The Super Huge Luge Hodgepodge

My favorite red barn in the area
mostly because of that stone foundation
NW of Rice Lake, WI 

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1. February can be a little bit tricky given the weather and the winter and the whatnot. I read a list (here) of things you can do to make your February brighter which included-start planning your next trip, take more baths, make your own chocolate covered strawberries, and exercise in preparation for swimsuit season. Anything on the list you might try? Which suggestion on the list appeals to you most? Tell us something not on the list that helps make your February brighter. 

Planning a next trip is always a great idea - even if you don't actually take it. I love planning - researching, checking airfare and comparing accommodations, looking at maps, etc. It's all fun. Taking more baths is not a fun thing in this climate if you heat with wood, because the bathtub is upstairs in the cold part of the house. If I made chocolate covered strawberries, I would eat them all. I don't intend to get into a bathing suit at any time in the near or far future, but reading and discussing books, making soap, Instagramming, watching 'Escape to The Country' on Netflix or a British mystery on Amazon or Acorn, all are pleasant ways to move February along.

2. Tell us about something you've seen or done recently that you'd say was 'super'?

I try not to do super things. I can't risk giving away my true identity. But I've read some super books, seen some super sunrises, watched some super-cute kitties, tended a super fire, eaten some super soups, and watched a super movie: The Greatest Showman.

So after watching the movie, Mr. C. asked me what I liked about it. Was it the acting? the dancing? the story?  I told him it was just about everything. All of those things, and most of all, it struck me that it was a picture of the Kingdom of God. 

All of those people who were societal outcasts, brokenhearted, poor, neglected, found a new home, a home that was not judgmental, where they had work, where they could find love and fulfillment and happiness.

Okay, bear with me. Here are a few verses from Scripture that show what the Kingdom of God looks like (and is coming to look like) 

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb...

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

He is near to the brokenhearted, saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Come unto me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

...anyone who comes to me I will never drive away.

Don't blame God if this is not what you see when you think of the word Christian. Because this IS what Christianity is all about. 

'God didn't send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be rescued.'

Note: For an explanation of the Kingdom of God on Earth as in Heaven, check out 'Surprised by Hope' by N.T. Wright.

***

Oh. And if anyone wants to comment that Hugh Jackman is the most incredible actor, singer, and dancer, feel free! :-)

3. Best thing you ate in a 'bowl' last week?

Soup. Homemade chicken vegetable soup and it was delicious! Popcorn made by Mr. C., the king of popcorn makers. GF pretzels from Aldi. They're the best. And I put them in a small bowl just so I don't eat the whole bag. They're not only good, but they have that amazing, irresistible crunch - the kind that brings intense crunch satisfaction but doesn't break a tooth.

4. Something you're 'cheering' for right now?

I am cheering for spring, kind of, a bit cynically, I must admit. While other people think of March as spring (because the calendar tells us so, right?), those of us in northern Wisconsin know better. My daffodils don't appear until May, so that gives you an idea of how long winter is up here. I guess we've survived every other year, so we will probably survive this one too, although it's been an unusually cold winter. Pretty, but cold. And I definitely have appreciated all the sunshine (cold sunshine) that we had throughout January and now this month too. Once it warms up and the snow begins to melt, then we'll have cloudy skies. I am not a fan of cloudy skies or wind.

I AM cheering for the Full Moon Walk with Carla and her family. It probably won't happen until May, but maybe if we have an unusually warm April. She sent me a Susan Branch bookmark with the dates of the full moon for 2018. It is so much fun and something to look forward to! Thank you Carla! :-) xo

5. The Winter Olympics begin Friday, February 9th in Pyeong Chang, South Korea. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being all in and 1 being no interest whatsoever) how interested are you in the games? Which event do you most want to see (you'll find a list here).

I'm glad you brought that to my attention, for I don't watch TV and wouldn't probably have known about it otherwise. Yes, I love to watch the Winter Olympics (something to cheer for), but only the Alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, luge, and bobsled. They're the ones that would make me tune in. Unless Acorn puts up another season of Vera. Because Vera trumps everything else. Almost.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Now this is a picture of optimism! We're sitting here in a landscape covered in deep snow, the temperatures have been below zero F. each morning, and this is evidently what keeps the owner of this boat sane through the long winter - the thought of getting out onto one of Wisconsin's 15,000 lakes beginning in May. 

Smokey refuses to act ladylike.

Sunrise, February 4

Selfie (yes, believe it or not) for Instagram

Tommy and Smokey

Another good book (this one's short)

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Judy

Wisconsin Barns and Good Fences

Barn just down the road

Good morning, everyone! It's Thursday, and time for more Wisconsin barns and good fences.

That country road near our house that I showed you on Monday

The same road in October. A color scheme I much prefer.

Photo taken from the car, about a mile from our house.
It's another view I love. I'm so grateful for rolling hills.

The neighbor's horses in winter

The horses look cold, don't they!

'Moo...Help!'

 From the Archives
Cows head to higher ground after an autumn rain

 floods part of their pasture on a nearby farm.

October, 2014

Linking to: Theresa's Good Fences
and Eileen's Saturday's Critters

and Tom's The Barn Collective

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From the rolling [currently white] hills of Wisconsin,

Music and Memories

You can listen to sample tracks at Amazon

I've listened to Tingstad & Rumbel Christmas music for years. I love it. Right now it's what's playing on Spotify. With all the snow we've had, it is the perfect music for today.

Earlier today, when I took the dogs out at 6:15 AM (yes, because they still think it's 7:15 AM), I was thinking how thankful I am to have warm clothes to wear in our long winter months.

When I was a kid (get ready for this), we had black boots with metal buckles. We wore our shoes inside our boots and had to put plastic bread bags on our shod feet before sliding them into the boots. If we didn't do that, the boots would be really tough to get on and off. Also, we had wool mittens. They kept our hands warm until we got snow on them. We ended up with cold, red, nearly-frozen fingers, and when we went into the house, we'd hang the soaked mittens above the oil burner to dry. I still remember the smell of that wet wool as it got hot from the stove. Hm. I suppose that's what wet sheep smell like.

And you thought I had forgotten about him.

He's the 'real' Muker.

I don't remember ever feeling really warm outdoors (in the winter) when I was a kid, but we still played outdoors a lot. Built forts, went skating, etc.

Winter Uniform

I know I've posted this photo before, but thought I'd bring it back for a rerun on this cold, pre-winter day.

1. Wolverine hikers

2. Down-filled coat

3. Down-filled hood

4. Thick polar fleece hat

5. Ear Muffs (to wear over the hat)

6. Gloves

7. My cute little flip phone that's been replaced by a smartphone

8. Cuddle Duds long johns

9. Wigwam Merino Wool Sox

10. Denim jeans

Fill it and they will come.

First guest at the feeder.

View from the deck today
It's not going anywhere.

So here I am, feeling rather melancholy on this cold day, but I know it's mostly the Tingstad & Rumbel Effect.

Back to winter memories, do you have any childhood winter memories that come to mind? 

***

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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:  Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and    Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above  and Artsy Corner Thursday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Saturday's Critters

Winter 2014, Will it Never End

On my phone this morning.

Remember the movie, Groundhog Day?
Well, it's a lot like that, except way colder
and not funny.

Any thoughts on winter where you live?

I'd like to think I'm not the only one whining about this.

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Winter Wonderland Arrived December 3-4

 Cranberry Bush Outside Our Office Window

Fence surrounding the base of the cranberry bush
Keeping bunnies away, hopefully

The weather has spent yesterday and today turning our neighborhood into a winter wonderland. It's beautiful! And that may be the only nice thing I say about Wisconsin's winter. And technically, it's still autumn. 

 Backyard December 4, 2013

Frosty Fences

I seem mostly motivated to hibernate, set up the Christmas tree, and listen to Christmas music. John Rutter - Christmas Day in the Morning, Christmas With the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Field, and Jessye Norman's Christmastide are currently on the CD disc changer. Three of my favorites. I have a lot of Christmas favorites.

I was going to clone out what's left of our little McIntosh apple tree, but decided to leave it in the photo. The deer enjoyed it. They left only a few 6" stubs of branches above the top of the 'protective' corrugated pipe. And still I was rooting for them to make it unscathed through hunting season?!

 Newly-acquired Christmas tree,

waiting to be decorated

 Winter Wonderland Reflections

From the Back Door

View from the Deck

December 4, 2013

The Snow Eater

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This post is linked to From the Farm and Rurality Blog Hop and Friday Fences and Freedom Fridays and Memories by the Mile and Junkin' Joe  and Weekly Top Shot  and  Vee's Notecard Party and  Weekend Reflections

Ignorance and Want

I plan to be back to your blogs next week. For now, I'm including the following, a post I wrote in early 2010. I hope you all have a great week!...

 Ignorance and Want

In northwest Wisconsin when it's 15 degrees below zero, we become fascinated by things like fire, woodpiles, and watching the outdoor thermometer. Fire is one of those paradoxical things - it's comforting and terrifying. Comforting when it's contained and terrifying when it's not. The photo above is of the fire contained within our wood-burning stove in the living room. The reflection of my robe as I'm taking the fire reminds me of Dickens' Christmas Carol where, under the robe of the Spirit of Christmas Present, are revealed the two dirty and neglected children, Ignorance and Want. Doesn't that look like a head inside the stove? But of course it's just a hunk of oak. Actually, I cropped the photo, leaving out the piece lying horizontally in front - that looked enough like an arm to creep out the faint of heart.

And here is the lovely, much-appreciated wood pile, especially enjoyed by me because I'm not the one who has to go out to the woods and chop down the tree or cut and split the wood. I only have to sweep up the wood chips now and then, and keep the fire going - not too difficult when all I have to do is open the door of the stove occasionally and throw in another stick of wood. I love having a wood-burning stove - which, unless the fire's out, guarantees that there's at least one spot in the house that's warm.

It's time to take the dogs out for their last potty break of the day.

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