Early June in the Garden

 

 

Hello Friends, the garden changes daily. I will probably be a week behind in showing you the changes here on the blog. The garden keeps me busy, but I love it and would not want it any other way. Today I am sharing some photos of our garden in early June.

 

 

 

Be on the look out for a green garden friend in the below photo.

 

 

Did you find him?

 

 

We feed the orioles oranges, that is why you see oranges hanging on a bird-feeder. 

 

 

I will be excited to share this pot with you as it fills out. I am excited for the combination I planted in this pot. Yes, you spy maple seeds in the pot. We had HUNDREDS of maple seeds fall this season. Since this photo was taken, this pot has been cleaned of maple seeds. We had buckets and buckets of the maple seeds. My aunt Sharon shared with me it happens every three years or so, the maples go crazy producing their seeds.

 

Note... clean the rain gutters of all the maple seeds.

If I could have .05 cents for each maple seed, I just might be rich.

 

 

I seek quiet joys. 

John Clare 

 

Enjoy your week my dear friends.

♥ 

Carla

 

Cinnamon and Sugar and Everything Nice Hodgepodge

 

Hi Friends, it is a cinnamon and sugar homemade doughnut Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. June 10th is National Herbs and Spices Day. Besides salt and pepper what herb or spice container do you reach for most often? Is there a spice you truly dislike? What's a recent dish you made that called for more than salt and pepper?  

I love herbs and spices. During the summer months I head out to my herb garden and pick fresh herbs for my cooking. Fresh dill and chives for my scrambled eggs this morning. I cannot think of a spice I truly dislike, but one that I do not use a lot of is cardamom. 

I made a pasta last week for dinner and I added lovage. I absolutely love lovage, it is easy to grow and adds that celery taste to dishes.

 

 2.  It's been said 'variety is the spice of life'...in what way is this true for you? Elaborate.

  Oh yes, I am always learning something new. I am a very curious person, I rarely sit still.

 

 3. What's something in your life that adds 'spice' (excitement, intensity) even if also comes with challenge or unpredictability? 

My kids add "spice to my life" ..

deployments

flipping cars

(our youngest buys cars and flips them with the help of his older brother)

letting me know of the next up coming adventure

"hey mom, we are heading to a car show in Tennessee."  

♥

and the best adding of spice is our future daughter in law.

 ♥

 

 

4. If you could instantly master one skill or hobby, what would it be and why? 

I would love to master another language. I have shared this with my husband many times. If I could just wake up one morning being able to speak French. 

Ha Ha... I have tried to learn, but I struggle.

 5. We're halfway through the year...what's one book, movie, or activity you've loved this year that you'd recommend to others? 

The 2025 Old Farmer's Almanac 

I listened to a podcast about the farmers almanac in 2024. I decided to pick one up and just see how well it predicts the weather. I have been following what the almanac says about the week and will record our weather. So far this year the almanac has been about 90% correct. There is tons of other information in the almanac. I have enjoyed following some of the garden tips and tricks it provides.

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Halfway through the year... GULP!!

 

 

 

Sharing a Story

 

My mom shared the following story with me and I want to share it with you.

 

A 2 week old olive egger chick named Olive is the star of Maple Hill Feed and Farm located in Maple, Wisconsin. She is the star thanks to her ability to hide, according to the Superior Telegram. Olive arrived at Maple feed store with about 499 other chicks for the annual Chick Day sale.

When the business opened at 8 a.m. May 3, the line of buyers stretched out the door. The chicks sold out by 9:30 a.m. or so owner Dawn Massier thought. 

That night, the store's motion camera's captured a video of a tiny chick following one of the five shop cats. The next morning Olive was at the store, alive and peeping, after spending the night alone with the cats. The owners posted about Olive's antics on their Facebook page, and people have offered to buy her. But the Massiers decided to keep the plucky chick around as shop mascot.

 

♥  

Carla

 

 

Say Cheese and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Happy June

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 do birthdays look like in your house? How are they celebrated? Any special traditions? What about birthdays growing up? 

We love to celebrate birthdays, but it usually is not on that loved one's day because of distance and busy schedules, but we do celebrate with a lot of fun for the entire day.

Below is a photo of last year's birthday celebration that we had for our son Sam. We celebrated by meeting up at a favorite Wisconsin state park. We hiked, had a picnic, opened gifts, explored Lake Superior and then went out to our favorite bar for burgers.

I completed Sam's T-shirt quilt for his birthday. 

My birthday is in December and my sister is a New Year's Baby. Our joke when we got older was how many times our birthday gifts were wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper. Our parents always made our birthday's special.
 

2. Someone is sending you a dozen roses...what color are you hoping for? Are you someone who gets accused of seeing the world through rose colored glasses? Is your accuser correct? Elaborate.

 Pink or Yellow

I do get accused of seeing the world through rose colored glasses. 

My accuser might be correct. I limit my intake of current events, so I do not always know what society is up too.

 3. June 4th is National Cheese Day...will you celebrate? What's something (besides a burger) you make in the summer months that calls for cheese? 

We do a lot of picnics during the summer months. We usually will have cheese and crackers in the picnic basket. 

Oh yes, we will celebrate. We have a cheese drawer in our refrigerator, I eat cheese just about everyday. I am from Wisconsin. Hee Hee!

 4. 'tis the season...any weddings on your June calendar? What's the first word that comes to mind when I say marriage? 

No weddings in June, but we have one in July.

 What's the first word that comes to mind when I say marriage?

COMMUNICATION

and 

TEAMWORK

I think communication is the key. And teamwork makes the dream work!!

 

 5. What are you most looking forward to this June? 

My husband and I are going to Bayfield, Wisconsin to take part in some garden tours. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.

Alfred Austin

 

 

 

  

Getting Started

 

The Flower Shack

 

Hello Friends, today we are going to spark some conversation. The question.. 

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started." Mark Twain

Do you agree or disagree?

Do you have examples from your own life?

 

 

 

I agree.

In 2012 I started my fresh cut flower stand in our front yard. It was a simple card table, with bouquets of flowers. I was getting started. Fast forward to 2016, my husband and boys built me a flower shack, an enclosed structure that was much better for my bouquets and I started to sell other items as well. Fast forward to 2017, I started to give classes on flower arranging.  Today I continue to have my flower shack, I create bouquets for friends and family. I also give classes on flower arranging. I do not think any of this would have happened if I did not try.

I do agree. "The secret of getting ahead is getting started." 

♥

Carla

Healed by Nature

 

Prayer by Farrell Mason

Dear God,

This morning began quite ordinary, as miracles do.

A walk in the emerald wood.

Until the skies opened and the Spirit revealed Herself twirling in the wind.

A squirrel, a pair of chipmunks, and a blue jay stopped what they were doing waiting in rapt attention as I received a raindrop baptism.

How quickly the ordinary can become sacramental.

Today I received a raindrop blessing, Your might trees as my holy witnesses. 

You must have known I was due a transformation.

I shall not be returning home the same.

Amen

 

 I enjoyed this prayer so much, it spoke right to my heart. During a walk on a trail in a woods with our dog Ernie, he slowed way down and sniffed. As I looked to see what he was looking at I could not believe my eyes, a fawn.

Ernie did not bark or anything, he simply walked away from the fawn. He knew that it was a precious baby and mama was close by.

I can honestly say that I did not return home the same, I was blessed and healed by the simple act of nature and love.

 ♥

Carla

It is a Lavender, Vanilla and Cinnamon Hodgepodge

 

My parents gifted me this little planter. Woof!

 

Hello Friends, it is Wednesday. It is time for the Hodgepodge. 

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 

 1. What's your favorite room in your house and why? 

I love our kitchen. We did the remodel  of our kitchen ourselves. It was a huge project and we were very happy with how it turned out. 

I also enjoy cooking, baking and many times it seems we all gather and visit in the kitchen.

 

 2. What's something that will instantly annoy you? 

The word F*** .... it gets right under my skin. It is used in everyday speech around my area ... way too much. 

Call me old fashioned, I do not like cuss words.

 

 3. May 28th is National Hamburger Day...will you celebrate? How do you like yours? If you're not cooking at home is there a favorite place you like to go for a burger? Did you ever work in a fast food  restaurant? 

I do like hamburgers. My husband has a lot of fun making our burgers. He likes to play around with different toppings. I love a good mushroom and swiss burger.

We enjoy going to Gronk's in Superior, Wisconsin ... they make a great burger.

I never worked in fast food. 

4. What are three scents you like? 

Lavender

Vanilla

Cinnamon 

 

 5. What do you miss most about being a kid? 

 My sister and I would play Cat School. We would collect all our barn cats in the feed room of the barn and hold school for our little kittens. We would teach them how to watch out for cars, trucks and tractors. 

Our one big white cat named Fred, we would dress him up. He did not care what we did with him. He just wanted to be held. We would see how long we could hold Fred while doing our barn chores.

Below is a photo of our cat Penelope. She has not graduated from Cat School, Ha Ha, she is still in training.

  

 

 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am loving this mint. I add it to my ice tea, it has a great flavor.

 

 

Memorial Day ~ We Remember

 

 

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly.
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Colonel John McCrae

 

Sweet as Can Be 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. May 20th is World Bee Day...what's something that's kept you 'busy as a bee' lately?

I have been busy planting our garden. 

2. Do you like honey? What's something you make or enjoy that calls for honey? 

 

I do like honey.

 I made Asparagus tart the other evening for dinner. I made a homemade honey glaze to drizzle on it.

I enjoy honey in my tea and on my toast.

3. "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." Proverbs 16:24

What's a proverb you love, or one that speaks to you or has helped you in some way? 

The Bible is full of Proverbs, a whole book in fact, if that helps with your answer. The word proverb is defined as 'a short pithy saying in general use, stating a general truth or piece of advice'.

 

Guard your heart above all else, for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 4:23

4. Tell us about a 'sweet' moment in your life recently that filled you with joy, gratitude, or peace. 

 

My husband and I have been wrestling with a big decision, that is rather stressful. It also came out of the blue. A sweet moment for me was how the sun was shining on our first spring flowers.

 

 5. When you were a child, what did you want to 'be' when you grew up? How close did you come to that? 

 

I wanted to be a wife and a mom. And I have been blessed to be just that.

 

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

It is rhubarb season here in Wisconsin. I am sharing a new recipe I made. 

 

 

 

Conversation

 

Conversation

I started something new here at The River, I ask a question to spark conversation.

"We need never be ashamed of our tears" Charles Dickens 

When's the last time you cried?

 

One of our boys best friends is leaving for basic training next week. My son Atticus' best friend will leave for Fort Jackson. Fort Jackson, the same place our son, Sam back in 2018 completed his basic training. 

Tears of pride.

Tears of worry.

Tears of memories... oh the many adventures our boys had when they were little and still do today as they are grown men. 

Tears of happiness... this is what our friend has wanted to do for a long time, it is coming true for him, he is an American Soldier. 

 Godspeed for C.M.H

 ♥

It is a Plants of Plenty 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 something you're curious about right now? 

I am curious about new plants and how to go about growing them. My husband is researching a new way to stake tomato plants and I am curious what he comes up with.

 2. If you could plan the perfect girl's weekend getaway, where would you go and what would be on the agenda? Do you have anything like this on your calendar in the next few months? 

My sister and I have done a few getaways. They usually had a little shopping, exploring a new area, eating fun food and of course a lot of laughing. 

I do not have anything like this on the calendar.

 3. What's the most unique item in your refrigerator right now? 

Asparagus ... Hee Hee ... I know. It is rare that we can find good fresh asparagus. We finally have.. so I purchased two bunches. YUM!

 4. In this season of your life, what do you find most challenging? 

I am struggling with TOS Click here for more info.

I am currently in my 7th week of PT to help with it. I am getting better. But golly it is no fun to have. I think when you are not able to do all that you use to be able to do, it can be hard to let go.

 5. Do you collect anything? If so why that? 

Plants ... if you say, "Carla, I have some (insert what ever plant) to give away, do you want any?" I will say yes.  I love plants. I love growing plants and if there is a challenge, I try to win that challenge, but sometimes the weather beats me.

 6. Insert your own random thought here.  

For some reason our lilacs are not blooming at all? It has been very strange, last September the lilacs started to bloom. And it is not just our lilac, our neighbors as well. When I was getting my hair cut we were discussing this problem. The answer was "the lilac seem to be confused, just as the rest of the world." 

 

 

Happy Mother's Day Hodgepodge

 

Happy Mother's Day 

That is me and my mom. My parents will be coming over this Sunday to celebrate Mother's Day. My husband plans to grill a turkey. We will enjoy all kinds of side dishes. And this year dessert will be rhubarb pie.

And now on to the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. Let's compare this May to last May. What's changed? What remains very much the same? 

I am another year older and when I get back in the garden I can feel it. What remains very much the same is ... Spring does come to Wisconsin.

Fresh radish from the garden.

 

 

2. What's something you may do this month? 

Go kayaking.

 3. Mother's Day is approaching (in the US of A)...in what way(s) are you like your mother? 

My mom is very creative. I am too. 

My mom enjoys hospitality. I do too.

My mom has that "we can figure this out" attitude. I am thankful I do too.

4. Did you have a favorite book as a child? What was it and why was it a favorite.

When I was little my dad would read aloud Three Billy Goats Gruff to me and my sister. We loved it. My dad read it with true drama, making it even more fun.

 

 5. Are you more of a tortoise or a hare? Explain. 

I am both. 

Examples ... 

I am a fast walker. 

I am a slow reader.  

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

If your house is really a mess and a stranger comes to the door, greet her with "who could have done this? We have no enemies." 

Phyllis Diller

 

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 

 

♥ enjoying matcha 

 

 

♥ my orchid bloomed

 

 

♥ spring has arrived in Wisconsin

♥ fresh growth on our climbing rose William

 

 

 

♥ strawberry plants waking up from their winter nap

 

 

♥ spring green ... my favorite

 

 

 ♥ my first bouquet of daffodils of the season

 

Wishing a beautiful week full of little things that make you smile.

 ♥

Carla

 

 

Volume 600 for the Hodgepodge

 

 

 

Hello Friends, our chicks are here. Meet the 8 M's ... 

Mary Lou

Mary Grace

Mary Bell

Mary Jean

Mary Kate

Mary Beth

Mary Ann

Mary Jane

and the babysitter Ernie.

No I cannot really tell them apart. My husband and I just enjoy naming our chickens. As they grow they do start to get personalities, and we will start to know who is who. They also will have different combs, and we will start to tell who is who from the combs. 

It all is good fun.

 

 And now on to the Hodgepodge. 

Joyce asks the questions.

High FIVES to you Joyce for creating these Hodgepodge questions for us!! 

Volume 600!!

Click here to join the fun. 

 

1. My very first edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge was published on November 10, 2010 (linked here if you're curious). Tell us something about your life from that era. 

I was a busy mom, enjoying my days with Samuel and Atticus. I was a teacher's aide at the school my boys attended in 2010.

 2. What's a song you love that relates to time in some way? 

 One Piece at a Time

Song by Johnny Cash ‧ 1976

 

Well, It's a '49, '50, '51, '52, '53, '54, '55, '56, '57, '58' 59' automobile

It's a '60, '61, '62, '63, '64, '65, '66, '67, '68, '69, '70 automobile

 

My grandpa loved Johnny Cash, we loved to sing this song together.  Now I sing it with my two son's when we are together when it plays on the radio.

 

 3. May is nearly upon us. When did you last need to yell 'MAY DAY-MAY DAY!!'? 

Just this morning, when our dog got into a nest of bunnies.

Only problem was I was home alone, so the May Day - May Day was to just little old me.

4. How do you feel about food trucks? Is this a dining experience you enjoy?  Do you have a favorite What's something you've ordered from a food truck?  

We have enjoyed several good meals from food trucks. We usually are at an event that has several food trucks to visit and pick what you might like to eat. One that we enjoy makes a fantastic kettle popcorn. 

 5. We're bidding farewell to April...what are three adjectives you might use to describe the month you're leaving behind.

Wet 

Dirty

Green

It has been a wet April, bringing in a lot of mud on our shoes, but in the end our little part of the world is turning spring green. 

 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

"The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek."

Joseph Campbell

 

Well, It's a '49, '50, '51, '52, '53, '54, '55, '56, '57, '58' 59' automobile
It's a '60, '61, '62, '63, '64, '65, '66, '67, '68, '69, '70 automobile

Well, It's a '49, '50, '51, '52, '53, '54, '55, '56, '57, '58' 59' automobile
It's a '60, '61, '62, '63, '64, '65, '66, '67, '68, '69, '70 automobile