Puppy Love

We got a new puppy! We are smitten with her, her name is Lady! She is a German Wirehair! Bird dog! She is almost 8 weeks! Small for now, but now forever! So enjoy the photos!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 I hope that all of you enjoy a day with family and friends during this weekend! We celebrate on Saturday as the guys hunt on Thanksgiving and they are pretty tired to celebrate much with family! So, we just changed the day! Kurt brought 4 pies from Bakers Square and I' m doing the rest! It's easy peazy! Turkey, stuffing or dressing, jello salad, potatoes, bakery rolls, and of course, gravy!
So, here's to enjoying the day! Being so thankful for family, our country, men and women who serve  our country in some sort of service(police, service men, firemen, and EMT's, this includes women). Thankful to God for living in this country! Blessings!!

Annual Craft show, year 14 for me

I figured out the other day that I have been making and selling my Mom's fudge for 14 years. No wonder after pan number 6, I'm all in, but there's more to do!! :) Anywho, I went yesterday and as always had a great time! The other vendors are so remarkably wonderful and fun to see again! Although, I live in the same area, some of these wonderful ladies I just don't see. So here are some of the pictures from yesterday, Enjoy!

Joni's items , so cute!!

Deb's ponchos! Quite a selection!!

Mom's fudge samples that I made, of course!

New vendor with mineral makeup line, fun to watch         the ladies get all beautified! And bath bombs!

week of alone time

So, Gordon is gone for the week with Kurt out west mule deer hunting in Montana! They had really crappy roads driving out there yesterday and better today, but still a long trip! So, I hung around the twin cities area where Kurt lives waiting for the twins to get home from school, so we could go to the local Starbucks for coffee. I had 2 hours to kill before they got home, so I found a mall and Panera Bread to have lunch! I also found a Kirkland store which I hadn't been in one for about 15 years since the one in Eau Claire went out of the that mall. So I spent a few dollars there and found my way back to the house in time for the twins and I to go off! We also got a few extra coffees for Shea and Kora as they weren't home yet when I got there. I said hello to them and said I need to go before the roads get icky with the snow. So, I went home a different way and it was a great road to go home on! I would totally use it again! This shutter was at Kirklands, great gift idea, Starbucks coffee and lunch meal at Panera on the bottom, squash soup and grilled cheese.

 

end of October

Here it is an end of another month, one closer to winter, ugh!!! I have been busy working, cleaning, shredding lots of paper, crafting over at Erika's. Here's a few things I have done!

Fun times

So, as most of you know by now that Wednesday is my day off and I usually go over to Erika's store and do a project. So, this Wednesday was no different!

So, here is my creation! I really love it! Paper mache' pumpkin and silk flowers, don't they look real!  

So next week I'm doing the sunflower wreath

 

This and That

 Mavis Butterfield over on www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com has a time when she has bits and bobs, this and that things she talks about that are weird or funny! So this a take off of her "bits and bobs".
 So, I am part of an group of ladies team with Young Living essential oils. I'm slow on the uptake, so I'm finally reading what they read last spring, Jon Acuff's book called "Start", it's pretty interesting and I'm glad I'm not pressured to get it read by a certain time. It has made me think about my life and the time I have left to change it! Not much, but worth a try! What would I do different?? Not my marriage or my kids, maybe more kids, but I love my kids. But as far as a job, I would love to have a coffee shop with books. Or I would love to rock newborns in the hospital, but where I live, they don't deliver babies here anymore, bummer!!

What would you do different?? Would you be married or single, have no kids, or a bunch of children?? Would you work or stay home??   Go back to school or write a book ?? These are questions I never asked myself, I just wanted to be married to Gordon and have a few babies. which I did, I volunteered at school and women's groups, painted, quilted, crafted and worked many jobs. My most fun job was being a wife and mom, creating and cooking meals, feeding people and reading books! So, how do I make a job out of that mix or what?? Help me!!!

So, Gordon and I ran, literally, to Duluth today. I got 20 minutes in TJ Maxx and saw this carry on

     How cute is this!!!! If I was traveling, I would snatch that up in a heart beat and make a statement! Blessings!!

Wrapping up Psalm 91

 I want to finish this Psalm short study on a high note. The last few verses are so wonderful!
 God's absolute power is proof for all believers! God is there through thick and thin, we can cling to Him through all things! Bad, ugly, great, sorrow, life and death! God is our Rock and Salvation!!
 Be sure to have no regrets and seek the fullness of salvation that Jesus has given us!! Amen!!!

Psalm 91

 Psalm 91 verses 11-12 , talks about that God will sent His heavenly messengers to guard you whenever you need to kept safe! They(the messengers) will hold you up in their hands so you won't crash! This is so true, as I found out today.
 Co workers can be so thoughtless and mean! If I wasn't a believer in Jesus and know the Word, I would have been mad, instead I was sad on the verge of tears. One co worker accused me of something that isn't true and I was so sad about it! Why would she say this awful thing! But as my daughter said , 'Mom, you know that's not true and you have Jesus!", so I started to pray and to speak the name of Jesus out loud."  It didn't happen instantly, but within minutes I felt the peace of Jesus and knew that God had turned my heart around from being sad to being grateful that I could pray for this person! I felt so relieved and blessed to know that Jesus was healing my heart, that He had protected me from bitterness and revengeful thoughts! I even gave that person a ride so she could catch her ride home! God is awesome! Blessings!

Psalm 91

Hello,
Today I want to talk to you about verses 9 and 10. These 2 verses are in kind a turning point in the Psalm.
 Verse 9 says that "you have made God the Eternal One your refuge", "the Most High your only home", I'm thinking this means that you have made your peace with God and will rest in Him! Your Heavenly home is what you are aiming for and this becomes your reality!
 Verse 10 says "nothing evil will harm you and plaques will turn away from you". Evil may surround you and try to over take you, but you belong to God, Jesus hasn't brought you this far to let harm come to you without making a way! His name alone is your armor!!Your main protection in those times! God is amazing and so faithful!! Put on the armor of God daily, maybe even moment by moment because the enemy is sly! We can be fooled sometimes! Be aware of what is going on and PRAY!!!Speak the name of Jesus out loud daily as you need protection! Blessings!

Psalm 91

Okay, now we are looking at verses 7 and 8 today, you its daytime study today, home early from work! So, verse 7 says and I am paraphrasing , you may see evil all around you, but nothing will befall you, evil will receive its reward when God deems it! Every time I would like to do a payback to someone, God reminds me that they will receive their payback in His time, I don't need to worry about plotting and planning revenge! So wrap yourself in God's unending love and forgiveness, That is enough for you! Blessings!

Psalm 91 continues

 I hope you are enjoying this little study I am doing on Psalm 91. Moving on the verse 5 tonight, question, have you ever experience horrifying night terrors??? I used as a kid, but I didn't know Jesus and the power that His name has over these things!!! This is what verse 5 talks about, we don't have to worry about these things anymore because of the power that Jesus has in His name! God in His infinite mercy has wrapped His arms around us and will protect us! Just keep reading!! Dream big, just dream big on what God can and will do for you!!!

Psalm 91

As I continue on with this wonderful Psalm, I hope you are reading ahead. Verse 4 talks about as a parent bird protects their young, God will protect you. He will cover you with his feathers , what a great picture of God's love for us! It says His faithfulness will be a shield around us, and  a rock solid wall of protection! WOW!!! A rock solid wall, what does this look like for us! Can you imagine a wall of protection, rock solid! Jesus is the corner stone or rock that we build our lives on! God gave that to us! I hope this is painting a wonderful picture of what kind of God we serve!!
I realize I am keeping this study a little short, but I have found that long winded studies are just that, long winded and boring! You just need to paint a picture and you can fill the colors in! Just like this photo shows of the fall colors that God has painted for us to see, His word paints a picture of His love for us! He will go to the end of the earth for us to show us His love! Keep reading till next time! Blessings!

Psalm 91

Tonight as I continue on with more of this wonderful Psalm, please read ahead tonight and tomorrow, see if you have any questions to ask me or ask yourself!
 Verse 3 says" he will rescue you from any snares or traps that the enemy has set for you and from the deadly curse"

, which I think means the curse that was placed on humans in the Garden when Adam and Eve sinned against God, He is making a way for us to salvation.
 I have experience the presence of God many times when I should have been scared! He has protected me from many snares, you just need to pray when you are going anywhere or a new place! When I was selling At Home America products, I was in many homes that I realize things could have gone so wrong, but didn't! I think because I had prayed for help before I left the house!
Give me some feedback! Blessings!

Psalm 91

 As I stated before I love Psalm 91. So, I'm going to do a little study with you using this Psalm to help anchor your life and all the busyness that is going on!
As I stated last time, I think verse one is the Headliner for the Psalm. God is our refuge and shelter, do you need anything else, no not really!! The writer of this Psalm says that God is my shelter and fortress, so what is a fortress in this verse. I think it means that God is our building that is impenetrable. Isn't that cool?? Webster's dictionary also says it could be a person or thing, that is not susceptible to outside influence, that is our God!! He's God, He doesn't need help! Just think on that for a minute!
David goes on to say he puts all his trust in Him, God!!. I don't, do you, not all things, some things I do, but not everything. Things might be different if I did, that much I know because when I do trust Him, things work out always better!
Well, that is all tonight, blessings!!

Bits and Bobs

 I love that saying, bit and bobs, sounds so silly!! But I have been asked a few questions not here because all of you are quiet, but in person!
 !. Where did you grow up?? Evergreen Park, Il, as suburb of Chicago. It was a fun time and we had a lot of neighborhood kids to play with all day long! Hula hoops, roller skates that used keys to tighten to your shoes, picking up pop bottles in the alley to take to the local penny candy store for penny candy, playing all day long outside , hopscotch and jacks. Does anyone play these games anymore??
 2. Did you have a big wedding? No, we eloped! My mom and his mom were not seeing eye to eye on the wedding, my mother was in tears and that was it, Gordon said we just want to be married, end of statement! So we went off and did it! Parents were shocked , I think. The only sad thing is no pictures , so I would do that over!
 3. I love Instagram! I love looking at recipes and posting some of my favorite pictures!
 4. I love Psalms 91 also! It has a lot of interesting things and it means a lot to me! Read it and see if it doesn't speak to you!! I starts off saying" He who takes refuge in the shelter of the Most High, will be safe in the shadow of the Almighty". That is cool, I can take shelter and be safe!
 5. I wish I had more time to learn all I would need to learn about essential oils! There are so many benefits and I feel pretty insecure talking about them, but please check them out. Pray for me! I'm not usually tongue tied!
 6. Shopping at Aldi's is growing on me. I love some of their deals which are really not deals, but they are everyday prices
 7. I love old family photos! So, I'm going to post some of them now!! So enjoy! Blessings!!

Grandpa and Shea, she was probably 3 or 4! Now she is 17!! And probably taller than Grandpa!

Best dog ever, Chip has been gone since 2006!

Where did summer go??

 I don't know about you, but summer went by so fast for me! Swish it's gone!! The twins came only once this summer and Kora none! I was so busy in June with the store issues that the month went by and onto July, where the issues still existed and now into Sept, they are less, but still there! So the lesson here is, that life will go on after you are dead or too busy, but family needs to feel loved and to enjoy them now!!!
 Our tomato plants area bust, lots of branches and flowers, but not many tomatoes, I think next year I will not plant any and just rely on the farmers market! I have made quite a few pints of spicy sweet pickles as the cucumbers did well! I told Gordon, don't pick any more as I am done making pickles!! 8 pints is enough! I froze quite a few bags of peaches for winter and made 2 cobblers.
 Tuesday is our daughter's birthday! Big shout out to Erika!!! Happy day!!! Blessings to you for the next year!!!
A few weeks ago we went to Game Fair over near Anoka, Mn. It was dog on parade day, lots of dogs and lot of fun things to see. Dogs jumping off the dock to retrieve dog decoys, or swimming from shore to retrieve.  It was a fun day to see dogs and puppies!!
 Have a great day! Blessings!

Happy Tuesday

I have so many zucchini and found a new to me recipe for double chocolate zucchini bread. I'm thinking yes please!! It's from the website called paleorunningmomma.com There are an incredible amount of recipes that are gluten free, vegan and nut free or dairy free. So check out that website. Without further ado I'm off to baking some grain free cinnamon streusel topped gluten free, dairy free and yummy looking muffins!! I'll post photos later, hopefully before they are all gone!! Blessings!

garden treasure

So, a volunteer zucchini plant came up in the garden, I was grateful its only one. So, Gordon picked a rather large one yesterday. Today after church I decided to make zucchini bread, I love the stuff!!! So here are few photos of what took place. In regards to the recipe, I swapped out some sugar for coconut sugar, maybe 2 cups of coconut and 2 cups of regular sugar, but I made one very large loaf, 2 smaller loaves and 6  muffins.

Come on over for a warm slice and some coffee!! Blessings! Flowers are from Farmers market!

Fun time

I went over to Erika's store in Siren called Jellybeana's and made note cards using alcohol ink technique, tricky technique. But it was fun, our granddaughter Olivia came up with our son and she was there doing the same thing but using tiles and turning them into coasters.

Tiles that Olivia did, beautiful!!

Note cards I did, unusual!

Chicken

Bought some coating at Menards on Friday night, so that meant I needed to buy some chicken and use my NuWave machine to cook the chicken.

So this machine makes food magical. I really like it, but forget to use it from time to time.

Chicken thighs with Cajun seasoning, YUM!!

twin granddaughters and fun!!!

So our twins came for 4 days and we had fun. They weren't too bored, I think! We saw the new "Displicable Me " movie, went to the Potters Shed to paint and eat, ate lunch at Alley Cats for lunch, watched another movie here, went shopping in Rice Lake, ate in Rice Lake, made tacos, and created a mess! So, we found on Pinterest how to make bowls out of buttons and Elmer's glue. Here

is the mess!

 The glue never dried clear and this mess ended up in the garbage. The End!!

So we have no clue what went wrong, but it did and there was no way I was going to try and clean up the buttons!! We had fun and laughed a lot!

Another cute business in Siren

While I was over at Erika's new store, we wandered to the next store over, it's called Barndance and Company. It's owned and operated by Sarah Kelby, a friend of Erika's. She has reclaimed barn wood items that are so cute. She has so many really nice things and reasonably priced! So, when you are over that way, make sure to stop in and say hi. Barndance is only open on Friday and Saturday. Please check her hours!

New business

Our daughter has opened a new business in Siren, Wisconsin! It's called Jellybeana's Crafts and Paint. It's a really fun place to go, where you go and do a craft there or learn watercolor painting. She will offer painting classes in the evening! You have to be 4 yrs.

old, that is a great age and they pay attention better. Open house is this weekend, so please go if you are in the area or want to take a ride. Friday the 7th, 3-7 pm and the 8th, 10-2pm . She will have crafts to do for the kids that day, cookies and coffee for the adults. I plan to do a craft, kid at heart!!!The store address is 24540 State Rd 35 Siren, Wis. Phone is 715-349-5169 , Easy to find on the east side of Hwy 35. Blessings!!

something new

 As most of you know I have favorite blogs I read faithfully, some daily and some when they publish ! So, I know that some of you still read and never comment, one has read and can't comment, sorry Chris and others of you just don't have the time to do either! I really love writing these blog entries, but don't want to bore you with what I might say! So, with all that said, I'm trying to step my game a little here and spend some time thoughtfully writing things that may interest you all and myself!
 As most of you have read I have been using my Instant pot more and more. Hard boiled eggs take 9 minutes and peel so easy, no more running under cold water to try and peel, they just peel! It's so slick!. Baked potatoes take 9 minutes, add a cup of water, prick the washed potatoes and put them in the pot, put the lid on and seal it, turn on and tap in the minutes (9) in the manual timer area. Walk away and let it naturally release the steam at the end by itself, about 20 minutes and you have perfect baked potatoes. So cool!!! Meatloaf was good out there also! I bought rice and intend to cook up a batch for some Chinese or stir fry meals, just haven't done it! I have found a few websites for the instant pot, but the best recipes can be found on Pinterest.
 My new peony bush gave me some beautiful flowers this year and I was so pleased!! I killed the ones my mom gave me, so I'm hoping to build up my own cluster of bushes!
 As always thank you for reading my ramblings and occasional recipes! I have quit making sourdough bread for the time being, but will start up again soon! Blessings!!

See that white flower there in this photo, that's my peony and some other flowers from my weedy flower garden, still looking for some girls to come weed for me!! LOL!!!!

Summer

Today is the first day of summer! What are your plans for this summer? A family trip? Beach time? Swimming lessons? What do you have planned?? I have a week off in July with plans of having our 3 granddaughters. It should be fun and busy! One twin got her braces off and the other one is getting them on, Kora already had her guitar recital and probably getting ready for volleyball camp at some point this summer!
When the girls come, it's all about them and that's how it should be, we have afternoons at the beach, go to the potters shed, but this year Auntie has a new store, so we will probably go over there for an afternoon! Of course, we have lunch at least once at Alley Cats and ice c

ream cones from McDonalds. I can't believe that June is half over and 4th of July is just around the corner! Blessings!

Happy Father's day

Today we celebrate father around the nation and their contribution to our lives. I grew up in Chicago suburb and loved it! My dad was the best, he would do anything for his 3 girls! We knew it too!! He was a great provider, protector, and truth teller. Earl was not so great at singing and mechanical things! If you would ask Gordon, he would tell you I act just like him in many ways. For instance, when I am ready to go, everybody else had better be ready to go! Such an Earl thing!!!! Missing you everyday Daddy!!! I will see you in heaven someday!! Happy Father's Day!!!
I also celebrate father day because of my Heavenly Father, who has become my father here on earth. God has filled in the gap that I need Him to do without Earl here on earth. So Happy Father's day God!! Thank you for giving me such a great father on earth, so I would understand Your amazing love me !!! Blessings!! This a photo on my dad holding me and my sister, Sandy! This is my favorite!

A question to ponder

I have been thinking about this question that someone asked me the other day.  This is what she asked," what do you say to a friend (kinda a long distance friendship), when they have led you to buy into a multi- marketing company, you like the product, but in all reality you are not going to go out and get someone to sign up under you in the near future, it's not just for you, but in a frustrated moment with your job that you have, you said, oh yeah I could do that"?????? I love my oils, but I'm not into selling and building a team or making tons of money!!
I had no answer for her or myself. I have sold At Home America products and loved it, but the market was tough and they went out of business. Then I sold Pampered Chef, but that got old after 2 years. So, I don't have a good answer to give my friend, as I'm just as likely to say yes and think about it later to regret the yes. Any ideas???? Let me know

Life, when you need a smile

😍We recently went to a friends house for dinner. On her kitchen wall is this painting.
Is this not the funniest painting?? It just makes you smile and really look at the painting, everything is laughing!!! Lori said it looks like her grandma and her grandma was never that happy!!! That makes me laugh even more!!!
Yesterday Kora had her guitar recital, there was 60 kids in this program and everyone got 2 minutes for their performance, so they figured it would take about 75 minutes. We left at half time after Kora had played and she did a fantastic job!! Her teacher sat with the kids and did background music!

Blessings!

New week

Good afternoon to all who read this,

We have had a wonderful weekend! I had Saturday and Sunday off as usual , but I only worked about 2 hours today, so it's a win-win for me!
It's been a cool not warm weekend! High was 72 yesterday, rainy today!
Happy Memorial Day to everyone! Especially to those who have served, are serving and have retired from the service! Thank you for your service!
We had lunch with my niece and her husband yesterday. They live in California and were in the twin cities area for another reason, but reached out to us to meet! Loved it!! There was 11 people and we laughed, ate, laughed some more and then I cried when it was over. Saying goodbye is hard for me!! We don't see them, but every few years! Hoping to maybe travel there sometime in the next few years!
We got our load of wood and Gordon has been slowly cutting it up! It's a lot of work and time! Thank you Gordon for doing this, it's wonderful heat in the winter!
So, my sourdough didn't turn out well, it was okay, but I'm reading a new book and started my sourdough starter all over. This process takes 5 days, so I'm on day 3. Almost ready to do the next step!

So this last item, I found at the local library. What a treasure to look at this and have such fond memories of the show. The recipes are very practical! Blessings!