Category Archives: off the farm activities

The Farm Wife Tour of Disney World

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Disney 144Walt Disney World, for a kid, is the coolest place in the world, for an adult, it’s worth every penny to see the joy and excitement on your kids faces when they are seeing everything for the first time.  We took Cori to the bibbity bobbity boutique to get her makeup and hair done, Andy got dressed up like a pirate with tattoos and an eye patch, we rode It’s A Small World, Tower of Terror, Pirates of the Caribbean, and walked through the Swiss Family Robinson tree house.  We saw Brave, Mickey, Mary Poppins, Goofy,and Cinderella.  I think we did all we could possibly do in 4 days.

I did find out before we left for Disney, that we would miss the International Flower and Garden show by one week!  I was a little disappointed about that but don’t worry there were plenty of cool horticultural magic that I did get to see.Disney 133I loved these topiaries.

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At Epcot, I was able to get in on a walking tour of the greenhouses.  Disney does everything right and their greenhouses are no exception.  In college at UW-Platteville , The colleges greenhouse were being constructed and brand new when I was there.   Dr. Compton, who was picking the design for the greenhouse, picked a similar design to  Disney’s  because his wife had worked in the Disney greenhouses for years and of course they were the best.  It was cool finally seeing them in person after hearing about them all those years ago (12 to be exact) and I did see the similarities.  A few notable things about what they were growing in the greenhouses were the 9 lb. lemons, the mickey shaped cucumbers and pumpkins, and the different hydroponic and aeroponic systems they were using.    Disney 100

This is a very simple hydoroponic system that anyone can make.  I’m pretty sure Cori and I are going to try it this summer.  You just have to look for a few supplies from a hydroponic supplier like High Tech Garden Supply.  Everything else can be found at Farm and Fleet.  Disney 119This is how they grow pumpkins.  The large brown buckets at the left house the soil and roots and they train the plants along the PVC structure.  Then when a pumpkin gets too heavy, they support it with rope.  The plastic ear mold at the top of the picture is how they get pumpkins to grow ears.  They put the young pumpkin in there and it grows into the mold.  Disney 124This Black Pepper plant is a “hidden Mickey”.  They have them all over the place.  Your supposed to look for them, but I think it works better if your kids are older than 7.  Disney 108

At the end of the tour, Andy got a chance to put lady bugs on the eggplant.  This is an insect control method because ladybugs eat aphids.  Actually, I think some of those tiny white spots on the leafs are the aphids so we got there just in time.  This was the only thing that got Andy’s attention off of his game of Angry birds during the whole tour.Disney 151This is the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom.  It’s not a real tree, but man it was cool and absolutely gigantic.

We had a great vacation at Disney World.  There was too much to do in the time that we had.  I don’t know if I would want to stay any longer though because my waistline just wouldn’t take anymore Disney dining.  It’s all too good and too much.  I’m still paying for it.  The Beer and Cheese soup at Biergarten in Germany at Epcot was to absolutely die for.  I had to come home and modify my recipe to make it taste more like Disney’s.  Just a hint, the beer makes all the difference.  Great, great, food and on the Disney dining plan a dessert comes with every meal.  It’s not just a chocolate chip cookie, it’s like a huge piled high frosted cupcake with strawberries or carrot cake flavor with cream cheese frosting.  Deluxe, because it’s Disney type desserts, and you have to eat it because you’re not coming back to Disney anytime soon.  definitely, still paying for that.

The Farm Wife

Farmwife Tour of Bellagio

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Last week the farmer surprised me by asking if I wanted to go to Las Vegas to the Elite Dairy Producers conference.  This is probably the third year that he has been to the conference, but the first year he has asked me to go.  I’ve never really wanted to go in the past because our kids are young and leaving them for a few days isn’t something I was ready to think about too seriously.  So I thought about it for a few seconds, and decided it’s time for me to get off the farm and have a little “adult only” fun.

We were only in Vegas for 3 days, but three days worth of Vegas fun is equivalent to a whole years worth of southern Wisconsin fun.   A little bit of Vegas goes a long way.  My sister met me for a spa afternoon in the Bellagio.  We entertained the ladies working on our toes and nails with some farm stories and at one point they were laughing so hard they had to stop working on our pedicures.  We have a few antidotes that bring down the house every time we tell them.  We should’ve been charging them for the entertainment.

Without any further adieu, This is the farmwife tour of the Bellagio….

I know it’s gorgeous.  As far as I could tell everything was real with the exception of the grapes.  The vines, pumpkins grasses, flowers it was all the real deal.  Of course my first question to the farmer was where do they ship all this stuff in from?  Vegas can’t grow this stuff.They had about 7 of these big boys, averaging about 800 lbs a piece.

This is a cool piece.  When I was walking around at 5:00 am, hunting for a place that was serving coffee, evidently no one else in Vegas is up at 5am.  Strange.    Anyways, the hotel staff was replacing fresh flowers by the cart fulls.  This pumpkin is a floral foam mold that is full of carnations to look like a pumpkin.  This lady replaces a few sections of the carnations by hand everyday.  There is a huge storage area in Bellagio, the size of the farmers shed, where they keep all their decor items.  I saw it when they were bringing carts of flowers out.  Still waiting for coffee…..

The kids would’ve loved the talking tree.

There was also a Monet exhibit in the Bellagio that we didn’t get a chance to go see, but this is a floral depiction of Monet’s painting of haystacks.

Vegas was a great time, I don’t think I need to go back for another year, but none the less it was a good time.  I’m happy to be back on the farm where it is dark when the sun goes down and when someone drives by I generally know who they are and where they’re going.

The Farm Wife

Gays Mills

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Gays Mills is the Nappa Valley of Wisconsin.  Instead of grapes and wineries its apples and orchards.  Because I have a small orchard of my own, I have never had a reason to go to Gays Mills.  My apple trees, this year, just are not their usual an early warm March and then not getting rain from mid June on just was too much stress for them.  I did get some apples but not enough to make my usual 20 quarts of applesauce, 4 or 5 pies, 5 or 6 apple crisps, and 30 gallons of cider.   I was not able to recoup those losses from Gays Mills, but it was worth the trip.

I basically just wanted to go to see how their crop of apples turned out this year and after looking at this tree,  I figured they must know something I don’t about how to grow apples.  This is an old tree and holy moly can it produce apples.  I also wanted to go and eat an apple doughnut or two.  That mission was definitely accomplished.  Then it was accomplished again a few more times when we got home.  Remember that 30 gallons of apple cider I mentioned, I had no idea that apple cider was running $7.00/gallon at the orchards.  I could be rich.  It makes me really miss our cider this year.  We will look forward to a better season next year.

The Farm Wife

The Farm Auction

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Farm Auctions are a treasure trove for me.  I fight with myself often when we go.  I enjoy mid-century (1930s to 1950s) farm antiques especially kitchen tools and things related to the kitchen and home.  With that being said, I also am not a junk collector.   I have gotten to the point that unless something really grabs my attention, I don’t really need it.

Recently, the farmer, the kids, and I went to an auction that was  really unique.  It was a 4th generation farm owned by the same family.  Its sort of sad that after 4 generations the farm was being sold, but it was a pleasure seeing this old farm and letting the kids run around in the barn.

The best thing for me at this farm auction was the old show box.  If you’re not familiar with showing large animals maybe you don’t understand how important the show box is.  The show box holds all your stuff, show clothes, brushes, animal hair spray (see Tails of Tales if you’re wondering why animals would need hairspray), cleaning products (yours and the animals), show sticks, boots, it’s all in the show box.  During my steer showing days, we didn’t have a great show box, but it did the trick.  It housed all our stuff and was a great seat when our friends came to the barn to hang out for a while.

So I took one look at the show box (behind the stove with lid open.  I think I was so excited about it I forgot to take a better picture of it.)  and quickly ran over to the farmer and declared that we needed this box. ” Spare at no expense” I said,  “it’s in fantastic condition and they just don’t make ‘em like this anymore.”  He headed over to where the box was, agreed it was a good one, but the farmer is way to “dollars and cents” to go crazy about a show box.  Little did I know, there was another wife telling her husband that the show box was awesome and that he should spare at no expense.  She liked it because it was her grandfathers and had her maiden name painted on it.  Maiden name on show box trumps my, wanting it for the kids to use when they show- big time.  The other husband had stricter orders to spare at no expense because he went past what the farmer was comfortable paying for it and he was not going to stop.

I did score these great old seed bags though so I was happy.

Then they moved onto the farm sale.  This is a long process that involves a lot of numbers being thrown around.  It’s just the thing the farmer loves to go watch.  I also enjoy watching it as long as there’s not a pop quiz about what just happened.    The farmer usually explains the entire process to me on the ride home.  Seriously, I am not an idiot these auctions are extremely involved.  There are lawyers present, There are separate parcels being sold, there is usually more than one auctioneer, and there is a lot of time waiting for everyone to calculate.  If you want the house and buildings and make the highest bid on the house and buildings they will declare you the highest bidder on that parcel then at the end they ask for anyone to make a higher bid on the entire farm and if your bid is outdone you won’t get another chance to raise your bid so your out of luck.  The moral of the story was the farm sold for $895,000 it was 145 acres  and sold in two pieces.

It was such a great morning for a sale  it was about 70 degrees and the kids played in the barn practically the whole time with other kids.  We all left saying “We love farm auctions.”

The Farm Wife

August is fun, but exhausting!

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August is my favorite month.  It’s my birthday month (11th), it’s big garden harvest month, it’s also our families vacation month.  For those reasons, and a few others, I have not been on the computer much for the last week and a half.  We just got home yesterday from vacation.  I actually would not have minded blogging on  vacation because a few ideas hit me in between swimming and hiking, but we don’t have internet at our vacation spot so I guess those ideas will have to hit me again at a much more convenient time.

I dove into the Hunger Games novels during vacation.  I downloaded it a while ago on my Kindle but have not managed to read until vacation rolled around.  Now, as I knew would happen, I can’t put it down.  I’m still on the first book.  I would like to keep reading but I have 30 lbs of tomatoes staring at me wondering what their fate is.  I am staring back and wondering the same thing.  Sauce or can?  The boys have sores in their mouths because of our recent tomato intake.  So we are taking a reprieve from fresh salsa.

My birthday was right before our vacation and the farmer got me the best birthday present of all time.  At least in my book.  It’s a B.N. Morris canoe.  It is a beautiful boat.  Mahogany gunwales, cane seats, original label and serial number plate,  it really is something to see.  There are not many like it around here.  Out on the east coast, where Morris’ were made until 1920 when the factory burnt down, they are probably a little more common.   The farmers Godfather is a collector of wood boats and has probably 5 wood/canvas canoes.  When I saw his collection a few years ago, the farmer knew I was hooked.  They are nicknamed courting canoes because 100 years ago, I believe in New York and Massachusetts, these boats were used to take your girl out on a ride.   He would do the paddling while she would enjoy the ride.  Oh how times have changed.  We did take it out for a ride but there was a lot more arguing than courting.    That argument ended with “I’m sorry I’m so much stronger than you.”  That doesn’t sound like much of an apology to me.  We did enjoy our time fishing though.  It didn’t involve paddling.  Every married couple should have to paddle a canoe for a while.  Then we had to carry it up 70 steps to the house.  We survived and decided that we will do it again when we can feel our arms again.  Plastic kayaks are not nearly as cool looking, but they are much much easier to carry up the stairs.

It’s been a great August so far and I am back at the farm and have internet again.  I have lots of gardening to catch up on and can’t wait to blog about the garden harvest as it comes.

The Farm Wife

 

Our County Fair

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The county fair is a big deal for a 4-Her.  I know because I was one once upon a time.  I lived for the fair.  My projects would range from cooking to animals.  This all took place in the 80′s and early 90′s.  Back then fairs were still quite popular and quite well attended.  When I started showing my beef projects, There were 3 full barns of beef cattle.  Now beef and dairy are in one barn and there is room to spare.  Those were the good ol’ days.

Fast forward 15-20 years and we moved to another state and another fair.  Our fair now is the Lafayette County fair and it is still a decent fair and a family can make a fun night of entertainment out of it.  My kids are too young right now to be in 4-H, but don’t think I don’t brainwash them about how much fun we are going to have as soon as they are old enough.  I show them where our cattle will be, where Cori’s flower arrangements will be judged, where the chickens will stay for the week.  I just want them to have as much fun at their fair as I did at mine growing up.

Last night was stock car races at the fair.  It’s not my favorite thing or even on my list to ever see again, but its got its own appeal I guess you could say.  It wasn’t torture.  I enjoy watching the crowd more than anything.  We were sitting by several families that had loved ones racing and it was fun to watch the race and feel their excitement.  We cheered as other cars spun out.  I didn’t quite understand that.  Maybe it’s bonus points if you get someone else to spin out.

My daughter, asked me, before the night was over, what was my favorite part about the evening.  I had to think a minute because we were just having an all around fun evening it  is hard to pick out your favorite part.  I told her that it was the chickens.  I love the fair chickens.  I like to see the different breeds that people bring in.  The meat birds are so funny if you are not used to seeing a bird bred to produce meat.  They are huge compared to a regular chicken.  Her favorite part was the rides.  Both kids brought their “egg” money (money for selling their chicken eggs) and got to ride a few rides.  When I was her age, I’m pretty sure that was my favorite part also.  Now I can’t even look at any ride that goes in a circle.

Meat bird. Check out the legs on that boy.

The Farm Wife

Breakfast in an 1890’s Victorian Kitchen

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  • Rice waffles
  • German pancakes
  • Country Fried Ham with Red Eye Gravy
  • Fried Catfish
  • Strawberries and Cream
  • Biscuits
  • Egg Coffee
  • Hot Chocolate

How does that sound for breakfast?  To me it sounded awesome although maybe in the 1890’s they didn’t get the memo that here in Wisconsin we eat cheese with every meal.  Anyways, it was awesome and making it all in an 1890’s kitchen made it even better.

In Prairie du Chien, Wi. There is a mansion called the Villa Louis.  It was built in the 1840’s and through the early 1900’s it was a summer home to the wealthy Dousman family.  Now the Wisconsin state historical society opens the mansion up for tours and puts on special programs like the one my mom and I attended last weekend called Breakfast in a Victorian Kitchen.

We made everything sans electricity and new appliances.  That includes dishwashers.  I thought maybe they could just throw one in the back where no one could see it to put the dishes in when everyone is done eating.  No such luck.  We used wooden spoons, old crocks, egg beaters, cast iron skillets, the works.  Mom and I were in charge of the German Pancakes.  It was a great dish with about 4 ingredients, flour, milk, eggs, and butter.  It was more of what we would consider an egg bake than a pancake.

One of the highlights of the morning for me was learning about egg coffee.  Get this and get ready for your life to change.  You can make coffee without a filter or other straining device.  I know, I know, you say it can’t be done.  It can and I drank the proof.  These people were geniuses.

Coffee made with an egg:

One egg is sufficient to clear one cup of ground coffee.  If a smaller quantity be desired, half an egg may be used, as if fresh, the remainder will keep until the next day.  Or the whole egg may be beaten with the ground coffee, and such portion of it used as needed, keeping the remainder closely covered.  To make the coffee, add one half cup of cold water to the portion of egg to be used and one third of a cup of coffee.

The Boston Cook Book, Mrs. D.A.Lincoln, 1884

So basically what that means is you can beat an egg or eggs (depending on how many cups are being made) with the coffee grounds.  Essentially, you are mixing a blob of egg and coffee grounds.  Then, put that mixture into the cold water and heat it up.  When the egg mass is cooked you remove it and you have coffee left with no grounds.  Isn’t that amazing?  The person who thought of that deserves a medal.  Sure it’s more economical to use a coffee maker but what if you are a guest at someone’s house who doesn’t have a coffee maker?  Yes, those people do exist.  Before you grab the keys to go to McDonald’s think of egg coffee.  Although, if they don’t have a coffee maker they probably don’t have coffee.  Well, let this be a lesson to you- next time, travel with your own coffee.

The Farm Wife

Hot Air Balloon Chasers

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Last night we were on our way to the other farm to take care of chickens and grab eggs.  We usually make this a family outing if at all possible because first of all, the chickens need to be taken care of, and secondly the farmer enjoys looking at the corn as if it was his own flesh and blood.  Although, I do know how he feels because I walk out to my garden every chance I get to just look at it and note its progress.

Anyways, last nights taking care of chickens turned into hot air balloon chasers.  There is a balloon company in a popular tourist town about 20 miles south of us that gives hot air balloon rides.  It is a rare occurrence that the balloons will get as far north as us, but it does happen.  Well last night was one of those nights.  There was a prevailing south wind and there were 2 balloons in the air that kept coming closer and closer.

When we first saw them, they were still quite a ways south, but seemed to be coming closer.  I told the farmer to get closer so we started our balloon chasing adventure.  We zigged and zagged down the country roads trying to get the best views we could get.  We were having a good time and those balloons kept heading north so we kept chasing.

When is was all said and done the balloons ended up on our neighbors hay-field just across the road and about 3 football field lengths from our field.  The deal is, if the balloons land in your field and you are there to witness you get free tickets to go up on a balloon ride.  It was pretty close we were so hoping but when they started to descend we knew we were out of luck.  It was still a fun Sunday night activity to chase a hot air balloon.

The Farm Wife

p.s. All these pics were taken with the farmers Iphone because I always break blogging rule #1. Never leave home without your camera.

Dane County Farmers Market

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Dane County Farmers Market on the Square Madison Wisconsin

I enjoy a good farmers market.  I had a friend in college whose summer income was selling her flowers, hanging baskets, and bedding plants at a popular, local farmers market.  It’s a lot of work, you have to be a good manager -at a time in your life when staying out late on Friday night is more popular than waking up at 4am on Saturday morning but with the right market and the right product, there is money to be made.

I have from time to time gone back and forth about trying my hand at the farmers market set.  In another life, maybe.  I am lucky to live in an area where there are a couple really good farmers markets.  Of course I have a few favorite products at each one and it would take me all day going from one to the next to get all my favorite things.  Cheese at Madison, Cinnamon rolls at Platteville, cut-flowers in Galena, I guess every saturday I just need to choose what I want most.

Dane County farmers market in Madison is the largest producer only farmers market in the country.  In my opinion, producer only, is the only way to be a true farmers market.  Right now there is a five yr. waiting list to have a stand at the farmers market. Then, once you are in you are required to be there or you will lose your spot.  I suppose if you wait 5 yrs your going to take every opportunity you can to showcase your product.

My daughter and I got there really early to beat the crowds.  Her first score was a small bouquet of yellow roses.  Mine was a larger bouquet of dahlias. 

Then, you don’t have to tell us twice where the cheese is.

Raw Milk Gouda made by Bleu Mont Dairy was my cheese of choice that day.  It was fantastic.  So many great artisan cheese makers in Wisconsin.  Dane County Farmers Market has many from around the state in one spot.  It’s a cheese lovers paradise.

Then we sat down to enjoy more of our great finds.

We had a good time.  We could do without the political madness that seems to swirl around our state capitol, but we kept to ourselves and enjoyed the fresh, local, farm products.

The Farm Wife