Just about forgot...

 

When I flip the calendar page, I will share the past page with you here on the blog.

Only one more page to go.. today here is November 2024.

And the story is, we adopted a rescue dog in October of 2023. My sister gifted this calendar to us featuring a little rescue dog. As each month goes by I will give a little update on our Ernie.

He is doing well... but he will be the first to tell you he does not like cold weather. We had wild cold winds in November and he would have to put his face down and brave the wind as we went for our walk. His fur would blow right flat on his back.

He would be happy to get home, get a treat and curl up in his bed. 

 

A December Hike

 

 

On one of our December hikes we walked along our favorite bridge and we noticed several more locks added to the bridge. The day was very grey, with a little bit of snow on the ground. I thought it made the locks looks extra special.

 

Typically the sweethearts' names or initials, and perhaps the date, are inscribed on the padlock, and its key is thrown away (often into a nearby river) to symbolize unbreakable love.

 

 

The tradition may have originated in Hungary after World War I, when a woman fixed padlocks on the bridges where she and her lover used to meet. It became popular in other parts of the world, including Paris, in the 2000s.

 

A wreath was placed on the bridge too.

Merry Christmas to You and it is the Hodgepodge

 

A cute little garden shed that I saw on one of our recent drives in the countryside.

 

It is Wednesday, that means it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join in the fun! 

1. What's one thing you want to get done before the calendar flips to a new year?

 

I like to sit down with my husband to discuss goals for the next year. We usually do this the last few days of December. I also work on my 2025 planner, adding birthday's, anniversaries and more.

 

2. What's something that brought a smile to your face this year?

 

My family!!

And my little dog... who usually does some silly thing everyday to make me smile.

 

 3. What do you like on a cracker? Do you have a favorite cracker variety?

 

Cheese.. Wisconsin Cheese!!

My husband bakes a sourdough cracker, they are my favorite cracker. 

 

4. Do you have plans for ringing in the new year in a fun or special way? Are you typically awake at midnight on the last day of the year? 

 

We usually head to bed early, because for the past several years we plan a first day hike. We have our hike planned for 1/1/2025 and it is a bit of a drive, so to bed we will go to rise and shine early for our adventure on 1/1/2025.

 

 5. What are three words that describe your 2024? 

 

Blessed

Family

Friends

 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

 

Merry Christmas

 

 

 

 

Holly Jolly Christmas

 

Each December our little Village has a Christmas parade. It is always well attended and full of creative floats.

 

 

I love all the creativity.

 

 

I love all the twinkle lights!

 

 

Our friend Larry.. see his smile. He loves driving in the parade. 

 

 

Our local garbage service .. I liked Oscar the Grouch waving out from the garbage can.

 

 

Here comes my favorite float of the night. The Cameron Fire Department had HUGE blow ups. Well as you can see they are getting away. No worries, people jumped up to help hold the extra ropes so Santa and his Elf would not move around so much.

 

 And who is last to come.. Santa..riding on a firetruck.

 

 To finish the night Santa sits for you to come visit and receive a bag full of treats.

 

 

 Merry Christmas!!

 

On the Road Friday ~ Rib Mountain State Park

 

Hello Friends, We are on the road today and we are going back to a warm day in November. I have a few road trip posts that I will be catching up on this month and probably in January too. 

Today we are headed to Rib Mountain State Park, Wisconsin.

Click here for more information about Rib Mountain State Park 

We were visiting family in the Wausau, Wisconsin area. It was a beautiful November day. We decided to stop and explore before we headed on our way home.

Hi, little chipmunk!

 

All of the trails are marked well.

 

 

Me and Ernie the Copper Dog!

If you are visiting Wisconsin, I would highly recommend a stop at Rib Mountain.

The Mountain also has Granite Peak Ski and Snowboard Area, it is a favorite of our boys to visit.

Click here to visit Granite Peak Ski Area 

 

 

Counting Down to Christmas and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Hello Friends, it is Wednesday and that means it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

1. What's one task you'd like a little Christmas elf to sneak in and take care of tonite? 

 I wanted to do more Christmas baking than I will actually have time to do. I had a few new cookie recipes I wanted to try, but if that elf does not show up, I do not think I will have time to get to those extra cookies. 

2. What's your biggest challenge during the holidays? 

I always want to do more... but we only have so many hours in a day and weeks in December. 

3. Are you a cookie baker this time of year? If your year had to be summed up in the shape of a cookie cutter what shape would it be? 

I am a cookie baker this time of year. I will be baking up my boys favorite this weekend. If my year had to be summed up in a shape of a cookie cutter what shape would it be? 

A Raised Bed,  we built my dream garden this October. We built 12 raised beds. I have always wanted a raised bed garden, I am so excited for spring and the 2025 garden season.

4. Santa likes milk with his cookies. Do you like milk? What kind of milk is on tap in your house? (whole, 2%, skim, almond, oat, etc). What's the last thing you made that called for milk?  

I do like milk. Whole milk here at our house. Milk in my oatmeal for my breakfast.. add a few walnuts and craisins. Yum!

5. Share one favorite line from a Christmas carol or holiday tune? 

At this time, I have been humming this one all day long...

 O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

One of my boys favorite Christmas books when they were little. 

 

It is a $5.00 Hodgepodge

 

Hello Friends,

It is Wednesday, at that means it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun!

 

Before we get started, last week Joyce asked about our favorite Christmas movie. I wanted to share the above book I checked out at the library. A few of the titles that make the list surprised me.

 

 1. What's the best $5 gift to give someone? 

Making plans to meet for coffee, your treat.. most coffee around my neck of the woods costs just about $5.00.

Coffee + Time with a Friend = BEST GIFT

2. What's your favorite way to relax/unwind during the busy holiday season?  

We like to sit and admire our tree. Usually in the evening, with our fireplace crackling, a few candles glowing and our tree twinkling. We will talk about our day/evening and usually start to reminisce too.  

3. How do you feel about gingerbread? Love it or no thanks? Are gingerbread houses a part of your holiday tradition? If you said yes, how does that look? Do you like ginger flavor in other kinds of dishes?  

I love gingerbread cookies.  

We have done gingerbread houses. They are not part of our yearly holiday tradition. We will not be creating one this year.

I do like ginger in other dishes, it is a favorite spice of mine.

 4. December 5th is National Blue Jeans Day...will you be celebrating? Do you have a favorite brand? A favorite pair? Do you have a hard time parting with a favorite pair of jeans? Blue jeans-joggers-leggings-yoga pants...which one do you wear most often?

 Will I be celebrating, yes. 

I wear blue jeans just about every day, in the summer I wear blue jean shorts. 

I wear a few different brands.

I do have a favorite pair of blue jean shorts. 

Yes, I have a hard time parting with a favorite pair. My favorite garden jeans are so soft from years of wear, but soon I know holes will appear in places that will not look good.  

Blue jeans are what a wear most.. love them.

 5. As we head into this holiday season what's your biggest priority or goal for the end of the year? 

I started a Bible study at the start of the year.. only a few weeks left and I am right on track to finish strong.

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 ♪♫♪  For we need a little music, need a little laughter, need a little singing, ringing through the rafters ~

And we need a little snappy Happy Ever After,

Need a little Christmas NOW!   ♪♫♪

 Jerry Herman

 

 

If Ornaments Could Talk

 

Hello Friends, for our family, unwrapping each ornament and sharing the memory behind it makes decorating our Christmas tree a family tradition that we try to do together each year.

 

 

Homemade ornaments always bring back memories of school days.

 

 

Three Cheers ... for favorite sports teams.

 

 

Ornaments passed down from generations.

Ornaments rescued from a trash can. 

Oh this little angel could share a story, she was destined for the trash can at a place of employment years ago, I scooped her up and brought her home with me.

 

 

Ornaments that are gifted to us from friends and family, they all tell a story.

♥

Carla