miscellaneous monday

a few whimsical wednesdays ago we recycled holiday greeting cards. this surprise arrived in my mailbox:

solitude sunday

we spend time with a book on solitude sunday. currently the book i am spending time with is "alcatraz #1259" by william g baker.  mr baker's book is an account of his time as a prisoner in alcatraz. one of his "hobbies" is watering the weeds in the exercise yard. one day he came upon his weeds to water and found that they had bloomed.

silly saturday

take a look at the photo in the link and then tell you you didn't laugh out loud!

https://mapsontheweb.zoom-maps.com/post/169847629741/united-kingdom-by-michele-baldini

photo friday

libby designed and created; christmas gift for a friend.

thoughtful thursday

greek proverb:

one minute of patience, ten years of peace.

whimsical wednesday

a guessing game for whimsical wednesday! look around your house.  stop at a drawer, box, closet, any space or container that you haven't peeked into for quite some time.  before looking inside think of what might be inside. were you correct? totally surprised? something you've been looking for and forgot where it was? looked at it and thought, "why did i keep that?"  share the results of your experience with the whimsey project.

i did my looking before posting so i could share my results here.  i looked in 6 containers because i got carried away:
*large box lid: wrapping paper and related items.  i was correct in my guess as to what was inside.
*shoe box: mementos of all sorts. this peek was a huge surprise as i didn't remember at all what was      inside.
*box: cross stitch supplies. this was also a surprise as i didn't remember what was in this box.
*shoe box: envelopes.  i guess this one correctly.
*plastic bag: old calendars and daily planners.  i was half correct in guessing what was in the bag.
*basket: old clothes and stuff that don't belong in a basket such as a baking pan! i wonder why i kept    any of the stuff in this basket. my thought is i put it in the basket to go through for decision making;    keep, donate, discard.  it's time i did!

trivia tuesday

from the @themindcircle:

butterflies can taste with their feet.

miscellaneous monday

for those who like color and/or use color in arts and crafts here's an article for you; a color thesaurus:

http://mentalfloss.com/article/75713/name-every-shade-rainbow-color-thesaurus

solitude sunday

we read books on solitude sunday. today a new book begins, alcatraz #1259 by william g baker. mr baker offers his account of being an inmate at alcatraz. the most intriguing aspect of this book was on page one. the book is inscribed to my friends and signed by the author! that means they actually met the author and i want to know more about that encounter. it will add to what i learn when reading the book!

silly saturday

from funkidjokes.com:

Q: what do snowmen wear on their heads?
A: ice caps!

photo friday

snow day play time!

thoughtful thursday

mingyur rinpoche:

letting go is not giving up.

whimsical wednesday

we are having fun with a christmas card for whimsical wednesday! get out your markers, stickers, glitter and other excitement making art supplies. select a christmas card from the pile that is still hanging around from the holidays. using the art supplies, repurpose the christmas card into another greeting.  it could be a thank you card, a thinking of you card, a birthday card, a silly card! have fun and share your cards with the whimsey project!

my re-purposed christmas card was created using two cards. the outside was embellished with washi tape and a stamped greeting. the inside (through the wreath window) read "merry christmas and happy new year". the words were covered with the front of another christmas card depicting a cardinal. inside, the picture of the cardinal was framed with more washi tape. i had in mind to create a silly card but none of my christmas cards spoke silly to me, thus a friendship card. 

trivia tuesday

from wikipedia:

the coldest recorded temperature was minus 128.6 degrees farenheit. it was recorded by ground measurements at the soviet vostok station in antarctica on july 21, 1983.

miscellaneous monday

an interesting national geographic article about the danish concept of happiness and how it's put into practice.  what do you think?

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/europe/denmark/copenhagen/danish-hygge-coziness-happiest-country/?utm_source=Twtter&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=link_tw20170115travel-cozydenmark&utm_campaign=Content&sf179145508=1

solitude sunday

we read books on solitude sunday.  i am currently reading, "turn left at the trojan horse, a would-be hero's american odyssey" by brad herzog.

brad is in ohio and the chapter just completely discussed the town of pandora.

silly saturday

caption this photo:

photo friday

winter.

thoughtful thursday

arapaho proverb:

if we wonder often, the gift of knowledge will come.

whimsical wednesday

it's national hot tea month! for whimsical wednesday we are celebrating tea! sip a cup but have it differently than you typically do; consider a lemon wedge, cream, sugar, coffee creamer, honey.  or try a new blend.  or make a new blend all your own by combining tea bags of different flavors. if you are of a mind, make a batch of friendship tea and share it with others.  if you don't like hot tea, drink iced tea! sip away...

trivia tuesday

from mental floss:

crows are able to recognize faces.

miscellaneous monday

here's a neat article about books read around the world.  as usual, it's from one of my favorite websites, open culture. enjoy!

http://www.openculture.com/2017/12/the-favorite-literary-work-of-every-country-visualized-on-a-world-map.html

solitude sunday

turn left at the trojan horse: a would-be hero's american odyssey by brad herzog

brad is currently visiting the town in wisconsin where the title of the book originates; home of the trojan horse.

silly saturday

from jokes4us.com:

Q: what did the snowman eat for lunch?
A: an iceburger!

photo friday

look up! it's amazing what you might see!

thoughtful thursday

from goodreads:

sometimes you just need to lay on the couch and read for a couple years.

whimsical wednesday

welcome to the first whimsical wednesday of the year 2018! because it's a new year and because different is good, we are undertaking a new adventure for whimsical wednesday! everyone has a project(s) they want to begin or finish; large projects, small projects, projects languishing in a heap somewhere or the makings of a new project ready to go. to help facilitate these projects, the first whimsical wednesday of every month in 2018 will be dedicated to focusing attention on these projects. devote an hour to your project of choice.  if you can only give the project 15 minutes, that's 15 minutes of progress you haven't previously accomplished. it isn't necessary to declare your project as you might wish to work on several. however, please share your undertakings with the whimsey project so we can all be inspired!

a new year also brings us to year three of recording a daily whimsical moment. if you haven't started your whimsey moment for 2018, please do so on this whimsical wednesday. your moments book can be as simple as notebook paper or as elaborate as a homemade book. i use a pocket calendar that is hardbound and has my name imprinted. i get these from a charity i support. it's just perfect for the daily whimsical moment. throughout the year, as in the last two, we will share some of our moments on miscellaneous monday.

trivia tuesday

from statisticbrain.com:

percentage of americans who usually make new year's resolutions:  41%

percentage of americans who fail to achieve their new year's resolutions:  42.4%

miscellaneous monday

Thoughts of Dog‏ @dog_feelings

i heard. something about. making resolutions. and although i’m perfect. i have a few: 4. more peanut butter b. increase. zoom efficiency 3. improve my sits 1. convince the human. i’m invisible 4. longer snoozles f. sticks 2. more peanut butter 7. further turn up. the love dial

solitude sunday

turn left at the trojan horse: a would-be hero's american odyssey by brad herzog

while discussing his visit to marathon, wisconsin, brad details the history of the modern marathon.

silly saturday

how the multitudes gather here on the farm, truth!

photo friday

winter on the farm.

thoughtful thursday

romanian proverb:

sweep the stairs downward, not up.

whimsical wednesday

it's last chance of 2017 for whimsical wednesday. what did you want to do, finish, experience, create, try, accomplish before the year is complete? do that today for whimsical wednesday; even if only in your imagination! share your whimsical wednesday with the whimsey project!

trivia tuesday

from the new york daily news:

the eight most regifted christmas presents:

1.  candles
2.  gift cards
3.  housewares
4.  clothing
5.  bath items and lotions
6.  fruitcake
7.  gift baskets
8.  alcoholic spirits

miscellaneous monday

merry christmas!

solitude sunday

turn left at the trojan horse: a world-be hero's american odyssey. by brad herzog

brad is in siren, wisconsin, where the pour house cafe resides.  think about that.

silly saturday

from boyslife.org:

Q: who delivers christmas presents to animals?
A: santa paws!

photo friday

farm residents in their coop.

thoughtful thursday

anonymous:

when you are looking at others thinking "how odd", others are looking at you thinking "how odd".

whimsical wednesday

we are playing santa for whimsical wednesday! today is the day we distribute the proceeds from our reverse advent calendar project. you might deliver in person, send a check by mail, make a donation over the internet. i will be delivering my gifts in person. how about you? share your doings with the whimsey project.

trivia tuesday

from mental floss:

hedgehogs got their name from their preferred habitat, the garden hedge, and the pig-like grunt sounds they make.

miscellaneous monday

children writing letters to santa claus is an age old tradition. follow the link to learn historical facts about letters to santa:

http://mentalfloss.com/article/72310/10-historical-facts-about-santa-letters

get ready.....

get ready for whimsical wednesday! we're playing santa!

solitude sunday

turn left at the trojan horse: a would-be hero's american odyssey by brad herzog

the people brad encounters on his journey as well as the experiences he has in very unique environments makes for one interesting read.

silly saturday

from goodreads:

what a book!

photo friday

"polar express" on display at the jefferson county historical village!

thoughtful thursday

buddhist proverb:

change how you see and see how you change.

whimsical wednesday

it's national necktie month. we are celebrating by learning to tie a necktie! here's are links that demonstrates how:

http://www.esquire.com/style/advice/a25665/how-to-tie-a-tie-easy/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAg7z6u4NE8

report your experience to the whimsey project!

trivia tuesday

from merriam-webster:

cachinnate: to laugh loudly or immoderately.

there is laughter that is immoderate? asks one who laughs loudly and, supposedly, immoderately!

miscellaneous monday

this is a neat video! the making of a steinway piano:

http://www.openculture.com/2013/07/the-making-of-a-steinway-grand-piano-from-start-to-finish.html

get ready.....

get out a necktie. that's what we'll need for whimsical wednesday!

solitude sunday

turn left at the trojan horse: a would-be hero's american odyssey by brad herzog

while travelling through north dakota where teddy roosevelt and louie l'amour lived, brad opined that a person must be authentic.

silly saturday

hannah sorrell‏ @hannahkimberlee

13 years ago I ordered an m&m blizzard at Dairy Queen and the lady who took my order screamed “ONE SMALL M&M BLIZZARD!!!” at the top of her lungs then immediately turned around and started making it herself and it’s still the funniest thing that has ever happened to me

7:57 PM - 7 Dec 2017

photo friday

sunset at the farm. photo by windy.

thoughtful thursday

lewis carroll:

i can't go back to yesterday because i was a different person then.

whimsical wednesday

we are coloring our mood for whimsical wednesday. here's a link that describes mood and color:

http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning.html

perhaps you would enjoy marking your mood on a piece of paper with a marker, crayon or colored pencil. perhaps you would enjoy cutting out paper of the color of your mood and creating a collage. perhaps you would enjoy coloring in an adult coloring book using the colors that depict your mood. share your results with the whimsey project!

trivia tuesday

from merriam-webster:

the word "scissors" is called a plurale tantum; a word for a singular item that only has a plural form.  this pertains to the word "pants" as well.  can you think of other words that would be a plurale tantum?

miscellaneous monday

it's december 4th and traditional advent is underway. how are you doing with your reverse advent calendar we began in november? we determined whether to put money in a jar or food in a box each day in november and december then give to the specific charity of our choice. i have remembered to put a dollar in the jar each day.  i even put dollars ahead for the days i was away during thanksgiving weekend! i'm looking forward to sharing my offering with my chosen charity. what about you? share your reverse advent calendar progress!

get ready.....

we are coloring for whimsical wednesday.  so get your paper and coloring instruments ready. further instructions on wednesday...

solitude sunday

turn left at the trojan horse; a would-be hero's american odyssey by brad herzog.

brad is on his way to ithaca, new york from the west coast; washington state to be precise. he's looking for life along the way. an interesting aspect of this journey is how he weaves classical greek mythology into the modern world of what he experiences and observes.  one need not be versed in greek mythology to understand the story he tells.

silly saturday

that'll leave a mark!

photo friday

breakfast!

thoughtful thursday

victor frankl:

when we can no longer change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.

whimsical wednesday

it's stuff making day for whimsical wednesday! what stuff? your stuff! this time of year projects are being made as gifts or decorations for the holiday season. take time to devote effort to at least one of your projects.  i'll be finishing the final component of an art project that i have been trying to finish for months now. i will feel so accomplished when it is complete! how about you? report your efforts to the whimsey project. 

trivia tuesday

it's international giving day.  here's a link about it:

https://www.givingtuesday.org/

miscellaneous monday

saturday, november 25, 2017, was the day family and friends gathered to have the burial service for mom's ashes.  the day was beautiful with such fine weather. after the service we gathered at mom's house for lunch, comprised of many of her favorites on the table such as her cole slaw and potato salad. my sister surprised us with a project she must have spent hours and hours working on. she gave each of us a binder filled with mom's most loved (and famous) cookie recipes. the binder cover has a photo of mom taken in the last year, holding a bouquet of flowers. it is very sweet. inside some of the recipes are in mom's handwriting or has notes she's added. we will still be able to savor mom's cookies if we so choose to bake! it is a treasure we were all thrilled and touched to receive.

get ready.....

tis the season for making lots of stuff.  we'll make stuff for whimsical wednesday.

solitude sunday

a new book today: turn left at the trojan horse by brad herzog. the story is the account of brad traveling across country in an rv and what he experienced along the way.

silly saturday

photo friday

gobble! gobble!

thoughtful thursday

henry david thoreau:

my thanksgiving is perpetual.

whimsical wednesday

we are focusing our attention on preparations for our thanksgiving holiday for whimsical wednesday. whatever you need to be doing, that's what you'll do!

trivia tuesday

from merriam-webster dictionary:

postprandial somnolence is latin for taking a nap after eating.  something many will be doing on thanksgiving!

miscellaneous monday

it's thanksgiving week! november is moving along. since the beginning of the month we have been participating in the reverse advent calendar. we are either putting a non-perishable food item in a box or money in a jar each day for the months of november and december. the collection will be given to the organization(s) of your choice; either divided for thanksgiving and christmas or to one or the other. thus far i have remembered to put a dollar a day in a jar. a simple task but easily overlooked so i am pleased to have done so each day. if you haven't yet started your reverse advent calendar project you can begin today!

get ready.....

get ready for whimsical wednesday! it's thanksgiving eve so we'll take the day to prepare for the holiday!

solitude sunday

zelda la grange's, good morning, mr mandela, continues.  mandela is now 90 years old. our author has gone from a typist in his presidential office to his trusted personal assistant. they have become family through their years together.

silly saturday

just in thyme for thanksgiving dinner!

photo friday

another morgan buddy.

thoughtful thursday

robert frost:

i always entertain great hopes.

whimsical wednesday

we write in our journals in months containing five wednesdays! here we are for november, writing in our journals, for whimsical wednesday. i will be writing in several journals:
*personal journal
*memories notebook in which i record random memories
*farm journal in which i write about what's happening on the farm
*notable notebook in which i record awesome stuff like quotes and neat ideas
*daily whimsical moment notebook in which i record a special moment from each day (not just on whimsical wednesday but every day!)
if you do not currently keep a journal today is a good day to begin. keep a journal about a hobby. start a notable notebook. a memories notebook will be enjoyed for years to come. and, of course, do record a daily whimsical moment. it lifts the spirit. none of these journals need be elaborate.  if you even write a single sentence it's a journal!

trivia tuesday

from mental floss:

on this date in 1886, freidrich soennecken filed for a patent of the hole punch. confetti everyone!

miscellaneous monday

enjoy learning just to know about stuff? open culture offers 94 free lectures on various topics. partake of one or two or several! link:

http://www.openculture.com/2017/11/watch-94-free-lectures-from-the-great-courses-dystopian-fiction-astrophysics-guitar-playing-much-more.html?platform=hootsuite

get ready.....

we'll be writing in our journals for whimsical wednesday. get them gathered so you'll be ready to go!

solitude sunday

zelda la grange's good morning mr mandela continues. zelda discusses mr mandela's warm relationship with britian's queen elizabeth. she recounts how he calls the queen by her first name, elizabeth. when zelda tells him he should address her as befitting her position, mr mandela replies, "why? she calls me nelson!".

silly saturday

from funkidjokes.com:

Q: why was the turkey in jail?
A: fowl play!

photo friday

morgan has many interesting friends.

thoughtful thursday

willie wonka:

so shines a good deed in a weary world.

whimsical wednesday

with colder temperatures, we think of being snuggled up in all manner of blankets. a favorite blanket is a quilt. for whimsical wednesday we are creating a quilt pattern! patchwork design, the original american quilt pattern, is made up of shapes: rectangles, squares, triangles. get out your paper, colored pencils and ruler to create your quilt pattern using these shapes.

trivia tuesday

from mental floss:

a group of pugs is called a grumble.

miscellaneous monday

it's been cooler now that it's november and, for the last week, we have experienced rain. nothing like soup when it's cold and damp outside.  the following link takes you to a recipe for easy cabbage roll soup made in the crockput. even if you don't typically eat cabbage, it's great in soup.  it takes on the flavors of the other ingredients. it also has the texture of noodles so pasta isn't needed.  a great way to cut carbs. 

https://www.simplystacie.net/2014/01/cabbage-roll-soup-recipe/

get ready.....

we're creating for whimsical wednesday. to prepare assemble paper, colored pencils and a ruler.

solitude sunday

a new book to talk about for solitude sunday; zelda la grange's good morning, mr mandela. ms la grange recounts her time in the service of south africa's president, beginning as a senior typist to life long personal assistant.

silly saturday

what?!??

photo friday

high school halloween!

thoughtful thursday

walter lippmann:

when all men think alike, no one thinks very much.

whimsical wednesday

there's a project known as reverse advent calendar. the goal is to put a non-perishable food item in a box each day of advent. just before christmas, the food is given to a food bank or a family or what is most logical for individual participants.

for whimsical wednesday we will begin our reverse advent calendar. it's a month earlier than advent actually begins. that is so we can offer support for thanksgiving as well as christmas if we so choose. today we'll secure a large box for actual food items or a small box, bank or other container for money. you decide which route you wish to take. every day either put a food item in the large box or a predetermined amount of money in the small box. if every day is inconvenient, do it weekly. of course it's always possible to just gather food or cash on one day and offer it to a chosen outlet. however, that defeats the spirit of the reverse advent calendar as the advent calendar is a daily activity.

along with determining the need for a large box or a small box, think of the options you have for donating your offerings.  maybe do a bit of sleuthing to find out what organizations make care packages for the holidays. perhaps you belong to an organization that has holiday outreach and will contribute to your "home" organization. food is a logical offering, however, if you want to do otherwise, there's also need for christmas gifts; toys, books, clothing, etc.

do your thinking and planning about your participation in the reverse advent calendar and report your selection(s) to the whimsey project for whimsical wednesday. at intervals we'll discuss our reverse advent calendar activity progress on miscellaneous monday. i'm looking forward to your participation as well as my own!

trivia tuesday

happy halloween! chocolate is a favorite sweet to give for trick or treat!  mentalfloss.com provides our trivia for trivia tuesday!

chocolate is a vegetable!  chocolate comes from the cacao bean, grown on the cacao tree (theobroma cacao) an evergreen tree of the family malvaceae; that also includes okra and cotton. 

miscellaneous monday

butterflies! here's an article from mother nature network about how to idenify the most common among them. enjoy!

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/photos/how-identify-10-common-butterfly-species/can-you-identify-me

get ready.....

we're preparing for a big project for whimsical wednesday! be on the lookout for a large box or other container.