holidays

Looking Back at 2019

December 16, 2019

Isn’t this a cool tractor? It’s a 1939 Ford 9N, packing in 80 years of all-purpose, workhorse reliability. These days its main jobs are moving our chicken coops in summer and hauling wood in winter. With a bit of patience on the startup, this ol’ boy has as much get-up-and-go as the day its treads first hit the soil.

On that mark, we’re coming up on the winter solstice and I’m in full reflection mode of this past year. I smile to think how this vintage tractor was part of our family’s big year of zeroes. My husband and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in February. We then celebrated our 60th birthdays and our daughter’s 40th. On top of that, we’ve got a new grandbaby coming who will laud either the end of 2019 or the beginning of 2020. Yes, it’s been a monumental year and, no, none of us have aged at all (an obvious wink comes with that last part).

This year has been meaningful for Adunate as well. Here are a few highlights.

Workshop Presentations (aka Personal Growth)

I was proud to present workshops at the MOSES Organic Conference and the W omen in Sustainable Ag Conference (WISA). Public speaking was a leap outside my comfort zone but I found it a compelling way to connect with the most interesting people. I love working with small, family farmers as they brand and market their businesses.

Meaningful Clients

In my 14 years of business, I’ve been blessed with wonderful clients doing exceptionally meaningful things. These are people who I not only work with in multitude of capacities but with whom I share great friendships. This year I was proud to add The Cider Farm and The Farmory to my list. I’ve also got upcoming projects for two very amazing clients and I can’t wait to showcase them.

An Upcoming Anniversary

Finally, as this decade comes to a close, I’m excited for 2020. It’s another big anniversary—15 years for Adunate! I’d be remiss without saying how much I appreciate everyone; from clients, to colleagues, to mentors. Thanks for being the Ford 9Ns in my world and letting me be the same in yours!

Happy Winter Solstice and God’s blessings to all!

Happy Perihelion Day!

January 2, 2019

Obviously, I’m not quite ready to give up the holidays. It seems I’m looking for any excuse at all to continue the festivities, so here’s to a warm and cheery Perihelion Day!

Perhaps you already knew this — I did not until I saw it on my Wisconsin Phenology Calendar —but perihelion is the term for when the earth is closest to the sun. You wouldn’t think we’d celebrate this during the heart of winter but as The Old Farmer’s Almanac explains, it’s the tilt of the Earth’s axis that affects our seasons, not our distance from the sun. So go ahead, raise that last bit of eggnog to being 3 million miles closer to the sun than we are in June.

Looking ahead to 2019

Getting back into the groove after 12 days of Christmas is hard— yes, we really did do the traditional 12 days of Christmas! We had a memorable season with family celebrations, worship services, movie, light show, hiking and an overnight trip. And don’t forget the food, lots of very good food.

Now today, Perihelion Day, it’s time to get back to work. Sigh.

In truth, I think I’m set to go. Yesterday as I cleaned my office and organized Adunate for coming year, I found myself feeling excited, optimistic and full of prayerful confidence. I’ve got some interesting projects in the pipeline. I’ll be working with fascinating people: foodies, farmers, non-profits and businesses, all of whom care about making things better for others. And I’m challenging myself to step further beyond my comfort zone—that’s where those prayers come in handy!

A Toast to 2019!

Here’s to many blessings in the New Year. Let’s keep in touch. I’ve got lots of ideas to take your business to a higher level!

Giving Tuesday: The Easiest Way to Put Christ Back in Christmas!

November 29, 2016

Last week I was stopped at a Madison intersection along side this gentleman. “Homeless,” his sign read. “Anything helps.” I gave him some money, wished him God’s blessings and moved on with the green light.

Homeless. Jobless. Sick child. Hungry dog. These are the signs of street beggars. They populate our cities and evoke a complexity of consciousness. Most of us, myself included, waver between sympathetic tugs of the heart and hardened, self-righteous judgements. We wonder if giving money will help the homeless get out of the cold for the night. Or, we presumptuously assume we’re funding a “fix” for their addiction.

What are we as Christians to do?

Fortunately, God makes it a no-brainer. Throughout the Bible he repeatedly gives three instructions 1) Give to the Poor, 2) Do not judge, and 3) Spread Christ’s love. Since today is Giving Tuesday, I’ve come up with a quick and easy way to do all three.

Here you go!

It’s the DIY Giving Envelope for your earthly and spiritual giving. Sized to fit your wallet, it’s ready to grab whenever you’re on the go. It handily showcases encouraging Bible passages without hiding the gift inside.

I designed the DIY Giving Envelope with easy-to-read fonts for mega-quick scanning. Oh, I know, a homeless person might easily take the money and throw the envelope aside. But someone’s got to pick it up, right? Who knows what God has planned for this fibrous voice of optimism?

The envelope opens wide so you can write the contact info of a welcoming organization on the inside. Best of all, this is a DIY that’s super easy to make!

DIY Giving Envelope

Click here for the full size PDF template.
Print, fold in half on horizontal dotted line, and cut out around the solid line.
Fold on the vertical dotted line to create an end for the envelope.
Put in some money, keep in a handy place.
You’re done! An easy five minutes, tops.

Finally, I understand some people conscientiously do not feel comfortable giving money to the homeless. You feel more responsible donating to a charitable organization. A heartfelt kudos to you. Perhaps you’d rather brighten someone’s day by leaving this DYI Giving Envelope in a returned library book or doctor’s office magazine. No matter how you give or to whom, know you’re offering a touch of God’s love. Do so with a prayer for the recipient!

Happy Giving Tuesday!

Happy New Year 2016!

January 4, 2016

Isn’t this a pretty stream? I saw it a couple weeks ago while meandering through the Wisconsin countryside. Obviously, this year’s Christmas landscape was rather blasé, but here was a winding ribbon of blue to brighten things up. When this Bible passage came up on my New Years’ verse-a-day, I immediately thought of this scene.

In context, the Isaiah passage is referencing the release of the Jews out of their captivity and, beyond that, the redemption we all have through Christ Jesus. But what makes the Bible special is that we can easily apply its message to all aspects of our life. Like now, for the new year.

These first days of January always bring a sense of joy and anticipation. I’ve completely cleaned my office (believe me, it had become a wasteland!) and I have interesting projects ahead in the pipeline. I’m excited to see what new things God has planned for Adunate and my clients!

Happy 2016, everyone! May God bless your new year!

Merry Christmas!

December 22, 2015

Celebrating With Eco-Friendly Totes

December 15, 2015

My tote bags are in!

Since it’s Adunate’s anniversary year, I wanted to do something special for the wonderful people with whom I’ve had the honor to work. Many of them are sustainably-minded, be it with the food they produce or the products they manufacture. I felt it important to give them something that fits well with their business mission and way of life.

I’m excited by the quality of the bag. I wanted a heavy duty cotton and found just what I was looking for at Bagmasters (ask for Amber, she was super helpful).

The bags are 14″ x 10.5″ and have a 5″ gusset for lots of spacious stuffing.

The shoulder straps are sturdily sewn into an inside binding and just the right length for comfortable carrying…

…or hanging a display of Christmas greenery…

…on a lovely old door.

Have a totin’ good Christmas everyone! It’s a glorious time of year!

Happy Easter!

April 2, 2015

Can I just say how good the air feels around here? Spring has sprung! I’ve been busy wrapping up a few special projects—more on those to come. And, I’ve got a houseful of guests coming for Easter dinner. The air here is filled with joy and excitement!

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26.

Yes, I do!

How 100-Year-Old Wood Adds Meaning to Christmas

December 15, 2014

Last week I spent a hands-on day at the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum in Two Rivers, WI. What a great day! For all you typophiles (yes, there’s actually a forum for you), Hamilton is the largest collection of wood type, wood cuts and historic printing machines in the world. It’s a fully functional museum, which means artists, typographers and letterpress wannabes like me can spend a day playing with paper, ink and über alt alphabets.

Like the cool dudes in this picture.

Actually these men may or may not have done printing. As craftsmen for Hamilton Manufacturing Company, they were the oomph of the collections we have today. They cut and sanded logs of wood. They carved and refined letters. They were the master makers of wood type.

The original company, called J.E. Hamilton Holly Wood Type Company, was founded in 1880 and within 20 years was the largest manufacturer of wood type in the United States. Even as letterpress printing gave way to newer technologies, Hamilton continued producing wood type until the end of the 20th century. Today the company is Hamilton Scientific.

So now we have the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum! With 1.5 million pieces of wood type and 45,000 square feet of space, it makes for a jaw-dropping, creativity-cranking museum and workshop.

Before we started with our printing, assistant director Stephanie Carpenter led us on an informational tour. She’s a great guide and knows her stuff well. She proudly explained the museum’s dedication to the preserving wood type production, including carving letters with this original pantograph machine. Once a month a now-90-year-old, retired Hamilton employee tutors two staff members on this highly skilled craft.

How many you dream of owning a letterpress like this? Join throngs of like-minded Ebay shoppers and prepare to spend oodles. In the meantime, the Hamilton museum has a full display of presses from throughout the industry’s history. Imagine the pages they printed back in the day!

After letterpress came linotype. Hamilton Manufacturing Company didn’t produce linotype machines, however the museum has a wonderful display for this era of printing.

And then we started our own printing! Probably like most first timers, I completely underestimated how meticulous and time consuming setting type by hand can be. I quickly simplified my design.

Caution! Wet Ink! Arcint Architecture owners Edward Haydin and Ryan Thacker made these stunning posters to commemorate their firm’s second anniversary. What a great idea! (This upcoming year marks a big one for Adunate—I may head back up to Two Rivers and make posters of my own.)

Ta-da! And here’s my final product. I never got into scrapbooking or stamping, simply because it’s one more hobby I would find myself obsessing over. But, hey, this printing, punching holes and threading jute by hand…after spending hours at the computer, it’s a tactual delight!

The best thing about making your own cards—writing your own message.

Merry Christmas to everyone, especially my dear customers. God’s blessings to you in 2015!