Socks and Salad

Don't my feet look warm and happy!

I got a fun package in the mail the other day. It was from Wyoming. Nancy of Wyoming Breezes had knit not one, but TWO pair of socks for me. She had asked me what color I liked, and I replied that I like kelly green. Well, kelly green is what I got. A pair of gorgeously knitted kelly green socks, made of 100 percent Merino Wool. They are soft and delicious, and fit perfectly. The color is called 'pesto.' It's prettier in person than the color I got with my camera. I am delighted!

The knitting is so perfect! And I think she knitted them up in about 5 minutes (only slightly exaggerating, perhaps). She is very fast. I admire anyone who can knit socks at all, but this was incredible.

I love my socks, Nancy!  Thank you so much.  Check out Nancy's blog, Wyoming Breezes. She is one very talented lady. I suspect that she is a master of all things textile and yarn. (That's not the same thing, right?)

***

And because I saw this photo in my January file:

One of my favorite salads

I like to make up a lot of this at one time, rather than having bits of vegetables wrapped separately in the refrigerator. Then I put it all in a 2 gallon Ziploc bag so that we have salad on hand, making it easy, and more likely that we'll eat a salad at lunchtime and with our dinner.

Mixed Spring Greens

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Peppers

Shredded Carrots

Onion

Snow Peas
Black Beans or Chickpeas

Walnuts

Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing

And, of course,

CHEESE

especially Kerrygold, Dubliner

(imported from Ireland)

I am embarrassed to admit that it is this Wisconsinite's

favorite everyday cheese.

Can you believe that I even dare write those words??

Whatever happened to state loyalty.

Don't worry. I love Wisconsin cheeses too.

***

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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:  Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and    Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above  and Artsy Corner Thursday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Simple Saturdays Blog Hop and Saturday's Critters

A Heart-melting Hodgepodge

Waiting for Daddy
photo sent to us by our daughter

A heart-melting moment
for this grandma

***

Join Joyce and the Gang

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1. When did someone last suggest you 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell someone (or want to tell someone) to 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell yourself to 'chill out'?

See Number 3. 

2. What most recently caused your heart to melt?

The photo above, 'Waiting for Daddy', sent to us by our daughter.

 January in Wisconsin

3.  "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered." G.K. Chesterton  

Your thoughts? When did you last experience either an adventure or an inconvenience? How did you see it at first, as an adventure or an inconvenience?  Does it feel the same in hindsight?

My thoughts are that I wish G.K. Chesterton had been my next-door neighbor. I love his attitude, I love to read him because he had such a contagious joy in Christ. It overflows into everything.

The most recent inconvenience was when I was walking my blind, deaf dog up and down the cold, snowy driveway, waiting for her to do her business, although, unbeknownst to me,  Mr. C. had already taken her out and she had done 'the full meal deal,' as he so crudely puts it.  Me: 'If I had known that, I wouldn't have spent time wandering 40 years in the wilderness,' I snapped, being annoyed at walking pointlessly in the cold for what seemed like ages. 'Why didn't you tell me??'  Him:  'You didn't ask.'  

Okay, fine. It's another example of the sinfulness of my human nature and why I need Jesus every day. Was it anything to be upset about? No, of course not. But I still would like Mr. Chesterton to explain to me how I could have thought of that as an adventure. I'd like to spend a whole day with that man, if he were not dead, listening to anything he had to say. The being dead part kinda puts a damper on that relationship. At least we have his books.

via

 Chesterton, in one of his less curmudgeonly poses

Believe me, I hunted!

4.  A Wendy's Frosty, root beer in a frosty mug, or a frosted chocolate cupcake...of these three, which one is your favorite 'frosty' treat?

All issues with sugar and dairy aside, I would say that I could eat a Wendy's Frosty every single  afternoon for the rest of my life. I love those things, enemy though they are.

5. Would you say your life so far this year has been more like a circus or a symphony? Explain why.

I'd say it probably only seems like a circus at times, but really, it is a symphony in the composition stage. Think Stravinsky, morphing into Bach.

6. Since it's a 'snow day' here, what's your favorite song containing the word 'white'?

'White is The Color of My True Love's Hair.'  (That's for Mr. C.) Other than that, maybe 'White Christmas.'

...and Baby Oliver

7. If you had to leave the city you currently live in, what would you find the hardest to leave behind?

I live in the country, and wouldn't find it hard to leave any city behind (well, maybe London). BUT, if I had to move away from the area I've lived in all my life, I would find the most difficult thing would be to leave the shared history and the invisible anchor of The Great Lakes.

8. Insert your own random thought here.



Shared history: There are many people in my area that I don't know personally, but do know enough to say 'hello' when I meet them on the street, or even spend a few minutes in conversation with them. So it's not like we're best friends, but we have a shared history. If I moved to a new location, no one there would understand about Wisconsin's long and cold winters, about ice fishing (I don't even understand that, actually, but I do know about it), about the beautiful old court house 

 Polk County Courthouse

similar in style to the former Barron County Courthouse

that was torn down so that a very utilitarian and ugly Soviet looking courthouse could be built, about the old Farmer's Store (where Butterfinger candy bars were about a dime) that is now the Dollar Store, about the First Baptist Church that was torn down to build a Hardees turned Subway, about the little gas station on the corner where Mr. Ecker would give us kids caramels when we would run across the street to his station after VBS; about the Treat Shop, run by a little old man who I think had escaped Nazi Germany in the late 1930s and ran a treat shop for the Junior High kids to get their Mallo Cups during recess, etc. etc. etc.

Who in Texas or California or Florida or anywhere warm, would know that stuff? No one there has a shared history with Mr. C. and me. 

 Who else would know about the old Woodside School?

(where I broke my arm in second grade)

***

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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:  Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and    Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above  and Artsy Corner Thursday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Simple Saturdays Blog Hop and Saturday's Critters

Wisconsin Barns, Good Fences, Mosaic Monday

The last time I posted a photo of a  [red] Wisconsin barn, I mentioned that there was an ugly yellow barn near Birchwood. Well, over the weekend I went back to take a photo of that ugly barn, but it seems that someone heard my complaint and painted it. It's not nearly as yellow as it had been, and it's certainly not ugly.

It's near Stout's Island Lodge and is part of the original Stout farm. Not that I've ever stayed at Stout's Island Lodge, but it does look like a beautiful resort, if you like rustic. Actually, after looking at the photos in their website gallery, one might rather stay in this barn, although it had originally been built as a palace for cows, and had glazed tile, installed by European craftsmen.  It was a showpiece and still is. Stout's Island Lodge is on one of Wisconsin's 15,000 lakes. I guess Wisconsin could be called the Lake District of the USA. I digress. That's another story for another post.

One last look. It is a beautiful property, built by a descendant of one of the Knapp Stout lumber barons who logged off much of Wisconsin in the later half of the 1800s-early1900s. Knapp Stout was the first to hold title to our farm, as they did to many hundreds of thousands of acres in Wisconsin.

Lumber from Wisconsin was used to rebuild Chicago after the great fire of  1871 and also supplied lumber for some of the large estates on the east coast.

***

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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:   The Barn Collective and  Mosaic Monday and   Treasure Box Tuesday and  Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and  Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays 

Being In Christ. What Difference Does it Make?

Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; 

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 100:3

 
 WHAT IT MEANS TO BE 'IN CHRIST' -

'Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.' (2 Corinthians 5:17)

'I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.' (Galatians 2:20)

Our small Bible study group has been reading I & II Thessalonians and the commentary by James H. Grant, Jr., edited by R. Kent Hughes, from the 'Preaching the Word' series. P.S. Our small group is not through our church, but a handful of women, friends, who've been doing Bible study together each week for about 15 years.

 From Amazon, of course

I'd like to share the following excerpts from the chapter entitled 'Union With Christ and the Christian Life:' 

Note:  Emphasis in bold is mine. 

***

'Every time Paul tells his story, he has a reason for telling it the way he does, and the central reason why Paul tells his story the way he does is because of his union with Christ...

'We first notice that in spite of Paul's suffering, his ministry was not in vain...Why does Paul think his ministry was not in vain? Because he is united to Christ, and the great example of suffering that was not in vain is the work of Christ on the cross. The death of Jesus upon the cross was not fruitless. That work accomplished God's purpose. 

"What is Paul doing here? He is not interpreting his suffering as if it were some judgment from God. He is interpreting his suffering as if it is part of his life in Christ.  That means his ministry was not in vain. God is working out the cross in Paul's life, and this suffering will not be fruitless. It is part of the ministry of the gospel...

'Since his life was hidden with Christ in God, he was approved by God. Paul had been approved on the basis of Jesus, not on the basis of how well his ministry went or on the basis of how much people liked him.  His approval came from God and from Christ, and if he was approved by God, that was all he needed to move forward in difficult ministry. That was precisely why he did not seek the approval of men. Such approval did not matter to Paul. He had the approval of Heaven. He did not need the approval of Rome or Jerusalem...

'Paul looks at his life through his union with Christ. Did God approve of his Son Jesus? Yes! And if we are in him, he approves of us. God doesn't approve of us because of our life and greatness. He approves of us because he sees us through his Son.'

***

I know there are many Christians who struggle with thoughts of God being angry with them, expecting any minute a harsh judgment from God, and bearing the burden of never living up to 'God's expectations.' Or perhaps they're suffering, and perceive it as God's anger toward them or disappointment in them. Because of this, they are stuck in a joyless life. I thought that the text above was such a good explanation of what it means to be IN CHRIST, and that it was worth sharing so that we can ponder this and ask God to help us recapture the joy that was once ours when we first began following Christ.

Remember: It's not all about us. It's about Jesus. I realize that in the 21st century, this has become a foreign concept for many Americans, especially. Also, I think it's important to remember that God is not in Heaven wringing his hands, wondering how we get ourselves into these messes. He knows our frame and remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14). Remember Jesus? It's all about him. When we put our trust in Christ, when we're IN CHRIST, God sees us through his son.  What a wonderful thought!

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. " Titus 3:5-6

***

Have a wonderful Lord's Day, friends.
May you find joy IN CHRIST. 

Linking to

Roses of Inspiration

Kwik Sew Pajamas and Cotton Knits

Photo sent by our daughter

Kwik Sew Pajama Pattern 3510

T1-T2-T3-T4

It's a good thing I finally got these PJs sewn up when I did, or the two cousins would have already outgrown them. That's what I get for procrastinating. I had the fabric several months ago, but had a mental block about using red ribbing with them, and it was impossible to find the exact blue in ribbing fabric. Finally I realized that I had to get these done if they weren't going to be too small for them, so I sewed them, red ribbing and all. I was surprised at how much I liked the finished product. 

 The Other Cousin's New Jammies

Photo sent by our son

I fell for the little fire engines and Dalmatians when I first saw the fabric at JoAnn's. Unfortunately, there were, and still are, very few kid prints available in 100% cotton knit.

We used to be able to buy cotton knits in Eau Claire at Mill Ends Textiles, which had a huge selection of cotton knits, among other fabrics. The store has recently closed. With the dwindling number of mills in this country, naturally there are fewer mill ends.

One can go into any fabric store these days and find enough woven fabrics to delight any quilter, but for someone who wants to sew a simple pair of kids' cotton knit pajamas with a cute print, those fabrics are becoming harder to find. A friend steered me to Fabric.com and I was able to find a few there, but not a huge selection, nothing like the rows of bolts of cotton knits.

 I loved the fire engines and Dalmatians on this cotton knit

I went to the fabric store yesterday to see if I could find the next size larger in this pajama pattern, but could no longer even find this pattern, Kwik Sew 3510. Evidently, it's no longer in print. How could it be out of print? It's a classic pajama pattern. Also, one thing I've noticed about some patterns, is that the instructions don't always give the easiest or smartest way to do something. It had been a while since I'd sewn, and because I followed the instructions, I had to rip out the waistband and the neckband before simply doing what made the most sense.

August, 2014
The pajama recipients - the cousins

Now I'm considering what to do with the piece of cotton knit fabric below.

 Another piece of cotton knit from my stash

Do you think this would work for pajama pants for a 7 year old grandson?

Anyway, my favorite patterns are Kwik Sew and Simplicity. Usually they have the most understandable and sensible instructions. Do you have a favorite?  Do you have a source for 100% cotton knits?  Do you sew? Do you know what a sewing machine is? ;-)

Hope you have a great weekend, friends. I can't believe that January is almost over!

***

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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:  Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and    Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above  and Artsy Corner Thursday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Simple Saturdays Blog Hop and Saturday's Critters

The Welcome Rooster, Wisconsin Barns, and Good Fences

Greeting Passersby

Colfax, WI

If you wanted a great welcome rooster for your back door, you've missed your chance. This one was for sale at a store in Colfax last summer, but I see that the store is no longer in operation. How sad. How often does one come across a rooster like that? Wouldn't he look great, welcoming the visitors to your home?

Barn west of Rice Lake, WI

Most of the many barns in our area are painted either red or white. However, there is one, on the way to Birchwood, that is yellowish. I hope they got a great deal on yellow paint, because other than that, I can see no reason to paint a barn yellow. I love this classic Wisconsin barn.

Admittedly, our house is yellow. But that's a different story.

***

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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:  Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and    Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above  and Artsy Corner Thursday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Saturday's Critters

Hodgepodge & American Idolatry

My Cheery Indoor Flock

Join Joyce and the Gang

for Wednesday Hodgepodge.

She writes the questions,

and we write the answers.

Check it out with the button link below.

1. American Idol is back for a 14th season. Are you watching? Have you ever watched? If you were to audition for the show (or were made to audition), what song would you sing?

I do not watch. I did watch the first two seasons, at least part of them, because I remember Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Somebodyorother winning. I also saw Carrie Underwood on her winning episode. BUT, it's not my favorite thing, seems like deja vu all over again, and the only redeeming feature was Simon Cowell, in my opinion. 

You couldn't give me enough money, I detest the idea of fame, and you couldn't force me to audition, even at gunpoint. 

2.  Mark Twain is quoted as saying, "If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first." 

So when did you last have to 'eat a frog'? Or two? How'd that work out? 

I don't remember the last time, specifically, but assuming this is metaphorical, it is the way I was raised. I always tackle the biggest and least desirable task first...well, almost always.

3. If you were going on safari, what is the number one animal you'd want to see?

A German Shepherd. Definitely. But if you're restricting it to animals usually found on a safari, I'd say giraffe. They're so pretty, graceful, and exotic.

4. January 21st is National Granola Bar Day. I know. Do you like granola bars? Chewy or crunchy? Your favorite flavor? How about regular granola? Let's exhaust this topic in honor of the holiday okay?

I don't eat granola bars. I try to stay away from grains, and besides, granola bars are about the worst thing possible for your teeth.  I try to stay from chewing on crushed ice also, because that's the other thing that's really hard on teeth - all that warming and cooling of the enamel. Yes, I learned that from my dentist. He has a plaque on his wall that reads, 'Only take care of the teeth you want to keep.'


5. If only_______I had something constructive to say today._________________.

 My favorite view

(Unfortunately, not anywhere nearby)

6. You can add one item to your bedroom. What will it be? Keep it family friendly please.


A German Shepherd puppy, eight weeks old.  (You can add to #5: "and if only I weren't obsessing over German Shepherd puppies.")

7. What is one thing you've enjoyed about winter thus far? If it's not winter in your corner of the globe, what season is it, and what is something you've enjoyed about whatever season it happens to be?

I loved Christmas time. I love having family here and a fire in the stove and little white lights strung around the room.  I'm enjoying the longer days (more daylight hours) and that the calendar is already past the mid point of January.  I'm also enjoying planning a trip!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Family is here this week and I'm getting some PJs sewn. I don't know why it is, but the week and month are rushing by. This is not typical of January!

***

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The Wisconsin Winter Wood Pile

Wood Splitter

Wood Splitter in Action

Pictured above is one of the many large wood piles in our area. This one will not be heating a single home, but you probably guessed that. This is firewood for sale  in the Rice Lake area. Good thing he's not trying to split it by hand.

This wood pile is part of what's been prepared for a single home.

I was a bit distracted while taking this photo because a huge German Shepherd, looking a lot like my Bridger (does one say, 'my late dog' when referring to a dog that has died??) Anyway, he came running to the edge of the yard, barking like crazy. Reminded me of the good old days when my German Shepherd would do the same. He scared almost everyone who came into the yard. Because he was mean? No, but only because he growled and barked and was a German Shepherd. Remember all those Nazi movies with the German Shepherd lunging at the end of his lead? I think that's what does it. Only the UPS man wasn't afraid of him because he knew, raised, and loved German Shepherds. That fact didn't keep Bridger from barking at him. It was part of his GSD job.

I won't post yet another photo of my dog, but if you want to see him, you can scroll down to the bottom of my blog. 

Mr. C., braving the cold and wind, to keep the fire going.

What a good man!

We are keeping the fire going, although that photo was taken a while back and we're getting a reprieve from the cold January temperatures. It's been in the20s and 30s. Feels like a heat wave.

I'm writing this Sunday evening. I just realized that it's 4:30 PM and still light outdoors. That thought brought me instant cheer. Springtime is on its way!

 Only a few months away...
probably in mid May

From Whence Comes Our Wood

October 2014

***

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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:  Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and    Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above  and Artsy Corner Thursday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Saturday's Critters