Don't Be a Turkey, Hindi 'll Be Needed

Natureman has long time acquaintances from living in this area for over 30 years. That's a lot of history. One such friend who actually helped  build the porch on the old house, has a yearly pre-Thanksgiving potluck. Even though the invite has always been extended, I've never been able to go.  

Sunday was time again for the November get-together and this time I was in town and could attend. But this year was different as it was to be a Soup and Sandwich potluck as a sendoff to wish Larkin, their daughter well in her new job.  Larkin, a Spanish major who couldn't find an job opening in Central/ South America is finding herself packing bags for the other side of the world. 

One of Larkin's Aunts  and  Grandma

Some 30 folks, extended family and friends, not only enjoyed  amazing soups, numerous breads, cheeses and desserts but also heard first hand about Larkin's charge in helping start up an International School in Ahmabadad, India.  WOW. Very exciting indeed.

Larkin is no stranger to travel and most recently taught in Korea but has also spent time in Argentina besides other travels. This job endeavor is a lot further away. So wishes flowed of Som theek se rahana  (to stay well) from Aunts, Uncles and Grandma...

Mother Rita with Larken's sister Bri

Parents Rita and Mike and sister Bri also send Larkin off with wishes for her to Apna Dhyan Rakhna (take care)  and Thik Se Rahana Vahan (Stay Well There).

*Hey Bri will be an only child now... She hadn't thought of that before.

Larkin, Mom and Friend encouraging penpal program with her
third graders

Family friends also also added their warmest wishes and requests jate hi chitti likhana (as soon as you get there, write.) Of course, I encouraged Larkin to have a blog with a lot of pictures. I, like many others, will never have that type of opportunity. There's nothing more exciting than being a voyeur into a world traveler becoming immersed in another culture.  
                    Enjoy this lifetime adventure Larkin...
              We all wish you  - Shubh Yatra (Bon Voyage)!

If I Say Thin Mint, You say...

Hannah's cup cake tray is polished off...

It's been a long time since my kids were in scouts but this past Saturday I was able to be present at a Girl Scout function where cupcakes, not cookies, were the program. Well to be honest those Girl Scout cookie flavors were to be replicated in the cupcake recipes...  My little friend Hannah's troop participated in this fundraiser for the Galesville-Ettrick-Trempealeau Girl Scout Cupcake Challenge.

The entrants paid a $5 entrant fee and the cup cakes sold for $1 a piece in addition to the girls's puzzle art work being auctioned off with all monies going to the Scholarship Fund.

The sale/ competition took place at the Trempealeau Elementary Craft Fair where 30 vendors and crafters had booths. 

In the cafeteria area besides lunch and snacks for sale, 14 different cookie flavored cupcakes were judged on appearance, creativity, taste, Girl Scout cookiness (flavor) and texture by 3 judges. 

Each entrant made a dozen cupcakes withdrawing one for the judges and the remainder were for sale. 

Pretty, right?

No store bought mixes nor frostings could be used.  Girl Scouts could work with another scout and entrants under 12 could have adult supervision.


One winner's Mom shared her daughter's experience recounting the Mom's reminder  to check on the baking cup cakes and her daughter saying she 'knew.' You parents know that response, right? Well, that first batch burnt so the scout was up with her partner until one in the morning baking another batch. 
A valuable baking lesson learned I'd say.

The 3 categories were : Amateur, Professional and Girl Scout.

Hand drawn plates were awarded to the winners in addition to porcelain cup cake piggy banks for all the participants. 

The best part of this endeavor is that the girls earned almost $450.00 towards the scholarship. 
                   Now that's really sweet, don't you think?
  

FOTO FRIDAY: A SMILE GOES A LONG WAY

FOTO FRIDAY: I just happened to catch Romeo slinking by the front of the house with something in his mouth.

Oh no, what now?



I opened the door and called out, "Hey Romeo, what 'cha got there?" He dropped it and stepped back. "Wait," I added, "I'll be right back." You see one could have been grossed out by Romeo's treasure but the animal's expression made me want to get my my camera. Natureman had mentioned Romeo going after something on a walk. He must have gone back. Sorry Mr. Groundhog for your demise.

But thanks for reminding me a smile goes a long way for making a terrible situation better. 

Share one of your favorite smiles and I'll add it in on this post. 
Wishing all a good weekend from End of the Rainbow Valley...

Did you see last week's? EVERYTHING'S POLITICAL

A Three Kleenex Day... Thanks to a SAINT, not Walker

Tuesday was a 3 Kleenex day and it wasn't due to the elections. I think, most of the nation and I felt defeated before people even voted...  

Everyone and I mean everyone was sick and tired of the ads and the exorbitant amount of monies being wasted in this campaign. Monies that could have gone to aid the public good, not feed the coffers of those who don't need it.

 The parking lot scene at our poll place was bleak with only my car there to vote at 7:30am. I was hoping for a line. When the pollster told me I was 21, I smiled as 21 was not only a good age but also close to my voting numbers in previous elections when I voted 'much' later in the day. In fact, by the time Natureman voted about three hours later he was # 90. Keep in mind our community only has 300 residents. Maybe folks would come out and vote this time in society's best interest...

Alas the country went Red and we all will see the results of what will happen to healthcare, immigration, education, taxation, pensions, the environment, wars, job growth, economy, etc... that were already in a downward spiral due to partisan roadblocks.

Natureman and I decided to 'escape' all this after we voted Tuesday by going to where else but the movies. There we found something unusual, a film with heart. It's a story about relationships. It's called "St. Vincent" starring Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy.

It's a good story about Vets, single moms, salaries, health care, bullying, immigration, parochial schooling, urban living, vices, morals and the good within all of us... You know, everything for which we were all supposed to consider when voting. 

The addage about not judging a book by its cover is finely depicted by these characters. One just can't tell by looking   what people's stories are. 

You need to treat yourself to seeing this flick. We laughed a lot and yep you just may want to have a kleenex or two handy... I needed three. I got it out of my system before the election results came in. As Tiny Tim would say, "G-d, bless us all."

Here's the trailer link. Bill Murray, we've missed you!
St Vincent

Losing One's Virginity...

I was a Mom who loved decorating for all the holidays especially Halloween. Some of my favorite memories are the kids dressing up and our annual Halloween party for families where there was bobbing for apples, theme food and of course, a pumpkin decorating contest with prizes for all.  So, it came as a great surprise to me when we received an invite to a Halloween Party this year and Natureman revealed to me he had never ever been to a Halloween party. Oh my... a Halloween virgin right here in the End of the Rainbow Valley!

Well, let me tell you, we got invited to celebrate with a household that goes whole hog for this holiday so much so that Natureman has been forever spoiled. Our hostess, spends all year with her girlfriend and co-hostess creating new decorations.  They truly outdid themselves. 

Skinny 

Greeting us as we drove up was Skinny sitting in his convertible. And he had a lot of interesting friends in all states on the property both outside and inside the transformed tobacco shed.

Uh oh another riding mower fatality

Tikki lights lit the path back to the graveyard where some of Skinny's buds were being rowdy.  

The fallow garden beds were now truly
a graveyard this all hallows eve...

Inside the shed that usually houses atvs, jet skis, boats,  etc... the converted party place was aglow with strings of twinkle lights illuminating the festive decorated large space in addition to the  the 40 some 'odd' costumed guests. Some alive, some not.

"Eegads," said the guy in front, "competition."

                  Yep, those are nesting boxes filled with skulls.

Numerous scenarios had different themes...

 pet area


                                                                                  
      

the laboratory

 the doll hangout  



                             

                                         
the Diva parlor 

and so much I can't remember ... You get the picture, these hosts put in a lot of effort.

There was even a zombie bartender at the wooden bar under which the Wicked Witch's legs protruded... 

One of the more popular congregation spots along with the keg, was the X-rated  Dahmer's Deli.
             You do remember Jeffrey Dahmer, right?

Did you know he lived in Wisconsin?
Yep, one of our state's claim to fame.

WARNING:Caution reading the food labels. 

Yeah, it was quite an evening and I haven't even mentioned all the clever costumes especially our host with his tool belt of anything a woman might need. 

 

The man thought of everything and I mean "everything."

 The one thing I personally didn't take into account was how I was going to go to the bathroom. I was so layered I don't think even the First Responder could have extricated me from my outfit. And once I saw the port o' potty, I knew there was no way.   Good thing we live only live a couple miles down the road. 

Wait, did the guys miss or were they aiming for the snakes?

Natureman had a good indoctrination to the adult version of Halloween. No matter what, you have to have a good sense of humor during Halloween and if Natureman had to lose his virginity, this was the right place to do it. 

                       How could one not leave in good 'spirits'? 

 

Boom, Boom You're Dead

I totally forgot with Halloween and all that 'tis the season. Hunting season that is. And I  don't mean deer quite yet although Arkansas had muzzle-hunting deer and friend Troy also had been razorback hunting. (BTW He shot a big one and brought home the bacon with some 4ft hunk of a pig.) 

Anyhow, Sunday late am Natureman and I decided it would be wise to get outside while the temps were mild and the sun was out.  We ventured to Goose Island for a walk and some exercise. I had sighted a flock of pelicans which were still hanging around as were thousands of ducks feeding in the backwaters of the upper Mississippi wildlife refuge area. 

BUT it had slipped my mind that the peaceful woodlands walk wouldn't be so peaceful. In the not so far off distance there was the sound of gunfire. Multiples shots echoing through the woods we walked. They sounded way too close. 

One gets a feeling of what gunfire must sound like in the inner city echoing through a neighborhood. Very disturbing. BUT the difference is the refuge is a NO hunting zone and there are multiple signs posted shoreline and along the trails. 

I am really glad the ducks can obviously read and know where the hunters are not welcome to hunt.  I feel sorry for those who venture off and land just beyond its protection...

Natureman informed me that the majority of these ducks were canvasbacks. And I thought that was just a clothing brand :). I have a lot to learn about ducks but I did recognize coots too.

As we arrived at the park island's far end parking lots, there were some 50 trucks parked with empty boat trailers. What a sight! No wonder there was so much gunfire. Their owners already out on the water looking for secluded hunting areas.

It was at the boat ramp where I met Lucy who bounded from her owner's vehicle towards their boat. You see Lucy is a four legged canine. 
She came to an abrupt stop at the shoreline panting heavily until her owner gave her the go ahead to get into boat. She paced inside the boat until her owner put on his waders and joined her in the launch. You see Lucy, now 2 1/2  years old, has been going duck hunting since she was 7 months old.

Her owner added she anxiously awaits these hunting outings all week long.  She obviously loves this as much as her master as he joined her on board and off they went to spend the afternoon keeping each other company hunting until they got their duck limit... 

OK, secretly I hope they got skunked. Hey, the beautiful ducks are just stopping to refuel as they head South for warmer weather.  You see, I don't blame them. They are smarter than me for staying here in Wisconsin in the End of the Rainbow Valley in the winter... Wink, wink. 

Empty Bowls

Now celebrating its 8th year, Viroqua once again hosted the Empty Bowls Project, a fundraiser to fight poverty and world hunger. The event was held in the  the Viroqua High School cafeteria.

Devorah Yahn, local potter/artist, not only started the yearly event but also  coordinates the collection of donated bowls from area, regional and national potters. 

A $25 donation purchased a bowl and 2 samplings of any of the16 soups accompanied by a buttered bread slice and drink choices. ($5 extra for each extra soup sampling) One specified if their monetary donation stays local, goes international/ designates a specific charity. 

500+ people supported this year's event during the 3 hour time time frame purchasing some 300+ bowls.  

After the difficult task of selecting and purchasing one's bowl, a rinsing station was nearby. Terrific idea considering the numerous admirers touching the donated bowls.

The 30 gallons of 16 soup varieties were donated by area restaurants, local chefs, organizations and high schools as was the bread and drinks. 

Jane Siemon lead the kitchen/ soup part of the event.    

The high school's cafeteria serving line worked perfectly for one's soup and bread choices.

A separate table held the beverages. 

Remember we are in Organic Valley country so a lot of good local ingredients made up this soup  dinner... 

Without the generosity of many this community event could not happen.

Some 60 volunteers were coordinated by friend Denise Buckbee who  also is club sponsor for her high school's Diversity Club. They not only volunteered but also made bowls to support their school's food pantry. A first time for many to use clay, they raised $500. 

Diversity Club selling  their  clay pots...

 Club members trying out soups during  break 

Ms. Buckbee stated, "Their school food pantry sends home weekend snacks and bags of groceries for the kids and provides larger meals for the holiday seasons.  Our school is at a 60% poverty rate- that is the amount of kids who are on free or reduced lunch. Along with a few other teachers we were given a reduction in our student loans because we work/serve in a high need community/school district. Poverty is real and local."

A special thanks was posted in recognition at Empty Bowls to special farmers who've donated produce for Second Harvest during 2011-2014: Ridgeland Harvest, Driftless Organics, EZ Farming, Harvest Moon Farms, Keewaydin, Turkey Ridge Orchard and Small Family Farm. Besides donating, many allow gleaning after they finish harvesting. How terrific for local farmers to share their bounty!

My lovely bowl made by one of my past Viterbo student's mom 

The Empty Bowl Project garnered approximately $8600 with $2600 going internationally and 
$6000 locally. 

Any community could 
benefit from this project, couldn't yours?

Thanks to all who donated their time and talents. It takes a village to feed those who do not have enough. May we always work towards eradicating poverty and hunger... We are supposed to be the richest country in the world. 

 * Hunger facts:
-50 million Americans face hunger issues (1 / 65 citizens)
-1 in 5 children in Wisconsin live in poverty (below 2,000/month for a family of 4)
-36% of those served in SW Wisconsin by Second Harvest are below 18 yrs of age
- In 2011 81.3%  of female single head of household families in Vernon County lived at/below the poverty level.(19,970 for a family of 3)

*Health facts:
As a result of the combination of not having enough food nor the access to nutritional foods served by Second Harvest in SW WI:
-36% of households has at least one person with diabetes
-53 % report at least one person with  high blood pressure
-46% report their health status as poor/ fair.