Wisconsin Foods

Sad but true, I am giving Wisconsin Foods it's own post. Yummlish!!! My fist night in Barron I met a few friends at Bona Casa for dinner. It's pretty much a diner out in the middle of nowhere and the Chicken Ravioli and Cavatellis are awesome (imagine me singing the word awesome.) I think the last time I ate there was around my high school graduation, my neighbors took me to celebrate. My dad would hate it because they serve their water in little, teeny, tiny plastic cups, but I think that's rubbish.

Lft. to Rt. Darcy, Rodger, Dan, Suzie, Misser, Shelly, Me

The morning I left I made a special trip to the Barron Bakery. I can't even stand how good their donuts are. My favorite, the long john ( I know, funny with the thought of my long history of Johns) but it is the perfect combo of donut with white cake frosting on top. mm,mm good!


My last supper was at the Norske Nook were I ordered Deep fried cheese curds and a plate of Norwegian pancakes with lingonberries and whip cream on top. Good stuff!

I joked that when I went through security they might stop me and accuse me of trying to take an ungodly amount of cheese out of the state. I think I might have jinxed myself because as soon as my cooler went through the x-ray machine they pulled me aside and asked me to, in the future, lay my cheese flat - too funny!!

The Class of 1989

Survived my 20 Year Class Reunion and I have the pictures to prove it!!!

Up above, these were our 2 "happy juice" drinkers. Daria is doing the YMCA dance on her back.






It was so good seeing everyone. I have not kept in contact with many people and the people that I have kept in contact with, well... let's just say they have not been getting a Christmas card either. Keeping in contact is not one of my strong suits.

I felt like everyone looked really good for our age, must be the large consumption of cheese, who knew!! We laughed a lot and ate good food and laughed some more and finally at the very end of the night, a few folks chose to dance. Good food, folks and fun. I am happy I went. Go Bears!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

So I recently was on an American Airlines flight and as I was thumbing through their free magazine I found the article "Fountain of Youth" which caught my eye. Maybe that was because I was heading to my 20th Year Class Reunion (wow!) or maybe because lately I have been feeling as if my body is mad at me and falling apart is how it's going to show me who's boss. Any who, the article really moved me and I thought I might pass on the best parts and record them for myself so when I forget these little gems, I will have somewhere to reference them.

Six senior citizens were asked the same 12 questions: 1) Vocation 2) Avocations 3) Last years itinerary 4) What's next 5) Proudest Moment 6)Toughest Physical/Health hurdle I've faced so far 7) What I've given up 8) What I'll never give up 9) Perfect day 10) Most exhilarating experience 11) Best piece of advice for getting the most out of life 12) Life Philosophy

All answers where great, but the ones that I was most moved by were 11 and 12...

Jean Kendall age 75 Advice - "Never pass up an opportunity to do something new. You regret the things you didn't do, not the things you did."

Ray Bellem age 72 Advice- "You'll increase your workload productivity by about two hours a day by fitting in an hour of exercise - guaranteed! Life Philosophy - "If you keep all moving parts moving and feed yourself the right fuel, the human body can do amazing things.

Herb Fenner age 76 Advice- "Don't search for some mysterious life secret. Just keep going, have an open mind, and focus on the glass half full." Life Philosophy- "Attitude has everything to do with everything - period."

Wuni Ryschkewitsch age 84 Advice- "The older you get, the more you'll need to find something to be truly passionate about, be it music, art, photography, a sport - any activity that turns you on. Find out what it is, and indulge in it to the fullest." Life Philosophy- "Don't get old if you can avoid it. And when your body won't exactly permit this , let your spirit be your guide.

Carl Manus age 78 Advice-"Be happy and kind to everyone. Forgive everyone regardless of what they've done. Do not carry around hate and ill will - it'll only drag you down. Life Philosophy- "Enjoy every moment, and remember that all life is borrowed from God. Thank him regularly, and help others along the way - even if it's only with a kind word.

Creston Shaw age 86 Advice- "Get outside, and keep developing a positive attitude. You're going to need a lot of enthusiasm when you hit my age. Life Philosophy - "There's always a higher hill to climb - that's something you should embrace.

Headbands Project Finished

Crazy as it may sound I have a friend here and her name is Laree! She is moving away in a couple of weeks, so this is a perfect time to blog about her. She is one of those people that can do anything. In the short time I have lived here I have picked her brain about cooking, cleaning, finances, parenting, sewing and the list goes on. I am so sad that she is moving, she will be greatly missed!! She has been willing to go walking with me, which I am really going to miss, and she has had playgroup at her home on Fridays which my LaRee is going to miss. Laree has two children and my LaRee is constantly asking for them. My LaRee actually plays "Emma and Jonathan" with a variety of her toys. I often enter the room to hear her saying to her girl and boy magnets, "come on Emma and Jonathan, love you Emma and Jonathan."

Recently we got together to work on a few projects and here is a picture of the final product of one of them: Headbands! They turned out super cute and they actually minimize the craziness of LaRee's wild hair. Note: Emma has the best smile and expressions but by the time we took the picture, she was kind of over it all.Back to Big Laree (that's how great she is, she totally said I could call her that) thank you for teaching me the following 1) being a mom is good stuff 2) walk at any length or pace, just walk! 3) sweet and sour chicken need to be on my list of recipes to cook on a regular basis and 4) you don't have to be any good to sing, just sing!LaRee and Tina (picture taken at Laree's birthday party)
Many blessings in whatever comes your way Ms. Laree and family.

Got Milk?

SOME TIMES I FEEL LIKE THE PAPARAZZI CATCHING A STAR ON THE RUN.


THIS IS ABOUT AS BIG AS HAIR GETS. LAREE GOT A HOLD OF MY ROUND BRUSH AND USED IT ON HERSELF BEFORE STARTING TO STYLE DADDIES HAIR. HE IS SUCH A GOOD SPORT!! IT IS WELL WORTH THE TIME TO CLICK ON THE HAIR PICTURE TO SEE IT AS A FULL SCREEN PHOTO. HEE HEE

High School Graduation

20 Years ago today I was going through the whole commencement ceremony for my high school graduation. Crazy how time stops for no one. I am getting ready to go back for my 20 year reunion so I have been doing a lot of pondering and reminiscing... well, maybe not a whole lot of reminiscing due to the fact that my memories are limited. I hope that is not a sign of what's to come or that high school was so awful that I have suppressed my memories of it and that they are soon to be released in full force. Angie Lammers, my grade school buddy.
Shelly Berns, my middle school locker buddy
My Parents, Alma and Verlyn.
All of the students from my homeroom. Apparently this picture was taken before us girls realized we could make the boys be the ones that knelt. Now I would totally be the one saying,"No thanks, we'll stand, you can kneel."

Really the only 3 things that I remember from this day are 1) that Darcy J. and Ivan R. sang our class song "Forever Friends" by Micheal Smith which I have always felt was a touching and moving song. 2) We did have a prayer which I was grateful for and I could not understand how that could offend anyone 3) I felt like this was the day that was the start of some thing very big. Funny, huh?! Well, if big translates into full, then I guess I was right. I feel like I have lived a very fulfilling life. I have so many happy memories. I feel like every where my feet have taken me, that amazing people have been there to greet me. I am not sure why I don't have a picture of me with my Friend Missy Prine so I HAVE TO INCLUDE the following. Here is a laugh and a half for you, FREE! You're Welcome :) Missy Berg, Missy Prine and Nancy E. - GO BEARS!!!!!

Dinner Idea

Soooo, I recently helped in the kitchen at a wedding reception and as I helped prepare the food I kept thinking, "this would make a really great dinner" so in order not to forget, here is the menu:

Veggie Trays with fancy ranch dressing (not the kind that one would buy in bulk at Costco)
Cherry Tomatos
Celery Sticks
Green string beans
Carrot Sticks
Red and Yellow Peppers
Mushrooms
Cauliflower
Broccoli

Guacamole and Seven Layer Dip w/ Tortilla Chips
Anti pasta Salad

I am much happier grazing then sitting down to a meal although, sitting down to a meal has its place too. I have to say that it saddens me to realize that I have turned into one of the "Ladies" that helps in the kitchen. Some times I really miss being a kid!