A Ride In The Country...

Sheboygan County Octagon Barn

 

I took a drive down one of the back roads near home recently, and saw this fabulous farmstead and octagon barn. The barn is huge! It dwarfs the farmhouse, which isn't small. It's incredible.

 

There are so many wonderful things about being back in Wisconsin, especially where we've chosen to live. This area is steeped in history, and there are tidy farms scattered on nearly every road. Every turn reveals another treasure.

Sometimes the best travels involve taking an unfamiliar road. You never know what's around the corner, but it's likely that you'll find something beautiful if you take the time to look. When was the last time you took a drive in the country? Perhaps it's time?

 

Tuesdays With Tag - The Sky Was Falling...

Image via wesswarmdaddyanderson.com

  Hi, Everybody! There's no picture of me today...just this.

Last night, Mom, Dad, Bella and I sat outside to watch stuff fallin' out of the sky. Our neighbors sat outside with their grandson - my pal, Eli - to watch from their point up the hill, too.

Eli saw four of these before we went outside, and then we saw one. It was fast, and gone in a flash, and even though this picture isn't ours, it looked just like this! Mom and Dad both saw it, but I think I was lickin' somethin' and Boo was lookin' for frogs.

We also saw bats flyin' around in the yard! Mom and Dad ducked twice because they were dive-bombin' so close, but I was proud of Mom. She giggled, but she's not afraid of bats. If you had me to protect you, you wouldn't be either! And besides, the bats eat mosquitos, so the mozzies don't eat us! 

The days of summer are seemin' to just fly by as fast as those bats. We're enjoyin' time in the yard with Mom and Dad...and yesterday, I even helped Mom clean out the pottin' shed she's set up in the Compass Barn. It's nice enough to take a nap in there now. (Of course, why would I when I have a comfy bed in the house? I'm not crazy, after all.)

Uncle Mike is visitin' family in Wisconsin this week, so we're gonna see him while he's here (with Mrs. Mike, of course). I'm readin' my instruction manual so I'll be on my best behavior (at least, that's what Mom's hopin' for! hee hee). I'm sure we'll tell you all about it when we see him.

Today, we're gonna be hangin' out in the studio. Mom still hasn't been up there to work on her quilt blocks, but she said she's gonna give it her best shot. We'll see about that!

I'm gonna run. So much to do, and time is so...short. (Okay. No low-rider Corgi jokes!)

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...  

"Chase A Dream - Or A Squirrel".

 

I Thought You'd Like To See...

Mr. and Mrs.

I thought you'd like to see a wedding photo I took of the newlyweds, Cathy and Tony. This is a truly special event. They were actually married for ten years in the 1980s and 90s, and divorced. Reunited, they didn't marry in the ensuing twenty three years...until last weekend.

There was so much love and happiness, not only with the happy couple, but also from family and friends who witnessed the happy event. Newlyweds (again), to spend the rest of their lives together. We just know that this time, their marriage is everlasting.

Then, there was this...

Failed Lemon Basil Jelly

I made the tastiest batch of Sweet Basil "Jelly", infused with lemon juice. I actually made the jelly between the wedding on Saturday, and the reception later that day. I followed the recipe to the letter...including that blasted liquid pectin. Man, I dislike liquid pectin. I should have known better.

As of late Sunday evening, the jelly still hadn't set...including one jar I placed in the refrig, per the suggestion of a fellow canner (on FB). Sooooo, (you know my personality by now, right?) I'm going to re-can this batch today. I'll be following the instructions on the powdered SureJel™ insert, for redoing a jelly that doesn't set.

A few people in the Facebook group said that I could use these jars as is for a marinade, or as a syrup, or some other ideas, but seriously...I made it to be jelly, not a re-purposed failure. I'm just bein' real here. Sometimes, things don't go by the book...even here at our little corner of paradise. Wish me luck this time, okay?