The Country Register (Northern Rockies Great Plains) | July/August 2023 Issue

Kelsey Ruzicka Publisher of The Country Register of ND, SD, WY, MT & N. ID

Editor’s Notes

Lake Day Vibes

“Keep close to Nature’s heart... and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” – John Muir

Days spent in nature, whether they are in the garden or out by the lake are good for the soul. They bring us back to the simple elements of being. Clean air, water and that warm beam of sunshine. Out in nature we can find our peace, chat with ourselves, ponder, pray, and meditate on what life has on our plates.

Any big moment in my life can be matched by time I spent in nature healing or preparing my heart. The summer before college, I spent countless hours in tennis shoes and my headphones on walks through town. Not just for the good exercise but for the mental preparation of leaving my family and friends and embarking on a new adventure.

When my heart was broken as a young woman, I found peace and healing while hiking through the Black Hills. And, when life gave me some medical hurdles I found peace and gratitude and time to pray on my porch, with my flowers or just resting in the sun. Any time my soul needed repair, encouragement or just preparation for change, nature provided that peaceful connection.

There is something about escaping the tasks, the tech, and the noise of our everyday lives and just being in nature. Lake days are like that. A weekend of calm, rest and fun with family and friends. Less of life’s tasks.

Whether you find this peace at the lake, in your garden at home, or on your porch with a glass of tea…. I wish you “lake day vibes” this summer. A summer filled with simple moments and restorative days.

The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains including North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, & Northern Idaho Kelsey (Snyder) Ruzicka, Publisher

Produced by Moxie Marketing of the Midwest, LLC PO BOX 2015 • Belle Fourche, SD 57717 605-568-0181 Office www.countryregister.com/nrgp www.moxiemarketingmw.com

Publisher’s contact numbers across the USA & Canada for The Country Register Send $3 to any publisher below to obtain a paper from another area: * Indicates these editions are available on–line at www.countryregister.com.

Country Register Founder: Barbara Floyd, 602-237-6008, info@countryregister.com, located: Phoenix, AZ USA

* Arizona: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950

* Arkansas: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, 405-470-2597, lenda@countryregister.com

* California: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950

* Colorado: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797

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* Idaho (N): Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com

* Idaho (S): Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950

* Illinois: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com

* Indiana: Gail & Merle Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, info@countryregisteronline.com

* Iowa: Linda Glendy, P.O. Box 6, Tama, IA, 52339, IowaCountryRegister@mchsi.com

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* Maryland: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com

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* Minnesota: Kim & Mickey Keller, 12835 Kiska St. NE, Blaine, MN, 55449, minnesota@countryregister.com

* Missouri: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com

* Montana: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com

* Nebraska: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950

* Nevada (N): Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950*

* Nevada (S): Glena Dunn, 4568 Carol Circle, Las Vegas, NV, 89120, 702-523-1803

* New Hampshire: Michelle Hatch, 20 Chester Street, Chester, NH 03036, 603-571-1822

* New Jersey: Merle and Gail Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, info@countryregisteronline.com

* New Mexico: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797

* New York: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com

* North Carolina: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 888-942-8950

* North Dakota: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com

* Ohio: Barb Moore, P. O. Box 37, Cable, OH, 43009, ohiocountryregister@yahoo.com

* Oklahoma: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com

* Oregon: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950

* Pennsylvania: Gail & Merle Taylor, P.O. Box 128, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763, 888-616-8319, Fax 800-609-0278

* Rhode Island: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com

* South Carolina: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 888-942-8950

* South Dakota: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com

* Tennessee: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243, cowprintdesigns@gmail.com

* Texas: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com

* Utah: Available

* Vermont: Michelle Hatch, 20 Chester Street, Chester, NH 03036, 603-571-1822

* Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com

* Washington: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950

* West Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, PO Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com

* Wisconsin: Scott & Jennifer Hughes, P. O. Box 276, Altoona, WI, 54720, jennifer@countryregisterofwisconsin.com

* Wyoming: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com

CANADA

* Alberta: Ruth Burke, P.O. Box 97, Heisler, AB, T0B2A0,780-889-3776, countryregab@yahoo.com

* British Columbia: Bryan Stonehill, Box 1338, Summerland, BC, V0H 1Z0, 800-784-6711

* Manitoba & Saskatchewan: Scott & Marj Kearns, Box 850, Kipling, SK, S0G 2S0, countryregister@sasket.net

* Ontario: Harriet Ramos, Box 60, 4338 Innes Rd., Orleans, ON K4A 3W3, 343-882-5812

What’s Inside?

• Hill City Quilt Show - Cover/Page 2

• Cup of Tea with Lydia - Page 3

• The Continuity of Grace- Page 4

• Cowgirl Poet - Page 4

• Become Inspired - Page 6

• Lake Days Feature - Page 8/Page 9

• Spot the Difference - Page 9

• Robin’s Nest DIY - Page 10

• Summer Is- Page 11

• Ice Cream in A Bag - Page 11

• Summertime & Catch of the Day Recipes- Page 13

• Wyoming Yarn Crawl - Page 14

• Kids Craft Corner - Page 15

The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains

July/August • Volume 13 Issue 4

The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains is published every two months. Copyright 2023.

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Index: See page 14 for advertiser’s index by name and by community as well as upcoming events.

Next Deadline: Ads and articles for the September/October 2023 issue are due August 7, 2023.

A Cup of Tea with Lydia: Making Memories with a Simplici-TEA

By Lydia E. Harris

Sometimes the simplest get-togethers create the sweetest memories, especially if you share a cup of tea.

We hadn’t seen our friends Ron and Tami for many years. Now they were coming to Seattle to visit relatives, hear a world-renowned singer, and visit Milt and me. It would be a treat to connect with them again.

Tami and I both love all things tea, so I asked, “Would you like to join us for tea and scones?”

“I’m not eating flour or sugar,” Tami replied. “But a cup of tea would be perfect.” With lots of tea choices and numerous individual teapots, we could sample several blends.

Since I was baking custard for my grandkids the day before our guests were coming, I also made custard without sugar for them—just milk, eggs, salt, vanilla, and a dusting of nutmeg on top. Quick and easy.

Then, to my delight, the mailman delivered a large tray of dried fruit and nuts from my pen pal. The label didn’t include processed sugar, so I could share my gift with Ron and Tami.

As I prepared for our teatime, the sun shone and a lilac-scented breeze blew—perfect for afternoon tea on our upper-level deck. The shade of the canopy and the surrounding trees gave our deck the feel of a treehouse. For a friendly welcome, I set the table with linens, silver tableware, fresh lilacs, and floral china plates, cups, and teapots.

We began our teatime by smelling different teas and selecting flavors to try. Paris tea and green Earl Grey tea with lavender won the first round. Ron and Tami enjoyed sipping new flavors and thought the tea assortment was the entire menu. But surprise! I brought out a large platter with dried fruit and nuts. I also served the custard in colorful egg-shaped ramekins and offered fresh blueberries to sweeten the pudding. They savored it all.

One of the best parts of sipping tea with friends is catching up on each other’s lives—taking time to listen, care, share our hearts, and pray. In a sense, time seems to stand still as you linger over tea. But at the same time, it seems short and flies by. All too soon our simplici-TEA was over, and it was time for photos, hugs, and fond farewells.

To my delight, later Tami emailed, “Time together with you and Milt over tea was the highlight of our trip.”

“How could that be?” I asked her.

“You made everything so special for us, and the day was absolutely perfect.”

“But you spent time with relatives and heard Andrea Bocelli, right?”

“Yes, everything was amazing. But your tea was a pleasant surprise. Ron and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Of course, we enjoyed the sweet teatime with them as well. From their appreciative response, here are my tips: 1, 2, 3 for a simplici—TEA.

1. Set a pretty table.

2. Offer a fragrant tea assortment.

3. Surprise guests with easy-to-prepare nibbles. Sometimes the simplest teatimes create the sweetest memories. Until our next teatime—adios, aufwiedersehen, goodbye, and adieu. May God bless you!

Lydia E. Harris is a tea enthusiast, grandmother of five (Grandma Tea), and author of In the Kitchen with Grandma: Stirring Up Tasty Memories Together and Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting. Watch for her new devotional book for grandparents, scheduled to release in September for Grandparents Day. Her books are available through bookstores and online

From Lydia’s Recipe File: Grandma’s Yum-Delicious Baked Custard (From In the Kitchen with Grandma, page 160) Healthy and easy to make. A favorite of Grandma Tea’s grandchildren.

Gather

2 cups milk, scalded

2 large eggs

1/3 cup sugar (omit for sugar-free)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon salt

nutmeg to sprinkle on top

Cook:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Microwave milk on high about 3 minutes to scald it.

2. In medium-sized bowl, beat eggs slightly.

3. Mix in sugar, salt, and vanilla. Then stir in milk.

4. Pour into a 1 1/2-quart baking dish or 5 or 6 custard cups.

5. Set custard dish(es) in a pan and fill pan with 1 inch of water.

6. Lightly sprinkle nutmeg on top of custard.

7. Bake for 45 minutes if made in a baking dish, until a table knife inserted 1 inch from the edge comes out clean. If made in custard cups, test for doneness after 35 minutes.

8. Serve warm or chilled. Refrigerate leftovers.

Makes 6 servings

The Continuity Of Grace

By Kerri Habben Bosman

On this overcast day, I am sitting contemplating Grace. The framed photograph of an old man praying hangs above my roll-top desk in our living room.

The old man prayed from their dining room while my husband, Wayne, and his siblings were growing up. He prayed after everyone left home and had families of their own. Perhaps he prayed harder during sad times and grace was needed most. Maybe he prayed more as grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and in recent years, great-great grandchildren came along. He prayed through all the sunshine and through every storm.

He is praying right now as I study him. As he always will. For grace, not just Grace, continues on.

The original photograph, Grace taken around 1918 by Eric Enstrom, was originally black and white. It depicts a peddler named Charles Wilden, who lived in a sod house in Bovey, Minnesota. On the table in front of him is a loaf of bread and a knife to cut it, a bowl of gruel, and a dictionary. (It has been interpreted as a Bible, but the original prop was a dictionary.) On top of the book are the old man’s glasses, lens side down as if he tossed them there in exhaustion or frustration. In 2002 the colorized version of the photograph became the official state photo of Minnesota.

Our rendition of the old man praying lived for generations on the dining room wall in a home in Wisconsin. The piece was an anniversary present to Wayne’s parents from his Aunt Tootie and Uncle Jack when Wayne, his brothers, and sister were young children. My mother-in-law is now 102 years old, and for some years now has been asking everyone in the family what they would like from her home someday. Some items have already been moved, and others have designations on the back. Wayne asked for the picture of the old man, and Mom first offered it to us over two years ago. We didn’t take it then because there would be a blank space on her wall. On a more recent visit, he had been taken down and replaced by a framed cross-stitch piece. Thus, the praying man journeyed south with us to North Carolina.

One definition of grace is unmerited divine help or strength. It is there before we are even aware of it. It is there when we can’t feel it, and it leads us back to ourselves if we’ve forgotten the way. It reminds us to set down the luggage of life when we are carrying too much. It is there through uncertainty and hardship. And grace is with us always, as with the old man prays on.

Each person inclined to prayer has their own method. For me, prayer is simply about breathing out and breathing in, all the while being grateful for being alive. To place everything on the table that you’ve been carrying and set aside the weight of the world. If I look at the old man’s tossed eye glasses first, I sense his release of expectation and casting aside of his burdens. I study his face as he prays. I see that he has journeyed to the core of himself and what truly matters. His steadiness reminds me to stand still, savor every breath and say thank you for grace.

Before every meal together, Wayne and I hold hands and pray silently. When we visit Mom, each evening before dinner, we take hands and say the same the blessing that the family has always said. While the prayer may be said by rote, the words themselves are imbued with meaning. These moments of grace shared together permeates to who we are and how deeply we love. All the while, the old man prays on.

Kerri Habben Bosman is a writer in Chapel Hill, NC. She can be reached at 913jeeves@gmail.com.

Cowgirl Poet, Quilter, Entertainer

Yvonne Hollenbeck

The Flag Out On The Ranch

It was an old and faded flag but it was always there, for everyone to see it freely waving in the air. He’d say “I always fly it every time I get a chance, although I know it’s odd to see it out here on this ranch.”

Each morning he would put it up, at night he’d take it down; it seemed so strange to do this when he lived so far from town. But when you’d ask about it, his face would beam with joy he’d tell how he went off to war when he was but a boy. He said it changed him to a man and changed him much too fast from scenes imprinted on his mind, but that is in the past. He lost a lot of buddies but somehow his life was spared; it pleased him so when folks would fly their flag to show they cared. Then said, “I hope you’ll fly one, and never take it down even though you’re in the country and a long long way from town. ‘cause there’s still a lot of people fighting hard to keep us free although it may be for a cause in which you disagree.”

Now, ever since that day when he explained this all to me I know just why he flies it when it’s just for him to see. It’s to show appreciation for those who gave their best, and that flag is always flying on his ranch there in the West.

a weekly column in the “Farmer-Rancher Exchange” and writes articles about life in rural America in various publications throughout the West. For more information, visit https://www.yvonnehollenbeck.com

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Become Inspired: Summer’s Proud Arrival

By Annice Rockwell

Summer days bring with them a sense of leisure and a longing for time spent enjoying the vibrant landscape that has sprung to life in vivid color. Quaint village towns proclaim their pride with American flags dotting their main streets and bright red geraniums filling the window boxes of the neatly tended Federal style homes. Summer has finally arrived. Town parades mark the season, and the sounds of fife and drum hearken back to earlier days. Young men alongside their elders are dressed in full colonial attire and fall into step as they remind happy spectators to remember sacrifices made for freedom. Antique cars polished and waxed to a high sheen for this spectacular summer’s morning are filled with families dressed in straw hats and festive red, white and blue. Their happy waves are a true image of the height of our year.

Shoreline Strolls

Summer evenings also bring opportunities to celebrate and make memories. A stroll along a shoreline town with a warm breeze is a country treat made even more special with a stop at the local ice cream shop where the colorful, creamy flavors entice and delight. Boardwalks lit with radiant moonlight give us a chance to hear the waves up close crashing onto the shore with a stately lighthouse in the far distance still doing its work after over a century of use. And there is something about a warm summer’s night that makes us not want it to ever end. We often find ourselves prematurely missing these long, leisurely days due to their fleeting nature. Perhaps this is what makes summer so special.

Capturing the Magic

We are ever grateful for summer’s arrival because it is a celebration of all of our best. Our proud towns, our beautifully tended gardens and our fun gatherings all seem to rise up to meet it and the result is pure joy. This summer, take time to make memories out of simple yet spectacular moments. Pursue outings that provoke patriotic pride. And as you feel the wonder of the season, capture that summertime magic, and share it with those you hold dear.

--Annice Bradley Rockwell is an educator and owner of Pomfret Antiques. She is currently working on her book, New England Girl. NewEnglandGirl2012@hotmail.com

Countryberries Designs

Summertime FuN

Gardens Full of Beautiful Flowers

Hiking and Camping

Parades * Fireworks * Flags

Popsicles Ice Cream Cones Milk Shakes

Cool Dips in the Ocean, Lake or River

Flip Flops, Tee Shirts and Shorts

Backyard Barbecues

Watermelon Corn on the Cob

Vacations . Cabins by the Lake

Boats Jet Skis Kayaks Canoes

Ice Tea Lemonade Cold Beer

Crusin’ in a Convertible Road Trips

Vintage Car Shows Swimming Pools

Lots of Warm, Sunny Days

Walking Barefoot at the Beach

Lobster Rolls and Fried Clams

Concerts in the Park

Fishing, Biking, Tennis, Golf

Baseball Games and Hot Dogs

Designed by Kathy Graham

Lakes Across the Midwest

We have compiled a fun list of lake day adventure spots by state. This is by no means a complete list, just a few lakes plucked from each state that make for fun lake day adventure spots. Be sure to check out your state or a state nearby and see what new lake adventure you might find.

SOUTH DAKOTA LAKES

Sylvan Lake, Custer SD: www.blackhillsbadlands.com/places/sylvan-lake or https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/custer-state-park/n

Pactola Lake, Rapid City SD

www.travelsouthdakota.com/trip-ideas/story/pactola-reservoir-south-dakotas-version-atlantis

Roy Lake State Park, Lake City SD gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/roy-lake-state-park/

Shadehill Reservoir, Perkins County SD https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/shadehill-recreation-area/

Pickerel Lake, Vilas County gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/pickerel-lake-recreation-area/

MONTANA LAKES

St. Mary Lake, Glacier National Park MT www.visitmt.com/listings/general/lake/st-mary-lake

Flathead Lake, Flathead State Park MT www.visitmt.com/listings/general/lake/flathead-lake

Seeley Lake, (Hour away from Missoula MT) www.visitmt.com/places-to-go/cities-and-towns/seeley-lake

Whitefish Lake, Whitefish MT fwp.mt.gov/whitefish-lake

Holland Lake, Flathead National Forest www.visitmt.com/listings/general/lake/holland-lake

NORTH DAKOTA LAKES

Devils Lake, Ramsey & Benson counties www.devilslakend.com/

Red Willow Lake, Griggs County

www.lake-link.com/north-dakota-lakes/griggs-county/red-willow-lake/6013/

Harker Lake, Kidder County

www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-lakes-in-north-dakota/

Stump Lake, Nelson County

www.ndtourism.com/pekin/places-stay/cabins/stump-lake-park

Lake Upsilon, Rolette County

www.lake-link.com/north-dakota-lakes/rolette-county/lake-upsilon/6097/

WYOMING LAKES

Jackson Lake, Teton County WY www.jacksonholewy.com/blog/a-few-ways-to-enjoy-jackson-lake/

Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park (Teton County WY) www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/yellowstone-lake.htm

Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Sweetwater County travelwyoming.com/places-to-go/destinations/national-historic-sites-and-recreation-areas/ flaming-gorge-national-recreation-area/

Jenny Lake, Teton County www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/jennylakeplan.htm

Phelps Lake, Teton County morethanjustparks.com/phelps-lake/

IDAHO LAKES

Coeur D’Alene

visitnorthidaho.com/activity/lake-coeur-dalene/

Camping By Many Names

In the outdoors world when it comes to camping, there are some who are purists and those who are just out there for the experience.

The very basis of camping is something as simple as pitching up a tent, enjoying nature and craving that solitude away from the city life. It’s not necessarily reserved for just the hardcore outdoor enthusiasts. In the US, a lot of the camping led boom was done by John Muir which led Americans taking to the outdoors. “The mountains are calling, and I must go.”

Here are the different types and kinds of camping to let you decide what works best for you.

Tent camping is the most basic type of camping that everyone essentially knows about. It involves pitching a tent at a local park, recreational spot, or just about anywhere as long as it is the great outdoors. Tent camping has come a long way, there are some pretty amazing tents out there and outdoor tent accessories like mini stoves, mattresses and other items that make the experience more enjoyable. But, maybe you prefer to be close to the Earth and in the elements. That is fine too.

The tent and traditional camping may not be the most feasible option especially when you’re on a last-minute trip and crave that spontaneous decision to just sleep outside. Hammock camping is the perfect kind of camping if you want a lightweight setup. You just need two trees or any poles to line the ridge line from one end to the other.

Car camping is a good way to road trip and see the country. It can also be a good transition. As a mom, I would sure think this is easier done as a couple, youthful adults or older children. But, there are lots of ways to enhance this experience these days too. With car air mattresses, portable showers, and even tent attachments to the roof of your car.

RV Camping is one of the most popular. You can go about as elaborate as you want to here. There are nice pop up and bumper pull RVs out there that do the job and add comfort to the outdoors. But, if glamping is more your style, RVs these days might as well be mobile apartments. With plenty of amenities for one and all.

According to some reports, 59% of glampers involve families and children as some families like to bring the fun to the outdoors minus the stress and hassle of traditional camping.

Whatever end of the outdoor living spectrum you find yourself, being outdoors is never a bad idea. “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine into trees,” John Muir.

Kids Campside Crafts

I don’t know about you, but sometimes having activities for kids to do helps the curb the volume of times a snack is requested or the word “I’m bored.”

Getting kids outside and engaged with arts and crafts helps them tap into parts of their brain and creativity that they might not access otherwise. Not only does art foster innovation, it also helps with motor skills, builds confidence, and teaches perseverance. And it’s a great way to preserve those camping memories for years to come.

We have collected a few ideas for campside crafts.

NAMES WITH NATURE

To create natural names you’ll need a solid piece of construction paper and the world around you. Find a handful of twigs, branches, leaves, and flowers to spell out the letters of your kid’s name. Once you’ve gathered the supplies, use hot or Elmer’s glue to secure the name in place.

ROCKY THE HEDGHOG

Take your camping crafts to the next level with Rocky, your new forest friend! Find an oblong rock and coat the middle with a generous amount of glue (yes, this might get messy). Gather pine needles and stick them to the rock to give Rocky his ‘spines’. Once he looks full and warm, use a sharpie to add a face, and voila! A new forest friend.

BEADED STICKS (OR WIZARD WANDS)

Beaded sticks are easy to make and require only a handful of thin sticks from the forest, beads, and hot glue. Line each branch with beads to make a colorful, fun display. Once there are enough beads on each branch, and a touch of hot glue to the end to secure the beads in place.

STORY STONES

The idea is that each rock is a part or illustration of the story. The child tells the story using the rock pictures. You’ll need a handful of rocks and fine tip markers bring the story to life. Have the kids either retell an old story by coloring pictures on the rocks, or encourage them to create their own!

BEADED WIND CHIME

To make this epic camping craft, first find a solid stick or piece of driftwood. Cut five strips of fishing line or twine and tie a bell at the end of each. Then line each with an assortment of beads. Once each line has its own colorful assortment of beads, tie the line to the driftwood. Repeat this with all strands of beads.

Lake Day Scavenger Hunt

_____ Feather (1pt)

_____ Ladybug, Dragonfly or Butterfly (1pt)

_____ Pine Cone or Acorn (1pt)

_____ Smooth Stone (1pt or 2pts If you can skip the rock on the lake.)

_____ Dandelion or Wildflower (1pt)

_____ Seashell (1pt or 2pts If its not broken.)

_____ Leaf (1pt or 2pts If it’s green.)

_______ (10pts Possible)

You will Need:

It is finally Summer, and nothing depicts Summer better than the Fourth of July! I have seen this project in several seasons, but I thought the red, white and blue would be appropriate for Summer. So here is a very patriotic saltshaker bouquet!

Step Two

You will need, a saltshaker with a screw on top. Here is the perfect opportunity to recycle and old Item. I used a small clear saltshaker, about 3 inches tall, some red, white and blue craft foam sheets, some floral foam, stemmed floral wire, scissors, wire cutters, needle nose pliers, a variety of buttons, coordinating ribbon, a pencil, and a hot glue gun.

Step One

Cut some shapes out of the craft foam. They don’t all have to be flowers, and you can do whatever colors you want.

Step THREE

Take your foam shapes and glue them on the back of the buttons of your choice. Then I bent the wire stems around a pencil to give it a little more character.

Step FIVE

Next you will put wire through the buttonhole and bend it to go back through another hole. Pull the wire down the back side of the button and crimp it with your pliers.

Step Four

Cut a piece of the craft foam (I used red) in a 2X3.5 inches piece for a 3-inch shaker and roll it up to go inside of the shaker. Then cut small pieces of the floral foam to put inside. I packed it down to the bottom.

It’s now time to arrange the bouquet. I made one stem for each of the holes in the shaker. You will want different heights of stems so play around with it until you get a bouquet that you like. The last step is to add the ribbon (of your choice) around the neck of the saltshaker.

So adorable!! These are cute in any seasonal colors!

FINISHED!

Ann’s Lovin’ Ewe: Summer is. . .

By Ann Marie Stewart

Summer is an all-too short parenthesis between spring and fall that begins on Memorial Day and ends with Labor Day. If I could bottle summer moments to savor long after sunshine turns to rain and blue skies turn grey, I’d pick these. How about you?

Sliced homegrown tomatoes seasoned with salt

Picking blueberries straight from the bush and into the mouth

Raspberries from my brother’s garden, sprinkled on shortcake and ice cream.

Watermelon chunks served in a colorful bowl.

The smell of freshly mowed grass

Mist rising off the water as the sun rises

An early morning water ski on a calm lake

Farm-fresh sweet and juicy strawberries

Impromptu gatherings with friends on sunny afternoons

Serendipitous dates outside a coffee shop

Fireflies lighting up the grass

Blackberry stains on my fingers and mouth

The squeals of children running through the sprinkler

The sun warming your face as you lay in the sand

Wearing shorts, flip-flops, and a casual tee-shirt

Cantaloupe and honeydew scooped into balls

Singing along with the Beach Boys while driving home

A family reunion complete with hugs from long distance relatives

Wiggle room in the work schedule

The aroma of basil and mint lingering on my fingertips

Margin instead of mayhem

College kids home for a summer of sharing tales

Whistles, horns, and cheering at the neighborhood swim meet

Wet hair and no makeup or jewelry

Late afternoon thunder and lightning storms illuminating the sky

An early morning walk on the bike trail

Dew dropped spider webs clinging to a tree

A gentle breeze blowing through an open window

Cutting a colorful array of wild flowers from my garden

Savoring a stack of summer reads

A return trip to a place you once called home

Laying in a hammock reading until falling asleep to the rhythm of the swing

Fourth of July sparklers and fireworks

Dining alfresco while listening to a concert

Barbecued hamburgers and chilled summer salads

Having the excuse: “I’m on vacation.”

Two favorite flavors of ice cream in a waffle cone

Iced sweet tea and lemonade after working in the garden

Poolside chats and laughter as lights linger late into the evening

The sun setting a brilliant purple and pink over the short hills

Though June 21 is the official start of summer and September 23rd the end, let’s extend the memories. Which summer experience can you savor long after summer is over?

C 2023 Nostalgic memories like these can be found in Ann Marie Stewart’s novel STARS IN THE GRASS

Ice Cream In A Bag!

This easy homemade ice cream in a bag recipe is a must-try this summer! You only need 5 ingredients to make this homemade ice cream. Kids will love seeing how quickly they can make their own ice cream. Don’t forget to add your favorite toppings like sprinkles or fruit!

This is such a fun activity for kids in the summer! And if you’re low on ice cream in your freezer, it’s a great way to make your own treat! Kids can help shake the bags and of course finish off the ice cream.

YOU ONLY NEED 5 INGREDIENTS TO MAKE ICE CREAM IN A BAG:

Half and Half – OR you can use 1/2 whole milk and 1/2 cream. We have also made it with whole milk and it will still turn out but the ice cream won’t be as creamy Salt – the type of salt doesn’t matter. We used regular table salt. But the chunkier the salt you use, the less chance you’ll get salt mixed into your ice cream by accident.

Ice Vanilla Sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pour 1 cup of half and half into a small ziploc bag.

2. Add 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of sugar.

3. Seal the bag firmly and get any excess air out.

4. In the larger ziploc bag, fill it about 1/2 way with ice. Add 1/4 cup of salt.

5. Then add your small bag and fill with extra ice on top. Seal the large bag. Get gloves for shaking and shake for 6 minutes. *Gloves are needed since the salt makes the ice extra cold.

6. Take the small bag out of the large bag and rinse the outside of the small bag with cold water. Make sure to rinse out the top part of the bag also (above the seal).

7. Once done rinsing, carefully open the small bag to not get any remaining salt from the outside of the bag inside the bag.

8. The ice cream will be a little icy looking to start. Use a spoon to mix it around and soften it up a bit. Scoop out and enjoy!

Wyoming’s Cowboy Yarn Crawl

MEMORIAL DAY TO LABOR DAY

Seven Participating Shops:

Cowgirl Yarn - Laramie

Mountain Meadow Wool - Buffalo

Swanky Mountain - Gillette

The yarn and the tale - Rock Springs

Knit on Purl - Jackson

Summertime Lemonade Catch of the Day Recipes

FISH TACOS

YIELDS: 4 serving(s) | PREP TIME: 20 mins | TOTAL TIME: 35 mins

INGREDIENTS

3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Juice of 1 lime

2 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. paprika

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 1/2 lb. cod (or other flaky white fish)

1/2 tbsp. vegetable oil

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

8 corn tortillas

1 avocado, diced

Lime wedges, for serving Sour cream, for serving

DIRECTIONS

Step 1

FOR THE CORN SLAW:

1/4 c. mayonnaise

Juice of 1 lime

2 tbsp. freshly chopped cilantro

1 tbsp. honey

2 c. shredded purple cabbage

1 c. corn kernels

1 jalapeño, minced

SPARKLING SUMMER LEMONADE

1 cup sugar

3 sprigs fresh mint, plus more for serving

1/2 cup lemon juice plus 1 lemon, sliced into wheels

1/2 cup blackberries

1/2 cup raspberries

1/2 cup strawberries, halved

2 liters seltzer or soda water

PEACH STRAWBERRY LEMONADE

INGREDIENTS

2 cups roughly chopped strawberries

2 cups roughly chopped peaches

3/4 cup raw honey

1/2 cup water

2 cups fresh lemon juice (about 6–8 large lemons)

In a medium shallow bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, paprika, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne.

Step 2

Add cod, tossing until evenly coated. Let marinate 15 minutes.

Step 3

Meanwhile, make slaw: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, cilantro, and honey. Stir in cabbage, corn, and jalapeño. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 4

In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat vegetable oil. Remove cod from marinade and season both sides of each filet with salt and pepper. Add fish flesh side-down. Cook until opaque and cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Let rest 5 minutes before flaking with a fork.

Step 5

Assemble tacos: Serve fish over grilled tortillas with corn slaw and avocado. Squeeze lime juice on top and garnish with sour cream.

WALLEYE FILETS COOKED IN FOIL

Serves:4 | Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1 or 2 walleye fillets

Shallots, minced

½ cup of frozen corn

1 tablespoon of store-bought harissa sauce

DIRECTIONS

Sliced zucchini

Salt and pepper, to taste

Sugar snap peas

Olive oil

Cilantro, chopped

Lemon wedges

1. Prepare grill for medium, direct heat cooking. On a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil, place frozen corn, shallots, salt, pepper, sliced zucchini, sugar snap peas, and walleye. Sprinkle more salt and pepper onto the fish and top with the harissa sauce. Drizzle with olive oil. Fold up foil to make a packet.

2. Place foil packets on the hot grill. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until fish is cooked through and flaky. Sprinkle with cilantro. Serve with lemon wedges.

6 cups water

INSTRUCTIONS

Place strawberries, peaches, honey and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat and let reduce for 10 minutes. Let cool for another 10 minutes then place in a high speed blender and blend until completely combined.

Strain mixer through a sieve into a large pitcher and then add lemon and 6 cups of water. Mix to combined then place in the fridge to cool completely. Serve lemonade over ice!

BLACKBERRY LEMONADE

Muddle 2 cups blackberries with 2 cups simple syrup (recipe follows) in a pitcher. Stir in 2 cups each fresh lemon juice and water; add ice and lemon slices.

Simple Syrup: To make 2 cups simple syrup, bring 1 1/2cups each sugar and water to a boil, stirring until dissolved. Let cool.

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Kid Craft Corner | Paper Fans

Recently, at a community outdoor family event we were looking for simple and affordable crafts we could set up as a station for kiddos to do. Our committee stumbled across this craft and it was such a big hit!

This watermelon fan is a fun craft that is perfect for outside, while camping or just an easy craft with the kiddos of all ages. It is easy to find supplies and it doesn’t require a lot of cash or clean up. Plus, you actually get something useful in the heat when you are done!

All you need are paper plates (ideally ones with ridges), popsicle sticks, markers or paint, and a stapler and some tape.

You fold the paper plate in half and staple the sides. Then, you have the kiddos color the ridges of the plate green for the rind and inside of the half circle pink or red. Then, dot with black ovals (seeds). Stick your popsicle stick inside a slit of the plate and tape to secure.

That’s it! Fun, quick and easy. But, lots of fun and lots of creative add ons. (Example, embellish with black buttons for seeds or jewels. Or make it into a rainbow instead. Or a half sunflower.)

“I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”