Independence Day Playlist

 

♪♫♫♫♪ A few years ago my husband created our Independence Day playlist, we have added to the list each year. Here are some of the songs we have on our Independence Day playlist. ♪♫♫♫♪

 

The Star-Spangled Banner

Lee Greenwood - God Bless the USA

Centerfield - John Fogerty

Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd

This Land is Your Land - Woody Guthrie

Summer of 69 - Bryan Adams

Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper

Song of the South - Alabama

Fishing in the Dark - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Little Bitty - Alan Jackson

 Highwayman - The Highwaymen

On The Road Again - Willie Nelson

Jackson - Johnny Cash and June Carter

Hello Mary Lou - The Statler Brothers

American Made - The Oak Ridge Boys

The Gambler - Kenny Rogers

Faithfully - Journey

Your Love - The Outfield

Born in the U.S.A - Bruce Springsteen

Jack and Diane - John Mellencamp

 

 

♪♫♫♫♪ That is just a few of the songs we have on our Independence Day playlist, it is over 6  hours long. What would you add? ♪♫♫♫♪

We also have several polka's on our playlist..

Beer Barrel Polka - Roll Out the Barrel  

♥

Carla

 

 

Happy Birthday America and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Happy Birthday America

and it is the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 

 

 1. What does freedom mean to you? 

This is a difficult question for me to answer, because I could take it in so many directions. I have decided to take it regarding food.

Freedom to me means you have the right to decided what is best for you and your family. 

I will share an example of how I look at freedom...

If you want to drink raw milk, you should be able to drink raw milk. 

I already know what some people will say to me, "Carla, drinking raw milk has risks. People can get sick." 

My answer to this is, "How can you have freedom without risks."

I was raised on drinking raw milk. 

2. How will you celebrate Independence Day this year? If you live outside the USA answer this question as it relates to your own country's patriotic holiday, wherever that may land on the calendar.

We will be celebrating America's birthday as a family in August. This Independence Day our family is going in different directions.

3. This or that...red, white, or blue? Stars or stripes? Watermelon, home made ice cream, or blueberry pie? How do you feel about fireworks? 

I love blue!! It is my favorite color.

Stars!!

Home made ice cream!!

I like fireworks. 

 

4. What have you purchased recently that made you excited?

A gift for my husband, it will be here this week. I am excited to give it to him.

5. I'm thankful to live in America (or fill in whatever country you call home) because____________.

 I am proud to live in America, because I am proud of the freedoms we have as a nation. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

"Common sense is seeing things as they are and doing things as they ought to be."

Harriet Beecher Stowe

 

 

New Blooms and Growth

 

Hello Friends,

The garden is busting. Each day it changes, new blooms and new growth.

I will give you a little tour. 

Above are our onions, I am concerned I planted the onions too deep?

Let us move on to the flowers... 

 

The front garden. I have worked on this garden to have never ending blooms from early spring to late autumn. I am so pleased with how it is looking this season.

 

Looking at the below photo you will see this gardeners feet and her prize cabbage. Oh how excited I am to make fresh from the garden coleslaw, one of my favorite summer harvest treats.

 

We have been eating fresh strawberries daily, picking some to add to our morning breakfast or to add into our drinks.

Our roses are having a fantastic season, as you walk past our climbing rose you can hear, buzz, buzz, buzz, it is loaded with bees. 

 

"Hours fly

flowers die

new days

new ways pass by

love stays"

July is Knock, Knock, Knocking and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Bayfield, Wisconsin   June 2025

 

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

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

 

1. What does adventure mean to you? 

Heading out with the ones I love to explore new places and places that we have visited many times before. 

Starting something new and unknown can also feel like an adventure to me.

Below are photos of a recent road trip to Lake Superior.. one of my favorite places to go on an adventure.

 2.  What are your thoughts on tipping? What businesses or service providers do you regularly tip? Do you resent being asked if you'd like to add a tip? What about when a suggested amount is presented? 

Enjoying Fish and Chips on the shores of Lake Superior

 

I worked as a waitress and those tips come in handy. I do think one needs to earn the tip. If the job is not well done, well you do not tip as much as for a job that is well done.

We tip our waitress and waiters. I tip Heather who cuts my hair. 

I do not resent being asked if I would like to tip.

I decide on the amount I want to tip.

 

 3. I scream you scream we all scream for ice cream...do we? Is ice cream a favorite treat at your house? What's your favorite flavor? Regular, soft serve, gelato, sherbet, or some sort of non-dairy version of ice cream...what's your pleasure? 

We do like ice cream. We do not eat it daily. It is a true treat, so it is once in awhile.

I love Chip and Mint ice cream.

I do like a good soft serve. A favorite place to stop for ice cream is Culvers. 

 

 4. What's your 'back in my day, we____________________ ' story or saying? 

My boys have heard me say this over and over in the last few years..

'back in my day, sports was sports, we did not add political agendas to sports.'

We just enjoyed watching the game. 

 

 5. Somehow this is our last Hodgepodge in the month of June. Next week's Hodgepodge lands in July. Wow. Sum up your June using three adjectives.

 

 Blooming

Historical

Peaceful

 

 We visited Bayfield, Wisconsin in the first weeks of June. We enjoyed  garden tours in many of the historical areas of Bayfield. 

 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

  A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.

Winston Churchill

 

He Grew Hair

 

 This fella is along our river walk.  In early spring he was bald. 

 

During our walk last week, we noticed he has decided to grow his hair out.

Ha Ha!

Happy Monday!

 ♥

Carla

 

 

Hello Summer and It is the Hodgepodge

 

 

Hello Summer and it is the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

1. Summer officially begins this week (in the northern hemisphere)...what was your favorite thing to do in the summer when you were a kid? What do you like most about summer now? 

Family would come to visit from Southern Wisconsin. I enjoyed playing and visiting with my aunts, uncles and cousins.

And what do I like most about summer now? The same thing, we get together as a family one weekend every summer. We laugh, get out on the water kayaking, fishing, campfires, enjoy delicious food and we have s'mores.  

 2.  Something you'll celebrate this summer? 

I guess I answered this above. We will celebrate family. 

  3. Summer tastes like? Smells like? Sounds like? 

Summer tastes like?

Watermelon!!

Summer smells like?

The beach!!

Summer sounds like?

Road construction .. the below photo was taken from our bedroom window.

 

 4. June 18th is National Splurge Day...what's the last thing you splurged on? What might you splurge on today? 

What is the last thing we splurged on? Cheese! We love Gouda cheese. Marieke Gouda in Thorp, Wisconsin makes the best Gouda. We don't live close by, so when we had a recent road trip that way, we stopped and splurged to fill the cheese drawer in the refrigerator.

Click here if you want to learn more about Marieke Gouda 

 

I will not be doing any splurging today.

 

 5. Share a favorite summer quote, saying, song lyric, or meme. 

 

"And you know it's not so much the heat as it is the gosh darn humidity"

 

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We enjoyed a special Father's Day with our boys. 

We went to a local baseball game, it was a fun game, lots of action and of course spending the day with family, that is what it is all about.

  ♥

 

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.