Heading North

 

Episode #17 

We went to our favorite place on earth for our day date #17, Lake Superior.

We enjoyed doing a lot of stuff this day, it was a full day.

We visited Tetzner's Dairy.

Visited Houghton Falls.

Stopped at Siskiwit Falls.

Enjoyed dinner with my parents. We met up for a smelt fry.

I pressed spring flowers along the way.

It was a fun, full day up North. 

We purchased fresh smoked fish. Fresh from the waters of Lake Superior.

 

Siskiwit Falls 

 

Visiting Tetzner's Dairy

We came home with fresh ice cream!

We enjoyed a homemade ice cream sandwich.

I was picking spring flowers and pressing them as we traveled.

Thank you for coming along with me on our day date #17.

How do you like the added art work to this sign? I am finding a lot of additional touches to the signs on our adventures.

 

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

 ♥ the woods is wake after a long winters sleep

♥ pops of natures colors  

   ♥ the song of the tree frogs 

 

 

♥ the first of the garden harvest, radish and lettuce

♥ a warm breeze coming through the screen door

♥ the full blue moon

 

 

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

 ♥

Carla 

Pink and White Confetti and it is the Hodgepodge

 

It is time for the pink and white confetti. Our apple trees will soon start to drop pink and white confetti. It will dance in the wind and fill the ground with pink and white. 

And it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions. 

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 

 1. What do you make more complicated than it needs to be? 

I am going to answer what took me forever to do just the other day. I was adjusting my car seat. I went up and down, back and forth several times, I think I ended up in the same place I started.  

2. What impresses you?  

Honesty!!

 3. On a scale of 1-10 how picky of an eater are you?  (1=extremely and 10=not at all) If you had to eat a meal made entirely of one color what color would you choose? 

 

I am a food snob nowadays because I want to know more about what I am eating. What is in it? Where was it grown? What has been sprayed on it. I read labels. I like to know where my meat comes from, I am really picky about that. 

I would say I am a 3. 

I will pick green. It would be a huge garden salad that came from our garden. I know what has been sprayed on it, NOTHING!!  

 4. What does balance in life mean to you? Does your life currently feel 'balanced'? 

I had to chuckle, because this has been an issue I have been writing about in my journal. I like to have routine in my days. I feel I get more done that way and I feel more 'balanced'. Not all days go as planned and soon I feel like I am 'spinning' like I felt last week. 

 5. If you could travel the world for a year what would be your first destination? 

It would be the UK!!

I have a love for the UK and I have blog buddies I would like to meet.  

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

They do not last long, but we soak in the beauty while they are in bloom. 

May the Month of Hope and it is the Hodgepodge

 

May 2023 ~ Yep, that is snow!

 

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 something you may do this month?

We hope to go out on our kayaks.

 

2. Hola! Hodgepodge Day lands just after Cinco de Mayo... how do you feel about Mexican food? What's your favorite dish? Do you make it at home or is it a strictly dine out option?  

 I like Mexican food. We are fortunate to have a very good Mexican restaurant in our neighboring city. 

Enchilada are a favorite of mine.

Yes, we have made enchiladas at home. 

 

3. When the children of today grow up what do you think they'll say about this time period? What do you most hope they remember?  

 My neighbor to the right of us has kids. Her son is five and her daughter is a teenager. The other day I was working outside in the garden, they were playing out in the yard. It is often to hear police sirens in the distance. (sad to say) The sirens were getting louder as they came closer to our direction. 

I heard the young girl say, "I wonder what happened?" 

 Her little brother answered, " oh, someone killed someone."

It broke my heart. 

I hope they will remember the kindness they received from their gardening neighbor, instead of the current events on the local news channel.  

 4. What advice would you give a new mother? 

 Remember your marriage ... it is easy to get caught up in motherhood. 

You are busy.

You are tired.

The to do list never ends.

My advice... 

 Make it a priority to make time with your sweetheart. 

It makes you a better mom, wife and your sweetheart will benefit from this time too. 

 

If this advice is going out to a single mom. 

Make time for friends or some self care time.

 

 5. What's a phrase your mother often said to you? If you're a mom do you say it to your own children? 

Sleep tight and do not let the bedbugs bite.   

Yes, I sure did.

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

  May is the month of expectation. The month of wishes. The month of hope.

Emily Bronte

High Water and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Hello Friends,

Wisconsin has received rain and lots of it in some areas making our rivers swell.  

It is Wednesday and it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions

 1. Are you feeling more reset, restart, or full speed ahead as we move into May? Tell us why. 

 It is full speed ahead as we move into the month of May. May is always a busy month here with garden planting, spring projects, birthdays, our wedding anniversary and Mother's Day too.

  2. Painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, cinema, theatre, music...what's your favorite form of art? Elaborate.  

Oh this is a hard question for me to answer, I love, love so many forms of art.

If I have to pick just one to take with me to an island, I can only pick one. I will pick literature. I enjoy reading. I will bring a big chest of books with me to the island. 

  3. What time is dinner at your house? How do you feel about leftovers? 

We try to eat before 7 pm.

High Fives in this house for leftovers!! 

 4.What's the last thing you fell down a rabbit hole investigating? 

I have not watched it yet, but I read a few thoughts from those who did.

 Love Story ~ John F. Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette

 Did you watch it?

I fell down a rabbit hole of looking at the fashion of the Kennedy's.   

 

5. And now for a question from the book Marilyn (Memphis Bridges) gave me...

At what are you 'self-taught?' 

I am 'self -taught' at cutting hair. After we got married my husband asked me to start cutting his hair. I had no idea what I was doing, but I did it. I continue to cut his hair today. I also cut our kiddos hair when they were growing up.

  6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.

Laura Ingalls Wilder 

Mini Flowers

 

 

Hello Friends,

We have spring blooms outside and inside. All of the blooms that I am sharing are mini blooms.  I love the petite bouquets I can create using these mini flowers.

Above I used mini daffodils, squill and tansy greens to create a petite bouquet. 

 

 

This is my second year of owning this orchid and it is the second year that it is blooming for me. My mom was gifted the orchid and asked me if I wanted it after she enjoyed it for awhile.  I killed the last orchid I had, so I was a bit nervous taking over the stewardship of this sweet orchid.

The flowers are small on this variety of orchid.

 I love how long the bloom lasts. 

 

A bit of squill and spring greens.

 

Happy Spring Flowers!!

 ♥

 Carla

Waving Goodbye to February and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Madison, Wisconsin twinkling at night.

 

Hello Friends,

It is Wednesday!

That means it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Click here to join the fun! 

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

 

1. America celebrates turning 250 years old this year. Primary cities set to lead the celebrations on July 4th are Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C. Other significant locations for celebrating will be Charleston SC and the 'historic triangle' which includes Jamestown-Willimasburg-Yorktown Virginia. 

Of the cities listed how many have you seen in person? Of the cities listed which would you most like to visit this year? Any plans to do so? What's one place in America you think everyone should see? If you're not American what's one place in the US you'd like to see? 

 

 I have visited Boston, Philadelphia and New York.

I would like to visit Washington D.C., nope it is not on the 2026 itinerary.

If you have not visited Wisconsin yet, I would highly recommend it.  Wisconsin is home sweet home for me and most of our family. You can experience all four seasons in one day if you hit your visit just right. Ha ha!

I am sharing photos of our state capitol, Madison. 

 

2. Three sounds you love to hear?  

♥ bird song

 ♥ water in nature

 ♥ the cry of a loon on the lake during a summer evening

 

 3. Three sounds you hate to hear? 

▼ loud vehicles 

▼   fighting

 ▼ hail

 

 4. February 24th is/was National Tortilla Chip Day. Are you a fan? With salsa, guacamole, queso, or just plain please? Do you like nachos? With what on top? Is there anything (besides nachos) you make that calls for tortilla chips? 

 I am a superfan!

I love tortilla chips with salsa, guacomole, queso and plain. 

I love nachos. 

We like everything on top.  

 

 Another thing we make that we like to eat tortilla chips with is taco soup.

 

 

5. We March into March with next week's Hodgepodge...what's one thing on your March calendar that makes you smile? 

We have two music events we are going to attend in the month of March.  

 

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 The promise of spring! 

 

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. 

 

 

 

Happy Mother's Day Hodgepodge

 

Happy Mother's Day 

That is me and my mom. My parents will be coming over this Sunday to celebrate Mother's Day. My husband plans to grill a turkey. We will enjoy all kinds of side dishes. And this year dessert will be rhubarb pie.

And now on to the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. Let's compare this May to last May. What's changed? What remains very much the same? 

I am another year older and when I get back in the garden I can feel it. What remains very much the same is ... Spring does come to Wisconsin.

Fresh radish from the garden.

 

 

2. What's something you may do this month? 

Go kayaking.

 3. Mother's Day is approaching (in the US of A)...in what way(s) are you like your mother? 

My mom is very creative. I am too. 

My mom enjoys hospitality. I do too.

My mom has that "we can figure this out" attitude. I am thankful I do too.

4. Did you have a favorite book as a child? What was it and why was it a favorite.

When I was little my dad would read aloud Three Billy Goats Gruff to me and my sister. We loved it. My dad read it with true drama, making it even more fun.

 

 5. Are you more of a tortoise or a hare? Explain. 

I am both. 

Examples ... 

I am a fast walker. 

I am a slow reader.  

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

If your house is really a mess and a stranger comes to the door, greet her with "who could have done this? We have no enemies." 

Phyllis Diller

 

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 matcha 

 

 

♥ my orchid bloomed

 

 

♥ spring has arrived in Wisconsin

♥ fresh growth on our climbing rose William

 

 

 

♥ strawberry plants waking up from their winter nap

 

 

♥ spring green ... my favorite

 

 

 ♥ my first bouquet of daffodils of the season

 

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

 ♥

Carla

 

 

Hello Spring and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Spring Skies

 

Hello Spring in Wisconsin, we have snow one day and it melts the next. All in good time we will soon see leaves on the trees and green grass. 

Now it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun. 

 1. Spring has officially sprung (in the northern hemisphere anyway)...did she roll in more like a lion or more like a lamb in your neck of the woods? What needs more of your attention in terms of a good spring clean this year-your house or your garden/yard? 

What needs more of your attention in terms of a good spring clean this year ... the yard. Yesterday we had some big limbs cut from our neighbors tree that over hangs into our yard. We decided to clean up the mess after to help with the cost of the project. Our amazing tree surgeon... climbing and cutting. You will see a photo of him below.

Time to roll up the sleeves and clean up all the limbs, branches and more.

As far as how did spring come in to Wisconsin? I am going to say like a lion. We have had very strong cold winds. We have had gusts up to 40 mph several days this month. 

 

 

 2. What's put a spring in your step lately? 

Sunshine... I just love that spring sunshine.

 

 

 3. When you were a kid, what was the best snack to find in your lunchbox? If you didn't do the lunchbox thing, tell us what was your favorite after school snack. 

I loved finding my mom's no bake chocolate cookies. They still are a favorite treat of mine that my mom makes and she seems to be the only one that can make them so delicious.

  4. In what area of your life are you planting seeds ? 

 

I am starting seeds. I also have had the great privilege to help a young lady start seeds.

My friend A's daughter in law is starting to get interested in gardening.  She has asked if I can help her get started, to teach her some tricks that I have learned along the way in my many years of gardening. I am so excited about it, I love to pass on my love for gardening. I am planting seeds ... of the love for gardening and seed starting.

 

 

5. Why do you live where you do? Would you consider living somewhere else? Why or why not?  

 My husband landed his first job here in Cameron, Wisconsin, we were just married and moved from my hometown to Cameron.  We did not know anyone when we first moved here. It was not an easy transition for me... but I met wonderful people, who became dear friends. And now Cameron feels like home.

My husband and I do talk about moving when he retires. When we have this discussion, we do plan to stay living in Wisconsin. 

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

My first bouquet of 2025. Using the branches with buds from the tree limbs that were cut yesterday, I created this springtime bouquet.  

Happy Spring!!

 

 

March

 

Melt and Freeze 

 

 

March

 

The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.

 ~W.B. Yeats