November is going by fast, and I have yet to share the October calendar page for our little rescue dog, Ernie. My sister gifted us a cute calendar featuring a rescue dog. We rescued our Ernie, October of 2023. I have been sharing monthly updates as I flip the calendar.
Ernie has officially lived with us for a year. He has done so well. We love that little dog and his personality.
Walks along the river bank are a favorite.
And his new blue ball!
Happy Thanksgiving Friends,
We celebrated Thanksgiving with our boys this past Saturday, November 23rd. We also decorated our Christmas tree.
The boys stayed the weekend.
We enjoyed good food
Played Scrabble, I lost.
Decorated our Christmas tree and did a lot of catching up.
Here we are, it is Wednesday already, and it is time for the Hodgepodge.
Joyce asks the questions.
We answer the questions.
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| Home for the Holidays |
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1. Talking turkey...are you cooking the turkey this year? We did enjoy turkey this early Thanksgiving. Does ham belong on a Thanksgiving day menu? We usually have ham for Christmas dinner. When it comes to gravy do you pour it over your whole plate, skip it altogether, or land somewhere in between? My husband made our gravy, I did put some on my dressing. It was good. I usually skip gravy altogether. Cranberries-homemade or jelled right out of the can? We like jelled right out of a can. I also have a homemade cranberry dish I make. Do you look forward more to the main course, the savory sides, or the desserts? I look forward to the savory sides.
I know there are at least a couple of bloggers who participate here
who live outside the US and won't be celebrating Thanksgiving. If that's
you feel free to adapt this question to your December (or any) holiday
meal.
2. Holiday movies...tell us your favorite and what it is about the film that makes you love it. Is it the film itself or a memory it stirs?
1954 White Christmas - Bing Crosby - Danny Kaye - Rosemary Clooney - Vera Ellen
I love the music, the dancing, the acting. I love Gen. Waverly, the love for America, the love the men show to Gen. Waverly. White Christmas is a family favorite. We all know the songs and several of our favorite lines from the movie too.
3. A favorite way to give back and help others?
Samaritan's Purse
We participate with Operation Christmas Child
and
Operation Heal Our Patriots.
4. Name a place or setting you encountered this month that made you feel grateful.
The dentist. We just had an appointment last Wednesday. I am so grateful for my hygienist, Krista, we have become friends. She has been my hygienist for close to 9 years. She has watched our boys graduate, go into the military, college, deployments and more. We talk as if we are old friends.
I gifted her a potted plant. I am grateful for her and my dentist as well, they make me feel comfortable and I do not mind my dental appointments.
5. Knowing what you know today, if you could redo yesterday what would you do differently?
I am typing this on Tuesday afternoon to be posted on Wednesday morning. I had a great Monday, November 25th... so I do not think anything.
6. Spill your own random thought here.
Spilling out a few more photos from our feast last Saturday.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
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
♥ warm November days
♥ a picnic in the November sun
♥ soaking in the last of Autumn
♥ beef barely soup
♥ omelets for breakfast
♥ hot raspberry tea
♥ birds at the bird feeder
♥ a letter in the mail from family we have not seen in awhile
♥ white chip/cranberry cookies
Wishing you a beautiful week full of little things that make you smile.
♥
Carla
Hello Friends, it is Wednesday and that means it is time for the Hodgepodge.
Joyce asks the questions.
We answer the questions.
1. What's something you think is under appreciated. Explain.
I think the folks that do our "Dirty Jobs" can be under appreciated.
Monday evening we attended our monthly village board meeting. Listening to the Street and Utility Department report reminded me of all that is going on behind the scenes to keep our municipality going strong.
2. As winter approaches how do you stay productive?
We live in Wisconsin. The above funny can explain how we roll around here in the winter. We just Keep er Moving.
There are a lot of fun activities in the winter.
One of the many is the Book Across the Bay. Ski, snowshoe or walk along the frozen shores of Lake Superior. We have skied and snowshoed in this event.
It is held at night, with luminaries lighting the path. The winter sky dark and full of stars, it really is magical.
3. What's a popular food you don't like?
I do not like broccoli or cauliflower? Are they a popular food?
4. What do you think is more interesting-art or history? Elaborate.
I enjoy both. If I have to pick one, I will go with history. History was my favorite class during my school days.
5. What advice would you give to someone half your age?
Set boundaries. This was something I had to learn, the hard way.
Below I share one of the books that helped me a great deal after my trust was broken.
For when your trust has been broken: discover how to set firm boundaries again, how to connect deeply without being hurt, and how to safely grow your most intimate relationships.Painful relationships violate our trust, causing us to close our hearts. But to experience the freedom and love God designed us for, we eventually have to take another risk.In this breakthrough book, bestselling author Dr. John Townsend takes you beyond the pain of the past to discover how to re-enter a life of intimate relationships. Whether you're trying to restore a current relationship or begin a new one, Townsend gives practical tools for establishing trust and finding the intimacy you long for.
Thank You Veterans
Today I am going to share a story I read in our Wisconsin Outdoor News. The author of the story is Dean Bortz.
The Wisconsin Outdoor News 2023 Person of the Year, Rueben Kolpack. He is 103 years old and is the oldest licensed Wisconsin deer hunter.
Oh he has many milestones, I will share a few with you..
World War II soldier.
Recipient of the Silver Star for gallantry in action, the Purple Heart, African/European Medal, Victory Medal, and a Belgian medal on the recommendation of the French government.
Married 77 years to his wife, Lucille, who passed away in March at age 97, just five days short of her 98th birthday.
Father to six children.
Successful farmer.
I want to share a few things from the article that Rueben shared.
Rueben grew up speaking German. While he was at basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas an officer asked if anyone could speak German. Once Uncle Sam figured out Kolpack could speak German, he was sent to radio school and then to the 2nd Armored Division where he was a radio operator and interpreter in a tank battery.
It was a tough duty. He saw a lot of things he'd rather not have had to witness - the huge cost of human lives on the beach of Normandy, the tank ahead of him getting blown to bits by a German Tiger tank and its 88 mm cannon.
"If it weren't for the grace of God, I wouldn't be here today. It was a miracle anyone survived the mortar attack where I was wounded. The stronghold was just 200 yards away on the ridge above us. Those mortar rounds just kept landing around us and the command tank. When people say there isn't a God, they're lying to themselves.
He was struck by a mortar that damaged his right leg. He spent four months in the hospital and was not fully recovered when he was forced back into war for the Battle of the Bulge because of losses in his unit.
Today I say Thank You to Rueben and all the other Veterans.
And I say thank you to all of those who are currently serving.
Godspeed.
Driving along the Fruit Loop in late September. The Chippewa Fruit Loop we call it, three apple orchards all along the same route. Each has its own unique offering making each one fun to visit.
Here. We. Go.
CAUTION
FREE RANGE
CHILDREN
I thought this was such a fun sign. And yes the children were having fun playing mini golf, bean bag and going through the corn maze.
We went through the corn maze too.
We had perfect weather for our day out driving the fruit loop.
We always like to stop and see what animals are in the barn yard. Look at this beautiful turkey showing off his tail feathers.
Picking beautiful red ripe apples.
Oink!
Me and our son Atticus.
And our family... no wait... I am a shorty, but not that short.
Hee Hee!
Have a great weekend my friends.
♥
Carla
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| Goodbye Autumn leaves... the wind and rain took the last of our leaves. |
Hello Friends, it is Wednesday and that means it is time for the Hodgepodge.
Joyce asks the questions.
We answer the questions.
1. What is one good thing you often take for granted?
The freedom of going where I want when I want. I can just hop in our car and go.
2. What's the boldest piece of clothing in your wardrobe?
My winter bathrobe, it is grey with bright polka dots. Hee Hee.
3. Do you think common interests or common values are the key to people getting along? Elaborate.
In my life it has been both. I have relationships with people who have different values, yet we have common interests. Those who I am closest with in life, we share interests and values.
4. November 6 is National Nacho Day...do you like nachos? How do you like yours? Do you make them at home or only order out?
I love nachos!
We make a chicken nacho board... it is so good.
Chips
Cheese
Chicken
Black beans and white beans.
Peppers, olives, onions, tomatoes, and more cheese.
Place in the oven to let it all melt together... yum!
A dash of lime. A dollop of guacamole. A wee bit of sour cream.
5. Have you spent any time in Washington D.C.? If so what did you think? If not, is that a place you'd like to visit? What do you think about politics as a career choice?
I have not visited Washington D.C.
I would like to visit.. but at this time it is not high on my places to visit list.
Local leadership is where my husband and I have been dedicating our time. This year we have attended our local monthly Village board meetings.
I am currently serving on two committees, zoning and the community building. My husband is serving on the library board.
I am not a fan of leaders becoming 'career' politics.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
"The United State of America is a true miracle."
