Lord's Day, March 29, 2020

 Thanks  be to God!

Read Psalm 136

Hi friends,

Aren't we living in a surreal time! We are very blessed to have a large backyard for the kids to play in and are also able to get out for walks when the weather permits.

 A little like a ghost town!

 Somehow I was not eager to buy the 'hand breaded' chicken tenders.

When we do fuel up, we wear nitrile gloves, pump the gas, pay at the pump, throw the gloves away in their bin, and leave. We are very cautious. I can't believe how many people are still mingling with their friends.

 Now We Are Six!

Someone has a birthday today! It was a party of 5: her mom, brother, and Grandpa and I were the party. She was the one who got all the candles.

 Since I didn't have any wrapping paper with me, I hid all the little gifts in the card catalog.

Reading 'The Cat in the Hat' to Gramma's bears, tiger, and German Shepherds.

I don't know how much you're watching the news, but our only news channel is Sky News out of London. The whole coronavirus issue looks pretty grim. I suspect that we'll all be social distancing for a few months yet at least.

The photo I took (above) of Sky News weather:  I'm always trying to figure out the temperature in Farenheit, but Mr. C. found this easy formula for roughly converting Celsius to Farenheit. But roughly is better than struggling and not coming close. Now I can actually have an idea of what's happening around the world temperature wise.  

That reminds me. Remember that the circumference of a circle is Diameter x Pi? and that the diameter of a circle is Circumference /Pi?  Why didn't our teachers tell us it was 3, rather than 3.14.??? I mean, really. How easy is it to figure it with the number 3, and how difficult to try to come up with an exact answer (in your head) with the 3.14!  Good grief. Life is less complicated than we thought!

Our church is holding online live Matins and Compline devotions on M, T, Th, F, and Lenten Vespers services on Wednesday evenings. And they broadcast the Sunday morning worship service on WSAU.com radio at 9 AM. Especially in this time of not being able to attend church, it is wonderful to feel connected for worship.

Home Church
Watching videos from Zion from our living room sofa
minus the sparkles

I hope you are all doing well. I'm hoping to join in the Wednesday Hodgepodge this week. I've always loved being part of that. We'll see if I get there this week.

I'd be very interested in knowing what's happening in your neck of the woods. So far, there's one case of the corona virus in Marathon County, and I think that most people here are practicing social distancing. Our daughter in Madison loves social distancing. She says it suits her just fine. LOL

But not everyone feels that way:

God bless you all.

Stay home.

Join me on Instagram: @cranberrymorning

Bits of Life Wednesday

The high bush cranberries are ripening fast!

Well, another week has flown by and here we are at Wednesday already. Summer is the shortest season of the year, not only because winter is interminable, but also possibly because we have a lot of family birthdays in the summertime. Personally, I'm glad to have a birthday in August, rather than in the dead of winter.

Cactus zinneas. Planted late, and giving me
more than I deserve

My favorite cherry tomato, tasty and prolific!
I think they're 'Red Currant,' but the identification tag
seems to be buried beneath the mulch.
I put about 20 of them in my salad.

FAVORITE PERSONAL SALAD:

Romaine lettuce
Red cabbage
Shredded carrot
Chopped onion (some)
1/2 avocado, cut into chunks
About 20 cherry tomatoes, cut in half
About a dozen green olives, cut in half
About 1/8 c. shelled pistachios, chopped
1 T. EVOO and 1 T. fresh lemon juice

McIntosh apples, the first windfalls

After nearly dying from a very harsh winter a few years ago, our trusty McIntosh apple tree is bearing apples once again. I was sure it was a goner, and there is dead wood that needs to be cut back, but we're getting apples, my favorite kind. I learned from experience to pick up the windfalls each morning to prevent the tree from producing wormy apples (Is it an old wives' tale? Anyway, it works) and that the best apples are a bit later on - better formed and tastier. I might put this picking out on the edge of the hill for the deer to eat. Perhaps it will keep them from eating the apples from the tree itself! Perhaps not. At least it will keep worms and ants away from the tree's drip line.

All hands on deck,
trying to catch the microscopic toad.
I think it was a very quick catch and release.

It was the eight year old grandson's birthday yesterday.
It's fun watching these kids going back to the serving table to get an extra handful of broccoli. :-) Wasn't it President H.W. Bush who hated broccoli?

Over the weekend, we visited their (my daughter, not Prez. Bush) place and had a party. One of the gifts we gave the grandson was a pr of Harry Potter PJs. Unfortunately, they were sized WAY too small. But as I was putting them back into the bag for a return, the little sister popped into view with, 'WAIT! Let ME try!' (I could hear Cinderella's voice in my head just before she tried on the glass slipper). She is normally a size 4. The pajamas were size 8, and even she had to struggle to get into the legs and arms. But once she did, she was thrilled, so I'm going to be ordering another [probably different style] Harry Potter PJs for the birthday boy.

Struggling on tippy toes
to get into the act.

We went to the park just in time to see a white, horse-drawn carriage containing bride, flower girl, and the bride's father, presumably, arrive. I was amazed that the horses willingly walked across the long wood bridge to get to the island where the guests were being serenaded by loud country western music. I shudder to recall. (I have to keep remembering: hate the sin, love the sinner). JUST KIDDING, all you country western fans. :-D But you know it's Rutter for me. ANYWAY, we tried to be as inconspicuous as possible and merely watched from afar and then took a nice walk along the river. There's a great paved path from the park to infinity downtown and beyond. 

 You might mistakenly have thought the bride was the main attraction at this wedding.

Look at those gorgeous work horses!

One of a few fishermen we saw

fishing in the great Wisconsin River

next to the walking trail

Tommy & Smokey

enjoying the screen room

Could they possibly be comfortable?? Looks like a great opportunity for a crick in the neck. But they never listen to advice, persist in their risky behavior, and refuse to see the chiropractor, so what can you do.

***

Neighbor Bill's Barn

August of 2010

(Note Card available in my Etsy Shop,

since it's one of my favorite barns) 

*I think it's next Wednesday that Joyce will be back with Wednesday's Hodgepodge - and not a moment too soon. We're all treading water here, Joyce! ;-)

***

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Have a great Wednesday, friends.

Join me on Instagram: @cranberrymorning

Hodgpodging When I Should Be Packing

Our daughter and her daughter

Happy Birthday to her!


Join Joyce and the Gang
for

1. What pets did you have while growing up? Tell us a little something about them.

I should be packing for our trip (repacking, actually), but had to catch the Hodgepodge!

The two pets, whose memory I cherish the most were Shammar, my Arabian/Welsh horse and Sheri, our Border Collie. I probably spent as much time on the ground next to my horse, after he threw me, than actually riding him, but I loved that horse, and when I rode, we FLEW! He was a beautiful animal and I loved him and spoiled him to death. Sheri was an amazing cattle dog. She could be sent to round up the cows from the pasture and would do it. Sheri was sweet and amazing, and ranks right up there with Bridger.

2. What is one thing you absolutely must accomplish today?

I absolutely must go finish packing my carry-on bag, for we leave for England about noon. Mr. C. and I both travel with just a carry-on each, and believe me, it takes a lot more packing and unpacking when you're trying to limit your stuff to just one bag. It was on my first trip to England that I learned that one doesn't take as much as one can possibly stuff into the bag, but as little as possible that you can get by with (my daughter will hate this sentence, but I'm in a hurry). That bag has to be lugged through the airport, all the train and tube stations, up and down flights of steps, etc. I know. Poor me. I can feel the sympathy. LOL.  We'll be going to London, Canterbury, Dover, York, the Cotswolds, Oxford. Pack four pr. of socks or three? (I wash along the way). Decisions, decisions.

 Same girl, flower girl at her brother's wedding

(in 1992)

3. Where were you ten years ago? What were you doing there?

I was probably celebrating our daughter's (pictured above) birthday. It was also the year of her wedding, her cousin's wedding, our trip to London/Yorkshire with our other daughter and son-in-law, visiting my dad in the nursing home and reading books to him, looking at maps with him (we both love maps), and taking him out to coffee or to our house for the afternoon; canning tomatoes and freezing peppers. Enjoying the company of Bridger and Misty. :-(( Those are the things I can think of that I would have been doing. 

 Rievaulx, just after a downpour

4. September 26th is National Dumpling Day. Did you celebrate? Apple dumpling, xiao long bao (steamed Chinese dumpling), chicken and dumplings, pirogi, matzoh balls, or gnocchi...which dumpling on this list would be your dumpling of choice? Have you ever made homemade dumplings of any kind?

There is nothing positive that I can say about any dumpling. They're doughy, squishy, gooey on the bottom. Definitely the opposite of the crunchy, crispy kind of thing I like.

5. 'There are two kinds of adventurers: those who go truly hoping to find an adventure and those who go secretly hoping they don't.' William Trogdon

So which kind are you?

I LOVE an adventure, as long as I'm certain of the way back home.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Watch for us

***

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but at that time I plan to open with a
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That includes all soaps (Christmas ones too!)  AND photo greeting cards.
Stay tuned.


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Hodgepodging Another Birthday and Autumn

September 4, 2017

Join Joyce and the Gang
for

 She writes the questions;

we write the answers.

Plug them into your own blog post

and join in!

1. When you think about your future what do you fear most? Hope for the most?

At some point, getting our farm ready to sell and moving is the thing I fear AND hope for the most.

2. September is National Chicken Month. How often is chicken on the menu at your house? What's a favorite dish made with chicken? What's something you're a 'chicken' about doing or trying?

Chicken is probably on our dinner menu at least twice a week. I love chicken stirfry, chicken penne pasta, chicken vegetable soup, baked chicken, etc. etc. I can't think of what I'm a chicken about at the moment.

It's starting to look very fallish around here.

I picked the wild catnip for kitty entertainment in the winter

The wonderful McIntosh apples from our persevering old tree

will become apple crisp by tomorrow night.

3. What are three things you don't own but wish you did?

A Tardis-style carry-on bag that totally packed weighs no more than 10 pounds. 2 ounces.

A refrigerator that's six feet wide and 1 foot deep.

A silent snowmobile.

Cute little calves and many calf hutches.

The other calves are off the photos.

4. Would you rather be a jack of all trades or a master of one? Elaborate.  If you answered one, which one?

I tend to be more a jack of all trades and master of none. At this point, I would like to be a master of one, but it reminds me, with a chuckle, of our oldest son who, upon hearing his younger sister play the violin (beautifully, I might add) said,

'I'd do anything to be able to play like that.

Well, anything but practice.' 

5. Ketchup or mustard? On what?

Coarse, dark, and spicy mustard - on a burger or chicken sausage. No yellow French's mustard, please.

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Over the weekend we were at another grandson's birthday. He is now seven years old and just started school yesterday. He's a fun kid, and made sure that I knew the names of his seven Angry Birds before I left to go home.

 7 little angry birds
and I can name them,
but I have no idea what they're angry about

 A sweet and fun grandson

***

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The Hodgepodge That Never ENDS

Birthday hayride, minus passengers

Guess who missed out on getting the photo...

Join Joyce and the Gang

for

She writes the questions;

we write the answers.

Plug them into your own blog and join in!

1. It's hard to believe, but next week's Hodgepodge will find us in the month of September. What's one thing you want, need, or hope to do still before summer officially ends?

Visit Duluth. It's kinda like going to the ocean...for Wisconsinites.

2. When were you last at 'your wit's end'?

That would probably be when knitting that peach colored sweater, which I ripped out and started a couple times. Now it's been so long since I've worked on it that I'll probably have the same problem. I need to set a deadline for myself.

 Diaper Covers

The shadows in the photo reminded me of another photo

which I took in the spring of 2007

in the Yorkshire Dales

You're right - it's moles on a gate!

(Since so many were asking, I wrote an
explanation of the moles in a comment, below)

Wider shot of the same gate 

But WAIT!

 Here's the shepherd who's lost his sheep

and doesn't know where to find them...

(photo by his mama)

...and whose birthday it was on Saturday:

 Party by Mama and Daddy

at Grandma and Grandpa's house

3. Describe a time you were figuratively thrown into 'the deep end'?

I think it was when reading through this week's Hodgepodge questions. No synapses firing.

  First year for this sweet dahlia

4. Does the end always, ever, or never justify the means? Explain.

In many cases, such as sending young people off to war, I'd say that the end rarely justifies the means, plus it usually brings a ton of long-term unintended consequences. Giving my dog a treat to teach her to be happy to come when called definitely justifies the means.

 Visitor to my algae-filled pond

5. What makes your hair stand on end?

Literally, humidity. Figuratively, the movie 'What Lies Beneath.' 

 Lots of green beans already canned

with many more blossoms portending a long canning season

6. I read an article on the website Eat This! Health, that listed 11 foods we can eat to help end bad moods. Basically it's a feed your brain so you're less anxious, grouchy and lethargic. The foods are-mussels, swiss chard, blue potatoes, grass fed beef, dark chocolate, greek yogurt, asparagus, honey, cherry tomatoes, eggs, and coconut. Which of those do you think would most help end your own bad mood? Which do you fear, if forced to eat, would put you into a bad mood?

Definitely not the first three. Beef, maybe, if it's dinner time. Dark chocolate, Greek yogurt (daily), asparagus, cherry tomatoes (daily), and coconut are among my favorites. But they don't act alone. One needs a good movie and dark chocolate or a good book and Greek yogurt for them to be really effective.

Anything, if forced to eat it, would put me into a bad mood. Especially mussels and eggs. Yuk!

 One thing I love about late August

7. What project around your home, office, or life in general feels like there is 'no end in sight'?

Cleaning the basement. And that's simply because there literally IS NO END IN SIGHT.

 Cute little place (and fence and ash tree)

across from the post office in Chetek 
which I visited yesterday to mail a birthday card.
(another August family birthday coming up!)

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

It will be a while before I'm back posting regularly. With the quickly-ripening tomatoes in the garden and the number of them already waiting on the picnic table, I think that tomato canning is in my immediate future.

Also, fall is definitely in the air. When I came into the house yesterday morning after picking tomatoes, little grandson was wearing polar fleece and a hat because it was that cold in the house! But it just seems wrong to turn on the heat in August, and building a fire would quickly cook us out. It's supposed to be in the 80s by Saturday, so I think we're going to get a bit of summer back. I'm already missing it. I'm definitely not ready for Polar Fleece Season.

 ***

This post is also linked to

Theresa's 

GOOD FENCES, 

because

as you may have noticed,

there are a number of fences in the photos above.

And because there are a few critters in this post,
I'm also linking it to Eileen's

SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
 

***

Check out my natural, handcrafted vegan soap!

Buy any 5 or more,

Get 1 FREE

Frosted Apple Spice

Pumpkin Spice

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

HomemadeSoapNSuch

and at

Our ETSY Shop 

Have a great Wednesday, everyone!