Frozen Wisconsin on a Wednesday Medley

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Here is a medley of questions you may choose to answer on your Wednesday blog.  There aren't any rules and there is no obligation. Link up if you want to.  I'm doing this to fill my Wednesday and if you are interested, then I invite you to join in!!  It might be fun!!

NATIONAL PIE DAY

National Pie Day is celebrated annually on January 23rd. (Not to be confused with March 14 which is PI π Day.) 

National Pie Day was created simply to celebrate the pie.  It is a day for all to bake or cook their favorite pies.  Even more importantly, it is a day set aside for all to enjoy eating pies!

The first pies appeared around 9500 BC in the Egyptian Neolithic period or New Stone Age.

1.  Okay, fess up.  Tell us your top three favorite pies, please.  Will you have some pie today?

 I probably won't have pie today, but I sure do like it! My favorites are lemon meringue, blueberry, and fresh strawberry or mincemeat. Okay, now I'm thinking too much about pie!

 

This one is a lemon (my favorite!) cake pie. Delicious!

2.  While we are talking about food... are you a picky eater or are you ready to try almost any new food?  What is the worst thing you have ever eaten?

I'm not a picky eater, but I am definitely not ready to try almost any new food. I used to think that if they invented a people dog food, I would be a regular customer just because I do like to eat the same things, rather than always introducing something new. The worst thing I ever ate was monkey brains  soft boiled eggs or warmed up chicken. I ate chicken reheated. I'd rather just eat it cold or not at all. And runny egg yolk? Ewwww! Toast soldiers are for putting peanut butter on, NOT for dipping in nearly raw egg. Shudder! I'm sure there are other things also, but I can't think of them at the moment.

 Rainbows on the walls and a little editing on the photo. Daughter's home. I think it can be considered art.

3.  Baking could be considered an art as could cooking.  How do you define art?

That's an interesting statement. I think that's true, as long as there's personal creativity involved. So I guess making a pie according to the recipe is a technical skill, whereas adjusting here and there and making a crust that is attractive is more an art.

 

 A grandpa buried in balloons

 

4.  Tell us a really stupid joke that made you laugh, please.

The funniest joke ever, which I've told before, is that a newly-married couple were sitting down to dinner, the wife's first attempt at cooking a meal. The husband made a valiant attempt, but couldn't finish his dinner. It was really horrid. So he gave it to the dog. A bit later, the wife noticed the dog in the corner and asked, 'Why is she chewing her butt??'  He responded, 'She's trying to get the taste out of her mouth.' 

 Misty, R.I.P.

Her favorite thing was playing in the alfalfa field.

Her second favorite thing was mentioned in the paragraph above.

Well, not really, but often enough. :-(

5.  January 23rd is also National Handwriting Day. Do you have nice handwriting? Did cursive writing come naturally or did you practice in those double-lined practice books until your fingers hurt?

 

We actually did practice handwriting in grade school. After I learned to type, handwriting was so laborious that I tried to avoid it. Now I'm trying to regain that handwriting skill. It's not good, by any means, but since starting to keep a journal, I'm at least getting daily practice.

6.  Tell us something random about your week.

 Rivers, Rails, and Roads

A new game we played with the grandkids. Games, puzzles, and books are such great ways to interact with the younger generation. They love it!

 Putting the last piece in a Ravensburger puzzle (our favorite). He likes to hide a piece of the puzzle and bring it out at the very end, ensuring that he gets to put in that last piece. :-)

We'll probably be spending most of the time indoors in the next few days, for the temps are going to be well below zero F. I'm so thankful for the wood stove, Mr. C. who supplies the wood and hauls it into the house, and a nearly snowless January to this point. I'm sorry, snow lovers.

Tommy & Smokey, occupying the best chair next to the fire.

"Tommy, could you let me breathe?!"

 

 Yep, the Christmas tree is still up on the front porch, and will remain there until the needles start falling off. It's not going to happen any time soon, according to the forecast.

 

ONE MORE RANDOM:

In light of the headlines and vitriol spewed all over the internet  the past couple days, I thought this was a particularly good article, and words of wisdom. Please take a few minutes to click on the link and read the article.

 
1 Corinthians 13:4-5: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."

***

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Hodgepodging Homemade White Bread

November 2, 2015 near sunset

Bill's Triangle

A Favorite

This view, which I fondly call 'Bill's Triangle,' includes a portion of our alfalfa field and Neighbor Bill's field and trees across the road.  Mr. C. can't understand, for the life of him, why I've taken so many photos of this view. 'I think you have hundreds of photos of that same view,' he said. But what he doesn't understand is that on November 2, just before sunset, it looks just the weeest bit different from all the others. Y'all get this, right? I knew you'd understand.

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1. Besides Thanksgiving, something you're looking forward to on your November calendar?

We're looking forward to our first grandchild's wedding this month. She and her fiance will be married at Landmark Center in St. Paul, a beautiful site for a wedding.

 at her bridal shower a couple weeks ago

2.  If I gave you a thank you card right now who would you send it to and why?

I would send it to our pastor and thank him for being a faithful man of God. OR
I would send it to N.T. Wright for being a faithful expositor of the Word of God. OR
I would send it to my Bible study friends for being my friends, upholding me in prayer and friendship, and just generally putting up with me. OR
I would send it to our vet for being a kind and understanding James Herriot vet. We're taking Misty, our 17 year old sweet companion who's suffering from Alzheimers, blindness, deafness, etc. in for her final visit this morning. I won't put that sweet creature through another winter of trudging through the snow, suffering constant confusion, and bumping into things. OR
If Misty could read, maybe I'd send the thank-you to her - for being such a sweet and loyal dog all these years. AND
I'd better send one to Mr. C. or he's going to wonder why everyone else but him is getting a thank you card! I wonder if he will care that he's next in line after the dog. I hope he doesn't take it personally.

Sweet Misty, November 3, 2015

Misty in happier days gone by,

the butterfly-chasing days of her youth,

playing in the alfalfa field.
I will miss this sweet girl.

3. Of the breads listed, which one's your favorite...bagel, cinnamon, sourdough, garlic, banana, biscuit, pita, Naan, or plain old fashioned white bread?


I don't eat much bread these days. But I'm looking forward to this one, and will start baking it as soon as it gets snowy and cold. It is delicious toasted with REAL Wisconsin butter melted on it. Ingredient list below.

Homemade White Bread

Fresh from the Oven

Better with Butter

Best Homemade White Bread Recipe:

Makes 4 small loaf pans (4x8, I think)

400 degrees F. for 24 minutes.

4 c. milk

6 T. butter

6 T. sugar

4 t. salt

4 pkg. dry yeast

10.5 c. flour (appx.)

I only make four loaves at a time because this amount fits in my KitchenAid mixer bowl. And that, of course, is so handy! I probably knead it with the dough hook about 5 minutes before turning it out onto slightly floured counter, kneading it a bit more by hand. Then put it into a greased bowl and cover with a light cloth. Let rise until dough has doubled in size. Punch dough down and form into loaves. Place the loaves into greased loaf pans. Let loaves rise until they are about 1/2 inch above the tops of the pans. Place in preheated 400 degree oven. Bake 24 minutes, then turn loaves out onto baking rack to cool. (The loaves should sound hollow if you tap them with your finger - at least that's what I always do). As soon as you can stand to handle it, cut a slice and get butter on it. Quick! Mmmmm.

4. What's something you have in abundance? Is that a good thing?

Books. Lots of books. And that's a very good thing.
Besides books, probably clutter. And that's not a good thing.

5. November 5th is National Love Your Red Hair Day. Are there any redheads in your family? Who's your favorite redhead?


My older brother is a redhead, or at least was more red in his younger years. And now, of course, I must say that he's my favorite redhead. :-) Second is Lucille Ball.

 See the red hair on that kid in the middle?

They were playing Monopoly.

I'm sure he was cheating. ;-)

6.  The travel website Busbud recently calculated the most Instagrammed spot in every state. Go here to see what made the list where you live. Are you happy with your state's #1? If not what do you think should be the most photographed spot in your state? Have you snapped a photo there? If you live outside the USA answer as it relates to your state, city or province.

Rockbridge

Westby

Cashton

Cashton Amish Barn Raising

a few years ago

Well, that was interesting. Perusing the state selections, it's obvious that we have an obsession with sports in this country. As far as Wisconsin's favorite Instagram spot to photograph, it's not bad, but there are really so many from which to choose. My favorite is SW Wisconsin, although you know that NW Wisconsin, where we live, isn't too shabby either. I'll have to admit that I've never been east to Door County, but I hear that it's beautiful there as well. And of course the north northwest, Lake Superior, etc. is definitely photo worthy. But a sports stadium? What a sad thing that Instagram snappers can't find anything more exciting in other states. ;-)


7. I'm going to try to have something related to gratitude in this spot each week during the month of November. Here's this week's question-

What's something you've learned about yourself this year that you're grateful for?


Hmm. Let's see:  Things I've learned about myself: Arrogance, selfishness, pride. That's for starters. The part that I'm grateful for is that I have a Savior, the Lord of the Universe, who forgives my sin and calls me a sister. If that isn't humbling, I don't know what is. And this can be found in Hebrews, chapters 2 and 3. Just read the entire book. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

 The humble birch at the end of our driveway

We ate dinner out on the porch last night. Is this really November?? I'll take as much of this weather as we can get. It's been fantastic, and I'm so grateful.

***

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The Civil War and Peach Pie

No, they're not beautiful. But they tasted pretty good.

Peach Pie and Apple Pie

A Civil War soldier once wrote to his wife back home, “Soldiering is 99% boredom and 1% sheer Terror.”


So my little story goes like this:

We were expecting company for dinner.
A few minutes before taking 2 pies out of my 425 degree oven, Daughter A calls.
Begin cell phone conversation with her.
Timer goes off. Of course. Must take pies out of oven. Really. MUST.
Grab pot holders.
Try to coax blind, deaf dog away from the front of the stove while holding cell phone against my ear with my shoulder.
I know. You're thinking, 'Why doesn't she just hang up?!' Honestly, it never occurred to me.

 'But it's so comfy here.'

Dog won't move. Pies must come out.
Slowly slide dog out of the way with the side of my foot, pleading with her to please hurry. (She's deaf.)
Dog eventually takes the hint and gets up and walks a few feet to step right into the dog water bowl  tipping it over. A gallon and a half of water has made a small lake on the floor.
Naturally, the dog won't walk in the water. She's only blind and deaf. She's not stupid.
I give my dog a heartfelt apology and pet her.
Pies must come out. Open oven door.
Smoke from spills comes billowing out.
Why did I overfill these pies??
Smoke alarm shrieks. Repeatedly. Repeatedly! Repeatedly!! Repeatedly!!!!
I grab Pie A and get  it out, burning my fingers because my stupid hot pad is too thin.
Why do I keep that thing? Why didn't I grab the good ones that Bonnie made for me?? (Because they're so PRETTY!)
Grab a good hot pad.
I reach for Pie B and get it out. Why are pie plates so slippery?

Cell phone beeps. What?? I'm getting a second call, this one from Daughter B. (Calls from the two of them never ever happen simultaneously, except when my fingers are hurting, there's water all over the floor, and my pies are threatening to burn.)
I ignore the beeping momentarily and tell Daughter A 'Hang on!'
Pies are out on racks, Daughter B has given up (and I'll phone her later)
I'm now skating across the floor with a towel under each foot, trying to mop up the water.
Smoke alarm finally stops. I've got to remember to replace the batteries on those things! I'm convinced that they go off at the slightest emission from my oven, but probably would remain silent if the house were on fire.
Dog wanders around and finally lies down on her bed.
Daughter A hangs up.
Phone Daughter B.
Put pie crust strips into oven.
Sigh.
Life back to normal.
Resume general duties.

When I've got leftover pie crust, I put it on a cookie sheet, sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on it, and bake it for I don't know, maybe 10 minutes at 400 degrees? or is it 425 degrees?

Do you do this? My kids have always loved it.

***

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This post may be linked to one or more of the following: Mop it Up Monday  and Mosaic Monday and Barn Hop and  Get in My Tummy and  Cure for the Common Monday and  Clever Chicks Blog Hop and  The Marketplace  and  and  Market Yourself Monday and  Mix it up Monday and Make it Pretty Monday and Le Chateau des Fleurs and   Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and   Motivate Me Monday and  Making Monday Marvelous and You're Gonna Love it Tuesday and Knick of Time Tuesday and  Creative Showcase and Memories by the Mile and  Tweak it Tuesday and  Coastal Charm Tuesday and  Take a Look Tuesday and  Tasty Tuesday  and Adorned From Above and  Love Bakes Good Cakes and Mom on TimeOut  and Cast Party Wednesday and  We Did it Wednesday  and Whatever Goes Wednesday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Artsy Corner Thursday  and The Girl Creative, Thursday and Be Inspired and Time Travel Thursday and Thrifty Things Friday  and  Friday Fences and  Thursday's Inspiration and  The Self-sufficient Home Acre and  I'm Lovin' it Thursday and Creative Things Thursday and   Mandatory Mooch   and Foodie Friends Friday and Freedom Fridays and From the Farm and   Anything Blue Friday and Junkin' Joe and  Serenity Saturday and Get Schooled Saturday  and Inspiration Friday(ThursNite) and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Photo Friday and Share Your Creativity and   A Favorite Thing Saturday and Sunny Simple Sunday and Sunlit Sunday and  Saturday Nite Special

Misty, Still Life

Afternoon Nap

Here's my sweet Misty, who's somewhere around 14 years old. We brought her home in 2003 from our local animal shelter. Now blind and nearly-totally deaf, she spends most of her day on her bed or lying in the middle of the kitchen floor (if I'm in the kitchen), next to the stove (if I'm cooking something), or on the living room rug (if I'm in the living room).

She needs a good brushing, but acts like she's being punished if I brush her with anything!

When she became blind, she stopped walking down the two steps to the living room. It took her several months to finally get used to the idea that she was blind and to become motivated beyond her fear to find us and navigate those steps. Now she's back to lying nearby, and preferably on a pair of my shoes, or on my stockinged feet.

Her favorite thing:

My shoes

Staying cozy

 In her younger years

winter 2005

At the top of the hill in the alfalfa field (in years past)

She always loved chasing butterflies through the alfalfa

Watching Campion on my Laptop
A Prior Pastime 

It is very sad to watch a dog become blind and deaf.  She seems well, other than the fact that she no longer has any interest in being outdoors. I'm wondering how much longer we will have this sweet dog with us.  She's definitely winding down.

Okay, I realize this isn't a very cheery post. But I'd say Misty is as happy as a blind and deaf dog can be. She doesn't sit around complaining about it. And now I need to go give her her breakfast of grain-free dog food and real chopped chicken. She deserves special treatment.

P.S. If I had known then what I know now, I would have always given her grain-free food. I think it might have prevented this blindness she suffers now. In fact, I think avoiding grains can help avoid a lot of health problems for our pets (and for us.)

***

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This post may be linked to one or more of the following: Mop it Up Monday  and Mosaic Monday and Barn Hop and  Get in My Tummy and  Cure for the Common Monday and  Clever Chicks Blog Hop and  The Marketplace  and  and  Market Yourself Monday and  Mix it up Monday and Make it Pretty Monday and Le Chateau des Fleurs and   Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and   Motivate Me Monday and  Making Monday Marvelous and You're Gonna Love it Tuesday and Knick of Time Tuesday and  Creative Showcase and Memories by the Mile and  Tweak it Tuesday and  Coastal Charm Tuesday and  Take a Look Tuesday and  Tasty Tuesday  and Adorned From Above and  Love Bakes Good Cakes and Mom on TimeOut  and Cast Party Wednesday and  We Did it Wednesday  and Whatever Goes Wednesday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Artsy Corner Thursday  and The Girl Creative, Thursday and Be Inspired and Time Travel Thursday and Thrifty Things Friday  and  Friday Fences and  Thursday's Inspiration and  The Self-sufficient Home Acre and  I'm Lovin' it Thursday and Creative Things Thursday and   Mandatory Mooch   and Foodie Friends Friday and Freedom Fridays and From the Farm and   Anything Blue Friday and Junkin' Joe and  Serenity Saturday and Get Schooled Saturday  and Inspiration Friday(ThursNite) and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Photo Friday and Share Your Creativity and   A Favorite Thing Saturday and Sunny Simple Sunday and Sunlit Sunday and  Saturday Nite Special

Happy Independence Day!

 

Have a happy and safe Fourth, everyone!

We'll be at the fireworks show with our bag of
popcorn and our Twizzlers.

See you next week. 

48-star U.S. flag
1912-1959


 

Misty

Misty, before becoming blind and deaf

(and Kevin)

in our backyard

I'm happy to report that the snowy photo above was taken nine months ago, not this morning. But this white stuff is coming all too soon and I'm not looking forward to it.

My biggest concern here is that in the past few months Misty has become blind and deaf. So what she has left to help her navigate is...her nose. With each fresh snow, will the scent that she uses to find her way be gone? I think so.  

Last night we had a little rain, and this morning when I let the dogs out, I noticed after a few minutes that Misty seemed totally lost, rather than keeping her nose to the ground and finding her way back to the house. I went out and put the lead on her and brought her back to the house. When it's not been raining (or snowing), she spends 30-45 minutes just wandering around the backyard or field, following her nose, off on her own daily adventure.

I think that with each new snow Misty will be taken out on lead. I don't want to lose that sweet dog, and it's sad to see her confused and bump into things.

But quality of life? I think Misty would say it's good. She still spends most of her day at my feet, wherever I am, and feels safe. After all, she is still top dog around here. And somebody's gotta keep 120 pound Bridger in his place.

Misty, snuggled up on her bed.

***

The weather forecast? Today: 60 degrees. Possible snow on Monday. In NW Wisconsin, we have the following seasons: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Seed Catalog, Knitting, Enough-Winter-Already!, Easter, Spring, Garden, Enough-Heat-Already!, Canning.

***

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