Boo to You 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 do you like most about your family? 

When the going gets tough, we will rally to help one another. Some of our family is spread across the miles, my one uncle and aunt living in Texas. This past year my Texas aunt had hip surgery. The Wisconsin families rallied to send care packages and made phone calls to check in with her. 

  

2. What's something nice that's happened to you recently? 

 

We were given a bunch of apples,  organic, fresh from the apple orchard. I made apple butter and apple sauce with some of the apples. Other are in our cold storage for fresh eating and making other apple treats.

 

  

3. Do you like the color orange? Besides a pumpkin and an actual orange, what's something orange you love?

 

I do like the color orange. Our son Atticus who is sporting that bright orange colored stocking cap below, he would wear bright orange stocking caps all winter long during his growing up years. This started when he was just a little guy, he would pick out an orange stocking cap as his new hat for winter.  

He is holding a bluegill he caught ice fishing in the below photo. 

I love all my photos of him sporting his orange stocking hat! 

 

Below he is older and yep, still sporting an orange stocking cap.

We are on the shores of Lake Superior in the below photo. 

 

4.  What's something you have now you couldn't have imagined having five years ago? How does that make you feel? What's possible now because of it? 

 My husband and I worked very hard to become debt free. We are going on year number three, and it feels so good. What is possible? We feel that if any changes in our life were to happen we have the freedom to make decisions that we may not have been able to do if tied in debt.

 

 

5. Let's wrap this one up with an October this or that...
pumpkin bread or apple cider donut ~ apple cider donut
cozy sweater or cozy hoodie ~ cozy sweater
apple picking or pumpkin picking ~ pumpkin picking
scary movie or Hallmark movie ~ Hitchcock movie
hay ride or corn maze ~ hay ride
twinkle lights or candles ~ candles
autumn hike or autumn bonfire ~ autumn hike
 
 
 
 
 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

 

It will be two years that we adopted Ernie. He is our first rescue dog. Golly what a journey we have had with him. I would not trade it, it has been a fantastic lesson for us. Watching a scared dog who lived over six months on the streets of El Paso, Texas, with gentle care and training turn into a true best buddy.

 

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

 ♥ flowers are still blooming here in Northwest Wisconsin

 ♥ beautiful October weather

 ♥ October sunlight dancing on the autumn colored leaves

 

 ♥ apples gifted from friends

 ♥ making apple butter and apple sauce

 

 

 ♥ warm apple butter spread on an english muffin

 

 

 ♥ autumn hikes 

and

 ♥ finding dinosaurs on that hike

 

 

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

 ♥

Carla 

On The Road Friday ~ A Castle in Dunn County Wisconsin

 

Hello Friends, last Sunday we took an adventure to find the castle that is dedicated to rural letter carriers of Dunn County, Wisconsin.

 We found the castle. We drove up, up and up a curvy one lane road. It was a very windy day and you can see in the photo above I captured a leaf blowing in the wind.

 My grandma Martha was a rural mail carrier in Price County, Wisconsin. I would ride with her on her route when I was a little girl. She was friends with most of the people she delivered mail to on her route. I enjoyed riding along with my grandma Martha on her route, she delivered mail for 40 years, in all kinds of Wisconsin weather.

 I loved the fact that back in 1938 people thought it important to honor rural mail carriers.

A few fun facts about the castle.

The castle is the only tribute to rural mail carriers in the country.

It is on the registry of haunted sights in Wisconsin. 

 

 The castle was well kept, no graffiti or other noticeable vandalizing. 

Perhaps the ghosts spook those who would want to do harm to the castle.  

 We have much more of Wisconsin to discover.. stay tuned. 

 

Painting 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. Do you make an effort to see/hear live music? Last time you went somewhere for the live music?  

I do like live music. We went to a fun show in early September featuring a local band.

 It was a toe tapping good time.  

 

2.According to HGTV the colors of the year for 2026 are mostly decided. Top paint companies declare a color of the year, and decorators will incorporate that into their new year home and room designs. Here's what's on tap in terms of paint trends for 2026 (check out the link here to see photos)

• Sherwin Williams-universal khaki (inspired by heavy canvas and outdoor gear)
• Behr-hidden gem (a confident shade of teal)
• Valspar-warm eucylyptus (a warm sliver tinted green)
• Dutch Boy-melodious ivory (a honey tinted beige)
• Glidden-warm mahogany (a classic brick red)
• Krylon-matte coffee bean
• Clark and Kensington -Hazelnut Crunch (warm reddish-brown)
• Graham and Brown-Divine Damson (cherry red with a subtle violet undertone)
• Dunn and Edwards-midnight garden (the green that works everywhere) 

First question-did you know there were so many different paint manufacturers? Which color on the list most appeals to you in terms of your own decorating style? Do you have plans to do any painting in your home in the coming year, and if so might you choose a color from this list? 

Now, forget painting walls, which color name appeals to you most? 

I had no idea there were so many paint manufactures.

We just finished painting two rooms and we have one room to go, which we are going to finish next week. We are using Benjamin Moore Paint, which is a favorite brand for us. The color that is close to what we are currently painting would be, Dutch Boy - melodious ivory.

Hmmm.. I will go with midnight garden (the green that works everywhere), I would say that name appeals to me. 

 

3. What's something in your life you have to do-watch-or participate in that's about as exciting as 'watching paint dry'?  

I will say.. painting. I hate to paint. My husband enjoys it and is so good at it. I give a helping hand and I try not to say how much I do not like to paint... but he knows it is not my favorite job. 

 4 . Tuesday, October 14th is/was National Dessert day...did you/will you celebrate? Tell us how? What's your absolute favorite dessert. Yes, just one. I know!! 

We do not eat dessert each day. It is more of a special occasion or once a week. My favorite dessert is pie. I like several kinds of pie, lemon meringue is a favorite. 

 5. Perhaps today is the day I will __________________________________. 

Finish going through a few closets. I am so close to getting done with my downsizing project I started in June.

 

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

 

 Our annual pumpkin carving party is just around the corner.  I am starting to come up with fun ideas. How about you? Do you like to carve pumpkins?

 

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 

 ♥ making the bed up with flannel sheets ... the cozy season is here

♥ exploring a new area of Wisconsin

 ♥ blueberry pancakes for breakfast

 ♥ windy nights ... falling asleep listening to the wind chimes

♥ the full moon

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

 ♥

Carla 

  

 

Apples to Apples and it is the Hodgepodge

 

We went apple picking on Saturday with our son Atticus, take a look at this beauty!

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. 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.' How does this saying ring true in your own family, either the one you grew up in or the one you made?  

 

I would have to say our youngest is like me in many ways. He is funny. If things get to serious, he will crack a joke. I am the same way. We like to lighten the mood. He also does not let too much worry him, he figures something out. I am the same way, it is figureoutable.  

 2. Something you're nuts about these days? How about something that's driving you nuts? 

 

I am nuts about..  

Jackson's Avocado Oil Sweet Potato Chips, I am nuts about them, do not leave me alone with a bag. 

What is driving me nuts? 

I was stuck not knowing  a baseball players name, I knew his nickname, Thor, but I could not think of his name. I did not want to look it up. Ha Ha. I am trying to use the old grey cells. I did not have to look him up, my husband gave me the answer, Noah Syndergaard.

 

 3. What does abundance mean to you? 

 

For me abundance means an overflowing amount of something special to you. For me, I have an overflowing amount of people who love me, I am blessed, so very blessed. 

 

 4. Caramel apple-caramel cake-caramel corn-caramel sundae-caramel macchiatto...what's your caramel treat of choice?  

 

 Caramel Sundae

 

 5. What's a childhood memory that always comes to mind as the leaves start to fall? 

 

Trick or Treat on Halloween night. 

My mom would drive my sister and me around our country neighborhood. We would get the best trick or treats, because it was just me, my sister and our three cousins that went trick or treating. Our neighbors loved seeing us kids. We would get bags of candy from Kenny Brown and Ed K. Irene W would make us fresh popcorn balls.  The Newton's gave us cans of soda. Trick or Treating out in the country will always be a fun memory for me, and my mom had fun too, stopping to see all the neighbors. 

 

6. Insert. your own random thought here.  

 

  Catch a leaf in mid air, make a wish, kiss it and toss it into the wind. 

 ♥

Carla 

Joy List Monday

 

Joy List Monday 

♥ a weekly reminder  ♥

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

♥ spending time with our kids this past weekend

♥ warm autumn days with lots of sunshine

 ♥ apple picking 

 ♥ making apple butter and  apple sauce

 ♥ watching the moonlight dance through the autumn leaves that are still hanging on the trees

♥ 

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

♥ 

Carla 

 

 

Hello October and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Autumn bonfires are a favorite.

 

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 your favorite fall scent? Would we find this in or around your home right now? 

I love the smell of cinnamon. I am baking an apple crisp with lots of cinnamon, yes today you will find that smell in my house. 

2. October is Country Music Month...are you a fan of country music? Do you have a favorite country artist? Ever been to Nashville? In terms of lifestyle are you more country mouse or city mouse? 

I enjoy the "old country music", Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn are a few on my old country playlist.

I like Johnny Cash, he is a favorite because of the memories I have from my grandpa singing along to Johnny Cash songs. 

We drove through Nashville, we did not stop. We were heading home from visiting our military son at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

I am a country mouse.

 

3. How about 'country cooking'? (loosely defined as rich flavors, familiar foods, large portions, often fried, and often associated with the southern region of the US of A)? 

chicken and dumplings-fried chicken-shrimp and grits-biscuits and gravy-mac and cheese-fried green tomatoes-cornbread-collard or turnip greens-deviled eggs-'barbecue'-gumbo-banana pudding 

Which of the foods listed is your favorite? Any on the list you haven't tried or would say a firm no thank you to if offered?

 

 My favorite would be chicken and dumplings.

I have not tried fried green tomatoes or barbecue gumbo.

 

 4. What's something that always has a positive impact on your mood? 

 

I know I sound like a broken record, because I talk about my garden so often. But if I am having a bad day, taking a walk out in the garden will lift my mood. There is always a surprise of beauty as I walk along, even in the winter.

 

  

5. As we say so long to September share a noun, a verb, and an adjective that tells us something about how that month looked for you. 

 

Challenging 

♥ we made some difficult decisions in September

 ♥ current events took a toll on the heartstrings ... they still are

 

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

Sense of beauty is the gift of God, for which those who have received it in good measure, can never be thankful enough.

Gertrude Jekyll 

 

St. Catherine of Siena

 

 

We are closing out the month of September and the end of the year is creeping closer and closer. 2025 has been a difficult year for many of our friends, our country and the world. Violence, war, illness, broken dreams, hurting family and friends.

 

 

My husband and I had several downs this year. We had to make hard decisions and change plans. It all makes me tired and sad, but I do not give up. We cannot give up. 

We can see all the injustice going on around us, we can get scared and feel like what can little me do? 

What I have learned this year as we have gone through a difficult season, is that I just have to keep doing the best I can each day. 

Smile.

Give a surprise bouquet to a friend and neighbor. 

Bake cookies for a friend going through a hard time.

Send a surprise package in the mail.

Listen... just listen.  

And pray.

I found the below dialogue from St. Catherine of Siena comforting and I wanted to share it as we all continue to do the best we can.

 

 

You must not break away from holy prayer for any reason except obedience or charity.

For often during the time scheduled for prayer the devil comes with all sorts of struggles and annoyances - even more than when you are not at prayer. He does this to make you weary of holy prayer. Often he will say: "This sort of prayer is worthless to you. You should not think about or pay attention to anything except vocal prayer." He makes it seem this way so that you will become weary and confused and abandon the exercise of prayer. 

But prayer is a weapon with which you can defend yourself against every enemy. If you hold it with love's hand and the arm of free choice, this weapon, with the light of most holy faith, will be your defense.

 

Flowers for your Friday

 

 

Orange zinnias have been the showstoppers this garden season.

Below is my display of a few of the big and bold orange zinnias.

You will spy my first acorn that I picked up on a recent walk.

 

 

More flowers for your Friday!

 

 

"As for rosemary I let it run all over my garden walls, not only because my bees love it, but because it is the herb sacred to remembrance and to friendship...." 

 Sir Thomas More 

 

Happy Autumn and it is the Hodgepodge

 

A toadstool found in the woods during a wet walk last week.

 

Happy Autumn and it is the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. Fall officially rolls into the Northern Hemisphere on Monday (9/22)...what's your favorite thing about fall? 

We live in Northern Wisconsin and me oh my, Wisconsin knows how to show off in Autumn. The leaf color, sunlight dancing in the leaves as they fall and the crisp fresh air make it all a delight for me. Autumn is my husband's favorite season.

 2. What's one thing on your real or proverbial autumn bucket list? 

 

We will take a drive and have a picnic enjoying the change of the season and soaking up all the autumn beauty of reds, yellows, oranges, purples and more as the trees change.

 

 3. Apples, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, butternut squash and cranberries are some of the top fall foods. Which one is your favorite and how do you like it prepared? Any on the list you don't eat? Which one have you had most recently? 

 

 

I am still making tarts. 

If you click the link below you will find my tart recipe. 

This week I made an apple tart. 

I enjoy all of the fall foods listed above.

Recipe ~ Tarts

 

 4. 'Fall is proof that change is beautiful' is a popular sentiment. Would you agree or no? Elaborate. 

 

It all depends on what the change is ... Ha Ha! Some change is easier for me than others. Having a dear friend move away, that was not so beautiful. 

Do a remodel "change" in our home to make it more cozy, that is fine and dandy.

 

5. Is there a spot near you where people go to see the leaves change color? Will you try to leaf peep somewhere this fall? Lonely Planet lists the following ten places as the best for leaf peeping...of those listed which would you most like to visit? 

Stowe, Vermont~Shenandoah National Park, Virginia~Columbia River Gorge, Oregon~Zion National Park, Utah~Tennessee/North Carolina border~West Virgina~Northwestern Wyoming~Wisconsin Northwoods~Northern Nevada~Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway, Arkansas

 

Wisconsin Northwoods ... that is where I call home sweet home. If you do plan to come this way, Wisconsin will not disappoint you. And let me know, I will put the kettle on.

 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

The calendar might say the first day of Autumn, but our weather is still full summer. Our winters are loooooonnnngggg here in Wisconsin, so we will take each summer day we can. I am still eating fresh cucumbers, green beans, zucchini and enjoying fresh flowers. 

 

Birthday Memories and it is the Hodgepodge

 

 

Happy Wednesday, one of our favorite requests to celebrate birthday's .. 

Highlander Grogg Filled Cupcakes

 

 

 After all that drooling, it is time for the Hodgepodge. 

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

1.  Are you more life of the party or more party pooper? If your answer is somewhere in the middle which side of the middle do you lean towards more? 

Birthday party, beach party, cocktail party, dinner party, charity fundraiser, surprise party, costume party, garden party, Christmas party, reunion...what's your favorite kind of party? 

I am in the middle, I join the fun, but I probably would not be the person to start the shenanigans, but I would join in. 

I love celebrating our families birthday's with a special meal, dessert and presents too.

 

2. Cheese, wine, and balsamic vinegar all improve with age. What would you personally add to the list? 

I will add, Carla, to that list. I have improved with age. One of the areas that I know I have improved on is patience. I take time to listen, that skill has improved with age. I chew on the things I am told and I will research and study before giving my two cents.

 3. How do you feel about your birthday? How do you want to be celebrated? Or don't you? 

I like my birthday. My birthday is December 12th. My favorite way to celebrate is spending the day with my family.

 4. What remarkable feat, interesting piece of trivia, or historical event occurred on your birth day and month? Not necessarily your same birth year, just the same date/month.

Frank Sinatra shares my birth date, 12/12.

5. Share two good things about your life right now. 

My husband and I recently had to make a difficult decision. We both feel good about the decision we made and have peace about it.

My family... my family means so much to me.

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

One last photo... delicious. 

 

 

September

 Brewing, fermenting, rising, bubbling, kneading, stewing, simmering, aging, curing, growing, sprouting... a working kitchen is alive with verbs.

Jill Winger

 

♥

Carla

Pray, love, remember 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 gives you energy? What takes it away? 

Having a fun project to do gives me energy. 

Time with my family and friends gives me energy. 

It might seem strange, but working in my garden gives me energy. If I am having a bad day, just feeling low and tired,  a bit of gardening usually helps me feel better.

Drama ... drama saps my energy. 

When things should really be easy, but red tape makes them difficult, I get very tired, very quickly.

 2. How often do you shop for clothes? What accessory do you always wear? 

I shop for clothes if I need something for an occasion, like attending a wedding or fun party. I will shop for clothes if something I currently have has seen its day. I recently purchased a new sweatshirt.

I wear earrings everyday... in fact I feel naked without them. Hee Hee!

3. What's something free that you feel grateful for?   

LOVE

I am so thankful to be loved by my family and friends. 

 4. Breakfast, lunch, dinner...which meal of the day do you enjoy most? What's your go-to comfort food? 

I will say dinner because I enjoy dinner with my husband most evenings. I do love our weekend breakfasts together, my husband enjoys making breakfast for us on Saturday and Sunday.

My go to comfort food is.. chicken noodle soup. 

 5. This week the world remembers the tragic events of 9/11. Do you mark the day in any way? How do historical events shape your perspective on your personal challenges?

 My husband and I pray for those who have died, not just on September 11th, but years later from the toxic air that those later developed cancer from. We pray for our military. We will reminisce about what we were doing September 11th  during our evening conversation.

Historical events shape my perspective on my personal challenges in ways of gratitude.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Autumn is starting to visit around here. We dipped down to 36 degrees over the weekend. Summer is coming back this week. I am alright with that.