Wednesday, June 17, 2015

The Great Outdoors Hodgepodge

Rice Lake, WI
on a beautiful June 16

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we write the answers.
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1. June is National Great Outdoors Month. Have you spent any time appreciating the great outdoors this month? If so where, and if not do you have any plans to enjoy the great outdoors before the calendar turns?

I live in the great outdoors and yes, I enjoy it every single day. (More in June than in February, however.)

 East, from our front porch
June 16, 2015 


South, from our front porch

 Also from our front porch
Jazzie, loving summertime

 From our Vegetable (and Berries) Garden

You're noticing a serious lack of traffic and skyscrapers? We also have no noise out here. I keep a fan running at night just to create enough noise to sleep!

2. What's a current hot button issue for you?

The foolishness that passes for serious issues in our country these days.

3. What's a food or treat that 'disappears like hotcakes' in your house?

Besides hotcakes?

Popcorn.

 Mr. C.'s Speciality!
Popped in coconut oil and a bit of REAL butter.
Afterwards, left plain except for a sprinkle of salt and cayenne
JollyTime White Popcorn (the BEST)

4. How hot is too hot?

Regarding temperature, 95 degrees. (Actually 79, but I don't want to seem ungrateful after whining about the cold all winter...)  Regarding picante, enough jalapenos to make my tummy burn. I think I kinda overdid it on the jalapenos in last night's chili.

5. Do you have an artistic outlook on life? What does that mean to you?

If you mean, do I see beauty all around me and take joy daily from God's amazing creation, His grace and blessing, then yes. If you mean, am I flower child, then no. And if that's not what you mean, you'll need to 'splain.

 Westby Sunflowers

6. What's one question you'd like to ask your father, or one you wish you could ask your father?

Tell me again how you trimmed your lilacs?

Actually, I feel so blessed to have lived near my dad most of my life until he died late in 2010, and to have spent a lot of time with him. He was always a joy and comfort to me, a wonderful grandpa to our children, and a kind and godly gentleman to all.

7. Something you learned from your father?

To love God, to recognize His blessing in life daily, to enjoy life and see humor in just about everything.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

The First Gifts of Springtime

I think it's time to let the asparagus crop go to seed. We've had a great asparagus year, and are just about ready to have a different side dish with our dinners. Still, it is always such a treat in early spring, to see the asparagus poking up through the soil (and growing FAST on warm, sunny days). Yesterday afternoon I picked the first little crop of strawberries from our garden. They are incredibly sweet. My phone is in the basket because I listen to the radio on it while I'm picking berries. I'll enjoy sharing them with a friend who's coming for lunch on Thursday (and of course with Mr. C., who would probably always prefer cheese, crackers, and sausages to anything sweet).

 Rice Lake, WI

Rice Lake, WI

Rice Lake. It's where the population looks a lot like Illinois and Indiana during the summertime. It's one of Wisconsin's 15,000 lakes.

Mr. C. says the popcorn's ready!

***

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34 comments:

Susie said...

Great pictures Judy. Hope your Wednesday is a good one..we are getting lots of rain this morning. Bless you, xoxo,Susie

eileeninmd said...

Good Morning, the popcorn sounds yummy. And I love strawberries, we had few pickings this year. Your lake images are beautiful, if I lived there I would be enjoying the great outdoors too. Have a happy day!

Mary said...

Beautiful pictures! Kinda looks like you live out in the middle of nowhere...Gorgeous!

Arlene G said...

It sure is pretty up your way Judy!! It is hot as Hades here this week but it is the price we pay for having mild winters.

Preppy Empty Nester said...

Great photos and you have quite the green thumb, Judy. Your Dad was very lucky to have a daughter like you. Enjoy your week.

Linda said...

Beautiful, Judy. Sigh, one day, we will get back to living at the farm. I do miss the chickens and open spaces. Thank you for sharing today and for the smiles.

P.S. I have been meaning to tell you...I love the Rose soap!!! Blessings

Michelle said...

Your home surroundings are breathtaking. To wake up to that view everyday. You are blessed. I thrive on complete silence when I sleep so it would be a perfect retreat. I have to agree with the foolishness you speak of as issues - AMEN! Visiting from Hodgepodge Wednesday and here's wishing you a blessed Wednesday.

April said...

As always, such beautiful photos! You're so lucky to live where you do...those views are incredible! I've been eating a good bit of asparagus this summer...and strawberries...two of my faves!

Vee said...

I'd love to sit on your porch and see those sights...beautiful! I wouldn't mind a bowl of popcorn either. Strawberries would be good, too. Apparently, I have zero concerns about appearing to be ungrateful. Apparently, you should have some concerns about lying! =D

Joyce said...

I went asparagus picking with a friend in the UK. I'd actually never seen it growing before that. Your sunflower picture is especially gorgeous...I think it's the bright blue sky! Enjoy your day : )

MadSnapper said...

any treat at all disapears like hotcakes here, i don't buy snacks for that reason, but i do have popcorn and the dogs love it to.
i think when people say go out and enjoy the great outdoors, they must never go in their own yard if they have one. we are in our outdoors many times each day.. we have neighbors, blocks and blocks of them that we have never seen...
and in Florida just stepping out side in a yard is the great outdoors.
my hot button is the MEDIA, they try people before they ever go to court, they will not let and issue die, they just keep showing it over and over and over.

the one question i would ask daddy is Who told you and Mother in 1958 that I sneaked off and went to the movies on Sunday afternoon even though it was a known NO

SImple and Serene Living said...

You certainly live in a beautiful area, Judy. I love the hot, hot weather. :)
xo
Laura

Tired Teacher said...

I could eat popcorn everyday and not tire of it - no butter and just a sprinkle of salt. Yum!

The photos of the scenes surrounding your property are beautiful - you choose your homesite well.

Carla from The River said...

Hello Judy,
I love the photos you took of Rice Lake, beautiful. I had to chuckle, because we had to have been in the same area yesterday :-) We went hiking on the Tuscobia trail then went for a picnic at the Veteran's Park in Rice Lake.
The lake was so still yesterday, just beautiful.

Mr. C's popcorn sounds yummy!
Carla

Anita Johnson said...

These posts are so pleasant to read. Lilacs remind me of growing up in Chicago!

carrie@northwoods scrapbook said...

Love this Judy!! Where you live is so beautiful. ;) My best friend's Aunt lived there and we used to go visit her every year (long ago days). She lived on the water and those photos remind me of her (she was a Judy too).

I love popcorn too!! I love the idea of popping it in coconut oil. And those berries look SO good!! Nothing better than strawberry pie made from true fresh picked berries.

Have a happy Wednesday! xoxo

Debbie said...

Ooooooh goodness those sunflowers are amazing!! I'll have one large popcorn!!

Cathy said...

It's been a long time since I've made anything but microwave popcorn. After seeing your pictures, I need to tell hubby to add popcorn to the list. I now want some of the old fashioned made in the pan popcorn. :)

Your land looks so beautiful and your strawberries and asparagus look delicious. I was in Wisconsin once about 8-10 years ago and it was beautiful. I definitely need to come back again some day.

Hope you have a great day!!

20 North Ora said...

Oh Judy - your countryside is beautiful!! So serene and relaxing looking. Enjoyed your q&a session. Strawberries are one of my absolute favorites and I am really enjoying them this time of the year. But, alas, I have to buy mine at Sam's.

Have a great day in that beautiful setting.

Judy

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Popcorn was one of my answers as well. Love it! What gorgeous pictures! Enjoyed stopping by!

TexWisGirl said...

loved your views - especially the hay wagon! laughed at you running the fan. :)

Elizabeth "Libby" Day said...

What a front porch view you have there. I would never tire of that. That is until I had to get out and toil in the garden. My answer for too hot was "when I perspire" so garden work is really not for me. However, growing my own asparagus or having access to fresh, sounds wonderful. So enjoyed your beautiful photography.

Chatty Crone said...

Well your outdoors looks beautiful - green and cooler than ours - we are hot - your photos are so pretty - the sky and the clouds. I love popcorn too - but I take the easy way out. My dad taught me loyalty!

Cheryl said...

Lovely views from your front porch, Judy!! Could we take dinner out there? Maybe some of that asparagus (our little patch did poorly this year)? And strawberries for dessert? And if we're having popcorn later, I definitely want some cayenne on it! (Why did I never think of that?!)

Paige McDaniel said...

I consider myself a true popcorn gourmet and your method is correct, but I do prefer Redenbocker. I eat it up with garlic salt, and I sometimes add curry for fun. I'll cayenne some tonight!

Anonymous said...

Your porch views are out of this world...and those strawberries look quite delicious, too!

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

I love the views from your home! You are a blessed woman! What a fun post--a great way to get to know you better! Your asparagus and stawberries are making my mouth water! ♥

Terri D said...

Yum to that popcorn!! I enjoyed your answers and the beautiful photos. You live in such a lovely place.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Oh yes, lovers of popcorn in this house too. Nice views looking around your property and I'm eagerly looking forward to strawberry picking starting at the local farm this weekend.
What is it with guys and sausage - mine would eat them BBQ every night for dinner I think. :-)

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

Beautiful photos. The news is horrible, especially for children. My garden has gone to seed already except for tomatoes. I'm still pinching off the flowers on the mint and basil so far. xoox Su

Anonymous said...

Your popcorn makes me hungry. Such a cute photo of Jazzie! You have such astounding views and the asparagus and strawberries looks so delicious. Your father sounds like a wonderful man. I know you will be thinking of him especially on Father's Day. xo

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Loved reading all your answers, very interesing and you were fortunate to have lived most of you live close to your Dad. Love your strawberries

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I love where you are living, I love Wisconsin! Looks like your enjoying your garden, it looks yummy!

Lynne said...

Might just be my favorite "go to" food . . .
I can eat it almost anytime . . .

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