Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Wednesday Medley for Thanksgiving


Barn near Colfax, WI
November


 Join Terri and the Gang
for

She writes the questions;
we write the answers.
Plug them into your own blog post
and join in!


Thank you, Terri, for the questions for Wednesday Medley!

 I was sure that I had a photo of a Thanksgiving turkey in my archives, but the only one I could find was this dead turkey I found along the road one fall. Look how beautiful that bird is. Look at the color!

A Thanksgiving (our Early Thanksgiving) past, October 2016.
Grandkids trying to coax the stray cat out from under the bench.
Unbeknownst to us at the time, that stray cat had already given birth to kittens, two of whom are
Tommy & Smokey
That amazing cat story can be found HERE

1.    What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food?
Without hesitation, the answer to that would be 'stuffing.' But it needs to be stuffing that's been roasted inside the turkey, so that it's got that delicious turkey flavor mixed in. Perfect! 

 Barn near Bloomer
August, not November

2.   What’s the happiest Thanksgiving memory of your childhood?

I'm sure we celebrated Thanksgiving when I was a kid, but I honestly don't have any Thanksgiving memories that stand out. But it's possible that my happiest Thanksgiving would have been the one just after my dad got Shammar for me. Shammar was an Arabian/Welsh horse/pony colt (little and fuzzy with his thick winter coat) and I remember going to his stall in the calf barn and feeding him apples and carrots whenever there was a celebration in the house. Maybe that was only a couple times, but it is a childhood memory and can be adjusted as necessary. LOL

 August - not November
3.   Who is the most consistently grateful person you know? 

That would be my dad. He just had an attitude of joy and gratitude. And I'm really grateful that he was in my life. I thank God for him and the tremendous influence he had on my life.

 My favorite photo of my mom and dad.

4.   If you could thank one person today—near or far, living or dead—for their influence on your life, who would that person be?

I can't limit this to one person, so it would be my dad (stated above), N.T. Wright, G.K. Chesterton, and Bishop Robert Barron.  If you want more gratitude in your life, read these three authors/theologians.

 “You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.”  - G.K. Chesterton.  (Who cannot love this man!)

5.   Who’s one person you’ve never thanked for their contribution to your life, but would like to?

That would most likely be my mom, for I was always closer to my dad and probably never made a special effort to make her aware of how important she was/is to me. But my mom not only gave birth to me after driving herself to the hospital because the men were busy in the fields, but she went on to be the world's greatest grandma ever. I definitely didn't inherit the wonderful grandma gene, but more the reader of theology gene from my dad. I miss my mom and so often wish that she and my dad could stop in or come over for dinner.

November.
Why I love August.

6.   Tell us something random about your Thanksgiving week.

To start with, this Thanksgiving week is COLD. We were at minus 5 degrees F. yesterday morning and are looking forward (according to the weather forecasters) to a mini Ice Age. For someone who is already missing my walk along Fifth Avenue because of ice and snow (already!) on the roads, I'm hoping they're wrong.

We'll be at our daughter's on Thanksgiving Day and after the weekend will be quickly packing our carry-ons (I know, it's become a pride issue - but it's not exactly about pride, it's about not being able to tolerate standing in long lines waiting for luggage) for 18 days in England. It will be cold there this time of year too, but dealing with 30s and 40s, rather than temps below zero will be like a heat wave to us. Also, England will be decorated for Christmas, and we've a number of cathedral visits, morning and evensong services on our itinerary, so I can't wait. And of course, tons of little quaint villages. There will be a lot of England photos coming to my blog ere long, so be forewarned. Also, I will most likely be posting photos on Instagram (@cranberrymorning) while we're on vacation.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone, and I'll see you back here, Lord willing, on December 19.

 Tommy & Smokey

Don't worry about Tommy & Smokey. Wonderful friends are going to living in our house and taking care of the birds, cats, and plants while we're away. And our son will be plowing the driveway whenever there's a plow-worthy snowfall.


 Tommy, napping beside the fire



 ***

NOTICE:

My shops will be closed November 25 - December 14.
All Christmas soaps are in my shops now.
I will not be making more Christmas soaps this season.


Check out my natural, handcrafted vegan soap!
Buy any 5 or more, Get 1 FREE

Christmas Morning
Natural, handcrafted vegan soap




No harsh chemicals
No animal products
Only natural colorants, no oxides
Luxurious lather
Delicious Berry and Balsam fragrance
Gentle to even sensitive skin


Each bar comes labeled and wrapped,
ready for gifting.



...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at
 
HomemadeSoapNSuch

and at

Our ETSY Shop



Join me on Instagram: @cranberrymorning



Judy

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Wednesday Medley and Bits of Life Wednesday



Join Terri and the Gang
for


She writes the questions;
we write the answers.
Plug them into your own blog post
and join in at Terri's blog.

Thanks again this week, Terri, for the Wednesday Medley questions!

1.  With the holidays coming, what is your most essential appliance to help you prepare for the celebrations?

I'd say my most essential appliance is my beautiful deep red KitchenAid mixer. I use it for everything from cookies to bread. I used to keep it behind cupboard doors with the toaster, but I moved it out onto the counter where I can admire it. LOL When I saw it on sale, I finally managed to buy it after putting it back onto the shelf twice. I'm so glad I went through with the purchase!


2.  What is your favorite (clean) word?

You mean about cleaning? It would be 'vacuum,' because I notice the most difference when done. OR maybe the word is 'cleanser,' because I love how my old cast iron enamel sink still sparkles after all these years and how grateful I didn't take the advice of all those who thought I should get stainless steel. OR if you just mean a clean word, I guess my favorites are 'reciprocity' and 'verisimilitude' because I love the way they feel. I know, weird, isn't it.



3.  Are you a good judge of character?

Yes, I think I'm a very good judge of character. For one thing, I learned from my parents' example never to take subject A's word for subject B's character. There are too many people who think they can make a friend by creating a common enemy. Shudder. I like getting to know someone myself and try to see through the 'fluff.' I think I'm pretty good at that.

 Last Saturday was wood-splitting Saturday.
A lot was accomplished!
Note the littlest woodsman.


4. What is the last thing you took a picture of? Can you share it with us?

Well, of course, it just so happens to be a picture of Tommy & Smokey! 

 Two heads are better than one.
Tommy & Smokey

5. Tomorrow, November 15, is Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day.  How do you intend to celebrate?

You're kidding. There's a day for that? I suppose it was created for people like me who need a special occasion to do the job. Actually, because we're going to be leaving in a couple weeks and would like the house and refrigerator not to be disgusting, I will be cleaning it for sure. Maybe not tomorrow, though. It's that rebellious streak.

 God condescends in Christ to enter our human condition 
and to give his whole self away for our sakes. - Bishop Robert Barron

I have another Advent book soon to arrive in the mail. I like to get something new for Advent each year. I know, you're still planning Thanksgiving. But we celebrated our family's Early Thanksgiving on October 13, so I'm moving on. This morning, because of the very cold day and snow on the ground, I'm playing Christmas music. What's playing right now is 'Christmas With The Academy.' Academy and Chorus of St. Martin in the Fields (where it actually was before everyone got the idea that they wanted to live in London.) 

 9 degrees F.
Anyone want to get on that swing?


6. Tell us something random about your week!

Winter has settled into Northern Wisconsin in a big way. It was 9 degrees F. this morning and of course there's snow on the ground. But we are planning to make our annual pilgrimage to St. Mary's Basilica in Minneapolis and the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, MN. And of course we'll get a snack at Cafe Latte on Grand Avenue and have dinner at Brit's Pub in Minneapolis.

 Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis


***


 NOTICE:
 My shops will be closed from November 25
through December 14. All Christmas soaps are available now.

Check out my natural, handcrafted vegan soap!
Buy any 5 or more, Get 1 FREE

Christmas Forest
Natural, handcrafted vegan soap

No harsh chemicals
Only natural colorants
No animal products
Luxurious lather
Delicious fragrance!
Each bar labeled and wrapped,
ready for gifting.



...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at
 
HomemadeSoapNSuch
and at
Our ETSY Shop


Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!
Join me on Instagram: @cranberrymorning
Judy

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Wednesday Medley and Bits of Life Wednesday

Neighbor Bill's Barn
An eyesore? or a thing of beauty?





Join Terri and the Gang
for


She writes the questions;
we write the answers.
Plug them into your own blog post
and link up!
Thank you, Terri, for this week's
Wednesday Medley!


It's all about - What, what, what???

1. What is your claim to fame?
 I have lived a long time. I remember a one-room schoolhouse. I've shot and eaten an alligator.



2. What is something you like to do the old-fashioned way?
I like to make soap, to actually cook food using ingredients, and to bake bread (nut breads and regular yeast breads).

 This is banana bread, baked in pans 
that used to belong to Mr. C.'s grandpa

3. What did you think you would grow out of but haven’t?
I thought I'd grow out of being silly, but I realize now that my dad never did, so why would I have expected that I would? 

 Fall has come to an end.
I finally gave up on covering the mums at night
and let them freeze.


4. What is the dumbest thing you’ve done that actually turned out pretty well?
I homeschooled our kids for a zillion years. I never thought it was dumb to do, but certainly many other [skeptics] did, and this was 1981. I'm happy to report that it did turn out pretty well. The only difficult thing is getting rid of all the things I used during the years I homeschooled. I'm just not good at getting rid of stuff. Well, except for the kids. They left a long time ago, and honestly, I'd always trade all the stuff for a houseful of them. Not doing it all over again, mind you, but just from time to time.

 I finally took photos of the entire timeline on our walls
so that I could take it down. That worked.

5. If you had to change your name, what would you change it to?
Probably Benedict, for it would help explain how I could have lived out in the middle of nowhere for so long. 


6. What is something random you can tell us about this week?
My week is comprised of reading, praying, voting, cooking, baking, making soap, visiting friends, tending to Tommy & Smokey, and writing/drawing in my journal. 

Another thing about the week is that I have Daylight Saving Time withdrawal. It's now darkish by 5-something, and when I look at my watch at 7:30 PM, I can hardly believe that it's not 10:30. This is terrible.


Tommy & Smokey

***

NOTICE:

My HomemadeSoapnSuch shops will be
closed November 25 - December 14.
All Christmas soaps are ready and in the shops now.
I will not be making more this season.

Check out my natural, handcrafted vegan soap!
Buy any 5 or more, Get 1 FREE
 
Christmas Hearth
Natural, handcrafted vegan soap


No harsh chemicals
No animal products
Kind to sensitive skin
Great lather
Luscious fragrance
Each bar labeled and wrapped,
ready for gifting.

...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at
 
HomemadeSoapNSuch
and at
Our ETSY Shop


Have a great Wednesday, everyone!
Join me on Instagram: @cranberrymorning 

Judy