This and That

 

 

Hello Friends, a little of this and that to share with you today. 

We will start with flowers.

 

"Never live faster than your guardian angels can fly"

Susan Branch

 

I harvested our first batch of fresh lettuce.

 

 

 "I seek quiet joys."

John Clare 

 

Shug asked me to take a photo of the Osprey nest that I shared in my post from last week... in case you missed the post click here to read about our local Ospreys.

Look up at the stadium lights.  

 

"Blessed are the happiness makers!"

Henry Ward Beecher

 

Meet us in Narrows Park

We enjoyed a picnic with some of my past coworkers and volunteers from DAYBREAK. 

 

"Fun is Good."

Susan Branch 

 

 

Each morning a load of culverts have been unloaded for a big project that will be happening in our village. 

 

" Life is either a great adventure or nothing."

Helen Keller

 

 I started this begonia from seed...  I cannot believe the size of it.

 

Have a great week my friends. 

I will be on an adventure... be back soon.

♥

 Carla

 

On The Road Friday ~ Necedah, Wisconsin

 

 

Hello Friends,

Our latest adventure was to Necedah, Wisconsin. We visited the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge... and it was a fantastic time. We saw so much wildlife and beauty. A sampling of what we saw, deer, including a fawn, porcupine, turtles, swans, herons, butterfly, and so much more.

Click here for more information Necedah National Wildlife Refuge 

And one more place to click for more information 

 

 

2023 we had a drought, 2024 we are receiving rain, rain and more rain. The boardwalk was flooded, but Ernie and I decided to brave the waters.. it was not that deep, just a wee bit over my shoe.

 

A few photos from the day... one of the butterfly that we saw was a Karner Blue Butterfly. I did not get a good photo of it because it was flying up and down and all around. 

Click here to learn more about the Karner Blue Butterfly

We subscribe to Our Wisconsin Magazine. It is a fun magazine all about Wisconsin. The Spring issue featured the JB Polish and American Deli. We decided to eat our lunch here.

 

 

After reading about Zofia and her deli.. we decided to eat lunch here.

90 percent of the items in her store are from Poland. 

Zofia displays Polish treasures in her deli, including a traditional dress featuring intricate beadwork. Red and white are the country's national colors.

 

A few more photos from the day of exploring the area.

 

 Thank you for coming along with me on our adventure to Necedah, Wisconsin.

 ♥

Carla

 

Ernie and his Dolly

 

Hello Friends, if you are new here to The River, I will fill you in quick. We adopted a rescue dog October 2023... my sister gifted me a fun 2024 calendar featuring a rescue dog... each flip of the calendar page I share a little update about our rescue dog, Ernie.

 

 

 Ernie and his Dolly. Dolly is a Kong Bear. He carries it everywhere and sleeps with it. He also likes to play with Dolly.

 

 

The rope inside of Dolly has come out  with most of the stuffing... Dolly is looking... well LOVED!

 

Ernie is doing really well... what we are working on...

♥ liking the UPS and Fed Ex delivery drivers ... not sure about those fellas walking up the drive

♥ he will be heading out for his first boating trip next week

♥ has done really well with learning not to jump up on people... continuing to work on this

 ♥ likes to chase rabbits and squirrel out of our garden

♥

 

Ospreys

 

Our local osprey... photo taken with our phone.

Hello Friends, today I am going to share about the osprey that nest at the football field  at our local school. They have been nesting at this location for about three years. The school placed a special platform for the osprey to build their nest up on the football lights. Their nests are huge and can weigh up to half a ton!

We know when the osprey are back, because we can hear its call. It is a whistle-like call.

Another name for an osprey is, fish hawk, and for good reason. Ninety-nine percent of the osprey's diet consists of live fish. 

The base of the ospreys' nest is made with sticks. We were lucky enough to witness an osprey grab a dead branch from our neighbors tree, it was amazing. Osprey are strong enough to grab a dead branch and break it off a tree trunk!

It is always a joy for us when we take our dog Ernie for his walk, we walk the school path which is right along the football field, so we can keep a look out for .... Jack and Diane. 

That is what my husband and I decided to name our osprey. 

♥

Carla

 

It is National Dairy Month and the Hodgepodge

 

Happy Dairy Month

Here in Wisconsin we like to make a big deal about our cheese. 

And I have to say we have the best cheese.

Colby

Cheddar

Swiss

Gouda

I can go on and on but it is time for the Hodgepodge.

 

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

 Click here to join the fun!

 1. It's National Cheese Day (June 4)...does anyone not like cheese? What's your favorite? Last thing you ate or made with cheese? 

Marieke Gouda

Gouda is my favorite cheese, from the cheese shop above. Check out the link above. The story of this Dutch couple coming to America to make dreams come true is inspiring. I love super aged Gouda. 

We made a fresh garden salad with sliced  grilled chicken, dried cranberries, olives, celery   and grated super aged Gouda.

 2. Last time you were instructed to 'say cheese!'? How do you feel about having your picture taken? 

I  have not had to say "cheese' lately. I do not like having my photo taken.

 3. What's your travel packing strategy? Are you typically a light packer or do you throw in everything but the ktichen sink? When flying do you check a bag or aim for carry on only? 

I try so hard to pack light... but very seldom succeed. My military son taught me some tricks of rolling your jeans, shirts and more to make more room to pack light.

We have not flown in a LONG time.

 4. What is it about people's cell phone habits that you find most annoying? 

When we are out and about... seeing families all staring at their screen instead of engaging in real life.

5. What will be your summer mantra/slogan?  

Get out on the water... exploring some new lakes and rivers in our canoe or kayaks.

 6. Insert your own random thought here.

 You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

A.A. Milne 

Joy List Monday

 

 

Joy List Monday 

 ♥ a weekly ritual ♥

a reminder to stop and pay attention to the little beauties and graces that make life magical and to set aside time for gratitude each day 

 

 

♥ rain ... after the drought of 2023, every rainfall is a blessing

 ♥ friends ... spending time with special friends in person or taking time to make a phone call

♥ grilling season ... my husband has a true talent with the flames of the grill

♥ flowers ... my friend Cindy creates a hanging basket for me every garden season, this is her color idea for 2024 ... she is all about pink

♥ anniversaries ... my husband and I celebrated our anniversary May 31st ... my friend Jenny shared the following with me ...

Happy the bride the sun shines on in May ... I'll be with you in apple blossom time.

 

♥

wishing you a beautiful week full of little things that make you smile