Who’s Gabbing and Who’s Gushing

It's so fun to watch kids learn something, isn't it?

The hmmmschoolers were so excited when we got the water faucet in our barn up and running. It meant, on this particular almost 70 degree day, that they had easier access to water for filling up their infamous blue barrel. They hooked up a hose, filled up the barrel halfway and then dumped bubble solution in to pump up the fun ... Read more →

I get one of them everyday. They are like a best friend: kind, helpful, encouraging and never, never judgmental. Reading it on line is part of the Things I get to do today--usually one of the first.

We often look at situations and rate them--on a scale of one to ten, with one being not so good and ten being the best. A recent awareness broke open the lid on this scale for me: ... Read more →

I am really hoping this is not turning into an addiction! Found another garage sale singer. This one might actually work again someday. Serial number dates it to 1919. It came with a plug foot pedal which makes me think it was converted to electric, but the motor is missing. Also its missing the front and bobbin plates.

I like that its a drop in bobbin though! It has an old belt and the gears still turn, needle moves, bobbin moves, feed dogs move. Going to be cleaning it up and seeing what to do from there...it really needs to be cleaned!! ... Read more →

Welcome to Part two of Brian Ogle

If you have not read Part One please click Here. Brian graciously accepted to do the interview and story, and I am very grateful. It is such a busy time of year so I am very happy he took the time to do this. Part One was great now on to Part Two ... Read more →

It often overwhelms

This morning, like so many before and many, many to follow, takes over my senses and emotions. Maybe it has touched the senses a little deeper because I started out by reading in Romans 8 that even when we don't know how to pray the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words ... Read more →

Although I did not take my camera yesterday, I was fortunate to see a hawk just yards from me. It flew out of the field nearly causing me to crash, but stayed long enough to allow me to share the countryside with him/her. I later saw a red-headed wood pecker when I stopped at the bridge and looked over into the creek.

I also saw another red-winged blackbird and more robins. When I got home, I happened to look up in the trees while putting more laundry out on the line ... Read more →

Ashby's posted an ad on FB about the new Elna Lotus sewing machine. The earlier Swiss-made version of the Lotus (circa 1968) is found in the Museum of Modern Art. The early Lotus was designed to be a lightweight travel machine and is becoming increasingly popular with sewers as an alternative to the beloved Singer Featherweight.

Intrigued, I did a little online research on the *new* Lotus. $1200 is the suggested retail for this *travel* machine. Really? Upon closer observation, I discovered the original Lotus holds its value pretty well. Previously loved machines in excellent condition can go for about $600 ... Read more →

It is official! According to my daughter's definition of "farm," I can claim that status. We have 3 chicks: Rosie (named after Rosie's Walk by Pat Hutchins-yes, she loves to stroll), Lucinda (originally named "Lucy" bec/ I thought she'd be the boss, but now she's just a good ol' country girl like you'd find in a Lucinda Williams song), and Oreo (originally named "Piper" bec/ she stands wistfully like a sandpiper at the edge of the ocean but ends up squeezing herself between the other two to create a reverse oreo) ... Read more →

The ducklings had their first swim today ... In the bathtub ... They were hesitant at first then decided What fun!.. Will post more as they grow

... They will be moved to the pond after we graduate them to a "kiddie pool"in a couple weeks ... Read more →

Went to the zoo today and it was awesome! Cameron Park Zoo in Waco. A nice little zoo, medium sized, shady with lovely wide walking paths. Tons of fun kid features. Great weather, sunny and nice this morning. Most of the animals seemed to be up and about ... Read more →

It has been a longish week here in the wilds of Wisconsin. I feel as though I spent the entire week either driving the truck, making phone calls, running around fussing in the garden, or working on the computer into the wee hours. I am looking forward to relaxing this evening, with some pizza, a friend to visit with, and a movie to watch.

Between all that and the AC turned on full blast (it has gotten hot again, and today the house finally heated up...ooof), I am one happy woman. Get me a glass with some ice cubes rattling around in it and call this week D-O-N-E!!! ... Read more →

**note I used frozen in this recipe and of course fresh would have made a prettier display on top***

Cake
1 box Duncan Hines Cake Mix
3 tbsp. plain flour
1 package strawberry Jello ... Read more →

This is a first. The school board failed to pass a budget before the teacher contracts were handed out. I watched 3-1/2 hours of the board meeting last night. They didn't name a new principal to my school, either.

It's a bit unsettling to be expected to sign and return a binding employment contract when you don't know what your salary will be, who your boss will be or what you'll be doing for the next twelve months. Of course the language is written so that the school board holds all the cards and can cancel the contract for any variety of reasons ... Read more →