It is a Summer Salad Hodgepodge

 

We are trying to save the strawberries. We have several robin nests on the property. They like to dine in the strawberry patch. I have placed bird netting on top of the berry plants, in hopes we will be able to enjoy some fresh strawberries.

It is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

 1. June 17th, 1994 was the day of the infamous O.J. Simpson car chase. What were you doing in 1994? I'm guessing somebody is going to tell me they weren't born yet but that's part of the fun of the Hodgepodge. Lots of generations are represented here. 

I was working as a lifeguard. I worked as a lifeguard during my college summers.

  2. What's your favorite summer salad that isn't the traditional tossed green lettuce kind of salad? Do you like fresh fruit in a salad (other than in a fruit salad of course)?

I love a fresh tomato, cucumber and aged Gouda cheese salad. I like to sprinkle a bit of Raspberry Blush Vinegar and  sea salt  on to the salad. Let it sit to bring out the flavors.

 Yes, I will add our fresh strawberries to our green lettuce salad. Later in the season I will add raspberries. I love that I can walk out the back door and pick our dinner salad in the summer months.

 3. Is chivalry dead? Should it be? 

I think it is pretty much dead in my neck of the woods. We did teach our boys to be gentlemen. I am blessed to say that I have seen both of these grown men hold doors and help elderly women. 

I am an old soul, so no, I do not think it should be dead. 

 4. Would you rather spend a week of your summer vacation in Hawaii or Alaska? Have you ever been to either? Are they two places you really would like to see? How do you feel about 'Hawaiian pizza' aka pineapple on a pizza? Have you ever eaten Baked Alaska? 

  Alaska!!

I have not been to either. But my sister would work in Hawaii for several weeks during the winter months. She would bring treats back for us. YUM!

I would really like to visit Alaska. My great uncle Jerome homesteaded in Alaska before it became a state.

I like 'Hawaiian pizza' and yes, I have eaten Baked Alaska.

 

5. World Cup play is happening now...are you interested? Watching any matches? Did you or your children play soccer/futbol? There are eleven US cities hosting matches-

-Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York with the stadium in NJ, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle

along with  three cities in Mexico (Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey)

and two in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver)-

You get free tickets to one of these matches. Which city do you choose? Tell us why. 

Yes, our oldest played soccer.

No,  I am not currently watching the World Cup.

I would choose Vancouver, Canada. My husband and I both want to tour Canada someday, so this would start the journey.

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Happy Father's Day

I have a memory that has been coming back to me about my dad. I grew up on a dairy farm. Before milking the cows in the summer months, my dad would stand in the middle of the driveway, toss a tennis ball in the air, hit it with a bat and it would sail over the barn roof. My sister and I thought it was so amazing. The strongest man on earth. 

 ♥

 

Happy Easter Week and it is the Hodgepodge

 

A little craft project. Using Mod Podge creating fun Easter eggs out of old sheet music. Using the old sheet music, colored paper and silk flowers to create butterflies to add to a spring basket.

 

Happy Easter Week my friends and it is the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 

 1. March is rolling on out of here. Sum up your March in ten words or less. 

March weather added excitement to an already full calendar.  

 2. Are you afraid of heights? When was the last time you found yourself dealing with a height, and did it make you nervous?

I am not.

Below is a photo of Sears Tower ~ Chicago, Illinois ~ my sister and I had a fun adventure in the city and we had great fun exploring Sears Tower.  

  3. What's a word you struggle to spell on a regular basis, and sometimes need to double check before writing it down? Use the word in a sentence that tells us something about your April calendar.

Miracle  

Oh this word gives me trouble. 

We will be celebrating our first son's birthday in April. It was a true miracle and blessing when he arrived in this big world. It was a difficult time getting him to come on out into the world, a difficult labor indeed. Ha!

Fast forward today, he is a leader to several other young men and women. 

He sends me photos of his deployments and trainings. 

In this one he simply said, "Hi Mom"

 

 Happy April Birthday Sam!

 

 4. Love 'em or hate 'em, with Easter comes the sweet treat known as Peeps. So... do you love 'em or hate 'em? Speaking of peeps, what's your favorite way to have chicken? 

No, I am not a  fan. 

I have used them for decorating my Easter cakes.

I love grilled chicken breasts. My husband makes up his secret sauce, he soaks the breasts in the sauce overnight before grilling. 

 

5. This week's Hodgepodge lands on the first day of April, which happens to be National Poetry Month. Do you like poetry?  Share a favorite line or two from one of your favorite poems. What makes this one a favorite?  

  I do like poetry.

In Flanders Fields ~ John McCrae

 

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.

 

It is a powerful poem. 

It is a favorite because my dad memorized this poem in grade school. My dad did not like school and I have many stories about his shenanigans as a school boy.  He did work hard to memorize In Flanders Fields as a young boy, even though he did not like school, that makes it even more special to me.

 

 6. Insert your own random thought here.  

 

Please join me in praying for our troops.

 ♥

 

 

Pumpkin Carving Party 2025

 

My husband used my dad's carving tools to write "We're Having A Good Time" into the pumpkin.

 

Hello Friends, we enjoyed another fun pumpkin carving party with our family. My parents grew all the pumpkins. They have gotten very good at pumpkin growing. We had a fantastic selection of pumpkins to choose from to create our 2025 pumpkin masterpieces.

 

I used a little basket to make a hat for this pumpkin.

 

I found a little basket and white bird in a stash of my craft items. The pumpkin I picked out did not have a stem on top,so this idea worked perfect to add the straw hat and bird.. raven. I painted the white bird, black, to make it a raven.

 

 

The pumpkin party crew, and Ernie too.

 

My husband and I created this one together.

My husband and I created this chicken pumpkin. We used chicken wire for the inside to give it a true chicken coop look. 

More creative ideas, does this one look like an owl to you?

 

 

 And now for the pumpkins all aglow.  

 

Happy Halloween to you! 

Summer Days and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Our favorite Northern Wisconsin lake to paddle and fish.

 

Hello Friends, Happy August and let us soak in the last days of summer.

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. The midpoint of summer (believe it or not) is August 7th. Describe a perfect summer day. Have you had one this year? 

Yes, I have a few perfect summer days. 

In June, I went to a baseball game with my family. It was a beautiful summer afternoon for a baseball game.

The first weekend of August I spent with my family.

We fished on our favorite Northern Wisconsin lake. It was a bottle up summer day.

My dad commented, "it was perfect out on the lake." 

And it was. 

2. What's one thing you wish you knew before starting high school? 

When I was a freshman in high school, the senior class had some MEAN girls. I was lucky that my neighbor girl and friend,  was a junior and she was a tough cookie. As long as I had Paulette as my friend, those senior girls left me along. Not so for my friend Tracy. Those girls got her one day after class. 

I wish I would have known how mean some girls could be... this group was down right nasty, pull your hair, dump your books out of your arms and more. 

Me with my fishing gear. The only nasty thing while fishing was the mean old flies. Do you spy the big one on my pant leg.

 

3. What's something that bothers you if it's not done perfectly? 

The way I make our bed. I like it just so. 

4. What's the most overrated food you're convinced people are just pretending to enjoy? What's a trendy food you actually do enjoy and would say is definitely not overrated? 

I do not know what food is overrated right now. All my blog friends will have to fill me in on this question. If we are talking about cottage cheese, I do enjoy cottage cheese. My husband and I love a bowl of cottage cheese with fruit, peaches are one of our favorites to mix in our cottage cheese. 

 

5. Wrapping it up this week with five fun this or thats...

personal stylist or personal chef? personal stylist
dance like nobody's watching or sing like nobody's listening? sing like nobody's listening
unlimited tacos or free pizza? pizza

bookshelf organization-by size or by genre? genre
ten minutes late or ten minutes early? ten minutes early

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A few more photos of a perfect summer's day... 

Hello November and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Hello November!!

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. Besides Thanksgiving (in the USA) what's one thing you're looking forward to in November? 

We will be getting a new gas range. For the past 26 years we have had an electric range, my husband has always wanted a gas range. This month we are getting one. We cannot wait!!

2. Do you like candles? Your favorite scent? How often do you burn a candle in your home? 

Yes, I enjoy candles. My favorite scent is cinnamon. We burn a candle in our home every evening.

 3. What gadgets did you use today? 

phone. hairdryer. flat iron. vacuum cleaner. laptop. the list goes on. 

4. This question is a repeat from one asked in November of 2014, but I liked it so it's coming round again. Many of you weren't here in 2014. Okay, you can have fifty pounds of something (anything but money)...what will you choose? Also, since I mentioned it...what were you up to in November of 2014? 

Mix Nuts ... I love mixed nuts, without peanuts. 

November of 2014, I was busy with our two boys. Sam would have been 14 and Atticus would have been 12. 

5. 'Tis the season...what's something you're feeling especially grateful for today?  

My dad and mom. I recently had a very bad day! My mom called me early in the morning the next day to cheer me on. My dad talked to me too. The day did get better after talking to them. And by the afternoon I was feeling much better. I have been blessed with very optimistic parents. When the going gets tough the tough get going. They have always been great to give encouragement and help to both my sister and me to press on.

  6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Meet Ernie... a rescue who is currently melting our hearts. To be continued...

 

 

Advice from a Farmer

 

Dandelion fluff, my dad and Sam.

Advice from a Farmer

Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.

Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.

Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

A bumblebee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

Words that soak into your ears are whispered ... not yelled.

Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.

Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.

Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.

You cannot unsay a cruel word.

Every path has a few puddles.

When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

The best sermons are lived, not preached.

Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.

Don't judge folks by their relatives.

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

Live a good, honorable life ... then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't bothering you none.

Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.

The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with watches you from the mirror every mornin. 

Always drink up stream from the herd.

Good judgement comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.

If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around. 

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

♥

Carla

 

A Little Bit of Christmas Outside

 

I was able to create my Christmas outdoor decorating this season with dried flowers from the garden, a walk in the woods and a little help from my dad.

 

The evergreen branches are from the two Christmas trees that we have in our home this season. We usually need to cut the lower branches to have the tree fit in our stand. I am happy that I can use the branches in my outside decorating. 

The dried hydrangea are from the garden as well as the millet.

The red berries I foraged in my parents woods and I found the bird nest too.

The box is an old potato box that my dad fixed up and gave me. Thank you, Dad!

And the rusty bell is a bell I use year after year.

 

The front door features my ol blue pot that I cannot move. It is full of dirt for me to plant my flowers in for the spring, summer and autumn. October though November, I had a mum in the pot for an autumn display.

Evergreens are laid on the top of the pot. An old basket a friend gave me is filled with rocks so it does not blow away in the winter wind. Then I added evergreens and berries, a bow and a rusty star.

 

Happy Christmas Decorating!

 

 

Looking Back at 2021 ~ A Story in Our Wisconsin Magazine

 

Hello Friends,

I have a few fun items I want to share with you, that I never got around to do in 2021. Here is my first of.. Looking Back at 2021.

Our Wisconsin is a beautiful magazine that features all that's great in the Badger State.

The magazine features a treasure hunt for a hidden key. The magazine provides a clue in each issue.. step by step the mystery unfolds. The magazine has given away two new cars, new boats and other substantial packages. This year it was a teardrop camper.

I am going to jump into the meat of the story here. It ended up that a family of Amish found the key by accident. The key was hidden in an old outhouse at the Kennan Community Park, but what the magazine did not know was that the old outhouses where going to be removed. 

The Amish family headed to the park to move the outhouse, (which was going to be rebuilt into a chicken coop) and they found the key. 

They won the teardrop camper.

My friend Lori sent me the story, because I grew up not far from the Kennan area. And to my surprise the Amish family that won the camper, also was the Amish family that my dad was mentoring in learning how to trap beaver.

It was fun to hear my dad share the story with us as well. Both my parents have become friends with this Amish family.

 

 For the rest of the story, Bonnie and Bell pulled the teardrop camper. But the Amish family did not really have the time to camp and the photos were taken in good fun.

The camper was sold to a neighbor, (who is also a friend of my parents) and the Amish family split the proceeds.

The phrase "it is a small world after all" hit home with this fun story.

Sign of the Times? * CAUTION UNPLEASANT PHOTOS *

 

Hello Friends,

I have a story to share with you today and photos that will be unpleasant.  Before I share, I will give you a little background about me. I am a farmer's daughter. I was born and raised on a dairy farm in Northern Wisconsin. I was taught to care and love our farm animals. We are the care takers, not only of the farm land but of the farm animals. That is my dad in the photo above, he is cutting hay with the help of our son Sam, who will be 21 next week!

Goodness time flies, when I look at these photos I smile. Not only did my sister and I learn the value of caring for animals and the land from my dad, but so did my boys.

Sam enjoying dandelion fluff!

 

I deliver Meals on Wheels. I am a rural driver. I deliver in a Northwest area of the county I live in. The county I live in in is a rural Wisconsin county, with many farms, agriculture is how many who live here make their living.  Three Friday's ago, I saw this in a ditch! I was sickened. 

* WARNING UNPLEASANT PHOTOS *

Two calves tossed in the ditch. Both had twine wrapped around their legs. 

I called my supervisor, I told her what I found, I asked if I should call the Sheriff's department.

This is the answer I received, "Well Carla, this really is just a sign of the times. I know it is so sad. Maybe the calves died during birth, they may have had a difficult birth, maybe twins. And they died."

At this point I cut her off..  "NO! I was born and raised on a dairy farm. Yes, we had death. NO! NO! My dad never said, Let us go toss the calves in the ditch along the highway!!!"

My supervisor, "I know, Carla, but it is the sign of the times. I was born and raised on a farm too. It is so sad what has happened. I realize you have to drive past it everyday."

 I shared this story with the other drivers. They could not believe that we are to think CATTLE IN A DITCH is to be normal in 2021!

Sadly, this story gets worse. As of last Friday the calves are still in the ditch.

 

I called the Sheriff's department.
 I, Back the Blue.... so I am not disrespecting the department when I share what happens next.  I do believe all calls to dispatch are recorded, so there is the proof of my conversation.

I share with dispatch, that along such and such road two dead calves are in the ditch. 

It is odd to me I explain, to see dead cattle in the ditch.
 The response I receive "I will need your full name, address, phone number and date of birth."

"Alright, I gave the information." 

"I do hope that you understand that we can not have our deputies waste their time."

Somehow, I felt like I just became the bad person!

Sign of the Times?

You tell me? Are cattle in the ditch a thing now days? 

When I shared this story with my dad it made him sick to his stomach.  

If this is a sign of the times.. I am not joining!

I am going to keep being the girl with the values my dad taught me in treating people, animals (even dead ones) and the land.

 

"And know that yes, what you do matters.

 Hang in there, keep going, keep shining your light."

Anne Butera

 

I've been working on the Hodgepodge

 

 Sam when he was a little guy.

My dad during cranberry harvest.

Hello Friends,

Today is Wednesday. And it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Looking at the photos above this Hodgepodge is all about work. Or what we can use to help us do work, the big red tractor.

Here we go.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

1. Something you've done in recent days or months that might be described as a labor of love?

"Can you wash my whites mom?" 

"You are the best at getting my whites clean mom."

My boys have recently moved in to an apartment together. They have a washer and dryer in their apartment, they love that. But when it comes to whites, I guess I am the pro.

 2. Last time you 'worked your fingers to the bone'?

That time is upon me, as we start to put our garden to bed for the winter and as my husband likes to say, "Batten Down the Hatches" as we prepare the yard for winter. 

3. According to a recent survey people named the following ten jobs as the hardest-nurse, doctor, paramedic, police officer, firefighter, surgeon, healthcare worker, bomb squad, farmer, and prison warden. Of the jobs listed which would you say is the hardest?  Oh goodness, I think they all are challenging. I will choose farmer, because I grew up on a dairy farm. My parents worked very hard. There is so much involved in farming. I sadly do not think many are educated in what it takes to grow food, milk cows and more for all the goodies we enjoy. The one you'd most like to do? I would be a farmer. I love to be outside. Even if Mother Nature is not on your side all the time, growing crops is a favorite of mine. That for sure is why I love to garden. Least like to do?  I would not do well as a prison guard. "Gullible" What's one job you would add to the list? TRUCK DRIVERS ... how do they do it?

During the pandemic, they were still going strong delivering what we needed the best they could. And in all kinds of weather. Up and over mountains, from one side the the USofA to the other. Watching out for deer, moose, bear, crazy drivers and city traffic. 

High Fives to the Truck Drivers.

4. A recipe you make that is labor intensive, but worth it?

 

5. Last job you did or task you completed that required teamwork?

Cleaning our garden shed. My husband helped me clean and put up new shelving last week in our garden shed. I love how organized it. *Note to self.. keep it that way.*

 6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

 Thank you, to all of you, for the prayers and support for our Sam.

I am happy to report that his mission to Kenosha is complete. 

He is back to college today.

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 Father's Day with my dad, mom, my husband and our son Atticus

♥ canoeing with my husband

♥ time on a lake in the middle of Northern Wisconsin

♥ loons

♥ green herons

♥ a perfect picnic

It is an all Jazz Hodgepodge

NO, we do not have any lilacs in bloom or any other flower.

Still dreaming of Spring .. yep, that is right, it is April 11 and Spring has not made it to Northwest Wisconsin. Snow on the ground and more in the forecast.

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. April is National Jazz Appreciation Month. Are you a fan? If so what's a favorite you'd recommend to someone new to jazz listening?

Yes, I do enjoy Jazz. Norah Jones is my favorite.

 

 2. Mandolin, ukulele, harp, accordion or banjo...which would you be most interested in learning to play? Or do you already play one of the instruments listed?

Banjo! I would love to be able to play the banjo.

Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors are a favorite of mine. They play all of the above.

 3. Do you judge a book by it's cover? Elaborate. You may answer in either/both the literal or figurative sense of the word.

I do not for both. 

Regarding books, I do like a hard cover book with a ribbon for a book mark. I also am happy to read a well used soft cover. It is the meat of the story, that is what counts for me.

That is the same with people. I deliver Meals on Wheels. If I were to judge many of my people by their cover, I would miss out on so much. I have learned that about many things in life, do not judge a book by it's cover.

4. According to a recent study the ten most nutritious foods are-almonds, cherimoya (supposed to taste like a cross between a pineapple/banana), ocean perch, flatfish (such as flounder and halibut), chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, swiss chard, pork fat (shocking! but I don't think they mean bacon), beet greens, and red snapper. Are any of these foods a regular part of your diet? Any you've never ever tasted? Which would you be most inclined to add to your diet?

Almonds are a regular part of my diet. Swiss chard during our garden season.  Chia seeds and pumpkin seeds are in spurts.

As far as those that I have never tasted, cherimoya, beet greens and red snapper.

I would be happy to add more ocean perch.

 5. Besides a major holiday what is the most recent thing you've celebrated with your people? Tell us how.

 

My dad celebrated his one year anniversary after his heart attack. He is doing well both physically and mentally, as he adjusts to life after a heart attack. 

 6. Insert your own random thought here.

High Fives to my Dad!!

Some Good News

Some Good News

Thank you all for the support during the clean up from the lighting strike. Just when we got most of our devices and cables replaced, we received another scare when the power pole went crashing down. You kind of feel like "what next?" 

Not just in my own eventful days of late, but in the world as well. 

You never know what you will hear about next on the news.  To be honest, it gets hard to listen to another awful event. Hurricanes, fires, war and shootings. 

Our family had many a discussion this week. 

Courage, dear heart ... that was the main focus ... have courage. 

Monday left me feeling strange and reminding me, enjoy each day you have. 

Taking  the quote from my dad "Have the Best Day Ever" ... we reminded our boys we have to continue on. We honestly do not know what will happen. We have to be brave, love and press on, shine on with light.

Sharing GOOD news and happy times .... take a look at this ....

 My dad, who suffered a heart attack April 11th.

He has pressed on this 2017 with many changes. His heart attack and the decision to leave dairy farming. With his positive attitude and deciding to "Have the Best Day Ever" he keeps going.

Here he is helping with cranberry harvest at my sister's cranberry farm, Copper River Cranberries.

Having a sister who has a cranberry farm makes me lucky to get as many cranberries as I want. We do love cranberries. I am sharing our very favorite Cranberry Cake recipe.  This cake makes a perfect breakfast cake or a dessert.

Cranberry Cake

3 eggs

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup butter

1 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups flour

2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs with sugar until slightly thickened and light in color, about 5 minutes. Add butter and extract, beat 2 minutes. Stir in flour. Stir in cranberries.

Spread into a greased 13in. x 9in. x 2in. baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean. 

Enjoy

My son Atticus loves this cake! It is his very favorite.