Negative 25

 

Washed up chair on the shores of Lake Superior, frozen in the sand.

Hello Friends, 

It is true Tuesday, January 21 we woke up to Negative 25 degrees. 

One wonders how on earth does anything survive in such cold.

We do! 

I find it amazing, that while our homes crack from the cold, we are tucked cozy under a blanket with the fireplace keeping us warm. I find it amazing that our cars start. Yes, our car groans at first.. but soon it is running and the heater is on full blast. I head out to walk Ernie our dog, bundled up we go, for a short walk just to get his neighborhood investigating done and do his morning business.

We go to work, we go to school, the mail is delivered, all the while the wind chill is NEGATIVE 35 degrees. 

We keep er moving! 

When you start to think about it, you cannot help to smile and say to yourself, "we can do this, we just survived negative 25!"

 

 

It is a Goodbye January Hodgepodge

 

 Goodbye January and it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 

 1. What was your after school routine like when you were a kid? 

I rode the school bus home. I was a country kid, so our bus ride was long but we had the best bus driver. He was the dad of one of my friends. He was the best, he let us get away with a lot of stuff as long as we cleaned up after ourselves.  He would do his best to get us farm kids home before other kids,  he knew we had chores to do and homework too. He drew up the route to drop us off before the other kids.

 2. January 26 is National Green Juice Day ( I guess it's true everything really does have it's day). Do you juice, as in make your own in an attempt to get healthy? Do you do the green juices? What's your favorite kind of juice (home blended or store bought, either one)? 

No, I am no longer a juicer... I was back in 2015ish I think. I just did not like it, so I stopped. I do remember a beet, apple blended juice I made up, oh goodness, YUCK!

 

  3. What's something trivial about which you have a strong opinion? 

Cracking knuckles.... oh it just gives me the shivers. DO NOT DO THAT!!!

 

 4. What do you need more of in your life? Less of? 

Less of... 

 

 More of...

 

 

Spring fever is happening to me earlier and earlier each year... and I have a long way to go, spring does not come to Wisconsin until May!!

 

5. Give us three adjectives to describe your January.

Cold

Freezing

Frigid

 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

 

Happy February

 

 

January

 

 

January

Winter is the slow - down. Winter is the search for self. Winter gives the silence you need to listen. Winter goes gray so you can see your own colors.

Terri Guillemets

 

A Duel with Fear

 

Someone painted hearts on trees along our river walk.

 Hello Friends, today I am going to share some news with you. Monday, January 13th my husband and I attended our local caucus at our village board meeting, I was nominated to be on the ballot to run as trustee for our village board. We have been attending our local board meetings for a year now. We decided we wanted to know more about what was going on in our village. As we started to know more, we saw that some ideas of change in our village are not going in the direction that we would like. We started to talk about running for trustee in the 2025 election. 

My husband is already the treasure of our local Sportsman's Club. He also is the keeper of the website for the Sportsman's Club. He really did not feel he could add more to his schedule and still have the free time for family, friends and hobbies that he would like.

We talked about me running for the position. I asked him his honest opinion, because he knows me best.  He told me I ask good questions about things that "no one on the board" ask. You are a thinker and you feel passionate about our little village. 

This was all in December. With that I asked my dear friends to pray for my decision.

I met with our village clerk to find out just how do I get on the ballot. I had to be nominated at the caucus, I could nominate myself if I wanted. And I needed a second.

I asked my neighbor Dave if he would be willing to nominate me, he was and he did. He was happy I was running. He said, "Yay, about time we had some representation on the South Side." And my friend Kathy seconded the nomination.

I completed my paper work Friday January, 17th. I am going to be on the ballot. 

I do not know that I will win. I am running against two fellas that are born and raised in our village and they have been on the board F.O.R.E.V.E.R.  I am not born and raised in our village or am I from the county we live in. We are transplants, but we have lived here going on 28 years. We raised a family here and work here in the village. 

Because of my flower business, I am known as The Flower Lady. 

So here it goes... The Flower Lady for Village Trustee.

 

To duel with fear and walk away champion. 

To remember the last always goes first, the servant before the crown and humbly take my place in line. 

Help me pray the ultimate words of faith... thy will be done.

 

 

 

Winter Memories 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 a winter memory you treasure (can be from any winter in your lifetime)? 

I am going to go back to my childhood days. My sister, me and our friends Alex and Arthur would build snow forts together. We would play after school into the dark. It was fun times. We would play "the Russians are coming" and we would roll into the safety of our snow fort. We played for hours... and did not seem to get cold. Ha!

 2. Tell us about the last time or a recent time you were caught up in red tape. Does it send your frustration level off the charts or is it something you've come to expect when dealing with any sort of bureaucracy?

I have come to expect it with any sort of bureaucracy. 

The DMV is rather S.L.O.W. here in Wisconsin... how about in your neck of the woods?

 

3. Do you eat/like fish? Do you cook fish at home? What's your favorite fish dish? Ever been ice fishing?  

I am sharing some memories. 

Yes, we are an ice fishing family. 

The photos below are of our boys and me... enjoying a day of ice fishing inside a warm ice shanty. A shanty is a also called an ice house. It is like a little camper you set up on the ice. And some ice houses can get fancy.

 

 Yes, we like to eat fish. My husband makes a great fish fry. 

 

 4. Did you watch any of the US President's Inauguration coverage on Monday, Jan 20? On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being not at all and 10 being very very) how interested are you in politics in general? Do you follow/keep up with/ get involved with local politics? 

Yes, I did watch some of the US President's Inauguration.

I think I might be an 8 ... I keep a good eye on things. We have a son in the military. I know that during Sam's deployments I pay more attention to all things going on.

Do you follow/keep up with/ get involved with local politics?

I had to laugh that Joyce had this as a question, because I plan to write a post about this subject. I attended our local village caucus last Monday night. I will be on the ballot for our spring election. I am running to become a trustee on our village board.

 

 5. What's the coziest thing you own and what makes it so? 

My winter coat. I love my winter coat. It is from Duluth Trading Company. It breaks the cold winter winds from getting to my bones.

Duluth Trading Company 

 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

We went for a walk along the river Friday, before the cold snap hit us. Canadian geese were flying to the open water on the river. There were hundreds of them. 

 

Let Us Talk About the Weather

 

 

Oh the weather... it is always something to talk about, right?  Our winter started with the above photo. We had snow, but it melted and then it rained making mud.

Then we got some more snow. Ernie likes to play in the snow.

 

And now we are in the deep freeze. A fun activity to do when we are in a deep freeze is make luminaries. I like to use pine boughs, pinecones, cranberries and oranges to decorate my luminary. The only problem is the candle does not last long burning on a cold night.

She brewed her tea in a chipped blue china pot, pouring it steaming into a pink and white flowered cup, added honey and cream and took it to the cozy room in the house. She settled in by the window to watch the birds come to the feeders.

When little things are so nice, she thought, they become the big things. 

 

♥

Carla 

Happy January and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Happy January

The lakes are frozen solid here in Northwest Wisconsin. The ice froze very smooth this season, some people have been able to ice skate on the lake.

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.  It's been said January is 'the month of opportunity, inspiration, and change." Which of the three do you need most right now? Elaborate. 

I am going to go with change. Because we are going to purchase a new vehicle and we are going to change brands of  vehicle. 

2. Do you consider opportunity as something that comes to you or something you create for yourself?  

I think it is a little of both. Many times you still have to work at it.

 3. The British Museum opened on this date (January 15th) back in 1759. Do you like visiting museums? Do you have a favorite? 

We do. 

I love this sweet museum on Madeline Island, Lake Superior. 

Click below to check it out...

Madeline Island Museum  

 

4. It's National Oatmeal Month (yes, apparently it gets a whole month as opposed to a single day). Do you like oatmeal? How often do you eat a bowl of oatmeal? How do you like yours? What about an oatmeal cookie? Is that a sweet treat you enjoy? 

 I do like oatmeal. I usually eat a bowl of oatmeal three or four times a month for breakfast. I like to add craisins, walnuts and drizzle/dump some maple syrup on top.

Oh yes to oatmeal cookies. Oatmeal cookies are a favorite of mine and our son Sam. 

5.What's something useful you learned in high school? 

I had an interesting history teacher in high school. We had a lesson on the Curse of Tippecanoe. And it stuck with me. Whenever a Presidential election comes up, it will juggle my memory of the curse and I will start talking about it. Most people, including my husband never heard of it. Ha! We did not attend the same high school.

I taught my boys the Curse of Tippecanoe, so this useful information has been passed down. And check out the link below and you will know all about it too...

Curse of Tippecanoe

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Back in December Joyce asked if we could have an Elf help us get something done for Christmas.. I wanted to bake a few more cookies. And I did!

 

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.

♥ walks in the woods

♥ capturing beauty we see taking photos

♥ noticing all the little details from feathers to seed pods

 

 

♥ snow

 ♥ snow moisture for our ground and natures insulation for our gardens

 

♥ our Christmas tree is placed in the garden until spring 

♥ hanging pine cones rolled in peanut butter and bird seed for the birds on our Christmas tree

 

♥ hot tea and a cookie

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

♥

Carla

It is Winter and it is the Hodgepodge

 

While walking in a Christmas Village, our Ernie made friends with the light up dog.

We laughed as Ernie was bound to meet this fella, I was just happy he did not steal his candy-cane bone you see in the snow. 

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

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 

1. At the end of every year (or at least since the mid-1970's) Lake Superior State University posts a list of words they think should be banished from the Queen's English for misuse, overuse, and/or general uselessness. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year's list includes-

cringe, game changer, era, dropped, IFKYK (If you know you know), 

sorry not sorry, skibidi, 100%, utilize, and period. 

Which of these words/phrases do you use regularly or even just every now and then? I have said game changer, utilize and period. I don't think I overuse any that I have mentioned. How many did you have to look up? I am not familiar with skibidi. Which of these words would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? I would choose skibidi, because it is not really a word. Is there a word/phrase not on the list you'd like to add? If so do share, then tell us why. I am a bit surprised "word salad" is not on the list. 

 2. Your favorite soup? Do you make this one yourself or is it from a can? 

Chicken Noodle.. I make it homemade, broth too!

 3. How do you feel about winter? What's one winter activity you look forward to? 

I do not mind winter. It is a time for me to rest for the busy garden season ahead. 

We enjoy going for winter hikes, snowshoeing and cross country skiing.

 

 

4. The Pantone color of the year for 2025 is mocha mousse (sample pictured here). What say you? The website describes it as 'a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nourishes us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort'. Is this a color I might find in your home or wardrobe? Is it one you might add in some big or small way in the year ahead? 

I like the color. And yes you would find browns in our home and outside of our home. Our outdoor furniture is a shade of brown. You will find this color in my wardrobe.

We probably will add something of this color to our home. And I am sure I will to my wardrobe.

 

In a similar, but not really vein...if I were to offer you a choice right now of either a cup of mocha or a cup of mousse which would you say yes to? 

Mocha 

 

 

 

5. Which of the following winter related idioms can best be applied to your life in some way right now? Choose one, then tell us why you chose it.  

snowed under, on thin ice, tip of the iceberg, chill out, break the ice, snowball effect, not a snowball's chance in hell, get cold feet, the cold shoulder 

Chill out ... that is what we are doing in January. We do not have any BIG plans or entertaining we are doing in the month of January. We are working on a few projects that are leftover from 2024, organizing and cleaning, taking our time doing it.

 

 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A few more photos from the Prairie Farm Christmas Village we visited.

 

That little bit of snow you see has melted. We have NO snow here in Northwest Wisconsin, bare ground.

 

In Memory of the three fallen police officers who were murdered in 2023 in our village and neighboring rural community.

♥

Carla

 

Continue ~ 2025 Word of the Year

 

 

Hello Friends, my husband encouraged me to choose a word of the year in 2022.

2022 I chose, SUNSHINE. I wanted to make it a goal to spread sunshine. To be a source of cheer and happiness.

2023 I chose, TRUTH. There was so much happening in our nation, world, and there still is.  I wanted to be careful of what I took in as truth. I wanted to be slow to jump on the bandwagon, be sure to find facts if I could and navigate my own decision on the current event.  

2024 I chose, COURAGE. I had a scare with my neighbors boyfriend in the summer of 2023, which left me shaky and not trusting of anyone. It took time to heal from the situation. I needed to concentrate on having courage. 

2025 I will be choosing, CONTINUE. I will continue to spread sunshine, seek truth, and step out in our big world with courage.

I will continue to be grateful. 

I will continue to hit pause and enjoy the little things.

I will continue to strive to reach goals and accomplishments.

I will continue to smile more.

♥

Carla

 

On the Road Friday ~ First Day Hike ~ Straight Lake State Park ~ Wisconsin

 

 

Hello Friends, we are heading off today to Straight Lake State Park, located in Polk, County, Wisconsin. On January 1st we hiked close to 4 miles on the trails. It was a beautiful way to start the year and it is a family tradition to take a first day hike. 

 

 

The sights where fantastic. And you will notice we have no snow. We had snow, but then a warm spell came with rain and it all melted.

 

We had our sidekick the little copper dog Ernie with us. He is trying his best to give me a big lick in this photo.

 

Pristine natural beauty is found at Straight Lake in northwest Wisconsin. This 2000 acre park offers walk to campsites, carry-in boat launches, a shelter and picnic area. 

 

 

Two undeveloped, wild lakes and two state natural areas are found within the park boundaries.

 

A premier section of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail meanders through the park highlighting many glacial features.

 

 

Through the years, Straight Lake has been sold as a bock of property, pretty much as it is today. Past owners include Dewitt Wallace, the founder of Reader's Digest magazine. In 2005, the property was sold to the State of Wisconsin and became Straight Lake State Park and Wildlife Area.

 

Here we have a little critters hideaway and it looks to be they like to eat acorns.

 

Happy First Day Hike! 

♥ 

Carla

 

 

Happy New Year ~ 2025 ~

 

 

We have No Snow ... this photo was taken in 2023. All our snow melted during a recent warm spell and rain showers. You have our weather report, on to the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

 Click here to join the fun!

 1. Oxford's Word of the year for 2024 is 'brain rot'. Are you familiar with this term? Yes, I am familiar with the term. Do you suffer from the condition? Ha! This is a term used to 'capture concerns about the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content, especially on social media'. A goal of mine in 2024 was the use of screen time... I cut a large chunk of my scrolling out. And wondered if I would I miss it, I did a little at first, but not anymore. I am happy with my decision to cut  a big portion of scrolling out of my life. So no "brain rot "for me. If you were choosing a word to capture 2024 (for the nation/world, not your own life personally) what word would you choose? 

I am choosing for the world...  Confused : being disordered or mixed up

 2. It's National Polar Bear Plunge Day (January 1)...will you be participating in one of these events (or even your own)? No Polar Bear Plunge for me. How will you spend the first day of this brand new year? My husband and I started to go on a first day hike with our boys when they were young. It was a tradition that we stuck with and our boys enjoyed. Our boys have left the nest, but we still do a first day hike. Do you have a traditional New Year's Day menu? No.

 3. What's something that brings you joy and how will you do more of it in this new year?  I enjoy taking time to meet up with my special friends. Life can get busy, too busy at times. In 2024 I made it a goal to spend more time with friends. It brought me JOY! I plan to continue to be sure to make TIME for friends.

 4. Do you struggle with the January blues? What's one thing you can/will do to keep them at bay? 

I do not. I do struggle with day after day, after day, after day of grey, gloomy days. We had a lot of them in November and December. We keep our twinkle lights up and light candles to build a cozy atmosphere on these gloomy days.

5. Will you choose your own personal word of the year for 2025? What about a goal, resolution, or maybe even a bucket list? Elaborate as much or as little as you like. 

I will choose a word for 2025. I already have it picked out. I will share it on the blog, as a post sharing why it is my word for 2025.

I have some personal goals I plan to work on in 2025 and some projects.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

 

Open the front door and the backdoor .. let the old year out and the new year in.

Happy 2025 to you all.

♥ 

Carla