All posts by susanmanzke

Enjoying the season

September 18, 2019creativity, Farming, photography, Wisconsinsusanmanzke

Too much rain has put a damper on the best of days. Water and mud block our farm lane. Yet I am enjoying today’s warm, windy weather–I’m trying to take it all in, even the humidity, and keep it in my heart. That way I can bring it out mid-January and remember.

Last evening I raced outside with my cell phone to take a photo of the sunset. It was another day I’ll set in my heart.

As I was enjoying the sun setting over the cornfield, I saw another view of the sky.

I stepped down into the ditch and used the tops of the corn to frame the evening sky colors.

Hope you enjoy my view.

Grandpa’s truck

September 17, 2019Bob, Family, Farming, Odds and endssusanmanzke

A while back I saw our son, Russ, taking his son to look at Grandpa Bob’s old farm truck.

I couldn’t figure out what they were doing. It wasn’t until later that I found out that Russ was giving Harrison an education.

Russ was showing the hand crank in the truck door that worked the window.

It was something Grandpa had that none of their cars had. The crank was very interesting to Harrison.

I wonder what else we have around that would be considered ancient. I think that in the attic there’s a dial telephone that was attached to the wall by a cord. How in the world did we call on that phone without buttons?

Making Grandma Jo’s Paczki

September 15, 2019foodRecipesusanmanzke

I had the urge to make my Polish grandma’s paczki today. It was handed down to my mother and then to me.

I started by making basic bread: 11 oz. milk (1/4 cup + 2 TB) milk, 2 TB butter, 3 1/3 cup flour, 2 TB sugar, 1 1/4 tsp salt, and 2 tsp yeast. Make bread as usual. Before second rise roll out and cut into rectangles. Punch a hole in the center and pull dough through the hole to make a kind of necktie.

Let rise. After about 20 minutes fry in small batches in canola oil. You’ll need to watch and flip over Paczki.

after bottom turns golden flip over to fry second side

Drain on a paper towel and cool before dipping in sugar.

Enjoy.
I froze most as Bob and I can’t (shouldn’t) eat too many. Will share later.

Bria Bella & Co. Fashion show

September 14, 2019Family, Odds and ends, Wisconsinsusanmanzke

Our daughter Rebecca and I took a ride today to Stevens Point for a fashion show at Bria Bella, our daughter-in-law Tara’s boutique.

The show was delayed from the original July date when a terrible storm hit, and damaged the area. Today we had lovely weather. Not a storm in sight.

Before the show, I got to visit with grandson, Ethan. He was taking some time away from his freshman studies at UWSP and helping out on this special day at the shop.

The finale of the fashion show–Tara is center stage

Watching the guest models show off clothes from Bria Bella was a lot of fun. I’m so happy to be able to have made the trip to Point. Thanks Rebecca for driving.

FYI: Bob stayed home today deciding he wasn’t up to too much walking, or hanging out in a woman’s fashion boutique. It really was a ladies day out for Rebecca and me.

One windy day

September 13, 2019Bob, nature, Wisconsinsusanmanzke

To get to our usual critter cam location we’d need a boat. Because of all the rain we’ve had we relocated the camera. As Bob switched the cards today a wind blew one out of his hand. He was worried it had flown into the water-filled ditch. Luckily I found high on the bank close to the tree.

We almost lost this photo and hundreds more. So happy we found the SD card. Bob says he’ll be more careful when switching cards next time, or he’ll just let me do it.

Susan Manzke

Writer, Speaker, All-Around Good Person