Over the River and Through the Wood

 

 

Over the river and through the wood,
to Grandfather’s house away!
We would not stop for doll or top,
for ‘tis Thanksgiving Day.

 

Heading home for Thanksgiving. I grew up in Phillips, Wisconsin. I moved away 28 years ago. My parents live 15 miles west of Phillips on our family farm. We visit often. 

A friend of mine recently traveled through my hometown and sent me this photo with the following text. "Carla, this is where you grew up? It is so beautiful!"

And it is. Lakes, rivers, county forest land and more.  

I live where I do now because of my husbands career. I never would have thought to move here, but I am glad I did. I did not think that when my husband said we were moving to Cameron, Wisconsin. I did not want to move away from my hometown. It was hard for me to leave family, friends and what I knew and loved.

 We grew as a couple when we arrived here in Cameron. We had no family close by, no friends and no clue of the community.   We learned. We learned, sometimes very slowly about the new community we live in.  We made friends, who are now treasures. My husband excelled in his career. We raised a family and they have now flew the coop to a new city to learn on their own. We gave back and continue to do so in our community we call home for now. 

 

How about you? Do you live in the community you were born and raised? 

Do you have a desire to move back to your hometown or state?

 

On the Road Friday ~ Confluence of the Chippewa and Red Cedar River

 

 

Hello Friends, it is Friday and it is time to hit the road. Today we are going to visit the shores of the Chippewa River and Red Cedar River. 

 

The Chippewa and Red Cedar rivers meet south of Menomonie,  near the Dunnville State Wildlife Area in Dunn County, Wisconsin. 

The confluence is a significant natural and recreational area, where the Red Cedar River flows into the Chippewa River. It is accessible via the Chippewa River State Trail and Red Cedar State Trail. 

 

 

Do you spy Ernie? He is looking back at the boys. Both Sam and Atticus joined us on this adventure. It was a fun day of rock picking, looking for clams and enjoying the river.

 

 

 We continue to find little trinkets left behind on our hikes.

 

 

 Here is a shrine to Busch Light. 

You never know what you might find or see when you get out and about in Wisconsin.

 ♥

Carla  

Squashed In and It is the Hodgepodge

We like squash. 

 

 

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. Let's do our gratitude question first this week...what's the best thing about your home, and have you taken time to enjoy it lately? 

I love our kitchen, we did a make over of our kitchen in 2022. We put in a gas range. I love, love cooking on gas. Yes, I enjoy it daily.

I also love our south facing windows, especially in the winter months. I sit in the afternoon sun and soak it in.

 

2. Do you like squash? Of the varieties listed, which one's your favorite and how do you like it prepared? Is squash of some sort on your Thanksgiving menu?? 

acorn, butternut, delicata, spaghetti, zucchini, crookneck (yellow squash), patty pan

We love squash. The above photo is a summer squash called Eight Ball, we make a stuffed squash with this variety. I also love using butternut squash to make a squash soup.

My mom hosts Thanksgiving, in years past she has had squash on the menu.

  3. Last time you were 'squashed in' somewhere, or felt squashed? 

We were traveling with family and we had three in the backseat, I was one of the three. Yep, I felt squashed. 

4. Have you ever played squash? What about other 'racquet sports' such as racquetball, tennis, pickleball, badminton, table tennis (ping pong)? Are these sports something you enjoy?  

I have not played squash. 

I have played tennis, pickleball, and badminton.

  Badminton is my favorite to play. 

 5. Something in today's society or culture that feels like a 'racket' to you? If you don't like that one, tell us about a place you've been recently where there was a lot of 'racket'.

I can be a Charlie Brown when it comes to how I see Christmas in our society.

 It all can get to be a little too much. 

 Lucy : Look, Charlie, let's face it. We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. It's run by a big eastern syndicate, you know.  

 

 

Charlie Brown: Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus : Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.

Linus: Lights, please.

Linus: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not:"

Linus: "for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'" 

Linus: That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

 

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

 

Are you getting excited? 

 

 

 

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

 

 

♥ thrifting 

 

 

♥ a big project completed with the help from our son's

we live in "an this old house"  fresh "updated" insulation was needed in the attic 

 

 

 

♥ a visit from Jack Frost

 

 

♥ a kiss of frost on the kale makes it sweeter, we enjoyed a delicious kale salad for dinner

 

 

♥ the last of the leaves fell, we now have bare trees

"As October ends, most of the branches are bare. We see more sky."

Gladys Taber  

 

 

♥ trying new recipes 

 

 

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

♥

Carla

 

On the Road Friday ~ Ice Age Trail ~ Bear Lake Segment

 

 

Hello Friends, it is time to hit the road. We are heading to the Ice Age Trail, Bear Lake Segment.

 

 

We are fortunate to live close to many segments of the Ice Age Trail, we have many favorite hikes within the segments. The Bear Lake Segment is one we had not hiked before. We will go back and do more hiking of it in December if it does not snow. 

 

 

We will get started on the hike and see what we might find. 

 

 

We found an apartment complex here I think. Mr and Mrs. Spider live in the top apartment and Mr. and Mrs. Mouse live in the bottom. 

 

 

This area was a bog. I wanted to get a closer photo of the plants growing in the bog, but it was wet, I started to feel I was sinking in, so stepped out of the bog. 

 

We have been finding fun little things during our hikes. You might remember the little dinosaurs we found a few weeks ago. Today we spotted a big ol dragonfly. 

Thank you for coming along with me, for on the road Friday.  

 ♥

Carla

  

Snow Treasure ~ Marie McSwigan

 

Book Review

  Snow Treasure 

Based on actual events, this thrilling story of children's bravery in the face of a powerful enemy has been continuously in print since its first publication in 1942. 

During the German occupation of Norway, the children of the small town of Riswyk set out to save the community's gold from the Nazis who have seized control of the area. Using their sleds, the children smuggle thousands of pounds of gold bullion down a mountain to a waiting ship bound for the United States. In doing so they must pass by the Nazi guards. Day after day the children make their dangerous journey, avoiding detection until one final, daring confrontation with the Nazis.  

 

I enjoyed this book. I do not know as much history about how the war raged across the Scandinavian countries. Reading about how using the skill of cross country skiing to outsmart the enemy and the use of snow was very interesting.

 

Thankful November and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Welcome Home 157th ... July 2023 Deployment Djibouti, Africa

Thank you Veterans!!

It is Wednesday and it is time for the Hodgepodge. 

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. What does patriotism mean to you? 

I grew up with patriotism in my heart. My family has served in the military. Our family history defending our freedoms can be traced back to the Civil War, World War One, World War Two, Korea, Vietnam, War on Terror and today's current conflicts.

We love our country, we love freedom and we will do our best to defend freedom.  

A photo and text "Hi Mom"  from our son during a his month deployment to Fort Polk. 

 2. September-October-November...your favorite fall month? Tell us why. If you live in the southern hemisphere use these months but sub spring for the word fall. 

 October

October in Wisconsin is full of color. The weather is usually very nice for autumn hiking and exploring. The garden harvest is finishing up, it is a month full of good eats.

 3. A song you love with the word thanks (or some form of that word)  in the title or lyrics?

I am on a Gordon Lightfoot kick right now, Thank you for the Promises. 

 

4. November is National Peanut Butter Month. Are you a fan? What's the last peanut butter bite you had? Fill in the blank: peanut butter and _____________________ . 

Oh, and you can't say jelly. 

Oh yes I am a fan.

I love peanut butter and chocolate. 

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. 

  5. This week's gratitude question-What event from this past year are you most grateful for? 

Our oldest son was able to purchase his first house.

 

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and, as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone on many...

William Bradford

  

 

Veteran's Day 2025

 

I found this book several years ago. It is so powerful. I encourage you to read it. 
It is a children's book, it is so well done to bring the meaning of each veteran's gift of freedom to us. 
Thank you, Hero's!

A little - known tradition to the outside civilian world, "the white table" originated during the time of the Vietnam War as a symbol for and remembrance to service members held prisoner of war or missing in action. Solitary and solemn, it is the table where no one will ever sit.

Thank you to all men and women in uniform who dedicated their lives to freedom's cause.

 ♥
Carla
 
Honoring our Veteran's today.

 

 

 Below is one of my favorite photos of the welcome home ceremony for our son and the rest of the 157th.

That daddy holding his two little ones. 

Edmund Fitzgerald

 Lake Superior is a favorite place for our family. We love to spend time on her shores. We enjoy exploring the areas around the lake. And we enjoyed many adventures around and on the mighty lake. 

Our family enjoys learning history about Lake Superior.  

50 years ago today.. November 10th.. 

Leaving port from Superior, Wisconsin, on a sunny November day, the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald is looking forward to a routine crossing of deep Lake Superior.

 

 

Heading for Zug Island, Detroit, Michigan, the giant transport ship is loaded with ore that will be used to build cars. But disaster is building in the wind as a storm begins to track after the great ship. 

 

 

The bell rings forever where heroes are found, for the soul of the sailor is held in its sounds.

 

 

There wasn't a sound except for the bell - Some say it rang out when the mighty ship fell.

 

 

The Edmund Fitzgerald was found later, lying broken and twisted on the bottom of Lake Superior, only 17 miles from the shelter of Whitefish Point.

November 10th, 1975

29 men aboard

Hello November Hodgepodge

 

 

We are starting to get cold here in Wisconsin. The smell of wood smoke is in the air.

It is the first Wednesday of  November and it is time for the Hodgepodge. 

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

1. Besides Thanksgiving, something on your November calendar you're looking forward to?  

We have a house project that needs doing, I am not looking forward to the mess. But I am looking forward to our son's coming to help. 

 

 

2. Dictionary.com's word of the year is '6-7'. Huh? 

Is it even a word??? I had to consult the internet to find out it's meaning because apparently I'm old and this particular slang is not part of my vocabulary. Is it part of yours? According to the article I read, it's a viral term, more of an inside joke with an unclear meaning driven by social media.

What do you think? 

Dictionary. com says it's selection each year is a 'linguistic time capsule reflecting social trends and events, but they also admitted to being confused by '6-7'. Some say it means so-so and is sometimes accompanied by the up and down hand motion we associate with the phrase so-so.

What word do you think would have made a better choice? 

Ha Ha ... well I have no idea just like you Joyce. I apparently am old too or old fashioned, when we lived in a world when words were words.  I will stay in that old fashioned world.

Call me a fuddy - duddy I do not care.  

Ha Ha!

What would I pick for the word of the year?

Turmoil

Our world continues to be in a state of turmoil. 

 3. What's a food, trend, activity, or thing people love but you think is just so-so? 

 I tried a bubble tea for the first time, I was not impressed.

 4. Are you a tea drinker? Hot or cold? How do you like yours and at what time of day? Do you like flavored teas or teas billed as calming, energizing, healing, etc? 

I love tea. I like both hot or cold. I drink a hot tea daily, in the afternoon, usually around 1:30 pm. I enjoy a black tea with honey. Lady Grey tea is a favorite of mine.

I also have a cup of hot tea at night. I enjoy peppermint or a ginger tea at night.

5. The November Hodgepodge has always included a weekly gratitude question. Here's the question for today-what are three things that make your heart sing?   

♥ my family

♥ my friends

♥ my faith 

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We are just about done buttoning up for winter. 

My checklist..

Washed the greenhouse.  √

Put a layer of mulch on the raised beds and other gardens.  √

Planted garlic, tulips and daffodils.  √

Water hoses drained and put up. √

Emptied and cleaned pots.  √

 

 

Funny on Monday

 

 

On our afternoon walk, my husband said to me, something does not look right. OPE ... looks like that dock is heading out to sea. 

Have a great day my friends.

Happy November to you!!  

 ♥

Carla