here.  

Next Wednesday, I will be traveling to my parents for Thanksgiving.
Wishing all my Wednesday Hodgepodge readers, a Happy Thanksgiving. 



Over the river, and through the wood,
To Grandfather's house we go;
the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river, and through the wood,
to Grandfather's house away!
We would not stop for doll or top,
for 'tis Thanksgiving Day.
Over the river, and through the wood—
oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes and bites the nose
as over the ground we go.
Over the river, and through the wood—
and straight through the barnyard gate,
We seem to go extremely slow,
it is so hard to wait!
Over the river, and through the wood—
When Grandmother sees us come,
She will say, "O, dear, the children are here,
bring a pie for everyone."
Over the river, and through the wood—
now Grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!
Lydia Maria Child
 
 

Monday, November 16, 2015

How Special a Letter Is and A Thanksgiving Giveaway

The Special Art of Writing Letters

Our family recently lost a dear friend.
She was in the hospital, nursing home, back to the hospital and then to hospice.
My mom taught my sister and I the importance of writing letters at an early age.
Taking time to write a friend, it means so much to that person.

During our friends time in the hospital, nursing home and hospice. She kept my mom's letters. My mom made it a practice to write Irma a letter each and every Monday during her illness.

While in hospice, she asked for the letters to be read to her again and again.
My parents live on a farm. They have all kinds of fun things going on. They have cows having calves, chickens, pigs and of sharing about family adventures in the letters too.

I wrote Irma as well, sharing about our boys, our adventures and our garden.
While writing the letters I did not know how important they would become later for her.

Click here to read more 

Thanksgiving Giveaway
 

 To say Thank You, to all my wonderful readers and for all the support of my blog. I am doing a Thanksgiving Giveaway. All you have to do is leave a comment below.
The winner will receive a crochet basket, towel, and a bouquet of strawflowers.


 My husband, Jeremy, will pick the winner the old fashioned way, out of a hat on Thursday, November 19th. The winner will be announced on Friday, November 20th.


Smiles from our favorite people are such a blessing.

Every time I think of you...I thank God for you.
1 Corinthians 1:4
The Message
 

Friday, November 13, 2015

Treasure


 A dear family friend passed away in September.
Our family was passed down a few treasures, to remember her by.


 We received some of her hiking sticks. 
Our family loves to hike and she did too. 
What a treasure to think of us and pass her hiking sticks on to our family.


 Two lovely blankets!
Handmade with love.


 Lovely flowers to make me smile.


 Hand stitched with the thought of summer in the air.

  
Knowing blue is my favorite color!
 
Friends are the greatest of gifts.
Take time to tell your friend what he or she means to you!



Sending all of you a Hug for this weekend.
And the winner of our Thanksgiving Giveaway this week is Benita at Chasing Quaintness
 

Monday, November 9, 2015

Thanksgiving Giveaway

 Happy Thanksgiving
Saying "Thank You" to all of you who read and support The River.
I appreciate you!

To enter all you have to do is leave a comment below.

My son Atticus will pick a winner the old fashioned way, by pulling a name out of a hat on the evening of  Thursday November, 12th. I will post the winner Friday, November 13th. 

The winner will receive two butterflies, two doilies and a bouquet of strawflowers. 


Sometimes simple words say it best:
Thank you!

Have a great week!

 ♥
Carla
 

Friday, November 6, 2015

On The Road Friday - Madeline Island - Lake Superior


 Hello and Welcome to On The Road Friday.
October 16, 17 and 18 my sister  and I celebrated our second Sister's Weekend.
This year we traveled to Madeline Island, the largest of the Apostle Islands, Lake Superior.


 The following photos are taken on the Island.


 The weather was perfect for hiking. We hiked at Big Bay State Park.


 The Autumn colors were showing off.


 Madeline Island 
Population
Summer - 2,500
Winter - 220


 Winds across Lake Superior in excess of 100 MPH!


 Big Bay State Park 


 Madeline Island Ferry


 I drove. This was the first time for me to drive our truck on to a Ferry. 
I did it, truck and sister all safe on the Ferry, to the Island and back.


My sister and I enjoyed a great weekend of catching up!
I will be doing a few more posts about Madeline Island and giving some tips of what we learned to help plan your vacation.
Thank you for coming along today.
 
 •  And now for the winner of the Thanksgiving Giveaway  •
 The Winner Is ... Debby of Just Breathe
Yippee for Debby!
Debby just had a crazy week, so I hope this will help cheer things up.

Thank you to all of you. I appreciate each and every reader.

I had a reader mention having trouble leaving comments on my blog.
Please let me know if you do and any suggestions.
Thank You!!

Have a Happy Weekend!
  

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Hello November, it is the Hodgepodge

Hello November

Welcome to the Hodgepodge.
Joyce asks the questions.
We answer the questions.



1. Besides Thanksgiving, something you're looking forward to on your November calendar?
I have  plans to meet up with friends during the month of November. I always enjoy that. 

 2.  If I gave you a thank you card right now who would you send it to and why?
 My mom.
She created some lovely items for my Thanksgiving Blog Giveaway!

 3. Of the breads listed, which one's your favorite...bagel, cinnamon, sourdough, garlic, banana, biscuit, pita, Naan, or plain old fashioned white bread?
Banana!! I love warm banana bread with real butter. 
YUM!

 4. What's something you have in abundance? Is that a good thing?
Parsnips!
I think I planted too many. They did very well, which is a good thing.
I need ideas on preparing parsnips for my family.
And my boys are NOT real crazy about parsnips so far. 
Ha!

 5. November 5th is National Love Your Red Hair Day. Are there any redheads in your family? Who's your favorite redhead?
No, redheads in my family.
Who is my favorite redhead?
1982 Annie - I love this version of Annie.
 
 

 6.  The travel website Busbud recently calculated the most Instagrammed spot in every state. Go here to see what made the list where you live. Are you happy with your state's #1? If not what do you think should be the most photographed spot in your state? Have you snapped a photo there? If you live outside the USA answer as it relates to your state, city or province.

Rock Island State Park was the spot for Wisconsin. I have not visited the Island, but I think it would be lovely from the photos I looked at on line.
Wisconsin is an amazing place. It is full of beauty in every direction. I would not be able to pick one spot.

7. I'm going to try to have something related to gratitude in this spot each week during the month of November. Here's this week's question-

What's something you've learned about yourself this year that you're grateful for?

It is okay to say, NO. This has not been easy for me. It has taken years. 
I am a people pleaser at heart. I can take on too much. Over the years I have burnt myself out.
I am very thankful with the progress I made this year.


8. Insert your own random thought here. 





When do you start to decorate for Christmas?

Do you have your Christmas shopping started?
 

 

Monday, November 2, 2015

Thanksgiving Giveaway


Thanksgiving Giveaway 

November brings good skating weather, Thanksgiving gathers us together.
Tasha Tudor

Thank you, to my readers.
 I am blessed by your comments and care. 
I appreciate each and every one of you.

With the help of my mom, I will be doing a Thanksgiving Giveaway for the next three Monday's in November. 

The first giveaway is a blue crochet basket, butterfly magnet, kitchen towel and some strawflowers.

All you need to do is leave a comment below.

My son Sam will pick the winner the old fashioned way, out of a hat on Thursday, November 5th. The winner will be announced Friday, November 6th.