Goodbye to May and it is the Hodgepodge!

 

Hello Friends,

Goodness, it is the last week of May and it is Wednesday. Time to do the Hodgepodge!

Click here to join the fun..

Joyce Asks the Questions 

We answer the questions.

 1. It's National Wine Day (May 25)...do you like wine? Red or white? Dry or sweet? Do you have a favorite? Have you ever been to California wine country? Or any other wine region? What's a dish you make that calls for wine? 

I do enjoy wine. 

I have not been to California wine country or any wine region. If you have been a long time reader of The River, you will remember my friend Marv. He traveled every autumn to New York. He had a favorite wine and enjoyed the wine region of New York.

2. What's something you've whined about lately? 

I cannot say that I have whined, but I am genuinely concerned with many things that are happening in our nation. The price of fuel has come into the conversation, not so much in a whine, but in great concern. My family is in the agriculture business and prices for fuel are a big concern.

 3. Last time you were 'wined and dined'? Tell us about it. 

 The company my husband works for continues to host a Company Christmas Party. December 2021, we enjoyed a night on the town at the party. We enjoyed a delicious dinner, lots of laughs and a Brandy Old Fashion or two.

4. Three cheers for_____________________.

 Atticus, who had a birthday May, 18th!

5. This will be the last Hodgepodge in the month of May. Somehow next Wednesday the calendar rolls into June. Before we go though, sum up your May in twelve words or less. 

Happy Mother's Day, Happy Birthday's and Happy Anniversary on the last day of May to my best friend, Jeremy. 

We will always be in full bloom... together. 

♥

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 Our Flag does not fly because the wind moves it, it flies with the last breath of every soldier who died defending it.

A Joyful Heart

 

A joyful heart is good medicine.

Proverbs 17:22

The ability to get a laugh out of everyday situations is a safety valve. It rids us of tensions and worries that could otherwise damage our health. 

What is it that brings healing to the emotions, healing to the soul? 

A joyful heart!

 

I am so thankful for the friends in my life, who make me laugh! Currently there is so much going on that is totally out of control. As a family, we take one day at a time and continue on doing our best.. with the help of a joyful heart.. we have to keep laughing.

  ♥

Carla

  

That Kind of Day

 

Hello Friends,

I have been chewing on a few things as of late.. our son's deployment, a  personal change for me and current events. I read the following from Charles Swindoll. It helped me and I decided to share it, just in case his words can help you as well.

Thoughts are the thermostat that regulates what we accomplish in life. My body responds and reacts to the input from my mind. If I feed my mind upon doubt, disbelief, and discouragement, that is precisely the kind of day my body will experience. If I adjust my thermostat forward to thoughts filled with vision, vitality, and victory, I can count on that kind of day. 

You and I become what we think.

♥ 

Carla

 

 

Family - Size Nacho Board

 

Hello Friends,

During the Christmas season our family enjoyed several Charcuterie boards. I was looking for some fun new ideas to create boards and I came across this cookbook.. 

   Big Boards for Families

 

Through stunning recipes and hosting tips from Sandy Coughlin, founder of the recipe and hospitality blog, Reluctant Entertainer, Big Boards for Families shows you how to artfully craft and serve food boards to your close friends and family. Piece together these bountiful spreads with a variety of ingredients and options that allow you and your guests to customize every dish.

Whether it’s for a morning brunch or movie-night get-together, you and your family will find over 50 splendid food boards to create and enjoy together, including:

• Tea Party Brunch Board
• Sweet and Savory Trail Mix Board
• Perfect Party Crostini Board
• Summer Burger Board
• Pistachio Lemon Salmon Board
• Festive Taco Dinner Board
• Cake Bites Dessert Board

Big Boards for Families shows you how to casually host in style with minimum effort and maximum impact, allowing you to focus on spending time together, rather than being stuck in the kitchen. Everyone will feel comfortable digging in and helping themselves to their own personalized portion.

These plentiful charcuterie boards will impress your guests and delight your family, even those picky eaters! Choose the right spread for your family from a selection of food boards for dinner, lunch, after-school snacks, breakfast, or brunch. They’re also perfect for special occasions and game days too.

Invite friends, neighbors, and family over to your home and discover a new way of bringing those dearest to you around the table with Big Boards for Families. 

 

I created the Family - Size Nacho Board

YUM.. it was so good and really easy to prepare.  

 

Do you enjoy creating Charcuterie Boards? Do you have a favorite themed board? 

Or have you enjoyed eating from a Charcuterie Board? 

My Article for the May issue of the Cameron Chronicle

 

Hello Friends,

Today I am sharing the article I wrote for the May issue of the Cameron Chronicle ~ "The Little Paper With Personality."

I share about my garden florist business in the article as well. Spring is here, I am so happy to be back out in the garden and creating bouquets. 

Have a lovely week my friends.

♥ 

Carla 

 

 

April Showers Bring May Flowers

By Carla TePaske of Cameron WI ~ The Little Garden That Could

May brings the opening of the Flower Shack. Located at 206 Arlington Avenue, Cameron, Wisconsin you will find a self serve seasonal flower shop. Look for the sign on Main Street of Cameron and you will know that the Flower Shack is open.

If you need a bouquet delivered, or would like to subscribe to our seasonal flower subscription service, check out our website, www.littlegardenthatcould.com

Here are a few of the flowers you will find at the Flower Shack in the coming months: daffodils, tulips, lily of the valley, iris, peony, dahlias, zinnia and sunflowers.

If you happen to see me working out in the garden, I would be happy to give you a garden tour.

Buying Fresh Cut Flowers makes dreams come true.. so a very special Thank You!

Gardening Tips for May

May is the busiest time in the garden but do not panic, take things one step at a time and you will get it all done.

* Start to direct sow hardy annuals.

* Harden off seedlings that have been started indoors. Place them outside during the day, but bring them in again late afternoon, and do this for about a week or so. This way they will get used to the cooler conditions before being planted outside.

* Keep on top of weeds.

An April Birthday Bash

 

We enjoyed celebrating our oldest son's birthday in April. We enjoyed grilled chicken, pasta salad, fruit salad and homemade Honey Butter Rolls.

For dessert I made Highlander Grogg Filled Cupcakes. These cupcakes are so good! They made for the perfect way to celebrate a special birthday!

We went for a hike in the woods after dinner ~ before cake and gifts. 

"You may run, walk, stumble, drive or fly, but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way."

Gloria Gaither

 

Spring Thaw and High Water

 

Hello Friends, 

Over the Easter weekend my husband and I stopped in to hike to Slough Gundy on the Flambeau River. During the spring thaw you witness the power of river water.

Slough Gundy is also called Little Falls, it is a fun spot to explore during all the seasons. I was lucky to have grown up only 20 miles away from the area. I was able to enjoy all the seasons. It is a fun area to picnic, fish or view the rugged whitewater of the South Fork of the Flambeau River.

 

 

It has been a cold spring. I was fascinated with the ice forming from the high water making icicles.

 

"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive ~ it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for the imagination then, would there?"

Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables