The End of December ~ This and That

 Hello Friends,

I will share a few more happenings from December with you. 

 

For several years now we host a cookie decorating party. My dad gets very creative with his decorating. 

 

Looking down at the table.

A sugar cookie dog decked out for the holidays and ready to be eaten. I will admit, I ate this cookie.

 

Speaking of dogs, my dad found a puzzle that had the face of our dog Molly. 

We put the puzzle together as a family. 

RIP 

Molly

Her memories are always with us, we usually have a Christmas Molly story we reminisce.

 

 

I will show you my homemade luminary. We had extreme cold weather over Christmas weekend. I change the water for our hens several times in the day during this time, because of how cold it is. The ice forms around the water can and as I  tip it out, it forms a luminary. Above I have a candle burning during the evening December 31st as we ring in the New Year, 2023. 

♥

Carla

Remembering Molly on the Hodgepodge!

 

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

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Molly our Boston Terrier

RIP  Labor Day 2018

She was a best friend to all in our family.

Click here to join the fun!

 

 

 1. The Hodgepodge lands on National Dog Day this year (August 26th). Do you own a dog?Currently, we do not own a dog. Our sweet Molly passed  away from old age Labor Day 2018. She was a true best friend. Did you have a dog when you were growing up, or maybe some other kind of pet? When I was growing up my dad had a dog, named Lucas. He was a special dog in many ways and a true best friend to my dad. Would you say you're more of a dog person or a cat person? Neither is okay too : ) I like both. I do get nervous around dogs that do not have responsible owners. I was knocked down by a big dog while biking, that memory hangs with me when I am around dogs that have not been loved or trained by their owners.

 

 2. Last time you felt 'dog tired'?

Tuesday, I am so tired of what is going on in our country. In my own state of Wisconsin, as turmoil continues.

I am so tired of the virus, the hate and the destruction.

 

 3. It's said you can't teach an old dog new tricks. When did you last prove this idiom true or prove it wrong?

I am going to use my husband to answer this question. I am so proud of him. He has always wanted to learn to play guitar. I gifted him  a guitar and lessons for his 2020 birthday in January. He made his last lesson just before the shut down!

He played This Land is Your Land for me the other night and Edelweiss. 

4. A favorite book, television show, or movie featuring a dog. Why did you love it?

Where the Red Fern Grows is a favorite of mine.

I cry my eyes out each time I read it. Why do I still love it? It is all about LOVE!

 

 5. Last time you had reason to (literally or figuratively) exclaim 'hot diggity dog'?

I have been listening to my favorite baseball team play ball, the Milwaukee Brewers. They have been on a down hill slide, but last night, "hot diggity dog" they won!

 

 6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

 

Our cat, Penelope, wanted to be sure to say "Hi" today.

 

 

Hello Neighbor

Sweet Peas and Zinnias

 Last week I was asked by our local newspaper if I would mind being featured in 

"Hello Neighbor".

It is a question and answer and it helps us all to get to know our neighbors.

I thought I would share the questions and answers here on The River.

Full name   Carla TePaske

Where do you live?  Cameron, Wisconsin

What family do you have in the area?  We do not have any family in the area. We moved to the area 20 years ago for my husband to start his career.

What is/was your career? The Little Garden That Could .. Flower Farmer / Florist 

 

Best part of your job?  I am able to spend the day outside working with flowers.

Most interesting thing that has happened on the job? Finding critters living in the garden, butterflies, bees, spiders and toads to name a few.

What is/are your favorite local event(s)? We enjoy visiting the Pioneer Village Museum.

What are your favorite travel destinations? A day visiting the shores of Lake Superior.

What are your talents/hobbies/interests? I am a Master Gardener. I enjoy gardening and creating flower bouquets.

What are some of your favorite books and movies? My favorite book is:  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee  .. My favorite movie is: You've Got Mail

What color best describes you and why? The color green best describes me, because I enjoy growing plants.

What is your favorite genre of music and do you play instruments or sing? I enjoy several different types/styles of music. I do not play any instruments or sing.

What are three material items (not people or pets) that you can’t live without?     I can not live without soil, dirt and seeds!

What is the best meal you have ever had? Southern Fried Chicken with all the fixings. 

Do you have pets? Yes, two cats, Penelope, she is Siamese and Max a big orange cat. We just recently said good bye to our 13 year old dog, a Boston Terrier named Molly. Many of our neighbors in Cameron knew Molly from her daily walks.

Our Molly.. RIP.. she was well known in our neighborhood. Her smile cheered everyone as we went for our daily walks.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why? I would be able to look at a weed in my gardens and be able to blast it.

What is one life changing event you have experienced apart from births and marriages? Moving 20 years ago to Barron County and not knowing anyone at all and family not close by to call on for help. My husbands co workers made us feel welcome and we have made many life long friends while living here in Barron County.

Are there any words of advice you live by? The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on my life. Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so we are in charge of our attitudes.

Advice from Charles Swindoll

 It was fun answering the questions. And I agree, it is fun getting to know our neighbors.

She gave us one last story ..

 She was my first dog. 

Her name was Molly. 

We walked many miles.

She went canoeing and rafting with me.

She would garden with me.

She would snuggle with me.

She would listen to me .. when I vented out loud with no one else around.

 

She gave me stories to share on The River.

She was 13 1/2 years old.

She truly was this girls best friend.

RIP 

My Molly

♥ thank you for the memories ♥

She gave me one last story ..

I recently shared a story about Molly, click the above link to read.

A Faithful Dog

A faithful dog will play with you and laugh with you or cry.

He will gladly starve to stay with you and never reason why.

When you are feeling out of sorts somehow he will understand. 

He will watch you with his shinning eyes and try to lick your hand. 

His blind, implicit faith in you is matched by his great love 

the kind that all of us should have in the Master up above.

When everything is said and done I guess this isn't odd for when you spell DOG backwards you get the name of God.

 

 

Joy List Monday and a story about Molly

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

 ♥ kitty kisses .. this girl above loves to snuggle when I sit down to read .. the only problem is sometimes she is jealous of the book and she will lay on the book to keep me from reading

petting her is top of the agenda she says

 ♥ butterflies in the garden

♥ receiving some fun snail mail .. I will share soon 

♥ listening to some fun baseball games .. the Brewers are still fighting for Wild Card

♥ good neighbors .. that brings us to my story about Molly

This is our dog Molly, she is 13 years old. She has dog dementia and she is deaf. All of our neighbors know our routine. We take Molly for a walk just about everyday. We take the same route everyday. On Monday I leashed Molly with her harness and went to take some trash to the trash can. Molly was on the deck when I took the trash out, but my mistake was I opened the back gate. With her harness on, the gate open, Miss Molly thought it was time to go for the walk, without her humans. She trotted along our path, each neighbor wondering what was going on. I was looking for Molly after taking the trash as my next door neighbor came running and saying "Carla, she is on the walk, she just turned the corner."  Off I went, sure enough she just continued to trot on. Each neighbor I passed that was outside encouraged me she was doing fine and she is on the route. I caught up to her and hooked the leash on her harness and we continued, she had no idea I hooked her, she kept walking. We did our usual route and as we made our way home, all the neighbors were happy we were together again and we all had a little chuckle. I learned a lesson. I will never unlock the gate! When Molly is ready for a walk, she is ready for a walk no matter how old she is.

 

September Hodgepodge

'Tis the Change of Season's

It is Wednesday and it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the question.

Click here to join the fun!

 

 
1. Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate.

 

the beauty of nature

I think a picture is worth a thousand words.

Sharing the beauty of nature, the the joy of family having fun and all the other happenings we capture in a picture.

the change of season's

family fun

 2. Have you ever driven any part of the Pacific Coast Highway? If so what was your favorite stop? If not, is this sort of trip on your bucket list?

I have not driven any part of the Pacific Coast Highway. Yes, I would love to do this someday.

 3. How do the changing seasons affect you? As the seasons change do you find yourself looking more forward or backward? Which season-season transition bothers you most? Why do you suppose that is? 

I am a gardener and my flower business runs on the seasons. The change of season's affects me in how busy I am. In the winter, I will rest and plan for the next planting season. In spring, I prepare and plant my seeds. In summer, I nurture, care and begin to harvest. In autumn, I harvest and put the garden to bed.

Each season I look forward, in my personal life as well as my flower business.

The season-season transition that bothers me the most is Winter to Spring. Winter takes awhile to let go in Wisconsin. I have a terrible time during Mud Season as I call it. I can no longer enjoy winter sports, like cross country skiing because we have mud, snow, slush, oh just a big old mess. 

I get stir crazy!! I want instant Spring!

4. It's your birthday and you get to pick the dinner menu. What are we having? Do you ever lie about your age?

Taco's 

I love taco bar!!

I have never said a lie about my age. 

 5. What's a life lesson you've learned recently?

Our Boston Terrier, Molly, my first dog, is 12 1/2 years old. She is not feeling very well. Recently visiting with Judy at Cranberry Morning  

she and Mr. C gave us some good advice regarding Molly.

The time comes when you have done all you can and have to look at the quality of life your pet is living. My husband and I are thankful to have friends who have walked this path before us and will give honest advice.

 
6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

As we remember September 11th.

Please watch this 12 minute documentary, narrated by Tom Hanks.

BOATLIFT, An Untold Tale  of 9/11 Resilience

 

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go Into the New Year ....

My last walk of 2016. This is me and my walking buddy Molly, my Boston Terrier. She has been my walking buddy for 11 years! We go in all kinds of weather, she says we must. Molly wears a cute blue coat and it has a hood, so she looks so stylish walking on chilly days. She use to hate when we dressed her, but now she likes it, it may have something to do with all the people that say to her "You are so cute!".  As 2017 comes rolling in,  most of us look at the New Year to plan new goals, try new things and reach for dreams. My friend Julie from JulieLou wrote a fun New Year's post. I am going to share ... New Hopes .... New Dreams .... New Challenges .... New Experiences .... New Projects .... do you have some New ____ already in the works for 2017? Please share and I will be cheering you on in the New Year to reach that New _____.  I have a New Project that I will be starting and I will be sharing soon. Happy New Year! On Your Mark, Get Set, Let us Rock 2017!!

 

I Like To Move It ~ It is the Hodgepodge

Peek a Boo ~ We are on the move.

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 would you say is the best and worst thing about moving house?
  I think the best thing about moving house is that we go through our items. We might toss some stuff or donate or sell.

The worst thing about moving house is the packing up.

 2. What's moved you recently?

Our recent road trip to South Dakota. We hiked a day in the Badlands National Park. Amazing! The land, soil, climate is so different. The name Badlands means nothing grows. I was moved when I found this brave little flower blooming in this land.

 

 3. Do you feel your life is moving forward, backward, or is on hold? How so?

I am moving forward.

This summer I started selling my fresh cut flowers at the Bruce Farmers Market. A friend of mine inspired me to look into another avenue to sell my flowers.

  4. On the move, move mountains, get a move on, it's your move, or bust a move...which phrase best applies to some aspect of your life right now? Explain.

On the move ... Tuesday was my first official brain storm meeting to start up my new idea of selling fresh cut flowers. Getting down on paper, trying to not let fear let me back down from trying and keeping that brave attitude to move on.

5. What song makes you want to get up and move?  

 6. Your favorite snack to grab when you're 'on the move'?

Mixed Nuts

7. What one accessory makes your house feel like home?

Candles

 8. Insert your own random thought here. 

 
  

Thankful

Thankful

A few weeks ago we traveled to visit my parents.

My parents live in a beautiful rural area of Wisconsin. Their property is surrounded by State and County forest. It is a beautiful area for outdoor enthusiasts.

On our way home from our visit, we decided to take a gravel road to reach the highway. 

This road is beautiful and a favorite of ours because the trees touch each other creating a leaf canopy. It is extra special in the Autumn when Wisconsin will show off her colors.

Some of you may know that Northern Wisconsin was hit by an awful flood in mid-July. The flood damaged several major Northern Wisconsin roads, ATV trails and communities.

Wisconsin Storm 

With the closing of some ATV trails, ATV's are using the public roads and highways to get on to the next open trail.

This is when our drive home takes a much too exciting turn for me.

As we drove along the beautiful gravel road, two ATV's come around a corner, FAST!

In the middle of the road! My husband was driving, he quickly swerved close to the ditch. The first ATV driver did the same, but at his speed things did not go well for him.

His machine hit the ditch and that caused the young man to fly off the machine, hitting his stomach on the handle bars and ending up in the ditch.

His ATV continued to drive itself across the road into the woods.

We found out later, the two riders had radio headsets on, so the first driver was yelling out to the second driver that he was crashing. This gave the second driver time to slow down and move out of the middle of the road.

Now it is time to check on the injured ATV driver. Is he alive? Is he injured?  

Please, please let him be fine.

He did not have a helmet on. He did not have protective clothing on.

As my husband walked over to him lying in the ditch, the young man got to his knees.

Thankful

The young man was out of breath. He was struggling to breath. 

 He was bleeding from the nose.

My husband helped him clean up his nose, check for other injuries and just make sure he was fine.

Thankful

It took some time for him to calm down and get his normal breathing back. Eventually he did. All the time he was blaming himself. He continued to say " I was going too fast, I was in the middle of the road,  I was not thinking...."

We encouraged him to just breath. Just breath, relax and breath.

In time he felt ready to try and get his ATV.

With the help of my boys, husband and his friend, his ATV was pulled out of the woods.

It started  and it did not seem to be damaged.

He was able to drive it.

Thankful 

  

We had a two hour car ride to talk about what happened. 

We had a two hour car ride to talk about what could have happened.

Thankful

Our dog Molly was also in the vehicle when the accident happened. She was well behaved while we helped the young man.

I believe in miracles.

 

A day at the Veterinarian

This is my dog. Her name is Molly.  She is going to be 11 years old in May 2016. We have walked many miles together and have lots of stories.

The story I am going to share today happened at the Veterinarian Clinic.

Molly was due for her yearly vaccines. As we entered the Veterinarian Clinic there was a big Hound Dog or as I call them, a Bear Dog. In the state of Wisconsin, bear hunting with dogs is a common thing to see in the area I live. You can just tell if  the hound is a hunting dog.

As we walked in, we walked past the hound and his owner. We took a seat. Molly does not bark. It has been a blessing because she never has been a barking dog. All the dogs we walk past will start to yap, not Molly, she just continues on her way. We seem to smile at each other as the owners of the other dogs will scold their dogs for barking on and on.

The Hound Dog/Bear Dog must have decided Molly was something to tree, because he started to give a "I have treed the bear howl."

Molly just looked at the hound dog. I started to laugh and so did the owner of the hound. 

It got so bad, the owner had to take the hound outside.

Molly and I smiled at each other and put this experience as another story of our life together.

 

 

 

 

Catsby

 

 Welcome Catsby!

Thursday we adopted Catsby. 

Catsby had been abandoned by some people living in a rental home, along with his two sisters.

He was loved by three young girls who lived in the rental home, sadly with parents who did not care about them. The parents did not care for the little girls and Social Services had to step in.

The three little kittens ended up left behind.

A neighbor went in to the home, which was in awful condition for anyone to live and rescued the abandoned kittens.

 

We adopted the male of the little trio. And we named him Catsby.

He is all love. 

I think about his little life and how he helped three lonely little girls get through lonely, awful days and nights. I will be praying for the girls future.

 

The other members of our house seem to be fine with Catsby.

Molly our Boston Terrier, well, as you can see, as long as you do not disturb her beauty sleep no problem.

Max is looking in. Catsby is sleeping on a chair looking out the patio door. 

I am not sure what Max's facial expression is telling us. 

Max is six years old, he has been very good about having a kitten in the house.

Welcome Catsby

more adventures to come...

 

On the Road Friday ~ Wisconsin Point in the Spring

Hello Friends, today it is Friday. Off we go on a trip.

We are going to explore Wisconsin Point.

 Wisconsin Point is a peninsula off the shore of Superior, Wisconsin. It is one of our favorite places to go to explore the shores of Lake Superior.

 We visited Wisconsin Point the last weekend of March 2015. We enjoyed beautiful  Spring weather.

 The Wisconsin Point Lighthouse was built in 1913 and is located on the end of the peninsula. It is owned and maintained by the city of Superior.

 Treasure in the sand.

Carla the Explorer!

 My boys out looking for sea glass, rocks, drift wood and any other fun find.

 "Woof", look at me, I am standing on Lake Superior.

We found several pieces of sea glass, a heart shaped rock and fun drift wood.

On the Road Friday ~ Flambeau River ~ Cornsheller Rapids ~ Wisconsin

We are on the road today. Grab your hiking boots, walking stick and off we go!

During the Easter weekend, we traveled back to visit my parents. I grew up in Price County, Wisconsin. My parents own and work a diary farm.  The boys enjoy helping with chores, seeing the new calves and chicks. It is always a special time.

I like sharing some of the woods that I grew up exploring with my boys. And that is what I am going to do with you today. We are heading to a special spot on the Flambeau River.

 Cornsheller Rapids on the Flambeau River 

 The river starts to get wide and calms down after the rapids.

This is where the adventure really starts, we had to cross a beaver dam. Yes, if you look close, you see our Boston Terrier, Molly, she never misses an adventure with her boys.

A funny thing happened during this adventure, I do not think it will happen to you. My youngest son got his boot stuck in the mud. He just loves to jump in puddles. Ha, this puddle got him. 

 

 Spring thaw brings fast water on the river.

 Beautiful cold water.

 I love visiting the river during the Spring thaw. It is full of power and beauty.

Have a wonderful weekend.

 ♥

Carla

 

It is time for the Hodgepodge

 

Welcome to the Hodgepodge

Joyce asks the questions

We answer the questions 

Click here to join in the fun 

1. Did you watch The Oscars? How many of the Best Picture nominees have you seen? (American Sniper, Birdman, Boyhood, Selma, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game, The Theory of Everything, and Whiplash)

No, I did not watch the Oscars.

I have not seen any of the following on the Big Screen. I am very excited to watch The Imitation Game. Several family members and friends went to American Sniper and enjoyed it.

Do you think actors should use their acceptance speeches as an opportunity to promote their political and/or social agenda? Does that sort of speech make you more or less inclined to change the channel? 

No, I do not think they need to use their acceptance speeches for that purpose. 

 

 2. Speaking of the movies... are you comfortable going to a movie alone? How about dinner in a restaurant (not fast food, but an actual restaurant)? The second half of this question was posed by Carrie who blogs over at It's Not Easy Being Queen. Thanks Carrie! 

I have not gone to a movie alone. 

And I have not gone to a restaurant alone.

I have gone to a coffee shop alone.

 3. What's the last home repair or home improvement project you had to pay someone to complete? In hindsight was this a project you could have done yourself? 

We are working on a home improvement project right as I type up this Hodgepodge.

We have a basement wall that is bowing inside and outside!

We can not tackle the project with out help.

The first person we called, never called back!!

The second person we called, was booked up with projects into Autumn of 2015!

We are working with our third person and so far so good.

A very positive man and very helpful with speaking to you in a way you can understand.

4. Have you ever had Indian food? Like it or no? If you're a fan, what's your favorite dish? Have you ever prepared this yourself at home? Is there an Indian restaurant in your current hometown? 

No, I have not had Indian food.

I have been making dishes at home with Tumeric, which is native to India. 

5. A song that reminds you of your parents?   

My parents would sing this together and dance.

My sister and I would laugh and laugh. 

6. The 26th of February is National Tell A Fairy Tale Day. What's your favorite, or one of your favorite, fairy tales? Do you have any childhood memories associated with a particular fairy tale? 

Thumbelina

My parents gave my sister and I a beautiful book of Fairy Tales. I am lucky to still have it. I loved the story of Thumbelina and the art work in the book still fascinates me. 

7. What's a problem you solved yesterday? 

My dog Molly, loves her daily walk. I try to give her one everyday.

Some days can be a little more tricky.

I solved it yesterday! 

My husband and I had a meeting to attend regarding our basement. We had a few errands to run after. I needed to get home, do a few chores, make supper and head out for another meeting at 6:15pm.  My evening meeting was just down the street from me, so I asked my husband to walk with me down to the meeting, so I could give Molly a short walk on a busy day! 

And she thanked me with a snuggle when I got home.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The sweetest savorings of life are often found in the small sips.

Sue Potts