Amish and Kitties and Quilts!

This is just a quick post because a couple of you asked about Tommy and Smokey. I am sorry that I neglected to post a photo of them in Wednesday Medley. Well, they are still here and still snuggly and still happy kitties. Keeping them when we move to Wausau is absolutely out of the question. If you knew the respiratory issues our little granddaughter dealt with all last winter and the hospitalizations, you would understand. We desperately need to find a wonderful home for these two sweet cats. I even gave a few copies of my flyer to the FedEx man when he delivered their food yesterday! He said his mom and his sister are both cat lovers, that his German Shepherd, not so much. So then we started talking about German Shepherds. But anyway, he happily took the flyers and agreed to help.

If any of YOU would like to help us find a home, I would be happy to email you a .pdf of the flyer I made. Your librarian will most likely let you put it up in the library (one idea). Especially in the Wisconsin and Minnesota area. Anyway, here's the poster, in case you didn't see it before:

I condensed it into a 9" x 12" and you can email me at: judymasrud@gmail.com if you would like to print copies to hand out. We will probably actually be moving in August, so we don't have a lot of time left. It's already the end of April and I'm getting a bit worried. Please post this on Facebook or wherever you are willing. I will not post it on Craigslist because I've been warned away from going that route. One woman responded to my flyer, but when I asked her for a reference from her vet and a friend, she never got back to me. Mr. C., as an asbestos abatement contractor has worked in homes that were animal hoarder homes (that had to be condemned and torn down or burned!) and we just want to make sure that Tommy and Smokey will go into a loving and healthy environment. I didn't think that the two references was too much to ask. After all, they're the two cutest and best cats ever and come with a two-month supply of food, four clean litter boxes, a sleeping box, and four bags of Fresh Step litter. We might even throw in a rocking chair and a queen size mattress! :-))  I mean, c'mon!!  Okay, I'll move onto the rest of the post:

One thing I will miss when we move to the Big City of Wausau (as opposed to the 67 acres of crops, woods, and stream and long driveway and neighbors few and far between) is the fact that I will no longer be able to hang my quilts out on the front porch rail to dry in the breeze (or maybe I can. I don't know about city life, but I feel kinda like The Beverly Hillbillies moving to LA) I lifted up the corners to show you these two Amish-made quilts that we bought years ago at an auction in Westby Wisconsin at the Syttende Mai celebration May 17. They're beautiful, and I just washed them so that I can get them ready to pack to move.

I am keeping only a minimal amount of bedding, towels and washcloths, etc. Always in the past, we've been the place where the family meets, so I've had a ton of everything on hand. No more. It actually is quite liberating to be packing up and donating stuff. I've come to realize that my life's most important things are, in this order:

God

Family

Pets

Books

Plants 

Camera

KnickKnacks

And as I've been packing books, it's almost embarrassing how many boxes are labeled, "British..."

I'm not sure I should admit that. I'm not even going to try to Google and find out what that must mean about my personality.

I actually took this photo at a long distance, from inside our house through the library window. I wasn't going to post it, but look how cute that little guy is standing between those two men. I think he spent the whole day with them as they were fencing. Three men hold onto a post pounder and drive 4" diameter posts into the ground. The posts do NOT have a pointed end. I don't know how they do it, but they're all young men, so I guess that helps. 

 Our big spruce with view to the S, SE, SW

That's it, folks. And I'm going to close comments today (which I HATE TO DO) simply because I have no business being on the computer. I've a ton of boxes to pack, items to donate, a new sofa and loveseat are being delivered this afternoon, and we'll get to spend time with the Minnesota portion of our family this weekend. Can't wait!

Be sure to let me know if you want the .pdf of that kitty flyer. And thank you!

***

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P.S. I know that once these kitties are at their new home, I will be totally ready to move out. I will miss them terribly!

Have a wonderful day, friends! 

Wednesday Medley and Amish Follies

Trying the backhanded approach to eating cake

 

NATIONAL PIGS-IN-A-BLANKET DAY

On April 24, observe National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day with just a few ingredients.  

Celebrated across the world, the term often refers to a variety of different dishes. In the United States, Pigs-in-a-Blanket are often hot dogs or sausages wrapped in biscuit or croissant dough and baked. Pigs-in-a-Blanket are generally served as an appetizer or as breakfast. However, it can be served any meal time!

HOW TO OBSERVE

Share your version of Pigs-In-A-Blanket using #NationalPigBlanketDay on social media.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Everything above this line is from the National Day Calendar website.

(My first thought was 'what am I going to do with this one'!! Bear with me, followers!)

1.  Typically served as an hors d'oeuvre, have you ever made or had a Pig-in-a-Blanket?  Do you like Pigs-in-a-Blanket?

 Never ever.

 "What? Pigs in a blanket? No way."

2.  Pigs-in-a-blanket are also known as devils on horseback, kilted sausages, and wiener winks. (Seriously.)  Please make up another name for this fun little appetizer!

I cannot hear 'weiner' without thinking of poor deluded Anthony. But about renaming? I guess I would rename them cylindrical poison wrapped in carbs. :-) I get a headache from any hotdogs or sausages, etc.

 Mr. C. and our new Amish neighbor chatting about farmland, fencing, cattle, and guns. Typical guy stuff.

3.  In the UK, pigs-in-blankets are small sausages, or chipolatas wrapped up in bacon.  Which country's version is most appealing to your taste buds?

Neither, I am afraid. Definitely not the UK version. The only pigs in blankets that appeal to me are these:

 YouTube

4.  The first written record of pigs-in-a-blanket occurs in Betty Crocker's Cooking for Kids in 1957.  In this digital world, do you still have a favorite cookbook you use most of the time?  Is there a recipe you can share with us from that cookbook?

I have a great 1969 Betty Crocker cookbook that I use quite often, although more often I use a recipe from my file folder (which have often been ones I've found online and printed out.)

 You know how in the UK, some manor houses will have follies in the back and beyond, structures built for no reason but apparently to spend money and have something useless on their land? Well, we call this the Amish Folly, a structure recently built on the adjacent property. We couldn't figure out what on earth it was, until... (see further down)

5.  What is your favorite cooking show on TV?

The ONLY cooking show I watch, and that's hit and miss, is The Great British Baking Show. They're all so nice and helpful and not horribly competitive. It's a great show. 

 ...we talked to our new Amish neighbor and asked him. He said it is a hunting shack with room for his horse beneath, to keep it out of the line of fire. Hm. Good thinking. So now we know the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey would say.

6.  Tell us something random about your week, please!

We had a wonderful Easter weekend with some of our family and here are a few photos to prove it: I wish I had a picture of the altar at the church. It was beautiful. We celebrated a risen Savior.

 This little guy, at 7 weeks, was sharing lots of smiles

Waiting on another photo...

I know you won't believe me, but it was the best hair day I'd had in a while

 - until I went out into the wind to have our picture taken. Grrr.

Oh well. BTW, that old man standing next to me turns 68 today. And  honestly, he doesn't look a day over 67 1/2. :-) He's quite amazing and one of my greatest blessings from God.

 This beloved old barn across the road will soon be coming down. It has deteriorated greatly over the winter and our new neighbor has plans to remove it.

I guess it's time to move.

This week I'm packing lots of books, sorting and donating a ton of stuff, and passing along a lot of unnecessary furniture to family members or donating it.

Thank you Terri, for another Wednesday Medley! xo

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Siblings on Wednesday Medley

 

  SIBLINGS

Tommy & Smokey

See all 170+ photos on Instagram.

#tommyandsmokey 

@cranberrymorning

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She writes the questions;

we write the answers.

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and join in!

April of 2013
at our house
That's Wisconsin for ya.

3 grand siblings

NATIONAL SIBLINGS DAY

National Siblings Day (also referred to as Sibling Day) is observed on April 10.  It is a day created to honor our brothers and our sisters.  

Siblings. They are sometimes our best friends or our worst enemies. At times, siblings will provide us with our biggest competition, strongest encouragement and remind us of our most embarrassing moments.

Struggling to keep up

more grand siblings

1.  Stealing the questions from above:  How many siblings do you have? I have three siblings. Two older brothers and one younger sister. Are you rivals or do you support each other in all you do? Neither of the above. We seldom see one another. One brother is in Colorado, one in Texas, and my sister is in Florida.

 The golden days of siblinghood

Before the little brother gets big enough for a good fight

2.  Have you heard of the Birth Order Book?  What are your thoughts on the premise that your birth order affects everything you do in life? I have heard of it, have not read it, but definitely think birth order affects so much. First children are often strong-willed, self-motivated, responsible; middle children the pastors and counselors, non-confrontational, youngest children often party animals. That is an exaggeration and merely an opinion. My sister does not fall into line with that, but I have seen it a lot in other families. I'll be interested in hearing how other bloggers answer that. And I think that all of the above can be altered by the number of years between children. For example, our younger daughter was the baby of the family until she was five years old and we adopted two little boys. She was suddenly the oldest of that group of three, with 10 1/2 years between her and her older sister.

 6, 4, 2

 Our two youngest

 Our two oldest

They were great pals growing up

 More grand siblings

I can't remember what they're singing here,

but it could be 'Sisters.' 

My favorite part in an old movie is when Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye

perform 'Sisters' in 'White Christmas.'

3.  Is there something that you still do that drives your siblings crazy? I don't think we see each other often enough for that.

4.  Are you closer to your siblings now than you were when you were younger? No, I don't think so. We're all at least four years apart, and that makes a lot of difference in whether or not there are close relationships, I think.

Brother far left and far right.

5.  Would you dare to tell us an embarrassing story about a sibling? I'm sorry, but I don't have any embarrassing stories about my siblings. And I know I've told you all about the times when my brothers scared me half to death or pulled pranks on me. I still don't like sleeping in the pitch dark.

 My cute little sister and serious (or grumpy) me

back when the earth was young

(My hair is still hard to control!)

6.  Tell us something random about your week.

We visited our daughter and her children in Wausau last weekend. Below is the birthday girl with her mom.

 Cinderella with her new GOLD slippers

Ruby is so yesterday.

(Thanks Pam, for the idea!)

They were a real hit!

Our middle child (she's still just as cute, but now she has teeth)  :-)
and her daughter 

 One of the pretty red barns in the Wausau area

Almost all of our snow is gone, just in time for a snow 'event' that is supposed to arrive here Wednesday evening with lots of snow and high winds. One of our grandkids is going to be staying with us while his parents attend a homeschool conference in Minnesota. He'll be with us for four days and four nights. I sure hope he doesn't get homesick! Unless the snow prevents us, we'll take him to visit some cousins. That should help. And he'll go to church with us on Sunday.

Thank you, Terri, for the Wednesday Medley questions!

***

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Audreys for Wednesday Medley

 I was searching 'Audrey' in my photo files and got this.
THIS, if you remember, is the mama cat who wandered up our driveway and gave issue to

 

Tommy & Smokey
(of Instagram fame)
#tommyandsmokey

Read All About it HERE

I am still looking for a loving home for these two darling kitties.



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Everything below this line is copied from the National Calendar website.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

She writes the questions;

we write the answers.

Plug them into your own blog post

and join in at

www.tdorsaneo.blogspot.com

NATIONAL FILM SCORE DAY

As the opening scenes of a long-anticipated movie begin to flicker across the screen, a rising cadence undulates through the theater setting the mood. A musical note plays, then two, and soon the theater is filled with a beautifully layered orchestral music masterwork. This musical accompaniment to the film you’re watching is called the “Film Score.”

On April 3, National Film Score Day recognizes the musical masterpieces called “Film Scores” and, more specifically, the very talented composers who create them.

Read more about National Film Score Day and its history at Terri's blog:

Terri's Blog

1.  Let's talk about film scores/songs.  What is the first one that you thought about when you saw today's subject?

Schindler's List. It's the most hauntingly beautiful music.

2.  Do you remember the first movie you ever saw on the "big screen"?  Would you tell us about it?

I think it was Doris Day and Rock Hudson in 'Glass Bottom Boat,' which just getting permission from my dad to go see it and all that entailed is far too long a story to include here. I don't know what he thought was going to happen in the movie theatre, but nevertheless, it was a big deal just getting very reluctant permission. And the movie itself was totally not worth the effort.

3.  Who is your favorite female movie star?  Who is your favorite male movie star?  Go ahead and list more than one if you must.

 rareaudreyhepburn.com

Favorite female movie star? Audrey Hepburn for sure! I love watching those old movies, especially Roman Holiday with Gregory Peck and How to Steal a Million with Peter O'Toole. After that, probably Gwynneth Paltrow in Emma, The Perfect Murder, and Proof. Male movie star? Martin Shaw as George Gently and Michael Kitchen as Foyle in Foyle's War.

4.  How about those old black & white movies!  Which one do you always stop and watch, even just a little, when channel surfing?

We're not on cable, so we almost exclusively watch DVDs or movies on Netflix or Acorn. BUT, any old black and white mysteries would make me stop and watch. Even Svengoolie, out of Chicago, I think it is, is fun to watch. It's all the old black and white horror movies with lots of history of the making of and of the filmstars themselves narrated by the incomparable Svengoolie himself. 

 Totally corny and not the least bit scary,

just silly fun.

5.  Is there a movie quote that makes you laugh or one that you repeat often in life that you can share with us?  Will we know what movie it comes from without you telling us?  

Mr. C. and I are often quoting lines from British mysteries to each other and then laughing because almost no one would have a clue what that was about. Many situations trigger a movie line. Of course I can't think of any at the moment. They come to me when they're appropriate to the moment. (or inappropriate, as the case may be. lol)

Smokey, helping clean out the old hutch

It was built into the house - 1914

 We stripped it of its paint, refinished it, and moved it.

We're planning to take both the 1914 hutch and

the 1915 Home Comfort wood-burning range 

(and the coffee grinder) with us.

The wire gates you see in the doorway are no longer there.

We used them to gate Bridger and Misty (sniff sniff)

in the kitchen at night.

6.  Please share something random about your week with us.

All of you and my poor blog have been so neglected as of late because I'm getting ready to host a party on Thursday of this week (amazing how nothing looks as greatly in need of cleaning until you see it through someone else's eyes!), plus I've been going through Christmas ornaments and decorations and many more books are boxed up, ready to go to St. Vincent's for donation. I've also cleaned out the hutch of items I don't need to be moving with us this summer/fall and we're taking some boxes out to our son's home in Minnesota later this month. I've measured the space we'll be living in when we move to Wausau to figure out just how many bookshelves can be fit into it. Fortunately, as long as we don't want anything else in the house, many books can go with us. (just kidding). But then wall space taken up by bookshelves cuts down on the number of Civil War art prints I can take. Oh brother. This is so time consuming, but really good for me and once I get on a roll, the only thing stopping me is Mr. C. saying, 'What? You can't give *that* away!'  So we'll see... Anyway, this is pretty much my life in the next few months. Sorting, donating, packing.

And enjoying spring if it ever gets here. :-) 

 Back yard, mid May

 ***

Thank you, Terri, for today's Medley!

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Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!

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